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AFFAIRS IN ILLINOIS. : ITEMS GATHERED " FKO* VARIOUS SOCBCKS. ; What R - ' S;I- J f -v •: ft. Onr Neighbors Are Doing--Matters of icucrai and Local Interest -- Mar­ riages an>. Deaths--Accidents and Crimes --Perimiml Pointers. ---A letter from Jacksonville gives the following particulars of a sensational tragedy: £**•_ For a long time the affairs of Miss Fannie ' . Keener, ft young, beautiful. and wealthy white j '•« pirl, and Nathan PoBten, her colored poaebman, ' "ftvo been tlio gc>88i(> of the town. Some time ago Poster) vrent to Iowa, and while he was v* there Miss Keener sent the negro a large amount 'Of valuable property. It was thought there * "would be nothiDg more between Miss Keener -» and Posten, but. the negro suddenly r^tmned to y*' Jacksonville, aad at once proceeded to the home -S&4 ' Miss Keener, where he was met by Tom »^S3«r" Keener, who ordered the negro away. Posten S'JIJsI turned to go, but as he turned met Miss Keener ' and a young man named Bancroft. Without ft *, warning the negro drew apistol and began ehoot- X , ing, first at Bancroft, who was twice wounded, tef- :..and then at Miss Keener, who promptly re- * y-"C" turned the lire, both being wounded. Miss , - • Keener was shot through the lungs and hips > f , »'and is in a very critical condition. Posten was , • *• shot in the arm and head. At this juncture J; . ' rons Keener and a colored boy named James .. Brown, took a hand, clubbing Posten until dis- r « armed by the crowd of people drawn to the »t* " «soene. Posten is in jail, but so terribly injured that it is thought he cannot recover. The *'t > Keener family is one of the most prominent in ^ "^Jacksonville. --Henry Williams, while oiling ma- .^chiaery in an. Enfield mill, had his left .forearm ground to a palp. *: --The Bloomington Mutual Benefit .-Association has decided to move its head­ quarters to Chicaco May 31 prox. (\ f - • --The products of Bloomington's fao- V*;f' tories in 1889 were worth $2,647,003, a large increase over the value of any year's products. •TV? --The State Ndrmal University at Kor- . mal resumed wort: last week with the > largest attendance in all its history. •f' ' Thera are 509 students in the normal 4. : ? school, and 1,000 in the institution in all |sJ;-;, ' its departments. The winter term of the f . » Southern Illinois Normal University • %;»" .opened at Oarbond<tle. Three hundred and seventy-five students have been en- • -rolled. Four hundred and fifty in all j*.' 1 are expected. ^ -- Mackey, Peoria murderer, was |^^;fo»Bd guilty at Beoria, the jnry fixing : punishment at five yeass in the peni- '• ' tentiary. The verdict was thfe^btilVjfrf a ^ " -compromise, and the disappointment of y jthe people is intense. £, --Mrs. Paulina Davis, aged '6$. has ap- ff - plied at Bloomington for a divorce from her husband, John M. Davis, with whom •he has lived fifty-two years., ' She charges him with oruelty and neglect. --The Canal Commissioners have sub­ mitted to the Governor their report for £VV the year ending Nov. 1 last. It shows 31?' the receipts from all sources to be $96,- p, 7 696.21 and dockage from Henry and Cop- P-j : peras Creek $4,277.30; total, $100,973.51; ' making total resources at that date, in- j^Veluding amount on hand, $164,298.64. Disbursements of the year, $90,188, leav- >1 r^ing a balance of $74,110.64. All expenses p . were paid by the earnings of the river . and canal without appropriation, but new gates at Henry and Copperas Creek will |*V' be required during the ensuing year. I --J. L. Haas, of Bock Island, a promi- ,, nent member of the Modern Woodmen of America, is in receipt of a letter from - §tftt»»«A.Qditor Pavey, who has been in- :vestigating the accounts of Head Consul $. , ' Root, in which it is said that the order is flourishing and has a membership of yf 38,684, but that there have been gross ir- regularities and flagrant abuses by some #<•> one who has been concerned in the man- agement. Who he is remains io be | ; proved. fThe Attorney General is in pos- ' session of the fact and will prosecute, v' 1 --The State Board of Agriculture as- f sembled at the State capital last week. IV * The report of the Finance Committed •) ;. shows the receipts from all sources for . 1889 to be $106,2^8.28, and a total expen- *^1,.' diture of $71,505.09. The Board reports ' ' .a deficit on tfae exhibition of the Fat- i Stock Show at Chicago of $5,250, leaving -Kp a balance on hand Jan. 1, 1890, of $34,- K ' if; 703.19. There is a great demand for 1 * V space to erect buildings on the fairgrounds % at Peoria and the Board will add ten f' .% acres to the grounds now used in order to , afford proper accommodations. The date for holding the State Fair this year was fixed for Sept. 20 to Oct. 1. Union Fariu- Ifa^tCers' Institutes will be held in the First, !; Third, and Fonrth Congressional Dis­ tricts this year. The Board fixed the time ' ior opening the Fat-Stock Show at Chi- cago for Nov. 13, 1890, conditioned upon their being able to secure the Exposi- l>;-.tion Building for that purpose. Mr. ft" Pearce of Chicago guaranteed that the I";' $20,000 guaranteed fund should be raised. ?L\ --A score of men who are given to |t" hunting and fishing in the Fox Biver r.[ , region attended the second annual meet- P'" 1 ing of the Fox River Fish and Game As- i> 'sociation at the Sherman House, in Chi- cago, last week. The objects of the or- ganization are to help in the enforcement of fish and game laws, to press for the enactment of new statutes for the pres- !!' ervation of fish and game, and to see that proper fishways are put in all the feT-dams in Fox River. | , , - ^ - S e v e r a l h o u s e s l>n been plundered by burglars. p/ , --The dry goods house of Burger, el ^ Cairo, has been placed in the hands of a receiver. • The assets are $15,000 and the liabilities $35,000. A memorial servioe was held at Illi- , opolis in memory of those victims of the diphtheria there over whose bodies fu­ neral services could not be held at the time of death. The Rev, Robert Clark preached the memorial sermon at the The Sun-h-'V' *y Methodist Episcopal Church ~ y ' day school connected with this church - lost seven members by the epidemic. --The Olney firm of Freeman A Tobias, dealers in dry-goods and clothing, has I' . confessed judgment for $4,000 and the tt.-\ Sheriff has closed their doom. 4^ --The new buildings, erected in Chi- 'f • - cago last year, cost $40,000,'00©, against $25,000,000 in 1888. During 1889 inquestB were held on 1,406 bodies. Only 143 of f," the entire number died from natural Causes. Sixty persons who were born in V America and sixty persons who were born in Germany committed self-murder. Of •sfltff' the remaining eighty-two suicides twenty !#'>£ • ' were Scandinavians and 17 Bohemians. 4 ^ --The transfers of real estate placed " on the records at Chicago in 1889 were * the largest in tlie history of Cook Coun- . ty. The total is $133,374,947, against --The value of the produce received at Chicago last yew, as compared with 1888, is exibited in the annexed table: ' -• , ' • lrtW>. 1888. Flour .....a,080 faa,30«>.000 Wheat..... 15,575,0» I1.21I0.000 Corn..:.. .U--i.•.....-.ii 20,600,010 32.050,000 Oats ........... 11,020,000 15,200,000 Rye ..t. 1,110,000 1,500.000 Barley.. 6,000.000 0,500,000 MUlstuffi, ete 1.48.5,000 1,400.000 Total breadstuff t.. 67 ,̂700,(100 f9i,i5n,0J0 Butter 28,570,000 22,500,1)00 Cheese 5.045,000 4.725,000 Hlden and pelt*........ 6,tK)),(») 5,62.5,000 Wool iVUi'i?. <5,680.000 7,050,000 Flax 6,460,000 5,575,000 Other 8«-eds ...iiv.V 2,401,000 3,300,000 Broom-corn 517,000 040,000 Salt 1,210,000 1,102.000 Potatoes 960,000 2,550,000 TaUow and grease.... 1,125,000 a 1,25,>,000 Hay 1,665,000 2,625,000 Apples 450,000 480,000 Other vegetable*,.,,600,000 350,000 Hops 500,000 1,150,000 Kgga 4.350.000 .1,170,CO J Poultry and game..... 3,675.000 3,.500,000 Live-stock 803.332,000 182.203,000 Beef 5,475,000 4,lo0,008 l'ork. barreled.......t. 585,000 580,000 Lard 6,365,000 5.420,000 Meats (hog) 15,1525,000 11,365,000 Bresfifxl hogs 'AS,000 220,000 SlisceUaneonB 6.500,030 7,290,000 Total produce $388,000,000 $371,000,000 " --The following Illinois pensions have been granted: Original Invalid--Samuel P. Pennington, Van- dalia; James D. Fletcher. Colchester; John Buyers, Gait; Wm. H. Young, Lincoln; Edgar Butterfleld, Joliet: Anderson W. Peter, Macon ; ,ioseph H. Elkinton, Rockbridge; Albert D. Graham, Sparland; Henry Brandt, Chi­ cago: Henry Emerich, Galesburg; David ICoaen, Pana; Henry H. Stauo, Greenville; Willis 1). Maier, Cbioago; George W. Al­ len, Easton; Frank Ebert. Soldiers' Home, (Jniney ; Porter Broderick, Crescent City ; Wil­ son J. Morrow, Peru ; Edward Ott, Ktithsburg; Charles Wolff, Ohicago; Jacob Scherer, Olney; Charlee Deering, Havana • Archibald Van Deren, Tuscola; John Hi Hamilton, Soldiers' Borne; Samuel Hoffman,Still well; Anton Scheu, Sonora. Increase--Thomas Smith, Fairfield; David Hawk, Jetfersonville; John W. Thaw. Marion; Charles H. Knox, Gait; Jacob Metz, Marshall; Jabez W. Todd, Milledgevillo; Oliver Killion, Carlvle ; John M. Buchauan, Bridgeport; Jas­ per Osborne, Holliday; Tlionias Scott, Jefferson-, ville; Frederick Smith, Shelbyvillo ; Alex. Van Winkle, Cnrlinville; Nelson Gettiiigs, Vienna; Alex. C. McPhail, Crittenden ; Charles T. Jolm- son, Vermillion; Martin Jernigan. Kinmundy; Henry C. Foster, Kinmundy; William Knight, Vernon; John W. Hudson, Watneka; Peter Higginn, Chicago; John Jones, Attalia; John White, Bailor Springs; Martin Pig- man, Shawneetown; James E. Lambert, New Burnside ; John Hart, A'irden ; Benjamin Pur- dmn, ltidge Farm; John Case, UrbHna ; Hiram Kincade, Decatur; 8. Chase Hill, Soldiers' Borne, Ouincv; Patrick H. Willard, Littleton ; Reuben Kamsey, Danville; Thomas D. Switzer, Farina; James S. Hlioit, Marissa; ltodi.lpb Thomas, Decatur ; Joseph Bell. El Paso; Honter H. Slayton, Peoria. Restoration and Beissue--Frederick Smith, St. Charles; Milton C. Lybarger, Bushnell; John Andrews, La Harpe; George Hauunau, Hauvoo. Restoration and Increase--Adam N. Pickard, Belvidere ; Jesse K. Grant (dcoeased), Tolono. Reissue--Thomas Hortou, Industry; Jacob Paul, Lanark ; James Hunt, Petersburg; Lemon Baker, Kingston Mines; Albert H. Allen, Chi­ cago. Reissue and Increase--Wm. S. Bonner, Chria- man. Original Widows--Levina J., widow of Joseph A. Vincent, Chicago; brother of Leonard C. Davis, Golconda; minor of Antoine Mavarre, Golden Eayle; minor of Richard Burton, Ar­ eola; Nicholas, father of Thomas Tobias, Chi­ cago ; Charlotte, widow of Jesse K. Grant, Tolo­ no ; Nancy, widow of John Catt, Willow Hill; Margaret, mother of Henry W. liobinson, Che- banse; Martha E., widow of George W. Hunt, McLeansboro ; minor of John Catt. Willow Hill. Mexican Widow--Cassandra, widow ot James Blankenship, Mulberry Grove. . Mexican Survivors--Phtneas M.^Jeffeids, At-* kiuson ; Robert Me 11. Wham, Foxville. --The State Claims Commission at Springfield, have rendered opinions iu sixteen cases brought against the State for damages growing out of the construc­ tion of Copperas Creek dam. They amount in the aggregate to $20,030 and the claims are all rejected. Th6 Com­ mission holds that, as the dam was com­ pleted in October, 1877, the damage ac­ crued from that iate, and that, under the statute, claims for damages arising there­ from were barred if not filed within the following two years. -^At a meeting of nearly one hundred representative citizens of Rock Island, Davenport and Moline, held at Bock Island, Col. J. M. Whittmore, the new commandant at Bock .Island Arsenal, gave the details of a plan for a gun plant at that point, which Congress will be asked to apptove. Col. Whittmore comes direct from Watervliet Arsenal, at West Troy, N. Y., where he was in command for three years. He had charge of the experiments leading to the perfection of the new steel gun for seaconst defense, of which tests have recently been made. He is enthusiastic over the advantages o' the Bock Island arsenal for a gan plant. His plan calls for an original outlay of 9620,000. --The St. Louis and Chicago Railway's line between Litchfield and Mount Olive will be sold at Springfield Wednesday, Feb. 5, under a decree of the United States Circuit Court to satisfy a judg- •uont obtained by the American Loan and Trust Company. No bid less than $50,000 will be entertained, and $15,000 of the purchase money must be paid down and the balance iu thirty days. --Jacob Schaefer, the billiard wizard, was the recipient of an elegant New Year's gift from the hands of Sig. Nico- lini. says the Chicago Xcica. It came in the shape of a watch of a kind and pat­ tern quite unknown in America, there existing but one other specimen. The dial of this timepiece is of porcelain and on it are no hands except the tiny ones which mark the seconds. Figures at the top denote the hour and others midway the dial the minutes. As is well known, Nicolini and his wife are billiard enthu­ siasts. Almost every day of their stay in Chicago Schaefer has played exhibitions for them. In turn he has been treated in a right royal fashion, and the culmina­ tion of all favors came in the shape of the watch given as a New Year's pres­ ent; 9 --The State Auditor ka« leaned a cer­ tificate authorizing the Schuyler County Bank to do business at Bushville, with a capital of $25,000. --The 15,000 Italians of Chicago are arranging to erect a hospital in that city which is to be purely a charitable institu­ tion and intended for the sick of their own race. The hospital will be built by the Italian Medical Association and will be in charge of the eight Italian phy­ sicians now practicing in Chicago. --While drilling for coal on tbe farm >of George Meyers & Bro., near Hillsdale, Bock Island County, at the depth of sixty-two feet a vein of patural gas was struck. . ---There were 12,844 marriage licenses issued in Chicago in 1889. The oldest couple were 75 and 64 years of age and the youngest 18 and 14. The oldest groom was 7C, and the oldest not previ­ ously married bride 59. Licenses were granted to three Chinamen, one of whom married an Irish girl and the other two of whom married German girls. Of the girls to whom licenses were issued 306 were between the ages of 14 and 17. Of the bovs 258 were between the ages of 18 and 21. EL-ven divorced couples were reunited. Two widows who took out Hard on the l>ai ky. One day Secretary Schorz brought •a ex-Confederate General over to see President Hayes. Scliurz had fought against him or been shot by him, or in some way had been thrown in contact or opposition to him rturing the war, and had struck up a great friendship with the Southerner. He had become more or less of a convert to the President's Southern policy of conciliation, and Mr. Schnrz was desirous of bolstering the Presidential arm. The Geueral was introduced into the charmed circle im­ mediately after a Cabinet meeting. Several of Mr. Hayes' advisers remained behind and were presented. After a due amount of manoeuverius, for posi­ tion, the reconstructed tola- his little tale: "To explain to you, Mr. President, what I am about to relate," said he, "it is necessary that 1 should go somewhat into detail. All Southern houses are built with wide verandas running across the front, and not infrequently clear around the house. Here we gather and meet our friends, smoke, drink, tell the news and exchange views. At my house in Middle Alabama, only a fort­ night ago, I sat on my veranda in com­ pany with a judge, two majors, a colonel, three prominent lawyers and the leading physician of tbe county. In a sentence, the brains, blood and aris­ tocracy of tbe county were assembled on my veranda. What is to follow will clearly demonstrate to you, Mr. Presi­ dent, the great, the enormous change which has come over the South under the influence of your beneficent policy. "An old colored man came by the house driving a mule hitched to a cart on which were two bale3 of cotton. He paused for a minute in front of the house to rest his mule, whon one of the party accosted him: " 'Where are you going with that cot­ ton, Uncle Joe?" " "i'se drivin' hit to the station, sah.' " 'Whose cotton is it^' u 'Mine, sah. Mine; an' I'se got two mo' bales to hum, sail, ready to go. I ginned it all myself, sah.' " 'Why, Uncle Joe,'said the Colonel, •you must be getting rich. If you have four bales of cotton all your own, you are a capitalist. I think you ought to treat ?' - «\vy, sartin, sah,' said the negro, 'if you gemrnea will do me the houah to drink with me, I l>e mos' happy to stan' treat.' "So. Mr. President, the whole party took their feet down olf the railing, went down the street, entered a saloon and drank with that eolored man, and at his expense." A solemn stillness fell over the group. Mr. Hayes looked somewhat at a loss to see where his policy had been sus tained, and somewhat dubious as to whether he could approve of anything which in­ volved liquor-driaking. Private Secre­ tary Rogers tried to boost the situation a little. "Yes," said he, "it evidently indicates that a change has been taking place in the social status of the freedmen. While a few years ago it would have been im­ possible for a white man to drink with a colored man, and at his expense, now both are possible, as this gentleman has evidenced. It is very plain, Mr. Presi­ dent, that your beneficent policy has already borne good fruit in ameliorat­ ing the condition of the negro. Do you not think so, Mr. Evarts?" "I am not certain about that," replied the premier. "I would Hke to inquire more clearly into the case. Do I under­ stand you to say, sir, that the old negro ginned his cotton himself?" "So he stated," replied the South­ erner. ttAnd that on the strength of his hav­ ing four bales of ootton you and your friends drank with him?" "Yes, Mr. Secretary." "Aud at his expeuse?" » "Yes, sir." "Well, I think, sir, H wm simply damnable." The whole party looked as if they were drinking hot tea over a dynamite mine. "Simply damnable," repeated the Secretary. "Mr. Evarts," broke in Gen. Schurz, "I fail to seethe justice of your remarks. I would be pleased to have an exp'aua- tion. What in it that is damnable ?" "That this old colored man," replied Mr. Evarts, "should have to gin his cot­ ton twice."-- Washington J*onl. Making It Right with the Court. An amusing incident occurred the other day in Judge Fisher's court, which has just been made public. Judge Fisher is a very dignified man while on the bench, and if ever before a smile wus«known to sweep across his solemn countenance during court houra the fact is not of record. A juror failed to answer to his name when called and an attachment was issued for him. He was brought in two hours later by a deputy sheriff, and btanding before the Judge received a severe reprimand. "Your Honor," said the juror in self- justification, "I have been very sick and the doctor forbid me to come." The man evidently sp >ke the truth and Judge Fisher replied: "Well, that being the case you will not be lined, but must pay costs of this attachment. You may go then and report here again promptly uext Monday morning." "But, Your Honor, my doctor says I will not be able to sit on a jury for two years." "All right," good-naturedly replied the Judge, "make those statements Monday, and if you are not able to serve I will excuse you." This seemed to satisfy the gentleman, and yet he did not go as permitted to do, but began fumbling in his vest pockets, as if looking for something. "You may go," repeated the Judge. "Yes, Your Honor, thauK you; you will excu.se me; I haven't got a cigar with me, Your Honor, but I'd be glad to give it to you. I thought I had, but I haven't. If I ever meet you--" "Mr. Sheriff," thundered the Judge, but before he said more the juror re­ alized he had made a bad break and retreated in good order.--SL Louis Republic. A Lesson of (iratitade. A gentleman making inquiries in Rus­ sia about the method of catching bears in that country was told that to entrap them a pit was dug several feet deep, and after covering it over with turf, leaves, etc., some food was placed on the top. The bear, tempted by the bait, easily fell into the snare. "But," he added, "if four or five hap­ pen to get in together they will get out again." "How does that happen?" inquired the gentleman. "They form a sort of ladder by step­ ping on each other's shoulders and thus easily make their escape." "But how does the bottom one get out ?" Ah 1 these bears, though not poasess- ....^ . ing a mind and soul snch as God has given us, yet feel gratitude, and they won't forget the one who has been the chief means of procuring their liberty. Scampering off, they fetch the branch of a tree, which they let down to their brother, enabling him to join them ir the freedom in which they rejoice." Sensible bears, we would say, are better than some people that we hear about, who Lever help auybody but themselves. Reckoning Change In South America. I had found out that our united fares amounted to $75 in gold; so, before presenting myself at the ticket offico, I had calculated what this would be in sols at eighty-two. I counted out the proper number, and presented them to the ticket clerk; but to him this calcu­ lation was a serious matter not. to be hurried over. So he called me into the office, keeping all the passengers wait­ ing, and said solemnly: "Come, Senor, let us calculate this." He produced a large sheet of fools­ cap, a pen and a horn of powder. So we calculated. He was not what one would call a ready mathematician. Over and over he attacked the difficult problem, irritated, perplexed, impa­ tient, yet ever polite. At each attempt he brought out a different sura. I worked it for him, but he utterly despised my result. I had arrived at it too quickly; far too quickly, with too few figures. I could not be right; it was not such a simple matter as all that. At last some new way of reck­ oning, an inspiration of genius-- flashed across his brain, and after cov­ ering another sheet of paper with a row of five barred gates with a lot of figures running a steeple-chase across them, he came to a conclusion. The number of sols he asked for was less than that I had computed, but he insisted that he was right and would take no more. I paid him, and off he rushed to repeat the process with the others who were bringing him the moneys of the differ­ ent provinces to puzzle further his addled brain. When I was settled down in the train, he flew back to me, informed me that he had just discovered a new and infalliable way of calculating, which, applied to my case, showed that I owed him two sols. He was almost right this time, but not quite, and I paid him the additional demand. Just One Too Many. Ex-Judge Noah Davis was always noted, while he was on the bench, for his i>ertineut questions to witnesses, says the Detroit News. One day a suit was tried before him in which a steam­ ship company was required to show cause why it shonld not pay the dam­ ages to certain goods which had been destroyed by the incontinent actions of truck horses, frightened as it was claimed, by the horrible and unearthly whistles of the steamship which was about to depart from the pier. One of the witnesses was Michael Sweeny, an Irishman, who was present at the time of the accident. Stephen F. Nash, the counsel for the plaintiff, asked Mr. Sweeny if his horses were frightenedT by the whistle of the boat. "They were not, sor," he said. "But what kind of an ear have your horses, Mr. Sweeny?" said Mr. Nash, "They have good earl, sor," he an­ swered "Did you hear the whistle yourself?" "I did, sor. "But." said Judge Davis, turning to tbe innocent-looking ^Ishman, " what kind of a cart or truck was it that you drove, Mike?" "A hand-cart, sor." "Ah," said the Judge, turning apolo getically to the discomposed Mr. Nash, "we have asked one question too many." Not So Fussy its the Carson. A worthy Deacon, iu a Vermont coun­ try town, was discovered by his pastor, one Sunday morning, sawing an arm ful of wood for the kitchen stove. The surprise of the discovery caused the Deacon to drop his saw in consterna­ tion. "I--didn't suppotic you'd see me% par­ son !" he faltered. "Ah," replied the good man, severely, "you must remember, Deacon, that there is one higher than I, who sees every evil act you commit." "Yes, Parson," assented the Deacon; but then he doesn't make such an awful fuss about it.--Burlington (Vt.) Free Press. . Wanted a Little More. "Well, have you farm .'-s had rain enough?" he queried of a farmer on the market Saturday. "Hardly," was the reply. "You haven't? Why, it has rained almost every day for two months!" "Yes, I know. I'm running a skiff around the farm now. t but if we had a little more rain I think I could put on a flatboat add carry bigger loads 1"-- Detroit Free Press. Encouraging Extravagance. John Forth, a Minnesota man, was digging a well when it caved in on him Two men offered to fill up the well for eight dollars, and the widow sat down and figured the funeral expenses at $14. She told them to go ahead, as it would save her $0, and they were at work when her neighbors interfered and com­ pelled her to the extravagance of ex­ huming the body.--Detroit Free Press. Jennie's Pain. Little Jennie awoke her motlierin the middle of the night and complained of a very severe pain. "Where is it, my dear?" asked her mother. "In my corset bones," replied the child, who had a day or two previous donned for the first time those instruments of beauty and torture. "But you haven't any corsets on." "Oh, I know I haven't, but if I bad it would be in my corset bones." There is a vast difference between the expression of a due and delicate ap­ preciation of merit and that false and exaggerated praise which is dictated by adulation. The former is always re­ ceived with pleasure; but the latter wounds the susceptibility of those on whom it is lavished, to a mind rightly constituted there being nothing more painful than undeserved or even excess­ ive commendation. Necessary Precaution. Tramp (at kitchen door)--That cake smells temptin'. Cook--it's some the eookin'-sehool young leddies made--tweuty things mixed wid forty things. "I wish I had some." "Wull, Oi'll give yea piece if ye'll ate it outdonrs. Oi don't want ye to die in th' house."--New York Weekly. "And so, Mr. Good people, you love my daughter?" "Yes, sir. And I would like to marry her." "What guarantee can I have that. you actually love her?" "Well, for one thing you are quoted in Brad street's as being worth $100,000." ^ . .r- ^ LA GRIPPE," NO DOUBT. EMPRESS AUGUSTA DEAD ' ON THK - * iriouar •fifmirrin He Pronounces the Malady a MU«t Type of the Genuine Kuaxlaii Influensa -- Spread of the IMgease In This Country aad in Europe, as Indicated by the JPreas Difipatches- Dr. George F. Sbrady, of New York, {n an article upon the epidemic of influen­ sa, says: "There is now no doubt that inflnema, or what is popularly known as 'the grip,' has become epidemic in this city and is scattered broadcast over the country. It is also quite evident that its general char­ acteristics correspond with those noted in connection with the prevailing type of the jnalady in Russia, Germany, and France. Fortunately it is of such a mild type that, save for its invasion of large districts and for the large number of persons attacked, it would scarcely be noticed in the cate­ gory of ailments connected with the usual ones which occur during the winter months associated with rapid and varied changes of temperature and humidity. "The type of the present epidemic par­ takes more of the febrile and nervous variety than that of the purely catarrhal. The increased temperature in the begin­ ning of the attack, with the severe pains In the head, back, and lower extremities, are the leading phenomena which are noted in the large majority of cases. Only In a comparatively few instances are the coryzal symptoms the leading features oJ the seizure. This latter is, perhaps, a ^ fortunate circumstance, ia view of the generally accepted opinion concerning the . greatly exaggerated danger of bronchitis and pneumonia as necessarv complications. "The reports of the fatality of the dis­ ease, as might have haen expected, have been very much exaggerated. Particu­ larly does this remark apply to the alarming reports of tbe recent death i*ate in Paris. In point of fact, there is no disease with such a wide prevalence which has such a comparatively low mcrtality. In this country, at least, there is yet to be reported the flrst case of death which can be laid to a pure and simple attack of the disease. Even the serious complications are so few as scarcely to merit recognition alongsido of thos» which are constantly occurring with the usual diseases of the season." The rapidity with which the malady is spreading in this country, as well as the progress of the disease abroad may be judged from the following dispatches from the several points mentioned: Scottdale. Pa. -- Harvey Jones, a clerk in the Union Supply company's store, died of an attack of influenza. Jefferson City, Mo.--There are twenty- eight cases of influenza here. Labor Com­ missioner Merriweather and Gov. Francis' private secretary, M. A. Fanning, are among the victims. Greensburg, Kan.--Twenty-three mild cases of influenza are reported by the physicians here. New York--Clinton prison, this 8tate, has 400 grip cases among its inmates. The official clerical force is all abed, too. Montreal, Quebec--The inluenza epi­ demic is increasing and there is a great deal of other sicknen. Little snow and ice remains, and the weather ia very mild and unwholesome. Paris--The mortality is still abnormally great. On Tuesday there were 8SJ) deaths and on Wednesday 884. The re-opening of tbe schools already closed is postponed and others are about to close. The deaths from influenza last week were 2,884. Vienna--The-number of victims of the epidemic is decreasing, but the disease is growing more virulent In Prague and Dresden it is increasing. Reports from St Petersburg say that the Czar's attack turns out to be a case of influenza. Ignatietf and many other prom­ inent peonle are dangerously ill. London--La grippe continues its rav­ ages The Queen of Saxony, Couht Taafe of Austria, and Premier Crispi of Italy are among Its victims. The St. Suloice seminary, the greatest school in Franca, is closest by the diseaso. TB*%IDOW OF OKBJIAKT'g FOKJKKK . , KVLKB FA8SK8 AWAY. PUBLIC DEBT STATEMENT, Unele Sam's Obligations Increased Over •S,000,000 in December. The following is a recapitulation of the publio debt statement for January: INTHllEST-BEARlNG DEBT. Bonds at 4K per cent 1131,367,700 Bonds at 4 per cent. 080,703.700 Refunding certificates at 4 per ccnt Navy pension fund at 3 percent Pacific railroad bonds at 0 per. cent 110.550 .14,000,000 64.623,512 Brief Sketch of Her Life-Her last Hoars --Immense Lass in the Destruction of the I.arken Palace--Salisbury Sends a Threatening Not® to Portugal. Berlin cable: The Dowager Empress Augusta of Germany died on the after­ noon of Tuesday, the ?th, from the ' effects of influenza, from which she had been suffering fer several d ays. The patient, who improved somewhat Monday, had a relapse early Tuesday morning, and her physicians at once de­ clared that her condition was critical. Her respiration was difficult and mem­ bers of the Imperial family were hastily sent for. At 2 o'clock Emperor William and the Empress, with their two eldest sons, Crown Prince William and Prince Frederick, and the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden, son-in-law and daughter respectively of the Dowager Empress, were grouped at her bedside. Count Von Moltke left the palace at noon, much affected at the alarming con­ dition of the Dowager Empress. A large crowd assembled in Untor don Linden before the palace, and much sympathy was shown for the sufferer. The family remained at the bedside until the end. Thefcleath of the Dowager Empress was immediately announced to the people. The dowager Empress Augusta was born Sept. 30, 1811, being the daughter of Grand Duke Karl Fried- rich of Saxe-Weimer. Her children were Friedrich William, who afterward be­ came Emperor and died, and Princess Louise, who married Grand Duke Fried- rich of Baden. Edmund Yates, in his London cable to the New York Tribune, savs: "The Lacken palace is an irreparable loss to the royal family of Belgium, for it was practically the only residence of the King and Queen, who greatly dislike the palacc in Brussels, where they live very little, and the King's chateau in Ardennes is a mere shooting lodge. The loss of the building is not to bo regret­ ted, for it was an edifice remarkable only for its size, but it was literally crammed with priceless tapestry, china, and statuary, and the library contained a rare and splendid collection of books, prints, and manuscripts. The pictures wero of great value and Included a large number of verv interesting family portraits, among which were full- lengths of Queen Victoria, the prince, consort, the Duchess of Kent, the Frin- cess Charlotte. There was also a very fine collection of miniatures and family archives, and the whole of the King's correspondence was also destroyed. The gobelin tapestries were unique, having been sent by Mario Antoinette to her sister, the Archduchess Marie Christian, and they had remained at Lacken ever since." London cable: The Times* Lisbon correspondent says another note from the Marquis of Salisbury was delivered recently. It is believed that this note threatens that unless prompt satisfaction is given for Serpa Pinto's action there will bo an immediato rupture of diplo­ matic relations. The cabinet was imme­ diately convened and Senor Gomo.< was charged to answer at once. The Portu­ guese claims and pretences were ignored somewhat cavalierly in the Marquis of Salisbury's former note. A dispatch from Kiel says that the Portuguese government has employed, German engineers to lay a torpedo mine in the Tagus in view of possible action by the British fleet. The Berlin Kreuz-Zeitung has an article on the strikes and labor troubles in which It declares its belief that, in spite of their unwillingness to desert their long held position, the German employers will bo obliged sooner or later to grant to the work­ men privileges akin to those which are enjoyed by the workmen in England. They will bo compelled to permit, particularly, says the Kreuz-Zetung, the formation of trades unions; and the per­ sistent witliolding of this concession is certain to result in convictions in the industrial world which cannot fail, to work Injury to the employers in the long run. Principal Interest t829.897,4<B 10,088,447 Total 1830,383,909 DEBT Or WHICH INTEREST HAS GSASBD glgCK MATURITY. Principal <1,884,033 Interest 151,057 Total $1,096,503 debt OTAnnro wo istkhebt. Old demand and legal tender notes 1340.737,458 Certificates of deposit 9,000.000 Gold certificates 122,985,880 Silver certificates 282,949,073 Fractional currency, less 18,375,- 884, estimated as lost or destroy­ ed T. 6.914,132 Principal TOTAL DEBT. Principal. Interest . 1768,586.552 .11,(500.328, . 10,240,414 Total $1,610,360.05* Less cash items availa­ ble for reduction of debt.... $427,021,000 Less reserve held for redemption of U. S. uotes 100,000,000 027,021,000 Total debt less available cash items 11,083,548,054 Net cash in the treasury 30,505,143 Debt less cash In the treasury Jan. 1,1800 $1,052,952,911 Debt less cash la the treasury Dec. 1, 1880 1,056,081,004 CLARIvSON WILL RESIGN. Poetmaater.General Wansmakcr'i first Assistant to Step Out. Washington dispatch: The statement made several weeks ago that First Assist­ ant Postmaster-General Clarkson con­ templated resigning has been verified. Mr. Clarkson, in conversation with a cor­ respondent, said that he had originally taken the office only under tho strongest importunities, and that he had accepted it then under the condition that he would not be asked to hold it more than a year. When he accepted the offico he did so only for tho purpose of ridding the party of Democratic postmasters so far as it lay in his power. He hopes to be through with this before very long, and then lie will return to the more congenial field of journalism. He regards the time that he has spent In the office as tho most instructive year of his life. He says he has learned more of the politics of every county and State in the Union in the ten months that ho has been in office than in all the rest of his life put together. There is not a „ county in the States but has had its ler ling Republicans here before him fighting out their local battles, and he knows now the exact standing and exact worth of every Republican politician In the country. Decrease of debt during month....$ 3,128^009 Decrease of debt since June 30.1889 23,603.710 CASH IN THE TREASURY AVAILABLE FOK RE­ DUCTION Or THE PUBLIC DVT. Gold held for pold securities actu­ ally outstanding $ 122,085,880 Silver held for silver certificates actually outstanding....... 282,910,073 United States notes held for certi­ ficates of deposit actually out­ standing 9,000,000 Cash held for matured debt and , interest unpaid 12,085,030 Fractional currency 990 Total available for reduction of the debt $ 427,021,000 RESERVE FUND. lleld for redemption of Cnlted States notes, acts Jan. 14, 1875, and July 12 1882.... $ 100,000,000 UNAVAILABLE TOR REDUCTION Or THE DEBT SIX 21,007,028 83,771 22,011,702 34.1^0.006 30,505.143 Fractional Bllver coin Minor co in Total Certificates held as cash Net cash balance on hand... Total oash in the treasury as shown by treasurer's general account...... $ 613,706,911 Criinimal Notes. A kkoro was found hanging to a tree in Bossier parish, Louisianna. He had been guilty of mar»y offenses. W, E. Tabler, a Paducah, Ky,, harness manufacturer, has fled, leaving behind forged indorsements to worth of notes; As unknown man made an attempt M kill Rev, Father James Kelluy, of 8t Patrick's church, Rochester. After assaulting and badly injuring the priest with a blow on the head he mam hto escape, The motive for the cri-ae Is a mystery. EXPLOSION IN A MIN& A Wen Placed In Peril of Their Uvea-- Five of Them Rescued. At tho Nottingham mine in Plymouth, Pa., a terrific explosion of gas occurred. There had been a heavy fall of coal i&d this forced the gas toward the shaft, but on its way it was ignited by the naked lamps of miners alftd exploded. The brattice work and timber at once caught fire and burned furiously. Five men were Vaught between the cave-in and the fire and all manner of exit was cut off. The live Imprisoned men were finally brought out uninjured. Thomas Richards, who was in another part of the mine, was severely burned by the ex­ plosion and it is feared he cannot re­ cover. Part of the workings of the mine are located under the Susquehanna river, and the miners state that water is oozing through near where the cave-in occurred last week. They fear the river may break into tho mine. IMPORTANT DECISION. The Government Compelled to Refund •d,000,000 to Importers. Washington dispatch: In an opinion rendered in the well-known Edelhoflf customs case the Supremo court holds that silk and cotton ribbons used ex­ clusively as hat trimmings are dutiable at 20 per cent, under the provision in the ' tariff act of 1883 for "trimmings for hats, bonnets, and not at 50 per cent under provision for materials of which silk is the component of chief value." The government will by this decision be com­ pelled to refund about $0,000,000 to im­ porters in Phi lade hia. New York, Bm» " ton and other places. fie Castle ot the Original On a bright morning in May, 1 left Angers for Nantes, the metropolis of Brittany. As I was. about to take the train, a friend, who had come to Me nw off, said with a parting hand-shake: "By the by, before you get to As- cenis, there is a station called Cliamp- toee. As the cars pull up, look to the right, and you will pee the ruins of an old chateau. Take them in well, they ' are the remains *. f Bine-Beard's castle." "Blue-Beard's cnstle! What Bh»> ; Beard do you mean ?" "Surely there is only one. Perre- ault's Blue-Beard. Offenbach's Bine- Beard. * "Did he ever live?" "Certainly, in flesh and bone as too • and I,--with tbis difference,--that he was a hard case to begia with, and a marshal of France into the bargain,* > "Really? What was his name? " wGille3 De Retz, a descendant of one of the oldest families of Europe. Hi* caVeer was most extraordinary.** The name was not unknown to me. 1 . had read of it in the chronicles in whieh is handed down to us the marvellous story of the Maid of Orleans. Bat what could be the conuection be twees : it and the blvjod-thirsty hero of Perm auit's celebrated tale ? This question suggested itself to my mind as the train bore me at fall speed over the waving hills that border the Loire, and from one thought to another, I found myself unconsciously rehearsing the iliflereut scenes, phases, and catas- , trophes of the childish drama which I grandmothers take such delight in pre­ senting to their little gaping and shud­ dering audiences. I could see the youthful bride, led on by curiosity, creep tremblingly, cluteh- ' ing the little gold key, to the fatal door, open it noiselessly, utter a cry of hor-1 ror, and drop faiuting at the sight oi ; the bloody bodies hung in a row. Then the sudden return of the angry husband to the castle, his fury on see­ ing f-e little gold key soiled with blood, his brandishing of "the deadly sword with the infuriated cries of "Preparo tc die, madam!" I could hear the pitiful tones of the poor victim, during the short respite granted her, as she called to her sister perched up on the tower: "Ann, sistet Ann, seest thou no one come?" And the lamentable reply: "No, I see noth-. ing but the shining huu on the dusty - road!" And at last came tlie sigh of relief of yore, as I fancied I could hear from afar off the sounding approach of the galloping rescuers. The vision haunted me till we reached Champtoce, where, sure enough, I saw on the right, as my friend directed, ibout a quarter of a mile off, the: jagged form of a lofty medieval tower which rose about a heap of ruius and a clump of stunted oaks, casting against • the heavens its vast and sombre out- ' ]jn<> _ This was Gilles de Beta's castle,: J. Blue-Beard's home. Or rather it was:; , (£- one of his castles, for he had many, the^,s H;l|: whole surrounding oountry which bear*> ' his name (Pays de Betz) having onr* pM: been his.--Louis Frechette, in tht ; Arena. A Forty-Dollar Joke. •* ^ • If a prominent physician over in the northwest hasn't got even with one' practical joker then it doesn't lie in tbe telling. The phvsician lives in a very modern establishment. Not only is there a special night-hell, but a speak-< ing tube connects the door-steps with , the head of his bed. The practical.* joker has had fun with this. He lias been coming along about 1:30 a. m. ant standing on the opposite corner and laughing until his sides ached thinking how funny he was and what a good time < < ^ he was having. Then he would cross : over and ring the night-bell and howl , up the speaking tube as if a whole regi , " ment of mothers-in-law on the next block had ten-minute cholera and were »'• dying by the wagon-load. And the'rf: , poor, tired doctor would rouae out of . his first sweet sleep and "hello" down' tlie'tube. Then the fanny man would ^ say: , *7 >_v "Does Dr. J live here?" ^ "Yes." "Have you lived here*long?* "For twenty years. Who ace yvtkf c ^ I' What the blazes do you want?** f"'- "Just want to I know why vou dont ^ move. That's all. Ta! ta!* " And then the funny man bounces' Jk] down into the street and sooots home, '.'f ; : where he laughs for half an hour ,' straight. . ^ He didn't laugh half so much the; other night. The doctor was loaded^ for him. He knew that laugh and that - ; yell, and he struck a funnel in the tube and poured in two quarts of acquafortis." " Stafford's indelible ink, liquid lye, and ; ^ a few chemical whiffs of torment. It *, ' ' gurgled and gurgled for one second and " then struck Dofuuny in the mug jnst as , he opened his mouth for another howl. "' * \ It came with a thirty-foot fall and a ten-" !, ^ # pound pressure to the square inch. ' *"1 H e s w a l l o w e d a p i n t b e f o r e h e c o u l d , £ tfet his mouth shut, and the impromptu ," hose played away all over his face and ' silk hat, and shirt front, and dress . suit. It was a roof-raiser, and curled •• him like u cockroach on a hot shovel. ' * $ It will cost the doctor $40 for plumb- ^ ing, but he grins every time he thinks of it -- Waihington Post. , 'Sjr - Politeness In Seoul. " *4 The natives in the East who halt % become familiar with foreigners and - f; 741 their customs take very readily to tbe ' kv custom of calling--and eating--on New - ^ Year's day, and one lady had a very pe- ^ , culiar experience with a native official ; ^ in Seoul last year. She was keeping "open house," and had made some preparation for receiv- ing her guests in the proper manner. Among other things, she had prepared with her own hands a very excellent . cake, which she exited to distribute in little bits to all who favored her with a call. A party of native gentlemen arrived, and. having given one of them a cup of tea, she placed this fine cake before him, with an iuvitafion to help himself. She then went with the others to another room, and was gone some time. When she returned, she saw to her horror that her beautiful cake had all bat disappeared down the throat of the poor fellow, who had tried his best to do the polite thing--according to his country's customs--and not leave any of the "food set before him, thus show­ ing his appreciation of the host's table and hospitality. The lady's vexation was banished by a feeling of commis­ eration for the miserable man, who seemed to be very much in need of an emetic just then. It is said this call was his first and last on that day, as he declared to a friend that foreign­ ers must be all-stomach, if they could go from house to hoivse and do justice to the hospitality of each.--Home Mag* m • , m ' It is aoi the brave maa that haa ; fear--it is the liar. • •