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THE OUT-OF-DATE COUPLE. Wp are "so out of date," they say, JXed and 1; ;1 We love in an old-fashioned way, Long since pone by. He says i am his helpmate true In every thing; And.l--well. 1 will own to you, He is my king. ,We met in no romantic way 'Twixt "glow and gloom:" He wooed me on a Winter day, And in--a room; Yet, through life's hours of .stress and storm, . When griefs befell. Love kept our small home corner warm, And all was well. Ned thinks, no woman like his wife-- But let that pass; Perhaps we View the dual life Through roseate glass; I'iTen if the prospects be not bright - W'ehoWl'frtnie • •---- --:iv~ The heaviest burdens may grow light When shared by two. Upon the gilded scroll of fame. Emblazoned fair. - I .cannot hope to read the name I pTondly beSr; : ' But, happy 'hi t their even flo w, • years glide by: „ We are behind the times, we know-- Ned and I. ' , --Ch ambers ' J on rn a 1. --- . ELMER DUDGEON. - - ' TEACHER. When he first thought about teach­ ing jj^etfliifrr> school the prime consid­ eration was to get money enough to re­ sume his study of the law. He had al­ ways been a good debater, aud this young man shared the popular delusion that a ready speech was the first and "last requirement of an advocate. The first two or three times he signed "Ei­ sner Dudgeon. Teacher," in the weekly report book, he had smiled to think of himself in so common a calling. But now that the winter term was half over he had come to find other charms in the business than that of acquiring money. Like virtue, ,it brought an unexpected reward. ' In the first place lie found -himself ranked pretty high by those plain coun­ try people. They looked up to his su­ perior information, and made him a sort of arbiter in their disputes about. life in the larger towns; for he had never lived in a city of less than 3,000 Inhabitants in his life, Secondly, there were novel entertain­ ments. The spelling schools amused him and the country debates interested him. He reallyjfelt like improving the minds of these people. The Sunday night services ill the little churches touched hini with their evident sin­ cerity and the rough eloquence of the preachers. He saw where they failed in rhetoric, and resolutely closed his ears to their assaults on grammar. But he recognized the force and directness of their sermons. And there was a third reason why lie came to like teaching country school. That was the presence of Ella Harrity In the neighborhood. She was not a pupil at the beginning of the term, but as soon as the butchering was done and the corn was husked she declared her Intention of coming. .She was a rather large, rather stout and altogether ruddy young woman, and she might have had half a dozen beaux at one time if she had cared to whistle them to her ser­ vice. There were other young women. Some as old as she was in the school; and they were not half bad, he confessed. But none of them was quite as enticing as Ella Harrity. He really hoped she would not come to school, for he had taken her to a debate one night and wanted to take her again. And he encouraged himself In a virtuous conviction that it would be bad form for a teacher to "keep com­ pany" with one of his pupils. When she did start to school he closed his eyes to the slow enticements of her buxom beauty and devoted him­ self very strictly to his work. That lasted a week. The beginning of the second he found himself thinking of her so much that he was afraid he was showing her some partiality. He gave her a good deal of attention, it was true, but he hoped none of the rest 'imagined he wouldn't do as much for them if they needed it. However, when he heard a rumor to the effect that Granny Dormer had said that someone told her that the report was »ut that it had been whispered that he was letting Ella Harity run the school, tils resolution was taken. He would- graces of the younger population. And it was a rare day that did not bring him the assurance that he was the best teacher that had ever come to Collins' schoolhouse. He w(k)t coon hunting one night and didn't gertired out with a twelve-mile tramp, and that won him friends amewg the active men--those too old to come to school, though he knew they fieeded it, and too young to be account­ ed heads of families. When he went to town Saturday afternoon he "wasn't afraid of his money," and that made a difference. He was a £ood skater, and he wasn't afriad of a "rassel" in the snow with anybody. It was added gratification that Jim Tucker had quit calling at the Harrity home since Ella started to school. El- mer could scarcely be insensible to thk hints which, indicated that he was a suc­ cessful rival. Jim had made remarks on the matter which, of course, reached the ears of the teacher; and the teacher announced without hesitation that he would stand Jim Tucker oh his head some day. . " Popularity made • the teacher com­ bative, and he lost no opportunity to propagate trouble. -He grew to dislike Jim more and more as that ponderous young man passed linresented succes-. sive, unexpressed but well understood challenges. Furthermore, his relations witli Ella Harrity 'had advanced to that stage . when he ̂ .considered*/-himself rather better than anyone else in the world. That is a sure sign that a man has established himself firmly in the good graces of one woman. Just after New Year's there was a fine fall of snow, and Elmer Dudgeon interested the young fellows of the neighborhood whose fathers had horses and sleighs, and they all took an ex­ tended and delightful sleigh ride. He was rather ostentatiously careful that Jim Tucker was not included in the party. Jim as ostentatiously declared he wouldn't have been caught with them, but Elmer knew that was con­ fession of a wound. And he was pleased accordingly. Indeed, as time passed he grew so strong he would not hear the whispers which could have told him that the neighborhood was becoming divided, and that Jim Tucker, with his forty acres of land and plenty of "stock," was acquiring quite a following.' When the whispers grew, to audible notes and he could not avoid hearing them he greeted them with joy. HiS combative nature stirred in every moment when not occupied with his school, and lie really thought rather more of some With a giggling glance at the teacher, that he .guessed Jim wasn't. And the teacher's eyes twinkled with delight at the discomfiture of his rival. For he was having a very good time. He insisted on helping the girls "set the table," and was chased all over the dining-room. He invaded the kitchen anvb offered mock assistance, and was threatened with scalding. He moved about the place In a very atmosphere of adulation. , And he paused, with a premonition of something unwelcome, when he heard a sturdy rap of knuckles on the outer door. It was Jim Tucker, who expressed surprise• to find' all the young-people- gathered, announced that he had come over to see "Old Man Collins" and passed--palpably triumphant--injfe) the sitting-room where the old farmland his wife were toasting their feet a&the fire. ElmeiM)udgeou was not the hero he had fancied himself. He/knew Jim's coming was in the nature of a challenge, and he would be expected to do something. However, the excuse was a perfectly reasonable one, and lie must not appear too dictatorial. „ .Stipper was anounced, and the com­ pany gathered about the long tables. Ella; Harity and two of the pthers vol­ unteered as waiters, and conversation became an eftsy thing. Whether thp oysters were good is a matter quite foreign to the' purpose of this story. Everyone declared they were, and there was deserved commendation ; for the forethought that had provided the bananas. Pickles and chopped cab­ bage, milk and Cider, bread and butter, all from good Mrs. Collins, big cellar, completed the menu; and--if it had not been for the presence of Jim Tucker there in the fr nt room--Elmer Dud­ geon would have known his supper was a success, Then came the "second table." One of the girls declared it was hardly the right thing to leave Jim Tucker with­ out nn invitation, now that he was right in the house, and the giver of the feast saw with disappointment that he was likely to be braved,,by,.,the very ones he had bidden. So he tried to waive all objections, and Jim was summoned-- maybe urged, would be the better word --to the table. He came, and from the first it was evident thy had been losing more than he had. He was a witty fel­ low, and his sallies provoked the most genuine and general laughter they had known in the evening. Somehow lie stood on better terms with more of the girls than did any other of the men. They said he "had such a way with him." He cer- .TIM Tl 'ClvEJi PICKED I 'P HIS COAT AND HAT, SAYING HE THOUGHT WHIP ANY TEACHER THAT EVE It TAUGHT SCHOOI. . HE COI ' I .D means of humbling that yeoman than he did of anything else. He knew how superior he was to Jim Tucker aud he kindly admitted it to all his admirers. After the sleighing was gone the neighborhood fell into a rather dull season. And then they had cause to thank their stars that Elmer Dudgeon was a man or resources. He proposed an oyster supper. That was a novelty in the country. It was receivM with joyous acclaiming. Ella Harrity smiled up at him with her big brown eyes and told him no one else could have thought of such a thing. He was amused how easy it was to take and keep precedence in this simple neigh* borhood. He induced Mrs. Collins to give up her kitchen and dining-room to the revelers one night, and then he sent to town for the oysters. He had money, and while he was about it he bought some bananas. He would make it an event not to be forgotten in the Collins neighborhood. He sent his invitations, omitting Jim Tucker with rather un­ necessary display, and thought more of his social affair than he did of his school. Ella Harrity and half a dozen of the other girls declared themselves able to across the yard. Tlvoy had been wait­ ing. The teacher, as well as the rest, understood the significance of • their presence. "You brought your sluggers along, did you ?" he asked, suddenly warming. The women were more importunate than before, beseeching him not to pay any attention. The men were only mildly restraining. They wanted to see a fight. Dudgeon looked toward old Squire Collins. Out of regard for that veteran he would have passed the prov­ ocation, even then. But Collins him­ self lia.d been a youth in his day and he spat energetically on" the ground and declared himself: v' •.. ----^ "You boys aiu't no business comin' around here looking for a row, and I ILLINOIS INCIDENTS. SOBER OR STARTLING, FAITH­ FULLY RECORDED. Chicago Too Swift for an Emiuington Maiden--Waukeg<in Man's Desperate Act--Queer Heirship Complications in St, Claii* County. Plight of a Country Girl. Freda Harrison, who lives with her uncle on a farm three miles oat from Enunington, went to Chicago Saturday to buy presents for her cousin at home aud a new dress for herself. She had finished don't see how the teacher kin help go- 1 her shopping and was emerging from a iii' and trouuein' the whole pack and boodle of you." Iu half a minute Elmer Dudgeon and Jim Tucker, were tangled all up in tbe'most informal of conflicts. Muck­ er's friends were the more numerous and the more inclined to assist their AXD THEY THEY WAI.KED TO HER TOGETHER. 0 & WAS CHASED AI.I . OVER THE DINING- ROOM AND THREATENED WITH SCALD­ ING. cook the oysters, and they were as­ signed the "task. The young fellows carried the dishes, the girls borrowed from the neighbors, and about thirty people gathered in the big rooms of the farmhouse on the Saturday evening When the event of the season was to occur. •• Tbiey-i jsat around through the first hour. barrassed as a tainly dared adventures that would have frightened others. And it really did not seem that he lost favor with the girls by doing it. Moreover, they were all at the table with him--and the one or two other young men who had been "left over," and who were of the in­ offensive variety. Clearly, if Elmer Dudgeon had ar­ ranged this affair for the discrediting of Jim Tucker, it was a failure. And yet that very fact waked com- bativeness in the man. He was mas­ ter of ceremonies here, and he would prevail. . ' "How's the walking outside, Jim?" he asked, cheerily, and the company wondered. "Purty good, only the wind is blow­ ing." "Must be blowing from the direction of your house, isn't it?" The imputation that Jim's arrival was thus accounted for won such encour­ agement as is implied in laughter. Jim saw his strength must lie in the inno­ cence of his intentions. "No, I walked. Jl just come over to buy some beef of Squire Collins. We're mighty nigh out of meat at our house.' "Oysters are cheaper--if you don't have to pay for them." .Tim Tucker bounded to his feet, and half tipped Over the table. He was white with rage. Abundantly able to pay all bills, that thrust was the one he could not suffer in silence. "What does your second-hand oyster supper cost?" lie thundered. "I'M pay tin- whole bill." "They were second-hand oysters," said Dudgeon, steadily, though he knew a conflict was coming; "but the cooking made them pretty good." But Jim declined to be caught in such a trap. He whlked straight up to the school-teacher, and thrust some money in his fa ye. "You ain't so rich as you think," he declared, very much excited, and very much desirous of such a calm as lie saw on the face of his antagonist. "Other people's got money. And you ain't so smart as you think you are-- with your good clothes, and your stuck- up ways. I'm just as good a man as you tire." "This is no place to argue a question like that," protested the teacher, never moving, never raising his voice from the steady, even tone, "Then come outside, and set tie it before Christmas some or, me older pupils came to him and asked, with an ominous quality in their de­ meanor, if he* were going to "treat" on the jolly holiday. He laUghed and told them he "wasn't going to do anything else." And he didn't When they took their places in. the schoolroom Christ­ mas morning he opened a big box he had smuggled into the building ̂ some­ how and distributed candy and picture cards Qll every one was happy. Then he dismissed tfieco and told them they might skate all day if they wanted to. Punishing Ella Harrity had woh all the parents in the district "Treating" the school established him in the good ainst tue waii much em- rule. and the general eye followed the teacher, whose easy d--carriage--proved--iitm--"use*!--to--ctuih. pa»y." Some of the other youths tried to talk, but they confined themselves to covert allusions, jokes on each other and remarks about the weather.* Ella Harrity was gay in a new brown dress, with a lace collar and real furs, which she declined to lay aside for a long time, alleging the rooms were chilly. But when she had been properly ad­ mired by everybody she said she didn't care if she did catch cold, and tossed the wrap aside. ,. Presently the most officious of the young women summoned the rest to the dining-room, and in the absence of formality which followed an occupation they all understood, thes^rits of the party rose perceptibly. Someone asked if Jim Tucker wasn't coming, and somebody else replied, Jim Tucker threw all restraint to the wind, and starred to the door. All the guests, with old Squire Collins and his wife, hurried into the room. There was great excitement. Dudgeon had skillfully thrown the blame for the leader. He was a fixture in the neigh­ borhood. Teachers came and teachers went every winter. The friends of Dudgeon gave hini little help. It was a long aud losing combat fox the city man. All his skill, all his science and the strength he had felt was greater than that of othe/r-taen, availed him nothing. When he gained an advantage he was robbed of it by interference which his guests did not resent. And the end of it was that Jim Tucker picked up his cap and put on his coat and vaunted in loud voice his belief that he could maul any teacher that ever went into a schoolhouse. And poor Dudgeon was led, blind and bleeding, through the dining-room which was to have been the theater of his aggrandizement to the room where lie was to sleep--if, indeed, the drowsy god could reach him through the thrill of pain and the agony of humiliation. By morning he was what might safe­ ly have been called a sight. Ilis fea­ tures were swollen out of their proper proportions, and he was sore in. body. But he had returned to first principles. A teacher's one duty was to teach. All the rest of this'had been of a part with his vainglorifying, and it had brought its reward. So he went to school, and conducted the exercises--though there was a hushed awe that told him con­ stantly how far from conventional his appearance was. As the days went by lie recovered whatever beauty he had originally pos­ sessed. But he refused to mingle with the young people in their social affairs. His spirits were crushed. Nothing but duty was left him. Above all things he groaned when he remembered the hints dropped in his presence that Jim Tucker was going with Ella Harrity. Yet even that could not spur him to former efforts. The girl had not been to school since the fight--and he was deeply grateful for that. With returning strength came a rising sense of wrong and the desire for vengeance. But what was the use? So he confided his resolves to ineffec­ tive dreaming. One evening as lie turned from the schoolhouse he was startled by seeing Ella Harrity approaching. He thought she had not yet observed him, and he stepped back into the building and lioped to avoid a meeting! But he was mistaken. She paused directly in front of the little gate and waited. But he was resolved to avoid a meeting. May­ be she wanted to taunt him. Then she called, and he was compelled to open the door. "Come out here," said she. "I want to see you." "I'll be with you in a moment," said the teacher, impressed with the idea that he must not seem to have avoided her. "You haven't been up to our house for two weeks," said the girl. "No, I have been pretty busy." Then their eyes met and each knew conceal­ ment was useless. "Why did you call l'or me?" asked the teacher. "Because I like you," said the girl as directly. And they walked to her home together. Hours later as he came away he en­ countered Jim Tucker, just dismount­ ing at the-gate. He fell upon the coun­ tryman without warning, for he felt that his shorn locks had returned and brought his strength with them. Jim was as a child in his hands. There were no supporters to encourage and assist him. He was badly used, and the teacher had the exquisite pleasure of leading him straight up to the door, and displaying a face as battered as his own had been. r, Curious how a man's ideas of life will change. Dudgeon never went back to the study of law. He took his bride and drifted away to the West, where he invested his money in city lots, and sold while the "boom was oil." He be­ came a leading citizen, and the big, brown-eyed young woman has remain­ ed his pupil, has remained his consoler, even to this day. State street store, when a shaggy-lookin colored boy seized her pocketbook and disappeared in the crowd. With her arms loaded with packages she "gifve pursuit, but was unable to catch sight of the thief again. The purse contained her railroad ticket to Eniuiijigton and about $2. all the money she liad saved* after making the ^•. purchases, Freda is about 13 years Of , 11 age and was at a loss' to know what to k) I'fio. She began to cry and a citizen direct-: j ed her to the Central, station. Between her sObs she related to Sergeant Robert Kisselhurg ' all Jhe ! incidents of her visit "to thy city! Site showed the .policeman the prints she had bought,'and,said that her relatives at home would worry rf. she remained in the city.over night. It was only •twenty "minutes; .before her train would leave, and Freda begged for assist­ ance. "Be . seated a miifutei" said the sergeant "and i 11 see what can be done for you." Sergeant Ivisselburg then went into the squad room and started a sub­ scription among the detectives, heading it himself with a contribution of 50 cents. In less than "five minutes If5 had been raised, and this was given to the distract­ ed girl. An officer was detailed to accom­ pany her to the depot aiyl she arrived there in time to catch the train for Km- niington. When the subscription money was given to her Freda quickly dried her tears and expressed her gratitude to Ser­ geant Kissel burg. New Gymnasium for the Blind. The institution for the blind in Jackson­ ville has long been a source of pride to the State. The latest addition is a gymna­ sium. which has just been completed and was dedicated last evening. It is 50 by 105 feet in size" with a 24-foot ceiling. The main drill room is 48 by TS feet and the floor is made of the best of pine boards overlaid with heavy left, and on top of that is two-inch notched white maple lum­ ber. with ends iuortised and notched so there is no danger of the boards raising JffiffW'is uproarupon tne country man;--For-hin: self, he protested he would be gla<l to meet Jim any where later, but that they had no right to make a disturbance here. And there, opposed to his Steady composure, ranted the rage of his ene­ my. Jim danced about in the yard, and clapped his palms together, tore off his coat with unnecessary violence, and hurled his hat on the ground'as if it hart' been burning him. He was wild with the desire to fight. <• , Up to this time everything had gone on just as Dudgeon wauted it to go. Ella Harrity stood beside and encour­ aged him in what she called his "gen­ tlemanly" behavior. But just here a change appeared. Half a dozoii yourtg men. known to be partisans of Tucker, clambered over the fence and hurried Saved by a Shove. "I was making for a place where the parapet, had been worn down by men running over it, hi order to avoid the exertion of mounting up even four jvhett-ar-voung-soldler passed me on my left side, and, doubtless, not no­ ticing I was wounded, knocked my arm heavily, saying; 'Move on, sir, please.' As lie passed over the parapet with his rifle at the trail, I caught it by the small of the butt to ipull myself up. He turned round angrily, asking, 'What are you doing?' And While liis face was bent on mine, a round shot, passing my ear, struck hini full between the shoulders, and I stepped over his body, so ex­ hausted as to be strangely indifferent to the preservation of my own life, saved by the soldier having jostled me out of my"turn at the gap."*--Sir John Wood, the Crimea, in 1854. After all, love does not appeal to a woman's heart like ctit glass. GVMNASU'M AT JACKSONVILLE. up. Nearing the sides of the room is a gentle rise in the floor so the children will not be in danger of running against, the wall. Tn the rear of the drill room are two large dressing rooms---one for the boys and one for the girls. These rooms arc supplied with lockers for the uniforms and are fitted with every con­ venience. There is a spacious gallery above. The Legislature appropriated $1(1,- 000 for the building, and that sum has sufficed to erect it. supply steam heat and ventilation apparatus and part of the gym­ nastic appliances needed. The next time the legislators meet'they will be asked to appropriate a sum sufficient for electric lights. These are not needed by the pu­ pils, hut the teachers and visitors would find them convenient when evening exer­ cises are being held. Concrete walks fur­ nish an approach to the building, and it will be used constantly'from now on. Want a Share of the Fortune. Depositions secured at Mascoutah bring out an interesting story of a former prom­ inent citizen. Dr. J. 1'. Harris, a promi­ nent physician a dozen years ago, lived unhappily with his wife. By mutual con­ sent a divorce was secured. The divorced wife married another man. and the doctor married another woman. Seven years ago the doctor died. After a short time the widow left, and nothing more was heard of the parties until Saturday. It appears that the doctor's widow went to Texas, where she married a wealthy ranchman. The latter died recently, leav­ ing large property. The other heirs are endeavoring to break the will, and oddly enough, the first wife of Dr. Harris is the chief witness against the second one. who is now the.wealthy Texas'widow. Was Decapitated by a Train. Spencer B. Braden. of Waukegau, com­ mitted suicide Friday by placing nis head on the railroad tracks, an approaching freight train decapitating him. The en­ gineer of the train saw the man lying on the tracks, tint could not stop in time. The upper half of Braden's head was cut entirely off and his face crushed.so as to he unrecognizable. He was identified by marks on his hands. He was a man of family, employed as a hanger at the zinc works. He was about. 55 years old, steady in his habits, and had not been drinking. The accepted theory is that he committed "suicide, the only known reason being despondency caused by hard times. Some believe he may have fallen, striking his head on the rail and becoming unconscious. State News in Brief. Chicago barbers have declared truce, and shops are again to open Sunday. Frank Short, aged 35 years, a stranger in Decatur, died at the city prison, Short Had $205 on his person. He stated before he died that his home was St! Erie street. Buffalo, N. Y. His relatives cannot be located. Short has had race-horses in the West. Mrs. Henry Hall, a prominent resident of Downs, wife of a farmer, took a dose of laudanum and belladonna and died in six hours. She was aged 40. and leaves -n~httsba-ftd- and two children.--She was W illiam Mc Coy, (J9 years old, fell from 'lie W ill County poor house and broke his^ leg in four places. He cannot recover. The Federal grand jury a/ Springfield made its report Wednesday. There were 120 indictments in all, including 102 for violation of the internal revenue laws, 11 for counterfeiting and 10 for violations of the postal laws. - j The State Board of Live Stock "Com­ missioners reports the following cattle inspection at the Union Stock Yards, Chi­ cago, during the week: Inspected, 170; passed in the yards, 120; held for post­ mortal examination, 50; passed on post­ mortem examination, 22; condemned as being unfit for food and ordered tanked, 54. One case of tuberculosis was discov­ ered during the week. Adjutant General Hilton issued an or­ der dropping the name of Private John Simile, of Company K, First Infantry, for desertion. The resignation of George B- Sloan at first lieutenant of Company E, Second infantry, is accepted, aiid an elec­ tion ordered held on Monday. Feb. 10, to. fill the vacancy. An election is also oij- dered held at Moiine Feb, 10 for a niajm' of the Sixth Infantry. The recent el^-: tion of Willi am. A. lib! lib. as second lieu­ tenant of Company H,"Second Infaijtry, is confirmed. , V • ' : ' State Game Warden Blow, .in ids report to the Governor, states, that song birds t hat Were formerly a bundant* in the State, of Illinois have been shot and trapped un­ til the forests art? barren. The slaughter of game has progressed so alarmingly fithat there will soon he no-use for a ward­ en;- 'unless,it is. speedily checked. He rec­ ommends a change-in the sparrow bounty iaW and thinks a \aw killing them by poi­ son farina during the winter months, when other birds are South, would save the -others from destruction." As to how highway commissioners shall lie elected under the new law Assistant Attorney General Newell gives the follow­ ing opinion: "Under the act of 1895 pro- viding for the election of highway com­ missioners I am of fhe opinion that the township snould elect a commission at the town meeting in April, the same as under the former law. and that the Board of Commissioners as then constituted will, under the new law. divide the township into three districts. After that, when a vacancy occurs in tlfe office of conimis:. sioner. it must be filled by a resident of the district where the vacancy occurs." For several days petty thieving has been going on at the Northwestern- University, in Evanston, and the police are watching for the offenders. Three overcoats were taken Wednesday from the coat room ill University Hall. The missing .coats be­ longed to W. N. Carelier. P. L.^Perkins and L. A. Wilson, who were attending a class exercise when the garments were taken. On Tuesday morning Miss Lois Rice lost her pocketbook containing $20 in Woman's Ilall. She left her purse on a dresser in her room, and it was taken when she was absent for a few minutes. Many other small thefts have been re­ ported. Gen. Arthur ('. Ducat, soldier, civil en­ gineer, insurance man, and conspicuous for originality and executive force; which led him to create new uu ihods in all that he undertook, died at 11 o'clock Wednes­ day morning of pneumonia, at his home in Downer's Grove. He had been in robust health until a week before. Hav­ ing laid aside most of the business cares which had made liisJife such a busy one, (Jen. Ducat in his (50th year was looking forward to coming .years with the full eagerness of youth. Death resulted from exposure while riding on the platform of ;i street car. A chill set in upon reaching home, which soon brought symptoms of the fatal malady. Seven children and the wife of Gen. Ducat were with him in his last days. Victor Donald, janitor in the Security building, Chicago, had a narrow escape from death the other morning. Plunging headforemost, down the elevator shaft from the ninth floor, he caught the wire screen at the sixth story and with the nails and flesh stripped from his lingers clung to his hold until fellow employes rescued hini. Donald is 27 years of age and a Swede. Among his duties is the supplying of ice to the tenants on the ninth floor of the building. He was leav­ ing the elevator at this story with some ice when the cage started upward. Don- THE FEDERAL, CONSTITUTION* Ex-President Harrison Explains How It Was Made, . Ex-President Harrison's paper m the Ladies' Home Journal of "This Coun­ try of Ours" series, treats comprehen­ sively of the Constitution, and its ap­ plication and operation, defining the instrument, its scope anj| limitations, clearly. 'The word •'Constitution,'" he writes, "as used among us implies a wTritten instrument; but in England it is used to describe a governmental sys­ tem of organization made up of char­ ters'--as the Magna Charta--the general actfj-of Parliament, and a body of long- established legal usages or customs. These are not compiled in any single instrument as with, us, but are to be sought in many places. "Thecommon American usage, in mak­ ing a State constitution, is to elect, by a popular vote, delegates to a .couvcn- tion, whose duty it is to prepare a plan of government. When the deljega tes have agreed a£d. have properly certi­ fied the instrument it is submitted to a direct vote of the people, and each / voter, casts a ballot'for the constitution' or 'against the constitution.' If a ma­ jority vote for the constitution it then, becomes the paramount law of the State. The Legislature does not make the constitution; the constitution makes the Legislature. The American idea is that constitutions proceed from the people, in the exercise Of their natural right of self-government, and can only be amended or superseded by the peo­ ple. Whatever one Legislature or Con­ gress enacts the next one may repeal, but neither bar©repeal or infringe a constitutional provision. "The delegates to the convention that framed the Constitution of the United States were not, however, chosen by a popular vote in the States, but by the Legislatures. Nor was the question of the adoption of the Constitution sub­ mitted in the States' to a direct popular vote. " * . * There have been fifteen amendments to the constitution adopted. Ten of these were proposed to the Legislatures of the States by the First Congress, and ratified. The Other five amendments liave. in like manner, been submitted by Congress *tor*the - State Legislatures for ratification--con­ ventions in the States not having been used in any case. It will be noticed, also, that the vote upon the adoption of the constitution, and upon amend­ ments thereto, is by States--each State, without regard to its population, hav­ ing one vote. But while these provis­ ions make the popular control less di­ rect than is usual in tlieoStates, and nec­ essarily recognize the States in the pro­ cess of making and amending the con­ stitution, tie idea that constitutions proceed from the people is not lost." Piano Tonnage. The amount of power expended in playing a piano has recently been fig­ ured out in a way which, if not alto­ gether accurate, is at least interesting. Commenting on the statement made that it requires more force to sound a note gently on this instrument than it does to lift the lid of a kettle, it is easy to verify it if one takes a small hand­ ful of coins and piles them on a key of the piano. When a sufficient quantity is piled on to make a note sound they may be weighed, ami the figures will be found to be true. If the pianist is playing fortissimo, a much greater force is needed. At times a force of six pounds is thrown upon a single key to produce a solitary effect With chords the force Is generally spread over the various notes sounded simultaneously, though a greater out­ put of force is undoubtedly expended. This Is wrhat gives pianists the wonder­ ful strength in their fingers that is often commented on. A story used to be told of Paderewski that he could crack a pane of French glass half all inch thick merely*by placing one hand upon it as if upon a piano keyboard am s feet were caught on the ascending ] an(j strikingr it sharply with his middle platform and he hung for a moment as it ascended and then, swinging outward suffering from despondency, resulting froui the recent sudden death ol her hus­ band's mother. / The "jury in the damage suit of Mason Blake against the Rockford City Railway Company, after being out fifteen hours, brought iti41 verdict in.favor of the plain­ tiff for $2,000. The Biake boy had a leg taken.off.hy a car in 1802 and sued for .$10,000. * :• , Blaine Lynch, a Fitliian lad of about" 15 years, committed suicide by jumping into the coal shaft at Muncie, Inch The shaft is 108 feet deep, and he was instant­ ly killed. Mental depravity is thought to have been'the cause. He left a note at the top of the shaft, saying: "You will find niy body at the bottom of the shaft and I will meet you skating in hell." through the open door, fell down the shaft He clutched at the ropes as he fell down­ ward, but missed them and had fallen three stories when his outstretched hands caught the wire screen which protects the shaft. John L. Sullivan had a miraculous es­ cape from death Wednesday while en route with "The Wicklow Postman" company, midway between Rock Island ' and Peoria. "The big fellow" stepped to the rear platform to get a breath of fresh air. Just at this time the train gave a sudden lurch, throwing .Sullivan off his balance. He attempted to grab the rail, but failed, and in an instant lie was hurled to the ground and rolled about thirty feet. His absence was not noticed for three or four minutes, until Mrs. Sul­ livan went to speak to her husband and discovered that he was not 011 the plat­ form. The train was immediately brought to a standstill, and. after running back about two miles, the ex-champion was found lying 011 his face in an unconscious condition.' He'Was carried 011 board the train and a doctor telegraphed for to meet him at the, next station. Sullivan's face was badly cut and his knee and ••houldei injured, but otherwise he was nftt hurt. He was unconscious for forty minutes, and it was five hours later before he real­ ized what had happened to him. When discovered his clothes were 011 fire, somu matches which he carried iu his vest pocket being ignited when he struck the ground, and, had he not been discovered immediately, he would have been burned to death. The train was running forty miles an hour.. It is understood that Sul­ livan's injuries were more serious than had been supposed. He was hurt in­ ternally. but he went through with his part at the theater that night. In the Circuit Court at Ililisboro, the firm of Alderson & Davis, of Harvel, Montgomery Coliuty, owner of the Harvel brick and tile work§, was placed iii the hands of a receiver. Henry Bierman was appointed receiver. Fire <?id considerable damage in the large south side brick school building at Fairbury. William II. Karnes, while assisting the firemen in fighting the tire, was overcome by the heat and smoke and died while at work.--He-wits^o-ytiirrs crld finger. Chopin's last study in C minor has a passage which takes two minutes and five seconds to play. The total pressure brought to bear on this, it is estimated, Is equal to three full tons. The average "tonnage" of au hour's piano playing of Chopin's music varies from twelve to eighty-four tons. Wag­ ner has not yet been calculated along these lines.--American Art Journal. unci leaves six children, the present post master, Thomas Karnes, being the oldest His wife survives linn. Gov. Altgeld has issued his requisition upon the. Governor Of Iowa for the extra­ dition of William Staples, wabnted at Peoria for arson and under arrest in Un­ ion County. Iowa. Staples fired and burn­ ed a house belonging to Dawson Moss, of .Peoria. Patrick . Brennan, whose skull was crushed, it is charged, by George Her- rold at Salem the night of ijan. 20, died Wednesday from the effects of the in juries, ^oroiier Lakin held an inquest and, besides Herrdld, JanU's Hicks and Myrtle Foreman, were- lj,eld to wait the action, of the grand jury, jvhich was or­ dered by Judge Burroughs} to appear in special session Thursday. Chicago in Literature. Chicago has done little in the line of higher literature--with one ever me­ morable exception. For nearly a gen­ eration it had in David Swing a preach- 3i* whose sermons were literature, and who, week after week, contributed his high thoughts grandly expressed, and whose writings deserve permanence. But there has been 110 Oliver Wendell Holmes among the doctors of Chicago; no William Cullen Bryant 011 the press: no Richard Grant White among the office-holders; no Stedman 011 'Change; not even a William Allen Butler at the bar. But Professor Swiu had little time and less tites for literary work outside of his ^weekly sermonizing. Eugene Field al(me devoted his best powers of thought and expression to verse, and if America had a Wesminster Abbey with a poet's corner he would be one of the few Chicago men to there find rest. The Potato's Genesis Unsolved. The early naturalists differed gi'eiftlv as to the origin of the potato, writes John Gilmer Speed, In the Ladies' Home Journal. In England It was held to be a native of Virginia, andI11 Spain it was said to have originated in Peru. Modern opinion holds that it is indi­ genous to the elevated tablelands of Chile, Peru', Bolivia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Southwestern United States. It probably got to Virginia by the hands of some early Spanish explorers. It is certain, however,.that it was not culti­ vated in Virginia till far into the eight­ eenth century, and then it was intro­ duced, in the American colonies on ac- pnnnt of the esteem in which it was held in Europe. The Scottish Monarchy. Malcolm, the first king of Seotlaud, who lived in the eleventh century, was put to death by Macbeth, perhaps not exactly as described by Shakspeare, but at all events the plot of the great dra­ matist's play is. strictly true to history. The Scottish monarchy is of much an­ tiquity, Malcolm having been the eigh­ ty-fifth reigning sovereign after Fergus I,, founder of the kingdom. - Tenure of Land in Russia. The tenure of land i;n Russia is of three classes, viz., that of the crown, that of the communes, and that of pri­ vate landed proprietor:'., the latter only being mortgaged. , ? ' 'i