Loading...
Exeter Times, 1897-11-18, Page 7etratertente ttsteenee.,,,e, THE EXETER TIMES A VILLAGE SOVEREIGN, There was a wlaiff of royal. favor in the greeting on her side, a sense of duty accomplished and a generous teeling that this different kind of ma,n hiael as mukh claim upont her goodwill S Mttrphy ,the tramp. The Anarquis a Grataby, on his side was convulsed with the omit:36,13y of it; for he was not so saturnine that lie had no sense of hum- or. Yon see he was born on Irish soil, by which we explain artyi virtue there might be in hirn, 'while the vices we goodineaturedly lay to the account of bis on training. Anyhow, if he did get oat of bed that morning on the wrong side, her Majesty Queen! Nervy soon set him right. He showed,his en- tertainment in the situation by bar- ing his teeth under a heavy grey mous- tache; them he drew himselP up, lifted Ms bat, and thanked ber with a grav- ity no less superb than her own. Norry; I have said, had no salient nearks of beauty; there was nothing about her either of princess or fairy, and she wore no more picturesque rat - rasa than a little red woollen frock And a plain pinafore. But she stirred heart. of the marquis to an un- nted softness. He was about to ask her name when she continued in /ace broken eagerness of voice: "Have you tam to stay with us, Dandby ?" Norry included the whole town in her definition of family, and tbe man living at the other end of the street was only a. roan occupying another roorn, and apt at any moment to drop Into the tamily circle, "May I not know your name toot M- lle madam r "Norry," she said impatie,sitly, as if in reply to an irrelevaint question. "And materaa's name'?" asked the marquis. "Mother's name is Sbe lives down there; we all live down there' abet jerked, chopping up in her excite - runt her tiepin syllablea upon the onion of tiny teeth. "Wouldn't you. like to sea Jack Molloy's puppy, -n don- ty little clog? The sergeant gave it to him." "Let us go and. Look at Jacky Mon loy's puppy by all means," said at am- used marquis, "But first, Norry, I think you ought to give me a kiss." Norry beld up het' rosebud mouth waliout C smile upon her perplexed and shadowed countenanue. This was part, of her duty to kiss manitiett, and (he, moment she felt to be a very serious orte. Tho marquis lifted her in bis enente-annemarvelledat himselt as he did so. W hentimaireta kissed her, an irresistible intpalse seized him. Ile did not set her down again on her rift short legs, but just dropped ber on Ins broad shnulder, Norry shrieked with delight. Here was virtue triumpbaut- ly rewarded! She had done a, good tutu by an acquaintancs worth, mak- ing -a man who could hoist a little girL so easily and. jolt her' at a swing - g pace, through the air. She indicated the direction of Jacky's house with a dimpled hand, and cons eluded her information with the assur- ances that she was glad she had met him, At the cottage door the marquis rapped., and said to the wluteecapped woman whom he summoned: "Norte'. and. I have come to see Jacky's; puppy." The woman at once curtseyed in flutter of recognition and surprise. "I met this little lady near my gates, and she was kind enough to make acquaint- ance with met She proposed. to take me here to see a puppy in the light of a favor, and. I see she is accustomed to have her way," he explained. Sure'tis our own Mies Norry, bless- ings on her," cried Mrs. Molloy, gazing tenderly after the child who had al- ready made her way Into the manse room, where *Tacky lay in bed nursing his puppy. "Sure 'Us herself we love, ree lord, she's like sunshine on a wet aye. "Tura in here, Dandby, tura!" Worry Snouted imperiously. "Watch me pull ths puppy s tail." Mrs. Dfolloy's face, wrinkled in a frightened male. It was nothing less than awful to her to hear the great man addressed as Grandby. The marquis submissively went in- side, arid satisfied Norry by kissieg juicy Molloy and taking the puppy into his arms. It was one thing to kiss • Norry, but he really felt that, had. any choice been left to him., he would have 'preferred not to kiss pocir white -cheek - ed Jacky. He had no sentiment for children, but having accepted Norry's proteetion, be knew when it was be- coming to yield. • Now Norry could not stay long in ' ane place, and when she entered a house ens felt it an obligation to visit every Ealing member thereof, so while the eo,arquis for mere form's sake was put- ting .a few casual questions to Jacky • and bits mother, she raced into the kit- chen to greet the tabby. Mrs. Molloy took the opportunity to fellow her, and whispered quickly to her: "Yoi mustn't call that gentleman Greaby, Miss Norry. 'Tis bus as is him- self the markiss." alorry caught the word, and, still strangling the tabby in her arms, re- turned. to Jacky's room. "Dandby," she burst out, in her passionate way, "Mrs. Molloy she says you isn't Dandby but the marskiss. Are you the marskiss or Da naby ?" "Some big people call me a marskiss, Norm it is true; but you must please ,• call me Dandby,-unless you fall out ' with me." "Norry never falls out with any- body," Jacky cried with enthusiastic ecaphests. "I'll tam asmorrow andsee you adain, 'Stucky,'" said Norry, taking his cham- pionship as her due. "Nov I'm doing up the town to see tote et -Teeple -my aunt Mary, and the •doetor, and. Father Luke., and Biddy Malone's goat. Donn bye, Jack; I'll tutu a -morrow, Mrs. Molloy. Tum Daadby a He isn't the marskiss, Mrs. . The mantels slipped a silver coke ander jacky's. pillow and went out in obedience to has superior's order. Outside Norry spied her guard of ,. boner straggling down toward her, "Sheaftethougbt herself that ,her duty to the stranger was accomplished, • and that he heti, her friaries to look atter. Be, she •conchaled, might, be trested to find his way about the place. lieleasing hes hand, she gave hint a bright ex- plagenory nod, and shouted out t orm, tunent Kitty • end Toinniy, prently. Wait for me, wait for nue," and wade:- • ed on at la running pace extremely div cueing to we tb... • The lonely stranger, thus ;inn:aimed to his own devites found ocimpation for the clay; but be remembered to question, his agent about Nom. The subsidiary parents were naturally mentioned only to drop into insigninicance. alorry's parents might belong to her, and, as snob- receive soeae slight attention; but no living soul dreamed of believing that Norry belonged to them. They were excellentpeople it was generally i aftirmen-he s a gentleman in every sense ot the word, she a, very charm- ingyoung lady -but their fame. rested mainly on tate fact that they belonged to Norry e ;When they travelled up to town and left th.e child behind them all the idlers and tramps were constitut- ed her aursesennIarcella not being re- garded as sufficiently ubiquitous to have an eye upon raajesty of so vaga- bond a disposition'. When she voyag- ed out of sight, a group of ruffians, engaged in supporting the town -walls between tbe pauses of refreshing ex- haested nature, would forsake bar and gossip, end dawdle in bier wake with their bands in their pocket/ whistling as they went along. Like so many big mastiffs, each one felt upon his honor to protect her. She had a word fur all; mcit the mean- est of her subjects mesat unrewarded.. She felt as a princess feels, without any vanity, that she was the 'centre, of unie versal. attraction., and that that Pereofl who attempted to quarrel with lae•r tva,s bound by this very fact, as by an in- evitable natural law, to get) the worst of it. This perhaps was the uneenson pas meaning of her splendid generos- ity to bier playmates, whatever their sex on class might be. If she insisted on their obedience -and tins, I an afraid, she did in no half-hearted way -at least she never told ttales of them., or procured theni punishment or blame, and always gave more than she received. The result was that there was not one rebel in her train, and I solemnly believe not oae was jealous of her. Hers was a very equable am& megnanimeas disposition; and 'her reign was 'amino, when. eueb. was Ler power,it nuglit have led, to civil war. The marquis left the town next morn - Leg. From his carriage he.caught sight Norry clutching a, slice of bread and Jam at what she took bites en the int- ervals of voluble chatter witb the par- Lsh priest, who had stopped to talk to her. The jam had made big red blotches on her pinafore, and. her face tend fingers were in a lamentable state. Neve.rtheleas, this second vision of her revealed bar as more bewitebiog ito the marquis than the first. There WAS no wind, so hen cur/s were in a more ord- erly contuston, and as she was less ex- cited, her lisping chatter flowed on with a quainter fluency. Tbemarquis pnlled the check -string, and the car- rtage stopped in front of Norry and Father Snllivan. "Good-bye Norry," he called cut. "Dead:aye, Dandby" Norry riled, re- , membertne his name without any hese tattoo. "Turn a -morrow °dam: I'se sorry you're doine away." Fathe,r Salltvan wheeled round in pro- found amazement and quickly uncov- ered. The 'marquis gave bilts a caul nod, and before he could recover his with and make proffer of an elegant greeting, the carriage was rolling down; to the rod open road. "Mee. Molloy called hire the mars - kits," Norry said contemptuously, with as much bitteruess as her genial little heart was capable on harboring toward fellowecreature. The word marskiss being an unknown quantity in her earn she canceived it as a term of obloque, and resented its application to the arm - able stmneer who appeared so properly grateful for her kindness and conde- scension. Now, if he had been called a seegeartit it would be quite another tlumg. That would have been the high- est compliment, for, was not thet serge- ant of her own town one of her very dearest friendet-Pat Magulre, a splen, did specimen of the Irish Constabularyt who was ready any day bo risk his life Lar her? The story of Norry and the mar- qui's was round the town before the morning papers from Dublin were dis- ri u ed. It was told len every s at every bar, and recounted in various ways to that bird a passage, the bag- man; it was deemed over flees in the be- witching sing -song brogue of the coun- try, mellotwed and adorn.ed with the people's imaginative art, as it passed from ro.outh to mouth. Larry Reilly hnd his version from Father Sullivan; the doctor bad a more detailed wad artily -colored account from the mar- cmins agent, who in turn received it direct from the noble lord bimself. Tbe agent, as fine a fellow as ever crossed a bog arid rolled the Irish r, was the only popular person in tbe Grindley establishment, and the marquis lost no- thing in his version a the tale. Then there was Mrs. Molloy's account; and here the 'unpopular person, by hie at- titud,a of bland submission to thonuto- erat of the village and his positively hurnao behavior, quite captivated the rustic heart. He wasn't you see, such a black-bearted villain after all, or at least atorry had charmed the fiend out of him; shouldn't wonder if after this be redueecl the ninth twenty-five per cent. all a•rouncl. The marquis did not redeme the rents, or aceoinplish any other at of virtue that we have heard of; but he returned. to Ireland after a shorter interval than was yet lonown of since his marriage witli. ep, hard -faced and disagreeable Saxon. r Meanwhile Norry lived her life of al fresco sovereignty. Her mother had taken her up to the. city once in wbitt Norry described to us afterwards as "the bogey puff -puff," and there she had won 'hearts and broken them in about equal proportion. She had a clisconoortiam; habit of stop- ping. every policeman she met, under the Impression he must be related to her friend the sergeant, with a quaint: "Doo-cleraorrow, sergeant: the blessings of Dod on ye, sergeant." She would insist on darting away from aunt or mother in a crowded street, to kiss the late,st baby, or pat a stray dog, or strive gallantly in her enthusiasm to strangle a terrified cat; she wanted to stop and make acquaintances with the horses as, • well, a.nid greeted every stranger that crossed her path with a reassuring smite, when she was fern: bly restrained trent asking his or her name. Once there was a fearfel men:d- ent, outside her grandmother's gate. A mastiff -was lying on the path irritable from heat and thirst. In any other named, I am sure so large an animal would be gifted with sufticient sagac- ity to recognize a friend; bat he pant- ed and glonered in a sullen and angry temper, and when Norry stooped! down to place tvvo fat arms round "the doaty clog," the ill-humored brute bit her areafueitausly. That was a bad moment for her aunts, The child's arm bled, bet Norry herself never flied; she was afraid the dog would be scolded if it were known how much she suffered.. tu the garden, without isaitiug to go rising:, an aunt iciest t doe n and sucked les arm til -the Heeling t(mped; and Within t.0 0 uLu.0 tliuu tliegui I pflit .Clog) was shon An bciur afterwards Noery was running about as bright and as BIFTON'S TRIP NORTH well at ever, though anxious eyes dwelt titian her for some days. nee, Her aunts wisely felt that a dead of and a prevailing sense of brosther- TRADE OF THE YUKON. 'toed, formed a ixtere suitable and pie- tudis- country town, with no traffic to peak HE TALKS OF THE RICHES AND resqueb aekground for such barbing individuality as Norry's, and were not sorry to see her safely en- seonced behind the railway carriage window shaking her little fat fist at them, with the smiling assarance that she would. "Turn a -morrow adatn in. the bogey puff -puff to see them." it was not long after her return that we noticed her bright color beginning to fade, and shadowy blue circles forming under her eyes. Soon it was whispered as a universal calamity, that N orry was not well. he lay at home an the sofa and cried a good deal, or made her mother hold her in her lap beside the fire. Poor Norm' was not an angel, en I have said, and she was a very fretful and exaoting little iavalid. Her occupa- tion, like Othiello"s, was gone, and she oointa not reconcile herself to the dul- ness of the sick -room. Only the touch of her mother's hand comforted her; that withdrawn, she at °ace fell upon wild sobbing. No such fuss would. have been made *ever the marquis himself, or even, the Parish priest. Life-Dang enemies en- countered on the any to inquire for her two or three times a day. People not on speaking terms with her parents sent to aek every morning howshe had passed the night. Marcella had to call In the service of slant> of a girl to opefl the door to the tramps, and idlers from the nearest villages wb.ocame for news of her. Every morning and evening a bulletin was issued verbally and ran from hourin to bons% .from cottage to cottage. On her way to the telegraph office, Marcella was way laid by a, crowd of rough and. tattered youths, "Troth an,' she's very bad indeed," the maid replied tearfully. "We &aft like to think of it at an, at all." "Glory be to God, gari, butt 'Hetet thrue. Sure what 'udi we do at all, at °AL without her ? 'Tie lost Um town 'ud be if anything happened; her." "She's just the drawingest child the Almighty ever sent on: earth," one fel- low exclaitaed, ramming the earner of hia sleeve into his eyes. That night the marquis's carriage des:tee through the town, but no one had eyes or thought for it. The agent was smaratend late to the, all, for the marquis meant to start tre the earliest train for lais son's estate in a neighbor- ing couttry. B"iness date, gossip was a nature/ relaxation., end the marquis had not forgotten his friend. Norry, and asked if she still raled„ the town. The agent told the dismal tale, and tbe great man tooked really distressed. "Wbat, nay little friend! Great Heaven's, it's not possible.] I'll go at once and inquare for her." The marquis and the agent waaked, together as far as tbe O'Neill's pretty' boulte. Here the agent lefted his hab and departed, and the marquis rapped loudly. The tremendous peal rang through the whole house, and the par- eatts of the sick child up -stairs started angrily. The marqulis, as befits a big man, spoke in a big voice; there was no need. to go oue of the room. to ask who bad made sueh an intolerable noise. The message ascended in the deliverer's owe voice up the, attars and into the halt -opened door of the room where sick Norry lay in her monher's arms, while the father stood measuring out some naulseous medicine, "Tell Mrs. O'Neill that the 'tier gels Of Grandby has called to iamuire for her little daughter. If possible, he would be grateful for the privilege of seeing bits little friend." Ye:meg O'Neill gave the spoon and glass into his wife's band, and went down -stairs. The marquis greeted him quite cordially. "Ah, Mr. O'Neill -so sorry -can't be true -temporary child's compleint, of coarse -assure you, quite looked forward toseeinag my delightful tittle friend, Norry-monstrous, 'pen my word, to think of her as sick." Tears were in the poor father's eyes, and he sobbed mat something or ober iin vvbich Ma Lord weee just audible. Young parents with an only ohild UL perhaps dying, and that ohtla at the age of three already regarded as a pub- tio personage! Ls it to be expected that they shoatl keep their heads or talk coherently, when even all the out- side world WUS alulnged in grief be- cause of their prarate wee? ENGLAND WANTED WAR. Meld Back Front Fighting France ta 1893 by the German. Emperor. The Gaulois. in Paris, recently relat- ed in considerable detail that, during the Siamese imbroglio of 1693, Eng- land was on the verge of declaring war against France. The power that op- posed the war most vigorously was Germany, in fact, said the Ga.uloLsethe war was prevented by the German Em- peror. "At that time," said the Gaulois, "Emperor 'William was at Cowes with his yacht. He had won a regatta prize from Lord Danraven's Valkyrie and the Prince of Wales's Britannia. He appeared, literallyees well as figura- tively, to swim in English waters. It was as he sat at dinner in the house of the Reyal Yacht Squadron that he received from Count Hatzfeldt the news that the English Government in- tended to declare war against France. Tbe Emperor rose from the table, ands his napkin, and sent a despatch empowering his Ambassador in London to protest against Lord Rosebery's programme. Moreover, he. betook him- self at once to Osborne' House to an - flaunts to his grandmother that he never could improve such a course as regards Siam." Semetimes Paris eewspapers publish articles on Europeantpolities that lack all foundation, in fact, a.nd the amaz- ing story told by the Gaulois might have been dismiesed as one of them bad it not been confirmed at once by the Koelnische Zeitung, probably the most trustworthy journal on the European continent. The Koelnische Zeitungn Paris correspondent was at Cowes with the Emperor in 1893. As soon as the Gaulois had made its statement he cor- roborated it. Among the influential Englisnenen atcweot he said, it wee then cotmnon talk that the German Enaperor was England's ally against Siam end France, Lord Dufferin, then English Ambassador in Paris, had come to Cowes to conclude the negotietions for an alliance, but had been met with the Emperor's blunt refusal to take the active part that England wished to assign Janie The • Koelnische nettling's correspondent asserts that the correctness of this statement is ab- solute and beyond question among the initiated who were at Cowes dining the German Emperor's sojourn there. ''Vice often rides triumpheet in vir- tue's eltariot. Travel Through the White and ChIllteot PasseS Pelle. and Customs Adman's- trattoa-Great Gold Bearing Area, The Globe publishes an interview with Hon. Clifford Sifton, secured by a correspondent at Vancouver. H. 0, Mr. Sitton recounted bis trip with Major Walsit from Skaguay and Dyea across Cbilkoot Pass and the esteblish, t ing of camps 12 miles from Dyea., and aLake Lindeman. "I left Major Walsh at Skaguan," • said Mr. Sifton, "closing up his arrange- ments prior to departing with the rest of the party for the iuterter. Ile pro - ab y left on tbe 23rd. or tath, and is now iso doubt well on his way. It may not be understood. that the most difficult portion of Major Walsh's duties for the next three moths is not at Dawson City, but at the southern portion of the territory. No particular reason exists for his immediate presence at Dawson, althou.gh it is desirable that he shoul4 be there as 40021 as possible, .but the establishment of police posts andtoghettheerrw their' the equipment and provisioning, NECESSARY INSTRUCTIONS. and plans for communication in the southern portion of the district is a most diffic,ult task, involving for months an amount ot labor ant ex- posure during the early rotanthit of win- ter before it is accomplished. By going across the passes myself and. down the lakes to Tagish I was enabled. to gather personal knowledge of the ficulties our officers have to encounter and overcome in carrying out instruc- tions from. Ottawa. I also acquiredi a knowledge of the physical features of tbe country which it would, be quite impossible for me to eave acquired: in a.ny other way. It is difficult for one who has never seen a similar country to conceive an immense territory, con- sisting, as far as the eye con discern of mountain; rivers and lakes, no Pos- sible means of transport except by water, and on which roads and even pack trails throughout the greater portion are practically an trapossil Travel by land is unknown. The boats in use go at the rate of from, one to tysta miles an hour, sometimes has. A strong steamboat can only go against the currents of the rimers as fast as a men can walk over an ordinary road. The quickest raeaaas of transport known in the country Is a canoe. In sucb country the difficulties of establishing a line of navigation are eaonnous. While travelling over t.he passes an& down the lakes I bad. the advantage of Mr. Ogilvie's company, an& front his unrivalled. knowledge of 'the country and. all its physical =ditto= I was able to gather a large amount of use- ful information and to decide what, was necessary in the way of policing.", AS TO POLICE POSTS. Speaking of police posts, Mr. Siftou said: "There is one already estab- lished at Tagish and one in course of erection at Bennett. Another will be established at or near the junction of Hootelaniqua River and Lake Teslin, shortly afterwards a strong post will be established. at Chilkoot, which is the Wei:ming of Dalton's trail, a route that is practicable for cattle andt pack horses during the summer, and would therefore, be most likely to be adopted by those desirous of evading the law in ane way or another. Tbis post will be well equipped and manned with a sufficient number of men to guardi ef- fectually against any invasion of the law. at'bele travelling through the country and coming in contact with those who know what is going on, I was more than ever impressed' with the absolute necessity of the polies and customs administration, as well as the administration of the mining laws be- ing thoroughly provided for before spring opens. Large numbers et peo- ple are, and will be camped along the lakes and rivers, and in the :Boma - tams, waiting for the first opportunity to enove fortvard in the spring. Thou- sands of those will Ito on the way by the first of February and every offi- cial in the country will have his hands Lull from a VERY EARLY PERIOD in the centing year. It will, therefore, be obvious that unless the organization is • perfected and supplies and equip- ment on hand and. everything in order, before then, that in view of the enor- mous difficulties of travel then; it will be impossible to overtake tbe task while the mush for the goldfields is going on. it will be necessary an my judgment, to send an additional number of police to the territory as soon as staring opens in order to supplement the bine there at present. This I do not judge to be necessary on Account of any antici- pation of trouble., because from any observation I am inclined to the view Shat people were going in above all things delighted that the Canadian Government intends to adminster the law fairly and keep order. 1n a coun- try, however, where conveyance and transport are so difficult a larger force is required than in a country where navigation is easy. The police force needs to be equipped with can- oes and camp outfits, so that a small party can be sent out at any time an special duty. The necessity for the presence of representatives of the law at She various points of enteenee to the territory, such as Hootiliniqua Lake, Tagish and Daltots trail, was brought forcibly to my mina by tna murder which took place within a short dist- ance from the post at Tagish, and other • difficulties that occurred when I was taking my TRW' THIBIOnnGlit , On) one occasion a dispute anise 15e tween some men over a boat, The parties approaohea emit other with rifles and revolvers, and but for tee presence of the police, someone would have been shot. These disputes are constantlytaking place among the people going in„ and if they felt at liberty to take the law into, their own hands serious difficulties would re- . ;suit." ;Asked about railway construction Mr. Sitto.nsaid :-"News from Dawson informs us of recentdiscover- ies of rite/ claims on Canadian; creeks, which heve been newly opened, and from. a careful study of ties ieforroation I have been able to glean from reliable sources I am convinced that there' is an immense area of gold -bearing territory in that part of Canada awaiting the prospeetor. It is hardly to be expect- ed that many deposits of geld, in such quantities as found ori the Bonanza and Eldorado creeks will be discover- ed, but it is beyond question that hun- dreds and eveu thousands of reties of gold -bearing gulatbes, creeks and. ravers in this terntory will pay well fpr work- bag if living can be made reasonably cheap and the conditions of life in that country ameliorated by an easy method of transportation for men and sup- plies. To make it profitable to work the creeks. and rivers that are riot ex- cessively rich it is neeeseary that the country should be served. by some Im- proved rneth,od of transportation, and a good deal of ray attention has been GIVEN TO THIS QUESTION. * "I will. be able to play before my colnagues when I return to Ot- tawa a store of full and; accurate in- formation in regard to the various means of access to that country, and we will be enabled without unnecessary de- lay to decide upon the policy to be ad- opted. Taere is no clout& that there is and will be for years profitable work for many thousands of men in the "Ku,k- on territory, The trade of that eoun- try will be extremely profitable, and in retained within Canadian channels will assist in many ways to develop our other resources. It will doubtless be the aim of the Government to open up as soon as possible a Canadian, route, by means of which men and supplies can be conveyed without undue loss ana hardship, and at reasonable cost. The question of how far the Government will feel warranted in going in the way of expenditure must be discussed at Ottawa! but there will be no difference of opinion among the raerabers of the Government as to the desirability, and faet necessity, of a Canadian route, and of the trade being directed into Canadian channels." WILL HAVE TO COMPETE. "You seem to regard the trade as of considerable importance'?" "Yes," responded the Minister, "and I might add that it is of the utmost consequences that raercbants ani com- panies desirous of securing a portion of the trade of the territory should pre- pare themselves properly for the com- petition which they will have to meet The Americans teing a mining people, have the a.dvantage at the =test of poesessing stocks of ezools peculiarly suited to minors, a,nd in order to tem- 1?eLe successfully with them our out - titters will need. to rea,ke a careful study of the requirements and. Waco tbetnselves in a position to supply ex- actly what is wanted. It is notice- s in going into even the little stores at Skaguay and Dyea. that the small steaks they carry consist of goods one never sees in ordinary furnishing houses." As to mining regulations, Mr. Siftoia says it seems clear that the conditions of working creeks and guiches are sueh that mining regulations founa suit- able in other localties will not apply here. It is likely that it will be neces- sary to group the alternate claims re- servea by the Government. The ques- tion of the size of the claims may bave to lie reconsiilered, and possibly some other points that have come forward. ITEMS OF INTEREST. A Few Paragraphs Which May reeve Worth Wading. The hide of the hippopotamus, in some parts, is two inches thick. When a mosquito has gorged him- self with human blood, he dies within a few hours. Francis Warlop, the cook of tbe Lakeside Club, Grand Rapids, Mich., thought he could prepare toadstools to make them dainty eating. He ate a few of them and died. The happiest negro in Bardstown, Ky., is Pius Payne, who has grown this season six tomatoes which togeth- er weigh fourteen pounds. Lake City, Florida, has a police force which consists of one night watchman. His only income is a fine of a2.50, which is paid by every person he arrests. A bumble bee stung Ike Williams, of Catlettsburg, Ky. on the hand. His arm and body swelled. to twice their natural size, and he died in forty-eight hours. A fall from a scaffold at Water- town, Mass., caused the body of jos- eph Morris, a bricklayer, to assume the rigidity of death. It was convey- ed to an undertaker's room, and was being preeared for burial wben the supposed corpse kicked: the sides out of the coffino arose and walked home. Harvey Horner, of Sumner County, Kansas, is an amateur snake charmer, and sometimes carries a reptile in his pooket. While be was attending a circus at Wichita, a pickpocket sly- ly explored one ofi his pockets, aud screamed like a. madman when his hand came in contact with a live bull snake. *A beggars' league in St. Petersburg mutilates children and cripples them, to arouse sympathy from the benevo- lent when they are sent to beg be pu.b- lie places. The cbief of this gang, nam- ed Pramjitschenko, who is a wealthy man, and has posed as a philanthrop- ist, received seventy-five per cent. of the money begged by the unfortun- ates. A landslide occurred a short time ago in Safest, Switzerland. An Innen& its garden and outbuildings slid down the hillside a distance of thirty- five feet, without being in the least injured. Two stately (Amain the gar- den were also moven without in- jury. A thief -proof heenery has been con- trived by a man' in dartersville, Ga. He bought Et galleys% on which a man had been hanged, and constructed a chieken house of the lumber. Thab was some yenrs ago. No colored man will go Within a block of that hennery at night, and no °Wakens have been stet - en from in . •• Charley Chick, of Ination, Ohio, has a wooden leg. While he was riding on a train near Belfontaine, a brake- man fired a pistol at a colored man whom he was striving; to force off the car. The ball entered, Cbick's wooden leg and passed upward into his sto- mach, causing a wound deemed to be fatal. WE MUST- GO TO JAPAN. CANADIANS HAVE ONLY TO SEND TO SECURE TRADE. Mr. Anderson Predlets Ten 'Wears of Great Progress in the Orlent-Cbauges ill (1 P. It. Stoantshap i4ervlee Indicated - Japan Requires (Itar Lumber. Fleur. Leather and Mardware. Mr, George Anderson, who was com- missioned by the Dominion Govern- ment to iovestigate the couditions of business in japan witit a, view to the eneouragement of Canadian trade with the Japanese, bas returned. to Canada. Mr. Anderson says he is convinced that in the next ten years the progress of japan will be Treater than in the .30 years that European ideas have already beeu in vogue, great as has been the advance reeds in that period. He found. the Japanese engaged in aCtiVOIY ex- tending theer'reilway system, Of which they have now more than 2,000 miles in use and between 000 end 700 miles under construction. The fares are low and the people have already caught the travelling habit, rich and poor alike going from place to place in great 'tura- bars. A HUNDRED OPPOR,TUNITIES. In the report he will forward to the Government Mr. Anderson will inaicete upwards of a, hundred items of Cana- dian produos and manufacture in which there can be an active business done with japan, and perhaps with China also. The first of these is lumber. Al- ready Japan is purchasing enormous quantities for use in her harbors and publio buildings on the railways, and for Private dwellings, and. it is bought almost altogether from the States of Washington and Or,sgon. British Col- umbia, whether frora lack of energy or leek of caital, bas allowed this trade to be takea by the Pacific States. Again, in 1896 Japan imported from the United States 160.000 barrels of fleur, and this year tne total is likely to be 225,000. This trade might be competed for by Canada, although transportation ebarges would possibly hamper Canadians. There is also an imroense demand for leather, eseerial- ly sole leather and other shoe leather. Herness is not largely in use. On- tario and Quebee tanners emend, in Mr. Anderson's judgzaaent be able to com- pete successfully 1! or ibis trade. as the cost of transportation is not relatively so large a factor as in Om case of flour. The Japanese are also going into manufacturing very extensively, and there is a brisk demand for boil- ers, engines, and other heavy bard - ware. GO AFTER THE TRADE. In considering the possiaility of an increased trade with the Orient, Mr. Andersoni gives it us a, deltherate elan - ton that the only thing now ne easary is that Canadians shell me after the business. It will not come to them of ita own accord, and tet it awaits them if they will but exert t ustonaary business energy. Everywhere. he Ives treated with the utmost consideration. the Japanese business men and men in public lite exhibiting am eagerness to give and receive information which might prove of mutual advantage. He visited all the principal centres of ac- tivity in the empire, and. was there long enough to experience tbree earthquake shocks. JAPAN'S PRODUCE. As to Japan's capacity tor produeing enough of her own goods to pay for large imports Mr. Anderson has no doubt. Already she exports silk and silk products of an annual Nalue rang- ing from fifteen to twenty-five million dollars; tea, three awl one-quarter millions; coal, four millions; copper. three and. one-half millions; matches, two and one-half milions; these being the principal articles of export. The Japanese merchants, however, have much to learn in the matter of treating their customers according to western standards of integrity. This will tiro- bably come with increased communica- tion with the outside world. • C.P.R.'S NEW PLANS. The Japanese have become very active in promoting their shipping interests. Fast vessels now run tie Europe by the Suez Canal and to every other point where business can be done. The C. P. R. steamers have secured control of the export trade from Japan because of being the best and quickest boats. It is whispered at Vancouver that the C.P.R. management awake as usual to the necessities of trade conditions, con- template making an important change at an early date. The Empress steam- ers will go direct to Australia by way of Honolulu, and the Fiji islands, and it is confidently expected will secure the major portion ot the passenger traffic. Even better boats will be put on the Japan route, and. a weekly ser- vice will be substituted. for a monthly one. The business of the Orient with other nations in the next ten years will astonish the world, Mr. Anderson predicts, and if Canada does not get her fair share of it her merchants and manufacturers will have only them- selves to blame. The commissioner's report to the Government will be awaited with interest by the business community. NEW BICYCLE WHEEL RIM. Among recent patents is a non -split - table bicycle wheal rim, which pretents some novel features. The rim is ex- tremely simple, consisting of three layers of strong wood, such as spruce, elm or ash, the grain of all three run- ning circumferentially. The middle layer is veneered on both sides with a thin layer of wood, preferably wal- nut, the grain of both layers running directly at right angles to that of the basic woods. The rim is put into a form, glued aad turned down, the wal- nut veneers producing two parallel bands on each' side of the rim, which give it an ornamental appearanee with- out pitintihg or striping. It is said to be impossible to split this rim whit% has beersubixsitted to the severest tests. 00NGRATVLAT1Ontn ALL Aie0Itai'D• . ScOtt-I hear, you are to marry the eldest Miss Binks. Let me congratu- late you on your good. taste I • Knott -Oh! that Im,s been declared Sec Li --Congratula te you on your good sense I „ so...-. • ataentanaddiatiett AN AMUSLNG SPEECH. anemia' rrett jituebt'isteett:spresston or HBO Sir George' Turner. the Premier on Vietorat, has been confiding to his fele ilonwE-nAguslanrainthelioansscaamoceofeboi: oefthxpe reirui-cbes Jubi- lee' celebeations. He spoke at a meet- ing, held in St. Hilda, tit tbe Australian Natives' Association. At the outset Sir George, "a native born," referred tains return from that country, "winch, whin thee this be our adopted, land or whee Sher it be our native land, we regard and cherish as the Homeland." KISSING HIS HAND TO THE GIRLS. "May tell you," continued Sir George, "that tiaroughout the length and. breadth 'of our Mother Land pea-, pie do not realize ourseparate exist- ence as state. One very seldom hears mention of New South Wales, Vietari8,. or South Australia. The only one word used -the word I hope before long we shall all know -is that of Australia. When 'we were passing through the crowded thoroughfares we heard on every ,side, "Bravo, Australia 1" It is true that occasionally some Victorian would say, "Good old Victoria," and occasionally r heard "Good:old George," But my satisfaction was sometvlaat dampened when I recollected anti bad a companion in the carriage who vaas called George Reid, and I never knew whether it was that George or the oth- er George that was refeenta to. Hove. ever, we did not quarrel about it; we divided the honors. There was only one thing the Premier of New South %'ales objected to. He did not mind me waving my hand or my hat to the popu- lace, but he did object to me kissing nay hand to the good-looking girls up at the wiudows. "OUR NATIVE COSTUME." There were many pleasing incidents, butIdid not much like the traveling about in the grand carriages; I did not very much like tlae two gentlemen with the red mats on; and I did not see that I was being paid for being stared at by the millions, who took every eare to bates a guod look at those who came froro. Australia. 1 been. e when we inns one old woman nudging the old ebap next her. and pointing, she was ton- ing: "Why, they ain't black." I augh- ter. One young; lady -I telieses she was young, Immune she was a profes- sional -wrote from Publin and said that. if the Colonial Premiere would visit Dublin they weuld re,•eive a Ilea rty reatiption. Sue had prepared a grand concert, and she was anxious we should enema She believed there would be a large attentlanre, but she felt eerfett- ly certain tliere would be if we enty contented to apeear in our navies, sus- tume. W811, s tem know. I am, and alwitya bate been hesisful, leckeard and retiring. you isan easily imagine that that woulti net suit me, Laugh- ter. MAKilt HIM DRUNK.. Another of my trountea was that one of the -e gentlemen with the red coats on was deputed to take eare of me, end he would nen leave me. He ale ays stopped at the end of the paseage. and I could not possibly sneak out without. his seeing me. But I got level even with him, 1 consulted with my order- ly -a firsteelass sergeant of poire, wpo ouale, to know everything -and I said, "Lloyd, take this man out awl matte him drunk." And he did. Oh: he dtcl his duty. - One place I visited I had to dress for dinner at eight o'clock at night, and I took my clothes and laid them down. 1 looked round and saw a big chap, who ,hVaialllinzuyafnrineenrd,olfliveryyittdn o 3r0,ou. uts anatth He said, "I have come to dress nu." Shrieks of laughter from the Cbie Sec- retary. r said,"No, you don't, my d; frientheme's the door. I am in the habit of dressing myself." Laughter. On the whole, we undoubtedly were well treated -rather too well. A voice -"Not a bit." One gentleman kindly told us that if we did not survive the trials and troubles we had la meet there be would take care that those of us who stieeeedell would be burned to. Westminister Abbey. HEALTH METER FOR CYCLISTS. tin ingenious Frenchman hae invent- ed a health -meter that is attraeting considerable attention from leading scientific and medical men abroad. There are several variations of the machine, one Corm being much like a bracelet which is fastened to the wrist. There are two thin strips of metal surrounding the wrist. Be- tween them is the mechanism., which is affected. by changes in the patient's health, and thus records them on a tiny roll of paper, whic.a is taken out and inspected by the physician at his leisure. Dr. Odiardy of Paris, who bas given more attention to the meter than any other person except the inventor, is us- ing the maohine tu determine the ef- fect of riding a lieycle. He first U988 the meter to learn the exact state of the pat i en na health, then instructs the patient to than violenteneroise by rid- ing at wheel. or a stationery exerciser in the form of a Moyne. When the rider is exhitnsted the meter is again adjusted and its conditiou noted. Dr. Odiardy says that he thus obtains an insight into the condition of the pa, tient that he could get in no other way. THE WORD "TOAST." The word. "toast," used for describ- ing the proposal of a health in an af- ter-dinner speech, dates back to me- dieval times, when the loving cup was still regarded as in indispensable fea- ture of every banquet. The cue would. be filled to tb.e briuxi with wine or mead. in the t enter of which would ,be floating a piece ef toasted bread. After putting his lips thereto tha boat would pass the cup to the gue.st 'of honor eeated on WS rirrht anete anta tnannt T1 turn pats it to his right-ha4A neighltor„ ill this ;eau - nee !Ito cup woulrl eirculath areund Sbus 1swhiletal1cl ic)-1111g,"' ittiask„i4'11t6:. hand cghiar untit finattly one would come haek to the hate who tvoul 0 d rai n \vbat renlai ed, au(' 'iCat- low the piece of toilet in home en all the friends assembled at his Leann, sestet t..tettetzadattainitten, e'