Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, June 22, 1890, Page 5

"FEW LOAVES FOR THE FISHES, Cross Himmnfi;mmt and Misappropriation in the National Oommission. A RADICAL REFORM IS NEEDED. Whe Institution Operated as an Annex to the National Museum —Scientific Inguiries Shamelessly Neglected ==~The Action of Congress. B Wasmixarox, Juno 17.—(Special to Tae Ber. |- Undoudtedly there will soon be an entire reorganization of the fish commission. The recent agitation of the subject in con- gress and the proposed investigation have Dbrought about some discoveries which show the wisdom of the proposition to transfer the commission to the agricultural department and put new men in charge. At present the fish commission is an independent body, re- porting only to congress, and having no su- per m from any superior body, It is alleged that the fish commission has ‘been materially deteriorating since the death of Spencer I, Baird, the incorporator of the commission ana a man under whose charge it @eveloped. It has been brought to a desir- wble standard, and it is charged that through error of conducting the commission s a de- tached bureau rather than a part of one of one of the regular government departments, certain abuses have developed that call for serious consideration. Thoe senate bas already taken cognizance of the existing con- dition of affairs by the passage of a resolu- tion reading as follows Resolved, That the committee on fisheries wd is heroby, instructed to make early into the administration of the affairs ited States commissioner's office, wecially in respect to the changes in the forco, compensation paid to employes,and any alloged favoritism or other undue ad- winisteation,and report to the senate thereon, Senutor Stockbridge is chairman of the committee, - The sessions will begin next week and the investigation will be searching. The resolution of inquiry is the result of a Tecent expose, charging nepotism in appoint- ments and also that the government was distributing 31,300 among seven members of the commissioners’s family. This called forth the resolution providing for the investigation of the methods of the commission, not only as regards the charges of nepotism against Commissioner McDonald, but it is also truo that certain investigations are shortly to bo set on foot regarding the general methods of the commission in the way of benefiting the fishery mdustries of the United States. It is chirged that the methods now in use are not calculated to benefit the fishing industries 8s much as could be done with the same ap- propriation in the hands of the secretary of agriculture. ‘The abuses that have developed in the com- mission are attributed to tne loose methods of those in_charge, and congress is not, re- Tieved of blame in having \ll\vars provided for the needs of the commission by lamp sum appropriations, and in never having called for an account of the expenditure of these moncys. The first abuses in the commission are alleged to have been instituted by T. B, Fergusou, Spencer I, Baird's right-hand man, who is charged with having made the commission simply an annex to the work- shops of the National museum. Ferguson, it is alleged, under Baird’s instructions used the commission vessels, the Fishback and the Albatross, continuously for the purpose of making deep-sea colléctions by means of dredgings, of all manner of forms of life, often’ of & microscopical character, for the purpose of furnishing the exbibition cases of the Naticnal museum with material and pro- viding duplicate sets of the same marine ex- hibits for interchange with forcign museums, in order that the museum cases might in this manuer be most richly endowed. All these exbibits for the museum and duplicates were collected by the fish commission with money appro) for a specitic purpose—the pro- puggation of food fishes. At Baird's death Fer MceDonald, who was alve Bio It has been stated that McDonald before being allowed to assume the duties of his new position, solemnly pledged himself to re- form all existing abuses, and particularly to sever all counection with the National mus- euni, und to conduct the commission in a manner (o preserve it from the dangers that even at this time were beginning to threaten itf existence. Hardly had McDonald been es- tablished, however, when it was apparent that instead of breaking away from the muscum people, he was even more than Fer- guson under their iufluence. His first move was to oust Prof. Verrill of Yale, at that time head of the department of scientifie inquiry, and to apnoint in his place Richard Rathby , the curator of the National muscum, aud a man who is alleged to have ruson gave way to [y in the com.uis- been guiltless of the slightest knowledge of fish and fishing, and who, it is stated, could ot tell the difference between a crawfish and young lobster. This knowledge of fishes, however, was not required of him, for tho work in scientific inquiry under his charge consisted for the most part in the collecting of specimens of the lower forms of life brought up in deep sea dredgings for the Na- tional musenm, their arrangements in exhib- its and labeling, the observation of the tem- perature at which they were found and at Avhich the lower forms of life exist, and the Aetermiying of the distribution. This prostitution of the scientific work is the moro to be deprecated when a full under- standing is had of the work that they should Togitimately undertako and carry through. Some of the scientitic inquiries that should ‘be conducted by the comwmission but which have been utterly neglocted are as follows: To determine the causes of the disap) of the mackerel and menhaden from the coast ; 1o determine the food required and the steps 10 be taken to influence favorably the food of the fishes whice should be propagated; to de- tormine the precise steps in reproduction in order that steps may be taken to protect the youny of the tish by legislative action during he most delicate periods; to determine the effect upon the abundance of the food fishes of the various forms of apparatus used in their capture; to determine the extent to re i3 absolute waste, to the practice ‘rman in throwing away dead fish; to :. what moral influence cun be broujght 0 bear upon the fishermen to make them fur- sighted in their own interests. In taking up the question of scientific inquiry attention is strongly called to tne deplorablo failureof the commission to adequately handle the oyster question. They have done absotutely noth- {ng in this dircction. A large sum of monoy was wasted on the Saint Gerome station, which was ultimately abundoned. The com' mission has not even brought to notice the JFrench mwethod of collecting oyster spats. It hus made no scientific stu, yster that will for a moment compare with the work of John Brooks of Johns Hopkins uni- who has undertaken the work with- rnment subsidy. A that should have been spent by the ssion on such work as that outlined Y hus been spent in 4 manner that it is d i the strongest manner will not bear Al investigation: A consideration of these matters - serve simply to reinforce most staunchly the position of certain senators awho have stated that they will not allow an pther dollar to be appropriated for the use of the fish commission until it is safely lodged under the protective wing of t r sgriculture, or untit the manuer of the ox- penditure of all moneys by the commission can be made publie. The evils arising from the |Iprn-|u'iulmu.~4 of lump _sums for the sup- ':-n'l of the commission have grown too great 0 be ignored and now not only the change to dopart metal rule required, but Rlso an entire reconstruction of the personnel of the commission. The fish com- nissioner can if he chooses spend of tho large appropriution in salaries, and can raise tho salaries as high as he chooses, The ain flow, however, in placing the commis- slon under the agricultural department is ar- wived at in the collusion existing between the commission and the national museum. As at ent thoro §s nothing in the vouchers sub- mitted to the United States auditor or comp- troller o indicate that thomen paid out of the commission appropriation spent their time in the interest of thé food fishes and it can be shown that Professor Townsend spent two years in collecting birds, mammals, Phants, shells, ote., for the national museum, at the same time drawing his salary from the Aish commission. Another significant fact is that the expenso of the disbursement of the salaries fn the fish commission is about five per centa mouth higher than in any of the government depart- hents, Ouce under the wanagewens of the . | T of | | Francisco, agricultural department nearly all this ex- pense will be saved, as the disbursements will be made through the regular channels and 'l‘:y the officials already employed in that work. Another striking need for the placing of the commission under the department control is found in irresponsible expenditure of monoy by members of the commission, for which they are not called upon to account. Re- ocently the commissioner and some of his us- sistants completed a eostly piece of apparatus designed to demonstrate that they could carry live shad aoross the ocean. When the apparatus, which among other things in- cluded a large tank, was finished, the large steamships plying the Atlantic wero re- quested to allow the tank to be piaced on board their vessels, but they one and all re- fused to accede to the request, and this costl apparatus was in consequence thrown bacl upon their hands. The oxpense of their costly short-sightedness was, of course, borne by the government, and no ‘one was called to account. The large aquarium recently placed in the commission are said to have cost three times as much as was necessary, and should an investigation call for the bills for this work they would net be forthcoming, as the commission officials dare not show them. Those interested in the investigation of the methods of the commission say that while Prof. Baird conducted the commission with less than 188 men, MeDonald cannot bring it up to the same efficiency with 211, ‘The bill to place the commission under the control of the agricultural department was introduced by Senator Paddock, and it 15 still under consideration by the senate, There is little doubt but that it will pass the senate and house, and a number of senaters are t ing it upon themselves to sco that President Harrison fully understands the situation. Prrry S. Heatm, SHE IS BARELY ALIVE, A Woman Who Has Eaten Nothing for Eight Months. Lehigh county has within its borders a remarkable woman jn the person of Mrs, Ada Wuchter of South Whitehall, five miles from here, who for eight months has taken prac 1y no nour- ishment, and_has not tasted a drop of water since Good Friday, April 4, sev- enty-one days ago, says an Allentown, Pa., special to the St. Louis Republis. Her case is puzzling the loeal hysi here beyond measure and is attracting wide cuviosity among the medical fraternity. She is barely alive and no more. Sixteen months ago she taken ill of a mysterious disorder. 3. W. Sieger was called in, but he unable to make an acurate diagnosis of her diseuse. Drs. W. H. Seip, G. T. Fox and others were successfully con- sulted, but they, too, were at a loss what to make of the strange malady. Eight months ago they ceased administering dicines, thouxi\ they bave continued visits regularly on account of the extraordinary features of the case. Sinco then the poor woman has only occasion- ally been able to take a teacupful of liquid nourishment and no solid food whatever. Mrs. Wuchter suffers pain in her head almost constantly and is subject to fre- quent violent spasms. She is thirty- eight years of age, but, owing to her ex- treme emaciation, she looks like a woman of sixty or seventy. The flesh of her neck is a mass of wrinkles, and the lines are drawn distressingly about her | mouth and chin. Her hands are merely skin and bone and as white as snow, and the veins in them stand out with un- usual prominence. She complains constantly —of thirst, but every time an attempt is made to give her water she 1s seized with chok- ing spasms and ner teeth grate together in convulsions. Nevertheless she bears her suffering with true Christian forti- tude and finds great comfort in vepeat- ing to herself texts of seripture and sing- ing hymns and in receiving the visits of her pastor. Dr. Seip suys she may live as long as there is o pound of flesii on her bones. Her husband nurses the faster night and day and paticntly welcomes the host of callers, who, through curiosity, besicge the house to look at the patient. e FOOLISH AND FORGIVIN The Power the Old Man's Darling Had Over Him. One day last week there eame here by train from Binghamton an old man with hair and beard as white ussnow, but still quite vigorous in mind und body, says a Cortland, N. Y., dispatch to the Globe- Democrat. He applied to Deputy Sheriff E. J. Colgrove for help in hunting up his runaway wife. He told the official that his name was William C. Chanler and that he lived in Jackson township, Pa., not far from the New York state line. He owned four farms and an apple jack distillery there, and was well- to-do. He was in his seventieth year. His wifo was a good many years younger than he, and was a buxom, good looking woman, She had runaway with one of his hired men, a young follow about thirty years old named Charles E. Lewis, and e had reason to believe that the fugi- tives were living together here. They had carried off in their flight three trunks full of clothing and other valua- bles, and he wanted to get back his wife and property. Deputy Sheriff Colgrove had no diffi- culty in locating the errant pair in rooms here, where they had sot up house keeping. Lewis was arrested and ar- raigned before Police Justice Bull en a charge of grand larceny in ying off the old man’s household effects, The woman stuck to Lewis like wax, and for a time scornfully refused to have any- thing to suy to her husband. The old man was fond of his good-looking young wife, and was ready to forgive her escapade if she would only quit her puaramour and go back home with him. She obstinately refused to listen to his pleadings B Hlahe oA tha b, hat was the only way she could save Lewis from prison.” Then she relented and mude up with her fond spouse. The torms she exuacted were that her husband should deed to her one of his farms and also convey to her the big stock of apple-juck on hand at his distil- Finally, he should “let up” on his faithless hired man. The doting hus- band joyfully acceded to these conditions and setout for home with his recovered spouse as blithe as a bridegroom, No red to pr ute the hired man wlishments had caused such troublo in his employer’s household, and the police judge let him go. — - WHO ARE THE LUCKY HUNDRR ED A Novel and Expensive Method of Ad vertising Real Estate. ‘Commencing Monday. Juno 30th, we will give away 100 choice lots to any one sending us their full name and address with 2¢ for return postage. These lots are 25x125 foet and will be worth $250 each in less than three years, . The present population of Salt Lake City is 60,000, ln five years it will be the largest city botween Chicago and San Weo mean business and if you want a warranty deed to a splendid ot send on your name to the Salt Lake :}:;;v addition company, Salt Lake City, h. g Local Railroad Notes. Harry Palmer, superintendent of the west end division of the Kunsas Pacitic road, has boen appointed o succeed J, O. Brinkerhoft, It was reported prda; rom Denver that H. A, Johnson, general freight agent of the Colorado and Mexico divisions of the Union Pacific, had resiguoed. There seems to be a well understood belief ot Union Pacitic headquarters that ¥. B, ‘Whitney will succeed J. S. Tebbetts as gen- eral frelght ageut of the road. e iy Dr, Birney, practice limited to catarrh- wl diseases of ucse and throat. Beo bldg. PRIEST AND NUN BREAK VOWS Both Loved the Ohurch But Yielded to Oupid's Pleadings. 'TWAS SEBOOIS SAVED SMITH'S LIFE. Romantic Story of Pochahontas No. 2-—~The Farmer's Daughter Loved the Tramp-—Bought an Alaska Wife. According to the story of William Mathewson, a well known merchant of San Francisco, who spent Sunday in Salt Pacifie train contained among other passengers Lake, the east-bound Central a couple who, had their history been known, would attracted more than ord nary attention, says the Salt Lake Tri- bune. The story is a long one, and in order to get the full details one must go back to the beginning. In Orange count thirty years ago, 1 o become possessor of ral broad ac of land and some spare cash besides, had only one son, rick, a bright lad, and the height of his see him fitted for a better position in life than that of a farmer. To this end he sent his son to the best Catholic school in the country, and great was his joy when he learned from the lips of the young man that he had decided to take holy orders and become a. priest. Time passed on, and Father Patrick Hanlon was the name added to the roster of the clergy of the church founded by Peter, against which the gates of hell shall not prevai The young priest’s first duties were in alittle town in Nebraska, where for a year or two he worked assiduously in building up his little charge. So sue- cessful he that the attention of his bizhop was called to his work, and in a very short time he was commended for his earnestness by Cardinal McCloskey. JAnd thon came a change. His holi- ness Pope Leo must have the faith spread in Australin. Young men were wanted to carry the banner of the cross into the far-off country; to teach the way of eternal life to the benighted people of the remote interior, and, by a special or- der from the cardinal, endorsed by the pontiff, Father Hanlon wi included among the many who were to spread the gospel of light among the people of the large island. For two years did Father Patrick labor earnestly among the rough people of the district to which he was assigned. That he was successful can be attested by the statement that in lieu of holding scrvices in the dingy old building he found when he first visited the spot, he in less than a year celebrated the mass in a neat little church built by his flock, who had learned to love him, and fiom the further fact that the town to which he was assigned was no longer consid- ored as rough, but that its people were fast becoming quiet and orderly. But the physical nature of the young man could not bear the constant strain, and ere long his health failed him. Re- alizing that his labor on earth would soon be finished if he did not k rest., he asked to be relieved for a time and went to Melbourne. Here he sought hi much needed repose from duty, and hero is where the omantic part’ of the tale begins. In the hospital of St. Vincent was a ister of Mercy who was known to the sisterhood as Sister Agatha. A beauti- ful woman was she, with wonderfully lustrous eyes and one of the sweetest faces that God ever endowed woman- kind with. The touch of her hand was the softest, and the music of her voice the sweetest to the poor unfortunates who were sent to the institution, Sister Agatha had a history. Sho was a daughter of an English clergyman and had become a convert to the Catholic aith during early childhood. When she became of age she united herself with the Sisters of Mercy and had gone to Australia. When in Melbourne Father Hanlon occasionally visited the hospital. And here is where the church of Rome lost one of its most tireless workers and St. Vincent's hospital its most gentle,loving nurse, 1t was a case of love at first sight on the part of both, and yet neither was glad, By the solemn vows of the church both were bound to a life of celibacy. But it was not to be. In consequence, Father Hanlon pro- posed. The details of the struggle he underwent before he could fully justify himself that he was taking the right course will ever remain a secrvet until the morning of the resurrvection. And the proposal will remain locked in two human hearts, a_closely guarded treas ure until it shall be told before the throne on the day when the morning stars shall sing together and the sons of the oternal shout for joy. They were married, not, however, until the church authorities had been notified. In vain did the bishop of Father Hanlon’s diocese plead with him not to take the step. The die was cast, the Rubicon crossed and the wedding took place Ere the tidings could fly across the se to the old home in New York, the young man learned that his father had died and had left him his entire fortune. It was toward the old home of his boyhood that he and his wife were going when the Times informant met them. Mr. Mathowson had known the young man in his infancy, and to him had told his story. & It is gene known that in 1614 Cap- tain John Smith, of Pecahontas fame ade u trip to what is now Gardiner, but there was an incident that oc- d during that visit that is known by fow people, says the Boston Globe, neident in question resembles very closely that of the Indian maider Poea- hon that has been handed down to posterity, At the time of Smith’s visit here the valley of the Cobhossee Contee stream, which at this point joins its water with the Kennebec river was inhabited bya powerful and intelligent branch of Iu- dians called Cabassas, belonging to the Kennebee clan, which was in turn one of the tribe of Abenakies. The Cabassas were presided over by a ohief, having headquarters at what is now Gardiner, known as Cabassa, who had a daughter named Seboois, famed among her tribe for her beauty and grace. She was un- fortunately, smitten at once with the gallunt captain, who was, by the way, the firsl whiteman to visit ‘these Pt and who was received with gre; diality. Smith had with him a | ant named Hunt, 0 was of rather a quarrelsome disposition and prone to mutiny. When the time came for the party of whites to de t Hunt's mutinous spirit showed itself, and with a small purty of followers he loft Smith, going in an’op- posite direction, His party took with them as captives several of the tribe of Cabassas. The chief considering the whites one party, by a great mistake followed Cap- , New York. about d a well-to-do Irish farmer who, by industry and theift, had 08 He mbition was to tain Smith’s loyal MAd, which eamped that night about «€our miles from the Gardiner, in anopasterly direction. Seeboois thinking, o warn the captain hurried on before the enraged Indians, but arrived too 1afd) for as she arrived at the camp the fitst volley of arrows was delivered. Thinking to save Smith, she fled to him, threw her armg around his néck, and in that position ed an arrow in the breast that calised instant death The chief was palidd at tho accidont and ordered hostilities to be ceased. This allowed Sumith an nqlporlunity to explain that it. was the other pu that perpetrated the kidnapping. After a sorrowful return and the burlal of Seboois near the ' Randolph church, opposite the city the party of red men went in search of Hlunt. He was over- taken near Norriegdwock and his band exterminated to a man. Captain Smith had the martyred Se- hoois to thank for his life, for the arrow that reached her heart was meant for him. The grave of Seboois is unmarked; in fact its location is unknow An interesting stor omes from Green Ridge in Robertson county, Tennessee, in which a handsome young man and a pretty girvl figure as its leading spirits, says ‘a Franklin, Ky., dispatch to the Louisville Courier-Journal. Last fall a stalwart youth of about twenty-two years made his appearance at the home of a farmer in the suburbs of Green Ridge and applied for work. He was a tramp, \\‘il‘l his worldly pos- sessions in a bundle slung across his shoulder, and was hungry and footsore and eager for a Job. The farmer gave him a trial, and, being much pleased with his labor, employed him regularly. In March the young man fell sick with a fever, and for two weeks was very ill. In the same village resided ie Sul- livan, who was pretty and attractive, and the daughter of a merchant in good circumstances. She had seen the young follow a great many times, but had no acquaintance with him, as he was not at- tentive to ladies, but remained at home and attended to his duties closely., The young girl had doubtless been attracted by his personal appearance, for when she learned of his sickneds, she began send- ing him flowers and then nice things to oat. At first she went no farther than the door, but was finally induced to enter the sick room to receive his thanks. As time wore on she grew bolder and prolonged her visits and in the kindness of her heart read to the afflicted youth. Life was a pleasant dream to them for several weeks and the rumor soon spread that they would wed. This report was confirmed when the young couple went to Nashville and wera married. The girl left a note behind saying that she had eloped, as she knew her parents would never consent to her wedding a common laborer without a home and unknown, but that she loved him and had rather share poverty with him than live in ease and comfort with- out his protecting love and care. The girl’s parents wero ignorant of the attachment between their daughter and the stranger, and were taken by sur- prise. They are much distressed over the affair, and refuse to forgive the girl or torecognize her if she and her hus- band should return. A romantic double: suicide is just now the subject of conyevsation, and on ac- count of the prominence of the partic pants has created considerable excite- ment, says a Dunlap cable from Buchar- Heleno Neriddi, the daughter of a former court minister, was married to a certain Moldavian . physician not long ago, but from whom she shortly became divorced, and later engaged to a Captain Goestarchi, with whom she bad been deeply in love for ntny years. The con- sent of the king to the marriage was ob- tained and everything was in readiness for the ceremony when, upon the very eve of the wedding, Helene discovered that a blood relationshipexisted between herself and her intended husband. Deeply grieved, and in & moment of de- livium, she seized a pistol and shot he self through the heart. Goestarchi was almost crazed at Helene's death, and for five days consclessly he prayed beside her body and at her tomb. Then he was not seen for two days, and his friends be- coming alarmed foreed the door of his room and found him sitting in his chair dead. One hand held a volume of Hel- ene’s poems marked by his dead love, and bearing on the open page a bunch of Ldelweiss, while his other hand clutched a gown that had belonged to Helene, and which he had strewn thickly with rose leaves. A young man whom we will call Tom Peterson—but which is not his real name—came into the TFremont Flail ofiice the other morning, apparently laboring under a_heayvy load of despond- ency, seasoned with righteous indigna- tion and wrath, and throwingxown a letter on the counter, began to count out his nickels. He was asked what was wanted, and replied that he wanted that printed in the I'lail. As we do not make a practice of printing anything before looking at it, says the editorof the Flail, was hastily read. It ran like this: NOTICE, T hereby warn all young men, widowers and bachelors, not to put no confidence whatover in Susio Hanson—(which is not her real name he will Jilt vou on the first op- portunity and laugh at you after you are gone. She don’t know enough to treat a young fellow well that loves her. somethin, Toy PETERSON. Tom evidently did not write the arti- cle, for it was too well worded for one of his calibre, but ‘‘these were his senti- ments” to a dot, C. S. Harve; 1 v of Hickory county, Mis- ent-looking white man, 3 of age, has heen visit* ing St. Louis with his wife, who is an Alaska Indian, says a dispatch to the New York Star. While at the Alaska diggings he concluded to ascend the Yukon river and get a woman to pole his boat, as a woman' would be faithful, while any man he eould get would p haps desert or murder him, Her nat husband offered eitherher or his mother- in-law for $20 a month, and Harvey took the wife along, Her aid w luable, While returning home she said to Har- vey, with tear *avish you would buy me from my husband, and I will work the gold out of your claim after the reg- ular hours of work, Idon’t want to go back to him,” Her husbaud decided that $20 and a pair of boots that M&rvey had would be the proper considetdtion, and Harvey accepted the bargadin, at Tho In- dian went on a spree, and a few days later was drowned in the Yukon., Har- and the womdh were married by a minister as soon a#'they reached this country. *‘She has made a faithful wifo and I love her devotedly,” he said, Her appearance attracts attention on the street. Chautauqua eru g nts, Work on the Council Bluffs and Omaha as- sembly grounds preparatory to the opening of the session of 1890 is about comple 5 Walks have been laid, trees and stumps re- moved, new strects graded and a number of cottages ave under way. The experience of last yearis being taken advantage of in the arcangements that are being perfected for the accommodation of the crowds that are certain to bo in attendance at the coming ses sion. Trausportation will be more conven ient, supplies will he more easily provured and’ board better than last year. Indica tions point toward a very large attendance from outlying counties. The opening day is @ week from Tuesday, THE SOUTHERN BLACK BELTS| People and Produocts of the Great Cotton Growing Interior. THE BULLETS AND THE BALLOTS. Both are Essential Features in Polit- ical Elections—Home of the Cotton Picker-1deas of the Negroes — Soil Exhausting Fertilizers, MeRIDIAY, Miss,, June 16.—[Speclal to Tie Bir.] —This town of 6,000 inhabitants is very favorably located between two rich strips of country known here as black belts. They are so called beeause tho soil and the inhab- itants are black, In slave times this black prairie land -vas bought for cotton plant, tions and inhabited by slaves and a few white overscers and their families, the descendants till occupy the land. The belts extend from soathwest to northeast, are from ten to fifty miles wide and from one hundred to two hundred miles in length. The white familics aro gradually leaving them, going to the towns, and Meridian is a favorite re- sort for them. In these black belts theold customs, habits and style of farming still obtain. The old wooden moldboard plows are still the favorites and on many plantations that I visited such a thing as a steel plow seemed to be unknown and it will require careful and gradual train- ing before these colored people will consent to use a plow that will scour. Progress in these black belts much resembles that which we read of on the dark contident. Meridian society is good and there is no in- timidation at clections. The colored people vote their sentiments in this city and always vote the republican ticket, and “if northern democrats want to find proof of a free ballot and a fair count in the south this a good place to select as evidence. In this immediate vicinity race troubles do not exist and the freedom of Afro-Americans is as secure as in Kansas, But this state of affairs does not extend very far outside of the city. A few duys ago I was at Hickory, a little town fifteen miles in the direction of Jackson, Miss:,and learned therchad been forty men killed at that place since the war closed, principally caused by a mixture of bad men and bad whisky. But the [l)luvn is becoming more civilized now. and it has a prospect of a long reign of peace. I have talked with a _number of intelligent, colored men here and at Corinth and find them much impressed with the idea that they should educate their race so that they can, some time in the future, be capable of forming a negro nation separate from the whites, somewhat on the plan of the Hebrews Moses, They want no intermarrying cen the whites ond the blacks, and were very much incensed at F'red Douglas for set- ting what they consider a bad example in marrying & white woman. The colored peo- ple throughout the south where thuf' undsr- stood the matter, were very favorable to the lan of General Grant and Fred Douglas to uy San Domingo with a view to converting it into a state for the colored [;oupw, under their own control gnd protected by the United States government, as in the case of Liberia. Cotton is the all-absorbing topic now, as preparations are being made to care for 'the growing crovs. This eity is 150 miles from New Orloans and cotton is planted here about May 1, Ground is prepared by throw- ing up a back furrow, the cotton is~ planted on the ridge thus made and the middle is broken afterwards. No careful breaking of the ground nor other vreparations for crops, such as we see in the northern states, are to be found in this country. The young cotton plant is very tender, is of slow growth, needs much ca and in cultivating it the hoe is used till it will bear the plow. Cotton pick- ing commences about September 20 and is finished by the first of Januar The lower pods mature first and, like buckwheat, the top keeps blooming and growing till frost Kkills it. The cotton pickers go through the crop three times and pick the cotton out of the pod by hand, leaving the pod stock. The pickers are paid 50 to per 100 pounds of cotton with the seed and the best hands can Hl k 200 pounds a day. At the gin the seed and cotton ave sepi- rated, there being about one-third as cotton as sced. The cotton is pressed into bales of 214X , weighing about fivo hundred pounds for which the farmer, a planter, gets from $10 to 0. For shipment to Europe these bales are sent tothe compress where they are pressed into about, one-third their usual Commereial fertilizers are used to a great extent, and next to cotton, this trade is the largest business in the south. Great manu- factures of fertilizers arve located ata fow places in the southern states snd shipping the material constitutes a large part of the rail- road trausportation. The principal ingredi- ent of the fertilizers is sand” which is used to hold the acids and is put up in sacks of about two hundred pounds each, costing the plant- ors about &5 a sack. With a little paddle the fertilizer is {mt at the roots of the growing plant. It exhausts the fertility of the soil and after using it once it must be used every year and is a great tax on the planters. If they could enrich their lands by a rotation of crops instead of buying these costly fortilizers, it would save millions of dollars to the south- ern states. Southern corn does not compare with that of the great northern belt. Heve it is planted four feet apart with only one or two stalks in ahill. Twenty bushels to the acre is the heaviest crop. The planters do not know how e grass and do not believe iv will grow . One of these backwoods —planters showed me a weed that had_given him much trouble. He called it a “Yankee weed” be- cause it sprang up where northern soldie fed their horses, and the old planter hated it as northern people do the Canada thistle, This troublesome weed was a thrifty speci- men of red clover. e SHE DANCED FOR THE BRIGANDS. il An Exciting Experience in the Life of Carmencita, My first dancing for money was before a band of brigands, and I had no idea what my salary was to be, either, writes Carmencita to Kate Field’s Washington. ‘When I was fifteen T was living with my aunt and uncle, who had a produce farm not very far from Madrid and equally near to the palace of the Escurial. The stretch of country between the capital and the wonderful )mlu('o of Philip II. was at that time infested with banditti, who occasionally made a raid on the peasants for provisions. I was in the habit of loading a donkey with fresh eggs and vegotables for the priests who have charge of the church which is above the vaults where the dead kings and queens of Spain ave lying. On one particular morning I not only had a heavy load of provisions for tdé fathers, but niearly 2,000 reals besides hidden in my bosom, which were to pay for masses fora relative of mine. You must know hat the Church of the Escurial has move than 7,500 relics, including the entire bodies of eight or ten nts, twelve dozen whole heads, and 300 legs and arms. It had, until they were stolen by the French, one of the bars of the monster gridivon uppn which St. Lawrence was burnt, and one of his feet with a picce of conl stick- ing between his toes. You remember with what courage the holy saint bore his martyrdom and how hé said to his executioners, *I um done on this side, perhaps you had better turn me over,” whence comes the proverb we have in i ooked to a turn.” But I am ng from my story. As | said, I was procecding slowly with my donkoy, not thinking of uny- thing except the bull fight | had seén the previous Sunday, when [ was sud- denly surrounded by fieree looking men and iy few minutes was hurried down arocky path into some dark woods. wosently I was pushed into u cavern, where a tall and dignified looking man, the chief of the robbers, had been lying ap. He was awakened by our’ en- trance and kindly at my poor | littlo trembling self, asking wio my name. “‘Carmen,” my chattering teeth, ‘Well, Carmencita, don’t ba frightened, and perhaps I will let you go home soon.” I may tell you that it was the fiest timo 1 was ever addressed as “Carmoncita’™ “little Carmen”—just as I now call n solf. So I ean truiy say that [ was chris- tened by a brigand. Well, I sat down and watched the rob- bers making omelets of -my fresh eggs and erunching my crisp onions, and how I wished every mouthful would choke them! Aftor awhile the chief glanced toward where I was erouching in a cor- ner, and calling me to him mado me drink a large cup of wine, at the same time demanding to know where I had the money for the masses. I was dum- feunded. “How do you know that I y?" Lasked. ), I know, little one, Let us count the shining coinsand see if there are enough.” He motioned to one of the women of his band, and I was soon relisved of the treasure hidden in my bodice. I im- plored him not to take it, and told him how sure would be the vengeance of the holy saints if he robbed them of their dues. Like most Spaniards, the bandit was truly reli and I also noticed that my pleading in the name of the church was having its effect on the other members of the band. Then somebody began playi a mandolin, For a few minutes everybody listened, and whether it was the wine I had drank or something else, I bogan tapping the ground with my feetand nodding in time with the aria. “*Ah, you dance!” cried the chief. “Now, come, little one—see if you can- not earn back your mass money.” Silently I followed the band to a smooth piece of grassy ground just be- vond the cavern. Round this the rob- hors squatted, tailor-fashion, excepting two of them, who stood on one side strumming their instruments, I danced as I never had before and I continued for nearly an hour, until I had to stop have from exhaustion. But when I had finished the robber chief lifted me in his arms and kissed me, while he handed me back the purse containing the mass money. Then he told one of his men to bring out my donkey, and next he took off his hat and went around among his band saying: “Now let us pay Carmencita for the good breakfast she has brought us.” I heard the clink of money falling in his hat and in a fow minutes he came to mo and poured into my handsasum far larger than I should have reccived from the priests for my farm produce. He the corted me to the gates of the Is- curial and before he left he gave me a small, curiously bent piece of iron. “This,” said he, “will save you from all molestation in'this portion of Spain if you ever have the fortune to meet any more gentlemen of my profession.” I told my story to the fathers at the palace nmf a troop of dragoons were sent n pursuit of my friend, whose namo proved to be Antazio. I am glad to say they did not catch him. I always wear the piece of iron he gave me. It has proved a mascot. e Why Envelopes Only are Redcemed. Some people have an idea that the government redeems postage smmss when from any cause they become unfit for use or are_ difficult to use says tha ‘Washington Star. Frequently sheots of stamps are stuck together or are torn or injured, The loss, if any, falls upon tho owner, as the government refuses to as- sume any responsibility of stamps when once sold. The agents of the govern- ment, the postmasters, can rvedeem stampe which they have for sale, if through any aceident they become unfit for use. But when the ci u stamp he either way or else he is out tho value of tho stamp. The government, however, redeems stamped envelopes. If one should hap- pen to be misdi d or should become blotted, or for any reason a personshould wish to tear open a stamped envelopo after he had sealed it for mailing, he can bring it to the postoftice and got a brand new envelope in its place. The reason for this difference in the treatment of the adhesive stamp and the stamped envelope is that the stamp can be used and then washed and vpassed as good, T ropliod through | unless a careful scrutiny is made. Ii| the government should begin the pracs tice of redeeming adbhesive stamps, tho opportunities for fraud would be ine creased. Then the adhoesive stamps ave| manufaetured at a cost to the governs ment which the stamped envelope is not. The stamps are furnished to the publio at the face value, and out of this has to come tho cost of manufacture, but in the case of stamped onvelopes they are sold at their face value plus the cost of manufacture, —_———— THE POPE IN HIS PALA PRISON, Daily Life and Personal Habits of the Head of the Catholic Chureh. A very interesting picture might ba drawn of the daily Tifo of the pope in his ‘mlm‘n prison, writes W. T, Stead in the 4 In some rospects i$ 1 Mall Gazette. must be admitted t tho spectaclo is almost ideal. Imagine a pure, good and able man, of more than three-scora years and ton, rising at 6 o'clock on any en morning, aftor a sleep as un- troubled as a child’s, and sotting about what is in his own honest convinction the dischargo of his duty to God and his ehurch, by using his influenco as the vico-regent of the Almighty to allay the troubles of the world. His anuthority, to bogin with, is almost absolutoly untrammeled. When Aloxe ander IT1. writos he uses M. de Giers ag a peer; Cardinal Kampolin is equally the peer of Loo XII1, Around the papal throne are cardinals and archbishops and dignitaries of great place; but in all the brilliant throng there is no one who exerciges afy controlling influence over the detached and lucid intellect of the pope. Oceasionally, earlior in his reign, they would endeavor to bring pressure to bear to induce him to_adopt a policy to which he was disinclined. “What you say.” he would reply, ‘s very good, no doubt, but let it be done in a different always it was in I the cardinal's d. m making fruitloss suggestions, 50 suprome that, compared with the elevation which he oceupies, cardinals count for no more than deacons, or even than acolytes. There are mutterings of discontont in the congregation from men who onco counted for something in the chureh, but now count for nothing; but on the whole the Sacred college recognizes with loyalty and pride the commanding abil- ity and authoritative confldence of its chief. The pope, therefore, hasa singla mind, and ne has an immense senso of his responsibility for the decisions at which he arrives. Every morning, before addressing him- self to the direction of the affairs of this Rlanet, he offers the sacrifico of the ass, and then, for gratinrum actio, attonds a second mass at which his chap- lain is the celebrant; with a mind thus attuned to divino things the pope then begins his working day. A single glass of coffee, toa or milk sullices to break his fast. After going through his papers ho begins to recoive about 9. From that hour till 1 in theafternoon the throng of visitors never slackens. Sccrotavios, am- bassadors, cardinaly from the congroga- tion, distinguished strangers, bishops from afar, have audience in turn. Theroe are 1,200 bishops in the Catholic church, and with all of them tho pope is in moroe or less constant personal relations. Nothing can be more gracious, more animated, or moro s_yml;uthctlu than tho manner of the Pope. His eye, which when fixed in thought is deep and piorc- ing, beams with kindness, and the so- verely rigid lines of his intellectual fon- tures relax with the pleasantvst of smiles as he talks, using, as the case may be, cither Fronch, Latin (which he speaks purity and facility), or his own musical native tongue. After four or five hours spent in this way he returns to his books and paper s until 3, when he dines. His meal is fru- gal; o littlo soup, two courses of meat, with vegetables, and dessert of fruit, with one glass of strong wine, suffice for his wants, After dinner he goes out for a drive or a walk in the gardens of the vatican, In the evening he resumes his papers, and at night, between 9 and 10, all the papal household assemble for the rosary, after which they retire to rest. But long after that hour the car- dinal state secretary, Mocenni, is often summoned to the }ml apartments, where, by the light of the midnight lamp, Leo watches, and thinks, and ¢ prays for the welfare of the church. way.” And done v, until at last CAN YOU THINK OF BETTER? How to keep large num- bers of competent tailor’s hands busy in the summer, is the merchant’s chief prob- lem. The short-sighted store- keeper discharges sticks ont a big sign suit in the house $25” trusts to passing suckers. We have a different In summer we make such prices for made to order garments as brings out hundreds " of buyers who see the chance tosave o handful of dollars. them, TAILOR “any and way: Qur $25 Suits for g20 to order. Open evenings. Our $30 Suits for ¢25 to order, Onr $35 Suits for g30-to order. Our $45 Suits for $35 to order. Trousers, 5, 6 and 8 worth double. We forego all profit, but our tailors have plenty of work; isn’t it best? NICOLL the TAILOR, 1409 DOUGLAS STREET.