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NEWS OF ILLINOIS ING8 OF INTEREST FRO OVER THE OK THE TRAIL OF THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY By WILLIAM T. ELLIS CRITICISM OF MISSIONS RAMPANT IN PORT CITIES P hi. 7' Tientsin. China.--Here •* the place to come to learn "the other side of foreign missions. This city and Shanghai are doubtless the two greatest centers of anti-missionary sentiment in the world. The criti­ cisms of missions and missionaries most commonly heard have to do with China and with China's capital. Three out of four stories reflecting upon missions are located in China, and two out of three are likely to con­ cern Peking and its neighborhood. Now, that means Tientsin. The for­ eign population of Peking is very small. Including few persons besides legationers and missionaries. But Tientsin, the port of Peking and of North China, has the second largest foreign population m the empire. It Ss a city of imposing European build­ ings. of foreign stores, of 'modern streets and homes, of clubs and churches--in short, it is a bit of the west which greets a traveler like an oasis in the desert of the east. A Missionary Charged with Graft. On the ship between Chefoo and Tientsin I was talking o^er a variety of far eastern topics with a British merchant who had lived for more than 29 years in Tientsin. He was plainly a gentleman, a man of family, of breeding and social standing, and in all respects his views had been tem­ perate. Without his knowing my in­ terest in the subject, the conversation drifted to missionaries. "Really, some one should look into this missionary business. It is not what people at borne think it is. You go up to Pe­ king. and you will find the mission­ aries living in compounds as big as le­ gations. And during the Boxer trouble they looted frightfully. There was one missionary, a Mr. Blank, who was made interpreter to a British punitive expedition, with the honorary rank of second lieutenant. At every village he would demand a large sum of money, in the name of the commanding officer, which he would quietly pocket himself. At length word of this reached the Brit- lab authorities, and the missionary was asked for an explanation. He flatly denied everything. Then he was given his choice of standing a fair court-martial, with the assurance that be would be shot if found guilty, or of being deprived of his rank and of • being dismissed from the service in The wiser way would be for the missionaries openly to disavow re­ sponsibility for the course of all ex­ cept bona fide members of estab­ lished missions; and hospitably to meet honest criticism with frank ex­ planations and with respect for the motives of the critics; instead of maintaining an attitude of silence, se­ clusion and self-sufficiency. In the matter of the gulf that exists between the foreign community, and the mis­ sionaries, the latter appear to be more blameworthy than the former, for it is^ their business to be friendly with all men and to guard the good reputation of their work. Yet in truth they some­ times seem the more censorious of the two. Some of the sweeping asser­ tions of the missionaries concerning the evil lives of non-missionary for­ eigners are as unfounded as many of the criticisms which the latter make of the missionaries. Investigation re­ veals the fact that iu Tientsin more effort is put forth in behalf of the moral welfare of the Anglo-Saxon young men and for the reclamation of those who have strayed, by the non- missionary residentsjthan by the mis­ sionaries themselves!!' Where the Missionaries Are at Fault. An interested critic could probably prove the charges of narrowness, ex- clusiveness and censorlousness against many members of the mission­ ary body here, admitting the note­ worthy exceptions. All this might be comprehended within the phrase, gen­ eral unfitness for missionary work in a port city. It is a singular lack of perception on the part of the mission boards in America and Europe which often put in the open ports mission­ aries who by social gifts, intellectual equipment and by temperament are least likely to do the most effective work there, both among the natives and the foreigners. No end of misun­ derstanding and misrepresentation would be escaped by a wiser method on the part of the boards. The frequently expressed policy of the missionaries, that they have come to work for the heathen and not for Europeans, is mistaken to the point of absurdity and folly, as in a case I ran across here. The best single mis­ sionary enterprise in Tientsin is the work of the Young Men's Christian association in the Chinese city proper. It is almost entirely self-supporting, so wwmA-i Troubles in the mission have been almost constant, and now former members of the mission are out in a public Circular, which they are Bend­ ing widely to America, making vari­ ous charges against the mission and Its head. It is reported that the American consul general is taking steps to require Mr. Houldlng to pro­ vide return passage to America for hia missionaries, since a number of them have become a charge on the consul­ ate. For it appears, according to this circular, that of the 69 missionaries brought out, three have died and 38 have left the mission in dissatisfac­ tion. Most of these have remained in China, in connection with other mis­ sions; some have gone into business here, and some have returned to Amer­ ica. The circular charges Mr. Houldlng with lack of proper qualifications for leadership, with denying the mission­ aries a voice in the management of Springfield.--That country schools are steadily advancing along with the city schools, and that teachers of coun­ try schools will need' all the require­ ments of city school teachers are the tenets of the new association of coun­ try school teachers recently formed at Macomb. In his address before the Teachers' institute, Warren Taylor of this city mentioned the new associa­ tion. The official name of the organi­ zation is the Country Teachers' Asso­ ciation of Illinois. It was formed July 18, 1907, at Macomb, through the ef­ forts of Miss Mabel Carney, who has charge of a country school near, that place. The object of the association is A'To elevate the 'character and ad­ vance the interests of country teach­ ing and country teachers, and to in­ crease the efficiency of country schools and make life long and lovely for the country child." To join the association all that is required Is a fee Of 25 cents for the entire year, which includes access to all the literature of the association free of charge. The so­ ciety, although in its infancy, prom­ ises to be one of the greatest innova­ tions ever introduced for the better­ ment of country school life. The mem-the mission; with running a sort of absolute monarchy, all the property j bers of the faculty of the Normal uni- being in his own name; and with mak- j versity, who are greatly interested in ing representations concerning the the new movement, are now making i'Ww of Roman Catholic Cathedral. Tien Tain, Twice Destroyed by Chinese. vp.-T itr. •, m-. frvi:-: -44 ignominy. He chose the latter, thus practically confessing his guilt. Mis­ sionaries all say: 'Poor Mr. Blank!' aad look upon him as a martyr; al­ though the board that employed him took a different view of the matter, and discharged him. He lives in 5P«ntsin to-day, and is a rich man." Trouble Through Ex-Missionaries. Now this attitude of many English- speaking residents of the east toward missions means something. It is not a sufficient answer to fling charges, as missionary supporters commonly do, at the moral character of« the white communities in port cities. The man above quoted is. as has been said, aa honorable man of position, and his statements were specific. In the particular case be cited, an investigation showed that his state­ ments were warranted, except as to the attitude of the missionaries toward the alleged culprit in question. What the merchant Baid was mildness as compared with what the missionaries said to me. They seem to have a more intimate knowledge of the crook­ edness of the ex-missionary than oth­ ers, and they have the additional grievance that he has brought dis­ grace upon their calling. Similarly, the missionaries went farther than others in condemnation of another notorious character in this city, an et-misslonary now in corporation service, who is commonly alluded to as "the prize coward of the Peking siege." and whose business methods are reputed to be devious. Of this attitude of the missionaries, apparently, the community is unaware. In its sensitiveness to criticism the missionary body presents a solid front, making no explanations, and the world does not know that the black sheep have been cast out of the flock. It appears that this place, like other port cities, contains a number Of ex-missionaries who have been dis­ missed from board service, or who have of their own will retired to en- : business. There is nothing dis­ honorable in the latter practice, al­ though it lb a clear violation of ac- ishssiouary ethics. The onus Of the shortcomings of all these, who •re naturally still" called "mission­ aries," attaches to the missionary body, the members of which. I have been repeatedly assured, look with ut Moat disfavor upon the entrance of * iy one of their number into money them. tlib" greatly does it command the respect of eminent Chinese, the viceroy him­ self being among the contributors. All the work, including the home of the missionary. Is in a big Chinese residence, with upwards of a hundred rooms. A school which has govern­ ment recognition and approval is maintained, as well as a library and an athletic department. Some months ago the wife of the secretary was tak­ en suddenly and dangerously ill. A messenger was hastily dispatched to a physician in the foreign conoessions. who reported himself busy. (The journey by night into the center of the native city is not a pleasant one.) A missionary physician who, like all the other missionaries, lives outside the native city, sent back word, when appealed to: "I came to treat the Chinese, and I cannot take other pa­ tients." So after this experience, which might have proved fatal to his wife, the association secretary, to avoid its repetition, is obliged to consider the possibility of surrendering his home amid the Chinese, where he is doing notable work, and of taking up his residence in the foreign settlement. Probably such an extreme instance as thlB of the contention of the mission­ ary, that he came to work for natives and not for foreigners, cannot be du­ plicated. But it is nevertheless sig­ nificant. A Missionary Rebellion. Since this article Is dealing with missionary shortcomings, it is proper to tell the story of a missionary rebel­ lion which has its focus in Tientsin In the southern part of this province is an independent undertaking called the "South Chihli mission," begun ten years ago by Rev. H. W. Houldlng. an American Congregationalist. The mission Is not related to any church or denomination, Its support coming chiefly from independent city mis­ sions and from I Congregational churches in the west and middle west of the United States. Mr. Houlding it appears, has the gift of glowingly portraying China'b needs and last year he received more than 120.000 for the work of his mission. During the past eight years he has brought out 69 adult missionaries, most- of them coming at their own expense and putting all their worldly posses sions into a common mission fund, from which they could never withdraw work which are not borne out by the facts. The signers of the circular say that they have made the mildest possi­ ble presentation of the real situation, and they hint at more serious evils. Some of the many stories current here are ludicrous. One member of the mission was British, and liked his cup of afternoon tea. The mission thought this a wicked and sinful indulgence. When he persisted In the practice, they held a mission prayer meeting over him, to show him the evil of his course! Another member was simi­ larly disciplined for being too fond of peanuts! All this while grave evils were existing in the conduct of the mission. 8tranded Missionaries. One hears many stories in the east concerning independent missions, without substantial and responsible bodies back of them at home. Espe­ cially are tales told of the "faith" missions. Zealous and unqualified en­ thusiasts come out on "faith," and the other missionaries and foreigners have to support them to keep them from starving, until they can secure work or provision Is made for their return to America. I have repeatedly been told instances of this sort con­ cerning a Scandinavian mission whose people come chiefly from Minnesota. Some of the independent missionaries who do manage to get along, are obliged to give a large part of their time to cultivating ttaiir American constituency. These missionaries who come out with no other equipment than enthusi­ asm make strange blunders. One party of Swedes, whose advent is a pronounced memory in missionary cir­ cles, bore each a musical instrument They would play and sing hymns along the street, to the entertainment of the Chinese. The young women wrote home glowing accounts of the crowds they gathered by their street meetings, not realizing at all that in lina such performances as theirs are ways attributed only to evil charac­ ters and the basest of motives. In­ stead of doing good, they actually did only harm. Akin to these, are the religious fad­ dists who enter the foreign fields, representing some special tenet or doctrine. These make no special ef­ fort to reach the genuine heathen, but confine themselves to proselyting among the native Christians. Still easier mission work is that done by a holiness sect in America which pub­ lishes a paper called "The Gospel Trumpet." It appeals for funds to evangelize the heathen, and then spends the money for sending copies of the paDer to missionaries of the various denominations, already on the field! Thus, every missionary in Ja­ pan receives "The Gospel Trumpet," and none, so far as I could learn, ever reads It. (Copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles.) plans to send out speakers from the school all over the state to interest every teacher in joining the associa­ tion. Mr. Taylor In speaking of the new work said: "It would be a great help to country school life in general if we could get the teachers of Sanga­ mon county Interested in this new movement. A main point of benefit to be derived from being a member of the society will be the councils of teachers which will be formed through­ out the country. These societies, which will be formed in districts, will draw teachers together at least once a month to talk over their work. Any difficulty that has been experienced by one teacher can be brought up be­ fore the others and suggestions of help offered." Railroads In Another Dispute. The railroads are confronting more trouble as a result of a dispute be­ tween the interstate commerce com­ mission and the shippers over uniform car service charges and rules. The commission recently notified the rail­ roads that unless they could agree upon uniform rules and charges for detention of cars In loading or un­ loading, it would go to congress and ask for a lapr providing for the regu­ lation of car service by the commis­ sion. In accordance with this mandate of the commission the railroads have arranged for a conference at Chicago Sept. 9 on the subject of car service rules and charges. It developed at the meeting of the National Industrial Traffic league that a majority of the principal shippers of freight in the country are strongly opposed to the adoption by the railroads of uniform charges for car service. The shipper? declare that car service is a local proposition in every instance and that what might be fair for one city or. section of the country would be very unjust in another and greatly injure trade. The shippers also contend that the interstate commerce commission has no authority over car service rules after the transportation has been com­ pleted and the consignee notified that the freight is subject to his order. After that time, according to the opin­ ion of the committee Itself in the famous St. Louis hay case, the rail­ road ceases to be a common carrier, under the provision^ of its bills of lading, and assumes only the charac­ ter oI a warehouse man. For this rea­ son, thg shippers contend, the inter­ state commerce commission has no jurisdiction over demurrage on freight or cars. GREAT FEAT OF MEMORY. r irz'iV Zangwtll Had at Command All Fa- mous Trials of History. As an indication of the quality of Zangwlll's mental processes I may re­ late an incident that occurred while we were producing "The Children of the Ghetto." Mr. Zangwill was seated in my office, and we were going over some of the details of the play, It was the day that Laborl, intimately connected with the Dreyfus, case in Paris, was assassinated. Knowing that Zangwill had intimate knowledge of the case, a New York newspaper sent a representative up to see him. The reporter entered, and, after conveying the news, said: "Mr. Zangwill, we want from you a history of all the famous trials you can call to mind for our paper." "Indeed?" said Mr. Zangwill; "I think I can prepare that for you. Come to see me in three or four days arid I will have it ready." "We want it now," objected the newspaper man. "We want to print It Jn our paper to-morrow morning." But surely you don't expect me to quote you dates and facts out of my mind on the spur of the moment, do you?" asked Mr. Zangwill In astonish­ ment. "Such a thing Is out of reason." "I'm sorry, but it's the only way we can make use of it," replied the new*, paper man, firmly Mr. Zangwill thought a moment, and then asked If he could have my stenographer for a short time. He was called in, and Zangwill dictated to him, 'then and there, a two-column resume of all the famous trials of history from Savon­ arola down, and quoted every import­ ant date and historical feature con­ nected with each.--The Bohemian. Would Keep Boys on Farm. Alarmed by the growing distaste of farmers' sons Jor agricultural pursuits, A. P. Grout, one of the best known scientific farmers and stockmen in Illi­ nois, has inaugurated a unique move­ ment to counteract the tendency to leave the rural districts for the cities. He has opened upon his farm in Scott county what he terms a farm encamp­ ment and school for boys. The en­ campment will last a week, giving the boys practical instruction, supple­ mented with lectures in the open air by men who are posted on scientific farming and stock raising. -This is the second annual encampment, the first, given a year ago, proving such a success that it was decided to give an­ other this year. Mr. Grout has se­ cured Prof. F. R. Crane of the farm mechanics' department of the Uni­ versity of Illinois, Prof. Hall of the animal husbandry department of the same university, and Prof. Pettlt of the department of agronomy of the university as lecturers. All in all, the week's encampment will prove of value beyond estimation to the sev­ eral hundred boys from the various sections of Illinois who attend. Mr. Grout is animated solely by a desire to raise the standard of the Illinois farmer and keep the farmer's boy in­ terested in the farm. He charges the boys nothing for accommodations dur­ ing the encampment and only a small sum for their meals. The week prom­ ises to be a profitable one for the sum for their meals. The idea is to make the work attarctlve and enjoy­ able for the boy. The week promises to be an enjoyable one for the far­ mer boy. Sent to Discuss Irrigation. Gov. Deneen has announced the list of delegates whom he has appointed to attend the fifteenth national irriga­ tion congress, which will be held September 2 to 7 at Sacramento, Cal. The congress will be attended by rep­ resentatives of all states in the union interested in irrigation projects and Important questions will be discussed. All of the delegates selected by the governor are interested in irrigation propositions, and Illinois will take a leading part in the discussions. The names of the delegates are as follows: John Farson, Joy Morton, L. A. Trow­ bridge, Col. Burr Robbins, D. H. An­ derson, E. A. Abbott, E. J. Baker, C A. Lukens, Charles S. Young, William Hale Thompson, Wesley Merritt, C. L. Seagrave, W. H. Roher and Robert D. Manson, all of Chicago, and H. Fos­ ter Bain, of Urbana. Court Clerks Discuss Fees. The question whether court clerks in Illinois are to pocket half of the naturalization fees they collect as federal law permits, or are to turn that portion over to the county, as the Illinois statutes require, rent the clos ing session of the annual convention of the State Association of Circuit Clerks and County Recorders at Rock ford. The convention decided clerks had a right to keep the fees. Frank E George of Kane county was elected president,! and Greenville was chosen for next year's convention. Important Fraternal Decision. A decision vitally important to fra­ ternal benefit societies in Illinois was handed down by Judge Foster in the Chicago municipal court when he held that no merger or consolidation of such societies can be effected legally in Illinois. The ruling of the court was upon a demurrer in the case of Edwin F. Smith and Ira J. Bell vs. The Loyal Americans of the Republic. 'These are unique corporations," Judge Foster declared, "organized for the sole benefit of their members and beneficiaries and not for profit. A careful reading of the fraternal benefit society act makes ft plain, we think, that no consolidation of such corpora­ tions was ever contemplated or au­ thorized by the legislature. As stated by the supreme court, 'corporations cannot be consolidated without ex­ press sanction of the state, and if the power to consolidate is withheld it is regarded as a prohibition against the exercise of < such power.' There is no general statute in Illinois authorizing the consolidation of ruch corporations. The courts of three states have al­ ready condemned wholesale transfers of membership similar to that of the case at bar." Judge Foster pointed out that the age limit of 60 years necessarily invalidates any merger of fraternal societies. Will Abolish Popular Form of Ticket. One result of the new two-cent rate laws will be the abolition of what is known as the certificate form of ticket, entitling the bearer to a lower rate for return passage than was paid on the going trip. The western and southern roads have voted to do away with this form of ticket at the end of this year. Since they have decided to make two cents per mile their mini­ mum, as well as their maximum fare, there will really be no necessity for the certificate style of ticket, as all round trip rates will be simply double the one way fare. Millions of the certificate form of tickets have been Issued annually in past years, being used almost exclusively for conven­ tions and other, events for which re­ duced rates were made on account of large attendance. Court Clerks' Convention. The sixth annual convention of the circuit clerkB and recorders of Illi­ nois was held at Rockford with 60 delegates in attendance. Greenville, B<jnd county, was selected as the place for holding the next convention. The southern part of the state was not well represented here, and for this reason It was decided to send the next meeting to that section. Lightning Kills Legislator. Former State Representative John H. Lyman, of Farmingdale, this coun­ ty, was struck by lightning while in a field cutting grain and was instantly killed. FATE'S MARK ON OFFICE Electrocution of Gen. Carter'a «oti R# ^*'%lls Father's Remark--Thre# Other Attaches Have Lost v Boys Recently. Ch&tnpaign.--The death of L. H. Carter, .younger son of Brig. Gen. William H. Carter, commanding the department of the lakes, who was elec­ trocuted Tuesday night in the dairy room of the University of Illinois here, makes the fourth sudden death which has come within six months to attaches of Gen. Carter's office. He is the fourth father to lose a son within the summer's span. Other attaches of the office who have lost sons recently are: Lieut. Col. G. A. Dodd, whose young son Reginald was drowned at Williamsport, Pa., where he was attending school, while bathing in the river, Maj. Frank B. Eastman, chief commissary officer, whose son Guy was struck by a train and killed shortly after his graduation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Maj. Thomas Cruse, now quartermaster at Omaha, but formerly attached to the Chicago headquarters, whose son, Midshipman James F. Cruse, was killed in an explosion on the battleship Georgia which occurred on July 19. The death of young Carter recalled the remark of Gen. Carter when the news of the death of Midshipman Cruse came to the office. "It would seem as if this office had been marked by fate," said the gener­ al, with no intimation that his own son would be the next victim. Mem­ bers of the general's staff said that the accident was peculiarly sad, as the other son of the general, an army of­ ficer In active service, is about to de­ part for the Philippines for a long term of service. KILLED DEFENDING HI8 MOTHER. John Oster, Jr., of Mascoutsh, Fatally Stabbed by Father. Is TURKEY OUR NOBLEST BIRD. Wild ~ Improve Market Product. The most notable American bird tft the farm category i« the turkey, grow­ ing as he does to the great weight of -30 and even 40 pounds, and losing nothing in flavor and toothsoineness. Likewise, the most regal of our re* maining game girds fcs his blood broth, er, the wild turkey, from which he has descended. There is perhaps np instance where domestication has scored so little to improvement as with the turkey. In fact, in some respects the taming aad breeding have hurt instead of helped the species. No prize domestic gobbler is ever so beautifully marked or so resplend­ ent with feathers of black shaded with rich bronze and illuminated with t lustrous finish of burnished copper as is the typical wild turkey, while the -fXgor and vitality of the wild bird Is sufeh that to this day we strengtheft the most virile of cur bronze turkeys by an infusion of the wild blood. Rhode Island stands for the beet in turkey production. The last cen­ sus shows less than 7,000,000 turkeys in the United States and only about 5,000 produced annually in Rhode Is­ land, yet, according to a turkey ex­ pert, if all thefturkeys of the conn- try were of* such good quality &s Rhode Island's, their total value would, be doubled. ' According to the department of ag­ riculture, the growing of turkeys has greatly improved dilring the last few years as a result of a determined ef­ fort on the part of producers of "standard bred" stock to demonstrate that it is much more profitable to use pure breeding stock than the smaller and less vigorous stock Of times past. The wild turkey is also being used to instill further new vigorous blood into the bronze flocks. Inbreeding Is the fatal defect among the practice of many turkey growers. The fact that turkeyB will from the time that they are six weeks old un­ til winter gain the greater part of their entire living from bugs, insects, grasshoppers and. waste grain assures their existence during this period at little or no cost to the grower where there is a sufficient range for the birds. Mascoutah.--John Oster, Jr., 23 years old, died from stab wounds al­ leged to have been inflicted by his own father, John Oster, 60 years, who is now under arrest. During a quarrel be­ tween the elder Oster and his wife the son went to his mother's defense. This so enraged the father that they got into a struggle and young Oster was stabbed. He fled from the house closely pursued by his father, who is a cripple. In the chase the young man collapsed. Neighbors carried him into a house, where he died several hours later. House Chaplain Dead. Springfield.--Rev. D. G. Bradford, aged 83 years, chaplain of the Illinois house of representatives, died here of kidney trouble after an illness of several weeks. He was pastor of the Portuguese Presbyterian church of Springfield, and had been chaplain of the lower house of the state legislat­ ure for many sessions. He had a wide acquaintance among legislators an4 politicians. Death of 8. Pierpont. Pana.--Sylvanus Pierpont, one of Shelby county's oldest and most es­ teemed residents, died at the 'home of his daughter, Mrs. Stella Morrison. Deceased was born in Morgantown, Monongahela county, Virginia, March 10, 1834. Mr. Pierpont was a nephew of ex-Gov. Pierpont, of Virginia. He was prominent in political matters of this county and was a lifelong Repub­ lican. Shutters Must Be Closed. Quincy.--The edict has gone forth that hereafter on Sunday, and partic­ ularly Sunday evening, the blinds and shutters of saloons must be closed. These places will have to confine themselves to having the appearance, at least, of being closed, according to orders issued from the police depart­ ment. Christian County Reunion. Taylorville.--The old soldiers and old settlers of Christian couhty will hold a two days' reunion at Payne's grove In Palmer September 18 and 19. The following officers were elected: President, C. H. Stockton, Palmer; secretary, Prof. E. J. Quinn, Palmer; treasurer, Henry A. Best, Palmer. Plan for Anniversary. A big silver anniversary celebration to be held January 23. 1908, In this city, and the formation of a Sangamon county log rolling association will be the outcome of the monster picnic held by the Modem Woodmen at the state fair grounds. It is estimated that between ten and twelve thousand Woodmen and their friendB visited the grounds during the day. The proposi­ tion to establish a Sangamon county log rolling association to have charge of the annual picnic and like affairs Vill be dealt with hereafter. Property Given Back By Fish. A deed was filed for record at Belle­ ville transferring all property held by Stuyvesant Fish in East St. Louis to the Illinois Central Railway company. The property consists of a tract of land adjoining the right of way. The consideration named is $1. It is Btated by railroad men that the property was transferred to Mr. Fish when he was president of the company. Now that he is no longer president the property is transferred back to the company. Delay for State Tax Board. The state board ( of equalization, meeting again after a recess of two weeks, found that it had nothing to do, because the counties had not made returns of assessments. Only six counties have made reports. The folly of- the amendment to the revenue law requiring the state board of equaliza­ tion to convene the first week In Au­ gust and giving boards of review until September 7 to report is becoming m o r e a p p a r e n t . T h e r e s u l t o f i t i t that board loses a month. Congregationalista Win Pennant. Kewanee.--In an exciting finish the Congregational team captured the pen­ nant in the church Baseball league, which has played here all summer. The Methodist and Episcopal teams tie for second place. Six teams were in the league. Annual Watermelon Barbecue. Pana.--The fourth annual water­ melon barbecue of the Pana Night Owls was held here. Elaborate prep­ arations were made for the celebra­ tion. •vllets Riddle Bedchamber. Litchfield.--An unidentified person attempted to kill Mr. and Mrs. Eli Anderson of this city as they were preparing to retire. Three shots were fired into their bedchamber, all the bullets slriking the wall near their heads. An investi­ gation failed to reveal the identity of the would-be murderer. One bullet passed through a chair in which Mr. Anderson had been sit­ ting less than a minute before the shooting began. Both Legs Are Mashed. Clinton.--Dan Castile, six years old, had both his feet so badly mashed here that amputation was necessary. He had boarded a gravel train and, not noticing the approach of the Wei- don Springs train, jumped onto the track in front of it. Two trucks passed over his feet, mangling them. What a Duke's Son Looks Like. The, Duke of Devonshire, as all the world knows never went in much for dress, consequently his • presence as a pedestrian in the West End was hardly ever noticed. When Marquis of Hartington it was his daily prac­ tice to walk from the house, up Water­ loo Place, down Piccadilly to Devon­ shire House, taking mental uote of the people he passed and always be­ ing interested in the shop windows. He generally stood for some time looking at the photos shown at the stationers. One day a man and a woman were looking at the same pho­ tos. "Look, Mary," said the man, "this one's the Marquis of Hartington, son of the Duke of Devonshire." "Oh John," said the woman, "I may be ignorant, but I ain't no fool. That kind of looking chap the son of a Duke! No nonsense for me. Come on." The duke must have thought of the proverb about listeners.--Lon­ don P. T. O. Nineteen-Hour Days. "Our hours/' said a' nature stud­ ent, "are nothing to the birds'. Why, some birds wcyk in the summer 19 hours a day. Indefatlgably they clear the crops of insects. "The thrush gets up at 2:30 every summer morning. He rolls up his sleeves and falls to work at once. And he never stops till 9:30 at njght. A clean 19 hours. During that time he feeds his voracious young 206 times. "The blackbird starts work *t the iAme time as the thfush, but h« lays .iff earlier. His whistle blows at 7:30, •:iid during his 17-hour day he sets ahout 100 meals before his kiddies. "The titmouse is up and about by 3 •Bouse is**aid to feed his young, 417 the morning, and his stopping time <e 9 at night. A fast worker, the tit- meals--meals of caterpillar mainly-- in the long, hard, hot day." Harrisburg Buildings Destroyed. 1 Harrlsburg.--Fire thaJJ| destroyed four Vine street buildin^r here did $100,000 damage. Only $10,000 insur- aee was <sarrie4 pa the hiiUfligw. Sermon In a Few Words. We are very much impressed by something we saw and heard while passing along the street a few even­ ings since. A young girl was stand­ ing in front of a store, and near her, with a hang dog expression on his face, was a young stripling of a boy. As we passed the two, the girl said to the boy: "Any one who speaks of my father as 'the old man' Is not worthy of my respect." From the tone of her voice, we knew that the girl spoke from the Impulse of a moment, but there was a whole sermon In her ut­ terance. We don't know the girl, but If she lives she will develop Into a noble womanhood, and the world will be the better for her having lived in it. And the boy, if he has any redeeming qualities in him, will profit by the les­ son given him in that one sentence.-- Burlington Chronicle. Senator Pettus' Library. The late Senator Pettus of Alabama was a "Forty-niner," going overland to California in the early days and en­ gaging in placer mining. He took with him on that long and tedious journey three books, the Bible, Shakespeare and Burns' poems. He said of them at one time not long since: "I read the Bible from cover to cover; I read the side notes; I read the captions of the chapters; I learned great parts of it by heart, and I liaven't forgotten them yet. I learned many of Burns' poems by heart and much of Shakespeare in the same way, too." Such reading of these three books was an education in itself. It #£• is not likely that many miners en- t'y gaged in that search for wealth spent their leisure in as profitable a way. |M*f Long Overdue. "What," queried the very young man, "was the happiest day of your life?" 'V-V "It hasn't come yet," answered tin ^ oldest inhabitant, sadly « "Hasn't come yet!" echoed the other In surprise. "When do you think It will come?" "When people cease to ask feel questions," answered the old man. * ~ » w1*" - ' Ml jw »•. .Ijl Jk »* fcST:i M