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RACHEL RAYMOND; OB, LOST AND…
RACHEL RAYMOND; OB, LOST AND FOUND. .1 I THE AUTHORESS 01' fiLL SIGHTS K £ l r tiVEC,] CHAPTER XXV. SHADOWS. fh 1 was astir when the party from e farm started out, arrayed in their finest clothes, w visit the circus. John Burt had placed his veto most emphatically agamst G-gorge's propoaal, that they should all go to first-clabs seats, and the young man was obliged give in. ",Xay, George," said old Burt, thou mus'nt be takIng on us there we should like cushioned seats and neighbours well enough, for the matter o' at, but what would the gentry say to our sitting oeside 'em ?' "Hang the gentry," said George, hotly. "We've a3 much right as they to sit where we like, so long &8 we pay our money." "Right hasn't got anything to do with it, my lad," answered John. There's more to be thought of than Th* biters. What would our neighbours think ? They'd call us stuck up, and say that the missus here was getting too fine lor her work or that I was an old fool, with more money than wit, and then some- body might tell me so to my face, and we should fall out. We must keep to our own place, friend George, lfewe want to escape envy in this world. We shall be ^ver so much more comfortable; and, if the little uns are a bit rpstless, why, it won't matter, when We're amongst our friends and neighbours. We shall see just as well as the gont efolk; and, if thou must spend thy money, why, well have a grand tea when we come home, and a walk in the strawberry gardens-" George was forced to assent, and they went forth to join the throngs of people who were all pressing forward to the bug" canvas structure which rose upon the village green but they found it was early yet, and that a procession was even then on its way round the village-so the little party strolled about, looking for a point of vantage from which to see the c ivalcade. Passing the rectory, the Hev. Mr. Styles saw and beckoned them within the gates. A high grass bank ran alongside of the wall, and the path at the top offered a capital platform from which they could look down upon the procession without being hustled by he crowd. The rector took an opportunity of speaking a few words to Janet, in a low tone, when no one was observing them. "I'm very glad to see that George and you are friendly together," he said. I tmrik he is cured," she answered, •' and I am most thankful for it. The only thing I regret is his leaving the place on my account." "Ah but it will be better for him, believe me. You are not to blame," said the clergyman. "Everything will come right in time; "nly strive to be guided aright, to do your duty, and peace and happiness may be yours yet Their conversation was interrupted at this point by the beating of drums and braying of trumpets which announced the approach of the cavalcade. Mr. Styles, despite his straight cut coat and starched necktie, looked on with as much amusement as the veriest child there. He was not one of those straight- laced pastors who look upon all amusements as alike sinful and demoralising, and had already made arrangements for his school-children to witness the afternoon performance. And now the glittering procession came close under their eyes, horses, camels, and gilded carriages, with wonderfully painted representations of their contents upon the panels, and the crowd shouted as they passed with almost childish enjoyment of the show. A low murmur of admiration burst from them as the most imposing part of the procession came in view. This was a huge elephant, obedient, as it seemed, to every whispered command of the turbaned Asiatic, who walked in all the pride of flowing muslin robes and spangled drawers, before the gigantic animal, whose enormous bulk was completely covered with scarlet trappings, embroidered with gold lace and sparkling gems, which, although the merest imita- tions in coloured glass, sparkled and shone in the rays of the sun with a brilliant splendour sufficient to deceive the unsophisticated beholders, who, with a very few exceptions, firmly believed in their genuine- ness and value. On the back of the elephant was piMCd a car, apparently of burnished silver, in which ? Sa^ in s°litary state, calmly surveying below 18 eeva P°st the crowd which seethed nws^nd'hi's s^lky^btack^fl0^ d^" aTc:r,ln'-P^r°ld-d with ^ld, set off his appear- eipht r» seemed to be about seven or an jFS though he might have been less, and appeared perfectly at home in his exalted position, Kissing his little hands from time to time towards the crowd, and bowing right and left with all the self-possession of a little prince. The rector's wife remarked the boy and pointed him out to her husband. Poor little fellow," she said, pityingly, •• what can his parpnts, if he has any, be about to let liirn lead cuch a life ? He ought to be at school, or play- ing in the fields with other children, not forced to earn his bread in such a fashion. I daresay he's as happy as a little king, for all that;' answered Mr. Styles. There doesn't seem to be anything forced in his smile: no professional make-up could simulate that. What do you think, Janet f he said, turning round to where she stood. But Janet's face was turned away from the gay pageant, and she was bending over the infant which she held in her arms. Don t you think the little fellow seems perfectly contented and happy?" he continued, wondering that the s'ene seemed to present so little attraction to her. Yes, sir; I suppose so." Mr. Styles actually started at the sound of her voice, it was fo thick and hoarse-so unlike her usually clear articulation. What is the matter ?" he asked. She turned her face towards him, and he saw that it was deadly pale, while she shivered as if with cold. Her asritatation was unnoticed by any of the others, however; they were all too busily engaged in watch- irlg- the prossess'on Are you ill ?" he continued, in alarm. Yes that is—no—not ill." What is it, then ? I'm sure that there is suille- thing wrong. Tell me." That boy," she murmured. Well—what of him ?" He reminds me so strangely of-of _It She could not finish the sentence for the emotion which seemed to rise in her throat and almost choke her utterance, and he spoke the words for her. Of your own child, do you mean ?" Yes." ms r«ctor laia ms nana upin ner shoulder; and Janet felt, in that simple touch, how much he sympathised with her. Do you think it is possib'e ? he began, in a whis- pered tone; but Janet stopped him with a gesture of almost affright. Don't! don't! she exclaimed, piteously. It cannot be—it cannot!" He could not say any thine more to her then, for the end of the cavalcade had passed by, and everybody was following: in its wake, to secure places in the canvas tent which formed the arena for the enter- tainment and Mr. Styles marshalled his scholars together, for he intended keeping them all beneath his eye. Meanwhile, George Lent, with the Burts "nei Janet -who had recovered her equ i It brium -mingled with the stream of people: and after a great deal of scrambling and pushing, thev reached the circus, at the door of which George laid down the money for the whole party, who soon found themselves in com- fortable seats near the sawdust circle. All speculation concerning the flying lady was quickly set at rest, for Mademoiselle was a horse- woman of nearly forty years of'age. who jumped with far more vigour than grace, and whose alighting on the horse's back was a thing to be heard as well as seen. Aa for Herr Petronowski himself, his wondwrtul barebacked performanfe on nine horses called forth loud murmurs of approbation fromthefsimple-minded rustics, for the animals ran in add out between hit legs as he shouted, "lloup la!" and whirling round the ring in such a cloud of steaming breath and fly- ing sawdust as left nothing to be desired in the matter of motion, which was rapid enough. But all the eager excitement culminated, however when the highly becurled gentleman in jack-boots exquisitely-fitting coat, with enormous frogs, who governed the ring, and was alternately the master of the clowns' antics, or a butt for their practical jokes, came forward and announced in magniloquent terms, the wonder of the universe, the infant prodigy, Herr Max Herzog would now appear in his daring act, as exhibited before all the crowned heads in Europe. "Asia, Africa, and a sad dos," said the clown in a stentorian voice. "Hi! hi' hi;" Now. then, sir, what do you mean P" asked the ring-master, cracking his whip at the jester. "AYbat part of the world is a sad dog, pray ?" Lor, mister, master, whtiti did you go to school ? Why, it's a hiland in the Hatalana Ocean." The Atlan-ti, you mean." Of course that's what I said." Well, but whereabouts in the Atlantic can you find an island called a sad dog, eh ?" and the long whip curled round the body of the riown. who writhed in simulated agony, to the intense delight of his audience, as be answered— W hy, opposite A-mcrry cur, of course. Yah here's the prodigy Now you shall see what you shall see." And so on, with the usual old jokes and worn-out puns, which never seem to lose their point with the delighted audience; and the band played up fast and toriouslv. as a e&ilr• carrarisonsd horse was led into tne ring, incited to rear ana kick Dy tne groom, wno held him by the head. Another moment, and in bounded the tiny boy who had been seated on the elephant, looking, as he stood making graceful little bows to the spectators, almost a baby. Then with a run and a spring, he gained the horse's back as it cantered past him, almost with- out the aid of the hand hold out. to assist him in making his ascent. The people watched him almost breathlessly as he went through the usual tricks but one there watched him with more than common interest, and Mr. Styles could see Janet's eyes gazing after the child with an agonised expression which tm.hed his h"art. Is it possible," bo thought to himself, that the child can be anything to her ? or is it merely the excited imagination that conjures up a likeness ?" Anyway, he resolved that he would make some enquiries as to who the boy was, and where his parents lived. As to the story of his being a German nobleman, the worthy minister was not so unskilled in the world's ways as to take that for the truth, and he resolved to find out something mere concerning him, if possible. Suddenly a bustle aroused him from the reverie into which he had fallen. What is the matter ?" lie asked a grntleman sit- ting behind him. Oh, some girl over there has fainted -that's all; the heat, I suppose, or th3 smell of that rancid oil." Looking at the place, Mr. Styles saw that it was Janet, who was being carried out by John Burt, assisted by young Lent. She had been watching the child with breathless interest, fascinated, in spite of herself, by his daring feats. Every look, every gesture of the boy seemed to recall a past which she had deemed buried for ever, and she longed to see the child nearer-to take him in her arms, and smother him with kisses, such as a mother presses on the lips of her first-born child. Presently there came a lull in the circling of the great horse round the arena, and the child sat breathless from his exertions, his eyes all aglow, and his hair in wild disorder, close to where Janet sat. She looked up at him, devouring him with her eyes, as it were; his hair had escaped from the spangled fillet which' contained it, and, as he sat resting, he turned it back-not with his hands, but with a half-defiant jerk of his shapely head, which leemed characteristic of him. This action, more than all that had gone before, seemed to speak to Janet's heart. rime, place, the crowded circus, the clown's jokes, the merry music, all were forgotten and she stood up in her place, murmuring some inarticulate words in brokon accents, and holding forth her outstretched arms. The child looked down at her with a half-amu sed, half-astonished expression on his face—nothing more. What was this woman-mad, he doubtlessly thought—to him ? "Houp la!" shouted the ring-master; and the boy bounded erect, still looking at Janet, however, and the full gaze of his large brown eyes was more than she could bear, and, gasping out a namp, which they did not catch, she sank back fainting in the seat as the child commenced his rapid circle once again. Mr. Styles soon ascertained that Janet had recovered, and the little excitement caused nothing more than a temporary stoppage in the entertainment. One of the men in the ring, a groom, had been more than ordinarily observant, however he had seen Janet, and marked her rising agitation, and it was with rather a puzzled face that he looked at her. He was close to her when she fell, and something teemed to strike h;m then all at once, and, forget- ting for a moment where he was, he exclaimed half aloud, Miss Amaranth-by the Lord!" George Lent heard the exclamation, and turned quickly round to look at the man, that he might know him again. It *as evident to the young man that this groom—for he was nothing more-had recognised Janet, or fancied he had in either case, George determined that he would seek him out after the performance. In the meantime, he had to assist in taking Janet, who was still insensible, outside the tent. Once in the fresh air, she recovered from her swoon in a very short time, and insisted on her companions going back. George was very loth to leave her there, but she was peremptory. I shall bo better soon." she said. It was only the beat that overcame me. Leave me to myself for a few minutes." She was so evidently in earnest in wishing them to go back, that they had no choice but to obey her, and returned to their places. leaving her resting on the grass, and thinking sadly of the past memories, which the face of the circui child had so strangely conjured up1 A rippling stream ran at her feet, and she bathed her feverish brow in its cool basin, while the sound of the water running over its pebbly bed chimed in oddly with the din from within the tent: but presently another sound struck upon her ear-it was a footstep; and a light touch upon her shoulder roused her from the train of thought she had fallen into. Miss Amaranth," said a voice in a low whisper, close to her ear. Ah! who is that!" she exclaimed, starting to her feet. It's me, Supini; you revnember Supini. I know you in a minute. Have you forgotten the Æolian and old Mother Foote?" Hush!" she said. How did you come here ?" I think I might ask you that," answered the man. It was the groom who had seen her in the circus. M Why everybody said as how you were drowned." "Yes, yes, drowned, that is it. I am Janet Burt here. Will you remember ? Nobody knows that other name." Well, I shan't be the one to split on you, if you don't want it known, you may be sure but I'm glad to see you again. But there's my wife would like to see you as well; won't you let me tell her ?" Your wife!" M Vab "I dr.n t Know wnat you mean r "Ah! I forgot; we were not married when you went away. It's Zillah, the yellow girl that used to dress you, that I'm spliced to." I remember: and you married her ?" Yes, and got as good a wife as any white woman would have made. And she rides, too, just as though she had been born to it. The gov nor has got her in the bills as Mademoiselle Leila, a rescded Eastern slave; she's more like one of them than a nigger. But it dont matter to us so long as he pays us, and he does that well." Hush don't stay here any longer now," said Janet, in affright. "The people are all coming out. Where can I find you ? I will see you to- morrow." He gave her the address at which he was lodging and went away. Janet was joined by her frien is almost immediately, and told there she was quite reo covered but George Lent was not at all satisfied— he was resolving in his own mind whether he should not defer his iourney, and find out the man whose ex- clamation had so puzzled him. There was another person very busy in his mind over the events of the night-Mr. Styles, who wondered what excuse he could make for paying a visit to the renowned Herr PetronowsM for, come what might, ho was determined to have an interriew with that gentler tan "n the very next day. CHAPTER XXVL HÍDE AND SEEK, Herh Petbokowsai always made a point of putting up at the very best hotels in the towns he visited on his professional tours, as a matter of business, he said, for it vas always well to give the public an impression that he was a man of mark. and at the same time to secure for himself as large a Share of the good things of this world as he could conveniently attain. On this occasion, the Bells, at Alnwick, was honoured with the presence of the renowned Herr, who was sitting at breakfast on the morning after the performance with a self-satisfied smile upon his countenance, as he alternated the proceeding of swallowing enormous rounds of well-buttered toast and potted bloater by glancing over the accounts of the preceding night's receipts, which, judging from his contented appearance, must have been consider- able. "Well, what is it?" be asked abruptly of the superannuated domestic who did service at the Bells as butler, boots, chambermaid, and waiter all in one. The parson wants to see thee." M The parson! Oh show him up." And the man left the room, while Herr Petro- nowski read the name upon the card which he had brought up. The Rev. Barton Styles. Now, what can he want with me, I wonder ? It can't be to pay for the school children. I got the money for them yesterday. Per- haps he wants a subscription. Ah, that's about it- organ very much out of repair, or else they are going to restore the chancel. Well, I suppose I must bleed." It must not be supposed that the Herr's inward resolution was prompted by any deeper feeling than self-interest; liberality, pure and simple, was a stranger to his bosom, and the veriest wretch who crawled by the wayside mitrht have died from starva- tion in the road before Herr Petrownowski would have relieved him; but he was a shrewd man, and knew the value of a good name he never gave awav anything without a certain knowlpdge of its being recorded, and had gained for himself, by such means, a reputation for benevolence to which he was certainly not entitled. However, on this occasion, he was doomed to be very agreeably disappointed; the mild, gentlemanly- <K-nID^' made no demand upon his purse, nei er did he come with a long homily on the sin- fulness of all worldly pursuits, and horse-riding in par"lcular, but greeted the manager with courtesy, and an apology for his intrusion on him. «r wl T you were at breakfast," he s+id I would have deferred my visit to a law time: but I am used to such early hours myself that I don't make aUowance for people whose avocations preveut them retiring to rest as soon as we do." "Don't mention it, sir," answered the Herr "Perhaps you'll take a cup of ooffeellVlth me ?" "I have come," he commented, "to ask you for some information respecting that boy you have in the circus." II Wbatr-Max Herzog P" Yes, if that is his name." Berr Pefcronpwskj drew a. Iocs breitb before ( anrrsred. I ^k/,t.hat.1 sent the little heggar out with the fFa^_ delivering," he thought. There's something in the wind." 8 | But he did not tell his thoughts to Mr. Styles • on the contrary, he seemed to take his remark as a good joke, and answered: joke, and answered: Well, as for names, sir, Max is a better-sounding one than Kit, any day of the week, particularly on a r^J'^rr,if 1 can S've you any information js » I, though I really don't know what your object Herr Tetronowski spoke with a frankness of manner which completely deceived the listener; but the wily manager had no intention of giving up the boy, if, as he imagined, Mr. Styles wanted to claim him. Indeed, the Herr had already planned in his mind a scheme by which to throw his visitor off the scent. Mr. Styles scarcely knew how to set about his self- imposed task, and made rather a poor business of the commencement. The truth of the matter is this," he said. Your apprentice-for such, I am told, the boy I refer is in your establishment." Herr Petronowski bowed an assent, and the rector -to WQUb yJLl "As I was saying, he reminded one of my parishioners so forcibly of a. child of her own whom she lost some years back, that she fainted at the sight of him." Ah, I remember the circumstance; it was during his act." ° > Yes. Now to come to the 'point—I want to ask you where you got the lad, and whether he is really a German ?" II Whether he is really a German ?" repeated the Herr, with an amused smile. Exactly," sai 1 Mr. Styles. Because if he is why of course-" He can't be the one you are looking for—is that what you mean, sir ?" Precisely." Ha, ha Well, you know, I might tell you that he is; in which case-" I should hardly believe you," Mr. Styles broke in, rather bluntly. I daresay not," returned the manager. But look here, sir, you want to know rather too much; there are secrets in our profession that don't do to be blabbed about." I daresay; but do you object to tell me what you know about this boy ?" Not exactly, Mr. Styles. I have no reason to hide anything, excepting as one of the tricks of our trade, always supposing that you'll promise me not to speak outside You see the people take a deal more interest in foreigners than they do in their own country- men, particularly when there's a romantic story tacked to them; and I've made a good bit of money by the boy through this German story—he wouldn't draw half as well if the story was blown." He looked at the clergyman with as frank an ex- pression as he could summon, and saw that his words had taken effect. I will promise that anything you tell me, save as it points to confirm my suspicions, shall be held sacred." And you won't even mention it to your wife air ?" "My wife!" Yes you see that women are the very devil-I beg your pardon-I mean that they can never hold their tongnes." "Very well, you may depend upon me. I will not mention it even to her. I would not enquire without good grounds, believe me." I daresay not, sir; but you must be wrong in this instance." You speak positively." I speak what I know, sir. He can't be anybody's lost child for he's just an English lad, bom and bred in this very circus. His father and mother are with me now-have been for years; and he's no more a count or a German than either of us." But his complexion-his hair ?" M Both of 'em made up, sir." Made up!" 11 Yes one's a wig, and the other walnut juice. But, perhaps, you'd like to see him ? If bo, I'll either send him to your house, or you can see him here; which- ever you like best." Mr. Styles thought he would like to see him. What is his real name ?" he asked. Martin King." And his father?" Is the favourite Chaucerian clown. His mother is in the profession too, though getting rather heavy and lumpish for her business. You must have seen her last night. Mad He. Surlini, she's called in the bills, though her real name is Polly Martin." Mr. Styles thought of the common-looking woman he had seen as Madlle. Surlini, and the handsome, dark-haired boy, so totally unlike her, and was puzzled; but he made no remark. I would like to see those people," he said. if you have no objection." Objection sir Of course not. I will send for them at once or, if you would prefer it, or fancy that everything isn't above board, perhaps they had better call on you at ycur house." He spoke in rather an injured tone of voice, and Mr. Styles felt almost ashamed of his suspicions. I didn't mean—" he be,an. Oh! don't mention it, sir I know that people of my calling ain't thought to oe over and above honest or particular and perhaps it's very wrong of me to call my3elf Herr Petronowski, when my real nam? is James Peters but if I were to put that in the bills I might as well shut up shop. However, never mind, air the devil ain't as black as he's painted, and they than come and see you when you like." "VeryweU," answered Mr. Styles "lam goint home, and shall be there all day, if they wont mind being at the trouble." 61 Mind, sir! of course not; they'll feel honoured. IT send 'em at once." Thank you." There was nothing more to be said, and Mr. Styles went on his way, with the uncomfortable feeling upon him that he had been, perhaps, unnecessarily sue. picous, and at the same time, a further suspiaion of be- ing mystified, suuh as comes to us all sometimes, with. out any apparent reason. He gave directions for the admission of his expected visitors when they arrived, and shut himself up in his study to await their advent, thereby rousing Mrs. Styles's curiosity to a greater degree than she had felt for many a long day. They came in about an hour—a hard-featured, cleanly-shaved, melancholy-looking man, who appeared as though hard work, and plenty of it, had been his continual lot in life; and Mr. Styles could hardly realise that this was the being he had seen in motley garb and striped stockings, sending a large audience into peals of merry laughter with his quaint conceits and droll capers. Servant, sir," he said. I've brought the missus and the boy." The missus," as he called her. was a decently dresaed woman, well described by Herr Petronowski's epithet of "lumpish," and was as unlike, in her sober everyday dress, albeit with some attempt at finery, the lady of the atrial flight, or the scarlet- habited Amazon of the ring he had seen yesterday. A boy was with them, a flaxen-haired, rather pretty-faced urchin, about Hght or nine years old, having the remarkable peculiarity of brown eyes with his fair complexion his hair was cropped close to his head, which caused his ears to stand out in a very comical fashion, and the rector stared at him with undisguised astonishment, hardly knowing how to address these curious people, who were as Strange to him as South Sea Islanders might have been. The man saw the dilemma he was in, and relieved him from it. The guv'nor told as how vou wanted to see us, sir," he said civilly enough. that you are curious about this youngster." I confess I am." Ah. There is a great many people the same, sir, that are not up to the dodges of our purfession. Lor' bless you, sir, a business like our's couldn't bA carried on without a little dodging and puffery just to draw the people." Thejwords ran off his tongue very glibly. Anyone more used to the ways of the world than Mr. Styles was might have noticed it; but he attributed the fact to the man's calling, and took no heed. I suppose you are right." Of course, sir. You see I'm Herr Otto in the bills, while my missus is Madlle Surtini; and as for the youngster, nobody ever thinks of calling him by his proper name; he's known all over the profession as Herr Max Herzog, the Infant Prodigy, though he's growing a' most too big to be called a infant any longer." "And so this is the little fellow I saw perform yesterday afternoon ?" Of course he are, sir-that is, if you were at the circus. An active little chap he is, tro, and willing; and there is no humbug about his performance, if there is about his name. I dare say we should jump and tumble just as well under our own names, but the public wants gammon, and, what's more they will have it; so we gives it 'em, hot and strong, all in the way of business." Mr. Styles smiled, and the clown's missus put in a word. You see, sir," she said, our boy really was born in Germany, at Prague, where we were then with Nonis's people. A nasty, savage place, it is, too; I know I was very glad to get away from it." And yet I can hardly believe my own eyes," the clergyman said. This child seems so very different, he looks to be a taller and bigger boy altogether than the one I mean. And he drew the boy to him, looking earnestly in his face. "Ah 1 I daresay he does, sir." said the woman. But he looks a great deal less in the ring. As for the colour and all that, it's nothing but; make-up. I See, this is the wig he wears at night, and we colour his face dark, but it washes off after the per- formance." She produced a wig from the basket she held on her arm as she spoke, a long flowing wig, and placed it on the boy's head. "There, sir," she added triumphantly; and Mr. Styles could hardly recognise the boy, the metamor- phose was so complete. U Well, my little man, "aaid the clergyman, aren't you afraid of breaking your neck sometimes when you get on the top of those big horses ?" Tho boy looked at his father, who hastily answered for him. « Bless you, no, sir," be aaid. He was brought up to It too ewly^t <*««<»* like second natIu" to him ,!LOW." And yet he seems very aby, P" "Yes, sir; never can get him to speak a word before strangers, except when he's in the ring. he's cheeky enough then." rr ^J1"- styles felt there was nothing more to be said. He had evidently been mistaken, and he told them so, apologising for his curiosity. Oh, it's no trouble, sir," said theiran; I assure you. The rector insisted upon their having some re- freshment before they went, and slipped a trifling present into the child's hand and afrer a time they departed, leaving their host fullv satiBp.ed that Janet must have been mistaken. Whether it was so or not, Mr. Styles had certainly been as egregiously hoaxed as ever man was by the cunning proprietor of the European Hippodrome, who had no idea of letting one of the chief attractions of his entertainment slip through his fingers. The real Max Herzog was at that moment driving round the country with an agent in advance, distributing bills, and was no more like the boy who had been shown to Mr. Styles under his name than light is like to dark- ness. After they had gone, the rector reflected more upon the circumstances, till he began to feel that even yet he was not satisfied, and determined that he would visit the circus again, and have another look at the Infant Prodigy." Meanwhile the clown and his wife had returned to their employer, and told the story of their visit, and Herr Petronowski kept a sharp look out for the advent of his agent and the boy. They came at last, and the Herr hurried out to meet them. Bidding the boy to go upstairs into his room, the manager drew his agent on one side. I hope you didn't drive back through the town," he said. No, guv'nor. Why T "J.' 8 ? very bad job. There's some suspicion afoot* Jenkins." Suspicion!" Yes." What about ?" brat. I wish we could take him out of the bill to-night." H'm It wouldn't do." "No. The people would be wanting their money back, or pulling the place down." But what is the row, guv'nor ?'' Why, the parson's been here questioning me about him. I told him the usual yarn, of course, and sent King and his wife with their kid to see him They tell me that he took it all in as innocent as a lamb; but I wish we were well out of the town." They were in Herr Petronowski's chamber by this time, and poor Max Herzog was safely stowed away in the bedroom. "And don't you get showing your nose at the window, said the manager, "or I'll thrash vou within an inch of your life." The poor child knew this was no idle threat, for he had often felt the weight of his master's iron hand, and was careful to obey him. Whose kid is that. guv'nor," asked Jenkins as the Herr returned to his sitting-room. You seem to be mighty careful of him." He's not mine, and that's all I am going to tell you of him," was the short reply. The guv'nor's a close chap," muttered his agent, as he left the room, but I'll get at the secret some- how, and if there's anything to be made out of it I'll have a share, or my name's not Jenkins." (To be continued.)
!ALLIGATOR HUNTING.
ALLIGATOR HUNTING. I prevailed (says a descriptive writer in the New zork Times) upon the men to spend the day hunting alligators, and wo sat down to breakfast on turtle steak, cooked in the ashes, and some scrambled turtles' eggs. The steak was tender, juicy, and delicious; but being short of lard to sciataible the eggs in, one of the men cut off a piece of tallow candle and used it in the frying-pan, which destroyed the flavour of the eggs for me. The natives, years ago, used to secure alligators by passing a slip- knot, made in a light cable, around their body back of the fore-legs; but now those engaged in securing their hides use old muzzle-loading rifles, or anything they can pick up which will dis- charge a rifle ball. In the old method from ° r n, ves would arrange themselves on both sides of a sleeping alligator, first placing the loop of rope between him and the water and flat on the £ ro.un, • making noises they would awaken him. and obeying his first impulse he would rush for the water, step into the loop, which was quickly tightened by the natives and turned once or twice around a stout s ump or tree. Even after thus securing their game e would often escape by cutting the cable with E"'taU, Tarrying with him part of °ol(*'ng the cable taut and close to the ground they could keep it out of reach of his tail, °verc<?rPe by his violent efforts to release imS n,* 6 Was billed with clubs and machetes, or any other weapon at hand. The alligator of this coast seldom attacks man, and ffhinirin by him- takes refuge in the water. LrT«n tL la £ oon< and drying themselves in the <Z of the creek, I saw at least 500 good-sized gators. When the mud from the 7,tftid 1o^?>, SUDdried on their hide they resemble £ £ iv« ™?ti, ^Tn UP on the shore, and thus often deceive cattle that come to the water to drink. The zerba^rbpred iog'fii,s uP « £ alligator's ta'il mat SUrPr,sed by a blow from the aHigators tail, making a sound that can be heard all oyer the quiet lagoon The blow literally knocks the ° thA allifTT' carcase is soon divided up aT^,Lr^!nl ,0r famil^' ln crossing the lagooS in the fishermen s canoe, when we threw over turtle's heads they were snapped up almost as soon as they touched the water. J It is a queer fact that from some peculiarity of sight the alligator quickly perceives dark objects while white ones often escape his notice. The allli- gator, like the turtle, lays her eggs in the mud, and when this is once done the nest is left, and the young are expected to be hatched out by the heat of the sun, and to look out for th -ms^lvps. Fish-hawks destroy immense numbers of alligators' e«gs, and the alligator take. great pains to conceal her Best by sometimes covering it with three feet of dead grass and driftwood. ° The men were good shots, seldom failing to brine down their game with either a shot in the Z i through the body, entering behind the fore 1p» a 20-foot hide sold on the spot brings about 75 cents. gold, but the buyer must cure it and ship it which makes its intrinsic value, say, in >:ew Yor £ ri 1 del. 75 cents, or 2 dols. *ork Clt* ab°"t
A TORPEDO-BOAT LOST.
A TORPEDO-BOAT LOST. A painful sensation has been created in Paris by the news, now officially confirmed, of the fonndering of the torpedo-boat 110, which occurred off Rarflnur No vestige of the wreck has been discovered. It is supposed that the entire crew, including the lieu- tenant, have been drowned. Whe.i questioned in the Chamber of Deputies with regard to this disaster, and a similar ^d Prev,°„slv^happ^ed. Admiral Krantz explained that this particular tvpe of torpedo- boat was not sufficient!v stable ,n had wpathpr. but the 50 of these which had been constructed were to be placed in reserve and altered so as to be made more seaworthy. M i^kersheimer insisted upon changing a mere question into a formal interpellation, but Admiral Krantz contented himself hv reiterat- ing the explanations he had at read r given and de- manding the Order of the n,y pure and simple, which was voted by a show of hands. The T,„,vs fPmarks that the explanations of Admlr*1 Krantz will not satisfy the pubhc. roused and saddened by these maritime disasters, and ad^s Tn our with torpedoes we have commuted gone,, hinders The Government refused to adopt the Pas i)f ffonstructors in. their entirety, and thus mpdincrA veW5ejR have hppn built." The ^r. a ^urnal nf independent, views dedans that the Marine, from the trigfaMt to the lowest, have fa,led in tb„ip dufv The jpbenl tew of the Press « that of considerable irritation.
GOSSIP ON DRESS.
GOSSIP ON DRESS. A PORTION of the trousseau of a young lady was shown me (observes a writer in the Pall Mall Gazette) recently at a certain London glove shop. It consisted of twelve dozen handkerchiefs and seven dozen gloves, and cost £::?3. Some handkerchiefs bore the lady's initials; others, the daintier ones. were embroidered with her autograph in full, with silk of the same shade as the border. The trousseau includes :—A dozen pairs of riding gloves, a dozen pairs of walking, two dozen pairs of long evening gloves, two dozen pairs of shorter evening gloves, two dozen plain handkerchiefs, a dozen Irish hand. embroidered, a dozen French-woven, a dozen with a delicate pink border, half-dozen white silk, half-dozen coloured silk. IT is at a large wholesale and retail firm like this (observes the writer of an article in the Queen, des- criptive of the novelties for Spring at a certain large London house which shall here bo nameless) that it is possible to obtain the best idea of the general fashions for the season, which is now nearly upon us. The silks of the year are remarkable for magnificent designs on a large scale; but for general wear a great deal of soft China silk has been prepared, and the dresses made from it are extremely pretty and useful. They display a few stripes but the majority have floral printed designs, many in white on some solid colour, detached floral sprays, pines, interlaced circles as large as soup plates, and others more or less quaint. Some are entirely covered with cashmere designs, in such mixtures as green and terra-cotta, but these are rather exceptional. The white- grounded thin silks have a natural-coloured floral pattern, almost the natural size. Green grounds with black flowers are new, and moons with flowers inside, chintz patterns, and Pompadour designs are leading features. The new silk of the 'year is the Imperatrice, which has a thick, bold horizontal cord set in close rows. This is used for mixing with velvet and for entire dresses, and is made in all those fashionable tones, from terra-cotta to vieux rose, light and dark green, and the parchment tint. Velvets are much worn, and are sold with two varieties of silk dyed to match them. Of course this is a matter of taste, for many dresses are of one material, and some of two fabrics, while three are not uncommon THE checked silks of the year are large plaid pat- terns, and mostly of a soft texture. All the richest make of silk would seem to be brocade. Tinsel on both black and white, as well as colours, is decidedly the fashion, and in the Damas brocade stripes and brocade are blended. Marveilleux and armure grounds both appear in brocade, and many are of the most delicate colouring. For example, a ground of faint old-gold, on this an Eau de Nil brocade, out- lined with a thread of terra-cotta round all the design. Black flowers are a marked feature. The Paris Exhibition has given an immense impetus te the silk trade, and this firm are sending many beau- tiful specimens. Brocat Piedmontese shows the noble patterns with which antique Italian brocades have made us familiar, and they would bear com- parison even as to texture. The colourings are all of a subdued art tone. The looms have not for years produced anything richer, or, perhaps so rich, as some Charles X. brocades, with sweet peas in divers tints, all subdued, as if by time, on an elabo- rate interwoven groundwork. And a beige armure, with natural bunches of white hydrangeas, with green leaves, is veritable picture weaving. Some bridal silk, showing huge alamanda blooms creeping through trellis work, take a yard to display the entire pattern, and a large leaf on a satin ground, with every shadow and vein showing, is a work of art. There are also silks which are not by any means costly, such as "Venetian," with many varieties of stripes in different colours on one piece, and taf- fetas Pekin," well suited to young girls' wear and there are some handsome-looking silks, not really costly, with interwoven gold threads on most delicate colourings, intended for waistcoats. Some rich makes of silk, plain in themselves, have a floral bordering at each selvedge, which, when sewn together, make an important stripe. THE artificial flowers of the year carry out the same idea as the floral designs in silk. They are faithful copies of nature, and are arranged as they grow. They are used in great profusion, for the wide brims which appear on the fronts of some of the new hats demand many flowers such as moss roses and lilac, and some are covered with a flat wreath of leaves, thatched, as it were, the tips laying one over another. Forget-me-nots look well, and the velvet flowers, many of them black, and many green, which are certainly not natural. Bouquets are worn also on the tops of hats and bonnets, and leafless flowers in a compact wreath, frame the face beneath the brims of both. A new ribbon grass of a delicate green often takes the place of ribbon, and is used also to unite bouquets on ball gowns; it is pretty, and ties into bows. Sprays of green wheat and tinsel are also worn with huge bunches of moss buds. Guelder roses, anemones, paeonies, and blowaways are favourite flowers. On dresses large wreaths are arranged to grow up the sides of skirts, or cross the bodices in perfect ropes. Mimosa and orchids blend with lilies in these garnitures, and fans made of flowers on a wire groundwork hang at the side or on the arm with loops of ribbon. The ribbons of the year are really beautiful. They are either quite narrow for strings or wide for the large bows which now are worn over the face. They are striped often, but the stripes are not uniform, and sometimes the ribbon is divided down the centre—each half of a different colour, with floral brocades on one, and chine and printed designs of various kinds introduced on the others. Satin brocades, with patterns which appear to be printed, are new. Floral satin edges are introduced into some of the designs, and taffetas, with a watered groundwork and many mottled stripes. For the first time, manufacturers have succeeded in making amoir6 ribbon not watered, but like the old-fashioned moire. Gimp edges formed of interwoven cord are much employed, and gauze and silk intermixed, with the pattern carried on to the gauze from the silk. Wide ribbons are used for sashes. OmbrtS and reversible ribbons play their part. Some lovely bonnets have just been imported. One of red velvet with violets, trimmed with black lace, like most of the shapes, was somewhat flat. A good deal of chip is worn, and the old-fashioned crinoline, the plaits divided by gold or silver cord. The Alsa- tian bonnet shows the large bow, with a bunch of green lilies peeping above, and relieving the flatness. The mushroom bonnet is worked in jet, and has the fashionable lace aigrette and velvet strings, which come from beneath the centre of the back. These lace aigrettes are made in black and colours of Chan- tilly lace, just the shape of a small fan mount, so that they are easily gathered into the required shape. Fancy straws in green and other hitherto uncommon colours are fashionable this spring, and long Empire buckles and much lace trimming is introduced upon them. Gauzes are finely drawn, and many embroidered lisse trimmings are used, also lisse with ribbon edges. Beadings of straw are worked into guipure patterns, which are make up, unlined, into tricorn hats, having ostrich tips peeping over the face. Toques are much worn, and are of many new shapes, most of them longer than before, and some pointed over the face. Brussels lace transparent crowns are a feature in millinery. Chartreuse is a vivid spring green, which now plays an important and, in green velvet crowned with roses, has great beauty. Some of the hats are nothing more than huge plates, but so well, and deftly treated that they are veritable things of beauty. Beige and pink is most happily combined especially for bridesmaid's wear. TRIMMINGS are mostly galons, many with divisible weaves made of tinsel cord and silk, with but few beads. Trou-trou is a term applied to the laces and trimmings with holes, through which ribbon is threaded. Bonnets are made of it, also bats, and many of the new laces are bordered with these holes, and they are used for the fronts of dresses and for all kinds of trimmings. Gold ribbon gauzes, with straight edges, is much used, and the colourings of most of the trimmings are brilliant. Buttons are very large, some with China miniatures of male and female figures of the Watteau period in the centre; others with studded jet or openwork metal. Nettingham has been busy with laces, which are faithful inexpen- sive copies of point laces. Point Venise is the com- prehensive title. In every department of this estab- lishment there is so much that is new, the difficulty lies in how best to condense such a wealth of matter within the confines of our allotted space. Do your silk stockings (asks Madge," the Girl's Gossip "-er of Truth) ever get spoiled in the wash? Have them done at home, and make the maid follow carefully these directions: In washing coloured silks, especially silk stockings, no soap must be rubbed on the articles. Before commencing, have ready two hot irons and two pans of water. In one pan pour hot water, and in the other cold, adding a wineglass of common vinegar to each. Make the hot water into a creamy lather of suitable consistency from the recipe given for soap jelly." Wash each stocking separately in the hot water, and rub carefully, com- mencing at the toe. Squeeze it out, place it in the rinse-water, and leave it until the next one is finished. Now squeeze them out of the rinse-water, but on no account wring them. Roll separately in a dry cloth Now take the stockings, iron them each on the wrong side, and finish them on the right, taking care to leave no creases. If these instructions are properly carried out, you may wash with safety the most brilliant colours. For the soap jelly," take half a pound of yellow soap, and shave it finely into a saucepan with one quart of water. Stand it by the fire until it simmers, and let it remair until cold, when it will have the appearance of a at iff jelly. EVENING and ball dresses for young girls in then teens," who are not out but allowed to attend mixed parties, are made as plainly as possible, yet must be in good taste. The bodice should be slightly pointed at the neck, back and front, or cut round and about half-high, and the sleeves reaching to the elbow. The prettiest materials for such toilettes are plain and figured gauzo in white and light tints, bun's veiling, gifmsaellnc de lain*, ai.d many other woollen and silk •tuffs, crlpe de Chine, lc &.c.
ELECTION AT GORTON.
ELECTION AT GORTON. The result of the polling in the Gorton Dirition of Lancashire on Friday of last week, for the election of a member of Parliament in the room of the late Mr Richard Peacock, Gladstonian Liberal, was decland on Saturday as follows Mr. W. Mather (G L) Mr. E. Hatch (C) 4309 Majority The poll at the general election of waa. u. 1748° LL)lS58r^r- (€)' 3652: m4i (G L) Ao t numbers were: Mr. Peacoek maioritv 4^7 tu 7 de WiJfcoB (0. «35; majority, 457. The present majority show* an 3|9 over that obtained by the lata member, Mr. Peacock, in 1886. but a decrwue of 002 over the same gentleman's majority in 1865. The increase in the Home Rule vote. M compared with tb. last general election, is 663, and that of trbI TTnionigts 174.
INFANTS' SETTLEMENTS.
INFANTS' SETTLEMENTS. There have been three important decisions, com- paratively recently, en the subject of the post-nuptial settlements of infants. In Wall it was held by the Court of AppoaUhattheprovisions of the Infants' Settlements Act 18o5, that it shall be lawful for every infant upon or in contemplation of his or her marriage, with the sanction of the Court of Chancery, to make a valid and binding settlement," were appli- cable to a settlement made after, but arising out of the infants' marriage.' In that case it was also de- cided, that though the court will not permit a man, who has married a female ward of court without leave, to take any interest ji?,.r mariti, or directly under the settlement, yet the wife may be given, in a settlement sanctioned by the court, in default of issue a general power of appointment by will, which would of course enable her to confer an interest on her hus- band, if he survived her. In Seaton r. Seaton, the House of Lords (in affirming Buckmaster v Buck- master), held that, though the Act might apply to post-nuptial settlements, it did not empower an infant married woman to dispose of her reversionary interest during coverture, as it only removed the disabilities of infancy, not those of coverture It may be interesting, says the Law Tunas, 'to speculate as to whether, if the settlement had been executed in accordance with the formalities prescribed'bv Maline's Act, the joint operation of the two Acts would have been to remove the disabilities of infancy and mar- riage, and enabled her to execute a binding settle- ment. In the still more recent case of re Leigh; Leigh v. Leigh, the Court of Appeal decided that there is no jurisdiction to compel a ward of court to settle his own property against his will, even though the ward submitted to the court for fear of being sent to prison, Lord Justice Cotton was further of opinion, that the judgment of the majority of the Court in re Wall did not in any way favour the conclusion, that this settlement can be considered as a settlement made upon the occasion of the marr age, when there was this considerable length of time intervening be- tween the marriage and the order of the court." The Lords Justices carefully left opf-n the question as to whether the Infants' Settlements Act applies where a male infant marries under the age of 20 (or a female under 17), and after he (or she) attains the age speci- fied in the Act make* an application to the court to sanction a settlement.
AGRICULTURAL ITEMS.
AGRICULTURAL ITEMS. Feeding SHEEP (observes the Graphic) is a matter on which a recent controversy in the agricultural Press haar thrown some fresh light. One gentleman carefully weighed the food eaten by 200 fattening sheep, and found that in a week they consumed 25,2001b. of cut swedes, 33601b. of ensilage, and 15681b. of mixed linseed cake and wheat. Each sheep, therefore, managed to put away "every day 181b. of swedes, 2jjlb. of ensilage, and lklb. of cake and corn. The sheep ate the ensilage in preference to the swedes. According to Fir John Lawes's dictum sheep should consume every week one-seventh of their own weight of the dry substance of food. The in- crease of a fattening sheep is at the rate of about one pound live weight to eight or nine pounds of the dry substance of the food consumed. Animals are rationed according to their weight: a one hundred pound sheep wants weekly about 801b. of food a two hundred pound sheep, 1601b. IN SOWING OATS IT is important (says Farm and Home) that bold, good seed only he used—black or grey for quantity, white for quality. With care such seed may be produced and exchanged by farmers without paying extravagant prices, which they can ill afford, to pedigree corn growers. The seed should be changed every two years. 2. Drill at any time between the middle of March and the middle of April, when a free-working seed bed can be attained, due regard being paid to locality. If the soil is not rich, give liberal dressing of such artificials as guano, or nitrate of soda, superphosphate, or soot. 3. Seed liberally, for oats do not litter much, and do well even crowded. Deposit the seed deep or shallow, accord- ing to the soil, deeper on light, and shallower on heavy land that inclines to be clayey. Don't cross the rows in drilling, as this obstructs hoeing. Leave sufficient room between the rows to allow of weeding, and if practicable arrange them so that they run from north to south, as thus they will get the full benefit of the sun. 4. If the soil is hover," which is generally the case, roll heavily and repeatedly to check the ravages of the wire. worms, tipula grubs, slugs, and other less mischievous pests. By paying due regard to the hints given in this paragraph a much more bountiful harvest will be reaped than when the crop is grown in the careless, happy-go-lucky style that one sees practised all around. Finally, oats should be looked upon as a fallowing crop. The husbandman may clean the field by working it about before the seed is planted, and again after the crop is removed. There must, how- ever, be no delay. Every good farmer knows that twitch and many other of the worst weeds are killed quicker by autumn culture than by working the land at any other season. Then free working proves destructive to many of the pests in the soil. for every time the furrow is turned numerous birds looks for their natural prey. A repetition of the crop should be avoided, for if persisted in, the land soon becomes much imppverished, and the fungoid disease known as smut is encouraged. Oats are also liable to be attacked by mildew (Puccinia graminis), but this disease only abounds in late, wet seasons, when it renders the straw unwholesome for cattle food. ANIMALS, like men, when the opportunity for exer- cising preference is presented, are apt (points out the Practical Farmer) to consider that the best only is good enough for them; and if more hay is given than they require, will pick out the tenderest and sweetest portions and leave the remainder, which not only wastes valuable feed, but encourages the habit of daintiness in the animals, which is conducive to any- thing but thrift. Animals that pick over their food, smelling and poking every blade and stem in appa- rent hesitation as to whether to eat or not, do not compare in thriftiness with the good square eaters, whose appetites give them a good relish for a reason- able quantity of any proper food. The general prac- tice is to feed enough" which is correct enough when just sufficient is given, and very incorrect when great quantities are given to be trampled under foot and otherwise wasted. But with hay in bulk it is not easy to guage the quantity eaten, and even if this were possible it would vary materially with the quality of the product, although where good grain rations are given variations in the quality of hay are not so important. The farmer cannot have a chemical analysis made of his hay to ascertain its exact nutritive value, and he cannot weigh out to each bullock so many pounds and ounces, but he can, considering the quantity of grain he is feeding and the average qualify of the hay, make up his mind about how many pounds he should feed. If he does this and finds part of it wasted, he can decrease the quantity, and if the quantity should be insufficient, his own practical observation will soon disclose the fact to him. Having made up his mind about how many pounds to feed, he will have to guess and weigh a few times until he can approxi- mate somewhat the desired quantity, and will have a basis or starting point from which to increase or decrease the ration. Besides he is pursuing a method, and there is nothingthatcontributes so much towards sharpening one's power of observation and ripening his experience as the habit of doing everything ac- cording to some fixed method or plan. DEFECTS IN BUTTER are the source of much trouble to dairymen. On this theme the Mark Lane Krprrss prints the following sensible remarks by a foreigner The food of the cows principally intluences the forming of the milk-fat, as the latter only too easily partakes of its colour, smell, and taste, viz., green and fresh food produces a fine golden colour, whilst hay or any dry food of the cows gives a whitish tinge. By feeding with palm cake you obtain a harder butter than if you take rape cake, &c. A short review will now be given in regard to these differences of the colour and taste of butter. For to decide whether butter has defects, we must first clearly understand which qualities perfectly good and pure butter ought to possess. Good butter, good for commerce as well as for use, must have (1) a pure taste and aromatic smell; (2) fine appearance and look (3) it must keep well. THE food of the cows is of the greatest importance m gaming pure butter. A great many farmers find it impossible to always have a sufficient supply of good hay, wherefore they are obliged to find and use a necessary substitute-which consists mostly of oil- cakes. For instance, cotton-seed cakes yield and procure a pure-tasting butter, but they easily cause diseases, and only, at the highest, 3'b. daily may be used per head. Linseed cake also produces a rather firm and tasty butter. Palm cake is known to be a healthy and excellent substitute, yet it has to be care- fully administered, according to the time of the year, the use of the butter, &c., as it hardens greatly. Soft butter is gained from feeding with rape cake how- ever, it sometimes spoils the taste of the butter by rendering it bitter through the formation of rape oil. Only about 21b. may be given daily. There is a great diversity of opinion about feeding with white earth-nut cakes. Theoretically, it is an excellent and the most praiseworthy of all substitutes, but it has to be most carefully chosen, mixed with other food, and only the very best of it used, as, otherwise, according to several complaints made, it bears grave and hurtful consequences. Cocoa-xut MEAL ought not to be overlooked, aa it produces a fine, yellow-head butter, with nut-like sweetness, and being only half as expensive as earth- nut cakes, farmers would do well to make use of it, We must not omit to mention brewers' malts (fresh and dried) improve, by careful and moderate use, greatly the taste of the butter. Grounded meal of corn, peas, beans, &c deserve to be employed, if given fresh; and whilst grounded rye is dangerous, and that of barley too fattening, meal of oats and maize, as well as of peas and beans, are most bene- ficial, making the butter soft and sweet. WHEN FEEDING with beet, turnips, and beetroots, mix them carefully, seven parts to one, with chopped hay, and you will gain a very tasty and good butter; if you take too much, the butter becomes hard and crumbling, the same as if too much potatoes are given, and also topinumbur has to be most carefully administered. IF STRAW be used as food, it has to be done with proper prevention. Straw of barley gives a bitter taste, and that of peas has a general bad effect upon the milk. The much-praised residue of the spirit fabrication (Schlempe) has to be carefully used to prove a profitable food unless painfully, cleanly kept and handled, and continually kept at a very high de- gree of heat, it instantlv forms leacteries. For this reason the milk may not be given to children or in- valids. FOOD of too little chalk-content turns easily and churns with great difficulty, but phosphates counter- act this disadvantageous effect and deserve to be more minutely dealt with; for to gain good, fresh, faultless, and tasty butter, be careful not only of what you give your cattle, but also of the way in which you give it. It is still customary to give these feeding-stuffs in a fluid state, to divide more evenly and easily: but after, this food loses in taste and in nutrition by being mixed with water; also, the animals' digestive power ia weakened by too much fluid food, therefore, a dry food by being well masti- cated and mixed with saliva would strengthen and improve digestion. Especially the oilcakes are given best in a dry state, to avoid the forming of strong- smelling oils which immediately would tell upon the butter. Above all, avoid the steaming of feed cakes. Not only food, but the manner and way of feeding, may influence butter for the worse; above all, the most painful cleanliness must be observed in the pre- paration of butter. It ought never be kept in badly- ventilated rooms, or it partakes of their bad odour (smell).
[No title]
WHAT are you writing such a big hand for, Pat ?' Why, you see. my grandmother is deaf, and I am writing a loud letter to her." Dr. Abernkthv, the celebrated physician, was never more displeased than by hearing a patient detail a long account of troubles. A woman, know- ing Abernethy's love of the laconic, having burned her hand, called at his housp. Showing him her hanrl she said, "A burn." A poultice," quietly answererl the learned doctor. The next day she returned and aaid, Better." Continue the pou'tice," replied Dr A. In a week she made her last call, and her speech was lengthened) to three words, Well; your fee ?" •»Nothing,"aaid the physician, "you are the most sensible woman I ever saw,
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NATIONAL PROVIDENT INSTITUTION FOR MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE. Founded 1835. Funds, £ 4,300,000. Claims Paid, £ 7,000,000. Profits Declared, ftOW,006 Endowment Asbitbjluceb on Tery favourable term*. Economical Management. Liberal Condition*. Ltrg» Bomtee. 48, GRACECHURCH STREET. B.C., LONfcOK. agents wanted WHERE NOT rbpbjskstid. MORPHY'S WALNUr POflLAUJS. A Trluaph «a » Hal> Dtrlunm. Not s dy*. ftMfcnw with wtelntr u4 kt one* tb« former youthful aolonr of OBEY Hi" Tour Col<mx»« Goldm. Light Brown, Dark Brown, and Black, til pot 1/C MtiS/C. IVT O BP HY'S OMENTAL DEPILATORY I'J. FOWDCKnaoTMipMdtly. Mdly ud «flhetaallT.kn Hair S1*8CW- tax tbvUpft, h^and .bM^OuatwtMd •an. I/- pw Mb). N.B.—Till your Cbamlat or H»ir DiSav to ui»ui|j Bona othtr thM Xobpkt'% «r tend Peatal Order to tha KDtfMXB KOBFHT, Hair and Bkis Speclallat, TO, Boath AadUy Bt^Maytilj. Landau UNION LINE-FOB SOUTH AFRfCAN GOLD FIELDS. mH> tnrioir a.s. majx jpacxits mii tm JL South am PTOir every alternate Friday tor South AfncaB rirta, calling at LUbon and Madeira. Ketvra Ticket* XaaatZ Apply to the Union Steam Ship Oompaay, Oriental Plaee. •MftoB s or 11, Lesdenhall Stfreet, Londoa. bssinuki JLIAI^I (For the GOLD FIELDI of BOOTH AFBXOA). XiOXDOIT and DAJlTMOtTTH to GULFS OOLOWT, KATit- KAUBITIX78, aCABAOASOAB, and ZABT inUOl Tlfll CASTLE OOMPAKT*S Ron] Mill l^iunm mii -f. n, .vL2 £ 2°VT,MLalt,'2Me and «tthe Friday following. Sttwn 7fe**«rHandbook torKeeeneSa Orati*. Apply to DOIOlLD CUBKIB ft CO., A FenchnrSlsSreet! Loilioi, 4.0.; 40, St. Enoch Square, Olabsow sa fitrant Lxraarooi.; is. Croii Street, UjoroHasTa&. v*»«e street, Agent* la all leading Prorlncial To- 6000ALL 8 PLAYING CAROS^iS' BOLD BY AXL STATIOianf. HOTS! HOPS!! HOPS! XKQLISH tc TOK.EIOW. Prleet on AppUeatloa. ST/IKET HOWARD, T», Mark Lane. WEBBS' VEGETABLE & FLOWER SEEDS BOXES OF VEGETABLE SEEDS, Containing Liberal assortments of the best kinds te produoe a sueeessien for Gardens of all Sites, 5s., 7s. 6d., 12s. 6d., 21s., Sis. 6d.« 428., 63s., and 105s. each. BOXES OF FLORAL GEMS For the Gardens of Ladies and Amúnn. 2/6. 61-, 7/6. 10/6, 15/ and 211- each. 40 VtgetabU mwf Flower Sttrft DfHvertd Trtt. IQu$trctod Catakyu4, U. Abridged Edition Orati* WEBB & SONS, •T XWPYW Warranta Beadsmen to H.M. TEX QvmlJt and ILJLJL TBS PIU]KCN OF W ALa. WORDSLEY, STOURBRIDGE. NERVOUS EXHAUSTION. PULVERMACHER'S WORLD-FAMED GAZVANT(I BELTS, for the cure of NERVOUS EXHAUSTION an* DEBILITY, have received Testimonials from three Physician to Her Majesty the Queen and the leading Physicians of Niw London Hospitals, including Forty Member* of the Roy» College of Physicians of London. The distressing symptoms of NERVOUS EXHAUSTION and DEBILITY are speedily removed by mean. of PnlTtr. macher's World-famed Galvanic Belts, which an arranged as to oonvey a continnons electric current direct tr the affected parts, gradually stimulating and strengtbeniaff il the nerves and mnielM, and speedily arresting all symptom of waste and decay. Dr. H- A. ALLBDTT, M R.C P, n. Park Sanaraw Leeds, writea Oct.. 188a I always meommand with confidence fir. rnLVBBi MACHER'S BELTS. Ladirs recovering from illnes* incidental M their aex will find these BELTS of vast asslstaaee in resteriai lost nerve power." Sir CHARLES LOCOCK, Bart., M. IX, Physician to Her Uaiaatr. says: PULVJBRMACHER'S BELTS are very eCectiveui KearaUn* and Rheumatic Affections, and I have prescribed then laZMlyiu ray practice for other similar maladies, paralysis, Ac." For Full Price List and Particulars, m* mw Pmai phletj GALVANISM i NATURE'S CRtXT RESTORER OF IMPAIRED VnALENMaT/* Post free from PULVERMACHER'S CALVANIC OEPfiT, 194, Regent Street, London, W. r^TivucRF.D OVER 40 TEARS. urORALITT, theIKTOUimM ef BOCXAX. PVRZTT. Djntotinf th* tartan* MMap en telle# tyau who tuiinna Uwa. H«v to tvold vlMfy Ml I1t>Wi eld Ma. Bulw and rnaadlaa (Ivan lor tha esraof th*rarlo<»OMnj>talnt*al manhood. Frwfortwostamia A4dr*aa Dr. OROON, M, •nat Caarlse 8%, Birmingham A panual of this work trill damonitnU te the narrow IM D^Ultate^howjne^mg^eDOmytoonyn^healttjMElUwotjy^A^ HAIH-UULUUK KtNUVAlOR. RESTORES COLOUR TO GREY HAIR IN A walt. tArtw Bottles, 3s. fdf Peft Free. CRAS. BOND & SON, 646, Oxford Bl, LOIDO" W. N^8dbstovte! souD^m WOODS' Quinine, Cantharidine, and Hisiairy, with or wilfcig Grease, for Strengthening the Hair, and nrevsntts* It filHls e £ 1*. 8d. and 3s. 6d.. post free.- Woo pa t Boy*. CfcwJetS. HnansS: (CINGALESE CEYLON TEA. VathfL w^mAI)AoIud 17 V Wr»L Th« most PsBsless Tea talk* World. One Pound believed equal te two nirsii* af Mfcsr 4eee^r tions. Of Grocer* (in Lead Packets only), w-umi M awlh. sale: Ckti.ok CO.. 10, st. Benet PlaeeTLondon ifM waates^^ WHITTINGTOJV LIFE ASSURAM COMPANT. Ctoftbliabod 1861.) LIFE ASSuiiAJfCg. LOANS. BITXRSIOniL ■ «. Moorgate Street^dff. T" BOZS& £ SXr' ^PAlTIBKg DREII Fru if Pott. I Fr. I'Mt. 60. TO ".el. PEl TO. H TM BEST Tn World Fiohcs, ■ MIDLAND D&APSRY STORES, tUMINQHAM, H KENNETH WILSON A CO. and PisniaH BOOKS free by poet. H »ho wi.h to drew In tha LA TEST STYLE at ■ the LOWEST COST should ponaas these guides A" —or SI Cmrrlmi, falsi. JUm ZZJ*i "*• £ ?*! FK £ e—t pair Kid 0/om*. H 2 thtrk «W«e. Ilk H 0olnto, ttuttonif 1 rich Indian Silk Squmrt. Whft* trtMh Unm HandkwcMtf. H BLUiCHWORTH POULTRY FARM COItPY.1 Doraley, Glouoeaterahlre. and Beautifully Illustrate* frtee List POM free. One Stamp. « HOW TO ENSURE HEALTH."—A medical work giving Prescriptions and Instructions ror the Cure of all kinds of Debility; post-free, two stamps. Aiidrcs* Dr. BaKKBSJ Ixtntdala^Snnim^n^r^ahnrTl^m^ irBON BUTLUING8 and ROOFING, New 184 Deoond-hasd I bmmmtmaaA Churches, Chapels, Mission sad a Schw>l^ Ro om^La i *t L A. Roofing in^S^HBM HARBROWB WORKgj Booth A or HAiiA i r.l l.KN iU.,tho** pairing New or 8eoocdJiand W 3 T*blf«. Requisites, or Billiard work done. should, before going elsewhere, sand for IXOO-Now Price List, NICO and CoWdim Rubber & 2^ ««w Price List, Cloth and Cushion Bubber S7 v c. w Sampler to HENNTG BROS 9ft High 8treet, Bloomsbiirr, London. W-C llSn ENTIRELY SOLUBLE and NOT FA:&IJr. MELLIN'S FOOD FOR INFANTS AND INVALIDS. Price 1/6 £ 2/6 )C/' 81(4 Blood and Bona- Per Bottle. fBMTkwJjt forming Element*. FOR THE HEALTHFUL REARING OF HAND-FED CHIIDREJL AND THE PRESERVATION OF INFANT UFE. A sample sent post free on application to G. MELLIN. Marlboro' Works, Peckham, 8.E. • and Advice I and woman Up ALiTU p I in search of C I should write without delay to k K riil Mr.C. B. HAlUWWi Consulting Medical EUctri- ■ cia" <Pr«ident of the British Association of Medical Electricians). for his New Medical Work, entitled t Cwatlve Powers or Electricity," which wi]J be sent post free to any address on application. The treatise contains full particulars ol the treatment of the various Ilk that flesh is neir to. It also contains a selection from the thousands of testimonials received in favor of Harness* Electropathic Belt and other curative appliances. Please mention this papey. MR. C. B. HARNESS,%j:r!J|f (personally or by letter) on afl matters rasttarje health and the application of Curative Qewjkatjr. Note only addressfand write to-day. or call if possible. 52, OXFORD ST: LONDON, W. T