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(Continued) . "I think a sensitive person would suffer sufficiently for self blame." “That is my theory‘. Why, Ihave seen little children frightened info falsehood, and then punished for being liars. Naturally, children are honest and truthful. Their souls are murder- ed in youth, and then we look about us and ask why the age is so material. I assure you, Everett, that faultâ€"findâ€" ing is the bane of domestic happiness. It. will wreck at last even a home where all the cardinal virtues are prac- tised. What thoroughly mystifies me is how people can shut their eyes to its effects. A woman will risk her life to have a child and then torture it with her tongue until the little crea- ture is an example of distorted hu- manity. And this fatal error seems to be a thing of temperament, a con- stitutional disease. One of the hap- piest men I know is a fellow who could not construct agrammatioal sentence, . and I think his spelling is phonetic; yet he carries with him an atmosphere of joy. It is aperfect delight to visit him. His wife is an embodiment of health and good humor. and she looks like an elder sister of her owu great boys and girls. I just watched his method, and found it was not amatter of chance, although it had become sec- ond nature. He discovered the good everywhere. He told me, one day, that he had grown up in an old-fashioned family of blue Presbyterians. The propriety of a child's laughter was a question of grave discussion. He was then, as now, merry-hearted, full of health and hopeful. He concluded that nothing worth having is got by quarreliing, and finally left the house, having registered a mental vow never to find fault with anybody. If he saw nothing to praise in the conduct of another he could at least, refrain from condemnation. His wonderful rule has worked to perfection. He has conquer- ed peace and he hears it about with him. His children are trained not to carp at. each other or find fault with the servants. Now, Everett, I want you to consider these remarks at your leisure." "I shall begin at once to test your friend's rule." “Do. You will find it magical in its tonic results. You will be amazed at the good that is in human nature, and as its beauties increase its frailties disappear." "I had a very nice talk with father just before I left the house. I needn't tell you how delighted he is, and he wants you to feel perfectly at case about the financial side of the subject. I have never earned a dollarâ€"" "Oh, I don't think that you and Rose will be in great need of any of the comâ€" forts of life. The average man, if he is industrious. can make headway in this country. “'8 are surrounded by moneyngetters. That is a minor con- sideration; People can be wretched in a palace and supremely happy in a garret. The question is one of temâ€" perament and mutual sympathy." "Encouragement." "Yes. I'll send Rose here. I suppose you two have a great deal to say to each other.” "Yes, and Monday morning will have to be faced. However. I am going back this time with anew theory of the future." Everett's smile was beautiful to re- flect upon. CHAPTER XIV. Mr. Pounce took great comfort out of his house which held the chief place in his affections; Inanim'ite objects excited his curiosity, roused his admir- ation, absorbed his attention, and even won his devotion and inspired his love. Many of his leisure hours were spent. in old curiosity shops and among the treasures of pawn-brokers. In un- redeemed pledges he read strange stor- ies of romance and pathos. For these silent witnesses of the secrets of brokâ€" en hearts he arranged the most beau- tiful receptacles. Satin and velvet linâ€" ed cases, protected by glass, contained the costly, delicate objects that he deâ€" sired to possess and willingly-rescued from sad/obscurity. Disttppotnted_in love, his admiration and appreciation of the beautiful took refuge in works of art. His collections were his pets. He handled them, eat with them, watched them with jealous eyes, and only exhibited them to a select few among his visitors. Rose followed him eagerly when he proposed showing her his rooms, and was glad to hear that he had purposely named an earlier hour for her visit so as to enjoy her society before the arrival of his other dinner guests. His pride in his home was natural. He had certainly designed a beautiful dwelling for his own convenience and satisfaction. Each room. in finish and furnishing, was an example of acer- tain wood. carved and polished to display its peculiar beauties. Rose could only laugh and shake her head when he wanted her to name her fa- vorite. The oak hall was massive, and the great fire-place quite suggestive of historical romance. The white drawing-room was charmingly delicate. Then again, the ebony oval gallery, with its wealth of pictures. challeng- ed her verdict. He took her into a library, where the dark mahogany seemed the most beautiful and appro~ prints of backgrounds to the rows of valuable books. Yet the dining-room in black walnut was a study of has monious colors. "How did you over plan it all!" "It took time, but I enjoyed every moment of it. I think the music-room .will delight you. It is maple. I have over one hundred different woods in this house."- M A HAPPY HOUSEHOLD. By MARGARET LEE, Author of Divorce-A. Mn Bachelorâ€"Iodine and Wifeâ€"Etc. Wfififiw ' “A combination of forests! You can [imagine yourself in any part of the world." “Precisely. Perhaps the upper floors will give you the most pleasure. There I have the odorous woods of the East." So they examined the finish of apart- ments that were rivals in beauty and comfort. One was in bamboo, another in satin-wood, so smooth that it seemed desecration to step upon it. The san- dal-wood was perfect, its fragrance so delightful that Rose had almost chosen it, when a small room in olive-wood asserted its claims to preference. They came to several of cedar, and one suite was of rose-wood, so exquisite that. Rose refused to make adecision. A carved bench was very inviting. She sat down to enjoy the effect, and Mr. Pounce unlocked a. cabinet and diaplay- ed his collection of Dresden china. t "glow would you like to turn collec- 011‘ II He was standing, holding a little figure for her admiration. "I don't know," she spoke slowly. “If one could feel sure that some one else would value the things and keep them together." "Baht I've spent forty years hunt- ing up my treasures. I know the re- sult. Don't I read the papers? As soon as I am buried my heirs will clear all these things to an auction~room, and get the doliar-and-cent value for them. I attend the sales of other col- lections; these objects change hands regularly." “Wouldn’t one of your heirs take care of them if you willed them to him it" "Which one, for instance?" "I'm sure I don't know them. You might. leave the whole house, as it stands, as an educator to the public." “The Pounce Museum, eh? That might: do. That is a capital idea. What put it into your head '4" ’ "The advertisements that you men- tioned. They are so pathetic." "\Vell, a. man has the pleasure and edification as he makes his purchases, and he can't take them with him. Scat- tered in an auction-room, they serve to delight and educate others. Still, I like your suggestion. I must say that the prospect of my beautiful rooms beâ€" ing sublet to boarders often annoys me." "It: would take me months to really enjoy all these rooms; besides, I am too ignorant now to even appreciate what isbefore (me. I should study, so as to profit by what you have shown me You have acquired your know- ledge so gradually that it does not seem a weight to you. Such alovely place as this would be acharming reâ€" sort. for students." “I could have a salaried caretaker here. I own books that would verify research. I think you have solved a vexatious problem for me. I want to show you my plants before any one comes. You know, the mob is a hum- bug! People handle and pinch my fine specimens and break off leaves and steal blossoms; so I keep my door locked. Now, I have noticed that you have used your eyes only." “I was taught to look and never touch." ' "I see. ‘By the way, that is a good ruby. How long have you had it 'f" “Since last Saturday. It was put on with a wish." "That's all right. A rubyl Hum! I seldom ask questions. As a rule, I take no interest. in such affairs; but is this significant?" _‘ ICYes.ll . I Q "Do I know him?" ' * "Yes, and I know we can trust you. It is Mr. Everett." Rose flushed and looking up from her lovely rin-g, saw an odd expression flash in Mr. Pounce's eyes; his cheeks reddened unbecomingly. “I know of him." "Yes, I remember hearing him say that he rarely met you." “Where is he to-day?” "In New Haven. He graduates this year." “Oh. I see. What is his bent?" "I don't know that he has any in particular." "Versatile?" “I couldn't tell you." "Another idler in the family!" “Why do you judge him on no ac- quaintance’l" “Well, partly because my critical powers are active. A‘ good naturalist can construct the entire animal from one bone." "So lread. Mr. Everett is not a solitary bone; neither is he an old curiosity to be analyzed and classified. He belongs to the period. and he uses his own head." Rose laughed merâ€" rily. "He seems to have made very good use of it in one direction. So you like him for himself." "You would. too." “You flatter me." "I think if you studied him carefully and without prejudice that you could form a just estimate of his character." “What do you consider his strong point 2" “His thoughtfulness for others." "He must be a unique 1" “Yes; when you arrange your living specimens. he will be quite an addi- tion to the collection;" "My dear young lady. human curios are not so interesting to me as these that I live among. These do not change. and time improves them. Here is a bit of baked clay. with a little decoration done. by a master's hand. The hand is dust. the art lives. This is here to charm us after a. lapse of three centuries. Think of the hu- man beings that have come and gone within that period i" "This in th imprint of a soul on china.” "So you deduce immortality. well; if one could reach souls the efâ€" fort might meet repayment. It is be- yond me now. I am happy with meâ€" mentos of those whose souls are be- yond. My girl, I have here the quin- tessence of what we call genius. Does it not culminate. bubble. overflow and crystallize in these treasures -â€" in books, in pictures. in every work of art? The best survives for our delecâ€" tation. “'hat do we want with the merely commonplace attributes of these exotics in Nature's conservatories? You receive the best of the artist in his work. There isn't time nor op- portunity to find what is worth having in exceptional people. They are sen- sitive plants to the average individual. But don't misjudge me. Look about. and you will see pictures by living men, Americans. I buy what suits me. The paint may be wet or it may be cracked with age. Sympathy and praise and ostentations hospitality are well enough in their place; but Ihave lived an active. business life. If you want to show your appreciation for genius. buy an author's books and an artist's pictures. There is a. ring of sincerity in your bit of silver or gold. They buy bread and butter." . “You and MI. Powers think alike about the subject. I am going with him and a party to visit the studios." "\Vell, you'll be astonished, if you are at all observing, at what you will see. Read between the lines, and you will find the Curse of the times. Humâ€" bugandcleverness apparently on top, filling the canvas. The legitimate in art is off somewhere. hibernating. The fact is that the man whose heart and conscience are in his art finds himâ€" self isolated‘and in danger of starva- tion. Your man who temporizes is the man of the hour. He makes his appeal to what he recognizes in human nature. He has a certain amount of ability with some business tact, and he is going to make the two combine to give him a. living. He fits up a room that would put a man of genius into a lunatic asylum, and calls it his studio. When you see it and examine the monstrosities that cover the walls and lumber up the floor and hang from the ceilings you can form a fair esti- mate of the owner’s artistic calibre. The next thing in order is to induce people with money and the art craze to visit his exhibits. He affects so- ciety. goes here and there, sees his name in print, and feels that he is making a good beginning. Then Mrs. So-andSo sits for her portrait. Vl'hen it is finished he issues cards for a re- ception. and folks flock to drink his tea and discuss his method. He can crowd his room regularly with pretty, chattering women. who beguile him with flattery and show him their beautiful costumes. They have no money, and if they had they wouldn’t invest it it pictures. I am telling you some sad facts, but you are a sensible girl. You must have read that suc- cess-real, honest, money-making suc- cessâ€"is earned by dint of solid achieve- ment. You can't jump for it and clutch it like a big apple on the top branch. Presently, our artist finds himself going with the big crowd. He is having a very good time. apparently; you meet him everywhere; but his debts are growing faster than his sucâ€" cess. His charming friends who in- vite him to dinner and fritter away his time in his studio are ruining him. They absorb all that he owns, and give him nothing but words in return." "Still. there are true artists who are serious and devoted to art for its own sake." “Yes; but a. true artist knows that art is what she always wasâ€"a lovely, coy maiden, who must be sought and won in sacred privacy. Your man of genius is independent. In a garret, with a. few colors and brushes, he site before his canvas and unconsciously be- comes immortal. His inspiration is within him; his pictures are the poor reflection of exquisite mental images that torture him in their effort for delivery. They are born on canvas. He isn’t thinking of fame'he isn't cov- etlng wealth. He is possessed with the desire and determination to proâ€" duce for his own delight these sweet brain fancies. But see what re- sultsl He is slowly building a temâ€" ple that rises gradually above the com- mon level, and finally the whole world sees the sunlight playing on its dome." "And these temples can be built any- where 7" ' "Yesâ€"and there is plenty of room for them in this country. I am afraid I am tiring you. but it is quite a novelty to meet a girl willing to lis- ten to me." "I hope you will go on talking. are explaining things that I have heard discussed." “So! How 2" "Why. only yesterday at dinner, I listened to a conversation about our artists. Their pictures are not selling well this fall." “Do you know why '2 They are not worth buying. There's nothing in them. nothing to them. Our artists. individually and collectively, are con- spiring against art. They have adopt- ed a system that is rotten from the very foundation. Let me give you an idea of it. A few days ago a man called upon me to contribute to a fund. the interest of which is to support an American with artistic talent while he studies abroad. \Vesat down and ven- tilated the whole business, and I gave him my humble opinion of it. As soon as a man exhibits a fair ability for drawing and coloring he is advised to 'go abroad. So he borrows the money. if necessary. and goes. Now. then. he reaches Paris and joins a small army of men engaged in the pursuit of art. In the first place, he suffers physically. He wants to economize, and cheap food is not good for the brain. His morals deteriorate; he is away from home influences. and without intend- ing any great harm he becomes familiar with people and things that have no- thing in common with art. 1110 im- pressions that he receives are injurious: he cannot shake them off or rid him- self of their effems. liis menial status is changing. lic is one of a class that follow a leadi": ‘- "2‘; an- ist. The teacher may lr: :- . in: his pupils arc. all copyists. .~,) our American burlea his one chance of Ab! fame in a French grave. l l I hear that we have three thousand men in Paris living a hard, false existence, under the illusion that they have adopted the short cut to fame and fortune. I told this to my enthusiastic friend. I said I would aid a fund to keep a talented youth at home." “Did you convince him that he was making a mistake 9" "Not at all! He is young. I have been watching the outcome of French influence for thirty years. It grows worse as it increases. We are deluged with so-called pictures. poor imitations of a bad school that doesn't appeal to the healthy American taste. If a man wants a French picture he no- turally prefers the work of a Frenchâ€" man ‘to the manner born.’ 80. our artists come home to starve. Their \vishyâ€"Wasliy work has no intrinsic meritâ€"no soul. no money value. The‘ spark of genius has gone out in the vain effort to do the impossible. The truth is that the French have nothing that is worth copying. whether in morals literature or art. One of these days the American schools will take form. Our young men and women will find their inspiration in the beauâ€" ties of our own country. \Ve possess the most exquisite landscapes of the earth. and I don't. know where you will see such beautiful children or such lovely women. Now that athletics are properly valued our sculptors can emu- late the old Greeks. The sooner the French craze is exploded the better for American art. It has served to keep our development back for at least twenty-five years. Thirty years ago we boasted of some men of genius, who found and expressed their inspiration without leaving their native country. I’ll subscribe liberally and heartily for an American Academy with American thoughts for its basis and American models the objects for study and per~ petuntion!’ “\Vouldn't it be grand to have such a thing 9" “I think so. No third or fourth rate representations of foreign subjects that have wearied my eyes annually for a short life-time! Eh! What a re- lief a. really national exhibition would be! Fancy, if John Smith. of Virginia. would paint a Virginian scene. inâ€" stead of sending a ‘French flower- girl l' " "Or a. ‘Fisher-maiden from Nor- way-I ll Mr. Pounce laughed heartily. "You understand me." r To Be Continued. BRITAIN'S POST OFFICE. Interesting Matters Cullcd From the Post- mcstcr-Goncrnl‘s Report The British Postmaster General’s re- port is not by any means as dry read- ing as nearly all parliamentary papers are. It is full of interesting facts and figures, and it shows that the conces- sions made on Jubilee Day have done what it is hoped imperial penny post- age will do for the Canadian post of- fice, increased in volume the business carried on by the post offices, of the United Kingdom. After a while the P. O. officials may agree to forward, carry or deliver anything from ance- dle to an anchor. and perhaps amongst the 3,318,723,000 articles delivered there were queerer things than needles, but not as cumbersome as anchors. It took 17.282 employee to handle those billions of articles. Allowing one person to have posted one letter there were 7,699,040 people in the United Kingdom who lost their me- mory, for that many letters had either no address or an insufficient address, so that they could not be delivered; 1,294,265 postcards and 11,620,374 book packets, not to mention 534,120 news- papers. and 175,675 parcels were in the same fix. and nine per cent. of the total number of letters dealt with in the Returned Letter Office could neither be delivered nor returned to the senders. Motor vans for convey- ing mails have been found to work in every way satisfactory and more econo- mical than horses. There were 11,128,258 foreign and colonial money orders. Postal orders to the number of 71,380,975 represent- ing £26,014,583 were issued, an in- crease over 1897 of 6.2 per cent. The Post Office Savings Bank has de- positors to the number of 7,230,761, and to their credit on 31st December, 1897, Youl there were £115.896,786, or $579,483,930. On that date £316,716 were deposited. The telegraph was kept busy with 83,- 029,999 telegrams. To manage ‘all the departments of the United Kingdom post office re- quires 150,110 persons. The perma- nent establishment, including all head and sub-postmasters, numbers 84,309. of whom 13,069 are women; the non- established staff, many of whom are employed only a few hours a day. num- ber 65,801, of whom 17,465 are women. â€"â€"â€"â€"â€".â€"-â€"-._â€"7.. \VATER IN THE LAKES. Attention has been called to the very remarkable effect of the wind on vari- ous island bodies of water. It is not unusual forthe residents in towns on the shores of lakes to be greatly in- convenienced. provided a heavy wind blowing on shore continues for any length of time. In one Baltic Sea the level has been altered for upwards of eight feet. Sometimes the water is blown out of a channel. leaving it al~ most dry. In one instance a depression of six feet occurred on one side of a. body of water with a corresponding rise of six feet on the other. Lake Erie has been known to alter its level a distanca of fifteen feet on account of heavy winds.and Lake Michigan was at one time the subject of considerable interest from the same cause. The wind was heavy and continuous and piled the water up on one side. while the other one was so low that pvoplr- wallced out upon the rocks where in the memory of man no feet had ever irodden. neurons 0L1] at. MR. Will. ELLIOTT TELLS HOW TO OBTAIN IT. -â€", He Has Been Subject to l-‘nlntlrx Spells and (‘mmpsâ€"wiis Gradually GNWIDI Weaker and “‘enk- ' . From the Echo, Plattsville, Ont. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills have attain- ed a most enviable reputation in this Community. Probably no other media cine has had such a large and increas- ing 5810 here. The reason isthat this medicine cures. Old and young alike are benefited by its use. Recently we printed an account of a remarkable cure ofawell knownlady of this place through the agency of Dr. \\"illiums' Pink Pills. and since publishing that we have heard of another similar case. Mir- Wm. Elliott. a farmer living near Bright. isawell known figure there. Although an old mun he almost. daily walks to the village, adistnnce of nearly a mile. for his mail. Many years ago he. came from Scotland to the farm on which he now lives and cleared it of forest. In conversation with him, be related to an l‘lcho reâ€" porter the followlng: "I am 78 years of ageand stron and healthyfor an old man. M‘ine as been a vigorous constitution and up till six years ago I hardly knew what it was to have a day’s illness} But then my. health began to fail. I became subject to cramps in the stomach. I was treatâ€" ed bv doctors. but received no benefit. I gradually grew weaker and us I was past the threee score and ten. I thought my time had come. Next I took fainting fits and often I would have to be carried back to the house entirely helpless. The doctors said my trouble was general weakness due to old age and advised me to carry"r some stuuulnnt with me to use when I felt a faintness coming on, but this Irefused _do.‘I had read in the papers of Dr. William 5 Pink Pills and thought they woufi 'be specially adapted to my case. I tried one box but they did not seem to help me. In fact Ithought I felt worse. I decided to continue them. however, and. after taking four boxes there was a marked improvement. My strcngt returned and l was no longer trouble with fainting spells. In Six'months time with this treatment I gained fif- teen pounds, taking in all eight boxes of the Pills. To-duy Iam awell man and I owe my complete recovery to Dr. \Villinms’ Pink Pills." These pills cure not by purging the system as do ordinary medicines, but by enriching the blood and strength- ening the nerves. They cure rheuma- tism sciatica, locomotor ataxia, para- lysis, heart troubles, erysipelns and all forms of weakness. Ladies will find them ah unrivalled medicine for all ailments peculiar to the sex; restoring health and vigor, and bringing urosy glow to pale and saliow cheeks. There is no other medicine "just as good.’ See that the full name. Dr. Williams Pink Pills for Pale People is on every package you buy. If your dealer does not have them. they will be sent post paid at 50 cents a box, or sixlboxos for $2.50, by addressing the Dr. Williams' Medicine 00.. Brockvillc, Ont., '01‘ Schenectady, New York. DOMESTIC ICE MACHINE. A description comes from London of a handâ€"driven ice machine which makes small blocks of ice for domestic use. With it any one can turn out alump of ice weighing 11-4 pounds in about: twenty minutes. The only other chemical used is ordinary commercial sulphuric acid. A single charge will make from seventy-five to 100 blocks of ice, and the process is very inex- -,pensive. In tropical climates or on shipboard, or in the country, where it is only desired to cool water, milk or other beverage, the machine can be used directly for that purpose. To cool water it is simply necessary to insert arubber tube connected with the machine in the neck of a bottle containing the fluid and then rotate the machine. In from three to five minutes the contents will be icy cold. The cost of the whole equipment is extmmely low. COST OF THE WAR. The war with Spain is estimated to have cost the United States about $150,000,000. or a little more than 81,- 300,000 for each of the 114 days durâ€" ing which it lasted. The actual dis~ bursemcnts for war purposes from March, when the anticipatory expen- ditures were made to August l3tli am- ounted to $98,000,000. The remainder of the estimate covers exrwnses on war account after the signing of the peace protocol. The cost. in human life, so for as the American forces are con- cerned, was much less than anticipat- ed. The navy had 1 officer and 13 men killed, and 3 officers and 40 men wounded. In the army 23 offitwrs and 2.36 men were killed, and 87 officers and 1,106 men Wounded. The mortality from disease cannot be accurately es- timated. .______.._â€"-n-â€"â€"â€"-â€"â€"â€" AN EXCLUSIVE FAhllliY. Mrs. Forundelâ€"“diatl invite’the Downtown girls to our party! \‘l by. my dear. their father is in trade. He kec a shop. 31%;; l-‘oruudelâ€"l know, ma, but he is awfully exclusive. llv- never advnr- liars. and doesn't have to serve a cue- tomer once a week. W”... o...â€" A BIG METEOR. A special (lespatch to the London lhily Mail from Cape Town says that. a meteor, that is described on being half the size of St. l’uul‘s Cathedral, his fallen at Port Alfred. it made a llult‘ in the ground :31) feet deep, WJeeb long. and 60 feet wide.