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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1906-1-11, Page 6f a UM PROPOSAL +04.0+0+0-4.0+04-0+0+0+0+0 It was exactly three Years to a day sinco'ilarry Morton had set foot In the village, and the notes of hie return sprend quickly amongst the 1'a- habitants, Tho wildest rumors wear, of course, afloat in next to no tine., and ho progressed from ahsaluto beg- gary and failure to the Very ltoigl.t of affluence and prosperity (and the reverse) in that brief winter's auto - 000u. The simple truth, that he leas neither rich nor pour, but that he had just managed to save a few hul- dreds and take a 000 house, would never have satisflecl the goteip-begbee villagers, to whom e. voyage 10001 Australla was such a stupendous af- fair that no man in his senses would undertake it otherwise than und••r great pressure. It was getting ]ate in the evening before the news reached as far as WiJJowlca Farm, which lay some miles away on the outskirts of the village, and that it has not lost any- thing in travelling was only to be expected. "They do say," remarked Mr Marsden, as he settled himself down comfortably in a capacious chair at the fireside, lifting his churchwarden from the mantel at the same time "they do say as how young Harry Morton's comp back." "Young Harry Morton back?" cried bis wife incredulously, "Why—" A crash of breaking china in the scullery (which led out of the kiteh'n In which they were seated) cut short the worthy lady's sentence. "Whatever aro you doing now, I•Ietty?" she cried. "I declare you're always breaking something or au - other." There was a muffled expression 0, regret, followed by a rapid accelera- tion in the speed of the duties being performed, and tho farmer and his wife took up the thread of their in- terrupted terrupted conversation. 'Why, it's only three years since he left," Mrs. 'Marsden said, "and if he's come back the sante as he went, then all I can say is that it's a bad Joh for his poor mother." "Ah! but he's not," .suckled the farmer; "he's come back, so the/ say, with a big fortune, made up on tho golc Llelds of Austenly-, and as to its being a bad job for his mother I never could see any harm in the lad—a bit wild, perhaps, but nothing worse." Mrs. Marsden shook her head mournfully. •'You've changed your tune lately, Fred, that's all I can say then," she retorted. "Why, look at the tiu•u you chased hien across the spinney, and found when you laid hands upon hint that he'd got his coat simp'y lined with hares." "And maly's the time I've done the same," he chimed in sententious- ly, "only-, of course., I ilidn't tell young Harry so—that would never have done." "And then his carryings -on with the girl up at the 'Mitre,' and—but there, that doesn't matter now. I ,1 tell you what, though; 1 don't be- lieve a word about this fortune of his. Ile's not the sort of chap lo put money by—it's easy come and easy go with lime to any way of thanking." Mr. Marsden did not trouble to a- gue the point with his wife; but, like the good-natured mean he was, allow- ed her to have the last word. "Iletty!" he cried. "Como hero. itetty. I want you." She came into the kitchen at his call, her face as white as 0 sheet of paper. "Why, lord sake alive! whatever ails 111e child?" exclaimed her moth- er, "you look as though you'd seta. '•a ghost. What's the matter with you?" With a knowledge born of long ex- perience, Iietty threw herself down on the rug 0t her father's feet, mum- bling ords to the effect that her head was aching, and the good man, with a irown and a shake of the en - ger at his wife, Put his mouth down close to the girl's ear and whispe:- ed: "Have you heard the news, Ilett;? Young harry Morton's conte home." 110 had expected to see her raise her bead and a bright sparkle to come into her eyes; but he was grins ously rin- ous]y 'disappointed, for she obylle- ettely kept her face averted and Otto' - c(1 merely a mechanical: "Ohl lies he?" "Yes; and he's come hack as el ill as a—as rich as a--" "Oh, fudge!" interpolated the pale - Heal Mrs. Marsden; "don't you be- lieve what he's saying, itetty—It's only idle village talk." "But ho is really back?" hazardr3 Pretty, feeling that some re110(10 from her was called tor. "Isn't hoe" "Back? Yes," cried her mother, "'and—well, bless ray heart, if that isn't 1138 knock—I should know it is a tbousaud." She 0011 and opened the back door -•-the front one 1008 only used en state and ceremonial occasions—re- turning half a minute later followed by Harry Morton. 1lotty had risen hurriedly from her Mat upon the floor, as red now as elle lead been white before, and st10d shrmlc back into the shadow until 'filo congratulations between her par- ents and the visitor were over. Then —there was no help for It—she ad- vanced timidly, yet with a certain Mr of defiance, and put out law hand. un took it quietly, lith a frith look Into her eve and a sudden ilttsjl- ing of colo' into his bronzed cheeks. You haven't changed a bit :FIotty, he said; and she, laughing now, assured him that if his name had not been announced she would never have recognised him at all. Itis throe years of rough life ha.: certainly wrought a woitdrons change in lllm, Mal there wore nose a dad - Sion and lnan:iless t. itis bearing, a Jlrfnnss in his strelig mouth, and a will and purposo iu his keen, grey oyes which contrasted favorably lith his soli as she had formerly tenet 11 it. Ratty had not as et trusted her- self v v c c full ti e nd sal to a1 aa view of him, her sidelong glance !raving been sufficient, to cause her heart to beat rtrpid]y and her oyes to become dins and misty. What a little foal s110 1(ad been not to accept hie otter of three years back, when they stood together that night at the gate of the farm. 01 have always loved you. 'lIeliy darling!" he had said—and oh, how 1010 and tender Ids yoke had been! —"and if only you could luso me in return just n little bit--" And she had swept his deelaraton aside with a laugh, spurning the of- fer even at the very moment when her own heart 10015 palpitating with Passion. Another word from 111181, and she would have confeeeed het love; but. he had t.ureed angrily meta his heel, and gone at a raped pare clown the road. Once she had culled 11in1 back; but her voice was chul.ia1 with sobs and he diel not hear her. and, with a coldness of death nt her Mart, she had staggered into 11,0 house and thrown herself in a pas - 8100 of rage and tenderness—the two strangely blended—upon the bed. A week later, lfarry had gone on his long trip to Australia without so Much as a word or a line of part- ing, and she had n0'er forgotten that hopeless, dreary winter's dal, on which she heard the news, with its long succeeding night of bitt- r tears and agony of remorse. Jlow she had loved hind And be was lost to her for ever—he would never conte back—oh, how she cursed the feral o- 'no folly anal light-heartedness whlc;l had prompted her to refuse lies manly declaration! 11'. Harry's hone -stay was limited to one month, and the days sped swift- ly by. Heti.—her hope increased now ten fold—lived in a perfect frenzy of at- ternating hope and fear, at 000 monlelt declaring herself the unhap- piest mortal alive, at another confi- dent that all would be put right before he went away again. That he still loved her was certain, Con- ceal the fact how he might, and she judged by the strength of her o,va feelings that it would be impossible for lain to lenvodher, perhaps for ever this time, without a word. Three weeks paused—four! In tw''. flays more his ship sailed, and it would be neeesSary for 11111 to ]001.0 home overnight in order to be in London in tilnc to reach the docks. She had gone into the village that day, the last, to melee a few pm - chases, and just as she emerged in'.•+ the open country he had came ep with )ler. "1 ala just in thee," he said, tak- ing the heavy bag from her Maj. "Why, what a weight for you to lug; hone by yourself." "oh, I nm used to it," she smiled faintly, "and you know I am pretty strong." "I have something to tell you, 1Tctty, something. that has been upon my lips ever since I returned. 1 (1,1 not know that it will concern you much; but—" She was looking up nt him in won- derment. Not concern her much? IIacl ho not guessed a thousand tines how matters stood with the poo', pitiful, little heart? Had not her every wistful glance, her every timid response, ler every p100(11ne. compliance with his lightest wish -- had not these revealed to him hoer passionately she loved hint? "I am married, lIeliy. I—" She nave a low cry, like some af- frighted, %rounded euimai, and shrank helplessly away from him, restrained only by his ]told upon her baud, . "Yes, I was married a year ego in Australia. I found life. right back in the heart of tho bush was intolerably 101101Y, and—but what is the matter, Metty—you are crying?" She felt she could not answer his question had the world been laid at her feet for so doing, but she crush- ed bacic the deadly sickness at her heart and said in a low voice; "It is very silly of 111e, but I Have not been very well lately, and—oh! do please let us berry hone," No further word was spoken 1111111 they reached the gate at which they had petted three ,yeers ago; end here, dospito her efforts to escape, he re- tained her. "Do you remember the last time wo stood here together?" he asked. She strove to disengage her hand, but he was too strong for her. "Do you remember how you laugh- ed at me, and let me walk off down the lane with lover a word—" "I called you—" The words had escaped her laps unconsciously, wrung from her In the keenness of her agony, and he loohe 1 at her in emazemeut. "You called ono?" he asked. • "Yes," she retorted defiantly, cast- ing shame and reserve to the winds, "I culled you back anti you would not come. I did not moan what 1 said, and-0hl but what is the use of talking like this?" she cried passion- ately/. "It's all over and past naw, and I wish I was "dead and away from everyone." IIo had released her hand, and s11 stood leaning against the gate, ler fel buried in her folded arms, her tears flowing unrestrained. IIo touched her lightly and pit.y1ne•- ly np011 the shoulder. "You must not cry so, relay," Ile said. "It has ail been a hovrirl mistake—I cal 8co it now, and," sl,o felt his breath upon her face, 'if `I were to ask y011 the sante (UCStloo, would you—' Sho turned 1,r tear -stained face upon dila. "You mustn't nth ane," she cried, her checks aflame. "You are—meta vied, 811'1) 1—" Again ho seized her hand. "But if I were single," he mod. "Tell me, would e•ou repulse we again? There can be no harm in n s3nllrlo reply, and t may 11080 a 3018901) for asking." "But, you have no right to nSh me," sho flamed; "it: is an 1u8u1t—,von are taunting ate, and it is cowardly,' There wee a steatite() light ebbling y in his eyes, and suddenly, e'0 the could escapo, Ids arms wcro around her, and ho was pressing his lips feverishly io her hot cheek. 13he endeavored to push hint away, with all the strength of her two hands; but sbe w,s is 0little ch t, in his grasp, and at last,worn o at with her ca ion . she hng, spent anti exhausted, at his mercy. "Tell Me," he whitlpeeel. "Tell me and I will release you—only tell me." Ilis persistency had conquered, and she gave the faintest shake of the ]lead and a tremulously muttered "No"; and 11e instantly A(10as011 1100 to catch bee again 1110 next moment as site 101(5 51.18105(1(1 half faulting to the ground. "Oh, let me go!" she cried wildly. "You must nut -011, you must not!" "Really," he laughed, "1 think T may. lletty"—she shrank from the cool incisiveness of his tongs—"when '1 went away from here throe years ago I swore never to set fool in the village again; but 111y 101-e for you proved stranger than 1031 resolution, and I was forced to return. Since 1 Have been back I hat 1, arnt 1.0 love e-011 more and more every day. but 1 did not dare to 00nfoa it to you. 1 have wavered and wavered, putting it off until this last day of all; and now---" SIo paused, and took her chee'18 be- tweell his hands, forcing 11e• to look up into his eyes. "Now, itetty, darling! nolo you ]neve said you will not repulse me, 1 he gat"hered the necessary cour- age, and 1 ask you—to be my wife." Ilut—m- "O11!" he laughed, "you need not fear. I shall not be eonllnitting Mee- amy. lily first wife Is a—a Piro myth, and if you will say 'Yes'—" She did not say "Yeti oven there but tinder the circumstances, Per- haps, words would have been super- flu0ns. The shipping company made no 0h- jectioe to Harry's postponing his passage for a n1011111, on the under- standing that he would require tick- ets for two in place of one.-1'ea1•- son's Weakly. SAYING TIIE GOLD DUST. P05010110ns Token in the Manufaclur• ino Jeweller's Establishment. Warning machines scene all right 01)081gh 111 a laundry, but they would scarcely bo looked for in the estab- lishment of a malfacturing jeweller. Yet they play an important part in such a plant. In a washing machine aro washed daily all the aprons and all the blouses worn by the workers employ- ed in the manufacture of articles of gold. Then the water in which these things have been wash8) is piped to a room where the gold contained in it is extracted 0nd saved. Particles of gold adhere to the bands and faces of the workers in the precious metal, and even get in- to their hair. Twice a clay all the operatives wash their hands and faces; and the hater is, like that from the trashing machine, piped to the extracting room. Here there is installed a big filter, with its filtering section made of canvas, and resembling outwardly the pleated section of a giant square concertina, as it would look partly drawn out. All the water from. the washing machine a1(1 from the wash bowls in the factory is forced through this filter; and at regular intervals. the filtering section is taken out and the gold removed from it. All the floors in the factory is covered with tar paper, .which catch- es and holds all the gold particles that fall upon it. From time to time a new paper covering is laid on the floors, the old being burned for the gold contained in it. By these means there are saved in a factory annually thousands of 'dol- lars worth of gold that without such precautions would inevitably be lost. -----4. SENTTINCI'1 SERMONS: Faith's fervor is more than effer- vescence, 'J'he lights of the world are not ad. vel'tisifg signs. Ite knows no good who boasts he docs no Harm. Losing the temper takes the edge off any argument. /To can easily be fearless who 'darn not matte foes. Sow the sand and you reap only grit in your teeth. Love's music is never perfect with- out the chords of pain. Obstacle is often only another way of spelling opportunity. No amen ever broke his back under his brother's burden. You aro not likely to slay the enemy by drawing a long bow. A nlggar'dly purse in the pookot becomes a thorn in the side. P10ny a man mistakes a floating hn(lcbtednees for a sinking fund. Teat's over to -days broken toys 1)111(1 us to to -morrow's treasures. Many a man thinks 11e is mellowing when ho is only getting moldy. You cannot cure your sorrows by inking thein out in a 1011001 chair. 'J'he fear of reputation is often falcon for the love of righteousness. ife who hos a good word for no ono menet have the word of (Tod for any one. Many a man thinks he is virtuous because ho feels vicious when ho sass others hopPy. The reason some aro not wedded to one. bad habit is because they aro courting AO many. When folks got to fighting over creed the plumy takes his`forces to another part of the field. When you have to do with those who aro blatantly honest It is time to buy more padlocks. 'elle next best thing to the oppor- tunity to take a college course is the ability to forget most of it. Cheerfulness is a virtue lnatrd to headier, when 7081 persist in Indnl- gence in late 5Upi1C1•5 and =entree - (meet "boppiness.il. It would be wrong to send some people to heaven; they 81011111 miss so 8011(11 the chance to worry over the wildness of their neighbor's eh Huron. 11 isn't alweys11dvisnble for n sten with a. sandy complexion to 0ngnge in the sugar business, MYSTERIES OF OCEAN BED TUE STRANGE LIFE SEEN IW A DEEP SEA DIVER. Gh a e. r t 1£1 ; in Forms of Fish at Great t Depth --- Giant Crabs and Devil Fish. The disaster which' bnppened to the French vessel Sully not so very long a e l 11 !ru v1 h 1! it wont to tea soften no ! fl'o11i Saigon has 011011hxl, 50318 iho elenitll.l American, the divers !Mewl - 0d wilts examination of the submerged shill oppnrtunilive for making ethane• tiro end important exploraliuns of the 110110111 of the sen. In these fields of suit -aqueous oxplora(lon special dia. aih1hetlononghlectlues' na110011med won byP14017, ung nav- De10110 by the aid of nn apparatus of his own Ir.- veniton, succeeded 111 reaching a deglll of ever( more than 330 feet ---a depth watch ha=1 never before been attained. De Plumy has Invented a land of met- al 11111111 which affords him every pro - (00(10n, while by moans of a special retention! combination resph'ullon is nu- lomn(ically provided for. 'Plantes to Ila:, lie les already made more than 113 most. dariflg (110001118 ells pMee, safely. lie has thus been able to dis- cover a most 1110.0000110Uf world, hither- to seen by no eye but les; the sen bed le a sc0nn of marvels combined with no small amount of tragic horrors. 1°The first sensation experienced," said this intrepid diver at a recent in- terview with an Rattan journalist, "is something like that which is felt on tic- scwnd1ng 10(0 n mine, but you soon get 0 011slnmed to it. At a depth of about nine feet me.(1115m began Lo he found In large quantities. Seen through the water, everything appetite; magnified, and they are apparently of ENORMOUS. PROPORTION. Allrecollecllan of the protection af- forded by the glass front of Iho helmet is forgotten, and the first impression is that these masses of horrid flaccid and slimy medusae will adhere to your face. "Just a little lower down, and a sein- filleting multitudinous shoal of small fishes is encountered, shimmering like so many strips of shining copper, cr other metal, 111 a slate of continuous V1 - bra lion. "At a depth of about 102 feet thick masses of seaweed are traversed; some of these are hairlike vegetable growths, with 810118 from twenty to thirty yards in length, which, with a ]clad of hor- rid vitality, wrap themselves round ev- ery part of the body. These nlgm con- stitute a grave danger, as they can easily paralyze the diver's movements and by rising up above a1(1 around him. can weigh hint down with a weight amounting to several hundred weight—sufficient to break a rope a' lifeline w11011 hauled on, "Bolos 102 feet there are small snake- like fishes of about three feet In length, and also other denizens of the deep resembling dolphins. These letter hurl themselves violently against the diver. If. as already remarked, be is some- what. omawhat. young at the game, and has for- gotten the protection afforded by his 110111101, he is still filled with a merle! areal lest they simnel succeed 118 splashing the gloss front of the helmet despite its four inches of thickness. Of e011r80, should (hat occur, death would be almost instantaneous. 'Still other and worse monsters ere the polypi nr devilfish, who wrap their slimy tentacles round the bold explorer; but although repugnant, these mon- sters are cowardly, and immediately renounce their attack in coming in con- tact : with the unfamiliar feel of the metal armor plating of my diving dress. There are also equally horrible, (01(1 much more intrepid, giant crabs. Some of those I have seen have measured as much as THREE FEET IN DIAMIETER. Due to their strong shells and formid- able claws, they constitute a continent menace to Ilio safely of the diver wllialh hs by no means to be despised. "Titl5 is oboe. n11 that can be said en the score of the deep sen fauna. The deformation of flsh is not very notice- able at such a small depth; by defor- mation i mean. 1101 only change of fntel, but also of ohmmeter. T1118 lichee place at a depth of alma 1,091 yards; here their nature changes en - 11101y, and they assume the forms end ccnslliullon0l modifications necessary 1.1 enable them to bear the enormous pressure in whir.]) tlicy are subjected, and have their being. "f-lIthertn it has been quite impossi- blt, to obtain living specimens of these submarine creatures, as they rent/lied the surface with their volume qundr'up- led, due to the reduction of pressure, All these creatures aro earnivorers, and their 00pacle a maws not Infre- quently servo es the lambs of unfortu- nate sailors whose ships have gone to the bottom, and (dame bodies gradually sink deeper and claepor; while the for- midable pressure to which they nee sub- jected in an increasing intensity seen smashes alt their bones, anti nanny crushes the corpses quite gel. But enough; 5111110e it to soy that this aw- ful sped/nee is scarcely visible after a (10nt.h of thirty feet. "One curious fnet attending these subnierine explornhions Is nffe'ded fly the light, which forms a strange blond of green and violet, the color being a Mlle simile'. (o that of i.he caverns wdli011 are to he seen in icebergs. At, n depth of thirty-two ,yards the dight beghos to gel more and more diffused, and the sun viewed through the mess of snp.ertncumhent tenter appears lice n ra'l dish opaque globe. but—m(1 this ii semowlint strange—when sheltere,1 from the ray.; of the stun (behind a rock, for instance) the stars become visible e'en at midday. "One day, ,just about noon, I saw a never to be forgotten sight at a depth of 129 feel. The stns w115 right At the 20011h, 'I'he bottom upon which I stood cen118jed et fine while. Band, and the 1'eflection of the light upon the snowy carpet gave me the impression of standing upon A PLAIN OF MOLTEN GOLD. Al. n depth of 22e feat the obscurity 18 complete; at 327 feet the darkness is hnponelralnle, and it is nee.eeSsary to 11a8e rre..nnr$o to electricity for purp0(- es of vision. I (1511 electric lamps of 111,000 medic -power; but even ' (Mee penned. diffuse. the light hnyned n rndl- u; et ninety feet, A mast h'11µ118 171:I'?'' 810 in lhrn plearnicd by 5unkon vn;. 50111, In'OkolI 1100115, 5pl111100 1 hulls, griping decks and broken mosls." No scans of horror can be Surpass- ed by the awful panoramas 01 death and disaster, which have been witness. ea by Engineer de Pliny In the course of h15, professional exeperlences as a diver, " n n '1110 vicinity n °Blend," 1 ( t n(1 he te• Y , )ales, "I was requested on00 Lo examine the Wreck of a vessel which had sunk not long before, This 18818 the occas- ion upon written I was assailed by a veritable horde of (hose giant crabs of whiett I have already spoken. '17iey were at the Unto busy devouring the corpses of the dead sailors. Ono of these monsters seized ale by tho leg, 1\'111011 would havo been crushed, as if squec1rd by a jaw of steel, had it lot boon protected by the powerful a'nuu'- Ing of my diving dress. 1 had a kind of sword in my !hand, with whlclt I succeeded in killing two of these owe - stars; the shells I still possess. All objects at the bo',tom of the pen are cover0(1 with a land of curious gowdee, and a terrible gloom and el - 0n(0 prevails, What a scene of melee - choly! 'She floor of the ocean is strewn with bones, not a few of them of hu- man origin. A very singular fact which have observed is that the sea for it certain period of time keeps bodies in a perfect slate of preservation. I once railed the hull of a vessel which had gone down with all hands. "The crew were mostly asleep nt 0'o moment when the disaster occurred, and had thus practically passed '11- slonlaneously from sleep to death. Po Mr they had not been bitten or gnaw- ed by any fish, as most. of the Mich - ways were closed. The men still ap- peared as if asleep. 'There they lay, wrapped in a calm and mysterio115 slumber. 1 approached, and climbing down to the hatchways, touched one et the corpses with my hand; the nosh seemed to dissolve and vanish under my hand, leaving nothing but A GRINNING SICIILETON. "And the treasures of iho seas! 1111 - lions alone are engulfed not far from Vigo. Personelle', I have never been there, but one of my men once went down there clad in the 01(1 diving dress. The unhappy man died almost directly he reached the surface again, but he had had ifmo to see several galleons lying at the bottom, with the masts still standing and the timberwork stili sound. These, of course, were some of the famous treasure ships, but I do not think it would bo possible to recover them. All metals would have been de- stroyed by rust by now, as they havo been below water ever since 1707. "I have seen personally the vessel which, about 1808, was conveying Na- poleon's treasures to Holland, but at was Wrecked en route and salmi with 1111,000,000 of gold on board. Of tihese, 50,000,000 have been recovered, but the remainder, as I have said, as still in the bottom of the ocean. The Prince of Mon- aco states that he has found near Cy- prus yprus a galley still full of objects of art nt the bottom of 1110 sea. This is where submarine boats will have such a great future before therm, as, by their aid, We shall ono day be able to explore un- known deep sea grottoes, rich in un- known forms of life, vaults full of un- told wealth, and the tomb of many a poor sailor:" THE SUNDAY U AY SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL LESSON, JAN_ 1.. Lesson 11. The Wise Alen Find Jesus. Golden Text, Prov. 23. 29. LESSON WORD STUDIES. Nola—Tho text of the revised version '1; used as a basis for these Word Shldies. Glad Tidings to the Sews.—That Jesus of Nazareth was of a truth the long - looked -for and eagerly expeelod Mes- siah of the ticbrow people, the Son of David and the Saviour King of Israel, is the burden, though not the son total or the first evangelist's message to his fellow -Countrymen, who, having believ- ed on Jesus for his work's saute, yet needed for the strengthening of their faith just such a seting forth of his life and work in 1110 light of the Old Testa- ment prophesies which in hien found their complete an(1 only fulfillment. 'Tire author's purpose being argumentative rather than biographical, Ire does not al- ways in his na'rativ'o observe the ex- act chronological order of events for which the gospel of Mark is a better guide. In addition to endeavorin, to strengthen 1110 [filth of Jewish Chris- tians 111 Jesus as the Messiah, he sought also to enlarge the vision of those for w10n1 he wrote by molting plain that the kingdom established by Christ 18(18 universal in scope, embracing all na- tions and all peoples and thus abolish- ing all narrow Jewish limitations. Very catty tradition uniformly ascribes the writing of the first gospel to Mat- thew, one of the less conspicuous of the apostolic group. But the book itself does not mention the nacre of its au- thor, al(1 there are many able and con- scientious scholars who believe that Ibis tradition in its earliest form means snnply that the substance of the gospel message, though probably not the form of the narrative, is to be ascribed to the apostle whose none the gospel beers. There is, however, no positive proof for this contention, the problem resolving itself rather into 0 question of the interpretation of the rather trtea- ger data available. Wo aro therefore justified in assuming that the ea4lest tradition concerning the authorship of the gospel is correct—that Is, that Mat- thew, the apostle, did write the gospel bearing his name and that he wrote It in substantially the form in which it line come clown 10 us. Concerning the chile and place of the composition of Matthew's gospel nothing definite is known, though 1110 data avaflnblopoinls to the ,years 08.70 as the approximate time and to Palestine as the probable piece of its composition. Verso 1. When Jesus tuns horn --Our present system of chronology, accord- ing to which we number y'ea's for'war'd and backward from the birth of Chris( (A.D., Anno Domini, year of 1)00 Lord, mid B.C., before Christ), dates back only to the middle of the sixth 00n - eery, nhnut which time 01 Romero allot, Dlonysin 1"sxtgml5, is reputed An have been instrumental In ineugmrn(1ng (he. system. (1(11 in fixing the rima Of the 1,11'(1 of ,Jesu,s which wn5 to an lie starling point of (11e 11018 orae' of Woe. lotion nn oro' was made by l:xiguee rind 111s co -laborers, the date of the Na -y Ilvily being placed several years later than it should ]lave been. From the gospel narrative we know that Jesus teas born shortly before filo death of Ie fled the Great But 11 • Med t I t t ud dt c in r the year l h1 of lune 7�U-7fi t • or' - lime 1 \lith t to J 7 5) ands to the year which We naN dl'S• ignale as B.C. 4 to 13. C. 3. Ilene Jesus was 110111 0.1 101181 as early as B. C. 4, But allowing for seine mouths to elapse between the bl'tl of Jesus and the slaughter of the boles al llclhlelelal by Herod, and again be- tween this event, and the death of the king, during which time Joseph with Mary and the young child sojourned hl Egypt (cool. Matt. 2. 1, 10, 10), the 11010 probable dale becomes 13. G. 5 to B. C:. 4. Herod the Ring—Son of Antlpatee, governor of Mumma (Mom), the terri- tory south of 1110 Dead Sea where dwelt 1111 descendinn's to Esau; founder of the Horatian family and dynasty, and known inlet' as Herod the Great. Soon after Syria old Palestine became part ef'(he Boman 01lpire, at the lime .i the invasion of Asia by Pompey the Great, this hlunman family became prominent in Palestine affairs. In 13. C. 37 Alarlc Autony, the friend and avenger of Julius Omar, placed Herod oft the throne of Judoo. Jnsophus enumerates eight wives of Herrod, and he Is known to have had two others; he had eight sops and six daughters. A cruel, unscrupulous, and ambitious tyrant on the throne, he nevertheless seems never to have indulged 111 religi- 0111 persecution, and on different occa- sions proved himself a good friend of the Jews. Ills life was surrounded by Plots, suspicions, and intrigues, and this doubtless accounts for the Memos - al cruelly, as well as for the fear and misery of his old age. Wise Men—Greek, Magi, a (isle given to learned mets, priests, and physicians of the Persians and Babylonians, who were also versed in astrology, soothsay- ing, and in the interpretation of dreams. In Jer. 30, 3, 18 Ncrgalsherez- er, a prince of the king of Babylon, is given the title "Rab-rneg," chief of the Magi. That the, wise men were three in number, and that they were icings, is mere tradition resting on very meager foundation, 2. Ilis star—A supernatural phenom- enon vouchsafed these meal to guide them first to Jerusalem and then to the house in Bethlehem (comp. verse 9). Tho simplicity of the narrative at this point is characteristic of all New Tes- tament na5sages in which miracles aro mentioned. 3. He was iroubletl—IIerod's reign had been much disturbed by plots and intrigues, and as he grew older ho be- came doubly suspicious an(1 fearful lest genie usurper or pretender should rob trim on his Marone. He knew also of the expectation of the Jews concerning ifessinh who was to be their King. All *Jerusalon—All who heard of the visit and in quiry of tate win0,1110(1, especially those in authority 8811080 po- sition, like (hat of the king, was tiipper- ently endangered. An example of hy- perbolo. 4. Chief Priests and scribes—Alen versed in the ]lebrovv Scriptures, end who therefore might be expected to be familiar wit11 every prophecy concern- ing the Christ, the anointed, that is, the elosslali. Probably members of the Sanhedrin are referred to Isere. 11. Thus it is written—In AM. 5. 2, 1: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephralllah, which art little to bo among the thousands 9f Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel. And he shall stand, and shall feed - his flock In the strength of Jehovah, in the majesty 0f the name 0f Jello'ali his Clod: and 111gy shall abide." 8. Sent paean to Bethlehem—in ac- cordance with the information gained from the priests and scribes. 9. The star . , . went before them— They were not permitted to romotn de- pendent upon the directions received from the treacherous king, who was al - reedy plotting the death of the new- born babe. 11. The house—Not necessarily the same in which the babe had been born, now doubtless some days, if not weeks, ago. Frankincense and myrrh -1301h res- inous gums obtained from trees fount) in Arabia, used for medicinal pulp0ses and for embalming, and 800y capon - Sire. 12. Anothre way—Possibly proceeding 5081111 from Bethlehem, past Hebron, and through ldumma eastward, or to the nortienst across Jordan, leaving Jerusalem to the west. POISON IN EGGS. Another Startling Discovery of French Medical Investigation. Ono by one our most cherished articles of dint disclose deadly designs upon our well-being under the fostering. care of the medical profession, supported by the medical press. Hitherto the egg has bean regarded as absolutely innocuous, until al least, IL hes reached an ago which qualifies it to Lake an active part in politics. But now a French 'neaten! elan has discovered a hi(1(1en clangor lurking b1 its yolk, and the dreadful intelligence has been spread far and wide by the "Lancet." The yolk of the eggs of hens, clucks, and tortoises, 110 declares, con111)11 a substance \vhlch, when injected into the veins; under 'the skin, or into the general body cavity, eventually causes depth from an acute intoxication of the centra) nervous system. • ileide egg yolk is less toxic than Thal of the duck, but that of tine tortoise is more poleon005 than either. It is comforting to observe, however, that the great majority of the general public who eat eggs in the ordinary tray are 1101 (becalmed. NEW D1RINIi OURE.; The authorities in Norway Have discovered a novel Way of curing drmlkemess.Tho "patient" is plac- ed under lock and key, and his nour- ishment consists in great part of bread (10a1cocl in port wine, The first (Iny the drunlcat'd eat8 hi8 100d with pleasure, all even on the second day ho ehj0Vs it. On the third day he finds that it Is vary monotnous, on the 10110111 day he becomes impa- tient, and at the end of eight days he receives tho wino with horror. It seems that the disgust there/tees, 1118( that Sits care giVos good 1'osults,, Fashion Notes. \Vhnlever may be said of (ho suspen- der and 5 elo o waist dress grown- ups, Ic l u w i 1 for u s no one cis h tet that he fashion p, 1 t 1 l p le charming for children. It Is app110- aa,le alike to everyday gams and dressy toilettes, leer example, a charming little gown of red and white foulold was maple tv'Jlh a full skirt, tucked in groups of three 1(alaway to the waist. The shoulder straps and filo cross piece w111e11 made 1(1e round yoke ofleot were tucked eIllSswt;e, the lotto leeks laid close together 10 form a rather solid surface, The strops were edged with tiny quilling of silk.Underneath was worn a Muse of etn- brolderee handkerchief linen. Another little gown of light slue and while checked silic 1111(1 the 51ch'1 trim- med with three ruffles set wide apart, and cots headed with a shirred band of st111, The waist worn with the skirt was composed al many Mlle ruffles of Valenciennes, the elbow sleeves being made of the same material. The sine appeared in the furor of shaped shoul- der capes, which were extended in points to tho waist line. A sash of pale blue satin ribbon was warn. IN WHITE GOODS. Many people dress small girls entire- ly in while muslhls the year round, and dressy gowns 01e0n no more !ban a little finer material and more elaborate work- manship. Tho sheerest of materials has underslips of India silk, sometimes '11 pale colors, sometimes in while. A lux- urious little gown for a girl of len was composed of flounces of hand -embroi- dered mull or baUsle, the embroidery a combination of English eyelet and French stitches, Two flounces formed the skirt, while a third was nlrnnged os a bertha on the law -necked blouse. The blouse itself was plain, save for a group of tam fine, hand -run tucks clown the front, and similar groups in the hack where '1)10 blouse closed. The sleeves were two small puffs nnls11ed above 1110 elbow with a short ruffle of the embroidery. A soft. sash of palest phhk messaline with deeply fringed ends was worn, and an underfelt) of pale pink gave the gown n warmer appear- ance than it might otherwise have had. SMOC1KING FOR CIIIT,DIIEN. Smocking Is always good in children s gowns. At some of the shops where a specially 1s made of handsome gar- ments, fancy smocking is done at not exactly prohibitive prices. For tiny, girls, the prettiest little gowns imagin- able are made in perfectly simple mo- dels. Tho shocking occurs in the yokes and cuffs of the slips, which are straight little garments something lice those worn by Kate Greenaway picture -book chaldron. Very simple and inexpensive materials are used for these gowns, gingham coarse linens, pongees and China silks being best adapted. Smocked Wnists,.aro very effective for older girls, and even mature women. The stitches are not delimit to learn, and Clever needle women may m•nn- ment their own blouses with little ef- fort.. A London house famous for 11s artistic creations !las branch houses in at. least two American cities, one being, of course, New York. This house makes a specially of smocked gowns and waists for grown-ups as well as chil- dren. In the soft crepes, Shantungs, and silk 71111811118 affected by the firm these waists are unique in their simple beauty and refinement. IAIPORTED GOWNS Speaking of importations, a sample dinner gown from a famous Paris house is worth describing. filo material was pale mato*e mousseline de 5oie trimmed with )heavy satin of a matching shade. The full skirt had a knee flounce of Point d'Alencon trimmed well ave grad- uated bands of the satin. A band about three inches wide bordered the bottom of the flounce, and the bald which headed it was less than an inch in width. The waist was a surplice and had a flc)lu of the, net bordered on either edge with satin bands. Tho Holm '8180 crossed in the front, and was cat?, vied around to the back, where it was lied and tell to long ends. Little shaped ceps of the satin wore seen an the shoulders. Tito sleeves were full puffs whieh extended half way to the elbows and were flnishcd with lace ruIDes. The pointed girdle was of sit- ver ibver gauze, and a graceful bow knot of the gauze trimmed the 1ov bodice. One imagined how well a large corsage bouquet of pale violets might lend ac- cent to the gown. LIGHT &ND ENERGY. Statistics showing the enormous waste of energy involved in the pro- duction of artificial lfgllt aro always interesting, it for no other reason than that they must continually sti- Indato inventors in the search for better methods. Sir James Dover recently presented these tiglros before the Royal Institution of Groat Wi- thin; hi an ordinaly candle the total amount of energy transformed into 1ig111 is only 2 per cent, Oil and gas lamps aro not more economical. The incandescent electric lamp utilizes 8 per colt. of the energy expended; the are light 10 per cont., and tho mag- nesium light 15 per colt. Then comes tllo glowworm and mocks 110 with its 00 per cent of expended cuergy'turnod into light. JAPAN AND Tram EAST. • Japan's success with its war vvit1i Bassin, has influenced t110 Emir of Afghantsttyn to ma100 a detailed study of the literature dealing with that conflict, An Indian paper cone monis: "There can bo no doubt that the astonishing results shown by Ja- pan have electrified the east. The Mnsollllnlan no less than the ITud- dhist and the I1ind0o feels that ,Ta - pan has indicated to him the possi- bilities of the power. which is latent in the cast, The 'Emir is bound to conVinco Russia that 11e Is a po1on to bo reckoned with." CURE FOR INDIGESTION. Dandcllon tea is mn(le ns follows, anil it is Used as a tonic and 1.0 ewe hula t10ston. Take 1110 reels of slx or eight dandelions. having cut off the loaves, tvbsll and serape the roofs, out them into short pieces, porn' over a pint of boiling water, let 51 stand for twelve hours, then strain through niteetn, and it is fit for 1150, DON : A whtoglnsslui. Melte a Ires)1 supply ovary threo Clays,