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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1893-3-24, Page 2• TSE BRUSSELS FUST. 1tlAalcl11 24, 1803 BEYOND RECALL, CHAPTER XL1X, WJAT Tun WOBI.D SAW. Throe days passed, and nothing occurred to break the dead monotony. I found u /otter from illi, Reeshew at the poet otliee, and got the draft it contained melted at the bank. Counting up the cotes before Beaton, 1 put half in an envelope. " This is reedy for you, ' I said, hoping that 1 might tempt him to bring matters to a speedier terminatioo, Bost assured, my dear sir," said he, " that I am not less anxious than you to discharge my obligations. Nothing can be done till your wife arrives, and I ata apse, lutely certain that she is not yet here." As the days dragged on 1 began to doubt if she would come, lint Bacton showed no sign of anxiety ; on the contrary, his epieita seemed to rise as the time lengthened. We saw each other night and morning. Daring the day he devoted himself to making in- quiries in the coedee 1 to watching the railway station, the quay, and the roads to Calvi and Bocognano. Oa the afternoon of the third day, return- ing from the Calvi read through the woods, 1 came to a point on the hillside from which the whole length of the Coors Grandee) lay before me, On the right han f side, looking down towards the sea, stood a row of Italian villas, which, in compliment to the English who people this quarter, are called cottages, I had learnt that the one next to the British Consul's was Major Cleveden's. The consul's hoose was marked by the flag which he displays on Sundays, The gabled roof nearer to me, standing out against the eucalyptus beyond, might at that moment cover my wife's head. `'whilst I was looking clown et it, a man came from the garden before the house, and turned down towards the place. There was no mistaking him, even at that distance ; it was old Beaton. His treachery was evi- dent. I saw now why he had grown so gay. The explanantion was this—Major Cleveden had outbidden me, and the old raaeal was keeping me there while my wife got away. Was she already gone? That I determitt• ed to discover for myself. I descended the hill and got into the Cows Grandval. The Hotel des Ethan. ears stood nearly opposite the niajor's house. I turned in there, The coffee room front. ed the street. Through the open window I had au uninterrupted view of the house over the way. The room was empty. I wheeled a chair round to face the window. The waiter brought me a bottle of wine and left me. A cart, filled with pots of palms and comeliest, drew up before the house, and the driver rang the bell. A boy, dressed in a sailor costume, came from the open door on to the perron, and ran back, calling, in a clear, high voice, "The flowers have come mamma!" That must he her boy, I thought, and she is still here. The man in charge of the cart took out the palms and camelias and set then on the path. \F hen they were all out he began to tarry them into the house. Three or four men came into the coffee room—English and American—seated them• selves near the other window, and called loudly for drinks. The Voltaire chair in which I sat was so turned, that the back screened me front the observe tion of the men at the other window, and I was so absorbed in watching the house that I never moved from the position 1 had taken on first seating myself. From the loud and unreserved way in which they talked, it was more than probable that the men were unconscious of my presence. 'Their conversation had no interest for me until I heard the name of Major Cleveden mentioned. " Whet, another of 'em 1" exclaimed one. " By Jove ! the place swarms with majors. There's the old boy on the other side of the bay—he's a major ; there's Major Thingamy down at Rarbacajo, where we bought the mandarins; and our fiag.fiattering consul over there is a major ; and now there's this Major Cleveden to add to the list. Why, our gallant friends constitute the larger .half of the community." "Thu major part 1" suggested a second voice. Oh 1" Iron the rest. "What's the explanation ?" asked one, sententiously. "Why are you here?" "Doctor's orders, my dear boy 1" "That's my excuse ; but I doubt if you believe me much more than I believe you." " Oh, I'm ready to udmde that the doctor or any one else would order you to leave n^,n land—you're so d—d disagreeable;" There was a laugh at this sally. When it subsided one said— "Jack's right. One would rather be thought weak•ohested than weak-kneed. Man settle down in a place like this where living's cheap, because they have not the pluck to facie poverty at home." "That doesn't seem to be the case with our friend over the way ; he's taking in mewling regardless of expense. What's ;going on there?" There's to be a dance to -night," " Sunday—phew 1" " Custom of the country, One rejoiees acre on Sundays." "Yes. But what do the other English jay ?" " My clear fellow, the mayor wishes it to be nnderetood that he doesn't care a rap what the English say—being out of Eng- land." That's Jack all over," " Jaok'a observation applies to us all. We're only pharisees at home." " That's the hest excuse I've heard yet for living abroad ; it's the major's," said he ehey called Jack. " Jack smiles as if he loved the major," " When Jack ensiles it's to hide a sneer." " You may explain that by the fact that x an the mayor's friend," " Are you going over there to -night ?" " Yes. The theatre is closed, and I am fond of the drama." " You don't mean to Day they're going in for private theatricals--to.negete" "I should like you to tell me at what time we are not going in for private theat- :ricals, my sweet innocent. Every rootn's a stage as well as all the world, and at. any ;moment We may be called upon the scene," " What is the nature of the play over there ?" Thab is exactly what 1 have to learn, 'You never know beforehand how Nature's play will finish—in tears or in smiles ; that's the advantage of;her work over those of less skilful dramatists." "Can you give us a hint at the plot?" "Yes ; and withont betraying the major's 'confidence. Ile is not the sorb of man to let out aerate, Bat certain faote aro known to every one hero—except you t and whets, er they are known to yen, or what any one may say, 18, as 1 told ycnl, a matter of per. foal indifference to the atom hearted old soldier. Here are the feasts -Ten 00 twelve years -ego Major Clevedentn rriedf he seeing. er of two sMatore. They lived happily to. gether for some time, until after the birth of the ee0OBd child—about three years age. Then the wife's health hegan to fail. ithe was said to be 1n a de. cline. Her malady was some forst el eypeellondrla, which the medical men de- efeved must end fatally tutfoss some rndieal change was nettle in her life. Tho poor alt major, who nenms to have been devotedly ; attached to her, did ail he could to produce that change---t01(111g her from one part of Europe to another, and seeking every means thoughts into a healthy let t 1 of turning 1 R Y channel. '141e wife faded And faded, and lieu Suddenly last .lune she disappeared, and no taw of her could be found. 1t was believed that she had learnt what her fate must be from the doctors, stud had put an end to a life which she felt a Gurdon to herself and a lingering sotu•co of torture to her husband. They wore living et that time near Torquay, and it was supposed she had thrown herself into the sea ,ren the 011111. First act— tragedy 1 Atter throe months of fruit ass search, the major did what a sensible man, with e couple of helpless children. would do if he could—Ile married itis wife's sister. In Eng. land, thanks to a House of Lords and bishops, that is a mime which lays a woman and Iter children open to the insult of the un, oharitthle, rind as the major did not care to make his wife's happiness dependent on charity, he came here where civilieatlon is less advanced. Second act—drama with a purpose! "Tito major had just settled down in his new house, and introduced his wife and children to the world of Ajaccio, when 0110 fine evening—Thursday was particularly fine, you remember?—wife No. 1 turns up in better health than she has shown for years—having in the interim fonud that change which the major had sought in vain to p00cur0 for her 1" " Heng it all ; that's a rum story'." " I see by the way yon fellows grill that you think it's going to turn out a farcical comedy." " Well, you know—what had she been at till the tine?" "Looks as if she had found another rope jor." "The major will have to sell out and settle in 'Turkey." "Yes "—it was Jack's voice now—. it's pretty clear you think it a play for the Pal- ais Royal, What a set you are, rebuking me for the smile that hides a sneer, while you jeer with the laugh of a clown through a horse Dollar. What do you know of this woman, that you should hint lightly at an- other major, or of him that you should sug- gest by way of a joke (save the mark !) his taking his children and those unhappy sisters to Turkey?" " Hang it ell, Jack ; a fellow may joke," "At women? I don't like that sort of profanity. Do you know how quickly sensitive they are, and do you know low long it would take Ger to read the indecent jest in your heart? Why, jest as long as it would take you to summols up the semblance of decency in your fanm par have not left your pharieeeism behind you." "That will do Jeek," said one, in playful expostulation. "Foster will bei good boy, and make no more naughty jokes. How do you think it will encs over there 'i" "That is just what excites my ouriosity, and what I expect to learn to -night. The major would not invite friends to his house three days after the rattan of his wife, un- less he bad some purpose in it. You may be sure he does not intend to let the world thrnstits tongue in los cheek behind his back." But whet can he do?" "That he knows better titan we can im- agine: Yon may be euro that curiosity to see the two sisters will make every one ac- cept the invitation he has issued. The in- vitation is itself an intimation that the major intends to take all those who call themselves This friends into his confidence. What the consequences may be it is hard to imagine ; but it's e0rtaill enough that he is prepared to abide by them—either to ao- oept ue as friends, or to live down our e11mlty as becomes an old soldier and an honest gentleman." CHAPTER L. "IE PEOPLE WIr,t HAVE. TRAYS.tOTtO0S WITli DOUBLE DEALI1SS !" "I've been looking for you the last hour," said Boston, overtaking me in the Coors Napoleon later on—"hunting for you everywhere." "In the Goers Grandval?" I asked, turning upon him. His cunning eyes sought an explanation of the question in my face. "You have been to the major's," he said. No, but you have." Seeing that it was useless to deny the charge, he nodded. "Come and sit down. I've something to tell you." He crossed the road and seated himself before an unoccupied table outside a rgf'e— a ruse to gain time for the arrangement of his ideas, "The end its nearly acoomplishecl," he said, resting his arms on the table, leaning across, and speaking in a confidential tone. "She ie here." "1 know it. She has been hero two days, How long have you known it?" "Since the day before yesterday." "Then you told me a deliberate lie when you said last night that you had heard noth- ing of her." "I found it practical to suppress informa- tion in the interest of my client, Don't be impatient, my dear sir. 1 say I did this its your interesb. If I had consulted my own merely, I should have led you yesterday morning when we met on the quay bo the road that runs parallel with the Coure Grandval, and pointed out your wife, where I saw her sitting with her children in the garden at the back of the major's house, I should then have completed my undertaking, and could have claimed the fee agreed upon without any further risk to myself." "Yes, you might have done that, possib ly; but you preferred instead to see if you could not do Netter by conniving with the major to get my wife out of the way for a higher num." "I do not attempt to deny that there may be some truth in that insinuation," "But finding that the major would have nothing to do with you, that he is more auxlaur to get rid of my wife now than to keep her, that double dealing is likely to bring you loos instead of profit, you—you have been looking for me the last hour to tell me whet I have found out for my- self," 11yonr promises were just, your eon• elusions would be admirable, dear sir; hub they are not. In the first plane, the major hoe met me in a friendly and, I shay acid, a eolciliatory spirit, which chews tun anxiety on his part to profit by my sarvioee; audits the senrnsd, I reckon, with oosnothing like absolute certainty, on rendering assis4anae to both clients to my own pecuniary advantage, Now, sir, to be oxplioit.-on the day of our arrival I celled upon the major. 1 told hint frankly and eandidly what had happened, Pointing out to hint that your wife would probably be here in a few hours, and that you would certainly claim her as soon as yea sate het•, I offered, tot a certain sunt iu 008050 of the fee you hail named to pay me, to take you beak to England or eleetritere on elitism welt. The major refused toy offer in a manner that excited my surprise and indignation. But on malting inquiries 1 discovered the cansa, The major, believing your wife was death, luta married yourwife's sist r • and, there- fore, e'a9 you NO now elh eaten was more marinesnes to get ridoyour wife than to keep her. Yon can underetnutl the einbarressing position in which he 0 -olid he placed with the two ladies on his beanie• Perceiving this, I at once renamed to the major, de spite the unpleasant am1 uneeretnonioue manner in which he luutdisnniseed me, and I then informed him that unless he agreed to terms, 1 should remove you from Antocin before your wife arrived. The major, now aroused to the danger of Ins positron at once changed his front, and meet. dug me in that conciliatory eptrit I jest now referred to, he promised to consider my proposal and give me en answer In twenty-four hours, The meaning of this delay was that he wished to ooufirm the trtfth of my statement, that your wife was coming here, before engaging my ser- vices, At six o'olook the following morn- ing your wife arrived here, Sus caste in a carriage from Corte, told the information being brought to me a little after seven by one of my agents, I lost 00 time in dressing and making a call on the major. In is long interview he asked me what course you in- tended to tape. I told him that yen, ignor• ing his second marriage, and believing that he would introduce your wife to his own friends as his wife would take a favorable opportunity of claiming her in the Moe of those friends. There is nothing succeeds like telling the truth —sometimes, and you will recollect tient this is the plan I euggested to you." " Have you anything else to tell me?" " Cndoubtedly, my dear sir, or I should not have told you so much. When I hal laid your intentions before the major, he said he would provide you with an occasion to claim your wife. This proves that she is anxious now to get rid of her. I suggested an early date—having regard to hislntereto, yours and my owe. He thea promised that he would give a dinner party to -night, to which he would invite all his friends, and I undertook that you should be present. This afternoon I called again upon him, and finding all his arrangements were made, I sought you in order to make this state- ment." I laughed, believing that he would have kept the matter entirely to himself it my discovery had not compelled the explana- tion. " Now, sir," he continued, " I should hardly be entitled to call myself your friend, es well as legal adviser, if I Intended to let this matter rest there. Nor should I consider that I was acting in justice to my- self to leave the rest to chance. I. have tm- dertaken that you shall be present at this entertainment, and my fee will be plaid on condition that you are there. You could defeat the major's object by staying away, but you will not stay away. According strictly to the letter of our agreetnent, my fee is to he paid when I bring you face to face with your wife ; but I consider that my obligation extends beyond that. I intelcl to give you the means of revenge, nor enly upon your wife, but epos the major, who is Wives much to blame as abe. You shall go to that house to -night. I suggest about viae o'clock, when the company may be rising from din- ner. No obstacle will be placed in the way of your entering, you. may be sure. You will find your wife with her children, her sister, and the major, surrounded by all cit° English in the place. The major will say, Who is this gentleman ?' Oh, it's all er- ranged—cut and dried you may be sure. And then your wife, with an appropriate cry of delight and astonishment, will say, It is my husband.' Then you will reply, No, that woman is Mlajor Oleveden's wife. My name is Gregory, an ex•oanvict, and the friend of Kit Wyndham, whom that man,' pointing to the major, 'and that woman,' pointing to ,your wife, 'fettered for life to gratify their fiendish ends' and with that you will walk out and leave the major and those two shamed women to new in their own juice." The scheme of vongeaneeheld out, though terrible enough, failed to revive a spark of that vindictive passion which had burned so fiercely in my breast ; a sense of disgust for this villainous old trickster, for myself in submitting to itis guidance, was all 1 (alt. " The scandal will spread," said tine old man, rubbing hie hands. " Not ono of thein will ever be able to show a face in society. They must sink to the level of the vilest, and I shall be even with the major for the injuries he has done me." ' You're not ashamed of the pert you are playing 3" "Ashamed 1" he exclaimed in unfeigned astonishment. " If people will 'nave transactions with double dealers they must expect this sort of thing." There was revelation hn that one unstud• ied phrase. I got up, repeating to myself the words, " If people will have transac. tions wibh double dealers, they must eLpeot this Bort of thing." I repeated it again and again as I wandered headlong through the streets. Had I any reason to suppose that I had escaped deception in my transactions with the double dealer ? Had I not found myself tricked by him over and over again ? Was my trust in him due toanybhingbetter than the fatuous conceit of a greenhorn at a fair, who thinks himself clever enough to out- wit a card sharper ? What assurance had I ht positive, proved feat that he was not leading me as he professed to be leading the major ? If he had misled me in one thing, might he not also have tricked mo in another? I felt no mortification in the possibility that 1 had been duped ; on the contrary, my heart was quickened with an indefinable joy. I sough tnow eagerly to (know myself ; and every proof I could find that made mo see I was a fool and a simpleton added to my exhilaration, If I could prove that I had deceived myself, then I could believe theb Hobe had not deceived me. At that thought I stopped atilt in the squalid street, into which 1 had wandered, and my heart seemed to bound up into my throat, stopping my breath for the minute. When, with a sudden impulse, I moved quickly on, Icaught sight ofaYeoman coni' ing on the opposite side of the path, looping up the alley to see what I had been gaping at. I caw that it was by being simple, not- making otmaking myself cunning, that I could get at the truth, "7f I throw off the convict's cunning, auci regain the trusting confidence of happier days,' I said to myself. The thom htspon'cdtunmltuouslythrough my mind, breaking in one upon the other. " Does not imuccence smoothness wear a mask 110 well as guilt," I tasked snyeelf ? 1f one disguise has doueived toe, may not the • other 'also ? Why had 1 believed aa old rascal, alBl not believed Hobe 1 Men I tax- ed Botha with deceit, he at Olnee showed ole that it was employed to my own advant- ago. But I lad never asked my wife for an explauatinu, If 1 had clone that, was it impossible that she could have &eared her- self'! I had mouletuned her without put. ting her noun her defence, e 1 marl ed thispoint, :17y questioning ht l 1 when, coming soddenly 1 n to the quay front the foul and gloomy stoma, I was Distant blinded by the dazzling brightness of the sun sinking down unclouded upon the BOB, It sounod to m alted snnae- calm sou, I Y ex like It prophecy. " God, let me hope a little lunger 1" I prayed, as if with the setting of the sou I meet ;kik nails into the dock misery of despair, I was conscious of some enameling quick. ly towards ate. Turning, 1 found it was Becton. He held up his linger, and beckon. ed me with a Movement of his head and eyebrows. I had loft him Itbruptly, and my manner had very likely made him no. easy about his stoney, "I have just been round by the road I mentioned," he said, laying his claw -Ilk's fingers on my arts, and spooking in a low voice--" the one rushing along the baok of therounds in which the majora home stands. Now if you would like to presipi- tute matters—if you prefer n short and epeedy vengeonoe, Laplace of that I suggest. 0d which clearly failed to please you—why, you can take it now." I put my hand in my pocket. I believe the old villain thought I was seekinga knife, for he studiously looked another way as ire led me along the road. It was the paoket of notes I had set aside for him that I sought. There she is 1" he whispered, pointing through the iron gates that opened into the garden. She—Heise, my wife—was etauding with a child beside her on 5 raised terrace beside an orange tree. afar face was radiant with the glow of the setting sun " 1" I said, putting the notes in the hand of the old mean, (TO Ba PONT/NI'1•:n./ Aluminum. The advance in the number and variety of uses to which aluminum is being turned day after day is extraordinary. The metal was practically not known until the present century was six or seven years old ; glutei - mon works were not started until 1330, when an humble plant was exerted in Eng. gland for the manufacture of the metal. It had a struggle for existence until ISM, when it collapsed. That same year, however, alumieum manufacture was commenced both in Ger- many and in the United States, 'oldie both countries ft bas fieurished greatly. It is what is known as the "Cowles patent" pro- cess that was started originally there, the process being a reduction of the metal from alumina under the intense heat of electric currents. For the hast four or five years, a second company known ao the Pittsburg Redaction Composy, has been in operation in the same manufacture. Both of these companies, we understand, are going to Make exhibits at the Chicago Exposition ; and the ehuninum display will probably yield in interest to nothing shown at the call'. Large quantities of the metal are used tor soldiers' ecooutremeats, both infantry and cavalry, in Germany, as the accoutrements made of it greatly relieve both man and horse of the Toed they have to carry. A yacht and a recing shell are both being oon- etructed of aluminum under the auspices of a Philadelphia boat builder, the comple- tion of the shell in particular being watch• ed by oarsmen all over the country with in. tense eagerness. The grill -work around the elevator shafts and along the hallways of the new Vene• tiau and Monadnock buildings in Chicago are of aluminum. It saves polishing and washing, and only an occasional dusting is required to keep it clean and bright. A Chicago dealer has given an order for' the manufacture of 20,000 koeak cameras of the new metal, whiolt will be lighter and stronger than those ordinarily made. Bleycle wheels have been made of it ; hut they are not strong enough when conetru0t• ed of unalloyed metal, and the alloy of an- other metal adds weight. A company has been formed in East St. Louis for the manufacture of aluminum table -ware, and they expect that their ven- ture will be an immense success" SOME FACTS AB0U T ANOIEN T RINGS. In 01401. Times They Wore Generally Re- garded as '101[0115 Or Anti[1lrily'. Once there was a peculiar siguifioanoe at. teethed to rings. They were regarded as a token of authority. The Emperor's signet ring planed in the hands of an official instat- ed him for the time with hie master's power. Rias are first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, chapter 41st and 42d verse: " And Pharaoh took his ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and made him ruler over all Egypt," When the Israelites conquered the Midianitee they " took all their rings and bracelets and offered then to the Lord." Ahasuerus gave the ring from his hands to the Hebrews' worst enemy, thus giving him unlimited control to do with them and their property whatever he pleas- ed. The father received his prodigal son joyfully, and sealed his forgiveness by put- ting a ring on his hand, eays Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher in Uodey'e Magazine. The Egyptians regarded their rings both as business vouchers and ae ornaments, the aim net rings being always used for sealing docu- ments, and however used, their rings were always buried with them—and in later years aro often found in their tombs. The signet ring was usually of bronze or silver ; but among the rioh gold rings were used for or- naments. Ivory or blue porcelain were worn by the poor, Plain gold rings, en. graved with some motto or the head of their deities, were much prised; and three or four Were often worn on the fingers and a leo on the thumbs, Among the Jews no one was in full dress without the signet ring, and ladies had their rings set profusely with costly gems—rubies, emeralds, and ohrys. elites being the moat valuable Of Different Minds' Two H1ghlantlmen were visiting an Eng- lish ahurolt for the flt'et time. They had not been long meted when the organist began to play a 11vely voluntary. This was something quite novel in their church experience, and they listened with apen.mouthod astonishment. Ono of then was lhorthy rouser/ from ifs blissful reverie by a gentle tap on the shoulder. Turning round, he saw a hand• same lady ( the owner of the pow ), who smiled very graciously upon him, and wish- ed, of course, to be allowed to pass to her seat, He did nob, however, take in the et"a. i. ion, but et men whispared, to her, "Ne,, lea, mem, tak me mate Imre ; be will be a potter denier than ate." HO'US'EHOLD, Aiwaya- There is always a attires to make. and al Meet a step to Mice 1 Thaws 1s always a 111110 to Ilnd. And nlw'uvs n',hear to bind Thur . alw•11)'a a page to read, Anil nhways 11 0n011, 40 Worn: "Thera 1x 1(1111115151(0118 18 mend, Aye, told always n hue to blend. There Ix (1a1arx the weight or owe, And the Aoki heels bil"no 1e hear: 1'11,'' is 111011/.4 Lim tear nn<h°d, And l ul !,untie word uneuid : T1r(0 js always tlia doubt, the foto, And alWil 1s 4111: seems, rho jeer, These little til to nh s stict said. Make up lire s grand llfeeWend/DIN whole, Family Finances. If there le any one thing in which a (rind and conscientious hnsbaud errs, it in more than likely to be in regard to his treatment of his wife in money matters, Tile very best 01011 have the little weakness of liking to hold the family parse strings, and to pay out everything themselves. Of course this does not refer to those whose wives are self. supporting, either through inheritenee or from their own work, but to husbands whose wives have to look to them for every Dent they spend. This is not, et all owing to selfishness or parsimony, but merely to though closeness and to mail's inherentMom - ability to see things from a woman's point of view. however wise and far-sighted B matt is in other things he is apt to lose hie judgment when itcoinestofamily lluancos. Accustomed to dealing with large enols do Maims, he will make allowance for larger general expenses, but cannot realize the hundred and one little wants of the hone - hold, of his wife's toilet, and that of the children, and yet. it i0 those little items, perhaps only a few cents at a time, that matte a woman doubt her own arithmetic when she seas how many dollars they foot up et the bottom of a page in her account book—and if she does not keep such an ac- count she is sure to be constantly under the delusion that she has lost some of her money. Itis these small things that are "the lit- tle foxes that spoil the vines," and yet they are too trilling to be taken into account when calculating the outlay for the household. And so a ratan often wanders how his wife spends 00 501101 motley without havieg more to show for it. Ile oolatently calls her his "better half," and yet thinks she is not half so wise or prudent es he 15, and considers her an irresponsible being whom it is not safe to trust with stoney. He does not mind giving her occasionally a diamond ring, or pin, or bracelet, though he will look stir• prised, ev perhaps a little cross, if she asks for one-fourth of the sum for the ohildren'e clothes or to replenish the china closet. Ono thing that no man seems to understand is that it is humiliating to a woman to have to ask for money, no matter how willingly he gives it. She will usually defer the hated moment in the hope that it will occur to Ike to give it without waiting for her to ask for it : and, if he is accustomed m be so unreasonable as to makeauy scene about giv- ing it, she will often cto without au absolute necessity while trying to find courage to prefer her request. All this is avoided by giving her a certain allowance, and paying it with the saute punctuality that any other bnmess transactions demand. An Ironing Aid. It's strange how things come abeut,some- times ; how if one only has her eyes and ears open, as the saying goes, a pet son can see or hear something that may be very helpful in the future, if it is only remember- ed. I feel like telling of a cell I mode a while ago, hoping that what I then learned may benefit someone else. My so-called "help" having loft me with scarcely a word of warning, I had bread to bake ; all ot ns preferring homemade bread above the baker's. As my six: nice loaves were ready for the oven, I set my stove dampers tight, added a little coal, pushed the cluugh into the warm oven and shut the door with a satisfied little bang, and thought, "There you aro for otewhole hour." Then I took some light work and ran across the street, to sit and chat with one of my neighbors while my bread was bake ing. Site was doing her starchedironing,eo I told her to keep right on and not stop; because I could stay only a few minutes, and 1 would sit dowu at the end of her ironing table, where I should be out of the way. She Iiked my plan and kept on with her work. Afber a little, something about her mo- tions attracted my attention, and 11et my hands rest idly in my lap, while I watched her hands fly. Artiole after article was made smooth and shining and put by, with very little effort, seemingly. At last she shook out and spread un the ironing table a fine, white Linen apron, for one of her little girls. It looked as thought it might "stick" a little, as there wee here and there a little starch sticking to it. I noticed, es she took her iron from the gaso. line stove, elle gave it a rub or two on a cloth, at her right hand. It was miry much browned by usage, and sent up a terrible smoke. Then she ironed that apron ea easy 08 possible• Well 1 I was astonished, and said, " I would like to know why your flatiron did not stick one bit?" 5he looked pleased and said, "01 1 don't you know ? Why, I always, when I am gebtiers ready to do my ironing, put some kerosene on that cloth and rub every iron on it, as 1 take 11 from the stove and nothing ever sticks, I had rather iron the etarolied things than anything else," I went home thinking it was wonderful how much good a littlo kerosene could do, I tried the next time 1 ironed and have al- ways used it since, Some may think I found my breed burnt, but it was beautifully bak- ed. Table Manners for Children. Drink from the cup—never from the mmuo- 01. Teaspoons aro lefb in the serum, nob in the cup. Little children only have the napkin am ranged as 0 bib. Making 0 noise, in either eating or drink- ing, is vulgar. Always cheerfully defer to older people and to guests. Eat elowly, and do not fill the mouth with largoquantitma. hatthe,fnnd served, or quietly leave ft upon the plea° without remark, Never intirns,I.e n, rude or nnemth net, 09011 if committed ley an older person, Avoid drumming wibh the lingers ea' til" feet; it is the hoight of inlpnlitonoss. If 111 doubt at 0nv time 11a?v, what fs pimp, Or, inflow the example of others of more experience, Patiently await the Pomihlq of emir turn; an not fnllaw with 1 1/0 or,-: the food aerv0,1 to others, Never unnecessarily handle the dishes, or In any other manner exhibit nervousness or impatienoo. Oo not feel obliged to "clean up the Pluto;' especially do not stake a laborious display of doing ao. 1)o net tisk for any partleulat• part of a fowl, nr similar dish, online asked your preference ; in that ease always indicate something, and if there be really no Meda°, (lesignlate 4110 portion vital which the hast can most conveniently render service. If the handkerchief must be used, let it be very gnletly ; in case that is notposslble, leave the table for a moment, which may be done in ease of a sharp attache of conglitng, sneezing, or the like, withont asking per. mission, the cattee being manliest, Canned Vegetablel,. Some of the cam1011 and cried vegetables snake healthful and economical changes for the table. These vogetab'e ehoold be treated with great care. Canned peas and string beans should be turned from the eon into a strainer and rinsed ty pouring cold water over theist. As it rule, those (agar tables are cooked enough in the oanning,end when to be served should only be thorough- ly heated and properly reasoned. The simplest and best way of preparing these two vegetables is to add to a ono of vege- tables, after being rinsed/, one large tea- spoonful of batter, one of sugar. ono level toaspoonful of salt and ane gill of hot water. Place on the fire and do not cook for more tbau ton minutes, Canned corn ie excellent if prepared in this returner : Torn the corn into the double boiler and add half a pint of milk, one tea- spoonful of salt and ono tablespoonful of butter. Place on the fire until thoroughly heated—say for about ten minutes, It ruins corn to be overcooked, Dried Una beans are a delicious vege. table, Soak half a pint over night in cold water. The next day drain off the water and rinse the beans in fresh water. Put them on the fire in one quart of fresh water and nook slowly for two hours. Pour off all Leo water except about e. gill ; then season with a level teaspoonful of salt end 0 tablespoon- ful of butter, and cook ten minutes longer. Another way Is to pour oil all the water end add a gill of mill[ and the seasonings ; the cooking to be continued for tet minutes. Tee cooked Dorn and beans may be mixed just before being served, and making a delicious succotash. There is almost no end to the uses to which canned tomatoes can bo put for soups, sanees,'entrees ; end as a vegetable they are of great value. The store -closet should never bo without a few cans of this ueeful vegetable. Oouoerning Oatmeal. OAT:// EAI, BlttaD.—Boil half apint of oat. meal thoroughly in salted water end add to it three-fourths of a pint of milk ; In er in carefully one and a half pints of sifter/ flour with three teaspoonfuls of baking powder and half a toaspoontulof salt. Grease the bread pan well, and hake in a moderate oven. OATMEAL, C1kus.—:11ix with ono and a half teaspnunfuls of linuly-ground oatmeal, half it teacupful of cornmeal, one teacupful of flour and a teaspoonful of baking powder. Stir in one tablespoonful of butter, two tahlespoonfnls of sugar, one teaspoonful of salt and two teacupfuls of milk. Put into hot tins and bake in a quick 0000. OATMEAI. Buret?.—Rub a rotted tabls• spoonful of butter or lard into one quart of oatmeal Ilonr, and wet it with one pint of sour milk, in which has been dissolved one teaspoonful of soda and one-half teaspoon. fel of salt. Ilse enough flour to roll out to about one inch in thickness, and bake in a quick oven. OATMEAL MI'sn,—into two quarts of boiling, salted water, add slowly one mud one-half cupfuls of oatmeal, and stir for a few minutes ; then set in a kettle of boiling water and boll three hours. Serve with cream and sugar. Raisings added to the above matte a delicious dish. OATuIsAL Cnisrs,—Ono cupful of oatmeal nearly half a teaspoonful of salt ; mix to- gether dry ; cover with cold water and tet stand half an hour. Drain off the water and drop by spoonfuls ona tin, spreading as titin as possible. Bake until brown and crisp ; do not scorch. Oemst501 B1,A001IA.mE. — A. delicious blauomange is made by stirring two heap- ing tablespoonfuls of oatmeal into a little cold water ; stir into a quart of boiling milk ; flavor, and pour into molds to cool. Serve with cream and sugar. OA'tD[EAL CanoiEns.—Wet one pint of fine oatmeal with one gill of water ; add a hitele salt ; work it a few minutes with a spoon, until you can make it into a mase ; place it on a board well covered with dry oatmeal ; make as compact as possible, roll out carefully to one-sixth of an inch thick, and out into squares with a knife. Bake in n very slow oven. A nice addition is two heaping spoonfuls of desiccated cocoanut. OATASEAL MBcrmxs.—Two cupfuls of sour milk, one teaspooefnl of soda, two tea• spoonfuls, of sugar, a little salt, and oat- meal flour to make a moderately thiels batter. Stir the soda into the milk, and beat a few minutes before adding the other ingredients, Bake in hot, well -buttered gem pans. Well -beaten egg add to the batter improves it, but itis nice without. OATMEAL CREAM PIE.—Make the crust dough after the recipe given for crackers. Roll thin, Cream filling,—Beat together one tablespoonful of flout•, one egg and a half a cupful of sugar ; add one cupful ot rich milk ; sprinkle grated nutmeg over all, or flavor with lemon or vanilla. Bake with lower crust only. Any p1e requiring but one crust may be made with oatmeal. Care must be taken not to scorch the crust while the contents of the pie are cooking. Rouen OATS,—One pint of rolled oats, a little salt, and enough boiling water bo cover, Cook in a custard kettle or in a small tin pail, sob in a kettle of boiling water fot half an hour. Stir often. Serve with cream and sugar. This is nicer for breaking than the oatmeal, as it is so quickly cooked, A Honeymoon Incident. A well•knowlt local carpenter tells a story that Is intended as a good joke on his wife. When they wore married they rented apart - mints in a block, the rear of which over- looked one of the rivers, and among the wife's earliest culinary efforts was a battik of broad. The young husband sampled his wife's contribution to the world's stook of the "staff of life," and arising front the table, playfhtily remarked : " My dear, cast your bread upon the waters," Tito wifis took offence to the injunction, and, as her husband left the house, she flung the remaining loaf out of the window into the river. It struck a passing boat, emelt- Mg through the bottom and sulking in the mamas murtcoy depths. The next the ltnew, rim boatsman, dripping wit, made a tour of Iles block, bent on discovering who dumped the lied of Oriels into his omit.