Evening Star Newspaper, December 6, 1873, Page 2

row Inughing, neat Teatest of hinttmes' the dame purss to be rudny e. and whisp-red there pighty and Indies fair, rt thon ¢ she pleaded with her pretty frown 1 fain would know what mighty spell (on bring ahaughty husband down cecased, and raised hee “ Aon hath a w THE DEACON CONVERSION, BY H. A. BERTON. Of the several pillar’s of the church at Paw- kin Center, deacon Barker was, by all ods, the strongest. His orthodoxy was the admira~ tion of the entire congregation and the terror Of all the ministers within easy driving distance of the deacon’s native village. He it was who had argued the late pastor out of the Pawkin Center church into that state of disquietude which had carried him through a few days of delirious fever, into the church triumphant; and it was alto deacon Barker whose questions at the examination of seekers for ex-pastor’s shoe: has cast such consternation into divinity «tar ard near that soon it was very hard 1 ® candidate for ministerial honors at Pawk Nor was his faith made manifest by words alone. [ie the weather what it might the dea con was always im bis pew, both morning and evening, in time to join in the first hymn; and on every Thureday night, at a quarter past seven in winter, and a quarter before eight in summer. the good deacon’s cane and. shoes could be heard coming solemnly down the atsle, bringing to the prayer meeting the champion of orthodoxy. Nor did the holy air of the prayer meeting, even one single evening, fail to vibrate to the voice of the deacon, as he made, in scriptural language, humble confes- sion and tearful pleadings before the throne, or—still strietly scriptural in expression—he warned and exhorted theimpenitent. The con- tribution box always received his sixpence as tong as specie payment lasted, and the «mallest fractional currency note thereafter; and to each of the regular annual —- to the missionary cause. the Bible cause, and kindred Christian enterprises, the deacon regularly contributed his doliar and his prayers. The deacon could quote Scripture in a man- ner which put Biblical professors to the biash, and every principle of his creed so bristled with texts confirmatory, sustentive and ag sive, that doubters were rebuked, and free- thinkers were speedily reduced to speechless humility of rage. Bat the unregenerate, and even some who professed righteousness, elared that more f mdly than to any other tural passa; did the good deacon cling to the injanction, lake to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness.” Meekly insist- ing that he was only asteward of the Lord, he put out his Lord’s money that he might receive itagain with usury, and so successful had he been, that almostall mortgages beld on proper- ty near Pawkin Center, were in the good deacon, anda were the foreclosure sales in which he was not the selier. ‘The new pastor at Pawkin Center, like good pastors everywhere, had tortared himself into many a headache over the perplexing question, “How are we to reach the impenitent in our midst.” The said impenitent were, with but few exceptions, industrions, honest, respecta. ble, law-abiding people, and the worthy pastor, as fully impregnated with Yankee thrift as with piety. ~-buddered to think of the waste of souls that was constantly threatening. At length, like many another pastor, he called a meeting of the brethren, to prayerfuily consider this momentous question. The deacon came, of course, and so did all the other pillars, and many of them presented their views. Brother Graves thought the final doom of the impeni- tent should be more forcibly presented; Deacon Stroggs had an abidin, the msn of sin hokiing dominion in their hearts that kept these people away trom the means of grace; Deacon Ponder milily sug; that the object might perhaps be attained if those within the fold maintainea a more godly walk and conversation, but he was promptly though covertly rebuked by the good Deacon Barker, who reminded the brethren that “it is the Spirit that quickeneth;”” brother Flite, who hadn't any money, thouzht the ehurch ought to build a **workingmen’s chapel,” but this idea was promptly and vigorously combattad by all men of property in the congregation. By this time the usual closing hour had arrived, and after a benediction the faithful dispersed, each with the ideas he brought to the procoeny | Early next morning, the deacon larker, with bis mind half full of the state of the un- converted, and half of his untinisned cow shed, took his stick and hobbled about the village in search of a carpenter to finish the incomplete stracture. There was Moggs, bat Moggs had been busy all the season, and it would just like him to want fall price for a day's work. Stubb was idle, but Stubb was slow. Augur— Augur used liquor, and the deacon had long ago firmly reselved that not a cent of his money, if he could help it, should ever go to! ‘cursed stuff. But there was Hay. hadn't seen him at work fora long time—; he would be anxious enough for work to do it cheaply. The deacon knocked at Hay's door, and Hay himself shouted : ** Come in.” “ How are ye, George,” said the deacon, look- ing hastily about the room, and delightedly de- termining, from the paticnt face of sad-eyed Mrs. Hay, and the scanty furnishing of the yet uneleared breakfast , that he had been providentiaily guided tothe right spot. ‘How's times with ye?” ** Not very |, deac’n,”* replied Hay. « Nothin” much dom’ in town?” * Money's awful skeerce,” groaned the dea- 3 e con. « Dreadful,” responded George, devoutly thanking the Lord that he owed the deacon nothing. ‘Got much to do this winter” asked the dea- con. *« Not a d—day's job—not a single day,” sor- rowtuily replied Hay. ‘The deacon’s pious ear ba been shocked by the young man’s imperfectly concealed profan- ity, and for an Instant he thought of adminis- tering 4 rebuke, but the charms of prospective cheap labor lured the good man from the path of rectitade. “Tm fixin’ my reagan fg ge piraps give e a jobon’t. "Spose xed do it cheap, seein’ w dull ev'ry thin’ ix?” The sad eyes of Mrs. Hay grew bright inan instant. Her husband's heart jum ap, but he knew to whom be was talking, so he said, as —= possible, * Three dollars is reg’lar pay. | The deacon ene up, 98 it te go. “Too much,” he; “I'd better bire common lab'rer at a dollar’n a half, a1 self. It's only a cow-shed, ye kn Guess, though, ye won't want the nails drav no less p'tickler, will ye, deacon?” inquired . “But Ltell yer, deacon, what I'll do— J’. throw off fifty cents a da: ** Two dollars ort to be enough, George,” rea- soned the deacon. “Carpenterin’s pooty work, an’ takes a sight of headpiece sometimes; but there's no intellec’ required to work on a cow- shed. Say two dollars, an’ come along.” ‘The carpenter thought bitterly of whata little Way the usual three dollars went, and of how much would have to bedone with what he could get out of the cow-shed, but the idea of josing even that was too horrible to be endured, so he Bastily replied:—“ Two an’ a quarter, an’ I yourman” — «* Well,” said the deacon; “it’s a powerful price to pay for work on acow-shed, but 1 spose mus’ stan’ it. Hurry up; thar’s the mill whis- tle bio " seven.” Hay snatched his tools, kissed a couple of thankful tears out of his wite's eye S won busy on the cow-shed, with looking Jeorge,”’ said the deacon, suddenly. causing the carpenter to stop his hammer in mid-air, “think it ever agin. an’ say two dollars. Hay gave the deacon a withering glance, and for a few minutes the force of suppressed profanity caused his hammer to bang with un- boss usual vigor, while the owner of the cow-shed rubbed his hands in ecstacy at the industry of his employe. The air was bracing and the winter sunshone brilliantly, the deacon’s breakfast was digested Besides hi good workman at a low price, and all intluences of the Sab! \ ‘ured a these Influences combined to put the deacon in — frame of mind. He Fambled through ‘is mind for bis condition, @ text which would piously express texts brought back ‘sunny, meeting of the And here was one of those ver: min bees him—a good map in many respects, though he was higher-pr‘ved than he should be. How was the cause ©! the Master to be ous if his serv8™, made no effort? Then came to the deacon’s mind, the passage “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from » and shall hide a multitudeof sins.” What particular sins of his own needed hiding, the not find it convenient to remember j ~ Then, with harac- said the suspicion of annoyance wicked shall be cast into hell, with—" “They can’t kerr: * Interrupted Come, Georgs.” moet ont ot ing things w ‘pers to me pretty Late in life, " “Don’t trifle with sacred sabjects, George,” vole with'a de: » stil mn, of ano0 his voles. their cow sheds with deacon was pe. and he was al- ence with the ‘apostle for writ- came 0 handy to lips of the He commenced an indus'rious search for a text which should completsly an- nibilate the impious carpsnter, when that in- dividual interrupted him with— | “Out wich it deac’n—ye hedja meeti: night, to see what was to be done with the im- penitent. I was there—that is, [ sot on a stool eo mye the door, e didn’ fixed it Anyhow, ye've J ba the impenitent, an’ yer Go deacon, me; I * Wel ‘ou be- rage’ can’t be nowhere’s ‘xcept in your little mestin - louse’ L rds “Why? ‘Cos the ‘Lord's peopls,’ as you call tem, don't want me. the meets ones U've got—a'ye =" pose any of the Lord’s peo. pl-"l open a pew-door for me? An’ spose my | W fe an’ children, dressed no better'n I be, but as good’s I can 4, was with me, how d’ye e pose 1d feet “Pride gocth before a fall, an’ a haughty sperit before’—groaued the deacon, when the carpenter again interrapted ‘a of tnsu! want t wrong about & man’s and them God give him, God's to blame for it himself; but seein’ it’s the same feelin’ that makes folks keep ‘em straight in all other mat- ters, I'l] keep on thinkin’ it’s righ! “Bat Fomonst wath bung round in tront of the meeting-house, sum- mer nights, when the windows were open, jest en to the singin’ and what else I could to hear: many & groaned we cou couldn’ learning’ to hate religion know’d what ‘twas? vestibu’ last —~ an’heard what I'd liked my wife and chi come when the self app offend last nig! how folks was concerned aboutus an’ our re- Joicin’ together in the noes that some day oar children should hev the cha now, but one of those same hg J enough The deacon haa a heart, and he knew the nature of self-respect as well as men generally. His mind ran entirely minutes, and then, with a sigh for the probable | expense, he remarked : “‘Reckon Flite’s notion was right, after all— ther ort to bea workin’ man’s chape! Ort? would go to I class houses, an’ sell us second hand clothin’, | and the cheapest cuts o’ meat, but when it comes to cheap religion—nobod: value better’n we do. inter yer parlors on carpets and furniture we don’t Know how to use be asked into society where our taik an’ man- ners might make some better eddicated peop laugh. But when it comes to religion— man, why don't ye jine yourself auto the a in” last an’ [ heard all ‘twas said. noth o ‘since going form, on nailin,” interrupted the economical — testily; ‘the noise don’t distucb ye." n hear il, what yam Iso mach wickeder'n ‘you an’ tother folk’s at the mectin’- ‘asked Hay. I nover saw ye in God's house in plied the deacon. ‘pose ye bev'nt--is God so small he How "bout nis seving folks in their * said the deacon, ‘ef ye'er a pray- people?” S'pose { was to come to jouse in these clothes—the only feel as if the people of Itin’ hypocrite, an’ ez e Oo see “em agai was a gang I didn’t ever . Et there's anythin’ lin” $9 about himself the privileges of the Gospel, George,” trated the deacon. "t you s'pose [ know what they're continued the carpenter. “Havn't 1 Hezn't my wife ben with me there time, and havn't both of us prayed and 1 an’ cried in our hearts, not only ‘cos ldn’t join in it ourselves, but ‘cos we tsend the children either, without their ‘fore they fairlv Havn’t I sneaked into the | le winter nights and sot jest where [ did idren to hear, an* prayed for the time to inted elect shouldn t the litrle ones? An’ after sittin’ there ht, an’ comin’ home an tellin’ my wife nce we're shut out who should come along this morntn® people an’ Jewed ord knows is hard ay that the to live on. tide of texts for a few responded Hay; “Who a’ im ‘obody! Ye can rent second | | ly knows its | We don't want ter go | an’ we dont expect to * opened—there they came. | deacon himself had been ‘od | knows nobody needs and deserves the very best article more’n we do. The deacon was a responsible man, and being old amined. ter had, was tryin, which he expected soon to be thoroughly « tolook fairly at matters upon | The indignant protest of the carpen- he teared, a great deal or reason, and vet— God’s peuple deserve to hold their position, if as usual, the argument ended where it began. So he asked, rather triamp! What isty be done, the: tly: “Keform God's people themselves,” replied the carpenter, to the horror of the ‘pious old *When the right band of fellowship 1. man. reached the back, when a poor man comes —t there will be plenty that'll be glad to take it. form your own peeple, deacon. out of our eyes the tholes we'll be rid of, ye can get 4 tine lotof heavy out to the front, instead of stuck behind | Re- *For yer pick pladto get umber out of your own.” Soldie rsof the cross, no morethan any other soldiers, should stand still and be peppered when w deacon, mable to reply; at least so thought the and be prudently withdrew. Keform God’s people themselves? The dea- con was too old a boy to tell tales out of school, but he knew well enough there was room for re- form. nets’ present ners to compl: Of course there was—weren't we all sin- when we —* good wasn’t evil er at bus'ness had other sin- in, when they weren’t at least, with any better? Besides, suppose we were to try to reform the ways of brother Grave and deacon Stugge and others he had in his mind, would they rest until they had attempted to reform him? And who was to know just what yaantity and quality of reform was necessary carried trines.” je not about with divers and strange doc- The matter was too great for his com- prehension, as he sree the injunction, “‘Com- mit thy But the the deacon. con made a neat way into the Lord.” rd ted the entire matter to ae 4 fullday’s work, thedea- jittle sum by recovering on an old judgment he had bought for a mere song, and the deacon the family in the calf pen; yet the far from comfortable. le must stay aw: cow made an addition to deacon was The idea that certain y from God's house until God ‘8 people were reformed, geemed terrible Ifthe: would be would stand out ad—and yet, people who je the meeting-house and lis- ten, and pray and weep because their children were 88 proud. He knew there cou! else this out-of-door congreg: iced—there certainly wasn’t a full congrega- noth tion of which Hay spoke, and yet, who could tell how many more were anxious and troubled on the subject ‘hat who wish have steady work and full pay. I | known doing his best i not serve God and mammon!” could almost declare he heard the nter’s voice delivering that text. What had rought that text into his head just now—he had never thought of it before. ‘The deacon rolled and tossed on his bed, and | the subject of his conversation with thejcarpen- | ter! tormented one thing he was certain, and that was that the reform of the church at Pawkin Centre was not to be relied mp >= ee and was not hungering and after righteousness an extreme Ease? —had be ever really known many such? If Hay only had means, lem would afford its own solution. The good deacon solemnly declared to himself that if Hay | could try to lend | Buteven this (to the deacon) extraordinary concession was unproductive of sleep. that giveth to the There h again. ay—it it stood. elt there in the dark, he was forced to admit that he had @ very small balance—even of loans—to his credit in the hi except 1 loan as would be accepted Jaterals ever forsake the simple raiment of their fore- fathers, ous in of thei But sleep failed to follow even this flection. to give—lend, that dress bi terrible lot J mon neat suit for & man would cost at least thirty dollars, an overcoat nearly twice as much a suit, cloak — hepa = mou more, fairly. and his mind hac not yet freed itsel( from | an ne thin dnt bed wondered what Still no sleep. He wished with Hay about his soul—next time he would his own business. loyed Ha: mind emp! conside: ras, to be sure! jy off as they, could ecarcely be fan't be many such, ation would be médest mechanics in the vestibule of of their eternal welfare? @ pity it was that those workingmen od to repair the sanctuary, could not he had only all this early in the morning, he did not ght have hired hiv bim so he could notsleep. Of prob- ve security he (the deacon) would | a money. “He poor lendeth to the Lord.” ¢ could hear the indignant carpenter What an unsatisfactory passage that If it could only read the other didn’t seem a bit business like the way And yet as the deacon questioned him- ds of the Lord ner—as small a on as extensive col- ‘Oh, why did people in his usual business as he could exact. and robe themselves in garments griev- ‘ce, and stumbling blocks in the paths fellow men? [-Sarpose, only suppose ay mol for chureh— it_ would st is family fit of money necessities He wished he hadn’t sy. wished the ration of the needs of the impenitent had | power of pale—be the deacon had found cheaper inbor and had come to —_ warning. « George,” said the , * I've been domg ‘ou've & mind to, without note, sec i ferest, )ou to spend ez much of it ez ye need to Gress ye an’ yer hull fam'ly in Sunday clothes | and to put the balance in Savin’s Bank, at | interest, to goon doing the same when neces- sary. An’ aiof ye 5°, to church when ye fee} 80 disposed. An’ ef nobody else’ opens, yer always welcome to mine. And may the Lord”’—tne deacon finished the sentence to hi ‘have mercy on my soul.’ Then he | said aloud : | «That's all.” The carpenter atthe beginning of the de: con’s speech had dropped his axe, to the immi- reduction, costing $5 or is sold in Excellent $5. This bas nent danger of one of his feet. As the deacon smaller continued, the carpenter dropped his head to | harrow ene ede, raised his eyebrow inquiringly, and awaited the conditions. But when the deacon said“ That’ George Hay seized the dea- | 's all,’ hard old hand, gave it a grasp which ught agonizing tears to its venerable owner, and exclaimed : | « Deacon, God’s people are reformin’ !” ‘The deacon staggered a little—he had not thought of it in that light before. “Deacon, that money’ll do more good than ail the prayin’ ye ever did. "Ncuse me—I must tell | Mary,” and the carpenter dashed into the house. Had Mre. Hay respected the dramatic proprieties, she would have made the deacon a | neat speech; but the truth is, she regarded him from behind the window-blind, and wiped her eyes with the corner of ber apron, seeing which, the deacon abruptly started (or home, making fined to | garniture. very hi wh are unive: juently may be ki until an- at ch loss. is is not a cress, but extends to t! Velvets with deep thick pile and of | good blue-black color are sold for $9 or $10 a | yard in the conyentent three-quarter width pre- ferred for cutting Dolmans, Engtish jackets, | and polonaises; lighter aalities, for basjues, | sleeveless jackets, tlounces, and | suits, cost trom $4 to #8. | for bonnets cost $3 | alvo used for bias bands, other dress trimmings, The garniture tor vel- vet cloaks is also cheaper than formerly, as idsome passementeris ornaments, con- ing of jet sprinkled stars with pendent tas- if NEW YORK FASHIONS. WOOLBNS AND SILKS. Black woolen stuffs are excepted from general redactionof as they are st goods, do not go out of fashi ‘Worn, and co} er $2.8 yard, and, goods are lower-priced th: since the war. Black silks with the large man reps once thought 80 desirable show it only $5 50 or ‘as they former! ich 18 DOW more aalities for costumes at $2.59 or ine lustre. and the faintest tinge of blue is over the black, which makes it | yard; these are not tho beavily | Once chosen for suits, but are of bende od qu ity and fine lustre now thought good enough, nd. » preferred, for this uantity is also bought of je- pleatings around the skirt has be- | come the most acceptable trimming. Striped | Stlics cost from 75 cents upward. The opportunity to ge! bar, @ neceesar; Sia a menved silks the ne +t al ‘at any time Otto- Hit aro A ese, as two ains is not con- materials of ordinary e region of velvets and or for skirts of ‘The narrow velvets 4a yard; these are ping, revers, and less ure of his cane than he had doue in aayday | seis, may be bought for $1 each, while those for years. » with very little jet are 50 cents. Simple open- It is grievous to relate, but the truth is mighty- | worked galloons are sold for 50 of 75 cents a that within a fortnight the good deacon repent. yard, bat those so covered with jet beads as to ed of his generous action at least fitty times He would die inthe poor house if he were so extravagant again. Three hundred do! more than a cow-shed—lumber, sling! labor and ali—woald cost. take the money and go west? Suppose he sho take to drinking, ani spend it alt for liquor? One suspicion after another tortared the poor man until he grew thin and nervous. the second Sunday, having satistiod that Hay was in town, sober, the day before, that he had been to the city and broaght back bundles, and that be (the deacon) had seldom been in the street without meeting one of Hay’s children with a paper of hooks and eyes, or a spool of thread, the deacon stationed |‘ him- selt in one of his own front windows, and brought bis spectacles to bear on Hay’: door, a little distance of. The tirst bell had rung, apparently hours vefore, yet noone appeared —could it be that he had basely sneaked to the city, and pawned everything’ Ne It couldn't be—yes, it was—well he never thought Hay and his wite were so fine a looking couple. They came nearer, and thedeacon forgetting his cane, hob- died hurriedly to church, entered bis pew, and left the door wide open. He waited long, it seemed to him, but they did not come. tHe looked around impatienily, there, ob, joy anid wonder! the President of the Pawkin ings’ Institution had invited the whole family into his pew! Just then the congregation ros: to sing the hymn commencing, ‘From all that dwell below the skies Let the c's pr arise.” and the deacon in his excitement, distanced the choir, and the organ, and the cougregation, and brought the entire musical service w a standstill. The deacon had intended to watch closely for Hay’s conversion, but something wondertal pre- vented—it was reported everywhere that the ynverted, and all who now saw the deacon ful elieved the report. He was even heard to »: as there seemed to be some doubt as to whether faith and works was the saving virtue, he intended thereatter to practice both. He ho longer mentioned the poorhouse as his prospective dwelling, but is heard to Say that in his Father’s house are many mansions, and that he is laying up his treasure in heaven as fast as possible, and hopes he may get it all on the way there, before his heart iscalled for. At the -oftice, the tin- shop, and the rum-shop, the deacon’s conver- sion is corstantly discassed, and the men of degrees now expressed a belief in the migl the Spirit from on high monied men have been smitten and and the pastor of the Pawkin Centre cl daily thanks the Lord for such a revival never heard of betore. A Danbury Man Supplies Amusement for the Hume Circe. We recently published an item to the effect that amusement for the home circle could be tained by setting up a stick in a basin ot water, and placing a spider on top of the stick. The amusment consists in watching the spider throw & strand of web to the edge of the basin, and by it crawl to the shore. It is a pretty experiment, bead: heavy ut these very stylish, suits. popli The latest Pi laire and gray is also braved aii over « The simple costumes are «listi year by their abs: we bave been told. Mr. Forceps tried it Sunday afternoon. He made the arrangements com- big tellow, He did it for the ily, but they bay- ing neglected to answer his calle, the thing was ed without their presence, and he was in quite which they aré worn. strands of jet beads twisted and pendant at in- tervals among the silk threads, nd is much used for trimming the long over-skirts of black silk dres: WRAPPERS AND HOUSE DR Ladies on economical thoughts intent make wrappers and house dresses 0! terials which are now out of style ior street For instance, there are French and Irish of good quality, though not Pim’s best, fori a yard, in very good dark shades and in all warm bright hues. When trimmod with bias velvet bands or cords, these make elegant Wat- | teau wrappers or simple house dresses, with basque and sqaiare overskirts. Epingeline worth #125 a yard is now sold for 95 cent suitable for afternoon dresses that are not sub- jected to hard usage. For usefal morning wrap- _ the hot, dry pers for home breakfast tables and for set while performing household daties there are empress cloths in admirable cloth colors as low ‘The prossed opera tlau- nels so excellent for dressing-gowns and inva- lids’ robes cost now trom 50 to Scents. There | cover. When nearly dun lay asmall piece of is a sudden caprice among stylish young misses for wearing costumes of gay Scotch plaids. Several of these have lately b the school-girls of wealthy f mon the promen: Stuart or Victoria plaid made up of every cvlor | of the rainbow, or else the dark blue and greea plaid se popular three years since. tume isa short skirt, with two narrow kilt pleat- ings, anda tight long single-breasted reding- ote, trimmed with woolen bali fringe in which all the colors of the plaid enter. black plaid redingote with silver buttons and clasps is worn stylishly over a black silk skirt. asi cents a yard. -look appear to be solid jet are far more expensive. There is an attompt to introduce larger jet are coar: that theytear or cut the material with jag, and’ so The silk fringe, with TERL BEADS. styles describe: son bave met with general ished from those of last in their wardrobes have n made with tight basques and the long overekirts just des ribed; these are so simply shaped, cliny fog considered the repped ma- and is very cen imported for ilies, who are The cos- A bine and isian taney is to trim black cashmere wraps with gray crocheted passemen- | terie in which glistening cut steel beads are in- troduced. A Doiman of black cashmere has a border of this kind with gray and black tasel fringe, anda black cashmere large side-pockets covered witl terie, while there are horizontal rows o [a mili- across the fronts. Tue mixture of black n on Sacques of cashmere ith black soutache, sprink! polonaise has the | this passemen- | with steel beads, and edged with a band of the arly in the sea-, proval, and new ot elaborate ornament. box-pleats @ bouttant tournure. Overskirts of costumes are longer and more simply shaped than ever. skirts have the three fr plainly as the skirt beneath them, and reach within a fourth of a yard ot the foot; the back breadths are then tied backward, draped in a pouf near the top, and hau almost to the edge of the demi-train; the fallness behind is sewed to the belt in two Lar fiatly instead of mak Fringe of silk and jet tor silk dresses, and of woolen balls for camel’-hair and cashmere over skirts, is more stylish than rufiles A piped bias ‘or else a narrow side pleating, is much Young ladies who have enough redingotes woolen over-dresses Some stylish over- breadths fitted as that hang afiurry of excit-ment getting them together %0 Closely, and are so devoid of trimming, that lea oike was ep sais Uying t Gaak waeee cho po bo Bese nag ine en lag Pred resenbie on had put the pillow cases for the front bad- img-habits in appearance. An tinported sui room, and was not exactly in the humor of spider watching, but he tried a little vigorous pony myo fen oo — Le aoe he “rite up laughter Julia, who was at the gate wi & young gentleman. He brought them in, look- ing anxiously at the spider who had not yet moved, thank heaven, and commenting in a —— manner at the singular lack of appre- ciation on the part of his family. Then he plunged into a back room where his soz, Adol- phus, was making a sloop, and called him. But Adolphus didn’t care to see pider, and the impatient and sorely tired parent was obliged to take him by the collar and jerk him into the dining-room, and cuff him on the head two or three times, before the bite man felt a yearn- ing to look into the intricacies of the éxperi- ment. Having got them all together, Mr. For- ceps got down on his knees, feeling the fall babe. ge Of his responsibility in the matter, and eyed the spider with painful intensity. A’ half hour passed, still the spider did not move. Mrs. Forceps was suddenly struck with an idea. « There!” she exclaimed—Forceps looked up eageriy—‘I’ll bet those pillow-cases are in the chest fn the back bed-room,” she added. Mr. Forceps grated his teeth, turned again to as aro draped yet flat. —, and hb: hind. A standing costume is of i the spider. ‘‘I’ll bet he’s asleep,” volunteered Adolphus. Mr. Forceps intimated that he | i color, and would split anyone open who took the wager, | of the guaze Arran and silence was again restored. Still the spider So) Peet yt did not stir. It is likely it had not seen the item 2 in the papers, and didn’t know what was ex- pected of it. Mr. Forceps grew more nervous and impatientevery moment. The longer the jider delayed moving, the harder Mr. Forceps fared at it. He was thus engaged when Mrs. Forceps emitted a sharp cry, and he looked uy) Just im time to save himself. Adolphus, wit! the knife he had used on the sloop in his hand, had become eo oppressed by the magnitude of the experiment, that he had actually fallen asleep, and losing his balance he strack against | his mother, and bounced thence over inte the | midst of the group, the knife describing a circle | in its descent, and in a direct line with the back of Mr. Forceps’ skull. He j be — —— but = lows gt bso The unhappy youth went down in the basin with a crash knocking the contents over the | Srey Occ family and Lig, ong int of the stick into | his father’s knee. The shock awoke him, and ith that instinct peculiar te boys, he appre- | ended a disturbance, and promptly darted out | of the house. The old gentleman went directly | to his room, took off his clothes, and went to bed, leaving Mrs. Forceps to clean up the muss | and explain to those who cared to know, that the house would look like a hog pen in spite of all her efforts.—Danbury News. is the most the ski silk and velvet. str with waist an front is mere}: A Sr. Pavt Cow Goss Into 4 Dwettine, Makes Her Way Ur Stairs, ann Tuen Grows Beuticrnenr.—A ludicrous perfor- mance occurred on 4th street yesterday after- noon—the scene being laid near the Metropoli- tan Hotel, and the principal tigure being a cow in front, of mild aspect, but not remarkably handsome. ‘remch dresses of latest importation have the The front door badtbeen left open, and the lady basque and over-ekirt trimmed with. rows of of the house hearing a tremendous clatter Of hanging loops, like those on the beautiful bridal hoofs on the stairway leading to the upper story dregs worn by Nilsson as Valentina in the oj | of her domicile, started hurriedly to ascertain The }'iguenots.”” The rolled cap above the cause of the phenomenon. She arrived in the sleeves aud the double pointed raft of the Ume to see a cow's tail swinging aloftatthe (Cavalier costume are worn. Rose-bud head of the stairs, and soon the animal had | garlands are the fashionable garniture for found her way into'a small closet in the vicinity. young ladies’ evening dresses, and the boquet and at once became profoundly interested in o¢ natural tlowers carried in the hand must cor- a sack of meal, or some other pleasant object’ respond. These Souaate are large and round, si therein. The lady, failing to appreciate and are made up of long-stem: buds loosely ‘tored the transformation of her ti artment into @ a ted battle | afternoon wedding or ite si white silk skirt and st net fer this drese is a tai of black velvet, witn white and bli and feather raches. scribed a year ago, when Worth revived them, matrons and elderly ladies tor full- ns. Adress prepared for receiving New Year's calls isof plam blue silk, made in the princease the demi-train neck, while tolds and of the tight sleeves. Ddasque, over-skirt, and pleat flat sashes and garian:is of crimson roses. Blue reyaleut color for evening dresses, aud is especially preity ander a bine and white striped gauze over dress, with the irt showing the biue stripes. dress garlands of roses of various shades, palest pink to deep crimson, ar Stripes are also secn in other materials, such as A French costume worn at oionaise of alterna i _ 8k vai in ~~ style, sim jour aroun perth the Teides to the belt, while the plain ornamented with a row of steel buttons — “ yomeg ee and , Eoeracxp hic The back o! e sk) a8 & puff at py afiatsasb. Satin is being used again in for trimming evenin, retty when used will adies wear calle skirts covered to the belt wit ufts and pleat 5 coaset Sadiong eanate breadths nging smoothly on the sides, and drawn backward, in the fashionof the demi- polonaise. ‘The waist is a basque of satin with tulle sleeves made of pufis around the bas @ » 1k The tulle oF of this kind is in two colors of camei’s-hair— dark gray and indigo blue. The bordered with two rows of narrow four inches deep; these are pressed flatly halt their depth, while the full lower edge is as loose je. The long plain blue overskirt sim- ply hemmed has three smooth clinging front readths, while the full back breadths are The basque is without postil- in two square tabs be glish collar is around the “ay skirt is | ting, each leating edge the wrists he hat worn with this blue felt, turned down close to the ear on the left side, and turned up high on the right. triramed with blue silk folds, and a curling ostrich plume in its natural gray | NEW YEAR'S EVENING AND RECEPTION DRESSES. Dresses for the opera, evening parties andthe approaching New Year's receptions do not par- take of the simplicity advocated for street cos- | tumes. White Chambery gauze and grenadine over dresses are the favorites of the winter, in- stead of the muslin ones so long worn. These gauzes have satin stripes over aninch wide, either white or in delicate blue or rose, and the silk skirt beneath them must match this stripe | is trimmed with pleated flounces uaze arranged so that a stri comes in dresses for bride-maids are white stripes inthe gauze ed with wide Pleatings on ‘ith such a from ‘e very effective. nd black velvet, with a TI DCESSO is dresses, and is especial: tarlatan. “A ped pleatings; rcuiuh Normandy bon- crown plume dresses de- . <= The over-skirt is then of satin open common stable, at once inaugura’ entirely of pink buds of various 0 against the tr wand by the use of signs, | Srcirer¥ Of PlOk Mose with pink bude or aise movements, and pass-words, which only alady jightest yellow buds and dark velvety crimeon can recall on such an occasion, undertook to ones; wiclets are pretty with pink buds, or with eject the cow from the premises. Bossy failed tne pale tea-roes; heliotrope ink buds, to see the signs and did not seem tocareacob with merely the rose foliage, are seen together, about the lady's wishes. The lady shook her nq the odors blend deliciously. Thus there apron Ca = cow > Re ranges ae oe ono te fashions in boquete asin other thie and carefully for a more effective wea! 2 be fi tf must be an er his way, fare. ‘The cow comprehended the situation at | ‘U< {grist of to-day ‘and 4 last, and her head was lowered, her tail was flung high in the air, and her back was curved jesticall; lady concluded thesirin her | st y was not conducive tohealth, and rushed | out doors calling for help. It came in a short time, and the cow was eventually ejected, but | not until after some threatening demonstrations | made on the levies or reinforcements her within the fortress.—st. | umes: arrang- ing them in unique combinations of color, but -ssociating those whose enhi other, instead of provi mixed boquets a dozen conflicting odors. ance each with | toned gaiters formerly worn. French hee! is polished kid te chesen for street shoes, and the worite +! slippers of black or of white satin are worn on full-dreas occasions by ladies instead _— _ simply shaped, not coveri inste| the Marie Antoinette. fashion displaying to advantage the elaborately embroidered and opon-worked clocked stockings that are again in vogue.—Harper's Bazar. “MESSES” FIVE-AND-TWENTY YEARS Ago, Ben Perley Poore, in his Boston correspond- ence, thns alludes to the above topic: Five-and ago were seldom over five- and twenty Con; men who brought their wives to Washington and kept them there dur- ing the session. Up to about that time the Senators and Representatives usually lived here in what they called “messes.” From half adozen to fifteen congenial spirits would take Tooms at some boarding-house, with the under- standing that no one else was to be admitted, and the party thus formed a family circle. In many of these “messes” no ladies were tolerat- ed, while in others the chief attraction was the wife of some Senator or Key tative, who was virtually the queen of establishment. THEIR Was it to be wondered at that so many Con- | gressmen used to pass the evenin; fighting the tiger” at some of the comfortable gaming hells on the Avenue, or in carousals at the gor- [= fitted-up establishments near by? Vashington City was then a very immoral city, and manya fine intellect failed to pre- serve the owner from temptation. Now-a-days matters have changed. There are to-day (im Washington forty-five Senators out of seventy-two, and one hundred and six Representatives out of two hundred and thir: ty-five, who are accompanied by their wives: and these one hundred and fifty one wives cs Congressmen exercise [a potent influence. Gambling drunkenness, ‘and otner vices which it is not necessary to name here. once so common among Senators and Repre- sentatives, are not now od practised at all, by Congressmen keep house, the social influences of home, while the others board at hotels or boarding-houses, where agreeable circles are formed. Eighteen Sena- tors and twenty-four Kepresenatives have also here with them daughters who go into society, md are benefited by others are accompanied by female relatives or | friends, and thirty have with them children too young to go out. ‘So the successors of men who used fo pass their evenings at a taro bank o: poker table, escort their daughters to balls, or remain at home and frolic with their children All this is a decided change for the better. How To Cook a BrerstRaK.—aA beefsteak is always best broiled, but the following method is recommended when broiling is not conve- nient: The trying pan being wiped dry, place it upon the stove to become hot. In the mean- time pepper and salt the steak, then lay it on Rae and mstantly cover as tightly hen the raw tlesh touches the of course it seethes and adheres to few seconds it becomes loosened and ey. Every half-minute turn the steak, but careful to keep it as mach as possible under as possible heated pan it, but be TOY DEPARTMENT, A 24 and 60 cent FANOY ARTICLE DEPARTMENT, An unsurpassed DOLLAR DEPASTMENT, A department for the sale of fine TOYS AND FANCY GOODS, And the Basement is packed with ROCKING HORSES, DOLL CABBIAGES, WAG- ONS, SLEDS, SHOO-F LY HORSES, ROCK- EES, WHEELBARROWS, CARTS, £o., Banging in price from 50 cents up to $12. COME NOW. B. SILVERBERG, METROPOLITAN DOLLAR STORE, 319 SEVENTH STREET, dec3-tr N«AR PENNSLVANIA AVENUE. re AT HEILBRUN'S, re 402 7tu STREET N. W. CLOSING OUT SALE OF 960,000 WORTH OF GENT’S FINE STITCHED BOOTS, LADIES ROBBY BUTTON GAITERS, WHITE, BED AND BLUE SLIPPERS, BUBBEERS ND AROTIOS. n029-lm* “SLIPPERS MADE 10 ORDER.” Oo PENING $40,000 Werth of NEW AND FASHIONABLE READY-MADE CLOTHING 4T PANIC PRICES. PIANOS, &«. PIANOS! make room for w receiving. Twill sell for s e - UBPLUS, 9256414 26, INSURES AGAINST LOSS BY F/R ® BUILDINGS, HOUSEROL DY FUE x rT KE, AND MERCHANDISE GENERALLY orricuns BENS BH. NASH. Preeitent E- K Fat + View President ©. WHERRY. Secretary J. DL MCINTIRE, Assistant Secretary MAUBY & BROTEE: "Rhicaesbachs PIANO WARBROOMS, 3 Lith street, aber Agente, 43: Pa Aec3-ec tm No pe REDUCTION 1 BRICKS REaT BS MUTUAL GP84t REDUCTION Ln Pi ‘ iG INSURANCE COMPANY, "2 CKER & COS | OLD MEDAL PIANOS | Capital $500,000. hese euperior instruments, which recived the he World LOSSES PROMPTLY Pain Office, 683 18h street, opponite Treasury Depart- ment. Also, AGENT CONTINENTAL LIFE INSUR- ANCE COMPANY. _oct9 2m RW. BATES. Ageot A +938 Pennsylvania forreut. Gall and sea ‘ JARL RICHTER, Agent, noval-tr OS Pennsylvan oon | Dipnerons: ge] President, Andrew Rothwetl, Thos, PIANOS, dealers in Pianos tieon, W 3, Wilson, #8 Wai | mente sage EY = en 4 rhe, TB Orme Se Written | G, SOEE'§ Fiano anv MUSIC STORE, . thor; George Wh Grepiert i ° 63: lew York — pear Tth 1@e ct Biige York, near by acer eee | Ww JONES & Co. nists Of the continent. Agency for No. 611 7: street, opp P.O. Deparomens, fuperior STERLING onda: Piss present the following ecrong’ Wire Tusurencs from’ Dew at mee | ‘and for rent. All kinds , OF * Berane for rent, (Air “Rinite or hac THE GERMAN AMERICAN OF NF. Piance, Organs, Harpe, &c.. tuned eeree : and repaired THE MERCHANTS, OF NWA Uned inst ram 5 mas aT Lh Aneete @OT6 74017 "PIANO AND MUSIO ST gph pba | igee beers : GRIMES’, No.3 70 NMA . \" MEDICAL, &. iE Tees Be face i Fr 4 EK, Beoretar DS BUGORD AL we Md, has devoted t! of Indiscretions tn ¥ itty years to th ath, Impotency a: ved in etx days | cited « Jisy Scowart, Gone, Edward Drowp,J ho fT. jobacl Green, John Bailey, &. H. Hegr T= RQUITASLE MOTT’S FRENCH POW DEBS certain care T all diseases of the organs and all urinary Somplaints and blood and skin dis: ases and nervous debility caused by indiscret — ww? thal ASSURANCE The business of this Company 3 per box For sale by WM the largest of ony nagict, corner IRD street aud Pennsylvania ’ nue, Washington, D.C. Rowse may3-ly M®S, =F: RIGHT. 14 weit kaon C —_——————S= ind) Magnets: Paystvan,. bi on Rooms at 515 ith atrect, between E sod F worth THE TRADES. west, where she treats «: ersfnily diseases of ar —~ Acute and Chronic nature without drugs. 023 km" BSON BROTHER [)® WEsny wisox 1012 Fen: Srzarer. Fightoon years’ experience in Army Horpitals ane =a - Private Practices. rom cures. No rions pt medicines. A perfect cure and scientific and honor able treatment guaranteed, Charges reasonable, | and only one charge for advice aud medicin BUILDINGS, HOTELS B PUBLIO PRIVATE BESIDENCES AND batter upon it, and if you want much avy | He Bam. to -m, Sundays, 9 to ilend aad a taiespoontal oF trong cottee. STs tof. en amet cece . makes the most delicions, delicately-broiled BS. BJ. FRE: ] . ©. ae | steak, full of jutce. yet retaining all the healthy. the cciebrated Meliable Ciairsarany phn: | ‘sy ©. HOGAN, de arrayed in the bright | beety flavor that any John Bull could require est Medium, hes 3 New York | 713 MARKET SPAC The same method may be applied to mutton Mice houre—10 a.m. to 7p. m. Bugage | Betwoon 7th ead sh strovis. chops or ham, only they require cooking to pre- can _be made for evenings. ay | Rte Ape Se te game Fent them from being rare. An excellent gravy | F)EMALE DISEASES of all Kinds iresiea. De | 70 a may be made by adding a little cream, thick. MY sertbe case ana enolcsc $6; mavice aud'‘meai | AWNINGS, ened by & pinch of tionr, into which, when off | Sime wil! Le sont. Address Mrs. Dr. THOMPSON. | the fire partially cool, stir the yolk of an | 40.646 North lith street. Philsdelphin. jaxs?-1? FOR PRIVATE RESIDENORS, HOTELS, egg well beaten, — PUBLIC BUILDINGS, Hovse-PLaxts—The English Gun sUY Rc a | MANUFACTURED BY jen ts Inclined to dispute the rule that'wa- | BUY FOR CasH, M. @. COPELAND, ter should be given in moderately small qaan. | | gaps : titles, and supplied frequently. “If the cause- | AT REDUCER PRWES. 643 LOUISIANA AVENCUB, of failure where plants are cultivated in win- 7 CAMP MEETING TENTS sod FLAGS for sie dows are minutely eyo or dribblin or rent aot system of watering would be found to be th - — atest — Principal cause. A plant ought not to be wa PLUMBING and Gas-riTTiNG. tered until it isin a fit condition to receive a | re 7 dostring te . liberal supply of that element, having previ. | PBESSTBUNKS pews Wittiog docs ints wont tad potent eens, ae ously secured a good drainage, in order that all | ENGLISH AND PaChiNG TRUNKS terms, abouid leave ther ordere ef superabundant water may be quickly carried . | ELS Penunsytvants svenne, Oepitol Hill, oft. Those who are constantly dribbling a | LADIES’ SATCHELS. . | ork warranted wm. Bor moderately small quantity of water upon their GENTS TKAVELING BAGS, _ SOTEWSLL plants will not have them ina tlourishing con- | PUCKET BOOKS, VALISES , ition for any, length of time. This must be LE AN ¥ . obvious to ali, for it is quite evident that the pore at ARR ESS SA } CARFENSTSR, BUILDER, moderately small quantity of water frequently CARRIAGE ROBES, HUBSE CO ; oonTaad given would keep the surface Of the soll metst, | WHIPS, &c., _— els sco a . while at the same time, from the effects of good oie SERRING, OF Gea drainage, which is essential to the well-beingo! | At the SR eat Call attended to. tools would perk for want of watered tee | CLD AND PRACTICAL MANUFACTOuY oy | _JauBly “lancet, below Bt, northwrat ; A peris a . and - — plant would become sickly and eventually die. | JAMES 5. TOPHAM « CO., PLCTSINS, Gas FITTING AND SEWER Se ee eee x ple bara’y Decoy Deck ror Dinwen.—A certain mem- No. 445 SEVENTH STREET, Pee Baile, Prakiioal ela — ber of the cloth in this city was rather delighted | Bent BBY 2¢ wirect northeast. Spocielts, TIM than otherwise, Thanksgiving morning, to see Adjoining Odd Fetiows’ Hall. bir PIPE alware on Land. wilt-tr the expreseman drop a barre, which he imag- =_ — — ned plethoric with certain expec anks- | giving delicacies. About an hour later the fa \ LIVERY STABLES. ly domestic entered the parson’s study with a | REPAIRING duck in her hand, and exclaimed: “Shure, | = | ister- ; We'll have plinty ov ducks now, TBUNKS COVERED AND TRUNKS I’m thinkin’, for there's a barrel fulloy'em out Gana tatness METAINED promptly | sain every week there.” by first-class workmen. GQec3-tr BIcHAKD VANT, nAbe minister saw with dismay that the girl J, B,SEKgET & son -bad a wooden ‘decoy’ duck, sports- . BO } men to'inveigle the feal article. He went to | @REMT REVOLUTION | 3. b0aubine, un ile ee the barrel and finding it packed full of decoys, | ofthe Epiphany Oburch Hume.) Pius Oarringos of suppesed he was the victim of some practical IN PRICES | allkinds, Horses aud Buggies, Phaetons, &c., tor pagan, till he examined the address and saw it : Si | Bre. ton paid to the care of Board- was the name of a well-known and successful | IS NOW GOING ON AT THE GREAT | tng Horees. decib-1y sporteman whose decoys were just retarn’ | b —| from Sandy Creck.—Orsego Palisdtume = | CARPET | ASO Stnusr, betwee tie soot 87-““A thing of beauty ina jaw forever,” asa | AND ae ae gentleman said of his handeome, scolding wife. | es 2 LLIsON Bal os ; - DRY GOODS HOUSE erat TERY AND HInINo eTAnuEs. | ‘GABBIAGES and COA 9 PROFIT KNOWN a8 _Aecaly __13596 B atreet Dortnwest. THE ARCADE, = _ BY PAST EXPERIENCE, AND VISIT | —— j ¥. EDW. CLARK & CO., RB. 7 DEALERS a ——— THE INDUCEMENTS NOW OPEN aT) LUMBER, WOOD AND COAL, | THIS ESTABLISHMENT TO CONSUMERS, | DOORS, SA8H, BLIND, GREAT METROPOLITAN DOLLAR STORE. | BoTm LY j MOULDINGS, ac, AND MAKE YOUR PURCHASES FOR THE CARPETS AND DRY GOODS, Wart, Depet'and Flauing” Ml, toot ‘of 6 street HOLIDAYS | IS MORE THAN WONDEKFUL. | IRR TR S ose | THE EXTENT AND ATTRACTION OF ginis avenue and Kh strect soatheast, wily BEFORE THE USUAL RUSH COMES. | GOODS AT THIS HOUSE SURPASSES ANY-| NOTICE oF BEMmovaL. THING LN WASHINGTON. ee Bet a tL eee toa ee antroke® | THE CHANCES WERE NEVER BETTER what is better than all, | T0 PROCURE REALLY HANDSOME CAk- YOU WILL SAVE MONEY. | PETS SO CHEAP AS BEFORE THE WAR. You will find « 26 and 50 cent | WOLFORD&SHILBERG, 4237 SEVENTH STREET, nov2s-tr Between D and E, southwest. | SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TAXES. Branch Office at 206 4% street, Remember Ponnsylvania avonne.under, National PEABODY'S, Goss (Bo. 625 Lovisiana AVENTS,) Inthe only bouse tu the city that makes @ spsotaity GUNS, FISHING TACKLE, AND SPORTIM engin GI-SIGN OF BIG GUN. LSE'S WHA Ate E Soot or ern axp P Sraeets, TO CONTRACTORS akD MERCH ° | the offices of the Dist: 5 Pflaving pecullar facilities in purchasing DISTBICT BONDS, j ‘ ‘with all classes | Weare enabled to sui phnweaitn feed as a Oh ee ey | Epo ny thy ‘given te the Ses discharged from z | “Parton Are re iy District Becuritien | “ana | find it to their advantage to call. | N THE SUPREME COURT GO! THE DISTR! OF COLUMBIA, Beal Bstate and Holding @ Special Term, Neo 15) OR De a eg ran 206 Deo: os deceased, “the. Bxecutor eae Oi se ptan. cremee. eee | aforesaid ben, with the approbation of the Quart of the District of Cottumbia aforeaaid, appotuted latrict of Cumbia M TUESDAY. December 333, 4 Diss. for the AY. ber > A | final settlement and distribution of the onal estabe | of naid deceased . he in oo“ ! FURNACES! AND GRATES™ | ‘The largest and most complete assortment of PABLOB, COOKING AND CHAMBEB STOVES are now offered at BEDUCED PRICES at W. D. WYVILL’'S, | novli-Im 492 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUS. | | THE aCe sorts ou punt FOR THE MANUFA( ee ET _pigomaes! ENCOURAGE HOME INDUSTRY? GREE ILLIAMS, sorte ONT CE Te pAanter c. FAHEY, Gravel Roofer.