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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1898-9-2, Page 22 T 11..p 13BU8SBI1S POST. & i wwiy HOUSEHOLD. fly MARUARIeT LEG, seam of Involve—A Brooklyn naobelor-.Lorimer and wife -uta SEPT, 2, 1598. • CHAPTER IV. The frames ocoupiea . conneoties i'ooms in the hotel, and, not feeling sleepy, flat on dressing -sacks and held a council of war, "I had up idea that she was eo bend- Somo," said Miss 'Everett. `Larry clever alluded to her appearance in bis 'lettere; be only mentioned her inci- dentally, as he did her grandmother." "Ile is clever, Mollie." "Indifferent, I think. He can't pos- sibly see very much of ber. I won- der who makes her dresses! That shade of blue is so lovely and becoming, and the drapery was very artistic. I couldn't make up my mind whether it was India silk or saline." "Sistine, I'm sure. They are not well off. Did you notice how old every- thing looks? Perfect antiques) Isn't Mr. Minturn a teacher? Tour brother pays him, I suppose for bis servings." "Daphne, you puzzle me. I really know nothing about the arrangements. I em anxious to see more of the family; these people interest me." "I suppose your mothercould tell you something about their means." "Oh, yes. To -morrow we'll snake more notes." Everybody was tb rise early the next morning, as the drive to the mountains would occupy several hours, and the lunch wee to be eaten with appetite in a charming glen through which a mountain stream ran merrL- ly anurmuring. When the carry -all appeared, Rose was sitting beside her father, and laughingly insisted upon keeping her place, as she intended to take the reins when the road was smooth. :Everett set with his sister and Miss Van Nese. The elders were comfortable in the middle of the vehi- cle; and off they went with full bas- kets and Iight hearts. When Rose was driving, her father could lean backward and talk to Mrs. Everett, and the conversation and laughter from the rear seat were un- flagging. tet the entrance of the glen the party alighted, and Everett assisted Mi. Mintarn to care for the horses. Rose led the way to the opening in the wood—a. lovely spot, shaded by giant pines, fragrant with their bal- sam and carpeted with their needles. A few benches were in sight, and the rippling stream furnished soothing music. The wild flowers on the banks, admiring their own reflections and nod- ding to them in the breeze, excited Miss Van Ness. Rose offered to gath- er, some, and sure-footed and self- reliant, took her way over the mossy rooks and wet, slippery roots and grasses. Everett joined bis sister, and saw the proceedings with surprise and alarm. Miss Minturn was intent on her ob- ject, and perceived, almost within reach a gorgeous cluster of the coveted blossoms. She put her foot on &small flat, deceptive rook, and as she stretch- ed for ber prize the stone turned. How- ever, as it moved, Miss Minturn sprang forward to a large solid boulder, and busily secured her flowers. , Bravo!" shouted Everett. She turned and waved her bunch at him, and then looked about her. The treacherous little stone had rolled over, and there was a decided prospect of wet feet in either direction. "Stay where you are 1" called Everett, and hastened to the rescue. They had a great deal to say to each other while he found and placed a stepping -stone. "You are lucky to be so sensibly dressed. It your skirt had been an inch longer you would have tripped in it and injured yourself badly." "I was very fortunate," she said, gently, "Yoa sea, I am used to climb- ing." He noticed that the flush of fright still made roses of ber cheeks, and her hands were trembling. , "Shall I take them?" "Oh, no l It will attract notice. I'll feel shaky for a few minutes; so let us go back slowly. Did father see me?" "No. Ile is fussing with a fire. He thinks mother would enjoy hot tea." "Then you take these flowers to Miss Van Ness, and I'll find daddy." "Thank you; I've just had three hours of Miss Van Ness. So you took that climb to gratify her 1" "Yes, but I've often done it to please myself. I'm strong and active." 'Very true.' "Isn't it charming here?" "Very. How does it happen that I haven't seen this little paradise?" "It takes so long to get here, and you count the bours." "That's so. I shouldn't be here now." You'll work all .the better to -mor - raw for this rest and distraction.' "How do you know?" "Because daddy has often described the potency of a complete change for the mind." I liopo be is right. Only a few weeks more, now, sod my fate will be decided," You'll teiegrapb at once, if you pass!" Yes, and if I fail again I'1I need sympathy, and I fell sure of finding it here." "Oh, but we won't borrow trouble. You are net going to need sympathy— you will hews only congratulations." You are very goodto say so. You see, having failed 0006, I oannot be very sangtaine.' "Were you quite confident the first time?" "I wasn't fearful. I didn't realize the difficulties. Nowt do. Why are you so hopeful?" Rose laughed end looked up to say gayly "that is my nature," Febew I here comes that girl to be entertained 1 "Yes, and I must see about our lunch." Can't you manage to need my services 1" "1'11 call you in a tow moments." "How lovely 1" cried both girls, es Rosh gave them the flowers, "Are ycu hurt?" asked Miss Everett. "We noticed how slowly you returned," "Not at all." "Mr. Everett seems out of some," odd Atiss "Van Nese, "I think he is Reed embea a,rahly and hurried tiff to her duties as hostess. Everett join- ed her, declaring himself to be a most. accomplished amateur butler, and suc- ceeded in decorating the table and ar- ranging it perfectly. The edibles die. appeared, the moments passed unheed- ed. Everyone was surprised when Mr, Minturn proceeded to turn the carry- all and bring the borses from the im- provised paddock. "Come, Miss Mollie, don't you want to belt> me drive 1' All down hill and the sun setting; you will enjoy it.' Miss Everett was deligbted, and Rose found the exchange interesting, Miss Van Ness replied when directly addressed, and Everett was in a deep revery. The strange silence might he the result of several causes acting to- gether—slight physical fatigae, the soporific atmospbere, the stillness of stature at dusk. The dreamy, meditative drive end- ed. The sigbt of the hotel was the signal for general speech. Now, can't you come over in the af- ternoon to -morrow?" asked Mrs. Ever- ett. "No formality, I beg of you, Aar. Everett may arrive on the morning train, and you will have so much to say to him that I am sure the time will pass pleasantly." "Certainly. We can leave home di- rectly after lunch," said Mr. Minturn. Then we shall look for you early Rose hada view of the quartet as the horses started, Everett holding his hat and watching her as if still in bis re- very. The next day he sought her as soon as bis work was finished. She was not visible on the lower floor, nor in the garden, so he ran up the broad. staircase and discovered her in the wide hall, which was fitted up with easy -chairs, a desk, book -cases and her sewing -table. She was bending over the Lounge, on which was spread out a white silk gown with delicate lace draperies. Gracious 1 Are you going to wear that?" Yes—do youthink your father will approve of it? I am sure some of these folds are ripped. Oh, there's the place I It won't take long to tack them. Would I you prefer a color 4 Daddy likes me best in white dinner dresses." "Why, you'll look like Cinderella at the ball, wont you? Do you want the scissors?" "Yes, thank you. Go on and tell me what I can do for you. Did your brain i work all right this morning 1" "On the whole, yes; but I want to ask you something. , Do you care to go to !lewport now 1" "Go to Newport //Owl 'What are you thinking about? I have no desire to go to Newport—no intention of going "But suppose mother invites you to join the party ?" Rose held her needle in the air for a moment, shook her head, and then carefully put the point in the lace folds. 'You couldn't be tempted, eh 4" "No, indeed. I've been to Newport for several seasons." "You have?" "Oh, yes. Grandma has several friends that live there all the year round. I like it best in early spring. Then, it is exquisite there. Once the crowdcames, itis like being in the city. I don't like human nature wholesale." ou on "No—it is too much for me. It af- fects me like an exhibition of fine pie - tures. One cannot do justice to them. 11 I could take them one at a time, I should enjoy each and find its beau- ties and appreciate them." "I'm glad I spoke. They are going to spring this invitation upon you to- day, and feel quite sure that your Lath- er will decide to let you accept it." "Oh, well, daddy never decides any- thing for me. Besides, he always goes with me when I leave home. We wouldn't be happy separated." "May I stay to lunch and drive over With you?" "Of course. I suppose you want to see me as Cinderella." "Yes, and go in the coach with you." "There! that's all properly cengbt. You see, I am getting my properties together, and after lunob it will only take a few moments to dress. Now for some ornaments." "You don't need any." "But, you see, out of respect to the company. A pendant and , a light chain will do. I bave several; you can choose one." Everett went with ber to the study and watched her as she took the key from ber father's desk and opened the safe. She selected a large case and banded it to him. "Whish do you prefer ?" she asked, bending to inspect the jewels, "Aren't they pretty?" Do you mean that these are yours?" "I suppose they are. They were giv- en to my mother. And here are some that grandma bas given me. I think they are, beautiful. The silver setting makes the diamonds beam like moon- light, white and soft." "You like those gems?" "Yes, I love everything that is beau tiful." "I wish I could pick eat your favor- ite." Rose laughed end glanced at her father, who het come in and stood ap- parently much interested in the pic- ture formed by the young people. "It isn't there" "Is that fair?" ' "I don't want to wear it to -day." " Oh 1" Everett's tone was dnsOrnt- able. Don't you think those are very nide?". Which means that the one istoo nice, , Ross gave bine a steady look. "You might not think of it as i do But you wouldn't take any risk." Mr. Minturn had approached, and was looking over the ornaments. it was evident that be bad not seen them for soma time. Rose put her hand in bis, and he pressed it gently. " The fact is, E'veret. `, I had ad the piece made Rose, and n he essooiatons lies the charm. It makes its appearance MI fancily festivals. It is not as showy es these diamonds, nor as valuable," 'Everett recovered himself. "You have a favorite herein '""---e s eco oo . -r°t. a tweeem",. 7-- men - l Torro Castle, Guarding Mouth or San Juan harbour, Puerto Pico, wmsm,ren•. .emmw8,,.xa-mvvx•-r^^- She nodded and smiled. Everett put his finger on it andmet bar gluon. Her eyes dilated; she blushed with satisfaction. You see, I was wise to run no risk." " So you succeeded," said Mr, Min - turn, strolling toward the /door. "Lunch is ready, and I hope you are as hungry as I am." " When may I see the first choice ?" asked Everett, holding the second, while Rose replaced the cases and lock- ed the safe, "If you will come to tell us that you have passed, 711 put it me in your honor." You will ?" " Yes," "Then I'll do my best to see it.' ' CHAPTER V. Lunch being over, Everett wlthdraly to the porch, and made himself com- fortable, Before long a rustling on the stairs attracted him; and, lean- ing forward, he had a view of Rose in her moat becoming dress, Her eyes were shining with delight: in her own appearance. Her cheeks flushed as she naught his glance of pleased surpraee mingled with admiration. " Is it a success ?" "Perfect 1 How did ou get your hair up so beautifully?" 'Dh, I watched a hair -dresser one night Iast wiuter, She took an hour; 7 can do it in ten minutes. Pin always first in the field. Daddy takes for- ever to put his studs in; b •' he locks like a somebody when be is ready." " I think he conveys that mpression generally. "So do 7. There isn't anybody in the world like my daddy 1 Ohl there's the carriage! Doesn't Miller look grand! He always assumes extra dignity when he drives u5 anywhere. You'll see the neighbors run out to watch us Ines. A formal dinner -party is an event. I'm so anxious to meet your father. Did ho come ?" "Upon my word, I dont know. Wasn't he to come on the noon train?" "Was it the noon train? You don't seem in the least interested." " To to candid with you, bliss Min - turn, if 7 were to interest myself in my father's moevments, 1' wouldn't have time or thought for anything else. He is a conundrum, and I gave bim up some years ago. I shall be deeply concerned to hear your opinion of him." " When?" • " To -morrow.". ' ' You amuse me, Mr. Everett. I was to give you my opinion of Miss Van Ness after spending a few hours in her company; and now you expect nee to formulate my impressions of another total stranger. Why ?" " Because I have discovered that your education has developed your natural gift of intuition. You know it is claim- ed that women are blessed with more of that power than men. T bad no idea that my father was to join the family here. I feel sure that it is a sudden decision. I want to settle two points in my own mind. You see, had enough to do without all this unne- eessnny distraction." , " T. think so, too." "Now, I am going through with this preparation and examination, and you are willing to stay here and help me?" Hl" "I meanyou dt. and littlelpe ways that ars like sunbeams. You do it in a thous - You can't catch them. But there they are with their warmth and light. If you go away you take my inspiration with you," " Indeed, I am not going from bare until after you return to Yale,—until your fate is decided. I really believe that, next to your mother, we are more concerned in your success than any one else. 1: am sure of the fact, and you don't know how it cheers and sustains me. Miss Minturn, yesterday I was about asking you a question. You remember, you said you were naturally hopeful. I wish you would do something for me. It is, I know, asking a great deal; but if could understand the dominant principle of our life it would be inval- uable to me," You overpower me; I don't feel that 1 understand," "Give me time and I'll make myself clear, I onn tell you things that I have never put into words until now. Before T met you I thought I badseen a great deal of what we call life. You have taught me to realize my own ig- norance. What I have been taking seriously as a whole is but a part, af- ter all. You cannot comprehend the hollowness, the artificiality of the ex- istence that my people pursue, With us the word ' home' is a mockery. It means a round of visits, receptions, and outside amusements. To be alone for a clay is to he perfectly miserable. It was not so when I was a child.. I re- member when my parents were always together—companions and happy ones, The accession of 'wealth had the effect off gradually separating them. They wander apart all over the world. Ile to absorbed in money -getting ; she in what abe calls ' society,' They seem to have lost ,nutual sympathy. I am sup- posed to adopt a profession and to draw upon my father for wbat I need over and above my allowance, He is very liberal with me, but we don't appear to have au idea in oommon. There is a wow lease somewbere; there is some-, thing lacking in the education that we think so complete." "Grandma has her own explanation o8 what you deplore." • "Your (grandmother is a very su- perior woman. What is her ablution of the problem?" "She says the mothers ere to blame. They are careful to dress their chil- dren beautifully,, and send them to school; but they forget that the heart and the ul are capable et develo rnent, and need cultivation as muoh, Sts ,if not more, than, the body and the mind. This nsgleot accounts for oue well-dresmd, ilIiliiaxlt Young men and women, with shallow ern:taions and no particular religious convictions." ' And, she might add, no fixed ideas of morality." "How can you have morality with- out religion 1" "Is that your theory?" "Oh, Mr, Everett, if you lived here for a while, you wouldn't theorize on the subjeot; you would be convinced by facts." "Your grandmother educated your heart and souI." Yes; as Tong as 7 can remember anything I can remember my faith!" "I thought so. That is what I have been trying to discover—the secret of your daily life." 1 • " you ;,ant to sae MY SOUL" "Itis presumptuous, 1 suppose; but Mise Minturn, if you knew the temp- tations that surround me at home and abroad—the battles that 7 fight daily with conseienoe—you would not refuse to tell me your faith."' "71 is so very simple. Mr. Everett, T was a little creature when grandma told nee that God made me and all the earth, That if 7 would love Him. and try to be good, Ile would love me and take mare of me. You see, it is the same idea that we are taught in regard to our parents. But this belief in the invisible Power that created all things appeals to the soul, and faith grows until we know that tbrough Christ we commune with our Maker. Our spir- itual life begins here,"and is as real and as beautiful as our mental and physical existence, The triple nature expands, but the spiritual must aon- trol; every day we have proof of its immortality." "And from this faith springs hope—" "Yes, and love for others. They are the blossoms." "I with 7 stoodon your sure ground,' "Why not? It is only to ask, 01111 the blessing comes." " To you, yes."' " To every one who loves and believes! Mr, Everett, I have never spoken like than to any one 1" I know that." "I think 'you are sincere. 71 is a comfort to he candid with you. Last year, there was a young eLudent here —a Yale man, too. He was always dis- cussing religion with those who would argue with him. All roads would lead to Rome. He was so aggressive. I could not understand wily he wanted to deprive us of our faith when it made us so happy and did not inter- fere with his comfort." "Did you reason with him 1" "1 bac) very little to say to him. I always avoid these sub,jeets; but I could not help hearing the conversa- tions, He turned on me one day and spoke sneeringly of ns all. He said it was all very well for us, who were cared for like rare exotics, to talk of our faith. We had nothing to try us; we knew nothing wbatever of the world of its temptations, its troubles and its sins. I admitted that we were pro- tected, and no doubt profoundly ignor- ant. 'But then,' I said, ' you know we may have to be exposed,. one of these days, to the very evils that you des- cribe. Now, if we hold the faith and cherish it, we believe that when the time comes we shall have strength giv- en as to resist temptation, to meet trouble like Christians, and to over- come aim"! (To Be Continued.) �;• GRAINS OF GOLD. A useless life is only an dearly death'. --Goethe. An ounce of pluck is worth a ton of luck.—James A. Garfield. A. great mind will .neither give an affront uor bear it.—Home. The flower of meekness grows on a stem of yraee.—eloutgomcry. There is nothing brill so sweet in life os love's young dream.—efoore. The sure way to miss success is to miss the opportunity,—P. Charles. • There is not a string attuned to mirth but has its chord of melancholy, -,71oor1. • ;Recollection is the only paradise from which we cannot he turned our., —Richter, Nothing is impossible to the man who can and will do; this is the only law of suocess.—Mirabea.u. After all, our worst misfortunes nev- er happen and most miseries lie in an- lecipaliom—Dalzae, When a man has not egood reason for doing a thing ha has one good rea- son for letting it alone.—Water Scott, l'o be always thinking about your manners is not the way to make them good.; the very perfection oe manners is not to think about yourself.-Wbai ery., i , BIG FIRES IN EUROPE, A despatoh from London, says; — From various points on the Couiinenil in addition to Nijni-Novgorod, Russia, reports have been received of serious conflagrations. Extensive forest fires are raging in the mountains near Fer- rol, Spain, At Achenheok, not fax from Brussels, the Sainte Male mar- ket place, a large building, and seven houses adjoining, were bursted en note - day evening, with' an satimated toes of $50,000, The Estivalmilitary equip- ment factory at Lyons, Frame, was also burned Tuesday evening, 'A plaster whiali relieves pain, heals outs, burns, scalds, or wounds, is ;made Ian spreading Quiakeure" on Cotton or linen. Cures .most violent toollumbe without injuring the nerve. It abould bo in every, bptt;1C axed travelling sat- 1Jle>. l i e /16,1%— --,86/1606061/16/4,481669 On the Fara j sl' r swam — ^+t+ PURE WATER ON THE FARM. The importance of pure water for the family and .live stook is we generally appreciated, In a newly -settled country the danger of defilement of water through filth aeonmulalions in the sail Is not so great, As a region be- eomes thickly populated we may say the clanger of 11'01er defilement increas- es wllh the increase of population and the number of animals kept on the farms or in villages. The danger on old farms and in villages and towns where the problem of sewerage, pav- ing and water supply has not been solved by, the corporation le 80 con- stant that not a year passes without outbreaks of typhoid fever, diphtheria oe olber filth diseases. •The farm sup- ply of water is so largely under the oontrol of the farmer that he is not the victim of the carelessness of his neighbor me is the dweller in the un- drained village or town. Hence It the farmer's family is visited with diseas- es originating in impure water or de- fective drainage or unalsan manage- ment of his premises he oannot lay the blame on his neighbors or a myster- ious' providence. In dairy districts the responsibility of a seller of milk is not limited to his own family. Re is 1n a sense his brother's or patron's keeper. That typhoid Lever la =often traced to dairy farms and dairies that supplied the viotims of the disease with milk makes the responsibility, of the miLk seller broad and serious. The water supply of a dairy farm is very soon contaminated unless more than ordinary care is taken to prevent its defilement, So long as farmers and dairymen sink wells in the Bern or barn -lots there wEb be increasing chances of impure water, nesse wells are too often placed in the lowest part of the lot where there is least labor in sinking the well. The wall is laid with loose stones and not raised high enough to allow sufficient grading to carry off even the surface water. In a wet time the water level of the well arises from the influx of water from the barn -yard and manure piles. After one such soakage of the soil the water from such a well becomes a °onetane danger to the health of animals and unfortunate users of the milk from such a "dairy. The abnormal rainfall of this spring has carried aged filth into wavy such wells, and when the dry season comes, and the supply of water is low, the per cent of filth car- ried in eaeli bucket of such water is enough to start n. pestilence, Such wells are cheap and convenient, we know, but are they safe and cheap in the long von? The cost of one funeral will exceed the cost of a well -con- structed well or filter and cistern. Whether one shall have a well or cis- tern at the barn or dwelling is usually a question of first cost. Because of their greater expense there are Sew who secure perfect drainage around the home•on barn and trust to providence that the well or cistern may not be de.. filed. If instead of walling up wells with loose stone we will wall them with vitrified tile. and carefully tamp the ground around them, using elay that will peck well, and in finishing use one or two joints above the level of the land around and then grade up to secure a quick surface dr•ainegefor twenty or thirty feet around the well; we can feel that such a well is in all human probability safe from surface contamination. We have one such and find the first• cost less than to have us- ed stone or break, With surface drain- age and thorough tamping around each tile as it was put down, we have great confidence in the water. A brother has filtered cisterns that are superior to the. average well or eastern. The water is clea and after Ile fist year is free from any favor of cement. If care is taken not to let in the sum- mar rainfall the water is cool and re- freshing oven late in summer. Where there is diffiouley in getting satisfao- tory welt water the filtered cistern wa- ter is the farmer's safest supply. The filter is five by six feet, walled with brink and cemented. A cross -wall is put in of good brick laid in cement, The water filters through this wall end also through the half that is fil.lnd with eliarcoal or clean sand and pass- es out into the cistern through a four- ineh stone -ware pipe. The part of the filter receiving the water from the roof is cleaned each fall thoroughly, Such le filter and (esteem nine by twelve, or better, nine by .eighteen, will give the family a supply of pure wholesome water and 'reduce doctor bills end undertaker's expenses. LOOK AFTER T1I.el WATER, SUPPLY At this season of the year, when the water supply usually runs shore, it is essential that the watering places in the pastures and, otbet fields, be ed after carefully to see that the stook does not; suffer. See that the wind mills are doing their work regularly each day in supplying a sufficient quantity of water. It is also equally essential that the water supply should be kept free from the refuse of the barns, stook -yards and ether sources of contamination, If etoak-raisers nil[ pay more attention to the details of furnishing pua•c water and plenty of it for their stock, there will be far less anneent.to contend with, PASTURING ?IGS ON STUBBLE, When grain is harvested, some neo- essai.•ily; esoapes the )reaper and is usually lost. While the amount may hardly be sufficient to make it profit- able to follow the reapee with a rake, the seetterod grain may, be profitably Utilized by turning pigs or Other stock into the stubble fields, and, as a Mae ter of feet, the 0081010 of pa61111'1)1g stock on such fields is quite common in many regions, Some interoating ex- periments have roceully been made to learn the vales of this us empanel with other methods of feeding, Forty- one pigs from six to nine months old were allowed the ran of Marley, wheat, and pea stubble fields of 18, 10.44 a,nd 10.78 aorea, aespeotively. Nor some time before the teat they had been pas- tured on alfalfa cool fed one pound of snacked barley per toad daily. For ten weeks immediately preceding the tort, they made a daily average gain of ,42 pound per head, eVhile pastured on the atubbla fields they ware given no grain in addition to what they, could find except op stormy days, The grain thus fed amounted to 24.1 pounds in the five weeks of the lest, During • this time the pigs made a gain of -22;8 pounds per head, or 17.6 pounds, de- ducting the amount which it was oal- cula10d alley gained from time grain fel during stormy weather. On oho 8125- 50511100 that 4.5 pounds of gredn are required to produce a pound of pork, the forty-one pigs gathered 3,228,76 pounds of grain, which otherwise would hove been lost, The harvesting bad been done in the usual manner, and in the investigator's opinion, the amount of peas and grain remaining In the field did not exceed that left in the stubble fields on the average tam. and In the investigator's opinoin, the The scattered grain could not have been saved in any other way, and re- presents a clear profit. The grain saved from the stubble fields by these pigs was not all that could bavo been gathered if they had a•emeined in the fields u longer time, Seven 'rood sows were afterward pastured during the winter on the station stnb'lefiolds which included a twenty-four acre oat field in addition to those mentioned above. They were given no foed in ad- dition to what they could gather, ex- cept kitchen slops and a small gri1in 16 ,i011 on stormy days. The sows fre- quently rooted down through six in- ches of snow and found sufficient grain to keep them in good condilinn through- out the entire winter. It la stated in a recent communication from the Mon- tana Station that several brood 20350 have been pastured during tbe past season on stubble fields without re- ceiving any grain in addition, and that they are in fair condition, They had, in addition to the grain atubblefields, the range of clover, s•lfalfa, and Tim- othy meadows, and the gleanings of fields where root crops had been rais- ed. The manure from grain -fed stock, which was spread upon the fields, also furnished some grain. I _ QUEEN VICTORIA'S BONNET. Her Majeety Queen. Victoria, has in her possession the most expensive bonnet in the world,. It is not aton umph of the milliner's art, and it is not likely to be the 'mode. In fact the Queen b'as never worn it. It is not one through which a hat pin is easily thrust, and—oh, primo reason, that its case is hopeless!—ii{ is unbecoming. The natives of the Navigator Islands were most anxious, to make the Queen a present. There was formed a com- mittee, which debated long and pa- tiently what would be mast appropri- ate. Jewels were out of the ques- tion. It would cost a fortune to give td one of^ the richest sovereigns in the world a jewel that she would appre- ciate. Even the moat gorgeous cloths were not advisable, India had excelled them in weaving. The gift should be suggestive of their pert of the world and made by their people, But what?—that was the ques- tion. Then women were skilled at plaiting grass and making it into ev- erything from furniture, matting and mural decorations to gowns and hats, but this would ,not be valuable enough Aside from th'e thoughtfulness of the gift it must 11'ave some intrinsic worth. The committee disagreed, One gentle- man resigned in despair. The new mem- ber injected some gingerinto the crowd and revived their lagging spir- its, The new member ,said emphatical- ly that even a Queen had vanity en- ough to 311.121 to possess the most ex- pensive bonnet in the world. One of theft' own tortoise sbells should be made into a bonnet, It should be carved by their own people, and while it would not cost them very dearly, Victoria would. find' it quite expensive if she went shopping for it on Bond street, The tired members of the committee voted the new member a knowing one, and if they did not pro- mise him a monument it is because that form of greatness is unknown in Samoa. An elaborate bonnet was matte of a whole shell. Tlie workmanship was ex- quisite. Never was tortoise shell mora artistically caved. The shape is like that of the Salvation Army lassies, In duo time the Queen received the gift and wrote the committee a note of thanks. The Queen found the mater- ial, as well as the shape, a little im- practical, as fee as everyday weer goes, so she scut it to the Britisb Museum. But the committee, mina feels that a load is off its mind, draws mental pictures of. Queen Victoria driving down "The Lady's Mile" and nodding to her faithful eubjeets and wearing the gift that caused so many wrinkles in the gray matter of its brain, LANTERN FLY. The lantern fly of Surinam, South Amet'iea, has two sets of eyes, thatch the light from all possibly directions. The luminosity which glows from the head is so ln'illi;arit that it is past' to read by it. ' RUBBER OUTPUT; Last year the output of rubber from m Mexico wen 1,000.000 pounds. Hundreds of thousands of rubber trees are being planted, and in a few years most of the supply of rubber Will conte )rote that oountry-, RUNNING STORE BILLS. My neighbor cane in to -day tor al little ohat and us •.soon as elm sat'. down I saw that she weft our of sorts Ego I asked what was the matter, w.11152 Marguerite Lynd.ilb, "Oh, dear," she said, "I went to town yesterday and spent (bo most of the day paying bills, apd it is discouraging work. I'm sure I don't see wily we can't pay as we go," "1 sbouid I.hl.ok you might," Laid,' sympathetically, for :1 know bee hus- band has a good farm ell paid for: and some money out at interest. ' "We could," she Dried, with flashing' eyes, "we shall have $700 to put outs at interest tbis spring or to ixivee6 Ln some way, end every cent will be' invested, then for anotherj year, I` must have the mortification of running, bilis, and every time I am dunned) meet put the oredi.tor off till the ' year's crops are sold; it isn't fair to, them, it isn't fair to me. I must do all my trading at the stores where they' give ered:it; I cannot go where I easel do tee best, I never van take adven- tago of a sale, 7 can't even have a cou-I pon book and get me some good read -I ing in that way. I do think it's too; bad. 11'lten the year's crops are all: sold I have to go to each store and ask! them to make out an itemized bill, look over all the bills and see if they,; are correct, and then pay then and Sohn wonders how 011 earth we eat se much, and thinks the children's clothes ' cost too much, and the breakages are fearful, oto. It makes my life a bur- den till something elso.turns up to make hdm forgot lt. "The hired leen ere given orders on the stores when they want clothes, of course that is put on our bill and it does make them too large. The cloth - ng store bi11 was sent in last week; it I was $20. That furnished a .topic of conversation for the entire evening. Heavens, Julia,' said John, "you get! more extravagant every day you live; there wont he anything good enough for tbe children after a while.' "I got the itemized bill yesterday; one of the children had a. cap and a pair of overshoes, ($1.15) charged, the remainder was for clothes for himself and the hired men, but the scolding applied my night's rest just the same. 'We make as mu01i as you do," ebe - continued, "and you never have to worry." I felt sorry for her, she looked so down -trodden, and I said, "No, we never make a practice of having things charged. I bavo all that is made from chickens ancl turkeys and the cream- ery checks. Besides this every spring roe puts ono hundred dollars in the bank subject to my order; tbis car- ries me through nicely; sometimes I have some left; only once have Ifell short, but I merely. asked for twen- ty-five dollars more, Now the child- ren are away at school, the expenses will, of course be higher, but we are now able to stand it and everything will still be paid as 50011 as it becomes due. "I buy twenty Backe of flour at a' time when I think it is going to be bigher; Ragas by the soak— anything that will not spoil I buy by the quan- tity where I can get the best arti- cle for the least money, ant by doing this way I: think we make a good in- terest on the money expended. One is liable to buy :unnecessary things when they get those °barged." "I don't," interrupted my friend; "I go without things that I need because I feel that the swat of Damocles is suspended over my bead by a single hair—I'm afraid the hair will break." setting ber lips Lightly together, "Have you ever tried to reesun with; John 1" I asked. "Yes," dejectedly,"it mattes him mad, He says that ho puts the money out es soon as he gets it, because I amu so wasteful that I would spend it all if he didn't. It's .the way be was brought up, you know." It made my blood boil as I looked at her. She hasn't had a nice dress for the last five years. Before she was married she had everything in reason that she wanted. I wonder if she ever regrets her lost girlhood. It set me thinking, After she went out I made a mental 'list of my ac- quaintances, most of them making a good living at least, and two-thirds of them have this detestable habit. It seems to be man nature to grum- ble when the bills coma in, and tbo tired, nervous wife is always the one iv= gets tee benefit of the grumbling. Many ate very extravagant, under this system who would open their eyes to their folly it they had to pay cash. A merchant will usually trust a cus- tomer who has property, bat he can manage his =sum, butter if he has oath customers and sells on asmaller margin, Of course there may be times when' it seems a neuessil.y to get trusted, but 1st these times be 05 few as pos- sible. My father always told me if I needed a thing to hire the money to pay for it rather than .get it charged, as it would pay in the long run, I think if every family would adopt the motto, "Pay as you go," it would greatly increase the happiness of mate kind, ' QUITE CURIOUS, It is curious how, in Faunae, the •old- easb.ionet lavender has come beck into fever, The "plant itself used to be consideree) the emblem of affection, and it is certainly associated in our minds with. sweetness and treshnoss. Many of the hest Parisian flowers are scented with it, as well as sachets, while anal Member Of bottles of ,aha perfume etre selling in Paris every day. It is better, Perhaps, titan some df the highly event - ea, per tomes. The wife of a certain, booksoiler wee - earned frim with eleven eons, one oiler another. The good man carried, his p7efeastoeal spirit; in homily life, an he named them Prfmu,,Sacunduseeerl.iusl and so en to Decimus. He concluded was time to atop at the Wavelet'', mai he named hila Pints. 13nt it was nota finis. There was yet another to come, —a daughter this time, so he called; her l crate.