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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExeter Advocate, 1904-8-4, Page 2i4e+04.e+o4-0+0+0+ O + + 0 + I Outwitting + 0 + re .-; Monsieur Arnotte 0 ,+ 0 0 • + 4' et oe+04•0+0+0404,10+04-a+0+0+ "Then I say that you are a lira," Paid Jules Arnotte. The speaker WAS seated in a care in a certain town somewbere near the $ahara. The settlement was situat- ed in a dietricr, by name Auteran, cover which the French 'Government airtime overseership, and was under the local supervon of Jules Ar- teotte, a gentleman of Portaguesse- cum-Fronch extraction. The Coneul, for such was the title Amato enjoyed, was o. crafty gen- tleman, who 'Would stoop to any depth to gain his ends• , At this particular moment his company in the cafe consisted of two Entelishmen and a number of other men whose nationality it would have been heed to discover; sufaco it to say they were not Dritish. The two Englishmen, Harry Fos -1 ter and Dick Ainslie, had arrived one day in Autotan, just as Englishmen do turn up in every corner of the earth. They had been in town for nearly a month, and in that time had beeome intituate with most of the townspeople. It was to Harry Foster that the Consul, during a political argument, bad adtireesed hie unflattering re- mark, and after a moment's pause he repeated it again. Crack! Jules Arnotte was lying on the floor with Harry Foster standing over him and inviting him to insult him again. At length Arnotte stood to his feet, his face pale as death, save where a livid mark showed where Foster's fist had •bean. "You shall pay Inc this, you ras- cal Englishman," he hissed, and then he rushed from, the cafe. The other customers sat round in silence. Inwaielly they approved of Foster's action, for Arnotte was &en - many disliked; but it was best to keep in with the Consul, so nobody a lealauded. "rat sorry I did that," murmured Foster; "T was tea hasty." "Yes; I should think we'd better clear out of this as quickly as pos- sible," said Ainslie. "What say you?" "Iani agreeable" rejoined Foster. The two chums soon got their be- longings together and made prepara- tions to start from the town. They deeided to work through the forest to the westward and make their way to the coast. They left the town at nightfall, so t eat their departure occasioned no comment, for tbo good. reason that there were no witnesses to it. The night was spent in a hut about twelve miles away. By about • midday on the morrow they were crossing the rocky plateau which marhs the extreme western boundary of Autergn. Here they rested for a while and partook of their dinner. The ground about them was of a peculiar formation; many tiny cracks and fissures ran hither and thither. As Foster took out his pipe, it ac- cidentally fell from his grasp into one •of the little cre-vices. It was too deep downfor him to reach with his fingers, and, in consequence, he took out his clasp -knife and cut away the earth. While in the act of doing this a startled exclamation left his Iips, vehicle brought Ainslie to his side. Together they peered at the earth which Foster's knife had cut away, and then they stared at each other with wide-open eyes. "It's gold," muttered Ainslie, hoarsely. "Simpler thick with it." Then, actuated by a common im- pulse, both men began to dig up the earth all around them. Everywhere it was the same—gold,, gold, and gold again. "Man, there's millions here," •cried. Foster, excitedly, "and it's ours, too, by all that's lucky." "Ono monaent," said Ainslie; "how 3s it ours?" "Why, we have discovered it." "lees, but discoverer does riot give possession. This land presumably Wangs to the Government of France as repree:ented here, by Jules Ar - "Well, we can buy it," returned Foster, impatiently. "And give the game awa.y at once," rejoined Ainslie. • "No one in their senses wiuld bay a piece of ground like this, all these miles from civilization, unless thero was some ;very good reason. You may depend 'upon it, wore we to approach Ar- notte upon the subject of the pur- chase of it, the wilyefox would pre- tend to treat with us whilst he sent a messenger to find out why We Wanted it, and then he would regret his inability to enter into an agree- ment with us. Six months after- wards he would resign his enviable post and go to Paris and live in the lap of luxury. No, Harry; we've got to think of a plan to circumvent Monsieue Arnotte." The day was drawing to a close when Ainslie suggested they should turn in and think ovee mattei's. The, turning -hi eonsisted of Wrapping themselves up in rugs—one to sleep and the other to keep watch, turn and turn about. • The sun was well up are Ainslie roused his companion. Foster sat for a few moments rubbing his eyes, then he turned excitedly to Ainslie. "rye got it," he cried. "What do you think of this?" He forthwith briefly unfolded a plan, which he had concocted during his watch Og the prov i tot Fortelle a. n. bit low clown, don't you think'!" said Alnelie. when his churn had Neighed Spealiing. ''T mean, I think it makes US look Ilk° a couple or SWindlers.'" "Goa, in Aenotte's eyes and that only for a short time," cried Foster, "You see, as soon as he tries to Make it public) it wlU be at once dis- proved. and no ono will believe him." Eventually the plan was agreed up- on, and the two friends retraced their steps back to the town, whie1. they reacIted during the evening. Their return did not cause any surprise, for, as yet, no One hacl given muck thought to their ab- sence, it being quite aseal fOr towns - Men to be absent for 4 few days on some mysterious expeditiou into the interior; then they were usually wealthy for a day or two, and there wasmounting in some iar-off native It was part of the plan that tego- eiations should be opened up with Arnett°, and for obvious reasons it was considered desirable that Abeslie, and not Foster, should conduct these The offices of the Goverximeat from which the law was dispensed in Au - toren consisted of two villas, built on raised iron foundations and con- nected by a glass -roofed passage. The °Jae was the largest building in ehe town, and above it flaw the Tri- color. At eleveu o'clock the Consul en- tered his private office to transact his daily business, but Ainslie was before him and was waiting. The Ferigliman sat cooliag his heels me - til aalf-past twelve, when the Consul signified his readiness to see him. . "Good morning, Mr. Ainslie," said Arnotte, through the smoke of his cigarette. "What can. I do for you?" "Give me the favor of a private interview with you." Arnotte lookede suspiciously for a moment at hfs visitor, and in a seemingly thoughtless inamier toyed With a revolver on his desk. He watched Ainslie as though he would divine his intentions, but the Eng- lishman's face was like a mask. • "Now, then, Mr. Ainslie, what is it you want?" "I want to enter into a little com- pact with you. You have doubtless heard that there is a good deal to be made out of mining; you know, company promoting and that sort ot thing. Somebody finds a mine out in some unknown land, a conapany is formed, and the mine is sold to them; of coarse, there is a lot of gold in the mine." Ainslie paused and solemnly winked at the Consul. h A h r" said Monsieur Aanotte, whilst his heady eyes glittered. "Wci have discovered a, wonderful mine," said Ainslie, ancl he once more winked at the Consul. Tho Consul winked at Ainslie. "Of course," continued Ainslie, "if we could get a lease of the ground we would not mind paying the Gov- ernment a good price for it." 1-Tere 'both men smiled, for Ainslie had ac- cented the word "Government." "And," he continued, "say 10 per cont. for yourself on the price we 'realize on the mine." "Well, I see no official reason why such a lease should not, he granted," said Arnotte. after a. little consider- ation. "Whore is your mine?" "On Thakre•Platenea" • "Ah!" said the Consul. "It's some way in (lie interior; it wili'be awkward getting machinery there." Once more he winked. , "Shall we hte-e-e an agreement drawn up, then?" asked Ainslie, whilst he smiled broadly. A. map was produced, and an area, the bearings of which had been rovghly taken by Foster and Ainslie the day before, was marked off by Ainslie in an apparently careless manner. A. deed was then made out by which the land was secured to Ainslie for all time at the payment of 25 por acre; the land in question had an area of about forty acres, but land was worthless at a distance of more than four of five nines from the town. Aihslie suggested a clause being put in the agreement to the effect that Arnotte was entitled to 10 per cent. of the amount realized on the sale of the property, bat to this the wily Consul objected, not wishing- his name to be on paper in sucli a manner. "No," he said. "I will rely on your honesty. Has it not been said that all Englishmen are honest even to a fault?" The agreonaent was signed by both parties and duly witnessed and stamped. A. sain of 2,20Q, was then handed over to the Consul, in the shape of a tlrait on a London bank - • "Well, good day, Mr. Ainslie," said Arnotte. "I must congratulate yen on your fortunate discovery." "Yes, I am indeed lucky," returned Ainslie. • Once more both mon winked, .and then the Englishman withdrew. Left alone, the Consul laughed softly and rubbed his hands. my fine English friends, 'I've got you this time, and I'll pay a littIe of what I owe you. 13y Heav- en, you shall suffer now!" • Outside, Ainslie xnet Foster and acquainted him with the success of his interview, and together they laughed over the precious document which had been obtained so easily. "Now the next thing to do," said Foster, "is to get Matthews out here. We had better telegraph for him." Matthews was a mining expert, of considerable repute in London, He was very friendly with both Foster and eieelie, and !had told them, prior to (1 • "—erture on the nomad tour, a ..1 know by cable if they die o nything in his line. He addel would be only too glad of a ciaatat to join them, and, as he was empoWered to treat for his firm (oho of the largest mining syn- dicates existing), they decided to seed the cable as quickly as pos- sible. ' This meant a two days' journeer to the coast, evhich Was accomplished by• river one deer and by treat dur- ing the other. This brought them into English territ ory, from Whore they were able ta lend the telegram. • he reply eaMe an the 1'611ml:deg day to say that Maltheeve would leave by the first boat, Willett Was Clue on the meat in about three Weeks. The two liSiglislinien retraced their seeps to Auterao, for they deemed it necessary th keep a watchful eY0 oii Arnotte's movements. The time seemed to go ay on lead- en wings whilst .A.ieelie and Foster Waited the coining of alattlieWe, Oraer once did they rnalte any reference to the mine to Arnett°, Lead then Aixtslie said that a mining engineer was an his way to iteepeet the mine; at the sarao time he winked vigorously and the Consul smiled, but inwardly that worthy gentleman rejoiced in the fact thaa his tine inc reveage was draw- ing nigh, as he was still smarting under indigaity of the blow from Harry Foster. Matthews arrived, and the trio proceeded a once to Autoran, and then on to the Thakre Plateau, In a. few moments he was congratulat- ing Foster and Ainslie on their luck, pronouncing the find to be an im- mensely rich "pocket eleld." As the gold was all near the surface, work- ing would be comparatively cheap. "Bat what are you going to do— on to it, sell the place, or what? By the way, how long does your option hold good?" "The land is ours for ever," cried Ainslie; and then he told the engin- eer of the manner in which he had Obtaieed the ground, "That's rather smart, but 10 per- cent. is a heavy lump for this Con- sul friend of yours." "011, that's all right," said Ain- slie, with a laugli. "I'm going to sell the mine to Harry, here, for two hundred and iifty pounds; I shall then pproeusnedns. t,Mr. Arnotte with twenty-five "Well, at any rate, your fortunes are made, whatever you do, whether you sell or work the mine. But I should like to make a mare minute inspeetion," • Matthews wont very carefully 'over the grouad, and as soon as possible sent a long cable in co•do to his Men in London. During the next few days messages hummed backwards and • forwards over the wires, with the result that Matthews was em- powered to offer Foster and Ainslie 2.200,000 and 20,000 shares in a company to be formed, in return for the deed they held, The partners asked time to consider the matter, and in the meantime they returned to Auteran. Their first business was to visit the Consul to whose private office they were speedily admitted. "Good morning, gentlemenat said Arnotte, his smile making his evil face look even uglier than usual. "What can I do Inc.you?" "You will remember granting me a lease for a portion of Thaler° Pla- teau?" began Ainslie. "Ah—yes," murmured the Consul, lotliltsevil. smile growing still more "I am glad to say that I have suc- ceeded in disposing of tile property," continued Ainslie. "Permit ano to c:ongratulate. you," beamed the Consul. "Mr. Foster purchased the pro- perty off me for the suna.;of two hun- dred and 'fifty pounds." As Ainslie said these words • 'the Consul's face assumed a most male- volent expression, although he tried to mask it with a smile. "And," continued Ainslie, "I have much pleasure in handing you a draft for twenty-five pounds. 1 have also taken the trouble to prepare a receipt, which I shall be glad if you will sign." . you did not realize much on your property," said Arnotte, re- straining himself with difficulty. "No, I did not; but will you please sign this receipt?" "Sacro!" hissed the Consul. "No, I'll—a he paused, whilst he studied tbe muzzle of a revolver held in Ain- slie's hand. - Re signed the receipt. When his visitors had gone out, Arnotte shook his cleieched fist lhn after them, speechless with fury. ir at length he found his tengue, he filled the air with maledietions against the Englisamen. "You think you have foiled Jules Arnotte, do you? Wait and see, my sharp friends; wait and see." In tb.e meantime a wooden house was in course of erection at Tha.kre Plateau, and on the following day' Arnett° rode out to see how matters were progressing. He watched the workmen for a while, a sinster smile playing over his dark feature's. "It is almost time,' he murmured. "They will be here in a few days:" Two days afterwards two civilians came into the town and proceeded di- rect to the Cdnsul's office. They remained there for come time in close conversation with Arnotte. On the following day the Consul, accompanied by his visitors and a file of soldiers from the Legion, pro- ceeded to Thahre. Here they found a number of 'Croo- n:ten at work on the ground, whilst others were busy with the house, which wag springing up with mar- vellous celerity, The three Englislixnen cduld be seen" walking about and directing opera- tions. At the sight of them Arnott's face darkened, • and he turned to his visitors. "There are the men," he said, "and this is the land that I sooke to you about." The civilians surveyed the ground with critical eyes; but Arnotte would itot let them hesitate, and made all haste towards the spot where the three lenglielonen were standing, "Mellott!" mutteeecl Ainslie, "here's Arnotte with etvd. What does lee watt, I woe— a•" "Nothing of ator good to us, be bound ," rep] ed Fester. At that moment their visitors came face to face with them. - "This is an uhexpected pleasure, Monsieur A rnottee' said Ainslie, with ironical courteeer, "So I anticipated," returned the Constil, a triumpeant smile illumin- ing bit; faca "Permit me to intro- duce Monsieur de Stanton and Mon- sieue Lessac." There Wee considerable bowing, and then the , Coneal vontinued speaking, the mallefoes 1 rinmph in hit; voice being vieleely eppnrent. "These gentlemen are raining ex - porta sent dove% by the Gevernment," be said, whilst he watched 'the Eng- liehmen narrowly, expecting to see them cowed, but to his disappoint- ment his words had no effect on them. "They will proceed to make an examination of your so-called Meariveleile, you, Will con- sider yourselves ander arrest." I -re motioned to the sergeant, who step- ped forward with leis 111011 and rang- ed themselves alongside the English- men. "What do you mean?" cried Ain- slie, "What is the wealthier of this outrage?" The Consul paid no heed to his remarks, but began to converse .with the mining experts, who commenced to examine the ground. "Look here, my friend," said Mat- thews. "What charge do you make against me?" "The charge is only against these two," replied the Consul. as he in- dicated Foster and-Abaslie. • "Yon can go where you like aod do what you like," "My friend," cried Ainslie, "if you don't shift your toy soldiers there'll be trouble. What are we under ar- rest for?" What for?" returned the Consul, with a triuMphant laugh. "Why, for 'salting' this grduncl with intention to defraud." His roPlY was a hearty peal of laughter, which considerably discon- certed him. Sliortly afterwards the two experts, who had been joined ley Matthews, clinic along. "One of the finest fields I have ev- er seen," said Monsieur Lessac. "Yes," assented De Stanton; "I really do not know why Monsieur the Consul brought us down here." Jules Arnotte was staring at the men, his countenance livid with rage. "What!" he screamed. "Do you mean to say there is gold here?" "Why, the place is simply full of it," replied De Stanton. "Merciful heavens!" cried the Con- sul. "And I have given it away." "Pardon me, you received two hun- dred and twenty-five pounds for it," remarked Ainslie. "Now, kindly or- der your men away." In a state of stupefaction the Con- sul did as he was bid. "Just to think!" he gasped. "And it might have ;been mine." He turned and, mounting his horse, rode away. Before he was ton paces distant he turned in his saddle and shook his fist at the Englishmen. "Wait," he shouted. "I shall wit yet." "You'll have to get up very early in the morning," was Fostbr's re- tort.—London Tit -Bits. DUKE CYRIL'S ROMANCE. weee eLS.A.OTAWCI0.X4act JO XO.A.TAITIS Marry in Royal Family. A romantic errand will bring the widowed Duchess of Saxe-Coburg— who will be better remembered as the Duchess of Edinburgh—to England goon on a brief visit to her brother- in-law, King Edward, after an ab- sence of three years frcim England. It is understood that the purport of her Royal and Imperial Highness' visit is to obtain the sanction of King Edward to the engagement of her daughter, Princess. Victoria, for- merly the wife of the Grand Duke of Hesse, to the Grand Duke Cyril of Russia. The Grand Duke Cyril, who I•iad so miraculous an escape from the Rus- sian battleship Petropavlovsk when she was blown up by a Japanese mine before Port Arthur, is the hero of royal love story, of which. the Princess la the heroine. She is his first cousin, and he 1011 in love with her When he was sixteen and she was two months younger. The attachment, however, was view- ed with disfavor by relations on both sidee, and a year later the Princess was married to the Grand Duke Er- nest Louis of Hesse. ' It wag an unfortunate match, for the parties to it were diametrically opposed in temperament and tastes, and had apparently no point in com- mon. The marriage took place in 1894; in 1901 it was dissolved an the ground of irreconcilable mutual anti- pathy. The only issue of the union was the little Peincess Elizabeth, who so pathetically fell a victim to cholera last year. • After the divorce the Grand Duke Cyril renewed his suit. . Then the Czar Intervened. Grave reasons, both religious and social, he said, forbade tag marriage which the Grand Duke Cyril sought. The Czarina is a sister of the Grand Duke Ernest of Hesse, Prin- cess Victoria's former husband; and the Grand Duke Cyril. May one day succeed to the Russian throne. More- over, the Russian church prohibits a marriage, either of the parties to which has been divorced. The Grand Duke Cyril declared that he would marry the Princess even though he lost all his rights and property, but to this saerifece the Princess firmly refused to consent. Then came the death of her little daughter, on which the Princess di:missed her lover and refused to ace any one, and the Grand Duke Cyril went to the front. When he came back wounded it was to find that the Czar had with- drawn his opposition to -the union, and be hurried oa with the good news to Coburg. , All that now remains to coMplete this love story is the acquiescence of Meg Edward, for the consent of the Sovoreign in (Icemen is imperative ire the ettee of all marriages of Princes and Vrincesses of his family. • Time the ITealer—Customer—"1 don't like the chow; the Coles are too thi ' ' Shopman--"Ye u will barn to like them, as the objections you speak of will gradually wear off.'' Mrs, Ciantor-7"S ('171)' t. understand why Air. SteNner invariably lCunves the l'OOM What 1. go to the ptanO. Tee tole rtie • he Was very fond et inosic, iifr, Cantor --''Axid dpeen't hie conduct oxeye 11. rn3r dear?" TESTED RECIPES. Quick Potato ,Iliscuits,—Mix and - sift together one cupful of flour, one cupful of corn starch, ole teaspoon- ful of ealt, and two teaspoonfuls of large hot boiled IIiimovte atroe:scl.Y: fourDl baking powder. and pat them through a potato press, adding two cupfuls of milk and two well -beaten eggs, Stir into this the dry mixture, adding ea much more sifted flour as may be aeces- scary to make a soft dough. a Turo out on the board, roll, out in small thin rounds, brush the tops with milk, and bake in a quick oven. Cornstarch Cake.—Crearie two cup- fuls sugar arid one tert.cupful butter; add one teacupful cornstarch, and the earae quantity milk; mix with two teacupfuls flour two teaspoons - 1 ale Price's Creane Baking Powder, and then add, following with the whites of seven eggs beaten to a stiff "froth. Almond Cake.-13eat one teacupful of sugar with half a teacup of • but- ter; add half a teacup of milk; sift two teacupfuls of flour with. a tea- spoonful of Prices Cream BradDg Powder, and add four whites of eggs, sanciidopopnedinc.e-pcun. of blanched al- mGrandraother's Pudding.—Crumble stale bread Without crusts; tie Up tightly in a pudding° cloth; pat into a saucepan of cold water, and boil for one hour. Serve with jam, marmalade, or sweet custard. Hominy Thedding.—One cup of boil- ed hominy, one and a half pints of milk, two eggs, two tablespoonfuls of butter, three-fourths of a cup of sugar, one teaspoon of baking pow- der; bake in buttered pudding dish twenty minutes. Indian Pudding. -13o11 one quart of milk; set it off the stove, and stir in one cup of Indian meal; one cup of molasses and sugar (half of each), one egg, a, little ginger and salt. Bake one hour. Date Pie—Soak the dates over night, and stew until they can be strained; mix with a quart of milk, three eggs, and add a little salt and nutmeg. Bake with an undererust only. One pound of dates will be sufficient for three pies, and the other ingredients are given in pro- portion for that quantity of dates. Rice Cream.—Make a custard of one pint of milk, two tablespoonfuls of sugar, and the yolk of one egg; then diseolve it in one-half ounce of gelatine, softeeed in a little cold water; stir in one tablespoonful of boiled rice, flavor with "vanilla or nutmeg if preferred. Rinse a mold with cold water, pack the cream .in it, and let stand until fie•m enough to be taken out of the mold. Boiled Rice.—Boiled rice forms 'the basic principle of nearly all rice dishes. It is. therfore, well worth any cook's while to master the art of preparing it. First of all, a su- perior grade of rice must be selected —the Carolina is the best in the mar- ket to-day—then it must be wash- ed in several cold waters, and care- fully picked over, alter whith it should be plunged into unsalted boil- ing water, allowing four quarts of water for ea.ch pint of rice. Cover the whole closely and boil rapid1y. for twenty minutes. Turn into a colander, and drain well; then stand the colander over a vessel containing a small quantity of boiling water, and ateam until the rice is white and dry occasionally stirring lightly With a fork. The grains should be full and soft, and each one retain its form though twice its oeignal size, Potato Patties.—Take as many large, well shaped Potatoes as it is intended there should be patties, wash well and bake them Take them out before they are quite done enough, so that the skin may not be injured, carefully cut off the top, and scoop out the inside with a spoon. Mix withf the floury part two or three spoonfuls of thick cream, a 'little piece of butter, and a pinch of salt, together with sugar, the.yolks and whites of two or three eggs, beaten and added separately. Put • this mixture into the hollow potatoes, place them upright side by side in a buttered dish,and bake them in a hot oven.. If liked savory instead of potatoes, patties can be made by mixing with the potato flour a little pounded veal and Lam, cream, salt, lemon -peel, grated nut- meg, and mushroom catsup, added in suitable proportions. Time to bake, twelve to fifteen minutes. When anent is used, cook tkiem a little longer. HINTS FOR WIVES. Don't make the evening repast a confessional foe household troubles. Your husband has troubles of his own. You may be one of them. Don't be the last to acknowledge his merits. Men love flattery: as women do finery. • Don't put him on the fire escape to smoke. Suppose the draperies do get full of the fumes. Some day you may hunger • for the smell of thle)olln-'t wear a chip on your should- er. Ah ounce of forgiveness is worth a pound of pride. .Give it. You can have your way when he is not looking. , Don't be aghtuned to proclaim your Jove for hint. Tell him often, and demand a response. It gives some- thing to think..about, Don't antagonize leis xnen friends, They May be better than they look. Don't travel W de apart, or the chains will cut. TI1C only way not to feel them is to keep close' togeth- er. Don't cook unless you know how. When his digestion goes, reform ad- ministration is dead. Don't ask hirn for money; rnake him offer it. You know ... the way. If you do not, you ehould. S,oxii e th ing in a man's co n rat tole on al inalowup rebels NV11011 he is gsked to Ionia with hie matey, Wain shiek the thiiigs the t 040 expected of than; but they will give freely of time, money, and labor when accredited with not only the thing done, but the impalso that prompts it, Men are generous enough, but egeer. large portions a glory. De prudent and as thrifty ate You, can, Men are attracted by ethereal means, bet held by material meth - ode. Wise economy, however, re- quires great -tact There is no econ- omy in that, course which leaves your li:es1::, es.ofr pe i. seiael‘yOddl. aix Don't listea to ()aside criticism, whether of friends or rellativesein- laevn't condemn these rules the first time they 1 ii. They are good.' The only question is, are eve good enough to persevere with them eat' we get results? ••••••••••••• THE FLOORS IN SUMAIXR. Bare 'floors are preferable to car- pet for the kitchen during the sum- mer months, for they aro easier to keel) clean. It IS 11 poeitive rest to one's eyes to see a room without the dust catchers, once consieered so ornamental, withx only the necessary furniture and bare floors. Keep out the flies with screens, and let the air and Sunshine in. Paint or oil the floors, or if they are too rough to look well uncovered, •get oil cloth or linoleum, but do not bay a. woolen carpet for the dining room.' A few minutes' work every few days will suffice to 'keep them clean and free from dust. Neither lino- leum or oilcloth should be scrubbed with a brush or molted with hot water. Heat the water until luke- warm and dissolve enough Geld Dust In. It to make a good suds. NOW wash tho oilcloth, 'changing the wa- ter frequently as it grows dark. Nothing causes it to grow dull and grimy so quiekly as washing with insufficient or dirty water. Mop a small place, then rinse with clear water, and wipe dry. Proceed in this way until the floor is clean. Oiled or painted floors are treated in the same way. TO CLEAN PAINT. Tea leaves may be saved from the table for a few days, and when suf- ficient are collected steep, not boil, them for half an hour in a tin pan. Strain the water off through a sieve and uso this tea to Kash all varnish- ed paint. It removes spots and gives a fresher, newer appearance than when soap and water is used. For white paint, take up a small quantity of whiting on a damp piece of old white flannel and rub over the surface lightly and it will leave the paint remarkably. fresk and new. STRAN'G'E OLD SHIP. Attempt to Identify Frigate Found at Bottom of Channel. More interesting discoveries have been, made on theancient blast° which aas been found during dredg- ing operations off Havre jetty. The old ship is in a wonderful state of preservation, owitig to having been protected from the action of the • sea by the sand and shingles, in. which. it is buried to a depth of eighteen feet. The divers have had to exercise great care in exploring the interior of the veasel, as the tangled mass of woodwork was likely to cut the air - tubes or make them taut. Two old bombards or cannons with mouths, have been: brought to the surface. One is still loaded, and the cannon -balls can be seen a few inches within the barrel. In the other cannon a huge conger eel has taken up its residence. Two flint -lock muskets tightly ce- mented together were also found, and both of them were loaded. A search among local records shows that Oaring the bombardment of Havre by the Anglo -Dutch fleet in 1759 a small English vesse/ armed with two bombards was sunk by the fire' from the French forts. Speculation is rife as to whether the sunken vessel is the English ship of war that was Sunk daring that engagement, or whether it was a ves- sel beloaging to the French fleet. -+—.. A DANGEROUS CONTRACT. 'A man aft, high, with the gide of his head wrapped in flannel., went into a dentist's consulting-ram:a the 'other day and sank wearily into a chair. In response tothe dentist's "What can I do for you?" the large man said :— "I have a toothache that is break- ing my heart, and I think that I ought to have a tooth drawn; , but, you see, I haven't been to a dentist since I was a boy and. I want to ask you a few questions before you go to work., "I want to know whether to prop a man's jaws apart with an iron w3ieeciagsearit, ,anpdicatsheen„ tell him to look i "Certainly we don't." "I want to know whether you fas- ten one hand in the victim's hair and brace a knee against his throat,. and then draw his tooth as though you were pulling the cork from, a beer -bottle with a corkscrew" "Why, that would be nit -Leder. You feel no pain at all.", , "That's what the dentist told nee when I was a boy. 1 want to know iv/II:net:er oo will replace, free of or you usa. a. jee,nmy to draw a . tooth when the officers fail, and also whether charge, any sections of the jaw that May be removed clueing the opera - y "WO won't hurt you at all." "Then you Inay go allead; but • I have a friend at the foot of the stairway. Ile is a larger man than I' am, and lie can punch 'a,- • hole through a street door with hia.fist; and if I yell once he is coming 111) here eight Steps at a time to knock ti‘ao‘lvite. to gthe heilainega(lvi,ith you. Do yew ve. "I run afraid not, You bad bet- • iei; gsr ouguoponye„ street. to the vetei•in- tt x CIeverton—"Wise rejeetod Ind the other night, but :die let Me kiss her before We partel,". Dash- EtwaY (reflecting) : think 111 go • round to -night and propoht myself