Horton Gazette from Horton, Kansas • 3

1 A Hindoo Cremation, MONTANA VIGILANTS A FORMER OIL KING. The Death of Ills IVifj rtecstls t'ae Wonderful Story of James S. McCray. WIT AXI) IIIDIOR. The race is not on the swift unless the suckers put their money on the other fellow.

Terre Haute Express. She "How conceitedly that man talks! Is he an a tor?" He "Worse than that He's an amateur actor." Life. method of carrying thii plan into execution was not fully solved until the issuance of the president's famous or ler. I had been settled from the tiist tb.it a wholesale slaughter of tbe thieves was the only effectual way to get rid of t'aem, but the trouble was in finding men to perform the gory task. The president's order solved the problem.

Almost every cowboy in the "Nation" was originally from Texas, You ought to give her a "real present, you know a fan or a scent bottle, or someiliingof that sort. London Punch. Mr. Jason A nice fool you made of yourself at the sociable last night! Mrs. Jason Me? How? Mr.

Jason Yes, you. Telling Mrs. Chally that her baby looked good enough to cat. Mrs. Jason Well, what's the matter with that? Mr.

Jason nothing, oul" you know that thej start as missionaries to the cannibal islands next week. Terre Haute Express. Mr. De Style Why, my dear. I'm glad to see you so composed.

When Jeft this morning you were weeping and wailing and tearing your hair because Fido was sick. Mrs. De Style Well, you see, just after you left Mr3. Tipton came in and told me that dogs of Fido's breed were going out of fashion, so I dried my tears and kicked him out. Neio Yorh Weekly.

Jones (excitedlj) "Say, Smith, there's a heavy run on our bank and we'll have to close if it keeps on. I know you have several thousands there. "You better hustle if you waut to get 'em out." Smith (who has just bought one of the new pig puzzles) 'em run. I've got three of these confounded things in their pen and I'll put the last one in if it costs every cent I have." Philadelphia Inquirer. First Anarchist Great heavens, Karl, did you read in the papers what the New Jersey White Caps did Avith one of your brothers? Second Anarchist No; what was it? First Anarchist They took him out one night and washed him with soap and water, aud then Secoud Anarchist Gott in Himmel, August, this is no business Upon a pile of wood about six feet long "by four high is placed the corpse of Hindoo, wrapped in a while si.

cot and tied between two bamboo Over this wood is again placed, while the head and feet project from either end. It is the duty of the widow, if there be one, to light the funeral pile. In this case there is not and it is douo by a coolie who seems to have chargo of affairs. The wood ignites at once, the llame at first gives place to smoke which it soon overcomes, and in twenty minutes nothing remains but a few blackened embers; all vestiges of the body are gone. While this was taking place no less than four other piles had been erected for bodies that were lying about, some partly in the water, partly on shore, like so many blocks of wood.

Cremation takes place not more than six hours after death. The body is borne from the house to the burning ghat on the shoulders of six men, followed by natives who are hired to wail and lament for the departed. Formerly the Hindoo widow was compelled to burn herself upon her husband's funeral pile. Now she has not that privilege, thanks to the English, but becomes, unless wealthy, the slave of her mother-in-law. Surely one can pardon such a creature's praying for the death of her husband's mother.

It tvas a most impressive sight to see and one that will be indelibly stamped upon my memory. The Hindoo's ashes are thrown into the Ganges, and he believes they are thus carried on to Paradise. Benares Letter. The Cowboy and the Conductor. They were telling experiences the other night and Col.

Granniss told one of his. He made the trip through the southern country just after the road had been opened. The festive cowboy had just begun to enjoy the sport of running the train in the rough region, and at one of the stations a formidable specimen of that tough human boarded the cars. The conductor came along punching the tickets, and this cowboy did not pay any attention to him. At last the conductor laid his hand on the cowboj7's shoulder and said "Ticket, please." The cowboy turned in true cowboy style, pulled out his revolver, and pointed it at the conductor: 'Here's my The conductor walked on "and punched everybody else's coupon.

Then lie disappeared. The little incident had been forgotten hy almost everybody on the car. The cowboy was in a quiescent state and the car was quite still when the conductor came in. He walked leisurely up the aisle and suddenly stopped before the eovbo3r, placed a great big knife dangerously contiguous to his vital part, and said quietly: "Lemrae see that ticket again." The cowboy paid his fare. San Francisco Chronicle.

Directive Faculty in Brutes. A bird that builds its nest in a sheltered place exercises control over nature, in its degree, auite analogous to if i i. tiie woric oi a numan arcuueci. "iue foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests." How docs the fox get its hole or the bird its nest? They make them for their purposes, and this is certainly control over nature to that extent. How does the fox sup port his family if he has no control over nature? Do hens and chickens run into this hole and ask to be eaten? A good manv people have not heard of the way in which a tribe of monkeys prepare to rob a cornheld.

Liet us de scribe it, says a writer in Popular Science Monthly. lien thev get ready to start on their expedition an old monkey, the leader of the tribe, with a staff in his hand, so as to stand upright more easily, marches ahead on two legs, thus being more elevated than the other, so as to see signs of danger more readily. The rest follow him on all-fours. The leader advances slowlv and cautiouslv, carefullv re- connoitering in all directions, till the party arrives at the corn field. He then assigns the sentinels to their respective posts.

All being now in readiness, the rest of the tribe ravage and eat to their heart's content. When they retire each one carries two or three ears of corn along, and from this provision the sentinels arc regaled on arrival at their lair. Here we see ability to rule and a willingness to submit to rule; a thoughtful preparation of means to the end in view, ana a recognition oi me sentinels to be suitably rewarded at the close of the expedition. Where-hi does ail this differ from a similar forav of a tribe of ivaire men? The' onlv difference that really exists is in degree, otherwise it is much the same. Misapplied lity.

Having lost his wife when his only child a little girl was but six years old, Sandy McPhersou decided to venture again on the stormy sea of matri mony. His second wife was by no means a success, one was very Kina to little Maggie, but she ruled her husband with a rod of iron. His club knew him no more, "his latchkey was confiscated, his pipe tabooed, and his life generally made wretched. Rumors of the altered state of things soon spread abroad, and an old lady, meeting Maggie on her way to school, kissed the little mite warmly, bought her a big poke of sweets and said: "Puir wee lassie, ye've only a step-mither the uoo; eh bit I'm gey sorry tor ye, dearie." 'Ye' re no' needin'," said Maggie, solemnly; "but I like ye tae feel awfu sorry for ma puir failher." Scottish American. A Good Memory.

Aed negro I is gwine on er hun- dud an1 ten years old. Interested" Listener Indeed? Then probably you can recollect as far back as the first act of congress. Aged negro Yes, sar, I remember all 'bout de fust axe uv congress. I ot ter recollict it, becase I'se cut wood wid it when I WU3 'bout so high, yes, sah; dat wuz afore you wuz bawn, sah; you's nice lookin' gemman, sah: an' can't 3 011 give de poor ole man er nickel?" Tune. The death of Mrs.

James S. McCray recalls a remarkable incident. Franklin is the county seat of Venanjro county, through which flows Oil Creek, along" whose bauks rolled the great oil excitement. James S. McCray wa3 a Venango county farmer, whose farm of 150 acres was on top of a hill near.

Petroleum Center. lie had been woodchonper and mill hand, and after a time bought a team of horses. With his team he made some money hauling in lumber from the woods, and then bought the farm referred to. He was to pay $2,000 for it, and it was several years before he had it free cf encumbrances. i During the first oil excitement ou the creek no one thought of going on the hills to lind oil, and the McCray farm was passed by unnoticed.

In 1S70 the seekers after oil began to double on their track, and Keefer and Watson-struck a well on the Dalzell lands, adjoining McCray's, that flowed 400 barrels a day. 'Oil was worth nearly $3 a barrel. Big wells were soon opened up on the McCray farm, and for the acreage it proved to be the most prolific oil farm, ever developed. For the privilege of drilling on his farm McCray received 1,000 an acre bonus and half the oil. Wells were put down in rapid succession until the output of the farm was 2,700 barrels a daj Oil was then $5 a barrel, and as half the production of the farm belonged to McCray, it made his income nearly 5 a minute, night and day.

For the farm for which lie paid 2,000 ho received an offer of $500,000, but would not take it. Operators and sightseers flocked to the farm by hundreds, aud McCray's children, with a keen commercial instinct, set up an apple stand on the road leading up the nilisido to turn au honest penny with fruit gathered from the orchard. At the time of this wonderful development hilltop farm yielded the largest revenue ever received by a single linn from the production of petroleum. From a humble farmer McCray became one of the bonanza kings of the oil region. He did.

not sell his oil as fast as produced, but erected immense iron tauks in which to hold it for a still higher price- Ho built and tilled tauks until he haol barrels stored. For this oil he had. an ofter of $500,000 cash, but would not accept it. He was holding it, he said, for $5 a barrel. There came a panic in the and oil dropped to $3 a barrel, then to $2.

His tanks got to leaking, and a large amount of the oil ran into the creek. Lightuing struck some of the tanks, and they burned, with their contents. He held what was left of his oil for years aud finally closed out the mere remnant of his rich holdings a realizing a few thousand, dollars instead of $500,000. McCray was the victim of many sharpers. He was takeu to New York: one time in a gorgeous car as a guest of the late Jim Fisk of the Erie road, and is reputed to have dropped a big.

roll before he got home. In one way and another his bonanza fortune was reduced to only a comparatively moderate amount. While he still had plenty he bought a line house in Franklin, in which he has lived for several years, abandoning the old farm on the creek. Pa, Ijetter Kisses That Kill, A little Detroitgirl ran to her mother with this curious request: "Mamma, please feel my head and see if my scalp is loose." "What are talking about?" inquired' the surprised mother. "Why, who goes past me rubs the top of my head and it feels awfuL" The child was 6 years old, a bright little thing, with haircut pompadour, and it offered a chance to people passing her to try and smooth it down.

The-mother was justi3T angry. "Hazel," she said. "1 have half a mind to label you- 'Hands as they do valuables in stores. WI13- don't you make people let you "I can't, mamma, when they say I'm a nice little and want to The child's remark led to a discussion between those present, among whom was a trained nurse. "I have something to say on this promiscuous habit of handling children," she said.

"1 have been for the last six weeks taking care of a child belonging to a family on Macomb street. I took care of the mother when the child was born, and it was a fine baby. It was nearly a year old when the family sent for me to come and nurse it ia its last sickness. The little thing died a week ago, and tho doctor gave consumption as the dis ease. The child was really kissed to death." "What do you mean?" "Just what I say.

She was a sweet little baby aud tbe lirst one in the family. The grandmother, two young aunts, and an uncle lived there the young couple boarded at home and the baby was awakened out of its sleep every day to be carried down and shown to visitors, and kissed by tho company and all its relatives. Tho mother was sick a good deal, and would send for me off and on to take care of her. They had that baby at the table in a high chair when it was 3 months old, and every one of them would kiss it half a dozen times before the meal was over. They handled it so much it didn't have a chance to grow.

It just wasted away aud grew thinner every day. I see the same thing nearly everywhere I go. A tin baby would wear out if it was squeezed aud kissed Detroit Press. Not a Green Olive. Miss Olive is evidently fitting herself to become a funny man on a newspaper, for looking out of the window at some children playing in the street she observed pensively: "Pray, mamma, why are those children like my new shoes?" Again her mother gave it up.

"They are both American kids, dear.1' Pretty good for a small girl scarcely eight years old; but, then. I this is a rapid, ae. Boston Herdld. "The Celebrated Organization Known as the "Strangle ra Band," 'Which Carried Terror and xy Death to the Horse Thieves. hrce of tbe Desperadoes Bit the Dust in Three Months Inside History of the Organization, rit.

Louis Globe-Democrat: The 'United States has never contained a better organized nor more presistent band of horse thieves than the one which infested the Lands of Dakota between 1832 and 1881. It can hardly be said that the ganaj had a headquarters, as its members were constantly on the move, but the town where they appeared of tea-est, perhaps, was the collection of shanties known as Little Missouri. This little hamlet has achieved a national reputation, and for years was known as the toughest town in America. It is in the heart of the famous Bad Land; the disembarking point for tourists who wish to visit Cedir Canyon and the burning coal mine, and is the scene of the encounter in which Marquis de Mores killed the hunter. Its palmiest days were in 1884.

At the time the troops stationed there has just been removed; Commodore Gorringe had bought their quarters known as the Cantonment; cattle by the tens of thousands were being brought into the Bad Lands; cowboys were taking the place of the Indian; the "iMarquis de Mores was beginning the establishment of immense slaughter houses and scores of frontier characters were attracted to the new town. Numerous among these characters were the horsethieves with whom the soon became infested. It was a perfect paradise for this gen'ry. The buttes or hills of which the Bid Linda are made ud were placed in no more order than if out of a gun. One might as well try to follow the trail of a bullet through the air as the one left by a man who took the slightest pains to cover his tracks.

Twelve miles from Lit lie Missouri ran the Montana line. Once across it the horsethief wa3 safe fiom service by a Dakota sheriff. The nearest officer of the law with jurisdiction was in Mandan, 100 miles to ine eastward. To thesouth--east one could go 300 les and never see a sign of human habitation. To the south, 200 mile3 a way, were the Black JIill3.

In the intervening country there was but an occasional co.v camp. To the northward, 175 miles, was the Canadian line. Once across it there wa3 no difficulty in dispisiog of horseflesh at fancy prices. Tnese points were at once grasped by the 'rustlers," audit was a "dead cinch that a man from the south with a string of horses had either to run them off from Wyoming or the Blacls Hills country. Horethieves were practically safe from pursuit when they the Bad Lands.

"TUB MONTANA STRAGGLERS." 'Good citizens even now shudder at mention of this terrible band of avengers. Their reign was "short, sharp and decisive." They had a mission to perform, and well did they perform it. In less than three months they had hung or shot six-'ty-three men in various parts of Montana western Dakota. Only sixty-two of these men were horse thieves, the other being a son of the Fort Buford post 'trader. He was with the horse thieves when he was fthot, however.

Hardly a Montana or western Dakota newspaper has to this day the courage to speak of this red handed band of regulators. Its information was so secret, its operations so swift, bloody and effectual, and it3 disbandm'mt so sudden that not i fifteen men outside of the members knew who its members were. All the public knows, or cares to know, is that 'horee3 cattle running on the range were afterward is safe fifty miles from the home ranch as if they were under the eye of the owner. The organization of the horse thieves wa3 completely broken up. From that bloody raid of the "Strangles" was torn an almost perfect reign of safety for ramre stock.

The formation of the band of men 'known the "Moutaua Stranglers" was as much an outgrowth of necessity as is the passage and enforcement of proper laws in a well settled community. It is not a hard ta9k to justify the acts of the 'Stranglers" to a man who has lived on the frontier for any length of time. Aside from shooting scrapes and the occasional -maltreatment of a stranger, there was but little law breaking in Little Missouri, but it was recognized by all that a man had only a six-shooter right" to life and 3-operty Numerous vrrants had been issued in Mandao. 16 miles away, for the arrest of men in Little Missouri, but not one of them was ever served. The officer of the law might come up to the tough hamlet in the Bad Lands and hobnob a day or two with the man for whom he had the warrant, but the legal docu-xiinent was always returned with the indorsement "Not found." It was simply impossible to receive any support from the law, and the "ru-jtlen" took advantage of the opportunity to carry on their opera ion3 with impunity.

The cattlemen were chiefly separated, some of the ranches being sixty or seventy miles from their nearest neighbor. All were sufferers from the depredations of the horse thieves, but even the bravest among them did not dare deal out even border justice to the men they knew were robbing them. The thieves had a perfect organization and would have taken summary vengeance on any one rash enough to oppose them A MURDEROUS GANG. Such a state of lawlessness could not last forevtr, and the end came about through two widely different causes. The first was the organization of cattlemen known as the Montana Stockgrowers as sociation, and tbe second was the order of President Cleveland ordering all the range cattle to be driven from the Indian territory.

Eleven memDers oi me associ ation bound themselves together in a secret order whose sole object it was to free the country from cattle thieves. The He They say losing her mind. Mary Anderson ia She No! You don't say! Is she going to get married Washington Critic. One reason why so many Americans return penniless from Europe is because too much Hoyle is cast upon the waters. Oil City Blizzard.

A simile is generally supposed to be a species of comparison, but it is more of a paradox. You knock one of its eyes out to make it smile. Terre Haute Exptress. Chorus girl (in restaurant) Am I your little duck? Fledgling Of course you are. Chorus girl Then tell the waiter to bring me a canvasback.

New Fork Sun. Implicit trust in the ultimate integrity of human nature is all very well in a praj-er-meeting. but it won't work for a cent in an ordinary grocery store. Somerville Journal. A dude's highest ambition this year is to be an equestrian, and a lot of donkeys have just been imported for them so that the unities may be preserved.

New York Sun. Citizen (just a prominent ordinary citizen) Well, Mr. Landlord, what do you find the most disagreeable feature about renting houses? Landlord Tenants. Harper's Bazar. Stranger to barkeeper Well, I suppose you'll have your Sunday off hereafter? Barkeeper no! I've accepted an engagement in a drug store for that day.

Omaha Republican. Lord Queensberry writes that he is not an atueist but an "agnostic." He believes in religion that comes under the Marquis of Queensberry rules, probably. Philadelphia Ledger. Jings I understand that Jaggs is traveling for a wholesale liquor firm now, but I never saw him with any samples. Jangs Have you never smeiled his breath? Lowell Citizen.

"What is your business?" was the question which a lawyer asked of a witness who lived in a suburban town. "The catching of trains and ferryboats," was the reply. New York Tribune. Calier "How do you manage to get such pleasant expressions on the faces of your male sitters?" Photographer "Easy enough, I have a pretty girl to manage the Philadelphia Record. Professor Can you tell me who was Aristophanes, and how long he lived? Student I'd like to accommodate you, professor, but the truth is I don't know as much about him as you do.

Texas Siftings. Caucus Well, old man, has Santa Ciaus Harrison opened his bag of gifts yet? Heeler I guess he has. Caucus What has the old man given you? Heeler He gave me the sack. Lowell Citizen. Rector's wife (hysterically) Here's a note come from those Wagshaws! They ask me to play and sing during the evening, because they say, they "want the young and attractive women to assist as waitresses.

Punch Seaside cottages can usually be bought at about one-half their annual rental, but the trouble is that they are sold for cash and are rented on references. Most people have more reference than cash. New York Sun. It is a mistake to paint sin too alluring and attractive. It makes young people waut some.

As a matter of fact sin is ugly and full of misery and pain, no matter how it may be colored sugar-coated. New Orleans Picay une. Gadly That's a pretty harness your do: wears, Harold. Harold Harness? Gaclly Yes. Harold That ain't what sister calls it.

She says it's his suspenders, and he has to wear them to keep up his pants. Smith's Lllustrated Monthly. A.unt Susan (to Boston jxirl who has just return from New York) And bow did you enjoy yourself, carrier tar-rie I had an enjoyable visit, aunt, but it was positively shocking to see so many people without glasses. Boston Transcript. Mrs.

Society If you are nofe well, love, in the winter, why don't you go to Florida? Miss Societv How "can It's hot down there. Last summer's dresses arc, of course, out of fashion now, and next summer's styles haven't come out yet. Philadelphia Record. Sweet girl Mother, George told mo solemnly that the pretty hairpin-holder he gave me cost yet to-day I saw exactly the same kind on sale for 10 cents. Mother You know, my dear, George is very religious.

Host likely he bought that at a church fair. New York Weekly. Mrs. De Temper I am not happy my husband. Shall I drive him awav? "Lawyer His life is insured in your favor, isn't it? Mrs.

De Temper Yes, I made him do that before we were married. Lawyer Well, don't drive him off. He'll "die quicker where he is. New York Weekly. Bride (of a month) dear! I don't know what is to become of me.

My husband is so surly and snippish and why I can't get him to give a civil answer to a single question." Sympathetic mother might have known better than to marry a railroad ticket agent, anyhow." Philadelphia Record. Mrs. Wal worthy I declare, Henry, your eternal talk, talk of how good a cook your mother used to be will drive me wild some day! My most fervent wish is that little johnny Vill never worry his wife that way when he grows up and has a home. Mr. Walworthy There's no danger of that.

Terre Haute Express. He By Jove, it's the best thing I've ever painted, and I'll tell you what, I've a good mind to give it to Mary Morison for her wedding present! His wife but, my love, the Morisons I hare always been so hospitable to us! and belonged to the old school recruited from desperadoes and border ruffians of the lowest class. Crime and bloodshed were their food and drink. The president's order threw the most of these men out of work by forcing the immediate sale of the cattle they had been herding. Here were exactly the men the Montana cattle growers had been looking for.

They thought no more of "stringing up a rustler" than they did of snooting a prairie chicken. A secret messenger of the Montana men was dispatched to Indian territory, and in less than a week had made terms with as bloodthirsty a gang of upholders of property rights as was ever banded together. Twenty-eight of the "Stranglers" were furnished with ten good harses each, and started overland in bunches of four or five. They were instructed to avoid all towns and ranches, and make all haste to the rendezvous, about thirtv miles from here. It was a roundabout journey of nearly 1,000 miles, but every man of them showed he possessed the proper requisite of hard riding by appearing at the rendezvous within twelve days.

Within two diys it became known that Half-Breed Jack had been hung near the headwaters of the Yellowstone. The following day it was learned that Turkey Williams and Broncho Charlie were hanging in the cottonwoods, a'oout ten miles above Miles City. The next dav it was Splay-Foot Hartnett's turn. It was then asserted that Bear-Face Mosley and Humpy Jack were lying dead in their shack near Glendive, shoe to death by the "Stranglers," as they had already came to be known, showed that the two men were alive, and apparently a3 ready to steal horses as ever. The next day they were ki led in exactly the manner rumor had already disposed of them.

Humor had preceded reality in a manner dramatic enough to put a tension on the strongest nerve. The man who had started the false report was searched for in vain. Every man who had helped spread it had heard it from some other man. Nothing could have so well advertised the work of the It showed conclusively that they were not an unauthorized gang of murderers whose mission it was to kill every man they met. Tney had undoubtedly been hired to do their work.

A THOROUGH CLEANING OUT. No one in this county had enough money to do this except the cattlemen. Then for the hrst lime it was noticed that every man killed so far was a notorious horse thief. Froai high-handed law breakers, the "Rustlers," who had heard of the operations of the "Stranglers," became the most abject of cowards. Many sought safety in immediate flight, never more to be seen in the cattle country.

A tew, foolhardv enough to biave the approach of their Nemesis, paid the western penalty for their crimes, and others in their flight rushed into the very arms of the "Stranglers." After the beginning of the reign of terror caused by the death of Scar-Face Mosley and Humpy Jack, the "Stranglers" had divided into seven parties, each under the leadership of a trusty Montana cowboy, and, striking out in as many different directions, worked with the energy of fiends to gain the prize which was "hung up" as "added moaey to the most successful party in this terrible man hunt. The end was not long in coming. In less than two months every man known or suspected of being a horse thief wa3 either dead or driven trom the country. The "Stranglers" appeared to melt in thin air as mysteriously as they had come into being, and to this day it is nat known, except by the members them- selves, the eleven cattlemen and four outsiders, who composed the famous band of men that freed Montana and western Dakota from cattle thieves by killing sixty-three of them and running a hundred others out of the country. A Brasu Yuung xia.a.

Philadelphia Press: Referring to the Standard Oil company recalls an incident in which the brash young man of the occasion is now one of the best known newspaper writers in New York. Some years ago, within a decade, the newspaper man held the position or private secretary to a member of the executive council of the Standard, with an office high up in the big building on Broadway. Saortly after a-isuming the duties of his position he became greatly annoyed by the visits to his room about 10 clock every morning of a quietly dressed, mild mannered man, wno persisted in exer cising his muscles on a health lift in one corner of the apartment. The clerk was new and the visitor uakaown to him, and, judging from his appearances, was a person oi no consequence around the es tablishment, lhe silent ana methodical health lifter so aggravated the private secretary that he finally one day blurted out: 'Look here, my friend, I want you to take that blamed apparatus out of here, and limber up your joints somewhere else." The visitor, who until that moment had never spoken a word to the secretary, evinced just the slightest token of sur prise for an instant, then quickly responded: "Certainly, sir, it you wish it. Man an hour later two colored porters re moved the objectionable appliance.

The executive council, whicn consists of the heads of departments, met then as now promptly at 11 o'clock daily. Upon this particular morning the new private secretary was called upon by his superior to take some notes of the proceedings re lating to his department. As the young man entered the room what was his mor titication and surpiise to observe at thi head of the long table, as chairman of the council, the quief-voiced health-lifter. It was John D. Rockefeller, the president of the Standard Oil company.

He never reverted to the episode nor, rest assured, did the fresh young secretary. Where They Are. New York Weekly: Social Philosopher "Fifty years ago our statesmen and or ators loomsd up among the first in the world. Where are they now?" Able Editor "In newspaper offices-' Pigskin is now used for gloves and child ren's shoes. for us.

Let's go back to Europe. It's getting dangerous. Minneapolis Tnb- tine. Not "What They Seem. "Artificial human limbs," said a maker, "have been known for centuries, but it is to the invcntinr genius of this wonderful century that their perfection is due.

If you had lived 100 ago and were so unfortunate as to lose an arm you would have had to be content with a wooden cap to the stump sustaining a swivel in which could be screwed a hook or a fork. Now your maimed member may be made to look natural with a light, graceful wooden arm terminating in a hand with rubber fingers which open and close at your will and pick up such light articles as a handkerchief, a hat, a newspaper, or hold and use a pen or a fork naturally. "The war," be continued, "was the great stimulus to inventive makers. In live years all the crippled soldiers had been supplied and there were some people who thought the business was at an end. But they were all wrong.

Machinery has done more damage than bullets. The railroads have cut off twice as many limbs as were destroyed between 1861 and 1865. There are ten times as many manufacturers in the business as there was 20 years ago. "Which- do you sell most legs or armsr "Legs. A great many men when they lose an arm tie the empty sleeve to the breast and make the remaining arm do double duty.

But an artiliciai leg supplies-a lost one. A man can work it and follow any ordinary vocation as well as ever. It is a fact that some men can walk with artificial legs so well you. could not detect the difference. One of my patients has trken a prize for waltzing.

Another, with, a wrooden thinks a walk from downtown to-the stock-vards a simple task. The human leg weighs in the neighbor hood of thirty pounds, the artificial only rive or si Xs- Thev are made of English poplar and cost from $85- to 100 according to the location of Five years is the average life of an artificial limb. It must then be replaced- The government allows its crippled veterans 75 for this, purpose every live years. "It is a terrible thing," he went on "for a robust man to be reduced to a. crippie in a moment by a shaft or saw or wheel or any one of the thousand things that do it.

When the man realizes his leg is gone he wishes it had been his life. But after a little he gets an artificial limb on and discovers that he can move about again easily, and naturally his interest in life and the world returns. Human nature is a singularly elastic adaptable quantity, and some of the jolliest people I ever met are among unfortunate victims- ot accidents." Chicago limes. The Meanest Man in Buffalo. Not long since the friends of a popular West Side matron decided to give her a surprise party.

Her husband was let into the secret in order that madam might be gotten out of the way while her friends took possession of the house. "My dear," said hubby on the evening in question after supper, "let us take a little walk." "No, I can't," said madam, thinking at once of her personal appearance. "I haven't my bustle on. Never mind," she added or second thought. "Fll just put it on over my dress and under my cloak, and no one will know the difference." So they started on their walk.

When tbe proper time had elapsed Mr. Husband led the way home. On arrival Mrs. Wife was becomingly surprised, and her thoughts immediately flew to the enjoyment of her guests. Apologizing for her absence shethrew off her cloak, and there was the bustle.

Of course everybody saw it and laughed, and the mean things never told her what they laughed at! WThen all had gone and the wife and the other half of the firm had gone to their room she congratulated herself on the merry time everj one had had. "Wasn't it nice?" she exclaimed. "They all enjoyed themselves so much!" And then she saw the bustle. Buffalo Express. Why He Didn't tiaugb.

Miss Depride (who doesn't understand French, but goes with an escort to see Coquelin and carefully laughs when others laugh): "Wasn't that funny, Mr. English? Why didn't you Mr. English (who doesn't understand French eiither and who neglected to laugh): "That was a chestnut." Puck..