Evening Star Newspaper, March 17, 1894, Page 14

14 J_—“*”—_—e~—~—~—~—~—es>—e—ee>———q—L_L——_=—=—=[—xx_—_—_———E—E—=EE——_—_—_—_——_———_————_——————— SWAYS IN THE WIND, The Effect of the Elements Upon the | Washington Monument. DELICATE TESTING DEVICES Firmness of the Foundation of the THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1894—-TWENTY PAGES. trymen,” by John Quincy Adams, Zachary Taylor, Millard Filimore, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and others, whose signatures it bears. The base consisted of a circular colonnade, or pantheon, 250 feet in diameter and 150 feet high, supported by four concentric cir- cles of Greek-Ionic columns. Upon this was to rest the obelisk, 500 feet high, almost a solid quadrangle. The pantheon was to be used as a hall for statuary, and a martial group, resembling the Columbian quadriga, on the ill-fated peristyle of the world’s fair, was to adorn the base of the obelisk, facing the city. This structure would have cost the gov- ernment $1,600,000, $300,000 more than the present edifice, counting the subscriptions and appropriations. But as this first con- ception had very little, if any, of the pyr- Mammoth Obelisk. THE WORK OF VANDALS LTHOUGH OUR cautious Uncle Sam is reluctant in spend- ing his money on lux- ury and useles adornment, when he has built anything for us he sees always that the greatest cure is taken to keep it in Proper repair. This was very forci- bly impressed on a Star, who dropped in on Custodian Haw- kins of the Washington monument a few days ago, and learned many facts in regard to the precautions taken by the government against the possible effects which the weather might have toward mov- ing the world’s greatest risk and phenum- non of engineering from its foundation. Althougr for ten years, reckoning only from the time when the capstone was Placed upon the monument, its 81,120 tons resting on a foundation only 126 1-2 feet square and thirty-eight feet deep (from a height almost fifteen times that number), Testing on the sandy bank of the river, with @ pressure of five tons per square foot, the monument has only settled a small fraction ef an inch im one corner. Continuous Swaying. But, as far as the obelisk itself is con- cerned, it seems that it is undergoing a continual bending, first to one side and then to the other, according to the direction or velocity of the wind. “There is a vertical variation from the plummet line,” said Mr. Hawkins, “whenever the wind is blowing. Today we have a slight breeze from the southwest, and the extreme peint has moved from its normal position, perhaps @ few hundredths of an inch, toward tne | mortheast. But upon the instant of the wind’s changing tne position will be differ- ent, and if there should suddenly be a calm the elasticity of the stone would throw the structure directly into its normal resting piace. In a very heavy gale sometimes we have noted as much as a quarter of an | imch deviation from the piumb but this has mo effect upon the stone, which always gees back to its proper position.” Measuring the Slightest Movement. Although it is strictly against the rules ef the monument to put one’s nose into anything behind closed doors, the writer Was shown the secret workings of the de- vices used fur testing the various turns which the edifice makes in the face of the wind. Behind the elevator, in a small closet, tunneled out of the stone, whose @ampness and darkness, until the electric light was turned on, might set one’s teeth chattering, at the resemblance it bore to the sepulchers of the pyramids, is a very asimpl contrivance which shows every , Sway: g of the great granite pile in any directi in. A s::all copper wire, which has been stretched and straightened to its utmost, protected by a tin pipe, hangs from the ex- treme top of the shaft, and suspends a heavy plummet, which hangs in a vessel of cil. Two smail transits are piaced at right angles to one another in a horizontal plane, and to the wire, vertically, are focused on the wire, and magnify it so that the hair lines on the lenses coincide with it on either side when in a normal position. By ®@ scale inside the deviations om the nor- mal are reckoned to the thousandth of an fmch in any direction. A report of these Observations is submitted to the War De- partment daily by Mr. Hawkins, and there @ record has been kept of every twitch and tremble the monument has made since its Opening. exami ‘= the Foundation. In addition to the condition of the obelisk itself, inspection is made of the elevation of the foundation, but it seems that no change 4s looked for by the authorities, who only examine it annually, unless nature's ele- ments are remarkably irregular; as, for in- stance, in the case of a severe assault from the clouds or a freshet in the mail. These observations are made with the level and rod, from a bench stone, which may be seen by I “sewer-trap lid, Bfty or seventy-five feet away on the south front. This is compared with the elevation of an iron sill, which is placed just under the cement paving around the base. Work of Vandals. Although much time and money are spent in observing the irresistible ‘effects of na- ture’s elements upon the outside of the monument, there are other destructive ele- ments on the inside, which must be watch- ed to a much closer degree. Here the fre- quent acts of vandalism appear to give the authorities the most anxiety for the endur- ance of the structure, and it really stands to reason that our monument will be hol- lowed to a shell, unless the ruinous meth- ods of the relic seeker are suppressed im some way. But, as the conductor of the elevator explained, it would require @ watchman patrolling every landing of the stairway to keep these destroyers from their antics. Eve one of the one hun- @red and seventy-nine memorial stones, which is in any way delicate, has been badly defaced. In one place there is a bas relief of the father of his country— minus a nose. A locomotive is chiseled out of another stone, but not a spoke from the delicate wheels or a protruding corner which could be defaced is left. But the loss, which appeals most to Mr. Hawkins’ wrath, while making mention of these things, was the marring of the Nevada stone. From this every one of the letters, made of Senator Stewart's brightest silver, except one, was dug out in three hours, and carriel away. Free From Accident. On being asked about the casualties which have occurred of late Mr. Hawkins very proudiy stated that no person has received a scratch s * the opening cere- mcnies, nine years The elevator, the same which was used for liftiag all of the heavy blocks of stone, an automatic “non-droppt is tested every day, and ha to_work. never refused The stairways, alt subjected to | marvelous vibration, no signs of Weakening. “Are you troubled much with the crank @lement?”” Mr. Hawkins was asked. ery few have bothered me,” he said. “The only cramk whom I can remember Just now came over only a few days ago. He was a strange, wiid-eyed looking fellow, whose im > up to the top attracted our sust for we keep an open eye for all such lows. Carrying an ordinary preserve jar under his arm he went he elevator to the top proceeded to sow some ray stuff out of the different windo Vhen asked by one of the watchmen he w: bout he said his wife had died and to be s - at he was rid of | her he had had was trying to scatter w eft of her in as many directions possible. He was 80 much fronted t the resi Feceived from our men that he to Col. Wilson's e in the War Depart ment to set p on from him to finish planting his wife.” Mr. H wkins meni of ye aut Visite him ago. an making a c: nination, his opinion th " could take he said, “I have against but had the gov to the original 1 to the first sub- seribers, would have lasted this long. The Original Design. A lithograph of olf design ts to be seen in the & 4 ull marble building adjacent ment, toward the agri- mds. It was drawn by Robert Mills, architect, in 1846, and was “earnest- & recommended to the favour of our coun- good condition and | representative of The | interesting | amidal. shape characteristic of the monu- ment, as it now stands, there seems to be more truth than fiction in this estimate cf its strength, and we may thank our stars that the former project did not go through. phi amar taes Ss HOW SNAILS ARE RAISED. A Popular Dish With New Yorkers— Fortunes Made in Raising Them. From the New York Tribune. “It is surprising,” said the proprietor of well-known uptown restaurant to a Tri- bune reporter a few days ago, “how many snails are eaten in this city. I remember well the first time we added them to our bill of fare not many years ago. We cook- ed them day after day, displayed the fact | in large letters on our tills of fare, but it was all in vain. The patrons of the house seemed afraid to try them. We lost con- siderable money in our efforts to introduce them to New York. At first they remained on our hands, and day after day we were obliged to throw our supply into the waste | barrels to be carried away as food for ani- mals. But it is different now. People seem to have overcome their prejudices, and snails in various forms are ordered so frequently that we have ceased to be sur- prised. I not doubt at all that they wiil become @ favorite dish among New Yorkers. Fortunes, in fact, may be made by their cultivation, and the enterprising Americans who begin ‘farming’ them now will be cer- | tain of large incomes from the industry in a few years. It will then be unneces- sary to import them, as we do now, almost | exclusively. Many of the snails to be found in the restaurants of New York and on the tables of some private familics are im- Ported from France and Switzerland. “In the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, added the hotel man, “a number of peas- ants have established large snail farms, from which they derive handsome incomes. Soft land, covered not too thickly with trees, is the favorite breeding place for | these little horned animals. The trees and shade must not be too thick, because the uncovered snails will then die in great quantities in the autumn and early winter. In the sun they usually get large, hand- some, white-shelled houses, and the snails | with such coverings are always the best. The earth should contain a good percentage of lime or chalk, so that the snails can easily get material for their houses. Neither should the earth be what we call ‘fat.’ If the earth does not contain sufficient lime the farmers should sprinkle it with burned chalk or sand. The snails lay their egss in May. To keep them from ‘running’ away from the farm there should be a wooden fence about two feet high built about it. On the fence iron vitriol or some bad-smell- ing oil should be sprinkled. Jt is not a bad idea, elther, to surmount the fence with nails placed closely together, as this will prevent the snails from crawling over. “As a rule one can raise 500°snails to a square meter of earth. One person can easily raise 20,000 to 25,000 snails on fifty | Square meters. The space, however, must not be too cramped. When the sun shines too hotly snails like to conceal themselves, It is therefore necessary to provide hiding places, so to speak. Moss alongrthe fence | about the snail park and low sheds made | by placing boards over a framework are to be recommended for this purpose. “The best food for snails is salad, cab- bage, kitchen waste, nettles and dandelions. In dry weather they eat nothing, but as soon as it rains they seem to become hun- gry and seek food. If the food is not at hand when they want it they will try in every way to escape from their bounds. White-leaved weeds seem to satisfy them also. If the farmers wish to make them very fat they sprinkle some kind of meal on the leaves which they eat. ‘In the beginning of autumn—about the end of August or the Ist of September— the farmer strews the entire snail park with mogs. It must not be too thick, or the snails will smother. They crawl under | the moss at this time of the year and re- main there until they are wanted. When they ere covered with their shells they are sorted out, according to size and quality. if they have finely rounded or vaulted houses, which shine in the sunlight, then they are nice and fat, and the purchaser can tell that he has good ware, “They are packed in boxes containing from 1,000 to 5,000 for shipment. Hay, or some other soft, loose material, is used to keep them apart. They can stand cold bet- ter than heat. If it becomes too warm for them they will cpen their shells and burst the strongest box. “A different method of ratsing snails is used in parts of Bavaria. There they have as much freedom as possible until the fall. ‘Then they are picked up by the children or servants of the farmer and thrown into a deep hole. Grain Is put in the hole, and they feed on this until they become fat enough to be sold. This is generally in the spring. “In Switzerland the monks of the Capu- chin order raise large quantities of snails. “Americans haye not begun to pay much DUPES OF SHARPERS Country Postmasters Used to Carry | Out Cheating Schemes. PLAUSIBLE DEVICES FOR THE UNWARY | The Kind of People Caught in the, Traps. TRIALS OF POSTMASTERS) Sg Written for The Evening Star. HE MISTAKES OF country postmasters give endless trouble and anxiety to the Post Office Depart- ment at Washington. For example, there is the business of giving information to swindlers. Dishonest persons write to post- masters all over the Union, offering gold watches or valuable books in exchange for lists of the names of people who get mail at their post offices. In this way they get hold of innumerable “alive addresses, among which to distribute their fraudulent advertisements. The government of late has been trying hard to put a stop to this scheme. The rural postmaster furnishes the list required of him and waits hopefully for his watch. It is hardly necessary to say that he never receives it. Meanwhile, com- plaints of the sharper have reached the Post Office Department. He is doing busi- ness, maybe, from Jersey ity. The post- master there js instructed to hold his mail unless he will identify himself. ‘This fright- ens him, and he fails to comply. His let- ters go to the dead letter office at Wash- ington, where they are opened, The post- master’s list of names being found tn one of the envelopes, a sharp note is sent to him, asking what excuse he has for violat- ing the regulations, which positi the giving of such information. Nevertheless, in the perpetual struggle that Is maintained between the Post Office Department and swindlers who conduct their enterprises through the mails, the lat- ter have steadily the best of It. Now and then one of them ts caught and punished, but such an occasional episode does not seriously interfere with this spe of criminal activity. Many complaints have come in recently to the effect that post- masters are selling lists of names and that respectable persons in various parts of the country are receiving object ple raedi- cal pamphlets and fraudulent literature in quantities. Those petty government cM- clals, in fact, too often serve innocently as intermediaries between swindiers and the people. They are utilized as cat's-paws for working all manner of “fakes” avd “skin games” at the expense of a confid- ing public, Estates in Engl: At one of the most remarkable of such frauds an effective blow has been dealt by the arrest and conviction, a few weeks ago, of a man whose ingenious tricks have puzzled the police here and abroad for a number of years past. This was the in- dividual who, under the name of William Lord Moore, conducted a so-called “claim agency” in London, advectising to procure in England legacies and estates amount- ing to many millions of dollars for persons in this country alleged to be entitled to them. Of course, the said estates and lega- cies were wholly mythical. The method adopted was to send to country postmas- ters all over the United States circulars which they were requested to tack up in conspicuous places. The documents thus distributed gave notice that large sums were due to persons who were believed to —— in that vicinity, wherever it might Naturally, the number of answers sent in response to these circulars was enormous. Persons who replied in the hope that they might be entitled to the fortunes referred to, were informed that they were happily not mistaken. But, before their claims could be acted upon, they were yequired to send $25 to Willlam Lord Moore,’in London, for preliminary expenses. The money be- ing forwarded, nothing more was heard cf it. Undoubtedly the sharper gained an im- mense sum in this way. He gave no end of worry to the Post Office Department, which was helpless, because the circulars and letters were mailed in England. The British authorities, being asked for help, became greatly interested in the case, but the Scotland Yard detectives tried for years in vain to hunt William Lord Moore to his attention to their cultivation as yet, but fortunes await those who begin at the Proper time. The snail as a delicacy has ecome to stay, and will become more and more popular every year with New York sourrrands.” coe — A MICROBE-PROOF BUILDING. The Advantages That May Result From a Recent Japanese Invention. From the Chicago Evening Post. A new kind of dwelling house has been in- vented. It is remarkable in many ways, be- ing suitable for any climate, whether trop- hole. Efforts equally fruitless were made to corner a person called Leger, who acted as Moore's agent in New York. Finally Moore was run dowryin London, and, Eng- land being too hot té hold him, he skipped away to the United States. He was cap- tured in Chicago, but escaped from the marshal who had him in charge. Before finishing the story it 13 necessary to go back about twenty years and re view the romantic career of a p2rson known as the Rev, George Frederick Burgoyne Howard. He was an Englishman, the eon of a policeman. For a while he was in the royal navy, and afterward, h+ served in ical or arctic, air and water tight and as near disease-proof as any building can be made. It is warranted microbe-proof and should any stray disease-producing germ ‘through any accident or oversight find its way within the forbidden precincts the con- ditions it finds there will be so obnoxious to its taste and feelings that it will imme- diately die of despair. The new kind of building is a Japanese invention. Dr. W. Van der Hayden of Yokohama is the orig- inator and builder, He has constructed one for his own use, and has lived in it for over a year, testing its good qualities be- fore publishing to the world any of its pe- culilarities. The tests applied have been so satisfactory in their results that the world is now informed of them. Glass is the chief article of construction in the new building. Its walis ure con- structed of a series of glass boxes filled with a solution of alum. These boxes are formed of two panes of glass each four- tenths of an inch in thickness. The glass ixed in iron frames screwed together. The whole is so constructed that the build- ing will resist the influence of heat, cold, shocks and earthquakes. Between the joints of the iron framework felt is inserted and then the space is covered with boards. The roof is flat and is supported by cast-iron pillars. It, too, is glass, with strips of rub- ber covering the joints. Over the glass is spread a thin layer of ashes, and upon this is placed ea light wooden frame which is covered with cement to protect the interior from the radiation of heat. The building has outer and inner walls, with a space be- tween affording air passages to neutrailze all atmospheric influences without, No doors or windows appear in the build- ing proper. The superstructure is placed is | on a foundation of brick,the walls of \ hich | se a sort of t, and it is through | this basement t ress and egress to nd from the residence portion are obtain- The building ts heated and ventilated on the most scientific principies. Pure air secured from the upper atmosphere and to the interior of the building through s, after it has been screened | through fine wire netting and filtered through cotton batting so as to deprive it ? any microbes or other disease ht contain. After being u apes the house through valves fixed in the Us and ceilings for that purpose. The t is also brought to the house from the through pipes running to open flues rooms,and as it passes away throngh fr | w: n thi | these a draft is created which assists in | ventilating the rooms. The whole limits of the building are made as aseptic us a wound dressing of Li: The Best of Names, From Trath. “Jobson thinks he has at last written the great American drama." “What's the title of it?” “Oh, the name has botherad him no little. He halted a long while between “In Ole Vir- sinia’ and ‘In New Hampshire,’ but finally selected ‘Out of Kansas." Sd HALL’S VEGETABLE SICILIAN HAIR RENEWER hiv the best preservative ¢f the hair. It is also curative of dandruff, tetter all scalp affections. a the United States navy, from which ne de- serted. He taught a negro school In South Carolina, and during the epoch of the car- pet-bag he was a trial justice in that state. To escape prosecution for malfeasance in office he fled, eloping with the -vife of a railway man. Later on he teserted her, went to Georgia and became a Baptist preacher. More Cheek Than Morals. The Rev. G. W. F. Howard had a large red beard, hair of the same color, and a most plausible address. He possessed no morals worth mentioning, but his cheek is described as amazing. After a while he turned up at Jackson, Tenn., as pastor of a church. Scandals caused by his doings split the congregation in two, one part standing by the preacher and s' tlig a new church under his ministration. He left that town and went to New Vork, where he set up a “claim ageney” under the name of Leger. The business was of a kind that could be conducted more safe- ly and advantageously from abroad, and so he’ transferred it to London, where he called himself by various aliases, -vhiie known to correspondents from this side of the water William Lord Moore. How he was finally cauyht has been al- ready told. After escaping from the mar- shal he went back to Jackson, Tern, and gave himself up, thinking to bluff it out. He was again the Baptist preacher and knew nothing of Witiam Lord Moore or his business. It was all a e of mistaken identity. Unfortunately for him, the gov- ernment was determined to spare neither pains nor expense in procuring his convic- Uon. Witnesses were brought from abroad to swear that he was William Lord Moore and none other. Ex-Minister Lincoln and ex-Consul General New, who had seen the man in England, went to Jackson for the purpose of giving their testimoay. The de- fense of the prisoner, conducted by him- self, was a masterpiece of ingenious effron- tery. Nevertheless, he was sentenced to nine years in the penitentiary. A typical fraud of the sort worked through postmasters is -hat of ‘he piano prize. The swindler offers vy circular 100 pianofortes free to the first 1) persons who send in applications to his “manufac- turing firm.” It ts explained that the prop- osition {s Intended as an advertisement, Everybody who is so foolish as to answer is a winner, of course, and Is informed that the instrument will be forwarded on receipt of $2.50 to pay for expressaze and packing. The victim sends th money, and in due time receives the piano. It is a miniature pianoforte, worth about 35 cents at any toy store. ‘A good many “skin games” of this character are conducted through the mails. For example, the shurp- er procures from postmastars the name: of farmers in their respective neighborhoods. He sends to them a circular offering to each reciplent a corn shucker fy on con- dition that he will exhibit it to his neigh- bors and speak favorabiy of tt. The inno- cent agriculturist replies, and a demand made upon him for $1.75 “for expressage and packing” produces the money. in re- turn the victim, who supposes that he ts going to obtain a valuable machine, gets nothing more nor less than a piece of hoop fron, worth about half a cent. ely forbid + mowing-machine sharpener. The victim sends $1 and gets in return a piece of pine wood dipped in emery--value about half a cent. One swindler a while ago offered to credulous persons “‘a fine steel engrav- ing of George Washington” for $1. In acknowledgment of the cash he sent a two-cent postage stamp. The Post Office Department was not able to do anything in this case because the perpetrator of the cheat had unquestionably performed the letter of his agreement. A new kind of quasi-fraud has recently engaged the at- tention of the department. So-called pub- lishing companies circulate advertisements in which they offer a prize, usually $20, to anybody who sends in correct guesses of certain “skeleton words." These words are partly spelled, some of the letters re- maining to be supplied. They are so simple that any one who knows how to read can do them at a glance. It is explained that every person who finds out one or more of the words will receive a proportionate sum of money. In due time every guesscr ts informed that he or she {ts a winner. But— here comes in the inevitable requirement— one dollar must be sent to the publishing conce:n, as a year's subscription to a Periodical, before the prize is payable. Having obtained the $1, the firm discovers that there was a mistake, and the puzzle, which is so arranged that the skeletons will fit more than one set of words, was not guessed cor-ectly after all. Neverthe- less, it is disposed to be Mberal, and the subscription “goes” just the same. The periodical, of course, is worthless, Mean and Petty Swindles. The Post Office Department only the other day shut up the business of an al- leged publishing company in New Or!cans, which distributed circulars among scbool teachers all over the country off: set of Dickens’ works for $1. Iis was simply to gobble the dollar and re- frain from further correspondence. ‘There is another dodge of superior ingenu- ity, which consists in advertisiug ‘tu give away a check for $100 with every two, or it may be three, watches purenasel. ‘ihe cneck is good enough probably, but 1s made payable only after the buyer jus su a sufficlent number of watches to net $100 in profits for the manufacturing tirm. Inas- much as firm keeps its wi books it need not pay the $100 until it gets ready. It will be observed that these swindies prosecuted through the mails are all of the meanest possible character. Most of them are Intended to victimize poor poople. Of such a nature are the offers of iS pat- ent attorneys, who get money out of in- ventors by pretending to be abie to p'ace the latter in communication with capital- ists disposed to furnish cash for putting their conirivances on the market. Other cheats advertise so-called “endowment cohcerns, which endow nobody but the managers, though the prosp2cts are ever so alluringly set forth on paper. There are the pretended detective agencies, which wring small amounts from unsovhisticated young men by making belleve to employ their services as “representatives” in cne part of the country or another, but never giving any work to do. Sufficiently fa- miliar are the sharpers who offe rayon portraits free, subsequently demanding large prices for cheap frames to inclose the worthless pictures. Valuanle time- keepers” purchased by rural bumpkins turn out to be sun dials. Of course, nobody has any sympathy for the people Jefraud22 by the green-goods game; they deserve all they get. One of the most heard of was set establishment of remarkable swindles ever on foot recently by the more than a score of small post offices in South Carolina, The chief conspirator was quite a prominent man in that part of the country, named Barrett, and it was by his influence that the department was persuaded to create the offices, appointing as postmasters. men whom he selected. The whole business was fictitious, the localities chosen being unin- habited. Nevertheless, the postmasters were able to procure large quantities of goods, paying for some of them with post- age stamps furnished by Uncle Sam and obtaining credit for others. To square accounts at Washington, they rendered false ailidavits as to cancellations. The fraud was exposed by an inspector who, traveling through that region, quickly found out what was going on. Postmasters in small places ate o‘ten called on by Congressmen and _ politicians to furnish lists of names of those persons in their bailiwicks who are likely to be in- fluenced with reference to voting by judi- ciously-selected partisan literature. This ts an abuse which the civil service commission is most anxious to put a stop to. Of course, the postmasters represent whichever party may be in power at Washington, and it is unquestionably a fact that they have fre- quently been employed to propagate politi- eal doctrine. They have been accused of discriminating against opposition docu- ments in the mails. However, it cannot be denied that they are far more sinned against than sinning, being commonly em- ployed as innocent agents for the prosecu- tion of frauds in which they have ho share or profit. RENE BACHE, woe ae MEASURING A CRIMINAL, A Description of the Fre Identification. From McClure’s Magazine. “Call the prisoner,” said my guide, M. David of the service, and immediately the guard brought in a short, rather stout man, clad only in undershirt and trousers. His feet were bare. His face was not at all dis- agreeable, and his eyes were bright and dark. He seemed to be perfectly indifferent to what awaited him, and gave his rame and country without hesitation. “He has been arrested for stealing rab- bits at Robinson,” said my guide. “Our business is to find if he has ever been up before, We'll make the observations to- gether, and you may record them on this card,” handing me a piece of cardboard, with many pecullar divisions and subdi- visions marked on it. “Observations Anthropometriques,” was the introductory heading, and “height” the first division. The prisoner was di- rected to place himself against a high measuring board, bearing at the side a scale. A flat board was placed across the top of his head, and the height it marked sWithoul/changtag belgosition: the xa of the prisoner were stretched at full length, and the third measure taken. ‘The second measure, the curvature of the spine, is rarely taken. The fourth, nelght cf the trunk, followed. The next step was a little more compli- h Method of cated. The subject was ordered to sit down, and a jointed compass, furnished with a semi-circular scale divided into millimetres, was applied to his head, one foot being braced against the root of the nose, and the other moved over back of the skull, in search of the point of greatest depth. When {t was supposed to have been reached, the compass was set and again applied to see if the foot could be moved freely all over the back of the head, touch- ing without hurting, and without coming to a point which it could not pass. If such a point is reached, evidently there is a greater depth than the one before regis- tered, and the instrument must be read- justed. After three trials the greatest depth was found and read out. In the same way the width was taken, and then followed the measurements of the ear. “These measurements of the head,” said. my guide, “are of extreme importance, be- cause so sure. A tricky subject may ex- pand his chest or shrink his stature, but he cannot add to or subtract from the length and breadth of the skull. And now for the foot." The prisoner was told to step upon a stool and throw back the right leg in such a way that the entire weight should come upon the left foot. The measuring of the foot was followed by that of the left middle and little fingers and of the left forearm. “All good measures,” observed my con- ductor; “for the rule rests against the bones, and no. dissimulation 1s possible on the part of the subject, and the chance for error on the part of the operator is lttle. And now for the eyes.” The man was pldced in a strong, full light, and told to regard the operator in the face. The latter then raised the left eyelid slightly, and seemed to be making mental notes of what he saw. —+e+—____ Equal to the Occasion, From Harper's Bazar, The young couple were noted as soon as they entered the raflroad car, and immedi- ately put down as a bridal pair. But they were remarkably self-possessed, and acted fust like old folks, so that after a short time the other passengers began to doubt it after all. As the train moved out, how- ever, the young man rose to remove his overcoat, and a shower of rice fell out, while the passengers smiled broadly. But even that did not ‘affect the youth, who also smiled, and turning to his partner, remarked, audibly: ° “By Jove, May, I've stolen the groom's overcoat," ie FOR INDIGESTION A Fine Steel Engraving. Instead of @ corm shucker it may be a Use Horsford’s Acta Phosphate. If your dinner distresses you, try it. It aids ' MISS CYNTHIA’S FRONT PORCH 8TAR BY MRS. D, TASKER eS ey Miss Cynthia Ray, to use her own par- lance, had “done up” the work, and now, at the close of a summer's day, sat on her front doorstep to enjoy the quiet evening hour. She had lived in the litde town of Middlebourn fifty uneventful years, and since the death of her mother, four years before, all alone in the gabled-roof home- stead that had sheltered her childhood. Miss Cynthia worked hard to make both ends meet and also to lay by a small sur- plus yearly for a cherished object. She did clear starching for Mrs. Peirson, upon the hill, made jellies and preserves, which the grocer sold for her, and pieced innumerable quilts for the neighbors, who had no time to work up their own calico and worsted. But she did not mind the work. Sheewas thankful to possess this home of her own, if there were only four rooms, two above and two below, simply furnisnd, but clean and neat as hands could make them. There was a tiny yard in front, full of old-fash- joned flowers, a kitchen garden back and @ long green strip running down to a thread-like stream, rather stony and of little value, but so convenient, Miss Cyn- thia said, to bleach clothe: % On this particular evening Miss Cynthia's usually serene countenance wore a look of unwonted cheerfulness and animation. Presently her evidently happy thoughts broke forth in words, for, from being so much alone, she had fallen into the nabit of talking aloud. “‘Sakes alive! an’ I'm agoin’ to have my front porch at last! Let me see how many years I've been ain up fur it, an’ setten on this same door- | step an’ plannin’ it out in my bead! Three years or more! an’ now the money is all ready fur the carpenter, safe ja the blue mug in the corner cupboard. 1 always did want a front porch, it’s so comfortavle an’ stylish like. ; “Being as this is Saturday night, bright an’ early Monday mornin’ I'll go an’ see Mr. Thomson, fur they do say he is the best workman, an’ I must have the best on that porch. I'll have some frescoes on it, as Mis’ Smith calls 'em, an’ it shall be painted white, with a green band. I'll git a | Martha Washington rose to climb over it, fur I hear it’s a fast grower, an a Virginia creeper to make a ade. Mis’ Cannon promised me a cuttin.’ Miss Cynthia’s heart was full of hope and expectation, and her thoughts did not dwell fcr a moment on the truth that her con- templated porch represented months and years of self-deniai—bread without butter ofttimes, meatless dinners,a thrice-trimmed bonnet. and made-over dresses; those minor trials were as nothing, now that she had attained her desire. It was Miss Cynthia's rule to close her house and retire early Saturday nights, so as to be fresh for Sunday morning, and on | the same principle she always laid out on the spare bed her simple Sunday attire; a straw bonnet and plain black dress, with a starched white skirt, the latter a luxury Miss Cynthia delighted in, and which she maintained was no extravagance, as she dic. it up herself. Miss Cynthia never allowed anything, ex- cept illness, to keep her from her seat, on the Sabbath day, in the meeting house, at the end of the street. Some one once sug- gested to her that, as she Worked so hard during the week, she would be excusable to sometimes remain at home, but she replied that it rested her to go, and, indeed, any one beholding her earnest countenance while in the sanctuary, and her look of peace and satisfaction when she came out, could easily divine that her soul had been refreshed in green pastures and by still waters. Before the last bell had begun to ring, Miss Cynthia, hymn book in hand, wended her way to meeting, little thinking that ere she retraced her steps her whole life, in a certain sense, would be revolutionized. It was a little difficult at first for her to keep her thoughts off the porch, and her tender conscience gave her a twinge at every dereliction, but when the singing and prayer were over, and the pastor began his sermon, every faculty became absorbed in his theme. His text was, “Insomuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” He made a touching appeal to his people for the many poor, suffering little children, shut up in the hot city, to whom a few weeks spent in the country village would open a mine of joy and pleasure, and be- sought those who could to open their hearts and homes to some of these little waifs. “It might entail self-denial and inconven ence,” he said, “but were they not willing to do it, in His name?” And now there came to Miss Cynthia a thought, a pang and a fierce conilict. She walked quietly home directly after service, and all the way a new path anda new life seemed spread before her; she could not define her emotions. She did not stop to caress the large tabby cat that fawned upon her at the doo:, but going up- stairs laid aside her bonnet, took off and folded up her dress and stiff, white skirt and put them on their accustomed shelf in the closet, for Miss Cynthia was very me- thodical in her ways, even under such press- ure as the present, and went down to eat her dinner. That over and the tabby fed, she again went to her room, closed the door, and sat down in the splint-bottom chair to think. “TI can't do it," she said aloud; “I can‘ I'm not used to young ones around: they’ pull my flowers, eat the green apples, dirty my floors an’ ruin the new red an” black carpet; poor tabby would be teased out of her precious old life. Put them children in my nice, clean beds? Use my best, lavender scented sheets, an’ the quilts me an’ mother made? The house is too small—there ain't no more room in the kitchen than fur me an’ tabby, an’, besides, where's the money to come from but off of that porch? Ni I ain't called upon to do it.” Above, below, all around her vibrated the words, “In His name.” Impuisively she sank down on her knees, and with uplifted eyes and clasped hands she made her sacri- fice. “Take it, dear Lord!” she cried, “I'm willin’ to give it all, porch, house, my time, myself, everything, blessed Master.” A simple soul and a simple faith, but it made her happy and benetited others. Monday morning Miss Cynthia arose with the dawn, did up her work, and then sat down with paper and pencil to make some calculations, She had laid by $40, and that amount would suffice to keep six little ones four | weeks at the least, if she only had enough room. Suddenly there came an inspiration. “Old Mr. Dent's tent!” she exclaimed. “The one he used to travel around with his patent medicines, and a litle side show thrown in free. He ain't in that business this summer and may be glad to make a little rent on it. We can pitch it on that green strip back of the house, put the cooking stove up in it, an’ the table, an’ eat there, an’ keep the house cool and tidy to sleep in, an that will give room fur the six, fur I guess I can move my bed in the regular kitchen; it will be a regular outin’ fur me an’ them | children. I must put on my bonnet an’ BO down to Parson Crane's an’ send in my or- der before they all be tuk up.” For now, that Miss Cynthia had thrown her whole heart in this work of charity, she began to derive great happiness from it and imagined that others would be as zeal- ous as herself. “Yours is the first response to my appeal, Miss Cynthia,” remarked Parson Crane, as she entered his study and made known her errand. “It is very encouraging, but are you sure that six will not be too much of an undertaking for you?” The tears rushed to Miss Cynthia’s eyes. She could not tell even her kind pastor of her struggle, the sacrifice of her cherished scheme and above ail the mainspring of her action, but he guessed in part and said softly ‘In His name,’ Miss Cynthia.” Miss Cynthia’s next call was upon Mr. Dent, whom she found at home. “Want my tent fur them young uns ‘he par: told us "bout Sunday, Miss Cyntiia? Take it, to be sure, an your more ‘an weleome, and no rent to be spoken of. I an’ Jim will cart it over and pitch it today. But Miss Cynthia was too independent to accept the use of the tent for nothing, and insisted on his taking a doilar bill to pay for the time consumed in putting it up, and also setting in place the cooking stove and table. Now a call on the hill and her errands would be completed. Mrs. Judge Pierson, kind and benevolent, was alw: slad to see the contented face of Miss Cynthia Ray. “Walk in, Miss Cynthia. I wish you were not always so busy that you could come up oftener.”” “Thanky, Miss I ute to stay. I'v hand this mornin’. I hate to asi u, but if you could git somehody to do your clear starching fur some weeks, I'd be powerful glad.” Pierson, I ain’t a min- got a little business on y ertainly, Miss Cynthia, yet I am sure no one can suit me well as you. Are you not feeling strong this warm weather?” Miss Cynthia clasped her hands nervous- ly. Doubtless some would think her fool- ish and presumptuous, but onze having put her hand to the plough, she was not the one to look back. “It's not that, Miss Pierson,but I thovght That Makes | March fs, in fact, the first month in the year. | January stands first sn the calendar only for con- venience of business. Now is the time to get well! Through the long winter most men and ‘women | do not taste fresh air nor drink iu sunlight oftener | than once a week or once a fortaight. It is no wonder so many hard-working men end | women approach spring ‘ith a feeliug of weakness and debility and a languor of mind they cannot shake off without the aaststance of a blocd purl€er | | and a true food for the nerves and brain, Beyond a doubt a> vost spring medicive te Paine's Celery Compound. Wita its use diseases | lvosen their hold in the spring. These are the favorable months for attacking rheumatism, lumbag», nervsas diseases and weak- 88 of the digestive organs, and Paine's Celery | Compound cures them wheze everything else fails. The most eminent professor, and a wan of tre | mendous experience, f. Edward E. Phelps, 3. | D., LL.D., discovered the formula for Pie's Celery Compound in the famous lavoraters ewunt- jed with the Dartmouch Medical School. It i ihe | remarkable outcome of he e-n-ucy's studs of Mood jand nerves, and their close dependence upon exch |other for beaith. But remember the time-worn text: “Spring |comes but once a year.” Take advantaz2 ot the favorable season. Get well aud strong and free from the ailments that come from poo: vlood and | Worn-out nerves. Changes tu the blool and aervous tissues take place very rapidly at this time. In| | March and April the blood is most capable of throwing off its impurities. | Purify the blood and tnvigorate the mervous sys- | tem with Patne's Celery Compoun i! Hard times and overwork are best met with Paine’s Celery Compound. ! | better than I have for a GET STRONG--'TIS SPRING, Paine’s Celery Compound th Remedy People Well, Indigestion yiel@s to a Paine’s Celery Compound. Liver thin, watery blood, and jangled, suaky verve. Thousands of overworked business mem and bests of plain, hard-working people are today strong xnd happy whose lives were full of Wretchedness and Weakvess before trying Paine’s Celery Compound. At the first indication of nervous weakness an‘ & “run-down” condition of the system, tone up t stomach with Paine’s Celery Compound, regulate ‘the bervous system and nourish the body by this great invigorator. One of the best known young men of Hol Mass., Mr. J. E. Moyett, whose likeness is zi) above, writes frankly: “I bave taken Paine’s Celery Compound ant found it to be the best medicine that I have ever taken, I felt weak and run down and could not eat anything in the morning, also bad a vomiting spell every morning after gettiug up. I took part of two bottles of Paine’s Celery Compound and fect year. I cam cheerfully recommend it o any one. My wife is trking it how for weakoess and nervousness, and it helps ber very much. The druggist where we trade tells my Wife that Paine’s Celery Compound outeclis any jother medicine that they keep.”” ‘That is the story from one end of the country to the other; because Pal ine’s Celery Compound cures. I'd like to keep some of them poor city children a spell, and my hands will be full.” Mrs. Judge Pierson gazed with new cu- riosity at the little, old maid, poor, hard worked, dressed so plainly. “Dear Miss Cynthia, you are too unselfish! There are so many others to do this good | “But that wouldn't be me, you see, Miss Pierson,” was the rejoinder. | “No, I see how you feel ubout it. I have made arrangements to board several out at the farm house. Miss Cynthia, I thought you had devoted your savings to another purpose,” she added, suddenly. “Well, yes, Miss Pierson, I had, but I guess them front steps will do me a spell, and I've no need to pamper my flesh with | @ fine front porch.” She spoke cheerfully, but deep in-her heart was a sad assurance that she was growing | too old to work as hard as she had in the past and that there would be no more money stored away in the blue mug in the! corner cupboard to build the longed-for porch. Mrs. Judge Pierson here made a certain beautiful resolve, but she did not tell Miss Cynthia, Warm and tired, Miss Cynthia reached home and found her pastor awaiting her, with an open letter in his hand. “This came in the morning post, Miss Cynthia, and I came right over to see you. My friend writes she is on the children’s committee and is especially interested in| getting a pleasant home for awhile for a little girl of eight years, who lives with a hard-working aunt, and a delicate boy of two; both are orphans. As he spoke and looked at her inquiringly the tender chord which had never vibrated to the love of a mother for her own little ones now awoke and vibrated to sweet symphonie: ll take them, too,” she said, promptly, “an’ four more, >arsoa, just as 1 first said. When will they ve here?” “Tomorrow evening, Miss Cynthia, if it’s not too soon for you.” “I'll be ready, parson. How pretty the tent looked, contrasted with the green grass and trees! The stove |was arranged, and drew beautifully, and |the table was just long enough to seat her expected guests. Miss Cynthia now busied |herself in making stores of goo¢, plain gin- gerbread and large, delicious White and brown loaves. “I can git plenty of milk from Mis’ kins, on the edge of town, fresh an’ jan’ that’s what they'll want, poor a The strawberries is all gone, but there the black caps jist ripe, an’ ‘sweet apples an’ vegetables,” quoth Miss Cyni The lavender-scented sheets aired and put on the beds, with the p qualts from the big chest, and the trundle bed was set up in the kitchen, “fur me an’ that biessed baby,” Miss Cynthia said, with an air of proud proprietorship, whica there was no one but Tabby to sev. When the down train wnis ing evening Miss Cynthia was in flutter, as she stood on the fron: gazed down the street. Inree Crane came in sight, a baby in + a little girl clinging to ove i: small boys walking behind. } opened the gate, took the baby fr parson, kissed each child's clean, shin face and, thanking Mr. Crane for ‘nis trou- ble, marshaled her charges into the house. Miss Cynthia had not anticipated an en- tirely clear sky in this new departure, but her little flock were really very manageable. The tent was a great delight to them, the green grass, where they could roll’ and tumble; the cool, shallow stream, in which Miss Cynthia allowed them to paddle, and Jen- | re ed the follow- quite 4 “ynthia the the sweet scents and sounds of coun: life, all possessed charms for these city | waifs. Little Stella Rodman soon became | quite a help and pleasure to Miss Cynthia; | baby Harry grew fat and rosy, and daily | endeared himself more and more to her heart; and at the close of days well spent in working, amusing and instructing ber young charges, when she lay down to rest, with Harry in her arms, his rosy cheek against her own, she felt that she had never been truly happy before. The outcome of it ail was that at the ex- | piration of the month only four sunburnt, happy children returned to their clty homes. | Stella and Harry remained as Miss Cyn- thia Ray's adopted children. The tent was taken down and the little brown house had resumed its usual ap- pearance, when early one morning Miss nthia spied Carpenter Thomson, rule in hand, taking the measurement of the front of her house. He was certainly laboring under some mistake, and she hurried out to tell him that she had given up the idea of having a porch. | Mr. Thomson suspended operations and gazed at her with a broad smile and twink- ling eyes. “I'm agoin’ to put up a porch, M thy, an’ no expense to you, an’ no yW to be asked and no names given, Mi: thy ‘Oh! I could not think of such a thing. I've always paid fur all I've got,” she ex- claimed in a distressed tone. | creeper soon festooned a prety, Mr. Thomson planted his fest firmly. if determined to stand his groaad, and knit his brow. “Look ahere, Miss Cynthy, jist suppose fur argufying sake taere was nozue- body in this town of ourn who waits on the sick and blind and lame and takes iittle or- phans under her wing, an’ certain persone (mo names mentioned, remember) wanted to make a memorial of her” (here Mr. Thom- San paused, doubting that he had used ine correct word), “what's the odds aui where's the objection, Miss Cynthy? I sees sone” Miss Cynthia's eyes filled with happy tears; her independent spirit could not brook charity, but this kind Jead was so delicately proffered she felt that it would be ungrateful to refuse. So Miss Cynthia’s cherished dream was realized. A climbing rose and Vire white- painted porch with a green cand, and ier kindly, honest soul never had cause to rc gret the summer's sacrifice that nad pro- duced such happy results. —_~.__ A Rosy Sunset. Written for The Evening Star. All day the sun, like some sad amorist, Shone with faint smile, as if of joy surcease? Lonely he dreamed. of love's ambrosial feast, And nectarous lips, with rapture lately kissed. But, as he sank, bright gates of amethyst ‘The Westoped wide, and, while his light increased To greet chaste Eve forth issuing from the To rubious roses changed he clouds and mist. To the underworld he Groped, and done was Nor long bloomed those ethereal flowers; too Like Eve herself, gray phantoms of delight, ‘They passed, like all things beautiful, away; And, as slow rose the silver-shining moon, Star-crowned, descended venerable Night. W. L. SHOEMAKER ——_—_~+-— Graduated Tips. Bast, Gay, soon,