Evening Star Newspaper, September 21, 1895, Page 19

a . THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1895-TWENTY PAGES. TORTURED THIRTY YEARS.|THEY ALL DRINK The Agonies ofthe Inguisition Endured by Bheumatio Sufferers. {im Octogemarian Tells a Wonderful Story of His Remarkable Cure. John L. Gill, residing gt.24 North Grant avenue, Columbos, O., aged 88 years, says: “I suffered from rheumatism for over 38:3¢am: ‘The pains were very pppenneatre se wevere and often I was unable to move around. I | have doctored with steny physicians and taken all Kinds of patent mediclag at. never received any relief until I began ’s Rheumatism Cure. Within twelve hours after taking the first Gove I was free from pain and am now completely cured.” ‘Munyon’s Eheumatism Cure is guaranteed to cure rheumatism im any part of the body. Acute or muscular rheumatism cured in from one to five to cure sharp, shooting pains im the arms, legs, sides, back or breast, or sore im from one to three hours. It is guaranteed to promptly cure lameness, stiff and swollen joints, stiff back and all pains in the bips and Joins. Chronic rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago or pain in the back are spesdily cured. ‘Munson's Homoeopathic Home Remedy Company of Philadelphia put up specifics for nearly “every isease, which are sold by all druggists, mostly for 25 cents a bottle. ‘Those who are in doubt as to the nature of their Aisease should address Professor Munyon, 1505 Arch street, Philadelphia, giving full symptoms of thelr isense. Professor Munyon will carefully dingnose the ease and give you the benefit of his advice ab- solutely free of all charge. The Remedies will be sent to any address on recelpt of retail price. se21 = = = ANOTHER CASE OF MEAN MAN. How a Tenant’s Enterprise Was Ap- precinted and Rewarded. ‘The War Department clerk who lives in the suburbs for economy was almost ready to fight when The Star man met him. “What's the matter?” inquired The Star man. “Didn't I see something in The Star the other day about the meanest men in the whole world?” he asked. “I wouldn’t be surprised. There are 50 many of him that he feels slighted if he doesn’t get into the papers at least seven days in the week.’ “Well, I've come across one that you ought to get out an ‘extra’ fer. “Can't do that, I fancy, but tell me about him and we'll try to have him get into the regular edition.”” “Will you put him in display type next to —_ matter and at the top of the col- umn?” “T can’t promise position until I have heard the story. What about him?” ‘The department clerk shook himself once or twice to steady his feelings. “You know,” he said, when he had got himself into shape for expression, “that for the sake of economy I rented a house in the suburbs?” “What suburbs?” inquired the guileless reperter. “That's all right,” continued the clerk. *T rented a house in the suburbs, for which paid $20 a month—and I have paid it regu- ly,” he added, to avert suspicion. “It ‘wasn’t much of a house either, but the loca- tion was pleasant, and my wife liked the neighbors, so we put up with the objec- tionable features, hoping that when we had proved ourselves to be good and reliable tenants we might be able to prevail upon our landlord to make the needed improve- ments. We didn’t become very urgent until ‘we had been in for five or six months, but ‘we might as well have been so from the be- ginning, for the owner wouldn't do a blessed thing. The doors needed locks, the walls needed pa) ig, the plumbing was out of whack and there was absolute necessity of ‘an extra room for a kitchen. Finding we couldn’t get the owner to do anything, and my wife having a little money of her own, ‘we concluded to put the —- on ourselves, and we did it, even to building the kitchen.” “You must have a right nice place now,” ventured The Star man. “That's what we thought,” went on the clerk, “‘and yesterday I took the owner out to look at it and let kim see what an im- f aybibairay we had made, thinking he would moved to reimburse us for the outlay.”” “And didn’t he?" asked The Star man, in an _of-course-he-did tone. ‘The clerk shook his head mournfully. “Wasn't Pleased with it?” continued the questioner. = “Oh, yes,” said the clerk, warmly, “he was eatly pleased. I never saw a man more ickled, and he told us he didn’t think it was ssible to add so much to the desirability of e house.” isn't he going to do anything?” persisted reporter, ‘Oh, he’s done it,” snapped the clerk. “What has he done?” “Sent me a notice today to the effect that he was going to raise the rent $5 a month on me,” and The Star man mingled his tears with those of the clerk. —_————__. =: Turkey’s Subjects and England. From the London Truth. Probably Turkish rule in Armenia ts not much worse than in Macedonia, and, if the Armenians are to be pitied, so are the Ma- cedonians, for the Turk is a blighting curse to every subject race within his dominions, If we are sincere in our fervor for good ovens in Turkey, we must renounce io idea of sacrificing these races to our feltical aim of maintaining Turkey as a ulwark against Russia. This was tho doo- ie of Mr, Gladstone, and roundly has he een abused for it. The contrary doctrine hes ben that of Lord Salisbury and Lord Rosebery. Mr. Gladstone recognized the erect obligation of conscience; Lord ebery, Lord Salisbut and many of their predecessors suboi ed conscience coment they regarded as the exigenctes of jolicy. Some Advantage. ¥Wrom the Indianapolis Journal. "They tell me your wife is a. new wo- man,” said the lean man with the yellow vest. “Of course, 1 suppose it is rather a tender subject—" “Oh, I ain’t worryin’,” said the fat man. “She's all right. She licked the hired girl yesterday for burning the steak.” When your cake is heavy, soggy, indigestible, it’s ag pretty sure si; that you a didn’t shorten it with Cotto-& lene. When this great short-§ # ening is rightly used, the re- 8 sult will surely satisfy the most fastidious. Always re- = member that the quality of Cottolene makes a little of it J m goalong way. It’s willful waste to use more than two- N thirds as much as you would Hof lard or butter. Always = use Cottolene this way and your cake and pastry will always be light, wholesome, delicious. Citi with endeatasconatnes » de eg THE NW. K. FAIRBANK COMPANY, Chicago, and 114 Commerce Street, Baltimore. Widespread Use of Alcoholic Liquor F in Mexioo. PULQUE 1S THR PEONS TIPLE While Wine and Brandy Are Used by the Upper Classes. AN AMERICAN DISTILLERY SS Ccrresponderce of The Evening Star. CITY OF MEXICO, September 14, 1895. The City of Mexico will soon have a real innovation in the shape of a distillery, an American enterprise, and John Barleycorn, of native manufacture, will be found upon the shelves of wholesale dealers, usually termed depositories here, and will be re- tailed over the bars of cantinas, the Mexi- can name equivalent to our word saloon, although the latter is by no means a rare word in Mexican cities,-its prevalence prob- ably being due to the growing English speaking patronage. The distillery referred to is the ente-prise of some Peoria, Ill, Parties, and will be the first to open up in the republic of Mexico. There are several very good breweries, notably at Toluca, San Lois, Monterey, Orizaba and Puebla, all enjoying excellent trade. Neither are wines manufactured to ‘any very great extent in Mexico, notwith- standing a vast amount is consumed. Some very good dcmestio wine comes frem Par- Tas, in the state of Durango, but the greater portion is imported from France. California wines are used to a limited ex- tent, but their consumption appears to be on the increase. “Toquilla and mescal are alcoholic liquors distilled from pulque. The latter is a typical firewater. The president of the republic sets an ex- ample of abstemiousness. I have seen him at banquets where many times he raised his glass to his lips ding to-greetings and toasts, but never ig. There can be little if any doubt of the financial suc- cess of the distillery enterprise if a good article Is produced and sold at @ reason- able price. Mexicans, as a rule, will have none but the best. The consumption of various drinks in Mexico, wine, brandy, whisky, champagne, lager beer, &c., to say nothing of the native product, pulque, drank principally by the lower classes, is simply surprising. ‘The Drinking Custom. Custom In Mexico does not frown upon ‘the drinker, but rather encourages him; liquors are drank at the table with as much freedom as milk or coffee. The prohibi- tionist is unheard of here; on the other hand, drunkenness is rarely seen, and its victim is severely shunned. A dinner for a home gathering with a single invited guest, no less than a fashionable spread with many &nd distinguished guests, would be esteemed seriously lacking in a leading es- sential of hospitality were not wines and nauors generously served during the re- te On more or less pretentious occasions there is a cocktail first as an appetizer, then sherry, then a choice Sauterne, then claret, in order as soup, fish and meats are passed, the glasses always being kept well filled by the waiters. Midway ‘n the bill Roman punch stares at one as some sort of intermission; then follows old port, lastly champagne. For dessert Mexicans are fond of sweetmeats or rich candies, and of cakes covered with pastes or jellies, also fruits. When the guest is about to leave the table, trusting some power of lo- comotion is yet left, he is reminded that a small glass of brandy and a cafe noir are appropriate as a finale to the. dinner, or may be intermingled with the after-dinner conversation and cigars. Enjoyed by Americans. Most Americans like Mexican dining cus- toms and adopt them. They like them be- cause of their Bohemianism. Here they eat, drink and live pretty much as they please. Upon all formal social occasions refreshments are served, while the smok- ing and drinking apartment is a carefully Prepared adjunct, to which the gentlemen resort at will to vary the pastime: of the evening and to chat upon current events. Parties by Americans or other foreigners are arranged and conducted very much in accordance with Mexican customs. After the dancing or other festivities have lasted three or four hours the assembly, or a por- tion thereof, is ushered into the dining toom. If seats are limited, the ladies sit, and the gentlemen stand, or occupy themselves serving the fair ones. To-be strictly formal, this arrangement continues until the ladies have all dined, when it is the turn of the gentlemen to partake, This plan is seldom adhered to, however, among the Amer- icans, both sexes going to the refreshment room and dining together. Mexico is a city of clubs, restaurants and coffee houses, showing that the wants and the cultivated desires of the inner man are well attended to. From early in the evening till late at night they are thronged with well- dressed Mexicans and a fair sprinkling of foreigners. In fact, one of the most strik- ing features of the Mexican capital is the abundant leisure nearly every one seems to have. Perhaps the enjoyable climate ts re- sponsible, for even the rustling American, after a' few weeks of observation and re- flection, decides it to be a convenient and sensible way to live. How Palaque is Made. Pulque, the native drink, is extracted from the maguey plant, a species of the American aloe, that grows readily in an arid soil. Webster calls it of the genus agave. An incision is made into the inner side of the thick, pointed blades, growing upright four or five feet, to the number of a dozen or so, from a common stalk. The liquor, when extracted, is emptied into pig- skins, in which it is taken to the pulqueries —pulque saloons. It is often hauled ir. Wagons, but the. prique railway trains bring great quantities dally to the capital city. The fresher, the more palatable it is. Pulque is of a milky color, about the con- sistency of buttermilk, and having an agreeable taste to those who like butter- milk or koumiss, which it resembles. Its pungent odor is sickening to the stomach unaccustomed to it. The production and sale of pulque is an extensive business in Mexico. The life of the plant, I am told, is about eight or nine years. It Is replaced by younger ones when showing signs of exhaustion. Pulqueries abound, and are largely patronized by the peons. The drink sells at one to three cents a glass or bottle containing a pint or over, the bottle to be furnished. A peon’s meal without coe would be like an American breakfast with- out coffee. It is claimed to be healthful. It is particularly intoxicating on an empty stomach, and as the stomach of the mild- mannered peon from his light diet 1s al- ways more or less vacant, pulque makes him very happy—also very affectionate. After a free indulgence, together with his female consort or perhaps male companion, he goes along the street with alternate staggers and embraces. He {s not molested by the officers, but allowed to proceed on tis homeward way. The aristocratic Mex- ican classes may drink pulque, but general- ly they disclaim doing so, as it is unpopular to conform to the customs of the inferior masses. Americans drink it in an experi- mental sort of way, just to see what kind of drink it {s, and now and then they really profess to like it. The income from a good- sized pulque plantation is said to be as much as $100,000 annually, it being unques- tlonably among the most profitable of the national industries. The fiber of the plant is utilized to make thread, and out of this thread strong rope is made. A tough paper is made from it. . Mexicrn Mixed Drinks, The upper class Mexican is a wine and brandy drinker, and is fond of mixed drinks, such as a vermuth cocktail or a pus cafe. Apparently among all classes here there is @ growing fondness for whisky. The best American whisky is a little difficult to ob- tain. A Canadian article of very fair qual- ity has a monopoly of the trade. However, the so-called American bar is becoming numerous, and its variegated concoctions can be had throughout the day, and at al- most any hour of the night. The Mexican officials and political leaders are prone to banquets attendant upon more or less pub- Ue occasions. After exhilarating wines and champagne have freely gone round eloquent and patriotic speeches are made, praising the republic and its popular president. The average Mexican is nothing if not patri- otic, but as far as I have ever understood he is frank and maniy in his allusions to eur neighboring government. 2 Perhaps I ought to say a concluding word about the excellent cigars of Mexico. The tobacco raising lands are in the vicinity of the coasts. Vera Cruz is the great manu- facturing center. The cigars are ‘pure and generally stronger than the American do- mestic cigar. They have a delightful flavor, are sold at about the same price as our own, but the Mexican money makes the cost to us about one-half. The custom of cl- garette smoking is widespread. The Mex- ican cigarette is manufactured in large quantities for home consumption. A very popular brand, “‘La Mascota,” can be bought twenty-five for 5 cents, or about 8 cents a package in American money. They are preferred to cigars by a great Mary, and doubtless, on account of the purity and excellence of the tobacco, they are not injurious. The universal character of the habit can be understood when I say that the cigarrette is smoked by the clerk in the store while waiting on you; it is smoked between courses at the dinner table and in the presence of ladies, but one thing you do not see, and that is tobacco chew- ig. The human hog, his filth entitles him to the name, who expectorates tobacco juice on the floor between car seats or in other public places where ladies are com- Pelled to go, does not exist in Mexico. ——.—__. MICROBES np MANKIND. Discovery of Micro-Organisms on Which All Human Life Depends. The most important subject discussed last week at the meeting of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists in this city was a new discovery which may fairly be termed sensational. : This discovery relates to a species of microbe which actually makes plants grow. In it has been found the mysterious agent by whose aid all things vegetal are enabled to absorb nitrogen, which is their chief food. Without its assistance plant life would disappear entirely from the earth, and in corfsequence animal life, including mankind, would perish likewise. Yet this beneficent micro-organism is so small that it can only be seen when magnified 800 diameters. It is a bacterium and a micro- cnet ia to say, shaped like a little An experiment is now being made in the breeding of these microbes by Prof. Wiley of the chemistry division of the Depart- ment of Agriculture. They multiply at an enormous rate when furnished with proper food, and to produce them in ‘indefinite quantities is easy. Their business in life is to absorb nitrogen from the soil.and from the air and to transform it into nitric acid. In this shape it is taken up by the tissues of the plants, which are not able to consume the nitrogen in the crude. Re- cently a trial was made with a field of several acres in Florida on which nothing would grow. Analyses proved that the soil was very rich in nitrogen, but none of the micrococci were present. So a small amount of stable manure was applied thinly to the surface of the ground, and lo! a wonderful crop was the result. ‘The secret of it was that stable manure is full of these peculiar bacteria. The lat- ter went to work at once upon the nitrogen lying idle in .the hitherto barren soil and transformed it into available plant food. It has ‘long been known that stable manure contained very little plant food, and so until now its great efficiency as a fertilizer has been a mystery. The day may yet ar- rive when the farmer will apply a solution of microbes instead of a fertilizer to his soll. Obviously, such a method would only be tried in cases where the bacteria were found to be lacking. ‘Without the help of microbes of this spe- cies plants will die in the richest soil. With their assistance certain kinds of plants are able to absorb and utilize the nitrogen in the atmosphere. This is most particularly true of the peas, beans, clover and other leguminous plants. Farmers have long known that there was no better way to enrich a field than to plaht it with clover, or beans, or peas. The reason why is simply that micro-organisms of the sort described infest these plants in great num- bers. Living in the rootlets, they ply the trade of agricultural chemists on a small scale, but most efficiently. Their colonies are marked by little excrescences or pimples on the roots. They are manufacturers of nitric acid. 'Phey’do nof live in the roots of cereals—hence- the desirability of rotat- ing corn. with diover. In furnishing nitrogen to the soll the farmer is supplying stuff for the microbes to work on. It has been stated already that nitrogen is the most valuable of plant foods. It is also the most expensive, costing from 16 to 18 cents a pound. Some- times it is applied to the land in the shape of waste from packing establishments and ebattotrs, scraps of intestines, etc., which are boiled to get out the oil and finally dried and ground. At the slaughter houses nothing is wasted. Every drop of blood is saved, to be dried and ground. Dried blood is the best of all materials for yielding nt- trogen. It may be sald in a rough way that nitrogen makes the flesh of plants, while phosphoric acid makes the fat. ———_ THE JAPANESE BOOM. What Dividends Various Commercial Concerns Pay. From the Chicago Record. This is the time of year when Japanese corporations hold their annual meetings and declare their dividends. I have been noting the announcements as they have appeared from day to day in the newspapers, and here are some of them: Tokyo street raflway. Tokyo electric light. Tokyo stock exchange. Tokyo rice exchange. Mitsui Ginka Co.. One Hundred and Nineteenth Bank National Eighty. a Nat Tokyo Spinning Co. 9 First National Bank. wz Tokyo Fire Insurance Co. pie Tokyo Bay Navigation Co. 18 Tokyo Gas Co. 14 Tokyo Warehouse Co 12 Ojt paper mill. 12 Kirin Brewing Co. 15 10 Osaka Merchants’ 8. 8. Co. 16 Hirano Mineral Spring Co. 20 The yarn mills, of which there are several very extensive ones, paid from 12 to 20 per cent; the eogton milis from 6 to 16 per cent; the government railways averaged 9.5 per cent, and the private railways averaged 6.1 per cent. ‘The Kinshu Railway Company, which 1s a private corporation, paid a dally average bf gross earnings of 15.55 yen per mile. The Kansai railway paid a dally average of 11.65 yen per mile;, the Chikibu railway paid 86 yen per mile and the Sobu railway 22.17 yen per mile. The Nippon Ginko (Bank of Japan), which bears the same relation to this government that the Bank of .England bears to Great Britain, has decided to increase its capital stock from $20,000,000 to $30,000,000. It started in 1871 with a capital of $10,000,000, which was doubled a few years ago, and the shares were quoted at $10 on July 1. After the announcement of the proposed increase in the capital stock they advanced to $30. The Kyusha railway, at its annual meet- ing held a few days since, decided to in- crease its capital stock $5,500,000 for the purpose of extending its lines. The Sanyo railway makes a similar increase for the same purrese and several other banks and railway companies are doing the same. I mention these to illustrate the indus- trial and financial impulse that now exists in Jepan and the great boom that has pos- sessed this country, although its armies have recently been at war and lis currency is on a silver basis. They also suggest an idea of the advantages that are offered to foreign investors over here. How Her Majesty Lives. ‘From the London Truth. ‘A paragraph has appeared in the Scotch papers stating that the queen’s good health is owing to her careful dieting, one of her practices being to take “a small Mquor glass of very fine old whisky after both luncheon and dinner.” This is pure inven- tion, for the queen never drinks any spirit undiluted. Her majesty occasionally takes a small giass of fine old whisky mixed with a tumbler of mineral water. Persons must have a queer {dea about “careful dieting” who include raw spirits in the regimen. The queen takes a light breakfast, a hearty luncheon, a substantial tea, but at 8:45, when dinner is served, her majesty eats very sparingly, and only of the lightest and most nutritious food. About midway between breakfast and luncheon, when the queen is transacting business’ (all the Feavy work of the day being over and done with at 1:30) her majesty takes a refresher in the shape of elther a cup of beef tea, as strong as it can be made, or an egg beaten up with a little milk or sherry. THE MOUND BUILDERS of Ethpplogy. Results of the Uyyestigations Made Under the Directjgg of Prof. Thomas —Man’s Adventainto America. Written for The Evening Ster. The bureau of ethnology believes that it has now solved ond"8t the greatest prob- lems which has evé\Hewildered the Amer- fean historian. It fidd at last come to a point where it can answer the question: “Who were the mound builders?” This question has been debated by archacolo- gists and ethnologists the world over for a@ hundred years or more. Ever since the latter part of the last century, when the antiquity of these mounds was first real- ized, speculation has been rife as to who were the p.ople able to construct edifices differing so widely from the modern habi- tations of the modern Indians, Dr. Franklin attributed them to De Sofo and his followers. Savants of the present century have said that they were temples, others sacrificial altars, and still others burial structures, built by a tribe now lost in oblivion. The introduction to every his- torical text book devoted to this continent and taught to the American and foreign youth, as well, opens with a chapter on this subject. Almost all of these speak of the mound builders as a prehistoric race distinct from the Indians, and who were driven out by the latter. This has been the state of affairs even up to the present Ly. But the opinion of the bureau of eth- nology is that all these historians have gone astray on this cuestion. In other words, it is now believed that the mound bullders' were no more than the ancestors of the same Indians found by the first Europeans landed on our shores. Prof. McGee, chief ethnologist’of the bureau, in aunouncing this decision says that its importance will be felt by the makers and readers of history dn all parts of the world. Examination of Mounds. It was as early as 1858 when Maj. Powell, the present chief of the bureau, began to examine the mounds of Ohio. Since 1881 @ systematic line of work has been car- ried on under Professor Cyrus Thomas and a corps of assistants, who have ex- amined, possibly, all of the many hug- dreds of prehistoric mounis to be found in the whole eastern half of the continent. This work has now been completed. In corsidering the opposing opinions of those who believe that man first landed on the Pacific coast and those who think he first arrived on the Atlantic side, Professor Thomas “‘splits the difference” with them by concluding that he came to both sides in two distinct tribes, each afterward occupy- ing a distinct half of the continent. In other words, the Indians were two sepa- rate races of men. Very briefly, the arguments made by Professor Thomas in-behalf of the bureau are as follows: the ancient artificial works known as “mounds” found east of the Rockies are attributed to those tribes found in possession of this region at the time of its discovery, and their ancestors. It is probable that: there was intercourse between some tribes of this region and the early people of Mexicq and Central Ameri- ca, as well as the;Pueblo tribes, but the three latter namedjraces must not be given any credit for builimg:the mounds. Built by the An ns. The Indian has beén considered unable to build such structures ,hecause of the uni- versal opinion that:.when first discovered by Europeans he was the same roving, un- housed and unagricultitral being as he ts today. The Indian,, however, has degen- erated since the coming of the white man. Judging from: the! éxtent of their works. the mound buildegs must have had fixed villages, and they it have depeaded upon agriculture rather than the hunt for focd. This has pointed to the supposed fact that they werd not-Indians. But latest Investigation proves;that when first visited by Europeans, there .was scarcely a tribe between the Atlantic and the prairies but which had its fixed stat. But how about the Northmen—Lief Ericsson and hig band? Did they eventu- ally spread ovet the continent, building such edifices as the mounds? There is no Historical evidence that'any other race be- sides the Indians ever occupied this re- gion before the discovery of Columbus. In all probability the Northmen did dis- cover America long before Columbus, but they left no people here, nor any perma- nent abodes in the territory of the mound builders. But what were the mounds used for? In some southern districts it was custom- ary to build dwellings on low terraces, ap- parently artificial. When deaths occurred it seems to have been the practice to bury the bodies beneath the earthen floors. The houses were then set on fire and mounds were heaped over the ruins while still smoldering. These houses were built .by setting upright sticks In the ground and joining them by interweaving twigs or canes, then plastering these rude walls with clay, and finally thatching the roofs. ‘This is exactly as described by the early French explorers. The Supposed Use of These Structures. The fact that a great many mounds have been found near streams subject to over- flow has led many archaeologists to be- Neve that they were built for the‘ purpose of raising the houses above the floods. Historical records state that Moscoso, who after De Soto’s death succeeded to the command of the Spanish soldiers,. visited an Indian town along the Mississipp!, when the river overflowed to the tree loys. The city was surrounded by a mound of earth, to be used as a protection against such floods, and each house was built upon a mound, in case the dike should break. Prof. Thomas has also found historical evideyces that some Indians living in the south when first visited by white men built mounds for fortification in warfare. These he scores as convincing points, for if one tribe could do it, why couldn’t an-. other? But in addition to all this evidence there are found to have been great similarities between the mound builders and Indians, which convince Prof. Thomas that they were one and the same pecple. They both used stone implements, so similar that it is difficult to tell them apart. Both cul- tivated maize and relied upon it for food. Both were great smokers of tobacco and their pipes were similar in form. There is also a marked similarity between en- graved shells, copper articles, stone im- ages and many other implements found among both. _———— Cost of Living in Paris. From the London Daily Telegraph. An able statistician has been estimating the cost of living in Paris at the present time, and has conipare@ it with that of forty years ago./He shows that in the fifties an average puiddie;class family could do with a budget iof 10;000f., or £400 an- nually. That did et niean luxury, but it was sufficient for ¢dmfort, and required no economical engine#Hing ‘for the purpose of making both ends meef. Nowadays the case is different, “nd official with a wife and three children’deperdent on 10,- 000f. a year has ia work dniracies of saving in order to avoid -gettitig into debt. Ac- cordingly, in less than Half a century, the conditions of life fi Pais have been com- pletely modified. It is nd exaggeration, in fact, to say that Vrerthare doubled, and with them has increased the desire for a more luxurious mode of-living than that led by the average, Parigian of the fifties. ‘The statistician has revealed nothing new, but his figures serve to ¢mphasize the fact that the French tapitaliis the most ex- per-sive place of residence in Europe. Le Leather-Covered Pianos. From -he Milwaukee Wisconsin. A decided novelty in the way of plano casing—the invention of a MilwAukee mu- sic dealer—is on exhibition In the Universi- ty building, Broadway. After several years of study and experiment the inventor hit upon leather as the most attractivé as well as the most durable article for incasing pianos. The Instrument was built in Buf- falo. The color of leather selected for the first specimen instrument was o rich black, handsomely embossed, giving the impres- sion of exquisite carving. Not only does the instrument thug incase] present a most attractive and dignified appearance but it has the advantage of being scme- thing in finish that cannot be marred or spotted. THE ALFALFA SOLD, But the Bear and Stallion Fight Was the Thing. Written for The Star. A unique fight, not down on the program for the day, was witnessed by Capt. Jacob G. Galbraith and a detachment of the first} cavalry, United States army, stationed at Fort Bayard, N. M., early in the season. It {s a doubtful coincidence that every summer, a8 soon as the first cutting of the alfalfa crop is gathered in by the small farmers of that section, bloodcurdling ru- mors of Indian depredations become prev- alent. The ntighboring country is popu- lated by old soldiers, who have, with wis? foresight, retired from the service and mar- ried Mexican women of property; and the motto of these thrifty veterans is: “Raise alfalfa and then raise h—Il!” That @ troop- er dearly loves his horse the farmers well know, and they feel sure the freshest al- falfa will be found none too good for a tire- some journey. Whispers of curling smoke, lost cattle, gleaming tent fires, ambushed forms, fresh trails, etc., filled the air about the fort the last days of May. Captain Galbraith was wary, however, and did not heed reputed poe He knew the keen tricks of these ople. x One morning a wild-eyed messenger, mounted astride a bareback, rough-coated fony, dashed into the fort, and, nervously loosening the faded™ scarlet handkerchief knotted about his sun-burned throat, cried cut breathlessly: “Los Navajos, Capitano—los Navajos!” If he lied his story of barely escaping death and capture was so well told that the captain recognized the necessity of speedy action. The call was sounded, the command given, farewells were quickly said, stalwart, handsome Lieutenant Jenks sang & final tenor solo to the disconsolate ladies, hastily dropped a line and two tears to his divinity at E] Paso, and inside of a few hours alj were well on their way. On the west side of the ridge of what is known to the natives as the Muggione mountains, between the Gila and Rio Grande rivers, they halted to scan the land- scape for recreant redskins. Not a cloud flecked the deep blue sky, the pure air was crystal clear. In the distance objects showed up with clean-cut precision. The atmosphere seemed to magnify. Down in the green valley below, hedged in by scrub oaks, pines, sage brush and candelabra cacti, a herd of thirty or forty wild horses were grazing. The soldiers gazed admiringly at the stwrdy animals, bounding gracefully, rushing wildly in ‘:pur- suit of each other, or quietly at rest. “There's 9 scene for Rosa Bonheur,” ex- claimed the captain, who has half an eye for art. Suddenly a huge cinnamon bear was seen to emerge from a chaparral and furtively glance about. He was a fine specimen—any zoological garden might have been proud to own him. One of the men who had, as he expressed it, “done a little taxiderming myself, when I was a boy,” sighed to stuff him and pose him on a sanded board. A second who had “trained animals oncet, for a livin,” avowed a longing to call bruin his own, and teach him to dance. The offi- cers guessed by his fierce aspect-that he was hungry—and they guessed right. He was in a visibly bad humor, this bear, and he had a Frenchy notion just then for a juicy horse steak. Watching his chance, he waited vntil a prancing colt, all una- ware of danger, drew near, and with a bound forward fastened on the creature's tender haunches. Mad confusion among the herd ensued. They had not before perceiv- ed the enemy, but now stampeded wildly. Even on the instant their leader, a heavy black stallion of massive build, glossy coat and flowing mane and tuil, halted after ‘his first impulse, with human “second thought,” and charging back attacked the bear, biting him so fiercely in the side that he released his prey. The colt s' eft in the direction of his fleeing compan- jons. Then began a struggle on which bets were lost and won. The bear rose up- right, and clawed the glossy hide of his adversary till the flesh hung loosely as rags, and the dark blood spurted. Frag- ments of furry skin torn out by the sharp teeth of the stallion strewed the ground. Whirling swiftly about the mad leader turned, and the troopers who bet on the bear were about to claim a victory. Not £0, however; the horse simply reversed his Position, and letting fly both hoofs into the empty paunch of his antagonist knock- ed him flat, trampled on him, then with nostrils dilated, neighing, victoriously gal- Roped off to rejoin his rapidly disappearing erd, Quite ten minutes elapsed, in which time bets were settled and explanations ten- dered. The ex-taxidermist viewed the re- mains wistfully; the ex-trainer mourned a possible “good waltzer.” To the general surprise, the bear was observed to cau- tiously raise up and lean on one paw, with the air of a melodramatic actress recover- ing from a faint, at the moment when she murmurs: “Where am I?” i With a grotesque turn of the head, he surveyed the surrounding country, seem- ingly, to impress the place on his memory as one to be avoided in future, then slowly dragged himself off into an adjacent thick- et, sadder—wiser—and with his foreign taste for horse steaks all unsatisfied. The mentally refreshed trcopers refrain- ed from a parting shot and went on their way rejoicing. Not a hostile Indian was sighted. The alfalfa crop sale, however, was a great success. —_>—__ Hair Dye for Royalty. From Tid-Bits. An amusing story comes from the court of Italy. For some time past Queen Mar- guerite has been very much concerned at the extraordinary rapidity with which the hair of King Humbert has been whitening. What could she do? Womanlike, she saw enly one remedy—hair dye--and she sug- gested the idea to the king. But his maj- esty objected to being rejuvenated by any such process. One of her relatives, a young prince, suggested strategy. He knew, he said, of a splendid colorless dye, which she could place on the dressing table of the king, and he would use it without thinking, as an ordinary hair wash. But his majesty got wind of the affair, and laid a counter plot. The queen hada little white dog with long hair. He inveigled it into his dressing room, applied the famous hair dye and turned the dog into her majesty’s apartments in a coat of splendid jet black. ONE ENJOYS - Both the method and results when Syrup of Figs is taken; it is pleasant and refreshing to the taste, and acts tly yet promptly on the Kidneys, ver and Bowels, cleanses the sys- tem effectually, dispels colds, head- aches and fevers and cures habitual constipation, Syrup of Figs is the only remedy of its kind ever pro- duced, pleasing to the taste and ac- ceptable to the stomach, prompt in its action and truly beneficial in its effects, prepared only from the most healthy and agreeable substances, its many excellent qualities commend it to all and have made it the most popular remedy known. jyrup of Figs is for sale in 50 cent bottles by all. leading drug- gists. Any reliable druggist who may not have it on hand will pro- cure it promptly for any one who wishes to try it. Do not acceptany substitute. CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP CO. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, COUIBVILLE, KY. aEW YORE, &.¥. HE APOLOGIZED. He Didn’t Cause the Accident, but He Said “Pardon Me!” From the New York Herald. It isn’t always safe to swear at a bicy- elist who is responsible for a collision. A member of a well-known athletic club, riding along &t an easy pace, was over- taken by another wheel, which didn’t turn out in time, and a rear end collision was the result. When the clubman recovered from the shock he found himself lying on his back with the baggy knee of a pair-of trousers across his face. ‘ Furious at the stupidity of the other rider, he struggled to get up, shouting: “Why the devil do you ride like that?” “Oh, dear! Oh, dear!” said a plaintive — “I didn’t mean to. I’m all tangled ‘Oh, Lord, a girl,” groaned the young man. “And I went and swore at her;” and his contrition increased when he picked himself up and saw gazing up at him from around the wreckage a very pretty face, flushed with mortification. Lifting the owner to her feet, the young man tried to apologize, “Awfully sorry. I thought it was some idiot of a mar that had run into me. That is-er-er-I don’t mean you're an, idiot, you know; if I'd known that you were wouldn’t have sworn at you. No, no, I don’t mean that, either. I'm a little rat- tled, you see, but I thought it was a man when I saw your trousers. That is, I thought your-er-garments were trousers of a@ man, you kpow. If I'd known you wore bloomers—that is, if I'd known thgse trous- ers were bloomers—I mean if I'd known it was a girl who.wore trousers—-. Oh, darnitall! I apoloize,” and the youth mourted and sped away so madly that he narrowly escaped wrecking a street car, leaving the girl redder than before. Prices of Coffee, Tobacco—1662. From the Mercurius Publicns. ‘At the coffee house in Exchange alley is sold by retail the right coffee powder from 4 to 6s. per pound, as in goodness; that pounded in a mortar at 3s. per pound; alzo that termed the right Turkle berry well garbled at 3s. per pound; the ungarbled for jess; that termed the East India berry at 20d. per pound, with directions gratis how to make and use the same. Likewise there you may have tobacco, Verinus, and Vir- ginta chocolatta, the ordinary pound boxes at 2s. 64. per pound, the perfume® from 4s. to 10s. per pound; also sherbets (made in Turkie) of lemons, roses and violets per- fumed; and tea, according to its goodness, from 6 to 60s. per pound. For all which if any gentleman shall write or send, they shall be sure of the best, as they shall or- der; and to avoid deceit, warranted under the house seal, viz, Morat the great, etc. —_+o+___ The Decay of Croquet. From Harper's Weekly. Mr. George C. Strong of New London is the croquet champion of America this year, as he has twice been before. Only a bold man would dare to be known nowadays as the croquet champion. Proficiency in that sport has come to be rated by the vulgar in the same class of accomplishment as su- perior skill in tatting. Young persons smile incredulously when their elders recall the time when strong men took hold of croquet and played it hard all day, and believed that they were having sport. Yet the thing did happen thirty years agc, and modern croquet. is a better game croquet was then, end fitter to champion’s zeal. popfithe Physical being is the result of draw. incessantly wu; ¢ Teserve capital netve force. ‘The wear, teat and strain of modern life are concentrated upon the nerv- ous system. The young men of our day be- come sufferers from nervous debility or ex- haustion, nervous prostration or ‘This may be the result of too much mental worry and excitement, or the result of bad practices and excesses, on pernicious habits, contracted in They feel irritable, weak such distressing symptoms as backache, dizziness, sh in head or cometinzs touigebon., The saiaaicaged ‘men, as well, 3 oe a loss of manly power, low spirits, im: memory, and many SRents OR aetal acd BON when the overwot “ine phys HS id specialists of the I1 ¢ physicians an fists in- valids’ Hotel and Surgical Institute devote their best energies to reclaiming and restor- ing such unfortunates to health and happi- ness. They have written a book of 168 pages, treating of these maladies and setting forth a rational means of home-treatment for their cure. It is sent securely sealed, in plain envelope, on receipt of 10 cents for The ill-used brain is morbidly wide awake rked business man attempts , Address WoRLD’s DISPENSARY MEDICAL LOTETION, No. 663 Main Street, Buf- FLESH REDUCED! DR. EDISON'S FAMOUS OBESITY PILLS, SALT « AND BANDS TAKE OFF A POUND A DAY. DR. EDISON'S OBESITY FRUIT SALT TAKES OFF FAT AND IS A DELIGHTFUL, CHAM- PAGNE-LIKR, HEALTHFUL S8UM- MER BEVERAGE. If you are fat it will pay you to read what a few well-known people say below: “Dr. Edison's Obesity treatment will reduce a fleshy abdomen, neck, bust, chin or face, or shoulders, or hips, without reduc- tion where there is no surplus fat. The skin con- tracts to its 1 tension and cov. normal rere Without wrinkles.""—Mre. Lucy Stone Menard in ‘Woman's World. sister, Msx. "Tillie, Vanderlip Sprague, of town, used Dr. Saiso'a Pike and Band was and in 2 month and a half.’* . Col. Stanton, Georgetown, writes: ‘TI took Dr. Edison's Obesity Salt and Pills for six weeks reduced my weight 85 pounds and cleared my _complexion.”” Major Gathright, one of the best known remain- ing old-time military men, writes: “I had my ab- dominal measurement reduced 9 inches by wearli an Edison Obesity Band four and one-half weeks.’ Mrs. Helep Wandall Sturgess, writing from her ) Wi residence on F street, says: “Dr. Edison's Obesit Band cared has reduced weight 21 ads and Tidsey troubles “Dr. elivon'e HHH HH RHR HE SHR EHH HEHE im case of uric 720 7th Street N.W. Jet-208 HII HHH Unlike Ponce de Leon we do not search for the Fountain of Perpetual Youth. The explorer of to-day is the business man. He seeks success. The best aid toitis health. Atall seasons does Johann Hoff’s Malt Extract help to give it—help to keep it. At no time is it more useful than in these months of debili- tating heat. Look for signature of I scgenentacoe ” on neck label and do not be impésed u with worthless imitations. = E1sner & Menpeson Co., Sole Agents, New York. For Rheumatism — axe Gout 18 ESPECIALLY INDICATED IN THESE DISORDERS. IT ON ELIMINATE THE URIC ACID THE SYSTEM. “BAN FRANCISOO, Sept. 5, 1808. “I have found Natrolithic Salt of Excellent use ‘acid diathesis, and shall commend “LIONEL BROOKE."* All draggistn, oF ‘Washington, D.0, Natrolithie Sa t MIXTURE | for SS cents Every pipe stamped DUKES MIXTURE or <<i5> 2oz. Packaces 5¢ Bargains In Hair Switches, 50. Formerly ~ $5.00, 50. Formeriy $10.50, C7 Fint ‘attendance in Hair Dreasiag, Gatlette,” for keeping the bale oan S. HELLER’S, “I Never Saw So Many Ugly Shoes in My Life!’’ —was the exclamation of a lady as she ‘our ‘soft- “No. we haven't escaped the new woman craze sltogether, but we've atudied the question #9 carefully that we can give rou the new, heavy shove in such shapes that they won't make yuur feet a bit larger. Prices start at $3.50 and go up a little further. WILSON, “Shoemaker for tender feet,” 929 F St. N. W. 8620-364, SAVED! —half the labor—that is, if use eaver,Kengla& Co.’s Laundry & Borax Soaps —to do your washing with. They make light work-of the heaviest wash — are made from the purest materials only—and are the most eco- nomical soaps manufactured. Sold by all wide-awake Factory, 8244 K st. ee ee ee 5e20 524 We now do : me of Pills Ratetthah wie Merwe | adios tailori ‘ fe, of liver bi ht 89 inds in rth ‘ad Swett serroeens, | Ladies’ tailoring zh for one treatment. °° —as well as for men’s. Were eat me ee ay = O86 inch 1s $2.50; 4° : bd Red era's gy son vy cy 50; 5 le conte extra tor aac tional in length. °° give you tailoring superior to that tv: Send all mail, express or C0. D. orders tous, [°° * out by this famoun dresemaker. Aa ite agp Se ey 1ith and F n.w. “OWEN,” The Tailor, 1246 N.Y. ave aw, _dent tor “sHiow fo Care Obesity,” 24 newspaper | 423 ith Street. iumns,, written ‘authors; "naruer- | ‘rea o0@ ous illustrations mand 200 testimonials. = 00, General ted States, SHAKER DIGESTIVE Dept. ‘No. 19, No. 113 State all but it New Neck elty, Dept. & No. 4 W. 220 siret. prepa or indigestion” Ail Grogeists