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The Brussels Post, 1907-7-11, Page 7IS NOTES AND COMMENTS A year or sc ago 11 wits disowned that some of the finest old cathedrals and public buildings in England were being ruined try the coal smoke whist, 881110flout the chimneys of factories which 111 1116 00111'811 of swift 11111311'1111 progress bad crowded tooclosely upon therm, Carvings weirs found to be so badly disintegrated In sable cases that resternlion seas hopeless, and In many ()thee eases the injury was fay advano• ed The stlrfnce of mho stone would' Mumble sway aL a touch or blow off as dust when a strong wind hit 11, Ona effect of the discovery wills to give In• creased impetus: to the altI•smoke move. men!, mild another was to cause a swift Search for immediate Means of pratc- tam, It was suggested that the •bttiid- ings endangered alight be covered with a _veneer of impermeable or protective wax, but sl far as '13 known that sag geslion has not yot been acted on, An - (Alter plan has, however, already been followed. IL is taunt' that by washing crumbling limestone with a solution ,f baryta a hard surface will he formed, end the chapter house al Westminster has already boon given ut least tem - smeary proteolion lin this Way. The theory is that the sulphur given off 'with the gases from coal ;smoke Is taken up 'by rain water and' becomes a week solution of sulphurous and sul- phuric acids, This converts the Illne- .3Ione Into gypsum or sulphate of lime. As it is estimated that half a unlike lens of sulphuric acid are emitted a1- alually in. London alone, it Is evident that the evil is no small one. The snlulf,n of baryta, however, forms with the gypsum an insoluble sulphate c.f `barium, at the same Lime liberating lime, which sooner or later becomes •ecnverted (ole carbonate by- absorbing the carbonic acid gas of the air. So much for smoke and the buildings. 'Titers remains the question of smoke and the lngs. The sulphur compounds tar, the lungs just as much harm as they -dn the bntd,ngs. Until some one can suggest a wax with which to coat the lungs. or a solution of something or other with which to wash them, it 10 clear that the anti -smoke campaign everywhere .should be al the very front among topics of pressing civic interest. Colta'.i gricuiture is the latest, Camille Flammarion'pu seedlings of the sen- sitive plant into fem. different mouses -an ordinary conservatory; ,n. _,blue Meuse, an ordinary greenhouse, a red louse, After •a few months' wailing be found the little plants in the blue house rracliraliy just as he had put them in. 'Trey seemingly had fallen asleep and remained unchanged. In toe green ,glass house (hey had grown more than in the ordinary glass house, but they were weedy and poor. In the red house Yhc seedlings had lecome positive giants, well nourished and well devel- oped, fifteen times as big as the nor- mal plants. 7n the red light the plants had become hypersensitive. IL was tern- that blue light retards the pro- cess of decay as well as those cf growth. Perhaps the most extraordin- ary development is that of forcing pinnls by (Pc use of anesthetics. It was the discovery of Dr. Sollannesen. 01 Copenhagen. The plants are put in- to a lox into which ether is cvaporah ed. The heavy vapor descends and en- velops the plants. After forty-eight hours the plants are taken out and plead in a cool -house. The buds and plants at 0110e begin 10 sprout far more replay than those plants that have not 1)00(1 treated with amaslhelic. Chloro- form else can be used. Dr. Johannsen seggesls that we here come on the ques- tion of repose in plants. In France, by selling up a sort of lightning conduc- ' or in the centre of a field and connect - Ing it with n nelwortc of wires running through the soil' of the field, an Increase of 50 per cent. was secured in a pota- to crop. 'he eleclrtcily was drawn from the atmosphere. -Td+ THEY FLEW TO FLY, 1'his Swindler 'Poore Sentiment, Also Money. Swindler's appear to be finding the old -11010 methods the best. A smart gentleman calling himself the Baron Fly put alis edvcrlisenlent into a great many papers in Paris : 'Highly con- nected gent, thirtysix, 513,000 a year, would marry lady from thirty to forty, having sentiment and ;2800 annual in- conte." Ladies having the requisite sen- timent and competency were drawn by the iulwertisetneni like (lies to the candle. A woman in the best society, in reality the baron's mistress, introduced the huller flies to Fly, ono after another, separately, of course, and successive en- gagements followed, . During the be- trothal sudden financial disaster invert. ably overtook the baton, who felt com- pelled to release the ladies from then' plighted troth, 13111 they, being full of serninlent, almost always declined the generous offer and would not give up the baron at any price. On the contrary, they were often willing to pawn their Jewels to keep him from want. The boron 1s new In jail. �k— Thr+ iiish Sea is nowhere more than 710 fleet deep. ++++++++++++4 f -4-H44--4 9� A Defeated Retribution ++++++++++++++++++++++ The mun'a head was bent closely (kiwi over 11 pile of cru'0fully-deserted papers. His mind wits concentrated upon U s task, and for quite an (lour he scarcely moved. Ile had eons; back to England, re- turned there rifler long absence in Aus- tralia, only two months ago, with one Used purpose In his mild, When lhls errand was accomplishwi he had vague ideas as to his future piens. At first, and bels). he larded, he had considered It mol unlikely that he should soon return to Nesv South Wales, But a tender light Molt some of aha sternness from ills eyes as he thought of ft flow -thought of the wo- man he loved, 110 would see her that Very day, ask of her the question which would decide his own future, Ms own fate. Yet he would attend to this other purpose first -this errand of retribution, Ho glanced at the papers once more, roost of them prospectuses of conlplm- i(s which 110 k11ew quite well to be worthless -companies that would yet he eagerly taken up by a public whose money would be inevitably lostao them. A grim senile played round Itis mouth es his eyes rested upon the nano of Darlington Eseel, printed 1n prominent capitals aL Ilio head of these prosltec.- (uses-Darlington Esece, under which alias he had recently discovered the man who In the past had robbed him, affect- ing to play the part of a brother, the villain whose soiling musk and pre- tended honesty had so easily beguiled his own unsuspicious nature, Yet he would cry gulls with hint ; after long waiting they would stand oven at last. Anthony Boss got up from his chair, locked away the papers he had been studying, and was about to leave the office when he came taco to face with a !tan who had just entered it. with an almost noiseless step. The new -coact' glanced at him un- steadily, and (hem swaggered forward, holding out a hand which Anthony ig- nored. "You -you sent for me," ho' began, his voice betraying the nervousness winch he had succeeded in banishing from his manner; "and -now that I tun here- whaL is it you want?" "I sent for you because 11)lay with my cards 'face upwards," . returned Ross, slowly, in tones that were chill with c0ntemp(, "tri short, I desire you to know what action I intend lo lake. It Is expressed inoneWord-exposure," The other's florid face grew a little pale, but a bravado that was part of his nature had not quite deserted.him. "Exposure?" 11e repeated, with an as- sumed nonchalance, "Tho word;oon- veys nothing to me," , Does it not?" replied -Anthony. "Has it 110 power•••to' place before your mem- 110Y.,1119 hemr0';„(P9 recollection of twO men, sworn -'Lrothers, one who trusted, the other who betrayed? Let me hark back to the past for n moment. Five years ago you left for England, stole away from Australia, without a word ,to me of your intentions, without a word to a sou1. You tools with you five thousand pounds which belong. ed to ate. You had stolen from me the savings of ten laborious years. I meant to come back to England, and that you knew -meant to make a home hem; that was the dream I had built upon for yen's, a dream (hat you destroyed:' "No one would believe a word of it,” returned Darlington Escot, defiantly. "11, would be only your word against mine, and I have some reputation here, let me tell you, in this great financial world of London, and friends who are rich and powerful. I imagine you would find soma dillculiy in damaging ole." "You think so?" Anthony smiled. "How little you know me, after all, to suppose that' I should act without hold- ing every proof. I have such proofs in n:, possession as wilt place yeti• lnfant- les, beyond all doubt." There was a note of intense conviction in his steady voice which the other re- cognized with a.sinkfng heart. floss went on speaking with quiet com- posure' "Listen," he said, "I don't know how you stand now; not very securely, I think, despite your boasting. Wouldn't it have been wises' had you remained just deoenty honest?, It would have re- paid you in the Tong roti, for a year ago gold was discovered on a plot of ground I. owned -gold that has made me a rich mon, and whatever I possess half of it would have been yours, for were you not my partner 7" His voice softened a It1Oment as be spoke the list words, "And now— Well, I •have'had my say; s there any answer that you can find?" Darlington EScat made no reply at once; slowly his hardihood vanished, and he spoke in tremulous tones, "You can ruin tee," ho said; "yes, I acknowledge that i am entirely al your mercy, end if I say spare me, it is not only for myself I plead, but foroneolhee who must suffer -the woman I am to marry, the woman who loves me. It will darken her life and brralc her heart, for Maude lllisrnere is not a woman to change In her love, not Ono 10 forget,'! He threw a keen, quick glance at Ross from under his down -bent eyelids, and then away egain at once, ",Maude lllismer01" Anthony Ross murmured Use name le himself inci'edu- lonely. His face slowly whitened, Its oyes lost 111010 life and brightness. Atingle, tiismere•-1ho Woman whom 110 himself loved, whom he bed meant to ash 11131:vel'y clay In be his wife --she to love this lean who turd so wmilgcd hien, whorl he Intl intended handing over to the law ho had violated. This was something he had not expected. It un- nerved him. Escot was quick to note the impression 1111 5100(15 110(1 made, qulcic to follow up an obvious advantage. "Why not let bygones be bygones?" he said, eagerly. "le -I. will acknowledge this -this debt between us; I will Se - pay you the money 1-11sed, You break a woman's heart, Anthony, if you talcs your revenge out of -me," "She to care for you 1 She to love a man tt'eaoherous and an ingrate, falso to friendship -a thief I" Ho uttered the words in tones of amazement, Theo, after 11 tabs, 110 added ; "She, at 101451). must know ((1e (011111, oven if 1 ep111'e you tie wand's ignuuliny.' "Why tell her?" 1 scot urged. "Wily destroy her fait!, in: fee, nine, she to to eeome m wife? o b 1 ? WI tco •t • Y not nsJ la Why z me a little furllher and keep silent 040. Bother 7" ,iia! don't I understand I t 811 ' lit c y1 not eonsidering you at all? It is she --1L is oho I You lied bettor go 11(3(8," Ross ihlished, wearily, "131st won't you tell me what you in- tend to do'?" I intend doing nolhh1g at present. 1 anus, lhlnlc before 1 act, Esoot moved lowardmi.lhe done, then paused a moment, still looking dissnlls- tledhal he 5118' (11nlhw toxibk , and he al lustx1A1'elunlanUyaltyas look!n- his tlepartul'e, Ness watched flue door close with 11 feeling of immense relief. The !fruit of the hast few minutes had been very great., the disappOiiifinent and disillu- sionment very bitter, Twice had this 1ua1 robbed him, twice had the gates of hope been shut 711 his face, denying him the promised ]and, Ile roused himself al Inst., squaring his jaw resolutely, bracing his nerves. He would go back again to Australis; he must lake up some kind of work -ally - thing 1(1u1 would enable hint to forget,. \VItal a fool he batt been -yes, a self- deluded fool, for he had fancied that Maude loved him, 1L was a knock at this office door whtela made him glance up at last. Tho new- comer was an elderly man wilt a hand- some face, m0reed by a suggestion of hesitancy, and a furtive restlessness which was apparent in every movement, R was Maude IiltsmereSs father. "1-1 have-er-just hoard a very pain- ed story, Air. Ross," ho began, after some preliminary word, -'very painful, indeed. Your -your friend-oe-of other clays has told ole everything -and -and I have come to ask you if -if you-er will give us -that is, give ole your -your assurance of silence. Believe dna-1 am convinced that -,hash would be better -- if -if I myself told my daughter what- efe. liscot has confided in ole, Naturally --oomblg from any one else, and -from one who is virtually-a-er-stranger- It would give Iter -o. greater -shock than if she -heard it from myself -her own father, eh?" Anthony glanced at hint gravely. "Can you yourself condone such offences? Can you accept as your only child's husband a man who is absolutely base?" "Oh, really," the old plan gave a false Mile laugh, this is regarding It In rather an extreme light. llis faults were - scarcely more-er-than the-er-follies of youth, little .more." Anthony's Inco grey white with scorn. fie was obliged to111111his head lest the other should read in his features his ta- te" disgust. "There -there are a few matters-er-Io bo put straight between you and mc," Went on Mr, Mistimed. "But -but in a month -or so. I !lope -you may be sure -that-that 1 will return you the -the various loans plat -that from Linde to time yen—" Noss held up his hand with a weary gesture. Forget such things, Mr. lllismere, he saki. "They aro not worth mention- -ing, And. now -you will pardon me if 1 send you away 1 There -there are af- fairs that demand my attention, Gooch bye." But you-er-have not-er--yet given ala your promise." Anthony Ross faced hien wlih a stern light hs his dark, earnest eyes. "If it Is for your daughter's happiness I will l keep silent, he said. But -but watch over her well, Air. I111sn1ere, if she becomes Escol's wife -watch over her well." "I-ee-have no fear at all for her fu- ture, Mr. Ross; r10 felt,' at all." Dighton Illlsulere spoke with gay sett - confidence; than, bowing with an airy. grace, made his way from the room, very well content with the success Of his errand. The weeks slipped quickly away, and the day of Maude Illismere's wedding dawned -a dark and stormy clay. With a sense.of pain that alt philosophy was powerless to destroy, Anthony Ross wondered how it would fare with the girl, 66 There 11111 hens 511001s() rumors in the city lately, rumors concerning the lar. roue enterprises which Darlington l:scert Mad been the mmns'ef 1311Cl11g upon the market, Ms mind r 'c 1 n foreboded 11I to Maude, and 1t grieved 1111(1 sorely that he should be pcwcrless to protect the woman he still loved -unable J unahlo to sav+1 her from the faro w'111(I .4(1e had herself 0110Ae11. The hours of the wedding -clay drifted on. Ito could not endure the S011113de of his monis any lodger, and al last turned out into the busy streets. Newsboys were shouting out the con- tents of the afternoon patens, and "Ar- rest of a well-known financier I" was the cry which induced Anthony to buy a paper. Hasley glancing down the columns, no was amazed to read the following slop - press paragraph :- "Air. Darlington Escot Was this 1111(0. noon ' arrested Immediately after his wedding on a werr'aut charging 111111 with fraudulent misrepresentation,' It was with almost dazed ey sem that he react fine item of Hews. Ile stood for some nionienls doubtful wiutt to do. Could Ile assist by giving advice or money, by any means within a man's power? \Vas then) nothing that could Ire done to lessen the sense of shame and. disillusioned love which he felt Maude !lust now to suffering. AL any rate he chid not feel that now his presence would prove unwelcome, and, acting on an impulse, he jumped 11114 a passing hansom and was quickly driven to the ltismer0's home. A pa'lorrnaid with a scared face let him in, and he gave her his card. But she returned utmost at once, saying that neither Mr, Illismel'o nor Ills daughter could see anyone. Anthony Boss nodded, and walked away fr'om the house. Maude had: placed him deliberately outside her lite. She had no need of ills sympathy ; she appeared' to desire no further acquain- tance with him, or surely she would have turned 10 him now, in her bitter senate, knowing that she could rely upon a disinterested friendship. He wrote to her twice during the limo fliea elapsed before Darlington Escot was brought to his trial. Rut there wee 110. reply to either letter. That quite decided him that he must be as unwelcome to her In every way as he had felt himself k' be to her father. But it gave 111e man no throb of triumph when be heard that Darlington Escot was sentenced to five years' penal servitude, and from the depths of his hetet 11e was moved to sorrow for the woman whom Escot had so -selfishly made his wife. Two years passed quietly away -lead- en years for Anthony Ross, though he had 1111ed them, as far as possible, with unceasing work. But ho had found no jos in his labors; the wine of life was bitter to the Taste, because he found it impossible to forget what he had once, for some golden weeks, imagined to be this -a woman's love, given, not to .hhn- self, but to another elan -to one un- worthy. One April night a curlew& sense of de- pression weighed him down; (1'erytlhing seemed a little less worth who; -than usual. Ile passed through the .dons of his dark and lonely flat, atter a saunor' through the crowded streets, and went slowly towards Ifs sitting -room. He paused a moment upon the threshold, for his quick ear fancied that it detected a movement within -the sound of some- one stirring. He turned on the light, then started back. A main stood !hero -a tall man, with hunted, despet'ato eyes -11 weird figure garbed in strange, motley attire, with a cap pulled down low, and the collar of 011 Inverness coat turned up al- most Io .reach it. For a lnotl10111 P,oss fated to a-m'eg- nize him, the change was so great. Then he saw that it was Darlington Escot, The latter threw out his hands in an implor- ing gesture. Don't give nee up," he muttered, is low clones ; "1'm a dead man es it is." He gave a low, gasping cry, and turn- ed back his coat. Ross caught sight of tin: dread sign of (ho broad arrow. A strange feeling of pity stirred within trim, pity for ibis man, whom he had had just cause to hate; for now he wus in utter distress, weak, and, indeed, as a glance showed, 111 unto depth. "I've escaped," he whispered, "yes,. e' caped from my pr'isul-house, and like a hunted Imre have nada my way In the 'only place 1 lnlow where safety might be found -here i1) my enemy's hoses." Ile paused again and sante 1)aolc hirci a 0(11(11 -Conquering his amazement, Ross rushed teemed 'to 1113 sideboard and took 81411 eine brandy, which 110 forced dowel the othees threat, "b --d was shot al." continued Eseen, regaining some stionglh, "but managed to got aWay, all the same, and succeeded to shouting my *Mid, but it will 1ci11 ole, I know 1- 1 broke dela a shut -up house, where 1 kept in hiding ail day, and stole forth at m9111 wearing this coat, which 1' found there. Ivfy.•-my object urns W 15N 1011 Lon- don --to see ---Maude, but -but 1 dare not risk it, as ---us 1110 pollee would be car lain to look there first for ole; And -and so I carne here. But now, what mercy coin I expect from you, the nlal 1 robbed -robbed in Moro ways than one, for it wee with c 110 that 1 gained Maude 11118- (11019 for my svlfe, when site might havo Married you?" lndeecribable emotions almost choked Actiteny fora moment. Then Imo joked backand all uL anth0ger woundeddied. wreck before hien, "Hear me in patience," continued Es. col, in slow, husky tones, yet speaking steadily, his wIll mastering bodlly weak- ness. ft was to old Illismere's advan- tage for us to be married, as he 5toed to gain by a partner'ship in all my finan- cial schemes had they succeeded, and he urged Maude to consent, using all argu- ment in vein, until one day a happy In- spiration seized tern, When next the subject was broaclied be told her that 110 was very heavily In your dehl-in short, that you had lent him many thousands of pounds, which I had offered to repay en condition that she became 111y wife. "He knew the girl well, and how to play on every chord of her nature. She. was humiliated by what her father had Told her, for she was an intensely proud girl, and the thought that her father had taken and squandered your money, los- ing, perhaps, the best part of your for- tune, was unspeakably bitter lo her." 13scot broke off, gasping for a moment o: two; but, mastering his weakness he loolced up at Anthony, who was bending over him, as Um latter asked him a question. Why should she not have taken from me what she was prepared to accept from you 7" he said."That is, supposing (hero really had been a large sum of money owing to me," "Women and the ways of women are strange. I was to be her husband, I sup- pose she must have reasoned, and you-- remember ou-rernelnber you had not proposed. How was she to read what her fatheralreadyguessed-that you loved her? 'Your manner gave no hint of admiration, and (hero Ives one other very natural and womanly consideration which Held weight. She cared for you; and for a woman to he under !monetary obllgetiou in one whorl slte limes is humiliating in- deed," Ross's face colored ]11ce a boy's, but his eyes were stern. "Do you mean this?" ho asked. "You ere not lying?" ' "Does a dying man lie?" was the sim- ple answer. "Ross , bend nearer -I sha'n't last, through the night, or, perhaps a day or two -no more. Go to her your- self with the news -you -you under- eland7 Say also, if you wilt, that it is my wish. Let me give hack to you in depth what, living, I stole from you. And este-you can forgive?" But Anthony's eyes were turned away. Some radiant vision of the future, as it might be now, was shining bef0t'o him in wonderful imperishable colors. Then lie looked back at the dying roan, and. there was nothing but pity and pardon in his gene. He held out his two hands, ss-hicll (lie other tool: wills a faltering strength, and once more these Iwo men became us they had been in 111e past, with all that lay between wiped out ; brothers 1n love, if not in name. [ forgive," said Anthony Ross. Escot smiled -content. -London 1'1l- Btls. F P130VERISS. Brother Fred -What! Using 'hair - dye, and you say you're 01)1y 111? Sister Mob -Yes; 111e good dye young you know, Freddie! YOUNG FOLKS G4QC►Cytt'9�R?oG 0J1EA'I' GRANDMAMMA'$ EGO, It Ives Saturday: Grcat"grandmanrma was baking, Early le (1)0 morning a rearing wood are had been built inside the brick oven, When the blaze 118(1 thoroughly healed the brick great-grand- mairma, with the 111'e shovel that had a handle so long it could reaoli to the very hack of the big, lint oven, shovel- led out all the coals and ashes. Then the great cavern of an oven was ready, to take into its ,perm darkness the pot. of beans and the brown bread, Mc cakes, end. the Song row of spicy pumpkin pies, ' and bake thein es no modern cook -stove ever halted. Grandma was a little girl then, In her shiny, lilac -colored mohair dress and clean white pantalets, she sat '.y the sunny kitchen window that Satur- day morning, knitting Iter "stent," Every day, before she could go out to play, grandma had to kelt six limes round the blue woolen stocking She was mak- ing for her father. Six limes round was 'ilei' "stent.' "Sarah," said great-grandmamma to the little girl, "I need one more egg for ray pound caste. See if you can find' 1t in the barn," "Yes, ma'am," answered little grand- ma dutifully, and .she 'obediently lad down her knitting and went to the barn to hunt for the egg. flyin 13ugt m back. anatherminute, grandma came Olt, mother!" she cried excitedly, "there are kittens in Biddy's nest Four little whits kittens!" "Biddy won't like to hese her nest broken up so," smiled great -grandma. ma. "Did you find ane that egg?" 13u1 grandma had forgotten all about 1t when she saw the little kittens. So she went out to the barn once more and hunted all over Ilse haymow, and even in the cow's mangers where the hens sometimes mstole their nests. But no eggs rewarded her search. She scrambled over the mow W 131d- dy's nest where Lily, the !snow-white _other cat, lay curled up in the warm hay, with her four little babies as white its herself. Grandma dropped delightedly down by the nest and gently lifted out one of the soft. blind babies. Lily watched her anxiously. I'll give it right back to you, Lily,' promised grandma. "1 only wanted to poor it" Grandma leaned lose over the nest to put the kitten back. And then --"Why, Lily!" she exclaimed in aston- ishment. For in the nest of while kit- tens utero gleamed the white ,shell cf aft egg( Lily, with motherly affection, lapped egg and kittens alike, fondly and impar- (.ally. But although she worried when her kitten was touched, she made no objection when grandma took the egg away. it's so dusty in the barn, and, you were so excited, you didnt see the white egg at first among t1le„white kit- tens," said great-grandmamma when she heard the history of the discovery. "The egg must have been in the nest, though, before Lily carried her kittens to it." But next morning when grandma went to make the kittens an early visit, siting in the nest 011 top of Lily and the kittens was Biddy! She continued to lay in her old nest, "just as if Biers wasn't a nestful al- ready without her," laughed grandma. Biddy was a hospitable hen. She never tun', the kittens, She stepped In among them as carefully. and fluffed out her leathers above their as softly as if the while kittens were really the little downy (11101cs she hoped to have her- self some day. THE WRONG TOOL. "Your honor," said the lawyer of the man acceded for carrying a stiletto, "my client merely misconstrued the dic- tum that every man must carvo'his own: way." "The spade or shovel is a better im- plement for the purpose," replied the court. "Six months." le rand a 11$-i'Ize sta*iQ, tout the 1X art=]1, wovand AH he well :remern"bers True ones,•too tiheai'8,anc7 fights, he te91's og Cannon., iJ2U &cenes,aropn campfires nr I'm, askea a uestio µ y iiisp4�ered, $L{t��°ds'tioY11 1;.M..,,.- SJ ti e54.101-2! know i aIle eR r d y2. Grand pas marshalled.troopsa11akJ1and Al 3hess Hear'$ t'o teach i?2e.i. ui' s SC%ioclbo s" welcome Acca ecor# 49 :v. ,10 ,o_,12o. 0ad10 `Lno1:cs fee aiz� risers ('Word 5 that =As the tears coirie siar1it2e Ti'ine I1tod,ain soon depSf'i`ij2� Corar+,odes-true,"he mutters THE MINING OF DIAMONDS HOW IT 19 CAllfil:l! ON AT Tile ' VVOIIL,U'S GREATEST MINES, Tilousends of Mon Are Employed Stones Vary Enormously In Quality. The story of the Kimberleydlamcn ,t Mines began two generatons age, when two bands of Boer immigrants tied out of Cape Colony to escapo Urn - ash rule, Ono of them, Says a writer in The World To -day, settled on n patch of gold f:rty miles in extent which has since become (ire famous hand and yields u hundred million dollars every year 1n 1110 1)1.01)10148 7110101. On the other hand, Burgher Jacob(' off -saddled on a hundred acres of dfa- Inonds, and his ciahtt to -day contains ao absolute rnonopo1y In these gems, fits ohlldrenused to play in the Sand with bright pebbles for marbles, 'Neigh- bor Schalk Van Neikirk saw ono of the stones, look It from the little ones with the remark 1(101 It aright be valuable, Anti the fouowtdg year it was on show at the Universal Exposition of Paris as a magnificent diamond of TWENTY-ONE CARATS, Two years later old Van Neikirk Wren self picked out of the mud plaster of neighbor Du Toil's but the famous Star of Africa, which sold for $50,000. That was the beginning of the diamond mines which to -day employ 15,000 ICaIllrs and 4,000 Europeans. The pits run in lubes or funnels many acres in extent, evidently forced up ages o by volcanic action. Al first a yel- low ground was found, and (nen left the blue below this severely alone, But the era of open Workings soon came to an end, although thousands of Inde- pendent diggers !lade huge fortunes :n a few months. Today you will and depths of 3,000 feet In the diamond mines, and the tot tem of the blue funnel has not yet been reached, Both blue and yellow earths, studded with diamonds like a geological .pudding, are supposed to be volcanic 111ud, Holes for blasting are drilled, and after the blasts are touched off the crushed blue ground is conveyed to the mine shaft, 1,500 feet from the tunnels. Here the ore is dumped Into buckets an wheels and drawn out of the mines by, powerful engines. You will see thou- sands of men, mostly negl'oes, earning 51.25 a day. perched upon the blue ground nook In the tunnelspatiently drilling with hammer and chisel. Great stretches of ground known as the floors are marked off Mos tennis ec.uris to receive the precious ore; for ale, rain and sun will do the worts of disintegration as no costly macbleney could do it. One mine alone has FIVE MILES OF DUMPING FLOORS. Upon their smooth surface is spread the blue clay to a depth of a foot, and after several months it crumbles and releases the indestructible crystals within, such as diamonds. garnets, olivhnes and other stones of lesser value usually found as - sedated with the most precious of all gems, The disintegration process is helped by harrowing with steam ploughs; and aL such ground as remains obdurate goes into the crushing machine. The washing gear is a marvel of ingenuity; and as the dirt and gravel pass down its plane the diamonds are arrested by a tallowy coating. This dal is then scraped off and melted in a caldron, in whose bottom the diamonds are found 111ce precious grounds in a gigantic cof- fee cup. They are taken from hero to the gen- eral offices of the monopoly and sorted according to value and size. Stones worth 8200,000 have been washed in a single day. lint even the waste earth is not yet done with. This isspecially treated test tallow and machinery alike should have overlooked 'anything of value. That the precaution .Is worth while is seen from the fact that diamonds worth 31.,100,000 were recovered from these:, tailings last year. A LONDON SYNDICATE contracts to lake the entire output of the mines; and all cutting is done In the Continent of Europe, chiefly in Amsler dam and Antwerp. The stones vary enormously in quality and fetch in the cough from 81.50 to 8200 a coral. There is very little leakage, consider- ing the stupendous scale on .which. Use diamond mining is done. One year, however, a negro sorter was found la have swallowed 83,700 of stones. but a. colleague broke this record by ssvel- lowing 348 carats of diamonds, worth 85,300. The Kaillrs are constantly devising nese modes of smuggling. They will load their pipe bowl with small dfa- mends under a layer' of lobaoco and vigorously puff smoke to divert suspic- ion, Leaves of books have been so out that no one won't' think dianonds were con- coated between them. Other smuggler's have gone so far as to fntliot .serious cuts upon themselves anti stuff valuable sionos into these wounds. "ROOMS TO LET" IN ITALY, In Italy they have a novel way of ad- vertising vacant apartments. In place of the card. fnseribed "Boors to Lol," or "Apartments," which 0110 sees In this cennb'y, a while cloth, about the, size of a servei(e, nutters from the ease - anent, notifying the passers-bythat the rooms Call be 1011(0d. VACUA "Do you think the study of the treed leaiguage', is valuable?" "1 should say: so," answered the epotheca'y, "The La1i11 flame of a drug smpetimes constitutes Iwo thirds of its cess to the purchaser, A SURE METHOD. Yahsley-"I wish I could break my Wife' of time habit of presenting me with cigars every Opportunity mho gels," Sollyboy---"Do es 1110. Smoke ,stent 10 (1111 house."