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.0‘ vs synâ€"Poms: N A COMMON LITTLE FLY. I‘m a common little fly. Yet I own so many things; First a rainbow-tinted pair Of such fine transparent wings. These I really cannot fold. But I move them to and fro Very quickly. making queer Buzzing noises as I go. Just behind these little wings. You will find my winglets two. And some slender clubs with which All my balancing I do. In my head are big. red eyes. Each composed. wiseacres say, Of at least a thousand more. So I’m sharp-sighted alway. My proboscis is quite long. 'Tis a hollow tube and thin. Through which carefully I suck All the food and draw‘it in. At the end if you will look. A flat plate you'll truly find; Near it are too short. sharp hairs, Used as forks when so inclined. Pointed plumes just twain I boast; These are fastened on my pate. So when anything comes near. I can feel the air vibrate. I've a chest that's nearly Square. Made up of three rings, no more; Each one holds a pair of legs Furnished with small joints galore. Every foot has two queer claws. And a hairy pad you see. So on ceiling or on pane. I can walk quite fearlessly. You may say I am a pest. But I know it is untrue. Fblr I eat things in the air. That if breathed would injure you. Yes! I'm but a common fly. Hunted. driven here and there ‘Till my life's a burden‘ sore, Yet no malice do I bear. A GIRL’S BEDROOM. Dear girls; if our character could be told by the appearance of our bed- room how bad a chance some of us would stand. Some girls will say to themselves, "0! nobody ever sees this room, so why should I bother keeping it tidy." But what abad habit to get into; how much nicer it is to sleep in a well-made bed, and gaze upon well-dusted furnitune, than sleeping ini a bed that has been made without any care and seeing dust: of many days’ standing lying upon bureau and wash- stand; The other day I went to visit one of my girl friends. She’ met me at the door with awelcomintg smile and a pretty little speech'. "0! Alice," she said, "I'm just making biscuits; would you mind coming into the kitchen till I finish." Of course I went, and spent a pleasant half hour watching her. Lily friend Dorothy had on apretty, loose blouse, and a dark skirt, a snowy apron was tied round her waist and her sleeves were rolled up displaying a pair of well-shaped arms. She was a very pretty girl and at this timie she seemed doubly attractive. She put before me a plate of her flaky biscuits and a glass of milk, which I enjoyed after my walk. “Now, at last I am through," she ex- claimed, as she emptied her last pan of its contents, “so come upstairs please and I will dress as quickly as I can." Going into my friend's bedroom sh'e drew a rocking-chair to the window and at the same time taking abook from ash‘elf she told me to try and make myself comfortable. Dorothy’s room was very plainly furnished.ypt I was struck with its perfect cleanliness. The bed was covered with a snowy counterpane and the pillows looked as if~ they had been well beaten. The furniture, which was of oak, was thor- oughly \vetl dusted, and the articles on the wash-stand, which were of plain white china, wane shining in thorough oleanness. The floor, which was un- carpeted, was snowy white, and abear skin rug, which my friend said was for saying her prayers on, was laid before the bed. A shelf was hung above a. small writing-desk, on which a few wellâ€"selected books were lying. But my friend was dressed by this time, and giving her back the book we left the roomt She little knew how far up in my estimation she had gone and I felt she was a friend in whom Icould put my fullest confidence. On leaving Dorothy's, with a pleas- ant feeling that had sprung up as we‘ talked together, i started homeward. But. a gentle min came on and I had to hurry in case I should get wet. I . have thought agood deal about that] visit, and noticed that my friend made no apologies about the plainness of her house. or at being caught busy in the kitchen in the afternoon. Just the opposite from the friend I have been writing about is another. Mildred Murray is nvery smart girl. She is far on at school. and her lessons seem to be no trouble to her. She is a very good-natured girl, but yet I would never give her the place i give to Domthy. She is much bet- ter off, and her parents are much more indulgent than Dorothy‘s, yet. she does not give them half the respect that Dora does her parents. And [really believe that these girls’ characters are shown up in their bed- rooms. Mildred's is much the better furnished of the two. The furniture is of walnut. and richly carved. But dust. lies upon it undisturbed for days. The carpet is apretty Brussels, but fun ! is lying on it which has gathered there i "rom lack of thorough sweeping. '1‘“ . young lady's golden hair is caught in l the bristles of her brush and between the teeth of her comb, a pair of dusty shoes lie carelessly in acorner. and dresses and other pieces of wearing 'JPParel are thrown over chair-backs and bed-posts. Mildred makes some iCtllghlng remark as she glances around the untidy room, and says she must see about cleaning it. Even although she is a nice girl how can I excuse her? And now, dear girls, whom do you admire most, and whom would you choose as a friend? Dorothy, I . hope you will say; yes, (I am sure of it. “'0th AS COAL-PASSERS. The charmed traveller in Japan goes to Nigasaki to find disenchantment. There he sees the fair Japanese maiden labor as a coal-passer and at longshore work. It makes one of the strangest sights of the queer Orient, with its teeming millions of peculiar people. to see fifty or one hundred women at work with an equal number of men coaling aship in the pretty harbor of that city. It is said that at one time the work was done almost exclusively by women, but that latterly the girls and women have been gradually giving way to their coolie brothers or sons. Many continue at the work, however, and it will probably be years before the custom disappears. The coaling at Nigasaki is done from lighters, and a series of elevated and inclined plat- forms that resemble a step-ladder are affixed to the side of the vessel. They reach from the deck of the lighter to the main deck of the steamer or ship. The coal is handled in small baskets that will hold from thirty to forty pounds. The coolies form in line on the ladderâ€"like scaffold, and the bas- kets are quickly passed from one to another. The best home illustration of the process is to be found in the old bucket brigade working on a. roof fire. The ooal-passers work very quickly. and one gang of mixed coolies. work- ing from several lighters, has been known to give a ship 437 tons in an hour. . In the distribution of the wvork among agang of coolies the woman is shown no favors. ‘At the bottom of the line the first lift becomes larger as the coal recedes in the lighter. and at the top of the line the lift over the rail is hard and the woman could be favorâ€" ed by placing her in the centre. On the contrary. however, she is seen more often at the ends. The work is very hard. and there is the added discomfiture of the flying coal dust. but both men and women seem very happy. They laugh and jibe as they - hurriedly pass the seemingly endless line of laden baskets. The women do not bear the marks that the American or European "sweat-shop" leaves upon its victims. They all seem to have health and its accompanying color. Some of the women. and particularly the older ones. show biceps and shoul- ders that would make some of our men shamefaced. girls are many Among the younger that would becailed pretty by the admirer of Japanese beauty. They all wear the native cos- tume. and nearly all protect their hands with rough gloves or bindings of cloth. The evidence of a desire to preserve the color of their hands is the only indication of sex in the busy crowd. The women are not paid as well as the men, although they do as much work. \Vhy the discrimination is made is not apparent from the amount of work done or the treatment of the laborer. Latterly it has been the practice to undertake the work by piece or contract. and to make a division of the gross earnings among the coolies engaged. on abasis previously arâ€" ranged by themselves. \Vages vary, but 25 cents per day would be deemed very good compensation. and the maâ€" jority probably work for much less. They are allowed extra compensation when they work at night. ~â€"-~ GIVING. There doth not live Any so poor but he may give. And so rich but may receive. Withheld the very meagerest dole Hands can bestow, in part or whole, And we may stint a starving soul. AFTER THE FIRST QUARREL. Go! she exclaimed. and never speak to me again! He passed out into the unsympath- etic night. but paused when he reach- ed the sidewalk and drew something from one of his inside pockets. As he did so the beautiful girl, who was watching him from the vestibule, ut- tered a shrill scream and ran toward him. . Albert. she cried, what would you do? Pray do not kill yourself! Throw your revolver away and let us forget our quarrel. It isn't a revolver, he replied. as he caught her in his arms, It's a monkey wrench I borrowed from you that day my wheel broke down. I have been wearing it next to my heart ever since. Then they returned to the parlor and] took up the thread of love‘s young dream where it had been broken. HIS EXPERIENCE. Masksâ€"Let us come to an agree- ment of some kind and put it in black and white. Talk is cheap. you know. W'eeksâ€"Yes, but ink is expensive. Mocksâ€"What do you mean? Weeksâ€"I let a drop of it scatter over the back of a friend's note about a year ago and I‘m still making payments on it. . WELL KNOWN. “'attsâ€"It is now said that the real ruler of China is a woman. Pottsâ€"Any married man could have told you that. MY LEEDLE FRITZ. Der day is done und der shadows play Vare he sleepsâ€"my leedle Fritz! Und der curious moonbeams sofdly sdray Vare he sleeps-my leedle Fritz! His vite vooly dog lies on his breast, Und der monkey on a. stick vot he luffs der best In his small, chubby hants is closely press'dâ€" Und he sleepsâ€"my leedle Fritz! Der night vinds call bud he doan’d reply. _ For he sleepsâ€"my leedle Fritz! Den dey vander avay mit amournful sigh’, Bud he sleepsâ€"my leedle Fritz! His blue Noah‘s Ark stands on der floor Und Shem und Ham keeb vatch m der ldOOl'. But he doan'd come und dem no more. I For he sleepsâ€"my leedle Fritz! talk mit Der vorld is adark und lonely. biace Ven he sleepsâ€"my leedle Fritz! _ For der light uf der sun vas Ill his face. Und he sleepsâ€"my leedle Fritz! His toys dey are stunting all in arow, Und his leedle-rock-horse id VISPGI‘S low; “Der angels vanted him back. and so He sleepsâ€"~cur leedle Fritz !" â€"â€"-â€"- SERVING S\VEET POTATOES. Sweet potatoes are excellent boiled. baked or fried yet there are a number of dishes that may be prepared with them as a foundation that will add much of variety. to a bill of fare where the good housewife has to depend largely upon sweet potatoes as her staple vegetable: Potatoes. with Sausageâ€"Choose pota- toes as big as the fist. Wash, but do not peel them, cut them in halves, and trim the bottom of each half to lie flat. Scoop a hollow in the out side of each and fill it with rich, highly- seasoned sausage meat. Set the halves in a baking dish with very little water in the bottom. and bake at steady heat until thoroughly done. Quail in Potatoes.â€"Take yams asbig as the two fists, cut off one end so they will stand erect, and the other so as to form a lid. Then scoop out the. middle until it will hold a quail. The bird must be drawn 'whole, wash- ed, wiped dry, rubbed over with salt and pepper, and filled with the scoop- ed potato, mixed with plenty of butâ€" ter. Cut the necks off close, and set them in the potatoes, breast down- ward Fit on the lids. and paste a slip of paper at the joint Set the pota- toes upright in a baking dish, and cook for three hours If the oven is very hot, pour a little water in the dish las it goes in. Send to table in the baking dish. but remove the lids, and put a lump of fresh butter upon each bird. Potato Biscuitâ€"Boil. peel and mash fine one quart of potatoes. Rub them into one quart of sifted flour and one teaspoonful salt Work in next one teacup of lard. then add enough sweet milk to make a. moderately stiff dough. Roll out to a quarter of an inch; thick, cut into cakes and bake in a quick oven. Sprinkling sugar over the top is to many palates an improve- ment. Potato Pomsâ€"Add to the mashed po- tatoes insted of flour sifted cornmeal. melt the lard. and wet up with boiling water. Leave the dough very stiff, then break into it. one at at ime, two fresh eggs. \Vork them well through the mass. Take it up by small hand- fuls, toss them from one band to the other and flatten them lightly around the sides of a. hot baking pan. very Well greased. Bake quickly until a crisp brown crust forms on top and bottom. LEGENDS OF THE LILY. Lilium, candidum. otherwiSe known as the Easter lily. the Annunciation lily, or fleur de Marie, is everywhere associated with religious symbolism. The first whisper of the association of this fair white lily with the Virgin is found in a quaint old legend of the marriage of Joseph and Mary. The story runs that when Mary was 14 the priest Zacharias inquired of the Lord what her future would be, and an an- gel brought the priest word that he should go forth one call .together all the widowers among the people, enjoin- ing each to bring to the temple. his red or staff; that the Lord would then perform a miracle that would guide him. \Vhen the convocation of widowers approached the altar, each in turn. the story goes that a pure white dove was seen to fly from Joseph's rod and alight upon his head. St. Jerome's version is that the rods were left on the altar over night and that in the morning when Joseph returned for his it was covered with white lily blomoms. An- other legend bearing on the same sub- ject tells how Mary, on her way to the temple, plucked a yellow lily growing by the wayside, which became pure white when she laid it near her heart. The lily has been the recogniz- ed symbol of the Annunciation since the thirteenth century. In the old pio- tures it is painted without stamens. emblematic of innocence and purity. ASpcnish legend relating to theori- gin of the white lily is as follows: In an ancient cemetery near Seville is a beautiful medieval marble cross. on which is traced in Spanish: “I believe in God. I hope in God. I love God." The cross is erected over the grave of a little lad. the only son of a poor woman. The boy was called “ a naturâ€" al." an equivalent for the expression. "weak-minded." Although every one loved the child it seemed impossible admission and bring him up a lay brother. The monk complied with her request and made every effort to teach the boy religion and to instruct him in the ways of the monastery. but in vain. There were but three lines of all his lessons that were ever impressed upon his mind. \Vhen he finished his daily tasks he would always seek the quiet of the church where he would remain for hours on his knees repeat- ing over and over the words: “I believe in God. I hope in God. I love God." One day his tasks were neglected and the lad was missed from all his routine of duty. He was not even to be' found in the church with his eyes fixed on the tabernacle as usual. The abbot fin- ally sought for him in his little cell. He lay dead before the crucifix. his hands clasped and an expression of in- effable peace in his childish face. After burial the abbot caused the boy‘s favorite lines to be out upon the cross. No sooner was the cross erected than apure white lily was seen bloom- ing by the side of the grave. The news spread rapidly and when the abbot heard of it he returned and caused the grave to be opened. and there. to the astonishment of the monks. the root of the lily was found embedded in the heart of the child. The lesson of the legend is of course the obvious oneâ€"that religion has its root in perfect and unquestioning trust and faith. A GOOD CUP 0F TEA. Although every woman has an idea that she can brew a good cup of tea, there are a very great number who are far from adepts at this simple art. The first thing is to choose good tea. It is impossible to make a 'good brew from inferior material. Good tea at a fair price will be found the cheapest in the end. The water used for making tea must be freshly boiled. It must never be drawn from a hot water or kitchen boiler; and be sure that the kettle used is clean. The inside of a kettle should be washed out occasionally with hot water and soda and then well rins- ed. The habit of leaving tea leaves in a pot for any length of time after using it is a very bad one. The pot ought to be thoroughly washed out, well dried and left with the lid open or off to air. Providing all the above 18 carried out the making of the tea is next to he proceeded with 2â€"Half fill the pot with boiling water. and when well heat- ed pour the water away. Put in as much tea as is required. The old fash- ioned rule of "One teaspoonful for each person and one! for the pot,” is a very good one. Take the teapot to the kettle. never the kettle to the teapot. and pour the water gently on. ‘Cover with a cosey or let it stand in a warm place to infuse. The length of time for infusing will vary with the quality of the tea. The better the tea the longer time it will take to infuse. Tea is never good, however, it ill is al- lowed to stand itoo'long. "If the tea has to be kept hot for any length of time the leaves must be removed from it. MAN IN HIS HOME. Too many men seem to have the idea that they can drop into constant dis- consolate and churlish moods at home with their wives which in any other place and by any other person would not be tolerated. It is when a man is within the walls of his home that he is himself. Then it is that he should be at his best. \thn a man gives the best that is within him to those cIOSest to him his home will ‘be the ideal place that he wishes it to be. No man has a right to expect from his wife what he on his part does not give her. If he wants her sym- pathy he must give her his considera- tion. If a man lacks the element of consideration he should cultivate it, and cultivate it not for the benefit bf his friends but for those in and of his home. Consideration should begin at home; not in the home of friendsns it so often doesâ€"and ends there, too. 'The atmosphere which a man creates l in his home by example becomes the rule by which his children live. The husband and father strikes the key- note for right or wrong living. WHAT HE LAC-KED. A certain man possessed of great Wealth and proud of his possessions was rather deficient in intellect. One day he had an old man working for him. an Irishman, possessing a full share of the wit of his "300. The rich man went out to oversee the job. He looked at Pat a minute, hard at work and said: \Vell, Pat. it's good to be rich, isn't it? - Yis, sur, said Pat, meekly enough. I am rich. Patâ€"very rich. So I‘m told, said Pat: away. , I own lands and houses, bonds and stocks. and. andâ€"andâ€" Yis. sur. And what is it. Pat,. that I haven't got? ‘ n ms 'Jns 'asms 0 it: 9 Lu gsriieppicked up his} wlheelliarmiv “and it off. and trundled the rich man to teach him anything. At last in de- - g3}? spair mother took him to a monas- T F T F t. ‘ l_ M. tress __ tery, imploring the abbot to grant him 0° 3"” "‘1' ‘11 “e 3“ ‘3 ‘ w FLASHES OF FUN. â€"â€" The Husbandâ€"My dear. did you ye. any good from the sermon today! The Wifeâ€"I did; lam fully coni‘lnced that I might be worse than I am. Sheâ€"My grandfather was cousin to the m1 of I‘sullyshanty. twice mmcv- Heâ€"‘hvice removed. elu \\ hat Didn't he pay his rent i~ Why do you wish to leave! The Maidâ€"I â€"Iâ€"I saw the master kis‘sing you. and I can't stand such familiarity. ii hear yers to give a party. Mrs. Hooligan? 'Yez. Mrs. Mulligan. I M11- and I've been everywhere tryin‘ to get some of that “pink tea" ye reads so much about. I. he started to say. have always had an ideaâ€" I know it. she interrupted. why don't you take a day off some time and try to scare up another one? Motherâ€"Johnny, stop using such dreadful language! Johnnyâ€"\Vell. mother. Shakespeare use it. Mother:- 'l‘hen don't play with him; he's no fit companion for you. \Vifeâ€"I don't truly. Husbandâ€"ch can you say so. when you know I adore youi Wife â€"-How can a man love a woman who wears such an old. worn hati The Ball Locatedâ€"A splendid stroke! Did you follow the ball, Charlie? No'm. but I think that gentleman with the red coat can tell where it struck... I see him feelin' of his head. Mr. Sprouterâ€"An heirloom. Johnnie. is something that's handed down from father to son. Little Johnnieâ€"lluhl That's a funny name for pants! Did you ever think what you wifiild do if you had Rothschild's income? said Seedy to Harduppe. No; but I have often wondered what Rothschild would do if he had my income. \Vallaceâ€"that do you deem the most charming age in woman? Ferryâ€"- From my observation. a woman of about thirty-five is harder to get away from than any other. At 9. Railway Refreshment Bar.â€" h‘irst Manâ€"I wonder why these buns are called Bath buns? Second Ditto â€"Don't know, 1"m sure, unless it is be- cause they are hard enough to scrub yourself with. Turn Aboutâ€"How much longer will I have to wait on you? asked the im- patient man of the busy clerk. In a few minutes I shall be waiting on you. replied the clerk with a smile. Dar ain' no good 0’ bein' backward in dis life. said Uncle Eben. De parrot ain't a very smart bird. But it man- ages purty comfortable. jes’ by gitiin‘ on de perch an' hollerin' do little bit it knOWS. A Helping Handâ€"The Landlady. in surpriseâ€"“'hy. Mr. Hallrumel \Vhat are you doing? Putting that butter in your tea? Mr. Halirumeâ€"I was alâ€" ways taught, Mrs. Starvum. that the strong should help the weak. Blarneyâ€"The Hired Helpâ€"Say, this here ice you have been leavin' is five or ten pounds short every mornln'. its the burmn' ilhe Icemanâ€"Sure. glances of them lovely blue eyes that melts it before I kin git it to the house. hirs. Dashleighâ€"I see here. Ethel, that every name has a meaning. Thus Harold means brave. Charles means Miss Dasbleigh, in- terrupting.â€"O, I know what Dick means. ma, He moans business. He told me so last night! George. she said in a nervous whisâ€" per. you must give me timeâ€"you must give me time. How long? he hoarsely asked; a day. a week. a month, a year? Noâ€"no. George, and she quickly scan- ned the sky: only until the moon gets behind a cloud. gay. Richard-â€" PANBESA'S LETTER. .â€" An Account or an Egyptian (llty Thlrty (lcntarlcn Ago. Probably the oldest letter in the world is the letter of Panbesa, written fifteen centuries before Christ, to his friend Amenemapt, ascribe. The manuscript is of perishable papy- rus, and it is amazing that. it should have survived for more than thirty centuries and still be legible. It is preserved in the _collection of the British Museum. It has been sev- eral times translated during the prev sent century. It presents an interest- ing picture of life in Egypt in the time of Rameses -II. It is more in the nature of or literary production, a poem composed in celebration of the visit of Pharaoh to the city of Pa- Ramescs. than an ordinary letter of toâ€"day. Panbesa, "greets his lord. the scribe Amenemapt, to whom be life, health and strength," and then goes on to describe the verdant fields, the thrash- ing floors, the vineyards, the groves of olives, the orchards of figs, the great daily markets, with their fish and waterfowl and lichasers. ' The citizens had their "sweet wine of Khemi, [mulegranate wine. and wine swarms of pu r- . from the vineyards, and to these they added "beer of Kati.” g There was music in plenty furnish. ed by the singers of the school of Mom- phis. On the whole I"-liarnesus serum to ,have been a pleasant. place to live in. l"The lesser folk are tbs-re equal with the great folk." and Panlxesa writes that its maidens were "in holiday at- shoveling tire every day" with locks "redolent of perfumed oil." AF‘I‘E [1 TI IE ELOI’l‘lMi-ZN'I‘. The father-in-law. severelyâ€"And you decided to marry in spite of my op- position. The sondn-law. ca!mly.â€"â€"Yea, air. The father-in-law, calmly,~\o'ell, l'd went into the house and sat behind have had no respect for you if you the dimir ' hadn't. believe you love me.“ » w-m .. A.A.AA,â€".A Any a â€". .. N.-~M-.a -~ apâ€"M’. ... AM,¢._-A» IN ,. ~,,. v~ .‘ -z¢-z~,-â€"_A. A l I A ,--.a.-â€"- ,.'-A_AI.M-