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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times, 1888-11-29, Page 2"THROOGH GOOD AND 1L1.433 OR, OLIVER BRANDON'S STORY. By NORA LAUGHER. CHAPTER, 1. " Truth paints is oharaoters-more strange Than ever fiction drew;" Some one says the past iedead and has no resurrection, bat ah, no ! the past can never die, for itlives deylby day in our vivid recol. Ieotions, its brief happinesses bright, golden, beautiful, he many griefs sad, dark, despair- ing. And they are so deeply engraved upon our hearts that however hard we try we cannot help mournfully looking into ha illu- sive scenes so strongly gilded by joys or clouded by sorrows, Is there not most solemn, pathetic music in the memory of the past? When we hear its story, although told again and again, what unutterable feel - jingo does h not call forth ? Tittle to -night, in fancy, re•visiting the haunts of years ago, days that have sped away, I cannot help contrasting the bitter hast with the blissful present, and dwelling upon the horror of twelve months of my life's voyage when storm followed storm, wave after wave rolled on until through the clouds of dark despair shone the bright, golden star of justice lighting me to that haven of rest—the present. I will try to put my thoughts into words that I may, if possible, carry you bank with me, though I must first tell you that my pencil is tar more Dunning iu depicting a faithful likenese upon canvas than my pen is an readily portrayiug the struggles and temptations of the human heart. Seven years ago I, Oliver Brandon, was living alone in a Toronto boarding house. Alone without kith or kin in the whole world except a wealthy old bachelor uncle living at Montreal, who had driven me from his home when a mere lad because I had chosen daubing, as he termed it, for my profession instead of following his distasteful one to me of a lawyer. Now, living alone in a boarding house has quite the tendency to make a young man even more selfish than he is naturally. Bat I have no wish because of my unfortunate loneliness to be classed upon the list of bearish, unsociable brutes. During the years I had struggled on alone in Toronto I had managed to find plenty of friends, although many of them were students like myself seeking the "bubble repute• inion," and thinking the world not al- together such a bad sort ot place. Just then, however, Iwas getting oat of tone for I had been working too harts for the past six months and began earnestly to long for a quiet holiday One snowy December morning I descended into the dining room of my boarding house on Jarvis street and found a letter awaiting me upon the breakfast table. After break. ing the seal it ran as follows : "IRVXrESIDE, Guelph, Dac. 3rd 18 Mr DEAR Bxt Do t—Are you never go- ing to take a holiday and look us up again as you promised ? Do, like the good fellow you are, pack up your traps and come at once and stay over Christmas. The sleigh- ing is excellent and the horses in splendid condition. The Mother, Mary and Gladys send their kindest regards and hope to see you the day after to -morrow for I will be in the Royal city then and wf11 meet you. Wire me the train yet intend coming by as soon as you get this, Yours ever, "JACIr IRVINE" "We shall take no denial, come at once." robed the Queen City in bridal like raiment. Merrily tinkled the sleigh -bells and gaily rosy cheeked, sparkling -eyed maiden, greet- ed the Winter King. The Cathedral Clock chimed a happy fare- well to m a light heart as 1 passed merrily down Kin; street upon my way to the Union Station to catch the train to Guelph. Ah 1 if I had foreseen what weary, wretched months would elapse before my return to Toronto, my heart would not have been so gay. It is well indeed that we cannot know the troubles and difficulties that await us on life's fitful voyage. It is well indeed we cannot know the sorrow through which we have to pass ; much as we desire the mys- terious clouds to sweep away from the hori- zon of the present, that we may penetrate and lay bare the dim future, those very olouds we afterwards bless as the merciful wings ot angels, hiding from our inquisitive vision, what, if unfolded to our view, would lay upon us such a wearisome burden of coming misfortunes that we could not bear the load. How well I remember each trifling inci- dent of that winter visit, as I shall my life long. Jack Irvine,, that tall son of Anak, was eagerly looking up the platform as the ears neared Guelph station, his fair, boyish face lighting up as he caught sight o' me. "Brandon, old boy, I am awfully glad to see you. The train was so late I began to think that confounded Grand Trunk engine nad got snowed up. We most hurry up and get home or I guess the mater and the girls will think you are lost. I inquired after Mrs. Irvine and his sisters as we got into the sleigh awaiting us. "Oh, they are all salubrious, thanks. Gladys promised to drive here wi n then when the time came to start remem- bered she had something else to do and changed her mind. Just like a woman. Never believe in the wholeboiling of thein, Brandon, they are all alike a delusion and a snare." "You seem to speak feelingly, Jack," 1 returned. "Did that little brown eyed witch at Port Sandfield blight your affections so entirely ?" At this Jack laughed immoderately, being one of his numerous escapades during our Muskokan trip that summer. " What a fooilah affair that was," said he. "I guess I should have been in a pretty how dy'e do if you had not helped me out so cleverly." 1 laughed heartily at the lazily worded epistle eo ouaracteristic of Irvine, but my soul yearned for another sight of the peacefel old Irvineeide homestead and my heart echoed Jack's suggestion to start at once. Two summers before, when upon a sketch. ing tour in the Rockies, accompanied by my friend and brother artist, Holroyd, an American, I formed the acquaintance of John Irvine, a young and wealthy Canadian who hailed from Guelph township. Holroyd was compelled to return home such denly to New York. I then joined Irvine's camping party andf ram that time formed a strong friendship with him. Often he would run down and spend a few days with me in Toronto and I had already spent a most en- joyable two weeks at Irvineeide, afterwards enjoying a first class trip with him through the Muskokan and the Upper Lakes which, rich in their verdant splendor of water and graceful foliage and abounding in fish and game, found every attraction for my artist's eye, and Irvine's rod and gun. "To be or not to be, that is the ques- tion," I quoted loudly and tragically to myself at the breakfast table, there- by alarming my good landlady, Mrs, Gibson, until the cherry colored rib- bons of her bright morning cap almost stood upon end, and she dropped the china crum- pet cover upon the floor with a loud crash. "Oh ! deary me, Mr. Brandon, what a funny mac you are, to be sure. As my niece Bessie said yeaterd ay, you bust off every now and then just for all the world like a human firework." After spending the morning in transact- ing 'some business on hand, straightening my studio on Yonge street and getting a sew crayons to take with me, I telegraphed to Irvine the hour I would arrive at Guelph on the morrow. Afterwards I penned a brief letter to my uncle Marmaduke Brandon's confidential servant, whom I had been in correspondence with regularly every week since my uncle sent me from his house, my lawful home—an outcast, This man, Gustave Terhue, a French Canadian, I had never really liked or trusted, but receiv- ing his letters were my only means of hear- ing any tidings of the only living relation I then possessed, my dear father's brother. I merely told him in my letter that I should be away from Toronto the next month and that during my absence he need not trouble to write. That night, as I sat with my meerschaum between my ripe, I thought of the poor mis- erable old lawyer whose wealth could not give him happiness. A greater portion of this money at his death would come to me for it lay not, in the power of Marmaduke Brandon to will it otherwise. But 1 was able and glad to dowithout it for my expenses were bot great and my pictures were already be- ginning to sell well. Then my thoughts wandered up with the Smoke of my pipe and soared off to another smoke curlingg high above the bare poplar and maple trees of the Irvineeide homestead so soon to be viewed again. Dear, clear little Gladys; will her bright, dark eyes wel- come me I Nice girls, Jaok a sisters. Mary the eldest, a tall fair girl of twenty-five sum, finers and Gladys, little Gladys, With her sweet, dealt mignon face, whatwould the old homestead be without her. Although it was near the hour of midnighht still sat smoking and musing of the morrow, almost boyish in :try eagerness for. a eight of the romatitio Fergus ttoeticry and dear old Irvineside, The next day came bright and seasonable. A heavy fall of snow during the night had "It is growing dreadfully cold, wrap that buffalo robe well round you, Oliver, the ther- mometer mustbaaway below zero. Weshan't be long spanking home." Our conversation then fell on the markets, the late wheat crop and a skittish young roan mare Jack had recently bought at Harriston which he had named Niagara on account of the torrent of kicks and bunk. jumps she displayed the first time he at- tempted to harness her. Surely there is nothing more delightful to the heart of a true Canadian than a long, country sleigh ride. The gliding motion over the pure tract of snow and the sweet soughing of the wintry wind through the tamaracs and maples mingling with the music of the sleigh bells. That December drive was to me particularly lovely. Often after- wards in my solitude did I behold again in my imagination the lofty enow-capped rock walls of those Elora ravines, often did I listen to the musical rushing of the Grand River as it suddenly plunges into the deep, picturesque gorge at Fergus. Often did I dream et the peaceful uniting of the two rivers in that still more beautiful and ro- mantic retreat below Elora. Such dreams, even when the bitter web of fate seemed more darkly and tightly woven around whispered to me of brighter days, of hearts united. We were not long spanking home, as Jack termed it, and soon approached the village. Passing the little church and the wooden schoolhouse near it we came to a square red brick dwelling, the residence of Doctor Fairfax, where we were greeted by a tall, dark, handsome young man, whom I had not met before, just alighting from his horse. He proved to be the doctor's eldest son, army doctor of the 91st regiment, now at home upon six months' leave of absence, and who promised to join us in a game of euchre that evening. We crossed the little lirnnatone bridge over the river Irvine and p -,wed a newly erected, stiff looking villa belonging to the village Paul Pry, Mr. Gulliver Grainger, or Gully Grainger, as he was commonly called, an inveteratergossipy old bachelor, living with his maiden sister, Miss Martha. Thrning eastward up a small hill we came to Stonebank, the residence of Mr -Stone, the lawyer. Across the lawn with a pair of skates hanging on her arm, and a tribe of skate -laden youngsters fol• lowing, walked or rather ran, a pretty, fair- haired girl. "Who is she?" I enquired as Irvine raise ed his cap. " Laura Stone, Surely you remember her ? No, by the by, she was at Kingston last summer when you were here. She used to stay there a great deal with her Aunt Healey who died recently." ",I remember Miss Stone's name being mentioned. Mrs. Stone is not her own mother is she," I asked. " Well, I should smile ! She is not ten years older than Laura, a little vulgar, stuck-up creature, gives herself airs and makes poor Laura's life so miserable that she spends most of her time at the homestead with Mary and Gladys." Passing the little rough -oast tavern end the blacksmith's shop, and leaving the vill- age about half a mile westward, we drove through a wide concession line bordered on each side by a snake fenoe, the chief approach to the Irvineeide homestead. It was; a lar; - straggling, picturesque looking five gabs.. house, built partly of grey limestone partly carved of wood, and fronted by a heavy quaintly carved open poroh from which shone a warm ruddy light. .Driving round to the stables ab the back of the house we encountered dogs of all sorts and conditions, collies, terriers, span- iels and pointers which bayed their master an honest, deep mouthed weloome. The pale wintty sunlight lit up a small wicket gate through which I espied Gladys, a warm, fleecy, white wrap covering her curly head and slender form.. She was giving het feathered favorites their evening meal. Throwing the contents of her basket upon thegg round and lifting a cooing pigeon en r she came forward togreet mc, her shredder , lookinglovelier than ever from the hy Mello and Week that arose to her fade. " Welcome to rrvineside, Mr. Brandon. We ate so please[ to see yeti again." "Yet yott wand not come, With .Tack to meet me, I stir, holding the little Cold brown hand in to warm clasp. " Well, yon ser I was busy," said 1V1iss Gladys, archly ehakiug her head, and lift- ing a lame guinea hen up in her arms to carry into the -house. Mrs. Irvine, a delicate, ladylike woman, still wearing her widow's cap and black dress, welcomed roe in the warm hall. " We have been expecting to see you long ere this, Mr. Brandon. But you are not look ing well, you have been working far too hard and need a rest, Gladys, my dear, see if Mary has returned vet," "No, mamma; Mery'is gene to a sewing bee at Mrs, Findlay's, but she will not be very long now." Unless she is taking a smart walk this fine evening," mischievously suggested Jack. Photographed in my heart's gallery is that dear old Irvineside dining -room, he two large windows facing;the lawn, then hid- den by heavy tapestry hangings brought from Scotland by some [mine ancestor ; the dark, polished floor half covered by hand- some skin rugs, shining brightly in the fire- light, the sweet odour of Russian violets in the ancient blue and white china bowls upon the topper table. limy soon returned, a tall, blonde girl, somewhat resembling her brother, but with an unconscious hauteur in the pose of her Blender neck and shoulders. With her came the Reverend Narcissus Small, the weak - eyed, red-headed young minister, carrying the Dorcas work in a basket. Mary, coming forward to greet me, blushed guiltily as she caught Gladys' wick- ed glanoe at Jack who introduced me to the minister. Poor littl. Small looked as if he had chronic scarlet fever, such a peony hue did hie sandy complexion take. The fever somewhat abated, the Rev. Narcissus sipped his tea and chatted away with forty parson power. We soon learned all the village news, how Mrs. Scroggin's fat baby Billy caught the whooping oough and that Figgins', junior, was laid up with the measles, and said he, " Mr. Grangermen- tioned to me this morning that he heard Tom D un ifs daughter, Mamie, is intending to marry that Ed. Smith, the baker, in the spring. I fear the poor girl cannot know that be got ntoxicated ouceata,bara raising at Griffin's, and I find it is my painful duty to walk round that way this evening and acquaint her of ib." The minister was Jack's especial abomin- ation. Except Miss Irvine we were all glad when he took his departure upen his errand of duty. "I do detest that prig of a fellow " said Jack as the minister left the room, after biddingtus goodnight, attended to the hall door by Mies Irvine. " I oannot imagine what upon earth Mary can find so fascin- ating in him. He makes a _regular slave of her. Between Sunday Schools, sewing bees and things, the is always at work for him and his fl ok." "Jack tried to teach in the bunday School once, Mr. Brandon, but one of the Deacons turned him out," said Glad?, laughingly. " Yes 1" returned Jack, " but Deacon Sniffkins and that little prig of a Small, objected to me talking to the kids about base ball. I found I could keep them quiet better that way than by reading about the Jews. The Deacon and Small insisted that I was giving them a lecture upon base ball and it was nothing ot the kind. At any rate, base ball came in appropiately for 1 guess they'll never bother me to teach Sun- day School again." " Jack, you are really incorrigible," said Mrs. Irvine, half smiling, and we all laughed heartily at his comical way of getting out of a difficulty. Truly, I could not picture John Irvine giving scriptural training to the tender shoot of infancy. (TO BE CONTINUED,) Gossip. " Really," said a bright-eyed woman the other day, "if we are never to talk about our friends, conversation will go begging for subjects." The fact that we all more or less do discuss our friends, their foibles, their excellencies, or their ways and means, is one about which we think very little. Yet we are fully agreed and if a vote could -be taken at this moment from everybody, the opinion would be unanimous, that it is mean and unkind to talk in an unfriendly way about other people. Criticism to a certain extent may be pardonable, but criticism when applied to the actions of private in- dividuate is very apt by a swift descent to degenerate into thoughtless or satirical com- ment. The honorable meaning which the word "gossip" itself once bore, referring to one's sponsors in baptism and signifying re- lation by religious obligation, is an illustra- tion of the way in which the thing referred to suffers deline. We begin a gentle depre- catory reference to somebody's infirmity of temper, and we find ourselves specifying a particular time and scene, which straight- way the one who hears Mlle again to some ono else with additions, slight perhaps, but material. Before,we know it we have stirred up a hornet's nest. This may be done with- out any more potent motive than a mere love of fun, and half the gossip in the social world is of the unthinking kind indulged in merely from a spirit of droller. Par worse is that other sort of talk which eads in slander and begins in malice, and which separates friends and sunders the ties of years of intercourse with its sharp and jarring discords. Upon the whole, it is best not to make associates the stock subjects of talk at the table or in household. There are other things, and plenty of them, if only we go though the world with open eyea and hear- ing ears. The newspapers and magazines furnish material for much intelligent and intellec- tual interchange of thought, and if we were not so blind to the beauties that nature scatters in our path, we should find much food for talk in every thane° of the chang- ing seasons. Gossip is of necessity dwarfing to those who indulge in it, and from an edu- cational paint of view it is utterly unfit for the young to listen to or, take part in. It has been Balled a womanly sin, and tea part- ies and sewing eocietieshave themselves been slandered as centres and fountain .heads of gossip and malevolence. But we have nev- er found that women were more addicted to it than men, and we have no doubt that the masculine club furnishes quite as congenial an atmosphere for its growth as the ladies' kettledrum. The way to got rid of it is to stamp it out ; if ib has made its appearance to frown it down severely, and never to indulge in it even in its most specious and innocent forme. Sudden Change of Base, Husband (impatiently) : Ie it, possible, my dear, that you cannot keep those ohil. dren quiet for a moment? Wife (soothingly) : Now, John, don't be harsh with the poor little intocent things ; it is natural for them to be full of spirit, and they're doing the beat they can. Husband : Well, if I could have a mm merit's peace I would sit down and write that check for fifty dollars that you've beth bothering me for. Wife 4Y sterol : Chaldron go astafrs at once ! and if I hear another word from you to•nfght 1'11 punish you severely, LATEST FROM EUROPE, Whitechapel Heioes—A New War Beare — The Berman Pixperor Again. In London four men in one day, having got drunk, conceived the notion of persona. ting the great Whitechapel murderer. Each howled out in the street that he had just out up another woman, each was pelted for his pains by a mob, and each is now doing two weeks. One young German has just received an exalted notion of English 'Puri- tanism and respectability. He landed in. this country on Tuesday. Oa Wednes- day he stared, perhaps a little impolitely, at a disrupuable woman on Whitechapel road. A quarter of an hour later a police- man rescued him, much injured, trom the furious mob, and took him to the lockup. He was let go on his statement that he was going to America. The woman had oried out that he was "Jack the Ripper," but the German, who did nob understand a word of Eag'ish, thought all the demonstration was brought about by English feelings of propriety shocked at his indiscreet staring. Last week our oorrespondent saw the man, Joe Barnett, who had lived with the woman Kelly up to a short time before she was butchered. He then begged for money to bury his poor dear, and wanted it understood that ho " ad a art" as well as men with black coatis on. He was furiously drunk at the inquest, and is living with a certain notori• ous Whitechapel character, who testified at the inquest and became enamored of the drunken brute because, as she said, of the romantic interest attaching to him, which il- lustrates life in London's slums. Kelly's body was buried on Monday. A new war scare is oeing worked up on the Continent, and Eogland, as usual, is very much agitated over it. We have had many of these things, however, and need not worry especially about this one. The seri• ous element is the union between Germany and England, ostensibly for the suppression of the slave trade on the east African coast. As a matter of fact the object of both coun- tries is to promote their commercial interests, and trouble may arise should the German war ships take advantage of oiroumatances unnessarily to annoy French navigation. A really serious international incident might arise should the commander of some French war ship conclude that he was being purpose- ly annoved and the dignity of France tarn• pered with. The chief cause of alarm among profes- sional makers of war scares lies in the un- usual activity of the Russian troops and the readiness with which France has responded to the Russian demand for a loan of 500,- 000,000 francs. The Rothechilds would not take up the loan, say the wise men, which shows that they doubted the purpose for which it was meant, and France will gladly lend money, thinking it is to be used in breaking up Germany and the Triple Atli. ante. A lank of money, however, is no such rare thing with the Russian herr as to call for so much epeoulation. The real cause for the war scare will probably be known when the various Parliaments shall have granted various large and extraordinary sums of money for extra preparation in view of the unusual national danger. The German Emperor has been working to make himself popular with the poorer;class- es of his subjects, a radical change from the course pursued hitherto, which had consisted simply in seeking to increase the devotion of Lieutenants, Captains, Generals, and other molecules of his huge fighting machine. At Breslau some workingmen, calling themselves true -to the King, organized a torchlight pro- cession two nights ago and cheered tremen- dously. The Emperor, very much pleased, insisted on having a lot of them in and shak- ing them each by the hand, expressing the hope that they fellow workingmen would go and do iikewille. As a matter of fact, how- ever, the average Garman workingman is rather socialistic, and inclined to look upon the royal family as an institution which drafts him into the army when he is young and taxes ;him throughout his whole life. There is very little devotion to this ruler out - aide the well -padded coats of the German officers. Don't go to Law. It ought to be the last resort of any good citizen to go to law. It is usually unprofit- able, even if you get your case. It makes bad blood. It wastes your time. You fat- ten a brood of lawyers on both sides, and ten chances to one they are taking your very (business) life -blood. If the case goes against you, it is almost certain to cripple you for life—if a matter of any importance. If not important, a man is a fool to go to law. We have lately seen an illustration of some of the unexpected outgoes that are sprung upon the unwary layman in law oases. It related to the drive well eases. A Cedar Rapids, Ia., newapeper says : " When the Supreme elourt of the United States last winter decided against William M. and George H. Andrews, complainants, against George Hovey, respondent, fn the driven -well suits, it was thought that ended the long litigation there had been over the case. Such. it appears, wan not the case, howe ler. Tho Messrs. Andrews are citizens of New York, and they brought suit against Hovey, a citizen of Iowa. Now the statutes of this State declare that when a non-resid- ent brings suit against a resident the plain- tiff may be compelled to give a bond for the payment of the coats that may accrue. This in a number of cases the Measrs, Andrews were compelled to do. Among those who signed their bonds in this city are Homo Bennett, Jr., W. W. Smith, now living in St. Paul, I. N. Isham and C. G. Greene. These parties are now to be called upon to pay some $10,000 costs accrued, and are summoned to appear in Das Moines October 17th before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa." Moral : Keep out of the law, Settle your disputes by arbitration. Extenuating Circumstances. Wife : I was so annoyed, my dear, to- day, to Sad one of my pictures displayed in a photograph r's show -window. Husband :Why didn't you go upstairs and tell himto take it out? Wife : f declare I didn't think of that- and, betides, the picture is a very good one 1 A chicken with hair 'instead of feathe+-e is a curiosity now to be seen at Perry, Ga. A suggestion has been made .that &g- land revenge the slight put upon Lord Sack- ville -West by his summary dismissal front Washin ton b giving Mr. Phelps, - the fs' yg f; p, e United States minister in London, his walk- ing ticket. This would be for England to prove that if Atnorioanpolitioiafia were childish, British Were babyish, Cleveland has got his reward. 9KING HINT USF!'UL. The Wed of Work Mon Whiteman "Saved Up" for the New Wreacher to da. A number of young clergymen, all gradu- ates of the Methodist Theological Seminary at Evanston, met downtown the -other day and were relating to each other anecdotes of their experience ip the ver'ioua fields to which they had bean assigned. " My most amusing experience," said one young brother, "was in a little village is 'lows where the Conference sent me to begin nay ministerial work, My o!rcuit included three or four little villages and as many solved - homes, and 1 tried to preach a sermon at each place once every two weeks. In the village of E:igewood dwelt a good old lady named Mrs. Wickham, an emigrant from the Green Mountains and one of the pillars of the church. I had just boon, married before going on the circuit, and the next day after our arrival in Edgewood Mrs. Wickham sent for my wife and myself to come to her house: "In the afternoonwe went and were warm- ly greeted by the old lady. 'I am so glad you've come, Brother. L --, and brought your wife,' said she. 'I've been waitin' and waitin, you don't know how anxiously,,ever since Brother Jones went away, which is nigh onto three months, and there hasn't ben a preacher in this house sinee. I've got some little things to do that I've ben a savin' till the minister come, and now you've broughs Sister L—. Let's get them off'n our handt and then we can sit down and have a good long talk.' " I' confess I was a little puzzled at this reception, ;not knowing exactly what the people on my circuit had been in the habit of saving up for the minister to do. However, I was not long left in the dark. Tne old lady disappeared into the kirchen and soon called for us to follow. We did so, and found the room littered with two or three old bedsteads that had been taken to pieces and spread about the floor. In the middle of the floor atood Mrs. Wickham, with a big kettle of of boiling water at her side. "'Now, Sister L—, jeer you take this here apron of mine, or yen'll spoil your dress,' she said to my wife. 'Tho pesky bugs have been so bad in these bedsteads that I have sometimes felt jest as if I couldn't wait till yon.come to give them a good scalding.' "This, then, was a part of the circuit rider's duties in Iowa, thought I; but the old lady seemed to take it so entirely as a matter of course that the preacher should help her with her work that I couldn b well refuse. My wife laughingly put on the apron and went to work and I took off my coat and Duffs and took hold, too. It was a long job, and after we had got the bedsteads thoroughly scalded, they had to be carried upstairs, set up and 'corded,' for they were the old fash- ioned kind of bedsteads in which ropes did duty in lieu of springs or slats. But this did not end the work, for on coming downstairs the old lady remarked that the stove was a little warm yet, but that if I was careful I could black it withcut burning my hands. This was a little too moos and I was about to rebel, but my wife whispered to me that we might as well make a day of it. So we went at that stove and polished it till you could nee your faro in it, and then helped the old lady clean up the kitchen. By that time tha sun was down, and our hostess kindly permitted us to withdraw. Did we stay to supper? Why, bless you, the good soul in her joy at getting her house cleaned up for- got -to say anything about supper, We war glad enough to get home without being ask ed to dig up the potatoes or build a calf pen But ever sines that day my wife and I hay always had a prior engagement when asked to visit Mrs. Wickham." How to be Interesting, Most parsons, it may be admitted, cannot become interesting without an effort. The writer knew a man of an inquisitive but not primarily an original mind who was al- ways a most entertaining companion on ac- count of his information, upon which he drew modestly, and without boring anybody, whenever it was needed. And having the habit, he kept himself filled up by reading and obseryation. The society of a man of this sort never palls, if, of course, he has been well enough brought up to be personally agreeable. While it is not possible to pre• scribe a rule by following which girls may become entertaining and always desired members of society, it is safe to say that a person will never be interesting unless she is interested. To be interested in something outside of one's self is a necessity of the situa- tion. That al ways with any companion makes a point of interest. Therehas been a growing complaint this Beason—ani it i3 cum of many seasons' standing—of the scarcity of young men at the resorts, and it has also been hint- ed that the young men who did appear were uninteresting. This is the fault of the young men, for the young women have been as at- tractive as ever. But it mast be kept in mink that however devoid of entertaining qualities men may be at a pertain age, from lack of experience and of any actual taking hold of life (or from the idea that they know it all), they will soon plunge into work, either business or a profession, that will in- terest them, teach them a knowledge of human nature and of affairs, and then they will beoome, in one degree and an- other, interesting persona. Whore will the young women bo then who have been con- tent to rely upon the charms of youth and beauty, and have cultivated no interest in anything beyond the more or less artificial- ities of being agreeable in a conventional society ? No partnership goes well unless all the parties contribute something to it. Marriage is no exception to this, as a groat many people have disoovered, even those who do not accept the cynic's definition that marriage is intended for discipline. Love being, of course, the attraction in marriage, good comradeship is the working capital,' and good comradeship between uninterest- ing people is an impossibility, unless each is too stupid to find out what the other lacks. This goes upon the assumption—perhaps it is a strained one in these days—that get- ting married ought to be an object bo bo considered in preparation for life. But the argument for a girl to make herself interest- ing by gaining information and by throw- ing herself enthusiastically into some sort of pursuit is still stronger if she intends to remain single, or remains ao by chance. For to be destined to one's own company when one is uninteresting and devoid of external interests is a dreary outlook. On the other hand, is it feared that modern edu- cation Will be platted so far, and girls will become so interesting, that they can find no equal mates ? There sometimes seems to be this danger. But it can at worst only be temporary. toys are very quick to batch on (it is their own phrase) to a new idea, and whatever course girls take. they aro reasonably certain to draw all men after them, The world has bean so areang- ed.-1tarper's 3ittpazitte. Ribbon plays a most important part in millinery, and as often as not Constitutes the entire crown, with no foundation of any kind. In ono; of these a white wine; had been placed in front, with a turn -back brim of black Crinoline. B'anlan and Kemp. The retie, according to the artiolee of agree- ment, was rowed under the new and recog- nieed rules of boatraein such as govern the Rowing Association of New South Wales. The umpire's decision, it was further &gaeed, was to be final and binding and subject to no appeal at law er otherwise, James Rich- erds acted as Judge. Both- men were in splendid' condition, Kemp looking a perfect picture ,of well trained athlete. His face was rather ,pale, but he wore a very deter- mined expression, which seemed to indicate that he intended to fight his opponent all the way down tete river, if it were neaessareeto do so. The Canadian appeared to be some- what anxious es to the ultimate issue of the rage, but he showed good form as he sculled pest the ate surer. Kemp weighed 1M lbs, H cnlau scaled 154 lbs. At this tijme the batting was 2 to 1 on Kemp, and cries of "Take 3 to 1 Hanlan wins" were also heard. There was very little wagering on the Goa - ford. Haitian won the toss, and therefore had a right to row on either side of the river. He elected to pull on the southern side, although the northern shore would, in the opinion of many, have proved more advantageoua to him as he would have had the tide right under him. At this time a strong north -easter was blowing across the coarse, the tide being a full ebb. The men, both In the buff, now took up their stations near the bridge, and preoiaely at 4 33 their senile flashed in the sunlight and struck the water together with mutual consent. Kemp. rowing 40 strokes to the minute, was the first to get way on, bub Hanlan, striking 41, was after him instantly. The men rowsrather unsteadily at first, and there was a good deal of splashing, on the part of Hensen, in the broken water. One hundred yai de from the bridge they were racing ou level terms, and a grand eight it was to see these two oarsmen forg- ing ahead at their fastest rate of speed. Kemp appeared to ease off a little in the next few strokes, and then Hanlan went up amidst some excitement, but he gained no appreciable advantage. A few seconds later Kemp, who was rowing a splendid long sweeping stroke, and the men were again level. At this stage of the race both were pul log somewhat close in under the southern shore, when suddenly it was seen that there had been a foul, as Hanlan was holding hie hand up. As far as could be seen from the steamer, it would appear that the men got too close to each other, with the result that their sculls collided, Some say that Hanlon pulled his reit scull, and this would appear to be the umpire's opinion, as he subsequent- ly informed the Canadian that he was in fault. Direct y the foul occurred, Kemp stopped rowing, and his rival moving on soon gained a lead of more than half a length. The Australian then plied his sculls with great energy, and speedily drew on Haulan. At Uhr's Point—time, - 2 mirn.— the men were level, Kenip striking 136 to Hantan's 3S, the former's long, even strok being magutfioent. Crossing the bay both felt the effects of the stiff nor' -easter, and their boats rolled slightly. Half a mile from the start they were about level; but a little lower down the river Kamp was just in front of his rival. Approaching B!axiand's Point, the Australian spurted iu fine style, and shot past his opponent mith consummate ease and skill. Kemp cleared the mile in 6 minutes 10 seconds, having a length to the good. Below the reef Hanlan encountered some rough water, and splashed about a good deal, and Kemp did not row in his usual good form. Off Bottle Point the Canadian spurted, rowing :38, and went y up nearly level with Kemp, who was pull- ing a long 34 and steering a good course. The champion now spurted, and drew eway steadily, leading by fully two lengths at Putney, hie time to the point being 9m S8s., probably the fastest yet recorded to Putney in a match race. The men then struck across towards Tennyson, Kemp rowing 27 to Hanlau's 30. Passing the wharf at the latter place, Kemp led by three lengths. From this point to the finish the race needs no description, as the Hawkesbury smiler had things entirely under his own control, and he was able to increase his lead when- ever he felt inclined to do so. Cabarita was reached by K'mp in 15m. 253., the Austral- ian leading by five lengths. Kemp's time atGadesville wharf was 16m, 31s., and here be was six lengths to the good. One Man Wharf was passed by the champion, who was 100 yards'in front of the Canadian, in 18m. 55e After leaving this point astern Kemp gradually slackened his pace, and fin- ally passed the winning beacon 19s before Hanlan reached it, the Australian's time for the whole distance being 31m. 253 -very good time when the force of the wind is taken into consideration. Hanlan appeared to be considerably dis- tressed at the finish. After the race the competitors shook hands, amidst the cheers of those on the steamers. Hanlan then backed over to the Gosford, and looking up to Mr. Myers, who was seated in the bow of the steamer said : " Referee, I claim the stakes on a foul." The umpire : "I cannot allow it ; I saw the foul—it was your fault." The Canadian then said something which was inaudible to those on hoard the Gosford, after which he rowed away up the river and the steamers headed for Sydney On returning to bit shed, Hanlon was questioned with regard to the race. As might be expected, he was not in very good spirits, bub he expressed his opinion upon the contest very freely. He stated ho would have won the race had it not been for the foul which occured a'oout Urh's Point. He said that on approaching Uhr's Point he was leading by about half a length, when Kemp pulled into his water ; their oars touched, and he called out "afoul$ Kemp," and Kemp replied, "Yes, a foul," He then considered that the race was his—that he could claim it on a foul, and added that although he chased Kemp down the river, he never at- tempted to win the conteat after wards. He referred to the distance between them at the finish as a proof that he never attempted to win the rieo. He expressed much surprise at the decision given by the umpire, con- demned it as unfair and said that he in- tended to enter a protest. He expressed himself quite willing to row the race over again—in fact, he seemed anxious to do so, He ooneiders that he has been badly treated, and added that although Kemp denied that he caused the foul which occurred when an appeal was made to the umpire, he admitted it at the time it their place, He further stated that had he known the umpire would have givon;the raceagainat himhe would have continued to row after the foul took place. He also added that it was his intention to meet Kemp again, and he was confident that the reaulb on the next occasion would be dif- ferent. Not on the Play -Bill The audience at the Palmyra (Mo.) Calera house an evening or two ago were startled by a shover of plaster, an'l looking up beheld a pair of legs dangling forty feet above them. In a eminent the legs disappeared, A police• yotith manesp tared the memo of the unusual dlatur- _otith who banae, which proved to be wanted to see the perf ormanoe without buy ' ket Ile had reached ace be, space hag a dop ....... tweet the ceiling and the roof through a sky light in the rattier,