Evening Star Newspaper, September 25, 1897, Page 23

HE COUNTRY BAND ‘Whe Pride and Glory of the Boys Who Blow: ee THE FIRST TONE, THE FIRST MARCH What a Monument of Himself is the Snare Drummer! OH, BUT ITS JOLLY FUN Prom the Boston Herald. never was, in the knowledge of ter, but one country band. He was B member of it. He pltyed—well, no mat- ter, sufficient to say he was a member. It wes known, as the Swantown Cornet Band. That was not the name of it, but that will answer as well as any in telling this story. The town did not cut half the ligure the band did—in the opinion of the memlers. Some, however, who were prone to sneer at all attempts to step from the ruts established by thelr fathers and grand- fathers thought otherwise, and they would sometim«~ say: “No towh, no band,” while the big bass drum. with an intonation like @ lake freg, would echo back its “boom, oom,” as if it would say: “No band, no town Ard this band and this drum advertised the town. In memory the big surface of the abnormal drum can now be seen, and across its face were painted in golden let- ters these words:"Swantown Cornet Band.” This Swantown Cornet Band was an or- ranization fearfully and wonderfully made. It had members black and white, tall and short, rieh and poor, Irish, Yankee, Dutch and others. Whatever called ft into existence has w been a mystery, but it came, saw and conquered. It was organized one win- ter's night a quarter century or more ago, end it prospered. When it was voted that such a thing should exist within the precincts of that mount:in hamlet, and the instruments bought, possibly not more than three out of the eighteen who were enrolled as musi- cians had ever seen a band instrument. Some did not know an E-flat cornet from a stove hook. Possibly they could have picked cut the stove hook, but would net have known what the other thing was. Hailing Columbia. gingerly they handled. those shin- es of brass. Those unknown, silent, machines, with numberless pip’ valves and slides. But as everything has a beginning, so did this aggregation start in to learn che uses of those instruments The first ‘six months were devoted strict- ly to indoor practice. Th: s necessary. Not remarkably rapid prozress was made but after awhile, when some of the scale en mastered, the organization was firs lection. It was “Hail Co- It some time before it was How as considered a success. The leader was cer- tainly earning his salary—he wasn't get- ting anything that year—and he thought it time t e ferward. The stri was toke people hailed Colum| with open welcome relief after six months of les—but they were just a velecome “Home, Sweet Home tov ed. in the le ew life into the Deoal Ameri “marche: to and dership seemed embers, and 0} ed in surprising nd had been erected while the but the summer pa this great com- itself in a@ wholly exhibition. Uniforms, of Course. A uniform had been precured. Not a new ene, for which each member had been Nothing of the sort. It was from a lot of fifty cast off b tic company during the war. The coats blue—and long—and buttoned down in front im single-breasted style. There were no trousers, hence the members were obliged to wear whatever they possessed. ‘And’ here a conflict of colors ensued. But members were clothed. They did not Wear light, jaunty caps. Here was where the defunct military got in its deadly work again. The members of this band inherited arskins—big bearskin hats, a foot or moze fall, such as were seen in pictures repre- Benting the battle of Bunker Hill. Well, the band progressed, gave a’ few ‘ut-of-door concerts, serenaded the minis- fer and other village dignitaries, and re- ceived an invitation to head the procession ‘Memorial day—‘‘Decoration day.’ No one gecmed to know in what order the band Should be made up—except the leader. He jknew, and he lined the members up in the band room one evening. And such a line up! The basses were in front rank. On the right was a tall, goldierly man, six feet in height. He was a model, but he was the only model in the yank: is side partner, the one who layed the second E-flat bass, was not over ve feet, but what he lacked in hetght he made up in circumference. Then came the nan who played the G trombone—the only nstrument of the kind ever made. It was & valve trombone, and extended about four feet in front and in rear of the player, and its monstrous bell looked like the air pipes of an ocean liner. But the player. He might have had a shape on He hadn't then. Neither did he have teeth, but hi: eular develop- Ment was immense. At ti go a crash note that would set the win- Gov tling in their casements, and piano passages had no more effect on him than so much water. Big G and Tuba, nes he would let He was the third man in the front rank. Was stoop-shouldered, but his big bear- was always upright, and if he ever d—which he did occasionally -the bearskin would cant off th, at an angle of about 45 degrees. « were placed according to the instru- yed, and after each had been as- ed a pdsition, notice was given that on n night the band would go out for to Before that, however, it had elect- ump major, and he carried a sword » of a baton. The place selected for rill was a level stretch of road on the outskirts of the village. The members were due at 7 o'clock. They were there on time, 1 went through a series of straight Iarching that was pleasing to the Instruc- tor. Occasionally some one would step on a loose stone and bump into his neighbor, fkip a few notes, lose his place and say things under his breath, but on the whole it was pretty good work. After an hour of practice the drum ma- for said: “Now we will try a counter- mare When I about face and hold up swerd, the two right files turn to the ght and march to the rear, and the two left files turn to the left.’ That sounded first-rate to hear it once, ‘but the execution of it was different. The band moved forward, playing a spirited march, when all at once the major whirl- ed «bout and threw up his sword. The two outside files turned all right, bat the two inside did the opposite. They had for- gotten the combination. When the crash came the four-foot extension of the big G@ twombcne struck the short, fat tuba player the solar plexus, while the latter un- wittingly retatiated by hitting the man ‘with the trombone squarely on the side of the head. There was a sudden halt, and the way those musicians came together Was an excellent imitation of the march of the Amazons when rallying on the cen- r. The matter was adjusted. The Horse Waltz. ‘Then came the memorable event in the history of that aggregation, a Memorial day. The procession, made up of veterans, ghildren tr carriages, fire department, town dignitaries and headed by the band, was to move at 10 o'clock. All hands were ptly there, and each member of that Band looked his tiest. e 7 horse was present when that band struck up “No. 5 in the new book,’ and it began a waltz In horse aes either a march or a waltz would do. e drummer was doing his best to puncture the air with large chunks of calfskin music and Saw fot the antics of-the horse. At each blow the animal grew more restive. The leader saw the situation, and, instead of silencing the band, he signaled the drum- mer. The latter was not on to the for- mer’s curves, and mistook the signal. In his mind he was saying, “I'll be on deck when the procession gets under way,” and, gripping his abnormal stick with the fero« ity of a madman, he plied it with an in- creasea violence. ‘The horse had decided to take a hand— or foot—and just clearing the cymbal play- er, who was adding brazen mé@lody to the general fund, the animal. went among those amateur musicians as does’ wind when it discerns a pile of feathers. It was the first sad experience of that gaudy troop, but, beyond that; the exercises were without excitement. _ Drum? I Should Remark! The ice was broken by the event of Me- morial day. The members of that band gained in confidence as the novelty of the situation wore off, and the fame of the organization spread. It had out-of-town engagements, held fairs, the proceeds of which wert into a new uniform fund; harder music was essayed, and even “The Blue Danube” waltz was found among its selections. There were solos for cornets, for the baritone, for the teriors, for every- body, and the supporters -were pleased. In the eyes of the small boy, however, the snare drummer was the only mem- ber of that band. These were they who aspired not to teot on horns of brass— but to drum. Had they not, in secret, battered the copper bottom of the old fam- ly washboiler in their endeavor to master the intricacies of the art of drumming? Had ihey not received a mighty inspira- tion when following the veteran drummer at the head of the militia company on training days—the veteran who had drum- med at Lundy’s Lane? That veteran had but recently passed away, and his mantle fell on no one. His successor, however, in the opinion of those boys, was the drum- mer in that country band, ang around him they flocked, even as hornets around the old gray nest in the appie tree. — But there came a time when the drom- mer owned the tewn and all the inhabit- ants thereof, and even more did he be- come the envy of the small boy. reatest Solo on Earth. It was when the leader ordered a new piece. Its title was “Drum Solo Quick- step.” It was when the piece was given cut that the drummer's heart swelled with Fride. He took it home and studied it. Eight measures rest for all the other in- struments, but a solo for him! 3 Out back of the barn ne went, and while the neighbor's horses and c stamped a seeming applause, and the eggs in the ests of setting hens became addled be- puse of the continually contused atmo: ‘e, the drummer wot it not. He wre: 1ed with that solo until he was sure of it. ‘Then came the night of band room prac- tice. The new piece was played for the first time, and when the eight measures rest came for the wind instruments there was a sudden but brief calm. The drum- mer, with all the assembled multitude looking on, sqvared himself and cut loos It was a suce He didn’t skip much as a hair's breadth of time ng to work—and he was happy. The following Monday evening the new piece was.on the program—pr' local paper—for the band stand playout. The night came, the piece came, the eight measures came. The one “whe was to do his act, and aj! alone, was r to catch the beat on the instant, and with the myr- isd small boy in attendance-whe had also read the program—he jumped to his task. He gave that audi never before heard in He gave excerpts from th: ine-stroke roils, the single two-four and si iddle and all other ¢ the craft, and had he he measures more only on fuiera] occasions—so any icus was he to show his pro’ He had his day, and was su ot qually good, and, pos: drummers. oe ROPING IN GROOM AND BRIDE. rman Interferes With an Old eshire Wedding Custom. From the Loudon News. Of the many marriage customs which still survive in many parts of rural E! the one peculiar to the county of C of roping a wedding party, is certainly in- teresting, though it was the subject of magisterial investiBation at Sandbach petty sessions yesterday. Three men named Dedd, Duckworth and Burrows were sum- mened for obstructing the highway at Bechton, a village two miles from Sand- bach. Last Saturday a rustic beauty was urited to her faithful swain at that vil- lege, and the happy couple were driving away from the church, down Bechton Hill, when the observance of the marriage cus- tom peculiar to the neighborhood brought the carriage to a sudden stop. At the herse’s head stood Duckworth and Bur- rows, holding the ends of a rope across the rcad. While the Iiberal display of rice and old shoes enabies the fricnds of brides and bridegrooms elsewhere to speed the newly wedded couple, in Cheshire it seems to be the custom to delay their departure till they pay. their “footing.” ‘The driver was at no loss, for it avas part of the custom not to proceed till those inside had given the rope bearers a shilling each. Another villager named Dodd saw no reason for his exclusion from the benefits of the custom, since, after Duckworth and Burrows had received the coin, he promptly fixed up an- other wedding rope acrcss the highway. Once more had the wedding carriage to stop, and the funds of the couple to defray the expenses of the honeymoon were the peorer by another shilling. Unfortunately, hewever, a police officer, who happened to be driving in the neighborhood, was a high- ly interested spectator of the’ proceeding: He caused Duckworth, Burrows and Dodd to be summoned, and ‘they were fined, the two first named half a crown each’ and Dodd five shillings. : Se rifey Carried Tov Far. Glasgow Weekly Mall. A ship Once went on a cruise, and the captain determined to keep an accurate account of the voyage in his logbook. One morning the first mate, who had bee on a lark the day before, looking over the logbook, found this entry: “The first mate was drunk all day yesterda: He at once appealed to the captain, say- ing to him: “Why In the world did you want to write that In the logbook?” “Is It not true?” questioned the captain. “Yes, but there was no use to siate it.” “Oh, yes, there was. I intend to keep a full and accurate record of what goes on on board this ship during the entire voy- A Pol A From ti The first mate was compelled to submit, but his turn came. Next day he was in charge of the ship, the captain taking off a When he turned up the next morning, he found written on the logbook: “The cap- tain was sober all day yesterday.” Of course, he entered a protest. “Well, weren't you sober all day?” asked the mate. ; “ot course, but there was no use of stat- ng it. on, yes. I was merely carrying out your instructions and keeping an accyrate record of what occurred on board.” ———_+e+______ Chicago Library Uniforms, From the Chicago Post. To adopt a costume of cadet gray, to be worn all days, whether becoming or un- becoming, is a dismal fate for the women employed in the public hbrary. Cadet gray, though a pretty color, is unsuitable to many complexions, which will consti- tute a serious objection against the inno- vation. And it never was intended that a woman should confine herself to one shade or hue in her gowns; the monotony of tt produces effects not to be classed as im- aginary. There are psychological reasons why a uniform is objectionable if the aes- thetic ones are not sufficient to convince those who have passed the birds and THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, CURRENT. SLANGUAGE i, How Our Vernacular Grows by Acore- ‘The Person Who Uses Slang, Finds Good Language Tame and Feeble— . LOVERS’ PROPOSALS ‘How They Are Made on the Stage and in Life. The Real Thing is Said to Involve Some Slang, Considerable Humor He is Like am Old Toper. The mild Septemher’s breath, is sweet and a Good Deal of Nervousness. + With golden rod and sarit 5 And, where the marsh: and uplands = i The brown-thrush rote. retreat # Ellen Burns in the Critic. The Italian method of prefixing an s to a word to give it,a damaging ‘significance can be employed with good effect in chris- tening that.wayward and degenerate off- spring of English known as slang. in its present state, slanguage has attained to such a luxurious completeness that it war- rants serious treatment. So copious and comprehensive has it beconfe that there is hardly a human want, fecling, or emo- tion of the heart that cannot be translated into this vernacular of the bootblack? In- studying the philosophy of slang the first natural query is, How and why cid it orig- inate? To the first question one might give, with certain modifications, the same answer that would be given to the ques- tion, Why do people swear? The human animal, like a locomotive, seems to re- quire escape-valves for occasions when there is too much steam in ‘the boiler. When a man is overflowing with admira- tion, anger or wonder, the oréinary ad- jectives do not (or he thinks they do not) meet the emergency. They do not relieve his pent-up fullness any more than a sip from a dewdrop would quench a man’s thirst. The natural man and the natural woman sometimes find relief under strong emotion in explosive utterances. In the case of anger, the escape-valve expletive is an oath, unless the man in question happens to be a gentleman, and sometimes, though very rarely, when he is. It will thus be seen that slang, being of emotional ancestry, is a first cousin to the oath, and both are used by those who men- tally resemble the man whose use of in- toxicating drinks has made him forget or underestimate the attractions of pure wa- ter. Slang, in sooth, is a whisky distilla- tion of language. It is so strong that it may be taken only very rarely with im- punity. And herein lies the chief danger in its use. Not only does the slanguist find ordinary English tame, but he ends in rot being able to find any English at all. Another fatal characteristic of slang is the very one which at first secures its adoption—namely, its pungency. The same law that makes quiet colors and shades wear well in the world of fabrics has its counterpart in the world of speech. We tire very speedily of a startling costume, in high colors, and just as speedily do we tire of slang, which is startling, high-ccl- ored speech. Still another reason why slang can never gain a permanent foothold in the language is its utter lack of dignity. No subject can be seriously treated in sianguage. Its sole function is to tickle by its patness or its grotesquesness. it reflects a fugitive iri- descence upon current wit and humor, as the bubble catches prismatic colors; but like the bubble, it vanishes even while you | From Blackwood’s Magazine, behold it. | Naturally there are slang |2 phrases of all degrees of goodness and bad- ness, ranging from the word which is only a slight remove from a forcible but per- fectly decorous adjective, to slang of the most daring, deep-dyed order. At one end of the scale, for instance, one might plac “tetcHing,” and at the other end its super- superlative “rum.” Again, the injunction “play ball” is gentle and seemly, in com- parison with the brusque command “get a move on.” Along certain lines the slang- seist seems to revel in extravagant syno- nyms and antonyms, especially in those ex- pressing some infirmity in the upper story. ‘The man who has “wheels” is also popular- ly known “eracked,” or ‘oft a if he comes from the “corn-raised,” has “seed in his “face Along the dusty highway; Now dress in colors sober; ‘The bloom ‘and energy of From Life. . Little man, little mai With your little tro I wish that I were hap My little man, ke Is the Little man, little man, Pray, have you seer His clustering ‘He's naught else but 2 For he’s but three yei Little maa, Uttle man, Why, can it really be Ths quite hard to 1 ‘Then cleaves the foam. And glides thtough Where creepers. kiss ‘¢ Of, cherubim; ‘The ries ‘The maying hosts. ‘The awful world Some tcken of his And flings a dewy dladem . From face and hair,,, Ww Views his f Is dim with te: You with sturdy 4 ba and b y He passed this way, I'm told. His little dress is fresh and white, curls are gold— Ww ‘The half-grown rabbits nimbly play ‘The squirrel from the’ topmost limb Of shag-bark hickory, tali-and slim, Barks at the boy that’s hunted him ‘Through wooded lane and by-way. ‘The flelds that late were robed im grecn_ spring Have taken flight. on summer's wing, And eager now seems: everything To welcome browu October. The past {s behind ‘me with alf of its glory; The future I know not, nor heed its decree, I hope, though, to live in sqng and in story— eIn the love and the hearts of humanity. I feel there's a power that ‘will not forsake mo, When life and its burdens are all cast aside— A Maker that will not denounce or deride me— A refuge where I can retire and abide. * JOHN ——— First Trousers, 8 pPy, you, re ever anything in life That gives such pleasure true As this first pair of trousers, So stunning and so new! baby, ars old! When T ask if you've seen him, fou say that you are he! You, with your stride ani And magic pockets thr —SUSIE DAWSON BROWN. My Library. As one who pouses on a rock, ‘The bastion of some sea _nymph's Aud feels the ripples round bint floc cool pellucid ways ¢ ‘each’ thri And heats, or thinks he he And marvels at the wondrots scene, upon ruins hurled, @arkiing sheen, ‘Then rises, snatching first $ome’ gem, njourn there, unlight, ‘with fhe sigh is whistling aia treasure, All Lis —CHAS, DOING. —>+_ Departed. Written for The Evening Star. Dedicated to the memory of Gen, W. T. Sherman. ‘The days of my youth have departed forever 4nd the evening of life hastens on to its close; I stand on the banks of the Lethean river Awaiting my orders and final repose. r ing limb, firs, low lays", our8 eye From the Chicago Record. A young man of the South Side is a mem- ber of an-amateur dramatic company. Last spring he assisted in the production of a very pretty society play. In the third act of the play he had a proposal scene with a young woman for whom he felt something more than a passing regard. as of music and passion. It was agreed that the young man spoke them remarkably well. In fact, at least one hundred people told him he ought to give up his present vocation (living with his father) and go on the “real stage.” The girl was seated on a sofa, sighing over a bouquet of flowers he had sent her, when he entered L. U. E., came down the stage a few steps, hesitated, and then walked resolutely toward the sofa, and be- gan, standing behind the girl. The stage lover usually stands behind the object of his regard and pours his appeal over her left shoulder - ‘My flowers!” She—“I was thinking of you just now.” He—“Thinking of me?” She—“Thinking o! > He—“Yes.” —“I mean—that I was admiring these “3 you-sent me. Are they not beauti- ful?" He—“I thought them beautiful when I plucked them this morning. They were fresh with dew and exhaled a sweet fra- grance in the morring air. I thought them beautiful—because—because you were not there, Dora. See, they are “drooping al- ready. Perhaps it is because they are shamed by the presence of loveliness which surpasses theirs, even as—~" She—“Mr. Valentine, what are you say- ing?” He—“I am saying what my heart prompts me to say. I am saying that which I would have said the first time I ever saw you. Unworthy though I am-I—Dora, I love you!” She—‘“Mr. Valentine’ He—“Don’t turn away, Dora. Lisien to me. I must tell it—will tell it, even though you spurn me and send me away forever. I have loved you since that first day at Fern Lodge. You wore a simple gown of white. The sunshine was in your hair. You gave me one glance. It went to my heart. I almost staggered from the sweet pleasure of that moment. Something told me that you were the woman I must love forever, come weal, come woe. I tried to speak to you, but I could not. You re- member?” She (plucking a rose to pieces)—“Yes.”” He—‘Then came the cruel separation. went far away, but the image of sweet face went with me—the hope of see- ing you again w the one beacon light which shone for me in that lonely land out yonder. I have heard of men seeking for- getfulness—why, Dcra, I would not have forgotten that day for all the treasures of earth. Even when fate seemed to decree that I should never sec when I felt in my angu' forgotten me—that you A. JOXYCE. home, ‘k, had never lovea me—I lived upon the memory of that day. I said to myself: “Seas and mountains may divide, but iove can reach to the ends of the universe.’ I threw defiance back to fate. I cried out: ‘I love her, and naugat can forbid my love!’—Dora, we meet again. I come to you, and I lay at your feet a love that cannot be changed by the markings of time; a love stronger than death itself. I do not presume to be worthy of your lo but I cannot live without telling you that so nearly synonymous So, where in lordly are the w ave love terms for qualities whose universality has in distdnt dark ry whom T rhst lovelwichote ee singe et ade them a targe! sath Stretches before m, e % eee) them a target for popular satire. "Fiis:sea’ of books time shall be no more. You are silent. I Equally yrolific is the slang a it was presumptuous of me. Perhaps there eae Di f I pause, and draw one fervent breath, is another—” ‘sand,’ hink” and “‘spondulic! ‘Then pintge, and seem to pyss away She (arising impetuously)—“Leste: are only a few of the words that translate Into deep: waters still ay death, <<"! He—“Dora!” (They embrace.) BBE sucess 0 of the slangz phrases Yet cledr as diy; °" ‘This was what the amateur actors called TT Sapinely, frecuents wes (are, ‘thats: |” renee! wy iacinere OO Gal hot stuff,” and when it is considered that much ici The latter, it must be confessed, hat ¢ tain cool figurative qualities which gve it a saving color of grace. But most of these itterature; phrases rely chiefly upon their condensed ‘Then to retcrn to life above, expressiveness, which is the trade-mark ee ene erat fen eave TED, of their American manufacture. They ere Bare se reer TT a id God. but one of the many devices of the masses Sat Se Cet to compass a cross-cut and avoid cirexm- locutions. Thus, “snap” and “cinch” cre time economy for a moneyed sinecure and an assured competence. One of the surest tests of the rapid mor- tality of slang is the extremely patnful sensation produced by hearing antiquated slang phrases used—and there are always people who are two, or three, or ten years behind in their use of such phrases. When other people are saying “not on your ‘in- type,"” the user of mildewed slang Zeebly | ‘ ejaculates “I should smile.” The piquancy and patness of certain phrases make it hard to declare that slang has no legit!- mate use. But concerning its misuse, there. can hardly be two opinions among people whose opinions are worth anything. A careful study of the qualities of men and women who habitually interlard their re- marks with slang wil furnish anybody with a world of convincing conclusions in favor of pure English. ——__+e+_____ Craddock at Home. From the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Last Friday was a “lucky” day for me, for the long-desired pleasure of visiting in her delightful home the best-known and most distinguished woman of our state, “Charles Egbert Craddock of Murfreesboro, Tenn.” The Murfree residence is situated in a sequestered spot abeut a mile from town, midway between two pikes, and is reached by a long and winding driveway. The oid mansion, destroyed by fire, has given place to an elegant but not costly structure of modern architecture. It over- looks the famous battlefield of Stone river, and suggests comfort, rest and meditation. I was struck with the solitude of the place —away from the noise of the pikes and the whirr of the town, and the observation of neighbors, After sweeping for miles around the most fertile plain in the state, the eye rests upon the blue surrounding mountains, not, how- ever, so picturesque as those of east Ten- nessee, whose peculiar people and lofty peaks so suddenly lifted Miss Murfree into fame; to be the George Eliot of America. Miss Murfree is about thirty-five, with a large, strong, yet sweet and kindly face, that glows into beauty when animated in conversation. In¢ figure she is low and stout. Her voice is deep for a woman, but pleasing to the ear, and her style of con- versation is quite delfberate, and, of, course, elegant. She is a delightful listener, and is always willing for others to lead in con- versation, possibly for the reason her sister can do it so well if others do not make the attempt. She has that modest, stately bear- ing that is a distinguishing type of our southern ante-bellum aristocracy. In gen- rate. eral cgnversation she tries in a delicate ‘They sit and swear way to prevent the drift of thought from And ask, ‘‘Shall wef ti Dixie. En. cotton ‘low dat he Casting the weai Lasked by the ‘Tollers of the sea, Toilers of hope are ‘Try, try to underst Discouraged men a: nip What-luck, old shi ‘Then call to the fog-ba If luck desert us, we'll ipmate? ‘The child in the windor Toilers of hope and slaves o} Be to us, hepe to us unto the e The manly old faith that bows God's leve is best luck, From Punch. On Southern Mnes the Deliberately to and, Make life a burden;* flowing toward her and her works. Miss Murfree's génius has been faithfully nur- By caves where falter “dimiy’ pure Gleams of the future—alf the vast or love —-—— —-+04 —______ m the Atlanta Constitution. Ob, Dixie lan’—she ain't forgotten, Seven cents en cight for cotton, Pick away, Pick away, Pick away down South in Dixie! He see wheat rise ter a silver dollar, ’ll up en follert Pick away, Pick away, Pick away down South in Dixie! Ef cotton rise en rise fim seven, dis worl’ in de place er heayen, Pick away, Pick away, Pick away down South in Dixie! oo —_—_____—_ The Fisherman’s Friend, net, wind and wet, we. Lighter their task who sing Rude though our voices Listeners of the land— und! Hauling the empty net, Dashed by the wind and wet, Playthings of the sea, re we. down in the wave and drive over the spray! No luck today nk, and ery to the winds Teave luck behind, Sink “down in the trough, and pull over the foam! ‘The man's in the storm, the woman at home, , the man a Ill luck at sea means {Il news on shore, ‘Thou Friend of the fishermen once in the wet, We've heard that Thine order hauled in the full net For fellows no luckier, no happler than we, the sea, Hungry and heart-sick an@ desperate men, ‘To us, as to them, be it now as ‘twas then. Care for us, come to us, fisherman's Friend, us the pure heart that’s more than the meat, at Thy Nets of torn souls there be many to mend. , fisherman's Friend. —ELIZABKTH STUART PHELPS WARD, The Slow Train, traing, which crawl tured by a mother who in some respects is} ™¥ cal! aa almost as remarkable as her saug-ter, Al- 2s ee Gs though eighty-one years of age, she eeps other day I had‘ up her music. While I was there she, with “By this slow train; but fact remarkable skill and technique, rendered two of Mend2issohn’s most famous minors. In speaking of her mother’s tuition, Miss Murfree said: ‘Mother was determined to teach us three things thoroughly: The major and minor scales, the multiplication table and to speak the truth.” “The Jug- gler,”” Miss Murfree’s last Work, she thinks is her best. It will be in book form and on the market in a month. —_——+e-______ Grew From an Ox Goad. From the. Chicago News. The largest tree in Kankakee county, IIL, is a cottonwood on the farm of Mrs. Alice Paine, at Beebetown. It is 16% feet in cir- cumference, 5% feet in diameter and 100 feet high. » ring, the the young man playing Lester Valentine carried the scene with pleading tenderness, alternated with quivering intensity, it might be supposed that he was a past mas- ter in the art of proposing. To tell the truth, however, he made a different sort of an effort when he actuaily proposed to the girl who had played Dora. They were at a -country place together, and had sought places on a bench somewhat hidden from the house by a dense growth of trees. e—" at are you doing?” He—“Nothing.” She—“Well, put your arm down. Some one be looking.” He—“Is that why you want me to put it down?” She—“Oh, you are simply dreadful! No; take it clear away. Don’t you know, it’s awfully jay for a man to put his arm be- ,;hind a girl? It’s just about the same as hugging he J; He—No, it isn't—not by a long shot.” She—“Are you going to behave yourself?” He—“Well, it seems to me that this is pretty rough treatment for an old friend.” She—You must feel very badly hurt —-L. J. G@. about it. He—“I do, honestly. You don’t seem to realize that I'm stuck on you.” She—“Now, Will, for goodness sake, don’t begin that again.” He—“Yes; but I'm in earnest this iime. She—“All right; go ahead. What are you going to do—propose to me?” He—“That’s what I’m doing now, if you'll give me a chance.” She—“Goodness! Excuse me! I didn’t know I was interrupting anything as im- portant as that!” By George! He—“There you are! A man trying to make the effort of his life, you know, and you making fun of him.” She—“Why, Will! I'm not making fun of you. Go ahead. I’m perfectly wild to hear you.” He—‘Well, that’s all there was to fi She—‘You haven't said anything yet.” He—“Say, Net, what do you want me to do? Get down on my knees?” She—“Most of them do—yes.”” He—“All right. I won't. I'm going to tell mother tonight that it’s settled.” She—Take away your arm, Will. Every one can see!”’ He—‘I will, but you've got to answer right away. She—‘“Will, what could I answer? of course.” He—“And this isn’t one of those paper engagements, either.” She—“It's a real engagement?” He—‘“Well, I should say ft is real.” She—“All right. No, not now.” — BICYCLE RULES IN RUSSIA, oar, Yes— comic feet. The Government Exercises Supervi- ston Over Wheelmen. ¥rom the Baltimore Sun. In the consular reports for August there is’ an interesting report by Consul General Karel at St. Petersburg on bicycles in Rus- sia and on the regulations prescribed for their use. The use of the wheel is in its infancy in Russia, it seems, the climate being unfavorable in the northern part dur- ing a great part of the year. Only in the summer months {fs it possible to ride at «ll. Yet in St. Petersburg there are already four cycling clubs, besides three in the sub- urbs. Up to February 1, 1897, ladies were not permitted to ride a bicycle in the sreets of St. Petersburg, but they now have that English companies—have works in Russia, the one at Warsaw, the other at Moscow. les ‘The lines of the proposal scene were full« How Robert J. and Gentry Drive To- gether, photograph must be attached to the per- mit, and both wheel and rider have a regis- tered number. Great importance is attach- ed to the identity of the rider, so that his wledeete, it any. may be enally brought oe ome to him. * number,” says the re- port, “in plain white figures on a red plate, HANDSOME WELL ‘AST must be ened to the w! both on thé AS AS F front and back, so as to be clearly visible —_— -—.--—_-— to the police and the public in case of any mishap or disobedience of the prescribed regulations for bicycle riders. One plate, with the numbers on both sides, is fastened to the frame in front, below the handle bar, sticking out so that the number can seen from either side, and one plate 1s fastened to the frame behind, below the saddle, in such a way as to be in full view when the person is sitting on the saddle. The regulations are of interest for the ex- treme care they take to curb the reckless “scorcher” and make the city’s streets safe for persons not on wheels. They are as follows: “Bicycle riding in the streets of the clty is allowed only on low, two-wheeled bi- cycles or on bicycles of other types which are considered by the city administration not dangerous. Only those persons of Both Brave, Docile and Always Willing. AN INTERESTING EVENT From the Philadelplia Ledger, Robert J. and John R. Gentry make @ great doubie tcam, They are not only the epeediest pair ever hitched to sulky or wagon, but they are as fine looking a team as one would wish to see. Both are bays, | Begin —, — ep deen and in color are perfectly matched. Robert ‘om the St. Petersburg city administra- 2 < tion, can ride. The permit inust bear the | 2: 1% @ little bigger than Gentry, though there is very little difference in their height and length, but the latter is the prettier of the two. In brief, both are fine looking animals, and they not only leok well, but go well together. While both are thoroughly broken in, having been campaigned so much that each knows why he is on the track and what is expected of him, Robert J. seems to be the steadier of the two. He seemed to go easily within himself from start to finish name of the proprietor and is given only to persons who know how to ride a bicycle. By the city governor's special order the person who receives a permit to ride a bi- cycle must give a photograph of himself, which is attached to the permit. “Every person who has received a permit to ride a bicycle in the city is supplied by the city administration with a number. He must have on his bicycle a bell and after dark a lighted lantern. The kind of tag, the time and way in which it must be at- tached to the bicycle are established by the city administration and confirmed by the ity gov: yesterday, while Gentry appeared fidgety Se Siiech berate riding a bicycle must carry | t the start, and again in the last 100 with him the permit, with the present reg- | ¥87™4s from the finish. The performance ulations printed on it. Fast riding or rac- | U"questionably demonstrates that, while ing in the city is not allowed. Riders must | Gentry has the fa t mark by a second, always keep to the right, as near to the | Robert J. has the stoutest heart, and if it sidewalk as possible. Riders must pass | Comes to a question of grit in demolishing foot passengers and equipages on the left- | Tecords by this pair in the future ft will not be the latter who will falier. Robert full of grit, and if driven regularly for awhile with Gentry he will no doubt take hand side, if possible. In overtaking a foot passenger or an equipage, the bicycle rider must in due time ring the bell and he must pass slowly. To ring without need is pro-|50Me of the nervousness for which the hibited. No other signals except bells are | Stallion is noted out of the latter. * allowed. In case horses should take fright By this is not to be understood that John aked with “yellow;” to the he must have some grit’ in him, else he would not have the record he has, or won as many races as are credited to at a bicycle, the rider must stop and alight. “In turning a corner or in crossing a street the bicycle must be ridden very slow- ly and the bell.rung. In localities where there is much public traffic and many | him. But it known among equipages riders must alight and lead their | horsemen that the stout wheels, When several bicycle riders are to- | heart in him that ts Robert J. gether they must ride, one after the other, | Or the gameness of Star Pointer. Never- at a distance not less than fourteen feet | theless, with his speed he ought to be able between each bicycle. It is prohibited to | to Keep pace with Robert J. at all times, ride or lead a bicycle on sidewalks, roads | and the two should have no trouble in for pedestrians, boulevards, squares and | bringing the world’s record down to say parks. Riding a bicycle in the city tn a | 2.0% or still lower before their time arrives lo be retired from the turf. Out They Come. It was after 4 o'clock when the two fly- ers were brought upon the track to make their great trial, Covered all over with racing costume, without a coat, or in such costume as would attract special attention, is prohibited. The riding of bi stopped on some streets by order of the police in the following cases: During the time when their imperial majesties are ex- pected to pass; during religious processions and in places where there is a 1 * blankets, surrounded by half a dozen ‘ ces where there is a large gather- : se e ing of people and equipages. ‘The riding of | tendants resplendent in black ary ey . bicycles 1s not allowed on certain parks | With yellow trimmings, an] followed by a of the Nevski Prospect nor in Summer | small army of stablemen, they formed a Park. The city governor has the right to | procession and came marchin, up prohibit the riding of bicycles in some of | past the club house to the jac and, the streets of the cit A person violating | emid the plaudits of the 4,(10 spectators these regulations may he deprived by the present. After a few words with the police of his permit; may also be brought | judges, Driver Bowne yellow by the police before the court. ck painted bicy the ee % were removed, i n for the first time the tators had a chance to Se see this fast m. Both From Tid-Bits. horses looked in “Some men are quite martyrs to office Their coat ir veins sho plainly that they Both horses had been cut on the drowsiness, other day. a physician remarked the ‘Any monotonous sound near them, the hum of traffic outside, or even | separately in sulkies for practice hg oe vr the scratching of a clerk’s pen is sufficient | Gentry seven och + pg ie 3 to induce a feeling of sleepiness which it Lab ak bees cae eel t 3 almost impossible to resis could not t red m until “The worst of it is that thi so seldom regarded as any ad- and “ohs! after their A roar of m of the x in blanke though I have known it to be the beginning | h&d been, removed. swept over the grand of critical mental trouble. Far more often, | Suind ana club housc f cognized T, It is merely the effect of constitu- | }5aofing his cap. eccentricity, though in either case a] "iy Gowne then drove up the stretch, few simple remedies might be tried with | turned around and came back, and after advantage. the two flyers for about two m “For instance, I always advise the old in- | {O8EINE the two Tee i tcd them on thelr digestion cure—a glass of hot water—when uinst time. Gentry was plainly the feeling comes on. To keep the eyes and spoiled the first attempt by tightly closed for three or four minutes and then bathe them in very warm water often gives relief at once. And another good idea is to lower the head for a few seconds to a level with the knees. Above ail, one should never give in to the feeling of drowsiness by taking a short nap in the hope of wak- ing up brighter after it. “At the same time the condition of the office might be looked to. The slightest defect in ventilation will often cause one man to be affected by office drowsiness, even though other people in the same room feel nothing of it whatever. ——+e-_____ The Minister Who Was an Elk. From the New York Tribune. “An Episcopal clergyman of Grand Rap- ids, Mich., who belongs to the order of the Elks,” says a member of that order, “at- tended a meeting the other evening. The chairman, noticing his presence, said: ‘I see ovr Rev. Brother —- among us this evening. As this is such an unusual oc- currence, I think he will have to be as- sessed $5." The rector put his hand into his waistcoat pocket, and, marching up to the desk, put down his little V, and made a nice little speech in which he told how glad he was to be with his brother Elks, and ended by inviting them to come and hear him preach the next Sunday evening. Some one moved that the Elks accept the invitation and go in a body to their broth- er’s church, which was unanimously car- ried. The next Sunday evening the front pews of the church were filled with Elks, an@ when Rev. Mr. —— ascended his pul- pit, he said: ‘I am delighted to see so many of my brother Elks here this evening, but as it 1s such an unusual occurrence with the most of them, I think they should each be assesssed $1. Let your light so shine, ete.” The way the silver dollars rattled on that plate was a caution. The contribution was much heavier than usual, and the Elks voted their reverend brother al] right.” ————+ee— Archaeology and the Bible. Prof. Sayre in the Homiletle Review. Oriental archaeology affords us a test and @ measure for Old Testament history; it is not a substitute for it. There are large portions of Old Testament history which can only be illustrated by archaeological research not covered by it; portions which from the necessity of the case do not ad- mit of monumental confirmation. The scenes of home life in the history of the Patriarchs, for example, can never be the subject of an inscription; ali the archaeolo- gists can do is to illustrate them from the life of other ori and +o show that they contain nothing which is inconsistent with either history or geograph: So, again, the wanderings of the in king in coming to the wire. The Record, A second attempt was more successful, but Bowne evidently feared Gentry would go up again, so he took matters over the first quarter to give the stallion a chance to steady down and strike his gait, and he also did not urge them over the sec- ond quarter. The first quarter was reached in .33 and the half in 1.044g,—a 2.00 gait. It was Bowne's intention to urge his horses from now on to the finish, but after going half a furlong further Gentry slipped his boot, and then he had to e up going around the upper turn; still he reached the three-quarter post in 1.37. It was not until Bowne had gotten around the long turn and reached the stretch that he let the two flyers straighten out their necks and that he began to urge them. Considerable val- uable time was lost in getting around this turn, but after reaching the stretch the two pacers let themselves out and came fly- ing to the wire. It was a close race against time, and everybody felt they would gct there ahead of the record if neither horse broke. All eyes were on Gentry, who once or twice swerved as if ready to jump up, but Bowne had him well in hand and there was great applause as the pair shot under the wire. A thousand or more watches had taken the time, end all agreed that the rm had been broken. A suspense of a few minutes, which seemed an hour to many, followed, while the timers in the judi) stand were comparing their watches. ly the tins were hung out on the time in front of the judge then a * and then fractions being left 4 rouncement of “2.0% loud applause. eb iets “A Rainbow on the Grou Letter in London Mocning Post. Will you allow me through your paper to ask if other people have observed a ratn- bow “on the ground,” instead of. as usual, in the air; and, if so, would they be so kind as to give the scientific reason for such an appearance? I have never befora today watched such a curious sight as that of which I speak. While taking a long country walk I was overtaken by a heavy shower, and while taking refuge from the rain I watched the lights and shadows moving along the valley beiow me, being myself on the crest of a down-like hill. I was struck by the unusual glow and brightness of the colors in the valley, and as I watched they formed a most brilliant rainbo: was greeted with s So to speak, on the pasture land below; the top of the arc nearing the opposite hills, and the two ends toward the down I was on. This strange and beautiful effect was also witnessed by a friend who was wiih me. I should be fhuch interested to know if others have at any time seen the like, and could explain the cause. y- Israelites the desert are not likely to be recorded on the monuments of the past. But it can be skown lage — oneneinns are the necessary interlude tween the exodi from Egypt and th n The tiniest horse in the world is the prop- erty of Marchese Carcano, an Italian noble. The little fellow is only twenty-one inches high. He is called Leo. The smallest Shetland ponies are never engaged. immefjit; most partikler. The boy's importunity got him in. “Well, boy; what do you want?” “Dyer wan: a orffice boy, sir?” young rascal! No! We've