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The Exeter Times, 1888-6-28, Page 21NQW F !nen VBRLIS D• LIKE AND LALL tlIGHTS 17tESERVEB. 111 By M. EL BRADDON, Author of "LADY AlIDLEY'S SECRET," " WYLLAR.D'S WEIRD, ETC., ETC. CHAPTER NAIL—Ma. Bisnownen's ULTI MATOM, Mm 'leeching took a hansom and dr sve to a Atreet off Cavendish- square, a street well known to all the best dressed women in London, As he drove along he debated what he should do for Mre, Baddeley. He was so inherently a man of businese—albeit he had never ;soiled his fingers with the grinae of a city offiee—that it irked him to fling a hundred pounds into this harpy's maw, as a sop is flung to Cerberus. It would please him better to make some kind of bar- gain with the harpy, even if the transactim should cost him more than a hundred pounds. He wanted to get some advantage for his money. He sent his card to Mrs. Ponsonby, and was at once admitted into the very eauctu- ary of the house near Cavendish-square—the lacty'a private room, study, office, or bout doir, which over she might prefer to call it; and here he was reoieved with gracious smiles by Mrs. Pornonby herself. She needed no explanation of his errand, for she had seen him in attendance upon the handsome Mrs, Baddeley at racenneetiugs arid other places el public resort, whither Mrs. Ponsonby went occasionally to see how the world was using her customers. It was there that she made up her mind about all her doubtful patronesses, as to how far they might be worthy of her confidence, That which she saw at Hurlingham or at San- -down served as the chart by which she steered in dangerous seas. In the dress- maker's estimation of Mrs. Baddeley— whose acount was a ban,a,telle compared with other accounts—Mr. Beeding was an im- portant factor. He had never crossed her threshold until to -day, and she felt pleased with herself for havirg written the letter that had brought him there. She was not so pleased, however, after a quarter of an hour's conversation with Mr. Beeching. , -Of money ou account he would not give her a sixpence. If she were prepared to e -settle her account upon equitable terms, say thirty-three per cent., he would give her b his cheque and take Mrs. Baddeley a receipt 'an full of all demands. If she were not dis- posed to accept this offer, she must look to Mrs. Etddeley alone for her money. He would have nothing to do with it. He knew What dressmaker's bill'were, and the usuri- ous profits they exacted, He was assured a that thirty-three per cent. vvoul& pay for all f - that she had supplied, and leave a margin "eif profit At any rate that was his uleima- tuna Mrs, Smideley had. given hini plenary h powers. As for the gowns for this evening, Mree Baddeley could do very well without t them. It was by her acting, not by her cos- tume she was to please her audience. It was not to be supposed that he was to be rightened into paying an exorbitant accoun f Mrs. Ponsonby held out for a long time. She we,* not in the habit of compromising an -ea-mount. She was in no immediate want of ' money. She meant to have her due. Mrs. dBaddeley would be obliged to pay her. "My good soul, it is all very well to "- Main" replied Mr. Beeching, who was more . at his ease in a business interview than in, tasociety ; "but can you get blood out of a 'tone? Can you get nine hundred pounds -out of an offi cer's wife—a lady whose bus - band is being roasted alive at Candahar or somewhere, order to keep body and soul together. You have made your mistake in trusting a lady in Mrs. Baddeley's sad posi- tion, and you ought to think yourselt un- commonly lucky if you get a clear tbird of yonr account, without law expenses or . bother of any kind." * " Mrs. Baddeley may not -have money, but she has friends," argued the dressmaker, i doggedly. "No doubt she has friends—hosts of friends—but I take it I am the only one among 'em who would pay six and eight pende in the pound to get her out of diffi- cuty. One thing I can assure you, Mrs. fi Ponsonby, I won't pay seven shillings. I • have made my final offer." o He had his cheque-book in the breast rh pocket of his summer overcoat, the end t showing distinctly against the silk lining. He touched the book lightly as he spoke, and that touch decided Mrs. Ponsonby. g h think would allow you to be unhappy for the sake of a paltry hundred ?" said Beech - ing, tenderly. "Oh, Leonora, how little you know me." • This was a plunge. He had never called her Leonora, before. Tory gave a short indignant bark, either at Mr. Beetehiug'a familiarity or at his Iola tress'e neglect. " have done something more than you asked," continued Beeohing, still more ten- derly. "1 have got you out of debt. You don't owe Mrs, Ponsonby a shilling. There is the old account, and there is the account for your new gowns, both receipted." ou ,darling Mow can ever be grate- ful enoughV' How can I ever repa,y you ? ' You might repay me easily, if you tried, Leonora. Show me a little of that favor which you lavish so:freely upon your sister's lover. Give me some of those smiles you give to S. Austell. Let me be something more to you than a stop -gap and a conveni- ence. Leo, you know that I adore you He drew nearer to her, regardless of Tory whose yellow oyes were shining ominously. " You won't refuse me a kiss, Leo ? " " Oue I Half a dozen if you liae. " He aprang to clasp her vvaist, to press those exquisite lips, and was met by a cold black muzzle, which touched him for an in- stant, and was withdrawn just as it widen. ed into a growl, preliminary to a snap. Mrs, Baddeley had snatched up Tory. He was to her as Medusa's head was to Minerva, and almost as invinoible. " dear Beeching, I hope your kind- ness in helping me out of a difficulty does not make you fermi; that I have a husband in India," she said with dignity, and Beech- ing stood before her, crestfallen and angry, but unable to reply. He began to understand thafthe was to write cheques whenever they were urgently wanted, but that he was to get nothing but afternoon tea and Tory's attentions for his money. "You are very cruel," he said, sulkily - "Good day." You'll come to ne the play,. dear Beech- ing," she said, as he was departing. "P11 be --if I do !" • "Oh, I hope you won't be that; but I know you'll come to see Peg Weffineton. " He met the milliner's basket and the young woman just emerging from the left. He had none ot that generous glow which s said to follow the doing of a good ction. He felt angry and savage at being oiled. "The next time she's in a diffieulty she may whistle for rae," he said to himself ; ut when eight o'clock came he could no more keep away from the Victorian Hall han a moth can keep away from a candle. t was so near his chambers iu the Albany. He had not even to order his brougham. He just slipped on his overcoat, took one rom half a dozen guinea tickets on his chim- neyrnece and walked to the place of enter - entertainment. Carriages were setting down at the entrance. Lady Belfield, Helen and Sir Adrian were going in just in rent of him, amongst a fashionable crowd. His stall was next but one to Helen's, and St. Austell occupied the seat between them. "How odd that we should be side b side," said his lordship, loud enough for Lady Belfield to hear. Helen made no answer. She was not yet mistress of those arts of hyprocisy which enable a woman to 7g1ide from flirtation'to flirtation, and from intrigue to intrigue, with a bold front and a lofty crest. She had not passed the border line agent, and yet her head was bent by the burden of con - scious shame. That slight droop of the head, and languid pensive air enhanced her beauty, in an age when brazes., rnirthfulnes's s the commonest attitude of woman. She had a fragile :look, like a tall white lily, bent almost to breaking. Some ot her riends said she looked consumptive and would not last many seasons. She knew that St. Austell had taken in nite trouble to get that stall next to her's. He had been with her at tea -time to find ut the number of her seat—had been with erg they two alone, in the Japanese draw- ng-room—without even a Tory to make a iversion from perilous sentimentality—and hen driven off to the Hall in a hansom to et his own number exchanged; and now e expected her to act surprise. "Masks and Faces" was listened to with oliteness and appropriate applause by pee - le who remembered Fanny Sterling in the eyday of her charms as Peg Woffington ; y people who could hardly dissociate the haracter from Mrs. Bancroft, and by other eople who had. seen Mrs. Bernard Beere. s for Mrs. Baddeley, her diamonds and er gowns were lovely. Her acting was sy and refined, and utterly undramatic: She had felt some uneasiness about Mrs. , Baddeley's account, and it was something to ' get the cost price of her materials, with the P credit of having dressed a lady who was ,P known and admired in a particular set, and ," who had brought Mrs. Ponsonby a good " deal of custom. t c I ahould be sorry to disoblige a lady for Pr whom I have a great liking," she said, with ,-tk a patronising air ; "and rather than do that " I will accept your cheque." , ea • b "And give me e. receipt in lull of all de- ta mends 'V' 1 li so far as the account you have A there, The gowns that are to be delivered Et this afternoon are not in that account." 1 m "What are they to cost ?" ed Mrs. Ponsonby looked at a document on her Davenpert. i th "Seventy-seven pounds eighteen shillings ab and ninepence." 1th '' I'll add thirty-five to your cheque, and , you can cross Mrs'. Baddeley out of your pa 'books altogether." on "What! I am to take a third of my ac- ei eount and to lose my customer ?" 1 dr "Not at all, She says there is no one in la London but you who can make her a gown. i ta She will go on dealing with you I have no te doubt; but if she takes my advice she will ht always pay ready money, and always know ee what she is going to pay when she gives the ,. order, You'll both of you find the system ' ha ever so much pleasanter." 1 A , "Not if my prices are to be cut down in this way," replied MrsPonsonby. i ar There was a further discussion, but Mr. he Beeching'a logic and his cheque-book pre- eit vailed. He wrote his cheque, got the two ae neceipted accounts, saw the milliner's bas- 1 al'a keit deposited on the top of a cab, with a ha young woman in charge of it, and then drove ' me back to Wilkie Mansions. He passed the ! ea four -wheeler and the big basket helot° he ed readied the Park. ir, I Mrs. Baddeley was in her drawing -room, ea pale, anxious, but lovely, in a japanese tea- , gown, limeblossom green, under a cloud of ea; coffee-coloured lace. "Dearest Beeching, have you got me my gown?" she gasped, with clasped hands an he stood jest within the doorway. ut she was above the level of her fellow erformers, and was supposed by them and y herself to be taking the town by storm. ppls,use is given so freely to amateurs, nce approval unease nothing and compro ises nobody. People who have been coax into buying guinea stalls for an old fanai ar play, must at least pretend to enjoy emselves, and the audience was fashion - le, and could console itself with the idea at it was the right thing to be there. Lady Belfield and her daughter-in-law rtecl in the vestibule. Helen was going to a party in tangent Terrace with her ster. She had to go to Mrs. Baddeley's essing-room and watt there while that dy changed her dress, which would be ther a long beefiness no doubt. St. Aus- 11 offered to take her to her sister's rootn, t Adrian gave her his arm, as if by a perior right. "If you'll take -care of my mother, I'll be ek in a few minutes," he said to St. listen, as he walked off with Helen. It was the first time she had touched his na since they were affianced lovers, and r fingers trembled faintly as they rested hie aleeve. She had so many causes for itation that night. St. Austell's pursuit, obtrusive, but fatal: her fear of her huts- nd's return, which might occur at any ment ; and now her dread of this grave, meet brothersin-law, tvlaoni she had wrong - in the past, and whom she Shrank from the present as from one who had an cm - It power to read her heart. 'You are looking pale and tired, Helen," d Adrian, as they. went along a passage leading to the back of the Hall, Must you really go to a party to -night ?" I am due at two. There is Lady' Glatt - re's musical evening, which I would not se for worlds, and a dance afterwards—a to dance— which means coffee and carri- es at six o'clock 'morrow morning," believe you come killing yourself with ts kind. d life. Oh bet it is only' a quit it lasts so • rt a time. 'A rose's lar :et bright life of ,' tIonaehody has ersid." do Tory, always eager to distinguieh hitnaelf, m; visited at the half open door and banged it, la and then came back to hie mistress on his ae hind -lege to ask for hie accustomed reward d't ,of biscuit or sugar, hut Iteo was too agitated thi to think of Tory. , "Your gowns will be here in ten minutes, sho X leasseci then on the toisd. Conld yeti joy "And you go from ITty to party—from crowd to crowd—alone ? "What do you mean by alone? I am under my elder sietere5 wing, alwaya," "1 don't think that sviog is quin enough to shelter you,Helen, I don't like to think of you, about in alsolety withont your bus - band,'" "I should see very little of soeiety if I waited for Valentine to take me about. De you know that I should have gone out of my mind a few mouths ago—gone melan- choly mad—if Leo had not come to my res. cue? "That is very sad, Helen. I must talk to my brother--" " Dan't ! It would only make bad blood between is. It is all over with, us as a de- voted couple; it was all over directly after our honeymoon. I was so fond of him, and I thought we were going to be so happy to- gether --not commonplace inarried people, leading commonplace semi -attached lives, but wedded lovers. I very soon found out my mistake." But you have only been married two years. You cannot be tired of each other yet. Valentine is •too much accustomed to have his own ',way, and to seek his own amusement : but I have no doubt he loves you as fondly as ever." " ou have not seen us together, or you would know better." "1 cannot believe thatithere le'any change in his feelings," peraietecl Adrian ; "but I think the kind of life gee are leading is calculated to estrange hiin. The knowledge that you are going about in society without him will make him more and more careless of his home, more intent upon his own plea- sures," They were at Mrs. Bwideley's door by this time. "Good night," said Helen, offering Adrian lies' hand. He pressed it gently, with a brother's kindly grasp. "We may meet again, perhaps, before morning. I saw Glandore at the Junior Carlton, and he asked me to look at her ladyship's,party, andthear Patti." ' " 147G revoir, then," said Helen, with an undefinable feeling that Adrian's .oreseuce would sp 1 he' evening. He had tom ner that he did not approve of her butterfly life; and she could not shake of the idea that he could read her thoughts and knew the downward road 'on which she was travelling. (ao BE CONTIIMED.) Lake Shinning'. The traffic upon the Great Lekes is enor- mous, the tonnage passing through the Sault Ste. Marie Canal is in excess of that making use of the Suez. During the last season 'of navigation seventy-three vessels, of an aggre- gate tonnage of over twenty thousands tons, and a value, with their cargoes, of two and a -half millions, were cast away on these waters. What proportion of these disasters is due to the fact that neither the United States nor Canada have as yet made any attempt to prevent unseaworthy vessels from plying upon the lakes as freighters, or the overloading of any but passenger craft? The Inspector General of steam vessels on the Great Lakes for the United States, has re- ported to Congress that there is no law of theUnited States regulating the loading of lake vessels, and that his department in fixing a limit to the depth to which passenger steamers may be loaded down to, had gone beyoed its legal powers. As a result of the "Victoria" and "Wau- buno" disasters, both the engines and hulls of all Canadian passenger vessels et, the great lakes are inspected, and ' number of passengers they may carry is fiiird by competent authorities, so that in, this re- spect Canada is in advance of the United States. Unfortunately, however, for the sailors, there is no Government inspection of the hulls of vessels engaged in carrying freight, nor is there any attempt at regulske ing the manner in which these vessels a.76 loaded. The disinclination of the under- writers to insure a vessel that is so rotten as to be too great a rids, has, doubtless, a cer- tain effect for good, but in many cases it simply drives unseaworthy vessels out of the h ands' of responsibls shipowners into those of unscrupulous men, who may be clever enough to place the risk and make money out of the loss of the vessel, The tendency to overload even sound vessels upon the lakes, where for days together the water is as smooth as that of a mill pond, Is very great, especially when rates are low. When a few hundred bushels exa, lwmakes all the difference between a profitable trip and a dead loss, the captain that will not run the risk of a "snorter" catching him is much more prudent than are the most of the lake men. When a craft, unseaworthy through lack of strength, sail areamr steam power, is sadly overloaded, it does not re- quire very much of a gale to produce a dis• aster. A barn foundered in Lake Ontario a short time ago, which was simply a floating coffin, and within a few days a small schoon- er went down in the same lake within fifteen miles of her port of departure, having been fatally injured by merely touching the bot- tom. It is not wonderful, therefore that the lake sailors should have asked therefore, to insist upon the inspection of hulls and rigging, boats and life preservers, and the establishment of a " PlimsolPs mark" on the great lakes. Mr, Foster, late N inister of Marine and Fis.heries, has, since Parlia- ment adjourned, promised them a bill which will brieg this about, and it is to be hoped that the Americans will take similar action. The Beef -Eater are the Bone s. The history of the whole world shows that the beef -eating peoples of the world are foremost in peace and war, art and science. That has been the history of our race, and will be to the end of recorded time. .... In Great Britain the average consump- tion of each individual was 105 pounds per annum, in France 74 pounds, in Germany 69 pounds, in Russia 48 pounds, in Italy 23 pounds, in Austria 61 pounds, in Spain 49 pounds, in Scandinavia 67 pounds, and in United States 120 pounds. In Great Brit- ain the consumption annually was 105 pounds, and in the United States 120 poundal so that the two great English-speaking peoples of the world, the foremost in empire and civilization, Great Britain and the United States, are the largeat beef consum- ers of the nations Upon the face of the earth Looking for Something Choice. " Enny good butter ?" inquired an old lady of the grocer. "There's never any flies on our butter, madam." Then the old lady, Whose knowledge of English is limited, said: "Well, if flies won't eat it 'taint good enough for me," and she went across the way where only the choice branch are cold nassaessaa-ne-- The Brute ! Wife—" Bear rne' John 1 What's the baby closing With thatpaint,box ?" Artist Ilueband (taking it from the baby)— "Test trying to mix the colors en his pal- ate, my love," To an Aerolite, BY IL IL 5, • Thoti so -et of another world Toeeed flaming from thy troubled rest; I,Tnerringly through darkneSS hurled • On tide strange planet's syl . an breast, , Viral' tell me et thy seven- °aurae, DAjoLotsettiaier tugandiunkucixtehregeLph,r,o, Aceompenying the °haunt of years? Sad meteor in thy course through night, Didst SIle the hosts arrayed in white? The speotre dead of earth that hover About it, wnirling on through space; Keepihig. for aye au equal pace, Beneath night's mutt,. aricl day's blaze cover, Hiseing awhile with fnry heat, Soon o Id thou ,,,nowest at my feet ; Thy fiery hue is fading fast, Thy strange unearthly look has passed, The change grows more and more complete; Now thou art black and c,old at lat. Through thy swif , passage through the sky., Thou west watolied by a maiden's eye; She watched thee from the dewy grove And breathed a tender wish of love: For Hylas was the gentle sigh, And still she held lur eye above, 'Von were not It ind to him yestern," Said mystick memory in turn— kbe loves you still " the same voice said ; The maiden dropped her gentle head, And held her whlte hand to her' hreaet, The fluttering heart that would not rest ; She whispered "would indeed that I Had been more kind by being less shy; By yonder blazing orb that fell, I felt full more than 1 would tell; I love poor Hylas all in all, Oh would that he might hear Inc call But haik the clinging thiclet stirred, The woven branches broke amuder, A voice said, Sweet, I heard each word, Nor fly away in timorous wonder. My heart was sore and so I crime To be near thee and dream away Into the night my piteous flame, And only leave you to the But oh, I love you, I was weary, Confronted with my heart alone, I did not mean to hear, when here I , Came wandering, but I heard you nioan, And couldn't help what I hare done—" 'Twits Ryles, and the beauteous maid Biushed at the words that he had said, Nor unto Hylas would she own, The soft words spoken when alone. But lie had seen into her heart, Acad seen it and had heard it speak; Love taught him better far than art : He only kissed her tender cheek. Kisses draw 101'e from where it lingers ; It shines 01 eyes and darts from fingers. Thou silent meteor lying so, Thy ebon night sky was thy bridge; And little, little didst thou know Thou came to be a lover's pledge. But, ho, there was a sadder scene Here in the sombre earth's demesne. The little stars that brightly glitter, , The streaks of stars and myriads there, That cleat the p ile moon's gelden litter, Looked &Aril upon a dead man's bier. With burning, sunken, fevered eye, The dying soldier swept the Or; He thought again of war's and battle ; He heard again the drum's wild rattle. Ere death we go back o.er life's story And flush with its forgotten glory. The -moon shone, he gazed long at her, As thou, swift -pinioned meteor Fleshed. by, he gaTed end dr,pped his head, Whispering—" My Death Sear, and was dead Oh messenger from worlds unknown 1 Traverserothe skiea alone I Mysterious secret, tangible. What is thy mute strange -hidden spell 1 Herald of love and death I—Oh hold your Hot wings of fire—Death to the soldier That pillar like f or a nation stood— And love to children in the wood.' Mee.thu UNIVZRSITY, 1884, Summer Twilight. BY J It. WILIt/8501.7 sit at the twilight 'hour Just where the roses sleep; And the thoughts that come unto me Are, oh I so calm and sweet, I list for the sound of a footfall I know will come to me, At the golden glow of sunset, When shadows steal o'er the sea. And restful, and soul -refreshing As dew to the drooping flower; Inwardly invigorating, Imparting new life and pawer. And thus removed froth the turmoil Of day, with its din and strife; I listen in calm contentment - To the hum of insect life. And the songs I hear in the branches, Just stirred by the wandering breeze ; A concert of birdling music Thrilling my heart's glad ease. The silvery, mystic) moonlight Enf .1deth the earth and sea • And the summer night is throlling In nature's harmony-. ' 0, sun, and sea, and shadow; 0, eve, with thy eoft twilight; I revel amid your splendor, Enwrapt in deep delight. Aleene, I await thy coming. And the clasp of thy gentle hand; To wander in blisrful dreaming. Near Heaven's border -land The Vehicle of Thought. 130 WILL T. JAMES,:; As 111U3k, floats umm the air In undulating, waves of sound, So thoughts of savants swell and bear Their import all the world around, Launched with a mythic mercury's flight I.7pon Illiteracy's dark night. As knowledge in her chariot rides Across the sable wilderness Of Error, like a mist divides Mau' s mental chaos, and the press— The car in which' she onward sweeps— O'er bigot-builded barriors leap. Gleaming with fire, its golden wheels Reflect the splendor of the sun Of Truth althwart a world that feels Their emanations as they run, Rejoicing as its fulgent glow The paths of wisdom clearly show. Each gilded spoke in brightness turns, . Diffueing radiance o'er the land; While they o'errthadow him who spurns, They crown with halos Caxton's band, Adding more lustre to the name . Of him whose talents merit fame. Speed on triumph.ant, ever fraught With treasures rich as earth'e best gem Men but assimilate the thought To wear the scholar's diadem. Beneficence no more could bless Mankind than with a pure, free press Ile Knew What a Mountain Was. It was in a Tar Flat school a week or two ago. The school teacher was worming the usual kind and amount of information out of the boys. At length she asked the ques- tion: " What is a mountain ?" That seemed to stump the class for a minute. Finally a little hand was timidly held up. "Well, do you know what a mountain 18 7" " 1 guess I know." " What is it ?,' "It is a lot o' land pointin' up in the air." Preparing For flira. Young Featherly (waiting for Miss Clara) —" And so your sister expected me to call tide evening, did she, Bobby ?" Bobby -a" Yes, sir, I gees she did, I heard her tell ma that she had set the clock eanhour ahead, Mitchell, R. K. Cams, In this centitry the population of London has increased fourfold ancl its area aboiiii fifteenfolcl. Every year some 70,000 fresh Bolds are added to the population by immigration or birth. Every ten Vests there is added to London by immigra- tion alone the population of a city aa large in Lialion or Bristol; and by iixration and birth 'together there is added a 'population as large as that of St. Peteroluirg or Vienna. ,STATISTIO13. A $60,0003000 NV. W., Ssheine. The great Montezuma irrigating tuune in Colorado, has beencompleted, This tit eel is over tt mile long and rune under on of the ranges of tile 4nounbaine compoisin e Reekies. With the fifty milea of cana 1 it will eonYey the Water of the Dolores rive over the richest agricultural valley in Colo ado. Over 200,000 acres of land will be r claimed by this enterprise. The total mileage of pipes for natural gas in the Called. States is not far from 2,000 miles, nob ineluding small pipes for indivi- dual use. One-fifth of this quantity of pipes is laid in the city of Pittsburg. The gas wells of Pennsylvania produce from 1,500,- 000 to 15,000,000 cubic feet a day. Hig and low preseure wells are also found in In- diana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and as far wet as Kansas. The total consumption of gas for 1887, as estimated by coal displace - meat, was equivalent to 10,000,000 tons of coal. The Mississippi river is again on the ram- page, Its great volume of water, swollen by the immense floods pouring down from its headwater tributaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin, is oveiflowiug its hanks and breaking through its levees, carrying wide- spread destruction in its course. That long, narrow valley, known as the Suy bot- toms, lying between the river andthe bluffs, a strip fifty .niles by five of the richest land in the world except, perhaps, the Valley of the Nile, is now a lake, its crops destroyed, its hopeless and homeless people flying to the highlands, a million dollars' worth of orops upon which they depended for their coming year's sustenance ruined. The people of Paris, France, are diecees- e ing s scheme eubmittecl by It Swies engineer 11' to the municipality for furnishing the city e !with an ample stipply of drinking water 1, r- froni Lake Neufchatel, Switzerland, at a cost of $60,000,000. The distance between the lake of Neufchatel and Paris 312 roiles, and the surface of the lake is 1,620 feet high- er than the mean level of Paris, its total area covering 140 square miles. This vast body of water, even it it were not repleniehed, would be sufficient to supply Paris for two years at the rate of 133 gallone per head per day, the level of the lake falling no more than three feet, and the water would arrive in Paris at a temperature of 50 degreee Eahrenheit. It is not proposed to take the water from the surface of the lake, but to draw it eff by an underground heading 262 feet below the sur- face of the lake, where it has a temperature of only 43 degrees. The water would be taken through a tunnel twenty-two miles , long under the Jura Mountains to ttO Des- soubre valley, in the departindualof the Doubs, and thence in an arched Conduit along the slopes of the hills to Paris, where it would arrive still at an elevation of 394 feet. As the present reservoirs of Paris have an elevation of ouly 295 feet, raising the fall, or pressure, by 100 feet, with a flow of 4,400 gallons per second, would give a tremendous motive power, The Use of Spectacles. A vast amount of popular misapprehension and prejudice exists as to the use of sputa - cies. Many persons who need them object to wearing them for various reasons. Some fear that it will lead their friends to'suspect that they are getting old. Others think it will oause them to 1312 suspected of wishing to appear learned or cultured. Some per- sons do not want to begin to wear them lest, having acquired the habit, they may not be able to leave them off or to see well without them. Others, again, object to glasses only on account of their inconvenience. I have personally met with many of all these classes of persons, but I have frequently heard of another class that I have never met with, namely, those who do not need glasses, but who wear them just for effect and to attract attention. Now, the simple truth hi that there are just two good reasons for wearing spectacles, and only two. One is that we may see better, the other is that our eyes may be relieved of strain. Of ten both these reasons are combined in the same case,— Professor David Webster, M. D. , New York Vlrorld :—The anunber of Ameri- cans going to Europe this year is greater than ever before. The Atlantic steamship companies are having all they can atteud to, and could rettip use of many more vessels than they own. It is becoming, more and more clear that there is a brilliant future in store for Europe as an American summer resort. Though we have a population now of but 60,000,000 people, we already largely support the inhabitants of many interesting localities in the effete mouarchies. By the time we reach 200,000,000 it can readily be undentood that the energies of the Europeans will be mainly devoted to securing a living through making it pleasant for us over there during our pleasure tours and sojourns for health. A recent dispatch from London says: "Russia is beginning to be regarded with particular suspicion. The latest reports say that she now has three corps of armed men on her western frontier. She has recently strenghther ed her navy and duringthe last month has shown a change in activity in the way of military preparation. It is now noted that Russia has a better opportunity for raiding the East than she has had for years. Germany is sively troubled by the uncertain condition of the Emperor. Eng- land is uaprepared for war, and has home - rule divisions at home to prevent harmonn ous action against swift aggressive action on the part of Russia towards the East Ger- many has, through Bismarck, shown such conciliatory tendencies towards the Czar that Russia regards that minutry as good as neutral. Austria it does not care for, France is now an ally, Russian finances are at their worst, and might be remedied by the capture of a new territory. Outbreaks and insurrections are constantly being fo- mented by Russian agents in the East. It is believed here that Russia intends within the next month to make a positive showing of an aggressive Eastern policy. In finan cial circles great uneasiness is beginning to be felt. in a recent lecture in London, England, Mr. T. D. Mocatti gave sometinteresting de- tails respecting the present number of Jews in the world, and their distribution. He estimated their whole number as between 8,000,000 and 10,000,000. Of these about 100,000 are found in the United Kingdom, seven -tenths of them living in London, Germany contains 600,000; France, 70,000; America, 500,000; Persia, from 40,000 to 50,000. Large numbers of them dwell in Northern Africa and AbYssinia and there has been a large influx of Jews tin Palestine during the present century from other parts of the Turkish dominions, and from Poland. Russia and Central Europe. The Turk- ish government shows entire toler- ation towards them, but is not favourable to their further immigration. Mr. Mocatti says the cendition of the Jews in the Holy Land is not a happy one. There is but little outlet for their energies. A large number give themselves entirely up to Hebrew study, while the bulk of them eke out a miserable livelihood by small indus- tries, apparently aided, but in reality inten- sified in pauperism, by the pernicious system of " Halukah " or distribution of alms sent from various countries, which are doled out among the Jewish population in small sums. A Useful Invention, A Prairie avenue inventor, who has six daughters, has applied for a patent on a par- lour alarm clock. His application reads thus :—" What I claim is the combination and arrangement of the various cams, levers and gongs, in conjunction with wires, bat- teries and explosives, whereby the clock is made to sound a loud and distinct warning at 11 p.m., and at the end of five minutes thereafter to explode a charge of dynamite on the under side of the seat, of each and every occupied chair in the room, substan- tially as and for the purposes set forth." -- [Chicago Tribune. FORCE OF HABIT. She was a pretty salesgirl; He asked for a kiss, For he was the accepted Of the fair and blushing miss. She gave him one, and as she drew Her rosy lips away, "Is there,',she asked in trembling tones, "Anything else to -day ?" The _Buffalo 13illeries. An English provincial paper says that the Buffalo Billeries will be exhibited this auto - mer ia the borough of Ereatina, in the Pro- vince of Staten Ialand, and that an ex pedition Imo been sent to the interior of the province to capture a number of wild In- dians for the show, It is amid that no one can arrest the flight of Time; but whos is there who is not able b°Ast°ctvityisthepialnimiteprice of Strength. Tie your arm tight to your side, giving it no motion, and iti strength will flee away from the conquering palsy. The oak, that king of trees, girds itself with giant might because it is full of activity ; energy runs through a thousand roots gathering the strength of the Stoll and building it into the heart of the oak; activity runs through a million leaves and gathers the commerce of tne air and the sunlight In enriell the strength of the mag. nificent giant. Man no lose meet he full of bustling, busy activ,ity,, else he cannot be strong in the ltort sgwe 81 arineh in the teats of mauls a -6* Eli Perkins Was Too Funny. Eli Perkins, the humorist, was too humor- ous the other day. He wrote a letter to D. W. Caldwell, the general manager of the Nickel Plate railway line, asking for a pass to Chicago. Thinking to be funny he added this postscript :—" P. S. I enclose you $5 -- if you can find it." Mr. Caldwell is a gen- erous but somewhat austere man. He an- swered the letter in due course of business, . ostensibly granting the favour, but ine14ng no pass. Here is the postscript he added to his reply: P. S." 1 enclose you pass—if you can find it." Eli had been too funny.—Pitts- burg Commercial Gazette. The Effect of Too Much Education. "1 understand you ran away from -a polecat the other night," said Colonel Yet.) ger to Soni Johnsing. " Dat's jess what I did." " With considerable alacrity, I suppose, when you learned the nature of the animal." "No, sal, with contrifugal force, sah," replied Sam, who is attending a night school. "Centrifugal force What do you know about that?" "Dat which goes away from a given scenter. Heah ! heah I Didn't you nebber study jogerfy ?" She Thought So, Too - "1 think," said the minister, who was visiting a parishioner, " that it is easier to coax children than to drive them. Gentle words are more effective than harsh ones." "1 think so, too," said the lady tenderly. Then she raised her window a,nd suddenly shouted to her boy; "Johnnie,if you don't come in out of that mud-pudde 111 break your back. Giving Op a Career. "I'm goin' to be a soldier, ma, when grow up," said Bobby, as he crawled into bed, "and fight in wars and battles." "All right, Bobby; now go to sleep." In the morning she shook him for the fourth time and said; "Bobby, you must get up; the idea of a soldier lying abed at this hour 1" "Well, ma," said Bobby, sleepily. "I've changed my mind about being a soldier." The Time to Lay in Stock. Aunt Dinah (reading the paper)—I sees, Bastes, by de papah, dat poultry am quoted as wery quiet. Not Safe to Leave it Around. Colored Deacon—"Sister Simonades, ain't youdfraid dat boy of yourn'l take de menin- gitis, rennin' wild all ober town ?" Sister S.—" Well, brudder, l'se tried to raise dat chile right, but if dey leab any of it whar he kin git his hands on it, he's more'n likely to steal it, de trifffin' nigger 1" A Heavy Domestic Expense. Customer — "Some children's shoes, please." • Dealer--" Yes, sir. Now, there is an ex- cellent make of shoe. How old is the child?' Customer (with a sigh)—" Child 1 I have nine of 'em. Show me to the wholesale de- partment, The Air -Better than the Words. As the last note of "Combs' through the Rye" trembled on the air, she turned to he escort and acsid " Is it not exquisite, Col. Blood ?" "Ye -os," assented the Colonel, in a half- hearted tone of voice, "the air ie fine, but down our way, Miss Breezy, we go in more for Bourbon, you know." A curious sighb was to see in Boston the other day during the rain a wet umbrella leaning against the wall outside a railway office. A country visitor did not wish to carry the dripping head protector within the precincts of the office, and there it re- mained for fully a half hour without molest- ation. Hundreds wore the questive glances cad it the tempting article, and °amnion ally some pedestrian unroupplied with such protection would advanee a step or two toward it, but would then draw back and go hits way, evidently thinking it wase trap. Had the countryman left it ibaide the door, or in any fess pronii- nerd place, it would undoubtedly have dis- appeared almoat inInsecliately upon leaving lus hand, but there it was secure, and has probably settled the vexed qttestion on to the safest place to leave an umbrella,