Evening Star Newspaper, April 6, 1889, Page 10

10 THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C DIVERSIFIED CORRESPONDENCE. Queer Letters Received at the Smith- sonian Institution. WRITERS WHO TAKE THE INSTITUTION FOR AN IN- TELLIGENCE OF FICE—FREAKS FOR SALE AT EX- ORBITANT PRICES—SOME UNHEARD OF DE- ‘MANDS—POOR SPELLERS, BUT GOOD INQUIRERS. On a recent visit to the Smithsonian Institu- tion a Stan reporter noticed a room fitted up with a large number of letter-boxes, scales, bags andall the paraphernalia of a modern post-office. and on inquiry learned that the mail for nearly 200 persons was received there and that several wagon loads of mail matter were received and dispatched daily. Some idea of the magnitude of the business carried on may be gained from the statement that last year there were received 50,280 let- ters, 22.931 documents, 15,325 cards, 7,496 papers, 446 articles of merchandise, 439 regis- tered packages, and that there were sent 66,203 letters, 27,318 documents, 8,822 cards, 3,497 Papers, 443 packages of merchandise and 4,308 registered packages. The reporter was informed that the corre- spondence carried on by the Institution ex- tends to every part of the globe—that there are over 3,000 correspondents in the old world and about the same number in this country. An extensive system of exchange of public docu- ments, transactions of learned societies, etc., is Tried on which adds several thousand volumes mually to the Library of Congress, and is of the greatest benefit to the libraries, colleges, &c., in all parts of our country. THE CORRESPONDENCE of the Institution embraces a wide range of ap- plications and of topics, in addition to the ne- cessarily large number of business and routine letters constantly required in the tranaaction of its daily work. From all portionsof the coun- try inquiries and proposals are continually re- ceived, varying from modest requests for in- formation on subjects frequently common- Pplace—sometimes abstruse—to dogmatic an- houncements of new philosophies and cosmolo- gies, destined to revolutionize science or to entirely supersede the laws of Newton. Accord- | ing to its established policy, all correspondents receive respectful attention and reply- and if the information sought is not immediately ac- cessible, either reference 1s given to other es- tablishments or sources, or specialists are ad- dressed upon the subject, and the Institution itself becomes a solicitor of knowledge. To correct a very common misapprehension, it may be stated that the Institution has not | offered any standing prizes for the solution of | dificult problems or for the discovery of new } scientific principles. The proper course for those who wish to obtain pecuniary advantage from their supposed contribution to knowledge, is to make some practical application thereof, for which they may secure a patent from the U.S. Patent Office. A rule adopted by the Board of Regents forbids the Secretary or his | assistants from giving an official opinion as to the merits or demerits of inventions or other | projects. Every mail brings requests from all | parts of the country for analysis of minerals, | ores, mineral waters, soils, &c., which cannot be complied with, as the Institution has no la- boratory in operation. SAMPLES FROM THE FILES. As illustrations of some of the correspond- ence, the following are taken at random from the files: A correspondent propounds a number of que- Fies relative to light and spectrum analysis and asks: “Why should a solid, when incandescent, emit any waves that do not belong to the definite wave length of its molecules when in a free state some of which in the continuous spec- trum are located between and some perhaps below the wave length of the colored trans- verse bands?” HOW THE WORLDS ARE INHABITED. Another correspondent expresses himself as @ strong believer in “a plurality of inhabited worlds,” and writes an argument to prove that “the inhabitants of these worlds are human.” He admits “that immense differences of men- tal character may accompany great diversitics of organization. in accordance with the great diversity of surroundings;” but he holds that “all alike are no less essentially human, and that the human nature is but a reflection of the divine nature, especially so intended in or- der that human ‘(or reflected divine) nature may be capable of rising to the power of con- templation and comprehension of the divine work of creation, which no other organized be- ing can approach. That being so. it is no un- philosophical conception that the mere mate- rial world, however grand in its phenomena and vast in its extent. is immeasurably out- weighed by the mental and spiritual nature of a being like man—not the individual, but the countless race which finds its nursery as it were in the innumerable globes of spac OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS of a large class of letters are as follows: “Please write on enclosed postal the name and address of two or three of the leading astronomers of America.” Such letters are frequent, the writers cor iviag that the Insti- tution is an intelligence office. The financial management of the Govern- | Ment is called in question by one who writ “When I put our great surplus [in the U. 5. | Treasury} to the scientific test of the crucible | and balance I cannot tind it. Enclosed is aj 3 | carried on an | ystem and founded | ‘her bureau. Since 1874 it has discontinued its labors in this line and relinquished thi nal office. It} still receives requests like tuis, howeve » have one wonld be an addition to our scientific apparatus. Will you kindly inform me in regard to. the make- Bp-proportion of parts, etc of the official gauge? “Tam seeking data concerning the efficiency of man, regarding him as a heat engine. I wish to determine 1, the heat evolved by the com- bustion of a unit weight of butter, fat, potatoes, flesh, milk, &c., 2. the total mechanical work, intereal and external, performed in a day,” ete. Please state the necessary steps to become a | member of the Institute. You may consider my | name as a Candidate for membership. Please | let me know at once.” “What ornithological work will be most suit- sble for the Moravian Missionaries in Alaska?” A gentleman preparing lectures asks for a drawing to be prepared for him in colors of | the solar spectrum with the wave lengths in- | dicated. Students everywhere write for the best Makuals in science and for authortative decision | of the merits of new publications. A DISCOVERY IN GEOMETRY. A correspondent communicates “a discovery fm geometry”—the problem being “‘to divide any given arc or angle in any number of equal parts.” He writes as follows: ‘Solved at last!” “The following conditions are based on the uniform relations which all acute angles and their complements have with respect to a right "After « full exposition of the problem the suthor remarks: is principle has com- plete generality because any obtuse angle can bisected and then trisected by doubling one | of the three equal angles of its half,” as he had expe je is aman who has great confidence in the extent of the learning of the Smithsonian philosophers. He asks: “Can you tell me what do toa crow to make him talk? We have a very intelligent bird that we have tamed and he twies hard to talk but does not succeed.” A PLAN OF A WATER PRESSURE. “I lieve that the Smithsonian institution is @ house devoted to cience and i suppose that if | i draw the plan out you will try it. istudyed onitwhile workin and at night for three weeks. don’t say anything abvut these plans to any body.” A . This correspondent evidently mistook the Smithsonian for the Department of Agrical- wre. “lama farmer. I wish to raise hogs and I wy to find —— grass that will be relished hogs. Will you not kindiy name a plant sy would thrive here in western Texes and would be eaten by hogs” within a radins of | | Brownsville (Jolly P.O. my Work send for it and I will be glad to send them to you.” “We wish to ea mummy for our mu- seum, Could you inform me where or how we can get one, and at what price.” “New Year should begin on 21 December, because more in unison with the natural divi- sion of the four seasons.” 3 “I have a mad-stone—the size of it is 1} inches square and 15¢ inches thick. It belonge to my father and he is dead now. It has been tested two or three times, once on a fine stable horse with good success each time.” THE EFFUSIONS OF SCIENTIFIC CRANKS are not nearly so numerous now asin Prof. Henry’s time, for he gave them such patient hearing that he was never without some of them to occupy his attention. All wild u- lations and theories are now referred toa learned official in the institution, who has been denominated the “F. K.” or fool-killer of the establishment. . There are many queer and amusing things in the Smithsonian correspondence as well as much that is scientific and of lasting value. It is thought by the officials that a large proportion of the letters received are of a trivial or_per- sonal character. It wasa compensation to Prof. Henry for the loss of much that was of value by the fire of 1865, that all the correspondence up to that time was destrored, and Prof. Baird fre- quently declared that it would be a good thing to have a bon-fire of the letters every ten years. It has been the ridiculous custom to file and [aepony every scrap of paper called a letter, ut this is not now thought to be desirable. ALL SORTS OF ODDITIES AND CURIOSITIES and freaks of nature are offered for sale as well as old books, old furniture, old clothes, &c. The following extracts illustrate the ludicrous side of the correspondence and are given ver- batim: “I have 2 young brown bear about 3 months old mail and femail and one yearling Bull elk and one Black tail deer. I have those on hand at Present. I would like you to send me your prices on them if you want eny such animals T hunt and trap all the time and can send you @ great menny specimens of different kinds such as fossils, minerals and heads of animals mounted or reddy for mounting.” U¥I have been toled by a Goverment official that I could get Tenthousan $10.000 for a double pig it is grown together from its under = down as far as its brisket bons, that is elley to belley and from brisket down is too Distinct bodys it has one mouth 4 cyes 4 ears 8 legs and 2 tales it is in aleoholl if this be true which I have heard write to me.” have a petrified ham, very perfect in ‘¥ particular, showing the rinkels of the skin, bone and hawk joint, all perfect as nature. It is shaped as hams were shaped in olden times. I have been informed that the Govern- ment bought such relicts or curiosities for your Institute. If so you can if you so desire write | to some Government official of this piace, or of Louisville Ky. to examine it and price it if not all right.” A MEXICAN RELIC. “Dear Sir I drop you a line on Inquiry I have a Muxacan Hat in my persiaion that iy Brother Captured at the Battel off nasal Brigs Muxaco in the year 1848 I wood like to now wether or not you will give me eney thing for it if sow how much it is a large hat M Stile it wade when new about age if you will you Histroy to it Let you know all the particlars about it pleas let me now Soon T have thort of ending it the State mew- | seum but I rothe ras at washington from | more peublie Let me nov | om as can nothing mo at this time have got a great veraty of fossels thay bigest cloken [collection] that ever was got out in this place. I have them for sal. I have fossel fish, bearays plants lever flys and difer- ent specmens that Ieanot name. I heard of | Your institut. {have got singel fish from one inch long two 2 feet” “What will you pay fora genuine petrified body of a Mexican man delivered in Washing- ton? He has been buried 12 years weighed when buried 115, weight now about 300—should you not care for him will you kindly give me name of some party or parties in N. ¥. or Bos- ton or Phil. whom I could probably dispose of same to” “Smithonson Insitute. Profeser Sir i have a grat curosity of a cat that was kitten with 8 Jags but the old cat destroied 1. it has 7 Now it has 2 boddys, 2 tayles and I head its feet is neatheri i wish to know if you wish to by it or what it is wirth.” “I have a pig—two perfect pigs with only one head—two perfect bodies eight legs, 4 cars 2 tails. I would like to sell it” offers ‘a mounted striped skunk from foot of Roan Mountain, N. C. in exchange for books” “What would you pay for a Kalf, bornd with no il. Now 1 month old, cow kaif.” “My warrlick (war relic} is a piece window curten whiclf was rescued from the burning at dad time rebell stathouse at Jackson, Missi in the historical battle May the 13, 1863 Dat piece window curten is 2 yard long, i yard wite qual- ity silix and wool. I am in possation of ths relic ober 22 years.” A FARM FOR A RELIC. “T own and have in my possion a most hig ly priced Relic for the S. Instute. I bave bin try- ing to get it placed there one your greate Wash- ington D.C. Men told me by letter that I} could get it Pisced there very easy our rep- sentative could get an act passed and the gov- | * erment no doubt give a section of land for it as it would be a great relic in future days to come I wrote to Hon stating to him the way it | is but he claimed he couldent do it but he is | out now I have always voted the d. ticket of course the other that comes in bi is of the oppersite side I was entitled to the postot knowing something about it | and I got a petition ‘ot 2 of the voters was ere maile at this office I sent Was no notice taken of it the got it had a petition with iso under age I was told boys because my petition was not in favor of the central commitemen therefor mine was null and voidthan I — that Hon. would put this through for me but dide not no I hope to hear the way from you also pleas give me the instructions and help me through and should it cost something why I will make it all right with you I have a Family a wife and 6 children and want a farm it wouldent be much to the t 1 section of goverment land in ansas as near to settled up country as it woul cost much to buy a Section ment land but the thing is to have that much money to buy with if some rich man had | it worth his millionof dollars he would have no troble perhaps in getting 8 or 4 sections forit now mabe you know a yy. that will trade me 1 Section of land for it and he have the honor of placing it there. mabe president Cleveland will have the notion if hears about it find me a man I will pay you for itso mabe better to turn it over to my father he is a republican sute the times as it is a republican Repsentative from this part it no doubt will be worth ay a relic several townships when it becomes about 50 or 60 years old but I may not need it any more then I will be laide under the sode by that time I want the ferm now and please tell me how to go the bell was maide in or clost to Philadelphia Pa I can give the history in full of the bell it was. good ring- ing bell 11 years almost past since it cracked now if I dont soon get it exchanged as I have proposed Lam going to advertise it as a Relic and not the least doubt I will soon have more than that much land but trouble is it may go out of this country and when would want to get it back would cost @ big sum of money ia I would rather keep it in this country.” CENTENNIAL CRACKED LIBERTY BELL OF 1876. “Previous to the 4th of July 1876 the Citizens of Brownsville, Monroe Co., Ohio, resolved to cel- ebrate the one hundred year of the American Independence, whereupon Christian Sander was chcoon President for that occasion, and W. 8. West M. D. was appointed to ring the School- house bell early in the morning, for to let the people of this vicinity know, that the great Cen- tenuial Annersary day of the American Inde- pendence had dawned, according to appoint- ment W. 8. West M.D. rang the bell on the 24th. early in the morning after about ten min- utes ringing the bell cracked, and consequently this cracked bell is the Centenniel cracked Lib- erty Bell of 1876, and likely the only one in the United States, and said bell is now in the pos- session of and owned by Christian Sander. Owned by G. W. er at present Town of re ) Ohio. Christian San- Then there are Merion nce ad who think the “I have been informed that the president of the U.S. made a reserve of all the gold and silver oars in the state of New York. Will you rite and Jet me no if stone-coal was re- served Pg Ne Lope aay he wh ge it forming me vat it me no Sow mash ond I wil ened 2. Please rite.” HE WANTED A CERTIFICATE. “As I would like to know how I could get a sitificat to show. I thought that I would send and find out from you as I thought you would be the best Place to Wright to. You see I like to have something to show that I am Naturalist if you would be so kind could get a setifecat to I would be very that I was i i Hs iH EF Ege - l G i i E g H if LEE ia ry § i rance but can confer HE WANTED THE SCHOOL FURNISHED. What could have given rise to the idea that the Smithsonian could diffuse knowledge by distributing school furniture it is hard to con- ceive, but one teacher thinks so, “Having — service as ‘syed grog the school near ——— Tenn. Would lease ou could furnish the school room with vt iture as it is a new house been built by the public and my are to small to buy furniture school. Would for charts, and a globe, and you furnish in paper mendation I refer you to district. Smithsonian can not enlighten their igno- material vors, &) * ATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1889-TWELVE PAGES. ‘BE WAS A TEACHER. “Dear: Sir: Mr. Secretary of the Simithsonian ingtitute i am emforme if i address the Sec’y of the simithsonion institute that i could gets books on Education that could obtained of the — er Of Education that they wili be sent i wish one of the copy of this work as i am teacher of school have be for 6 year i should like to have Herbrt Spencer's Essay on Edu- cation. if you have not this Book send one will be of and interest to me. the date of 1885 on books,” “Can you inform me where I can get some carpet bugs or Buffalo moths? If you have a few or can procure them for me I will gladiy remunerate you.” “Hearing of your benefit of your noble insti- tuton, and its purpose of giving to worthy peo- ple of the raw prarie. for the benefit of culti- vating said lan Tama widow and have to work for my daily bread so would ask, pine slips or seeds and mulberries trees and catapa seeds. Iam yours very gratefully “Tam anxious of obtaining some works on the origon of the species of cats and their ail- ments. If you can refer me to such works you will greatly oblige.” SUBLIME A®SURANCE, Among the large number of applications for employment most of them are pathetic, but some are quite amusing, snch as the following: “By my natural ability, liberal education and large experience, it may not be deemed extrav- ‘gant for me to say, that Iam qualified to dis- charge any duties you may assign me, with credit to myself and entire satisfaction to you. Imay be permitted to add, without egotism, that, for culture, refinement and urbanity of manners, I compare favorably with the best of men and society. My political influence and friends are of the best class. The commenda- tions from my ministerial and church brethern and friends are too numerous to mention here. I will lay all my papers before you in a few days, and have my friends see you in person.” In contrast to the sublime assurance of this gpplicant is the appeal of a poor fellow from aryland. i “Dar sir will you pleas Be so kind as to give me A place in the Nashel Muasear or Smith- sonon Ether of the plases of Warchmon or Water or Measher or any place that you fel expose to give me Dar Sir iam A Nataf of Charles Co md. Well none By mojortye of pepel in that country and Allso i have A let- ters of Reckmondation from the Best Jentman in the sad Country Dar Siri am now stoping In Washington City C st. And yours most obe- dent.” The very latest conundrum received by the institute is, “How many toothpicks can be made from a cord of wood and how many are used in the United States every year?” The very modest request ‘Was made a few days ago, “Please send me a list of the most important inventions invented by American inventors with date of each.” —_ soe Written for Taz Evesine Stan. ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS. What to Do and What Not to Do in So- ciety. RULES LAID DOWN BY THE AUTHOR OF “DoN’T”— MANY CORRESPOX 8 ANSWERED-THE PROPER THING IN ENGAGEMENT RINGS—CALLING ON UN MARRIED LADIES—THE USE OF TOOTHPICKS. (Copyright 1889,} The following questions and answers are pub- lished this week for the benefit of correspon- | dents: Thave received cards annguncing the marriage of a friend. Is it not proper for me to seud congratula- tions? If your friend is a lady send your card with your best wishes. The rule is to extend con- gratulations to the groom und best wishes to the bride, Ist. About hew long after an engagement should tne engagement ring be presented? Aud what is th e usually given? Ist. There is no definite time, but the ring should be presented soon after the engagement unless it is to be kept private. 2d. Either a solitaire diamond or pear! set in plain gold. If agentleman is introduced to an unmarried Jady, and sbe mvites him to call, shonld he first obtain her parents’ permission to call? It is not necessary, but when the call is made inquiries should be made for the parents. jady to ask 8 gentleman to call Ist. No. 2d. The initiative should come from the lady. Agentleman should in no case be the first t0 offer to shake hands. AT THE THEATER. When escorting a young lady to the theater, and being met at the entrance by the usher, which of us should follow immediately after him? Should the lady precede her escort down the aisle, which is too narrow for both, or should the gentleman immediately follow the usher? It may be said that the presence of ‘an usher should “not change the attitude of a lady's escort, but it ia undoubtedly embarrassing for a lady to bring up in the rear of the procession, and for this reason it would be considerate for her if her escort fell behind, Ast. Is it present good form to address a letter toa gontletnan without the prefix “Mr.* Should it be Mr. Freuk K. Sinith or Frank R Smith? yuple send reception Mrs, Smith at home. T! i * nt urd required trom thoze who at. on before the bride returns her calla? wsoou after the reception should the call be ‘hould rds ‘6 the persons heir cards! and where : he reception no card receiver ig placed read ienve them if Shall they haud them to the servant opens the door, lay t u the marble slab of the hat tree or on a table in ‘eption ra ? th. As it is a he very sensible fashion (or cus- tom) now to leave cards when attending afaneral ought not every person to provide an empty curd re- ceiver placed ona bat tree,cr table in the hall of the house Where the funeral is, su that it will be accessiLle toa! i? it. An address toa gentleman should always he prefix Mr, or affix Esq. 2d. No, the bride must return the call. 3a, 1f no provision is made for cards leave them ou a table or mantel shelf, but do not give them to the servant. 4th. The custom of leaving cards at a funeral is new to us, and if it exists, is ghastly rather than sensible, and could have been invented by an undertaker only. The custom of leaving cards in person at the door after death has ke- come very general, but the idea of converting a funeral into a reception is nothing less than monstrous, Onzht a gentleman enter a private office smoking and wearing his hat? Ihave seen mumerous instances of this exhibition of what seems to me to be very bad manners, RICHARD 8. Aman has no more right to enter a gentle- man’s private office smoking a cigar and wear- ing his hat on his head than to enter a lady's parlor in this manner. . It is not uncommon, we are sorry to say, but it is inexcusable. Is it good taste for agentleman to carry a toothpick inthemoutht Bie 85 It is in extremely bad taste. The custom of carrying the toothpick in the mouth is a com- paratively recent habit, and avery disagreeable one. Men, from whose appearance we should suppose would know better, may now be seen everywhere masticating their toothpicks, suck- ing their toothpicks, playing with ther tooth- picks, talking as it @ere, through their tooth- picks, proving themselves to be vulgarians by means of their toothpicks. This habit should be reformed altogether, CORRECT STATIONERY, Should private correspondence be written upon pa- per with business headings? Distinctly not. A lady’s and a gentleman's correspondence should be written on a fine juality of note Ba r, upon which nothing shoal be printed but the writer’s address, Travelers who write upon paper with hotel headings, people who send private communi- cations Sy postal cards or who write upon cheap ruled paper, violate good taste. ‘The character of a n’s correspondence and the quality of his stationery are dumb witnesses to his social standing. ® lady on the and to Pen Taine Se ans eee No. You should turn and walk with the lady and ye pe have delivered your message lift your hat and depart. Ata dinner recently a gentleman on my right side frequen! to verse with a pervon on the other side of him. The Pere on oniny Lot side. “Was it peck nascar ey ae Either ‘of these things?” Very bad manners, but fortunately exhibi- tions of the kind are not numerous. A gentle- man should converse with any one next to him by simply turning his head, not hisentire » and on no account talk across a person next him to some one beyond. It is things of this kind that make the difference between a boorish and well-mannered person. A NEW WoRD E i i : | garden ¢o tar, A STORY OF THE BLIZZARD. Tlove my home, and the care of it is my chief delight. Not that I would rather sweep than attend a matinee, or that dusting and put- ting to rights please me more than driving or dancing, but I do find the resuits of the sweep- ing and dusting very remunerative, and so it is, perhaps, that although much of every va- riety of housework falls to my lot, I would not exchange it for that of any one I know. Perhaps by some it might not be considered an altogether blissfal occupation to keep house for five bors of various tastes. and these boys not sons who must respect one’s idiosyncrasies and obey one’s behests, No. indeed. Twenty- four years are a great many for an unmarried young woman to acknowledge, but they would ‘ill be too few to allow me the honor of own- ing those five trooping figures over whose board and lodging it is still my pleasure and my duty to preside. These boys are my brothers, and if anybody thinks that they look up to me with mute reverence and restrained fear, he or she is entirely mistaken. Three of them, Frank and Tom and Willis, are older than I,and Jerry and Phil are younger. Phil is the only one of us who has yet to attain his majority. What there may be to do of a sufficiently celebrative nature when that event shall transpire in the spring I have not been able to imagine as yet. Phil isa darling; he shall have the best there is. We live in a suburb where there is said to be plenty of malaria about. Anybody who cares to pity uson that accouhtis welcome. We could not begin to afford wach « pleasant house if it were not for that report of malaria, which depresses the rents, As it is, we occupy a de- tached residence of rather imposing appear- ance, with sufficient ground about it for a be- shrubbed lawn before our door, and vegetable gardens, with an ornamental hen house in the rear. This hen-house is my chief pride. I bought the library curtains with the egg money, my friend, the grocer, chancing to be in need while eggs were scarce,’ The garden does not flour- ish as richly; in fact, I do not think that a more perverse spot of ground exists. Despite my constant siruggle to keep the weeds under and encourage the vegetables, it rarely yields enough of anything to serve us once around at ameal. The boys never cease to be jocular over my “crops,” and as they occasionally say some very good things, we are indebted to the rate. Perhaps, too, I save something on it in the end, as I nearly always have a little left from the week's allowance to lay aside for improvements about the house. his time I shall keep my savings for Phil's birthday. How earnestly I hope for inspira- tion against that great day! We chatter like magpies over it when Phil is not about, but we come to no decision. We reflect by way of stimulating our invention with enthusiasm. We ‘hil is the last of us: we shall never ve a coming of age again in the family.” Then we bethink us how jolly he is, Whatever may arise, he has always spirits and cheer for usall. What should do without him? But this only enhances Phil's value in our eyes, and renders the expression of our appre- ciation more difficult than ever, The boys go into the city every day to busi- ness, each morning, and the train which bears them homeward does not whistle at the depot until | “six fifteen.” as we time-table dependents learn to call it. Llike these Jong days with the boys aw There is enough to do, for nothing is ever put in place while they are at bom Wee papers, books, mi ards, and Iam sorry to say cigay ashes, are strewn all over the library id sitting-room; slippers, house coats, and more cigar ashes abound upstairs; but, after . Lam able and willing to put things to tights once a day, and I notice that if they are faith- fully attended to once, they cannot become so confused in a single evening as to render it an endless task to set them in order again, As for the use of tobacco, I do not approve of it any more than any other women; Lam snre that there would not be more than half as much to do in the house without it, and the odor of the descrted cigar end is perhaps the pooest in the world; but the boys must have a home— that is the main point—and if they were not al- lowed to do as they choose in their home, they might not care about it as nfuch as they do,- We are notas a family given to outside social duties, Among ourselves we are lively enough, but since we left the city we have found it im- possible to keep pace with the demands of iety, and have comfortably learned to give up the effort. We still receive a few visits, a few cards of invitation, and these we return and ac- knowledge, but then we pause. Of our immediate neighbors we see little. Upon one side of us live a gentleman and his wife with their two half-grown children. The jady is usually in town, As she has solicited subscriptions from me more than once, I know that she is the treasurer of a charitable guild, and has has not a great deal of time at her own disposal or that of her family. Upon our other hand lives an elderly widow with her son, a brown-whiskered young man who is facetiously supposed by the boys to cast admiring glances at me. His name is Mannerton, and he is known among us as Mr. Manitoba, Of the people farther along we do not even know the names, end opposite us is only a thickly hedged park, witha vacant mansion somewhere in its invisible midst. This park and ita facilities for realing “tramps” suggest such terrible things to Abby that I rejoice that the kitchen window does not command a view of it, lest she should find the prospect too alarming. Abby is our respectable widow who does general housework. She is an excellent, faith- ful creature, who does not think once a week too often to Pome the windows, and cooks ex- actly to the boys’ taste, Her drawbacks are a highly nervous temperament and a preference —which appears to take its rise in economy— for forcing us to use daily the cracked or n dishes, when left to herself, or over- rn table-cloths and napkins. It grieves her that we should insist upon eating from our best every day. and she atones for the neces- sity of using a whole service by an ingenious eviployment of the articles for purposes for which they were not intended. Thus it seems to her far more frugal to serve Frank’s toast in a coffee saucer than in its silver rack, and any use whatever of covered dishes she considers in the light of prodigal waste. But her chief characteristic, after all, is her faculty for bein frightened. If I had been born with “nerves” Inever could have endured her terrors, which would have been unfortunate, in view of hor many and superior advantages, When We arose on that nag! morning in March, so filled with recollections for the in- hal nts of the northeastern states, it was snowing, andsnowing with cn accompanying combination of wind and extreme cold most ‘unusual to our climate. Indeed there seemed to be something out of the common in everything that morning. At breakfast we were extremely talkative over the different id eat ie ae which we had al- ready passed. Frank and Tom had found their toilet pitchers frozen stiff and solid; Willis had arisen a whole hour earlier than usual and at- tended to the furnace, although it ha alway: before been necessary to arouse him when it was his turn to perform that duty. Abby had committed the praiseworthy but, for’ her, amazing extravagance of having the log fire in the dining-room blazing high for us as we came down, There was something about it different from other days at the very begin- ning—at least it seems so to me now as I look back upon itin the fuller light of subsequent occurrences, ‘The boys were very frisky at breakfast, al- though there was nothing especially new in that, As I kissed them each when the meal was over, and stood upon the hall chair to pull their ulster collars over their ears, I could not help thinking how forlorn it must be to let one man go his way alone day after day. I was proud of my five, and so I was.injudicious enough to tell them. “I would rather have five more than one Jess,” I remarked, genially, as they were about to depart. “But the way of it wiil probably be,” Je: replied, turning around to =o as he follows the others out, “that you will have one more and five less, There is Manitoba, you know.” As I rushed after him with an appropriate re- sponse, the icy wind quite blew my breath way. I thought it wise to reserve my repartee, especially as none of the boys would stop to hear it. they were tramping sturdily Ishut the door upon them at 8 o'clock | Foye d of ingredicets under her t she might When I visited her direction, to do her best. - ter in the afternoon = was progressi in the propose: undertaking, ad T comp! mated her sorely but designingly upon the contents of the bub- bling pot. She was evidently alarmed at the violence of the storm. “I don’t see how the young gentlemen is ever Soin’ to get home,” she said. anxiously looking at the whirling white blind without. “I wouldn't think any one could tell a thing where they was, let alone the cold.” “It is not far to the depot,” I reminded her comfortably; ‘they could go that distance in uy atorm ‘that we ever have in this part of the coun Abby was a weak creature. It entertained me to see how caln she instantly became; yet even as I spoke to her a little dash of feminine worry arose within my soul. The wind was | sweeping against each side of the house alter- nately, whipping the thickly falling snow into finest ‘powder, howling dismally about the doors, and dying away in lingering squeals among the chimneys above us. There was no more visible outline of the Mannerton resi- dence than if we were in the midst of a sand- storm in the desert, “I have never seen it like this before,” I con- fessed, unwisely; “I only hope the train will be on time.” Abby was demoralized once more. “Oh. she exclaims, almost what if it shouldn’ tearfully. ‘What if it should not come out to- night at all?” “That is not possible,” I answered, hastily, regretting my recent display of anxiety; “trains always run, The potatoes are ready—had I better put them in now? We ghail havea gorgeous chowder, shall we not? No one can make such chowders as you when you try.” After some further assistance I ventured to leave Abby in re-established serenity, while I lighted the lamps and made the final prepara- tions for the boys’ home-coming. The library, the sitting-room, the hall, were soon all bril- liantly illuminated, the dining-room was ready, and of quite inviting appearance, with its table of shining silver and glass, its snapping, crack- | ling fire and cheerful crimson hangings. As I | finished my labors and drew the last curtain, it occurred to me that it was a pity there should be no light visible from the outside for the boys to see as they came up the street. The parlor was the only room on the side of the house | nearest their approach. This was a long, seldom-used apartment of state with a bay-win- dow. After further reflection, I not only lighted | | the parlor lamp by way of a beacon, but the | fire ns well. There was an immense fireplace | with logs ready laid. We might all want to sit | | around it this evening. There had been no fire | here since the last night of the old year. It | was a holiday institution, this fire. I returned to the kitchen, quite glowing with the effect of my late exertions, Abby was peering contentedly into the oven at a mas- terly apple-pie, which already showed faint | | promise of browning; Dan, the cat. lay as con- tentedly on the opposite side of the hearth, with his toes tucked under him; upon the range the | | chowder was seething fragrantly, It was a! peaceful scene, which the sound of the raging | storm without only served to render the more attractive, As I opened my mouth to express my satis- faction an unusual shriek of the wind quite drowned my words, and at the same moment a bang like a heavy blow sounded against the front door at the other side of the house. There was an it nt of paralyzed silence, | | then Abby dropped upou her knees and uttered | aloud shriek, while Dan untucked his toes yand drew farther from her. My own | { alarm, which had been but momentary, died at once at the sound of Abby's ery. I faced her somewhat fiercely. “Get up this minute!” I commanded, can you be so foolish’ “Did you hear the noise?” she asked, in an awed voice, sitting upon her heels and seeming to listen for a repetition of it, “Of course I did. It was nothing but the wind. Why don’t you get up?” She heeded my words no more than if they had not been spoken, “It was.a bad sign,” she | said, still sitting upon her heels, “I had such a dream last week— “Stop!” TI commanded, loftily; “I will not hear a word of your nonsense. You may stay here if you choose; I will go to the door myself and see what made the noise. When f tell you | that it was only the storm, you will be ashamed of yourself, I hope.” “Don't go!” she begged, beginning to ery. “It was a knock—you wof’t find anything. It was a knock of warning.” The situation was becoming weird. It was already dark, the wind was fairly howling, and Abby ‘was beside herself with fright. 1° was obliged to be very severe with her to keep my own nerves well in command, but the sight of my superior courage seemed only to arouse in her deeper fear lest. harm should come to me. All my scoldings, all my arguments, so far from calming her, only increased the torrent of her tears and pleadings, and when realizing this fact I ceased to expostulate with her and turned to leave the kitchen she seized my skirt in the extremity of her apprehension and held it fast. So, from words it came to something of a struggle between us, which ended in my tear- ing myself from her grasp and locking her into the kitchen. As I passed long the hall the glimpses into the row of cheerful rooms on may left quite re- stored my mind to its natural state. By the sitting-room ciock, the most to be relied on of | all our clocks, I could see that it lacked but a minute or two of 6:15. Good! The boys wonld be here in ten minutes at the outside. Of course there was nothing which need alarm any one in the noise that we had heard. If I had not been so sure of that I might have been less willing to convince Abby. llistened. There was not a sound excepting that made by the wind. which blew so demise | against the door that it was only with great dif- ficulty that I could unbolt it. Leaning with all my weight against it, I turned the kuob,where- upon it was instantly pushed open with’a force of wind and smothering snow that extinguished the light above me and sent me staggering backward. I braced myself, gasping and half blinded, and there in the dim light, half covered by the powdery drifting snow, lay the body of a man across our threshold. What may have been my sensations at that sight I shall never be abie to tell. Ihave no recollection of any fear or thought of myself; 1 only realized keenly that the motionless mass before me was a human being whom death was ideas t With a strength which was not my own I dragged and bundled it into the hall and shut it in. The wind meanwhile had made a wreck of the place, and pushed and strug- gled age ‘inst the door behind which Abby was secured, so that I was not surprised to hear her cries for help above the noise of the storm. To show this man to her might be the death of her, What should [I do? ould the boys never come? Once more that fearless, em: fee) energy seemed to possess me. The lor door was but afew feet away. I threw it open wide, and then seizing the prostrate helpless figure by its collar, I dragged it with what haste I could along the over the sill, into the room. And now, what did I know concerning frozen people? Nothing. But brandy was warming, surely! He should have brandy to drink; he should be rubbed with brandy. Oh, was it not 4 providence which prompted me to'light that fire! “How I flew to the dining-room I was dimly con- scious that Abby was beating loudly at the kitchen door and calling my name. With no further beeper her, Saag oe was back in the or rolling arug for the stranger's ieee head, pouring the brandy down his throat, down his neck, over his ¢lothes, and rubbing his hands with all my mi; He was a sunburnt, bearded man of seafa , clad ina thick suit of dark cloth, beard, both worn quite short, were slightly ‘ay; his hands were hardened and rough, like jose of a laboring man. I should have sup- him to be a sailor, and bis age about forty years. At last, as I still oe him, his an seemed to change. grew more regular, like that of a person ole 9 I poured another dose of brandy into his mou This time I was sure that he swallowed. What — ve Ido for him? Nothing that I could think of. At this moment Abby’s voice sounded londer than ever through th ing 1 e — for the first along the road, with heads bent to the blast | time serious fear and pity for took id hands pl d an on united voices reached me confused, ly deed I was glad to shut myself away from the ther, t the of der. edge of the wea even at necessity ae leaving Jerry unwithered by my sarcasm. Re- | the flecting bose this afterward, Wt acemed to me ‘haps most unusual of 383 5 g which had yet occurred. morning h ii if 4 # A r E F; i F i HH fy E PR Hi He if hi He i i A i i deep in pockets; their | sion of me; 80, h | sailor with rugs, the wind, ordering me into the house; and in- | door behind Tieft’ the parlor, locking the me. 1 2 FZES Hs H tll zh al Hi with no lamp in putting hall in order. I} the expense of preparstion. and ewnit the re glanced at Joubetany, but she was not | turns as long as ht be nenenwary critical, 5 “To him that hath «bell be giten * For my “I've been a-hollerin’ and a-callin’ all the | own part | was assure! thet be © ! wot have time you was gone,” she said, with a little sniff | }ong to weit. He was roung, t be core, and and an uncertain smile. “I was a! you'd | lively, two qualities which hed » before come to harm. I knew you wouldn't find any- | counected themselves in my mm the pos thing at the door. It isa warning of bad luck | sible medical adviser. #t)/), he 1 speak when it is struck like that. You never find | very seriously, and be hed » ne of thing.” thought between his brows which marked him i ona cae tempted to controvert her foolish | for me at once as intelligent and or wt con- wisdom by telling what I had found, but if she | fidence. should faint, or have a fit or anything. what} Some time has passed +i We great storm, should Ido then? What if the boys should not | but it is still constantly sug ur minds be able to get home, and I should be obliged to | in consequence of the meny innovations to remain all night alone with the knowledge of | which it gave rise. that terrible presence in the parlor? Iwasas| Dr. Otis drops in among us © often that he afraid of it now as Abby could have been, No ower on earth could move me to unlock that Soor again, and yet horrible thoughts of the man haunted me. Would he rob the house and vanish? Let him! That would be as noth- ing. Was he reviving now, to emerge presently by force and be the death of Ab! Was he dead? “Have you heard the train whistle yet?" I asked, thoughtlessly. Abby glanced at the clock. do,” she crie: come to harm’ My overstrained nerves nearly gave way. Why should I spare her everything when she would spare me nothing? TI laughed hysteri- cally; my brain was becoming positively flighty. If she should see it! “How is the chowder?” I suggested, desper- ately. “You are not fo The young gentlemen will “Oh, what'll we in distress, “if the gentlemen's hungry when they As usual, she was immediately diverted. From agony at the idea of losing ali the boys to anxiety over her chowder was but a step to her. She rushed hastily to the kettle and pulled it aside. “I clean forgot that lovely chowder,” she said, self-reproachfully, ‘‘and if I’d’a let it burn Td never ’a forgiven myself.” Ah, what an hour that was! For it was a full hour before the furious — and shuffling, unmistakably of the boys’ doing, made itself heard upon the veranda. It was always I who let the boys in; to-night I fairly flew to respond to the welcome riot at the aoor. Such a set of snow images as they were, beat- ing their hats and stamping about the hall, tell- ing me all at once news of the storm, aud their luck in getting home atall. But I hardly heard their words. The very sound of their voices was music to me, no matter what they said. At length Phil recalled me to myself. “Isn't this atmosphere a trifle vinous?” he re- marked, moving his nostrils sensitively like a little rabbit; ‘has any one been called to the bar since morning?” boys!” I said, finding my tongue at last, ing at the same time to walk about among them like a mad creature, ~don't say anything to frighten Abby, but I have a manin the parlor. He came here—he fell in—he seemed to be nearly dead. Oh, do go in and see.” Apparently they understood my incoherent words, for almost before I had finished speak- ing they had crowded into the parlor. while I retreated into the sitting-room. When they came to me they were tulking together, and I | heard a smothered taugh. “He wasn't frozen, breathlessly, ‘Not a bit of it,” Frank answered, putting his hand comfortingly on my shoulder. was he has thawed. Everything has been for him that can be done. He is only very und asleep and very dr How in the world did you get him in there Then Itold them all about it. Not an over- shoe was removed until the end of my sic As I finished I saw, in looking from Frank the others, that there were six manly figure about “Have there always been six of you?” I asked, mentally recounting them, ‘I dare say there pave been; I should not be surprised at then?” I exclaimed, laughed. “The train stops here for the Phil explained, “so we brought Dr. Otis home with us. I wouldn't let the boys tell you there was an extra one, and you wouldn't notice it, so you have been in the dark all this time. You ought to be obliged to us for bring- ing you a doctor for your patient.” So the stranger wax a physician! I had had little to do with physicians in my day, but all I had met had n middle-aged and grave. This one was young and smiling. “Are you sure that the man will get well?” I asked him, hardly pausing to make him wel- come, “I am,” he answered, unhesitatingly; “as sure as Iam that but for you he would be a dead man now.” “But you said—some one said—that he had been drinking; perhaps that was my fault; I gave him some brandy.” Phil laughed again. “I should think you did,” he said; “you gave it to him all over, and he had had enough before. I shouldn't be sur- prised if he were to stay asleep for a week. He was more drunk than he was frozen. “But he would have been frozen if it had not been for your sister,” our physician insisted. He was a hearty guest. if he entertained the remotest objection to chowder he dis- guised it ably, We had a lively meal. and af- ter it was over and he had superintended the removing our strange sailor to a bed, he made himself very agreeable both in conversation and in singing for us in acharming voice. I was a little feeble after my recent shocks, but | feebleness was a luxury surrounded by these stalwart ones, The wind might rave and tear and biow us all away so that it blew us all to- gether. Even Abby's face was wreathed in smiles as she lingered over the dinner dishes and listened to the music, Every one remembers that great storm. All the second day it continued in its first fury. The boys made an effort to get to the city, but after spending the greater part of the morning at the station they decided to give up the idea of going on the train which was expected to leave in another hour, lest, as the storm showed no signs of abating, they should not be able to return to me at night. So we all lunched together as we bad breakfasted. and talked over our still sleeping man upstairs, whom hunger was expected soon to waken, Dr, Otis seemed to entertain the most com- plicated views concerning Abby. Whenever she was visible he regarded her with a studious frown, and confessed to me afterward that he was always questioning within himself whether she ought to be allowed to live any longer. “When I think of her doing nothing but scream and leave you all alone to take care of he said, “hanging seems too good for hei “But I_ had locked her into the kitchen,” I reminded him. ‘Poor Abby! She never in- tended any harm to any one in her life. I like her very much.” ; hat is just it,” he answered, laughing. “If you like her she must deserve to live, but I can never help watching her. I expect ber to ex- plode in hysterics every minute.” Before the afternoon was over these expecta- tions were realized. Indeed, Abby was seized with an attack beside which all her previous alarms were as nothing. Itseemed that our sailor, awaking and fail- ing to comprebend the situation, must needs stumble across Abby in the upper hall, who, at ‘ht of him, set up the most unearthly scream- ing that ever rushing pell-mell down the back stairs, flew for safety into the kitchen closet and hid her face in the iro: blanket. By the time we reached the kitchen was also there, stand- stranger ing humbly just within the door, ing Abby, who seemed to be listening, although not equal to the terror of beholding him. ‘As we stood about him he conveyed to us, with excited words and gestures, the astounding intelligence that he was Abby's husband, who exhausted uj the threshold of behold- ing her. He had been in South America these ten years to find his fortune, and That was a great day to be sure, Me past sions were brought us. No trains ran from town. Under the excitement of our own home- made a we My brothers’ est was very civil tome. From his remarks (peteered thas he considered moa hascine in the matter of our other wayfarer, fided to Phil, who im turn confided be was fascinated by our me extremely no reason to etting that, I hope. | “If he | imight also be one of us, He very | to apologize for the frequen | our house seems to lie on th is every destination, and we have » chowder since that great day that he has not received an especial invitation to share it with us. I know now that in all his experience he has never heard of 80 valiant a periorman encounter with Mr. Abby—so we him—and subsequent self-control inning to positively value bis opin: Mr. Abby, by-the-way, las qlite an acquisition in spite of vot have named I am be- ed to be upromising introduction to us. At Ab | consented to take her bh charge, it has ended in Mr. 3 ing a special partner of weer, where he labors business, which his capital to both. In spite of this prow that Abby canuot bear the ide So, to our great joy, she offere every day and work as before, Mr. A call for her each evening at 8 o'clock I frequently lecture her upon the superstitions, but I find thet the proc’ Tam ready to set before her of the fa her views are the very pointy upon wii substantiates their infalli ’ “I knew something would come of dream,” she says, “and it did. Jt was a ¢ thing instead of a bad one, that is all.” “But if you cannot tell gered frova your signs you are no bett not have them,” J ar to happen to us all, s j or the other. And th not anything, althou, | “It was good luck instead of bad | she reiterates, perity, 1 of | Abby is incorrigible, Still, I do not think she is quite so visionary and feartal since the | appearance of her natural protector. really seems as if she cooks be | Ae to Puil, he has taken to | remarks of late that I shall r | cut his acquaintance, or harden mvself new nonsense as J have here | For one thin says that th | first he ever heard of which sex of a household a husband, and other boys that a storm of | not be despaired of; and again, upon the | days that Dr. Otis spends with us, Phil po: | out tohim Mr. Manitoba taking his un. way to church, end is positively ov laughter if Mr. sfanivo happ: glance toward our window, alth vom oo | eager to declare that he never @id such a thing before in his life. er the ts to ng | iving me a brother ldn't you do it on my birthday ot think it such a bad idea,— Earle in Harper's - i EDUCATIONAL. 1 y hoe ERs SCHOLL Sec | Anne UF LANGUAvES, TE mall Summer. 3 QDWAND C. TOWNSES eocher Correct (deep) brea Dramatic Action, at 1 TNIVERSITY. J classes in Mat! young me vertan Coll Principal mhv6 HARVARD GRADUATE small DESIRES PUPILS Claes to siugly or a AP and modern languages WASHINGTON CONRELY sTORY OF Must Cloud Building, ti: and F evs Piano. Organ. advantages, O. B. BULL. ARENTS DESIRING Jase School i PEL, HER OF PIANO, DE Gt sight. Particular att i ae those wishing to be qua 12th st. now ) SHELDON'S DANCT SA Nosp. EDNESDA an tor partic ‘send for cirediar ACADEMY, DAY Un sation in the 1 aE loth st. now. F fills for all exarninat f Positions careially revised; highest rete 4.1, JOUN'S COLLEGE, ANNA Bight dejarnnente aid fou ry SPECIAL art PREPARATION THE es. 14m, BOOKS AND STATIONERY. Forty Tuovenrs, Lent with Jesus. Imitetion of Christ and other Books of Devotional Heading. Al elegant stock of Easter Cards, Books, Booklets aud Art Prius. © = ©. C. PURSELI, Bookseller, 418 Yth st. _FAMILY SUPPLIES. CANS SUGAR CORN... 1 e Bottle Concord Wi 10 Dried Peaches or 3 lve. Prum 1 galion Best Sweet Cetu: st Bonguet Wisk mhi%-lm O'HAK! “7 W: # coms, 024 ora si. x. W. IponTED and Domestic Groceries, Fine Wines and Liquors, &c. The following well-known brands of Pure Rye Whiskies constantly in stock: Old J. B. Thompson, Baker, Upper Ten, Hannis Acme, Takoms, Jacksom and Grand Jury. mh15-3m_ “Broa, Ven» SPRING WHEAT PATENT FLOUB is the Premier Flour of the World. ‘The only Minnesota Patent now made from all old wheat. For sale by the following well-known grocers: JOHN H. MAGRUDER, 1417 New York ave. CHAB. L KELLOGG, Masonic Temple, Ut se GEO. E. KENNEDY & SON, 1200 Fst W. E. ABBOTT, 1721 Pennsylvaniasve R. A. WALKER, 1600 7th «t. E. M. BURCHARD & BRO., Penn. ave. and 436st G. W. & H. W. OF FUTT, Georgetown. A. O. WRIGHT, 1632 1éth st. los. Prunes w “ P. F. BACON, Pennsylvaniaave. d8-whe ¢6OTAR OF THE EA‘ ANG Paley PEP “eee