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The Exeter Advocate, 1896-12-24, Page 6A Bart Nilit's work. By Paul Ingelow. (CONTI,zu1:D. ) Le Britta's face brightened, as he realized that under . the charge of the benevolent old physician and his wife. Gladys would find a safe and pleasant home. }le iitn iened to open the door, as a ifaint te,npin;,• sounded upon its outside Moneta Olay 'Vernon, pale, and 'with eyes dreeptue from long grief, entered the apettemvet. See resscd Le Britta's proffered hand with. {;:clef+:1 emotion, and then, half - hiding her face in her hand, sat like one purr.uming a painful duty near the table "We will only go through the mere 9orma!lth'a of exasnicing the will. Miss Vernon," spoke Mr. Munson, in a kindly tone of voice. "We will read it, verify the signatures, and I will take it and file it in the court, to make it safe from any interference of interested outsiders. Yon under tend?" Gladys murmured a faint affirmative. "Doctor Winston will convey you at once to his home. The housekeeper•cau retain charge here until we decide what #,o do with the mansion," "Dispose of it, close it up!" breathed ladys, in a fear Oiled, shuddering tone. I could never live again beneath the roof where my beloved uncle met ails doom, where my heart broke"— She paused, amid hot, blinding tears. "If your thoughts are of the accused murderer," interrupted Le Britta, "take courage, Miss Vernon! You know, and I know, that Sydney Vance is innocent; you know, and I know, the real assassin. 'Fear not! The truth is mighty, and it shall prevail! All that justice can do to trace this terrible crime to its real per- Petrator, will be done. "Try not to distress yourself over all that just now," spoke the lawyer. "our unele made a new will, Miss Vernon," "Yes—last night." "Where is it?" "He gave it to me for safe -keeping." Gladys drew the same enveloped and sealed document from her packet that x.o Britta had -seen her uncle give her the day previous. "It has not left your possession state it wos delivered to you?" demanded Ur. 3tfunson. "Oh! no." "This is the same document—you can swear to it." "Yes, sir." "These are merely formai questions," prooee:led the lawyer. "We all know the contents of the will, but I will read it over for form's sake " Rip—rip—rip. The somber silence of the room was broken only by Gladys' soft crying, and the tearing open of the and of the envelope. The lawyer drew out the single docu- ment it cont tined He opened it, glanced at it, stared et lit, glared at it, arose to his feet, and tittered a quick ejaculation. "Why! what's the matter, Munson?" demanded the doctor, startled at his companion's sudden excitement of manner. "This paper"— "The will?" "It is no will!" Wlap„— "There is some mistake." "Mistake?" murmured Le Britta, not etnprepared for strange surprises under that strange roof, after all the extraor- dinary occurrences that had signalized his brief sojourn there. Yes, this is no will. Look!" The lawyer held out the paper. His own face was perturbed, the doctor stared bewilderingly, Le Britta's eyes glowed with dark suspicion, Gladys gasped affrightedly. For the page, one side and reverse, front and back, was—blanks CHAPTER X.—THE PLOTTER'S VICTORY. • Blank I" ejaculated the doctor, dubi- ously. Blank!" murmured Gladys with incredulity. Blank" assented Mr. Munson turning rite paper in his hand over and over. "See for yourselves!" Impossible!" gasped Gladys, startled out of her grief by the remarkable development of the moment. Uncle gave it to me, I saw it written, sealed. The envelope has never left my possession since." Blank wonderment and consternation were depicted on every face, save that of Le Britta. He had risen to his feet. His brows knit, his lips set sternly, he stood like one studying out a difficult problem. "PIease allow me to examine that document, Mr. Munson," he spoke at last. There was an ominous something in his manner that silenced the others, and enchained their attention. With the eye of an analyst he was reciinning the blank sheet of paper. "A slight discoloration. All form blended into an indistinguishable mass," he half murmured. "The fiber unbroken, a slight scent of acid. Gentlemen," to the engrossed and watching doctor and lawyer, "trickery has been at work here, jugglery, plotting!" "You also think it is the same paper upon which Mr. Vernon drew out his will?" queried the lawyer. "I know it." '.But, it is blank?" "It was not blank last evening." "Then" -- "Wait here a moment. I think I understand what has occurred." Le Britta left the apartment, and went straight to the now vacant sick -room. He took. up the oxidized ink -stand that -mad played a part in the writing of the will, and tint self -same part of a corres- pondence equipment which the reader will remember had been bandied by the lurking Ralph Durand. He returned to the library with it in his hand, placed it on the table dipped a piece of paper into the contents of, the imnk wells, smelled, it, tasted it, dried ft at the lamp, and then sat down with a discomposed yet satisfied face. "It is as I feared," he murmured. "What do you mean?" demanded the doctor, on the keen edge of vivid sus- pense. "Trtokery l" "Explain yourself." "I will. I noticed yesterday, when Mr. Vernon had completed writing the will, that the ink looke.t faded. You Remember, Miss Vernon, your uncle com- plained of it himself." "Yee, and I attributed it to his falling eyesight," murmured Gladys. "And : feared disturbing and annoy- ing him in his nervous condition," said Le Britta. "The ink he Used WAS no ink, it was not even a stain. Some one bad substituted for the real ink an acid, a volatile chemical --none other than tincture of iodine." "But it wrote," began the lawyer. "Yes, it resembles faded brown ink, and so deceived us, It does not even penetrate the fibers of the paper, and within twenty-four hours it vanishes, evaporates, leaving no trace. .1 am sorry, but we 'have been tricked. The will is no will at all—it is mere waste paper!" Gladys looked frightfully startled. "Cin we not prove that be did write a new will," she began.' "No," dissented the lawyer. "Unless you can produce a new will, written, signed, witnessed, the old will is valid." "And that man, who probably con- nived at all this" walled Gladys, shad - daringly, "Ralph Durand, is my legal guardian " "Oh! that cannot be!" gasped Le Britta, realizing the full import of Gladys' words. "Yes, it is true. Gentlemen, pardon me for playing th,e eavesdropper, but I am keenly alive to my own rights and interests. I appear to put in my claim as the conservator of dead Gideon Vernon's estate, and the legal guardian of that young lady—Gladys Vernon!" The blow had fallen—the denouement had come! The door had opened, and a new figure had intruded upon the scene. At him Gladys. Vernon stared aghast. It was Ralph Durand. But no longer the ragged, uncouth tramp! Arrayed in immaculate broad- cloth, cleau-shaven,a perfect fashion -plate of propriety, the marplot of her existeaue stood revealed. The wicked eyes flashed triumphantly, the bold lips wore a mocking sneer of victory. "You look annoyed," he spoke, "You need not be. I come here in entire harmony with the rulings of law and right. This young lady and her picture - making friend may rave about destroyed wills. murdered guardians and all that, but, under the provision of the one and only legal will of dead Gideon Vernon, I now and here take charge of his estate, and of his niece until she attains her majority." "Leadme from the presence of that man!" Slowly rising to her feet, Gladys, half - fainting, spoke the words to Le Britta. "Wait a moment!" cried Durand, in sharp, imperious accent. "You know the plain Mate of the case. It will be tiro worse for those who attempt to dislodge or undermine sue. I am master here. I will brook no rebellion. Miss Vernon, I will be a friend to you if you allow me, but, strictly, impartially, I shall act the guardian, as directed by the will of your uncle, now looked up in the strong boxes of his city lawyers," Dumfounded, the lawyer and the doctor arose to leave the room, as Lo Britta returned from leading Gladys to the stairs. The insolent Durand directed a last sneering word to Le Britta, as the latter accompanied them frau the apartment. "We can dispense with your friendly services after this," he said. "I will have your traps packed for you within an hour." Le Britta bit his lip, but did not reply. He was too overpowered to realize it all just then. For two hours, outside the mansion grounds, the lawyer, the doctor and the photographer discussed the situation. "That scoundrel, Ralph Durand, sub- stituted the acid for the ink, he probably murdered Gideon Vernon, he also pos- sibly knows of the fate of Sydney Vance, but what can we do on mere suspicion," spoke the lawyer. "Gentlemen, we must have patience. Doctor, you must feign to gracefully accept the situation, so as to be near Gladys Mr. Le Britta, you must leave for home at once." "And Miss Vernon must he left to the mercy of that monster!" oriel Le Britta, excitedly. "tie dare not harm her. Trust me. He shall go through the farce of guard. ianship, but before another day is passed, a skilful detective shall be ferret- ing out all this mystery. You shall hear from me regularly. We are not done with this knave and assassin yet." Le Britta accompanied his two friends to the village. He tortured his mind. all that afternoon for some plan to defeat, to dislodge Ralph Durand. At last, feeling that he could do no more to aid the imperiled Gladys Vernon, that the doctor and lawyer would watch her interests, that the worst that Durand could do would be to pilfer from the estate for the year that intervened until she had attained her majority, he walked back to Hawthorne villa to say good -by to Gladys. At its portals, the housekeeper met him, with a white scared face. She held a folded note between her fingers, which she extended tremulously. "Ohl Mr. Le Britta!" she gasped. "Miss Gladys"— "She is worse? she"— "No, sir, but"— "Mercy ! ut"—"Mercy! Gone! fled!" ejaculated the petrified Le Britta, as he scanned the, note. Yes, hours since. The brief note, thanking him for :his past kindness, told that Gladys Vernon, the orphan's prayer for help and guidance on her lips, had fled forever from the power of Ralph Durand—had gone forth, friendless, homeless, a beggar, to battle alone with the cold, cruel world, beyond the gates of the once -peaceful haven she had called home! CHAPTER XL—HOMEI "So ends the most exciting chapter of my life!" Jere Le Britta spoke the words, two days after the occurrence of the startling events depicted in the preceding chapter. Once more the tourist. he had paused to view a scene that marked the end of his journey and Ms brief vacation, at the same time. From a pretty wooded vale he scanned the landscape, bounded on one side by a thriving little city, the 'buildings ot, which gleamed white and majestic in the bright sunlight. No wonder his eye sparkled! There, a few years previous, he bad come as a stranger. Now, a hundred cordial friends would grasp his hand, and give him a hearty home welcome. There, his art, his affections. his whole life were centered, No wonder he seemed to emerge from cloudland and gloom into golden sunshine and happiness, for wife, children, friends were encompassed within the limits of the town upon which he now gazed. Ho loved the little city for its beauty, for its people, for time etuccess it had awarded his patient efforts for apprecia- tion. As in a dream he saw it a quarter of a century past, a snore struggling set- tlement; he saw it, in its prosperous present, a beautiful city of ideal homes and temples of commerce, and, with the eye prophetic, ton, he saw a grander city grow from this nucleus of enterprise; he pictured vast industrial palaces, majestic marts of trade, lnmunmoth public edifices, until it hail become a queen among the cities of the plain—a haven of wealth, prosperity and peace. Here he must again take up life, but he could not forget the past. Atm no!. l hat sympathetio heart of his went back to Hawthorne villa in sad memory.. tie knew that his nature would not allow him to forget, or to remain idle. As soon as he got his business affairs in shape he would return to see Doctor Winston and Lawyer Munson, and learn what new developments had occurred in the ease of the fugitive orphan niece of murdered Gideon Vernon. Gladys had fled, and the most persist- ent search had revealed not the slightest trace of her whereabouts. In her brief letter to Le Britta, she had thanked him for his kindness, but she had stated that she could not remain under the same roof with the assassin of her beloved uncle, she could not linger, to be confronted with her innocent lover, Sydney Vance, and have her involuntary testimony send him to the gallows. She would go to some distant place, she told him, and would work in obsourity until she was eightien years of age. Then, her own mistress, she would return, to devote life, energies and fortune to hunting down the real criminal, and clear her lover from the hideous charge circum- stances hal placed against ids fair name. At Hawthorne villa, secure in his insolence, the scoundrelly Ralph Durand defied lawyer and friends of the missing Gladys. He was comfortably ensconced in a well -feathered nest. He had his scheme to work, wealth was at his dis- posal, hut—with his knowledge of how surely evil brings its own eventual retri- bution, Jera Le Britta realized that his hour of downfall would yet surely come! He had packed up his camera and bad not taken a picture since leaving Haw- thorne villa. As, now, he neared the neat, pretty house that held all that he regarded as dearest on earth, ,ho tried to put aside his cares concerning Gladys Vernon, to drive away, temporarily, the conviction that he was yet to become again interested in her destiny, as the loving arms of his beautiful wife. enfolded him, and two charming tots clambered to his knee. Smiling faces and hearty handclasps greeted him as, later, ho started for his studio. It was located on the main street of the town, and chosen with a view to central location, accessibility and rare requisites of light and convenience. It seemed like getting back among old friends to enter the elegant reception - room, furnished throughout with neat- ness and taste, and containing a great variety of superb speelmens of the photo- graphic art. The attractive frames and mountings were a study in themselves. Here, the eye feaa.ted upon the rarely - beautiful; here, -were ideals of feminine grace and attractiveness—infancy, youth, maturity, old age, of the north land, of the south land,Greek, American, Italian, French. Anglo-Saxon, German, in profile and expression of features --all were represented. La Britta passed through this gallery of art, crowdel with specimens of itis own deft handiwork, and passed into the operatiug room of the studio. Costly cameras, and all the accessories of the profession, showed in practical profusion here, and engaged in placing the last artistic finishing touches to an expensive picture was a pretty, graceful young lady—the photographer's valued assistant, Maud. Her sympathetic face broke into a glad smile of welcome; as she recognized her employer, An artistic workman, graduated from the best schools of photography, her work was always so realistically true, that she knew that during his brief absence she had followed out the instructions faithfully he had given her, and would win only the highest praise from his lips, for her devoted watch and ward of his interests. " We expected you two days since," said Maud. "Yes, but I was delayed unexpected- ly," replied Le Britta. "Letters, orders. Here is work for some days to come." "And here a visitor for some hours to come, I fear," exclaimed Maud, laugh- ingly, as a light footstep sounded in the adjoining apartment. "He has been here inquiring for you every day, as if you were a long -lost son." "Dick!" ejaculated Le Britta, with a bright smile, extending his hand to a rather tall, handsome, professional - looking man, who crossed the threshold of the operating -room at just that moment, and in whom he recognized his dearest friend, Dr. Richard Milton. "It's a sight for sore eyes to see you bacle again," said the young physician, heartily. Letters and orders were forgotten in the chit-chat of two friends, long parted, for the next hour. Le Britta had re- quested his charming assistant to open his tourist camera and put the exposures in the developing bath, and an hour later, as Doctor Milton was giving the details of a difficult surgical operation he had just completed, Miss Maud appeared at the door of the room where the two friends sat, with half a dozen plates in her hand. "Ah! developed them?" smiled Le Britta. "I'll show you some of the views I took on my tramp, Dick. Here is a storm effect; here is a waterfall view, and here;"— Jere Le Brute paused as if dealt a sadden blow; and stared like one r abruptly bereft n f reason at the plate in his fingers. Like a flash, recalling all the eventful scenes of Hawthorne villa, with a shock, a single glance sent the blood to his heart, and checked immediate utterance. For, in .that single, startled, stunned look at the little glass plate, Jera Le Britta had made. the most extraordinary discovery of all his eventful life! CHAPTER XIL—THE UNEXPECTED. Photography is a wonderful art. In a creative sense, it outstrips any other kindred science with the rapidity and accuracy of its operation; iu a preserve five sense, it enables us to perpetuate a fate -simile ;of the most wonderful crumbling antique specimen of architec- ture. rchitectture. True to its focus as an arrow to the target, it can always be depended upon, when a skilled hand 'manipulates the camera. All this .Tera Le Britta had thought of a thousand times. It flashed threat . h hismind now as, staring at the glass negative in his, hand, be could scarcely credit the evidence of his senses. Corn- bined:with those meditations, however, a new phase of the art had, been vividly presented—the 'unexpected in the photo- graphic. For the unexpected confronted him. A problem and a surprise greeted his vision. A careful man, a methodical man, no ponder that liedeeply was deep y etirredt In the first place, the plate before hint bore outlines marked, vivid, distinct, peculiar, Furthermore, he had "never pressed the button" to take that picture! (TO IIID CON•CtstrBD.) MRS. OFF'N'S JOURNEY. The Poor woman ISad an tIapleasant Trlp to Town. Mrs. Often started from her country home for a visit to the city. She was en excellent wormian,. belonging to all the best social societies of her home town, and a great temperance worker. It there- fore struck her as very unpleasant to have the oar in which she traveled so permeated with the odor of whisky that she was obliged. to ask the conductor to open the winnow. "I should think you would like some fresh air," said that functionary in a tone that Mrs. Offen resented inwardly as impudent. Tnat ride came to an end and Mrs. Often left the steam ear for an electric, which was to convey her to her friends' house in the city. "Dear me!" said the good woman as she paid her fare, "your car smells dread- ful strong of liquor." "I agree with you, ma'am," said the conductor with a wink; "if you'll sit nearer the door it will be pleasanter for the other passengers." "The man is intoxicated, What a shame," said Mrs. Offen to her next neighbor in the car. "Be careful you ain't run In," an- swered the man ns he went outside, "Now, what did ha meati?" she soil. loquized, and as she thought it over, and saw the curious looks directed. at her, she concluded to get omit and walk the rest of the way. Seizing her satchel in a firm grip, she rose, but as the oar gave a lurch forward, sat down again. "You're not at S—•m street yet," said the conductor. "I know whore I am; let me out," she persisted. "Don't let her off here at the railroad crossing—she will certainly be hurt," said a kind woman. But f,lrs, Oifon insisted, and left the car, and soon reached her friend's house, very red and tired, and with her bonnet askew, Her friend met her at the door and was going to be very glad to see her, When M:rs. Olsen blurted out:— "I'm going right beck home. Every- body's been drinking, All time people are intoxicated. I wouldn't live in sucim en ungodly place an hour. You are as bad as the rest. Phew! 7 cat vile whisky!" "Sarah Jane Offen," said her frlenn solemnly, "you' -e been drinking your- selfl" "Oh, oh, what a horrible slanders I never tasted a drop in my life, and that's why I told Uncle Silas, at first, that I wouldn't bring a bottle of whisky for medicine to old Uncle Peter. But I did, for I thought a sick man as old as ha is might need it. And there it is, and I wash my hands of the whole matter!" She opened her satchel and gave a shriek. The bottle was broken, an every- thing in the satchel was saturated with the pungent fluid. "Good graeiouet" she exclaimed, "no wonder they wouldn't sit next to me:" and she promptly went into a fit of hysterics, And half the pleaspre of her visit was spoiled by the knowledge that she had actually figured as up exponent of in- temperance. ,Scheme for Reviving Exhausted 011 Wells. A scheme is on foot to restore the pro- ductiveness of exhauted oil wells by elec- tricity. It is proposed to lower en elate trio heater into the well, turn on the cur- rent, and by the heat generated melt out the refuse matter which is clogging the pores of the stone, and thus allow the fresh upward flow of oil. It may be ex- plained that the gener.illy accepted idea in regard to the giving out of oil wells is not thatithe supply of oil in the well is necessarily diminished; but that the flow is arrested by the stopping up of the exit. The stone through which the oil passes is of a very porous nature, and as the liquid is in a crude state, the dregs become thickened and settle in the rook near the adages of the bottom of the well. Tho common practice has been to disperse the block at the bottom of the well by torpedoes, but this was found expensive. The machine by which it is claimed the dead springs of the deep can be again made to give up their wealth of oil is described as about three feet long and resembling an iron cartridge. It con- tains chambers packed with carbon, and so constructed as to radiate Intense' heat in all directions. Such rejuvenation of the dry wells of the oil districts of the United States would mean a fortune to many a man who had been beggared by the failure of his well, and would add millions of barrels of oil to tho annual production of the country. If a sufficient quantity of heat can be generated and lo- calized by the new invention the plan would appear feasible, but it has yet to be proved whether that is possible. The invention iv said to be in the bands of a powerful oil monopoly, who are to test It thoroughly. His First Sight. Blind people's first experience of sight is curious. An old man at Pembroke, who was born blind, received his eight by the removal of a cataract. When . the bandage was first removed, the patient started violently and cried out as if•wtth fear, and for a while was quite nervous from the effect of the shock. For the first time In his life be looked upon the earth. The first thing he noticed was a flock of wild sparrows. In relating his experience he said that he thought they were teacups, although a few moments afterwards lee readily distinguished a watch which was shown to him. It is supposed that this recognition is owing to the fact that he beard it ticking. The blaze from a lamp excited the moat lively surprise in his mind. He had no idea what it was, and when it was brought near wanted to pick it up. When night approached upon the day when ho first usedhis eyes, he was in a fright, fearing that he was losing his sight which he had so wonderfully found after sixty years of darkness. All That Was Necessary. "Have you taken any precautions against the epidemic?" "Certainly," "Well, what have you done?" "Got nayhusband to make his with"— Tribune de Geneve. What the flail indicates, Amy (as Mabel's fiance rings the bell)- Mr. Hunter rings asthough he knew he were welcome. Mabel—Yes. -Ho bite a regular 'engage - went ring, -Detroit Free Tress. AGRICULTU pr FOR DOUBLE HARNESS. A. Lately -Invented, Devine That is Both Neat and lllrectl ve. It is often desirable to hitch up a double team with light, single harness where regular double harnesses are not at hand, or if at hand, are, perhaps, too heavy. The special objection to using a breast plate in double rig has beers the difficulty of so attaching it to the yoke "that a horse might hold beak the load easily. The accompanying illustration DOi11ILE HARNESS D17DTCI1. shows a device recently seen in use, that tells its own story. The extra attach- ment in front passes back and connects with the breeohlcg, giving the same power to time horse in holding back tae load that he has when used in single harness, It is thus both neat and effec- tive.—Orange Judd Farmer. livef Cattle t'or Market. Perhup, on general principles twelve to twenty-four months is long enough to keep a bullock profitably. As the value of beef cattle of the same quality varies conslderahly during each year, a well - kept, fleshy, yearing steer or heifer will yield a much larger amount of money to the owner at that age than the seine would months afterward with its in- creased growth. Hence the advantage of keeping stook all the time in condi- tion, ready to take advantage of these varying circumstances. This cannot be done if we attempt to follow the ancient custom of growing before fattening and /Wishing out cattle for the market. Rich and strong grain need not neces- sarily be fed in quantities that would he detrimental to later growth should we decide to carry our cattle beyond the two-year limit and at the same time enough can be fed to have thele ready and desirable to the slaughterer and per- fectly satisfactory to the consumer, When the market price and other circumstances demand longer feeding cardsl and judicious precautnns In selecting stock will insure a continued growth and im- provement to repay nil the feed and care we bestow, rtithough we may safely cal- culate that less gain, as a rule, will come as a greater age it attained. But as an offset to this loss, there is generally a better demand and advanced price for time more natural bullock, than there is for one of less age anti feeding. The final effort in fattening for the market need or ought not to occupy a great length of time. If the bullock has had such attention es coinsure the proper and steady development we are seeking, and such condition of flesh has been seourel as to be in fair shape for the butcher at any time, and an additional season of fattening is desired, one hun- dred to one hundred and fifty days Is long enough. Give during this time or as soon during this period as we have brought our cattle safely to the point, MI the grain of any kind that is avail- able that they will consume, and pasture or other similar feed with the grain. The best plan in my experience, when fall feeding, is to place the grain in a snit - able position and allow constant access to it. This plan requires less labor, and the food is then partaken at such times as the appetite demands it,ln such quant- ity as nature indicates. Minute details of any particular method or fancy scheme of feeding I have purposely avoided. Every animal disposed of in a tbin- fleshed condition is at a loss to the pro- ducer, while by well-managed work in increasing growth and quality, it would insure a profit. Then there will be au svelter distribution of fat and a great improvement in quality. Row to Tell Fresh £ggs. A correspondent of the Dakota Farmer asks "Is there any sure way of disting- uishing perfectly fresh eggs from tainted owe, or those that have been set upon by hens for several days? Candling is quite • sure nsethod,but• if there is any other I would be glad to know it." The follow- ing reply is given: "To the experienerl eye the roughish or granulated surface of the perfectly fresh egg distinguishes It at once from the more shiny or pol- ished surface of the one that has been under the hen a day or two, We can pick out every fresh egg among a nestful of those that have been sat on two days, even in the dark. The secret is very simple. Just soretch over • the surface with the finger nail, if it grates the egg Is fresh, but it the nail -elides amooth)y the egg is old. A. little practice makes this a sure test." Selling Eggs by Weight. Until the time arrives when eggs are sold by weight, both the poultryman and the consumer will be cheated. The consumer who buys his eggs by the dozen never pays the same price. He has the advantage to -day and loses it to -morrow. When the prices paid are based on weight, the sales can be as easily made ae with potatoes, which are • now sold by weight when sales are made whole- sale, though retail purchasers often pay dearly for allowing deliveries based upon bushel measures that have slippery bot- toms, in which all the articles are "artis- tically arranged," with a view of tilling the measure with the fewest potatoes.— Farm and Fireside, !Quick Work a Sure Winner. • A good many farmers have late sum- mer pigs that'they are not giving much attention, hut are letting them rough It till winter sets in, when they will begin to feed for spring market. Why not rush them when feed o most plentiful and the weather pleatlagt? It is a great deal cheaper to feed a pig when he enjoys sleeping out of doors than it is "to feed him when he must he sheltered,' Don't map out to feed for a certain market, but rather to Het the pig fat as quickly as possible. .The market 1s ready. " Quick work is a surer winner than planning for imaginary high prices. Honey for Weak Digestion. For those with weakened digestive powers honey is said to be very desirable food. If a person is very tired --".too ex- bausted to eat"—a few tastes of honey Will eat like magic. SUGAR BEET CULTURE. Nebraska Farmers Are Making the Crop Pay Fairly Well. The live question among farmers now is what can be done to make farm- ing pay? if sugar beet growing pays in Nebraska may is not be made profitable in other grain -growing states? It is an interesting question. What, then, are they doing in that state that is taking the lead in Ghia industry? The season is so far advanced that a pretty dote estimate of the beet -sugar product may be made, and the output of the great Oxnard factories is expected to reach, a total of 15,000,000 pounds frosts 75,000 tons of beets. This is about twice as large a field as that of 1895 and nearly three times as great as that of 1894. At the same time the number of farmers who hare cultivated beets has increased with like rapidity. In 1894 only about 600, and in 1895, 1,300 engaged in the bust - nes, but the present year the number reached about 2,000, The average yield has been about 11 tons of beets to the acre, and the price per ton has ranged from four to seven dollars, The latter figure was paid for beets that contained the remarkbiy high per cent. of 20; the lower price was given for those that graded only 12 per cent. of sugar. The amounts received by the growers ranged from $44 to $77 per acre. The average amount of beets grown by each farmer was only about 37 tons, showing that less than four acres were planted, on the average. But the profit from this small area was from $150 tp 5200—more probably, than that derived from all the remainder of the farm. It is an interesting fact that in all the foreign sugar•beet growing countries, in- cluding France, Germany and Russia, this industry is steadily increasing. In the last -pained country the increase last year was nearly 20 per cent,'over the amount grown in previous years. The subject is certainly well worthy of con- sideration by our farmers.—Indiana Farmer. A Silo Substitute. A German farmer's method of feeding turnips or mangolds is suggested to our own farmers who are not provided with silos, by the Rural New Yorker. He fed his roots in a box with three compart- ments, in which the cow's feed was soared several•• days previous to feeding. The box is built out of pine scantlings and 1; -inch boards, with the top and front open, the whole divided into three compartments, each to bold an entire day's feed for all animals, space being calculated on the basis of two cubic feet for each cow. A tbree•inob layer of chopped hey and straw is now spread evenly on the su1ssrlTu ie Yon A SILO. floor of the first compertmentt then follows a thin layer of sliced maogoids, which have previously been mixed with the daily allowance of oilmen' and bran; then another layer of chopped hay and straw, treading down firm as it grows up and setting in the front boards as needed. When full, a board covering is pat on. On the second day the next com- partment is similarly fillen, and on the third day the last one. On the third day he begins to feed from the first compart- ment. This has now become thoroughly heated, and has entered into a sweet fermentation, giving an agreeable odor to the whole mixture, and the avidity with which it Is consumed proves that It is relished. Live Stock Notes. Give good hogs a dry, warm shelter. It is profitable as well as humane. Remember a flock of 40 hens properly cared for will give better returns than twice the number neglected. Never in- crease the size of the flock without pro- portionately adding to the food and iso- commodations. In selecting breeding sows, take those having fine head and ears; large, deep ehost; long between fore and hind legs; short back and broad body; large hams and line, smooth log and hair. In select- ing the male the same points will hold good. An old sow, like tin old cow, will give more milk than a young one. Hence it is said that an old sow will. have larger and hatter pigs than a young one, because they get a bounteous supply of milk. If you have an extra flee breeding sow do not fatten her because she Is two or three years old. When young colts are troubled with Indigestion, says a Virginia Experiment Station bulletin, or refuse to suckle, Wok into the condition of their 'teeth and gums. If the ' gums are inflamed, swollen and painful to the touch, have them properly lanced. If at the age of from 2 to 6 years the colt refuses to eat, wads his hay and lets it drop, or eats with difficulty, have his teeth ex- amined and properly treated by a com- petent veterinarian. If the eyes become weak or inflamed during dentition, the teeth may need the attention of the veterinarian surgeon. If the jaws be- come enlarged, in nine cases out of ten the teeth need attention. If the horse turns his bead to the side while eating, • and attempts to chew his food on one side his teeth need attention. Wadding his hay and dropping it is symptomatto of a long tooth, which need the attention of the veterinary dentist, If the horse gradually loses flesh without any appar- ent cause, although well cared for, the teeth are probably at fault. If the horse slobbers while driving and pulls vicious- ly on the bit, look to the teeth; many "pullers" are made so for want of proper dental attention. Carrying the head to one side while being driven la frequently symptomatic of a faulty con- dition of the teeth, which is relieved by a few minutes' work of the veterin- ary surgeon. Patches With Each Costume.: The manufacturers of bicycle costumes are very much alive to the situation in their particular line of iniiustry., They help the purchaser of their garments to prepare for a time when the anspeoted way happen. With each suit of. clothing they now send out pieces of the same material with which to mend them 1a ease of a tear or break. In this the bicy- cle icycle clothing manufacturers have set an example. for :many ether lines of twister.