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Signs of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 40.

IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID
Earlier text: THE INTENT OF PROPHECY

FARLEY'S STRIKE-BREAKING BUREAU.

As millions of men, women, and children, billions of dollars, the rights of man, and the public peace are affected by labor troubles, we recount the history of a new development wearing a militant aspect.
When a burglar-proof safe is invented, burglars find a way to open it, and then follows a new invention, and so on, and the end is not yet.
When corporations grow despotic, labor unions project a strike; when labor unions become unreasonable and threatening, employers order a lockout.
But who would have thought of a Strike-breaking Bureau, to be at the service of any single employer or corporation or association of employers, whichever may have the equity of the case? But such a bureau was needed, for organization can be met only by organization.
James Farley is the “boss” or president of the first of these bureaus. He thought of the scheme in 1897 and first put it in operation in Providence, R. I. Later there was a strike on the interurban service of the Hudson Valley system. It lasted for three weeks, when the Farley Bureau forced the old men to return to work on the company's terms. November, 1902, Farley summoned the men who had served under him in Hudson Valley to Scranton, Pa. The system had been tied up some time when they arrived, but they took the cars out and for three months were the only men who dared to operate the road; finally the union men were forced to arbitrate.
The Waterbury strike in 1903 was one of the most hotly contested; a policeman protecting the strike-breakers was killed; a mob tied two men to the track with the intention of crushing them under the wheels of the car which they were operating a moment before, and from which they had been dragged and the leaders had started the car when the police broke through the crowd and saved the men. The strike was broken soon afterward. In the same year a strike declared in Bridgeport, Conn., lasted a month. The mayor was credited with sympathizing with the strikers, and public opinion was against the strike-breakers. Riots resulted, cars were thrown off the tracks, many were injured. A combination of the fire department and police broke up the crowd. The same year the strike at Richmond, Va., which lasted one month, was broken; and still later that in Chicago. In the latter case Farley was in the city directing, but this was not generally known.
January 1 of this year the Bureau went to Bloomington, where the strikers held out for two months; thence they were summoned to Ashland, Ky., with the usual result. In May they went to San Francisco. Meanwhile the fame of Farley's bureau had reached Toronto, and June was spent there.
Last week Farley and his lieutenants came here, and his men, five hundred in number, as thoroughly organized as any labor union, arrived here from all parts of the country.
They declared that if put to work they would go in a body to the elevated railroad yards and take the cars out of the barns.
Many of these men are opposed to labor unions; others have had troubles with their lodges; some have been expelled; all of them claim to be as proficient in their business as any union men. Farley's men are ready to follow him at any and all times. Some come for the excitement, having the spirit of soldiers; besides, they receive $4.50 per day and a bonus of $100 if they succeed in breaking the strike.
We have collected and authenticated these facts from various sources, largely from an interview with one of the men who has been with Farley from the beginning, published in the Evening Post. Farley is said to be a calm, quiet man, strictly attending to business, a skilful organizer, and devoid of fear. When men attack him he rushes upon them with a kind of blind fury, which is almost irresistible. He is said to be liberally paid, and as he is called only in a dire extremity, he can almost make his own terms.
There may be more of these bureaus; if so, we have not heard of them. But if labor troubles increase, their number also will undoubtedly increase.—Christian Advocate.

ROMAN CATHOLIC POLITICS.

The progress of the United States Government Romeward is attracting the marked attention of politicians. The great parties are evidently becoming jealous of each other concerning the Catholic vote. In the past, say up to ten years ago, the Catholics were in the main identified with the Democratic Party. During Mr. Cleveland’s two administrations, the only Democratic administrations since 1861, there was sharp criticism by his political opponents because of public favors shown to Catholics; and Mr. Harrison’s defeat for re-election was popularly accredited to the Catholic vote, because during his first administration some of the favors lavished upon the Catholic Church by the former incumbent were withdrawn.
After this defeat and Mr. Cleveland had served another term, there came a turn in affairs of this character. We have had nearly eight years of Republican rule, and so highly satisfactory has it been to Rome that it is now claimed that the Catholic vote can be mainly counted for the Republican candidate. Indeed it is claimed that Mr. Bryan’s defeat was in no small degree due to Catholic strategy. Be that as it may, however, it is Catholic authority that predicts a strong Catholic support for Mr. Roosevelt. The old Boston Pilot and some other Catholic papers of less prominence are out for the President’s re-election; and a Catholic contributor to the Hartford Courant says:—
There are evidences throughout the country of an influx into the Republican party from the ranks of Catholic democrats. During the past half-century, Catholics have been solidly allied to democracy. Fifty years ago, at the birth of the republican party, Catholics were forced into the democratic ranks by the attitude and doctrines of republicanism. Times have changed, and so has the Republican Party. Catholics have interests which affect the welfare of our republic. When these interests are maintained according to the dictates of strict justice, Catholics appreciate the fairness and impartiality which recognizes their claims and grants them. They ask no favors, but demand their rights. The spirit which has actuated the executive of our government, in conditions which affected the interests of millions of Catholics has been fair and just. The justice dealt out by the Republican Government is appreciated, and will turn the tide next November. The next election will mark an era in American politics. The old boundaries will be swept away and a marked division will obtain in the Democratic ranks, which our fathers never foresaw. Republics may be ungrateful, but the Catholic body is not.
The times and political parties change, it is the papal boast that “Rome never changes.” That parties do materially change is shown by a casual reading of campaign platforms during the past quarter of a century, or even for a less time. That Rome does not change in dominant principle is shown by her persistent efforts to regain her old-time prestige as manipulator of earthly governments. Therefore whatever party bids fair to do the most to further her influence in the national policy will get her support, directly or indirectly.
But some leading Democrats are apparently uneasy about the prospect of losing Catholic support, and are disposed to debate the question as to which party has done or will likely do most for “the church” in the event of success at the polls. The Springfield Republican (Democratic in politics) takes issue with the Catholic writer hereinbefore quoted, and attempts to show that the Democratic Party has done as much to further Catholic interests in the United States as the Republican Party has done. An appeal is made to Catholic gratitude in the following earnest strain:—
Undoubtedly Roman Catholics in this country were pleased to see Governor Taft of the Philippines go to Rome for conferences with the Vatican concerning the friars’ lands, and undoubtedly the whole Roman Catholic body has been glad to see the settlement by which the friars are being paid several millions of dollars by our government. But it is difficult to see what rational ground there is for an abandonment of their old party by Catholic Democrats on religious grounds. The Democracy never persecuted them nor injured them; and the Democratic Party has never opposed the financial settlement with the Philippine friars. True, President Roosevelt has appointed Roman Catholics to office, but so did Grover Cleveland. So would any president, Republican or Democrat. If Mr. Roosevelt made William Michael Byrne United States district attorney of New York, Mr. Cleveland made Patrick A. Collins United States consul-general at London, and placed Mr. White of Louisiana on the Supreme Court of the United States. Where does the balance of “gratitude” come in, if one party should not share it as much as the other?
Such a controversy over the Catholic vote is destined to place Rome in a position to make demands from either or both parties, and to give her the coveted prestige of the balance of power, which is just the position for which she is aiming. Rome cares nothing for parties as such; she aims to be on the winning side, in local or general elections. Her politics is church politics; her religion is political religion; her aim is church control of both the politics and the religion of the masses.

THE WAR IN THE ORIENT.

The Japanese forces in northern Manchuria are reported to have begun a steady advance against the positions of General Kuropatkin’s army. In some of the minor engagements which generally precede the engagement of the greater forces, the Japanese are said to have been checked; but the bulk of the army continues to advance. The Russian troops are now confronted by a vast army of the Japanese, whose artillery force numbers 360 guns.
The difficulties of the winter campaign are becoming apparent, and the maintenance of the Russian forces is becoming a more perplexing question as they retire further to the north, while the Japanese are drawing on a fertile country in the rear for their support. North of Mukden crops are poor, and the general cold weather restricts agriculture. The Russian army, during the winter, will therefore have to depend on the single line of railroad to bring them supplies and reinforcements from regions several thousand miles away.
A committee has been organized in Manchuria for the relief of destitute Chinese throughout the region traversed by the contending armies. The Japanese are reported to be giving every assistance to the missionaries in that part of the country for the prosecution of their work.
Little news comes from Port Arthur. It is only known that the Japanese continue to bombard and attack, and that the Russians continue to offer the most stubborn resistance. Some reports state that the Japanese have already lost 45,000 men in the various assaults on this fortress.

THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL AGAIN.

THERE is a revival of the parochial school question in the eastern states, due directly to instruction from the Vatican. The Southern Watchman has the following to say concerning the revival of this question in Nashville:—
The Catholic Church is fully alive to the importance of keeping its influence over the children and youth. It has provided five parochial schools for the city of Nashville; but Catholic parents do not seem to appreciate their privilege—or their duty—in this respect. While there are several thousands of Catholic children in the city, the attendance at the parochial schools is said to be only from nine hundred to one thousand.
The church has taken hold of this subject in dead earnest. Bishop Byrne has issued a letter to the churches of his diocese—that of Tennessee—making it obligatory on Catholic parents to send their children to schools where they may obtain the benefits of “Christian education.” They must not send their children to non-Catholic or secular schools without “a valid and sufficient reason;” and the validity and sufficiency of the reason must be judged, not by the parents, but by the church.
This letter is not simply an appeal to the conscience of Roman Catholics and their loyalty to the church and its teachings; but those parents who continue to send their children to secular schools without a reason that the church will accept, “will be denied absolution from their sins, and refused the sacrament.” Think what this means to persons who believe, as good Catholics do, that the church can remit their sins, and that they can be remitted in no other way. This is a sample of the way the Catholic Church tyrannizes over the conscience. But this is not all. The next move is pretty sure to be a fight for a share of the public school money.

WOMAN AND UNION LABELS.

One of the ways in which the labor union purposes to enforce its demands upon the public is set forth in the following extract from the Lancaster Labor Leader:—
Organizing the women into Label Leagues is a most important factor in the label agitation. Her work in this line is of very great importance, and is not yet felt or realized. A strike or boycott is nothing compared to the power of the label.
Women can demand union goods; they can make the call for the label so strong that industries, such as manufacturers of clothing, shoes, bread, brooms, etc., would be compelled to organize, and it would no longer be the boast of the manufacturer and merchant, “We do not need the label in order to sell goods.” Every union man’s wife, mother, and sister should be in the organization.

Notable Deaths and a Dental Discovery

The deaths of two men prominent in politics and policies of two great nations are recorded in the news of the week; the first, that of Senator George F. Hoar, of Massachusetts; the second that of Sir William Vernon Harcourt, of England. Senator Hoar died on September 30, and Mr. Harcourt on October 1. Mr. Hoar served thirty-five years in Congress, and Mr. Harcourt’s political career extended over a period of forty years. Both men had made notable records in public debate and in filling the important stations to which they had been called. We note also the recent death of one of the greatest men of the French nation, Ex-premier Ernest Waldeck Rousseau, who is known as the saviour of the present republican form of government in France. He it was who reopened the Dreyfus case, suppressed the corrupt military cabal, and prevented the Catholic teaching orders from intrenching themselves contrary to the laws and stability of the republic.
A discovery which will be of much service in the practise of dentistry is reported by U. S. Consul Liefeld from Freiburg, Germany. His report states that after three years of patient research, two professors of Geneva, Switzerland, have discovered a new anesthetic. These men have been studying the effects of different colored lights upon the nervous system, and noted that blue had an extraordinary effect in quieting the nerves. This led to the further discovery that by shutting a patient up in a dark room, and exposing his eyes to a blue light of sixteen candle power, the patient’s sense of pain disappeared, altho at the same time retaining his senses. When in this condition, teeth could be extracted without pain.
The discovery of a remedy for tetanus, or lockjaw, is reported by an Omaha physician. The disease has been conceded to be practically incurable. The physician employed what he terms the chill-room treatment. The patient is taken into a cold storage room, where the temperature is at freezing point, and kept there until the symptoms of the disease are no longer apparent. If taken into a warmer temperature before the cure is complete, the symptoms return. It requires several days of the chill-room treatment to effect a cure.
More and more frequently we are hearing of college teachers or scientists who are disputing the theories of Darwin as to the origin of species. But generally each of these questioners of the theories of Darwin have a theory of their own, based upon their own reasonings. While men who disbelieve in the truths of the Bible are floundering about in the bogs of doubt and questionings and human imagination, the child of God may rest at ease in the everlasting verities of the Word.
A great flood swept the city of Trinidad, Colo., on September 30 and the whole valley of the Las Animas River. The property loss in that section is now estimated at $1,000,000. All trains in New Mexico are tied up by the washouts, and several hundred persons are homeless. Reports from Las Vegas state that nine persons have lost their lives as a result of the flood there.
The Russian press and people are reported to be much pleased with the passing of the rigorous regime of the assassinated minister of the interior Von Plehve. Prince Sviatopolk-Mirsky, who has been appointed to fill the dead minister’s place is said to be a much more liberal spirited man, and the people are hoping for brighter days under the administration of the new official.
Indications of another uprising in China are again prevalent. It is said this unrest and agitation is different from that which existed at the time of the Boxer rising; that this is directed more at the government, while that was directed almost wholly against foreigners.
Chinese bandits are reported to be again active along the line of the Russian railroad in Manchuria, where frequent attempts are made to wreck trains and bridges.
The proposed consolidation of three large tobacco companies into a trust with a large capitalization at Trenton, N. J., on September 30, has been enjoined by the courts.
As the Japanese advance in Manchuria, they are changing the gauge of the railroad and bringing in their supplies by rail.

LOVING OBEDIENCE IN THE HOME.

BY MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.
I HAVE had much to say about the duties and responsibilities of parents,—too much, perhaps some may decide. However, it is not with a desire to conciliate any whose back the coat may have fitted quite snugly, that this subject has been chosen, but only to emphasize the truth that the children, as well as the parents, have a duty to do in the making of a happy home.
It is plainly the duty of the parent to insist upon obedience, because there can be no real happiness in a lawless and ungoverned household. But it is also the duty, and should be the highest pleasure, of the child, to render obedience—aye, loving obedience, to the parent. Did you ever notice the wording of the fifth commandment? Did you wonder why the word “obey” was not used instead of “honor”? I will tell you why: The latter word includes far more than the former,—it includes the deepest love and filial respect as well. It is quite possible to render a sort of servile obedience, prompted by fear, in which there is no particle of love.
“Well,” says John, “I try to do as father says; but sometimes he is unreasonable, and besides, he gets so angry that he punishes me, I sometimes think, only because he is angry. Of course, I obey him; I have to do that at present, but to honor him is quite another thing. Am I to receive no credit for obeying him?”
It seems to me, John, that obedience of this kind calls for very little credit. Now, to be honest, don’t you think so?
“Well, I don’t know. Half the boys of my acquaintance will tell you the same thing. They obey from force of necessity. But the love and the honor are not there.”
O, the sadness of it! We have so little time,—such a brief life in which to journey side by side with our loved ones, that it is unspeakably sad that unkind and bitter words and cruel misunderstandings should mar our brief earth-life! O, if the young could understand, and be brought to realize that mother’s hands may wear out some day, and father’s hair grow whiter and thinner, I think they would teach themselves to forgive and forget the hasty word sometimes spoken in the worry and heat and turmoil of life’s battle.
“Father spoke a little bit harsh to me to-day,” says Mary. “I wanted to go to the concert, and he refused to allow me. I was quite angry for the moment, and a hard and bitter reply almost escaped my lips. But when I brushed the hot tears from my eyes, and glanced up at him, and saw his face was pale and worn, and his lips trembled, I just sent a quick prayer heavenward, and O, how my anger melted away! ‘All right, father, I’ll not go unless you think best, and I’ll try not to want to go, even,’ I said. You ought to have seen father’s eyes then. They were brimful of tears in a moment, and he kissed my cheek. ‘Thank God for such a daughter as you are, Mary,’ he said, ‘a daughter that knows how to render loving obedience.’ O, how happy I felt then! That kiss from my father, and those loving words, were worth more than all the concerts in the world!”
Ah, yes; there is nothing on earth that is worth half as much as love, and the loving deeds that are the outgrowth of it.
For the young and inexperienced, obedience is not only a cardinal virtue, but it is necessary to their safety, and oftentimes to their very existence. Many will remember with a sigh the story which went the rounds of the newspapers a few weeks ago, of three little children, living near one of our large cities. One day they started out to gather wild flowers. But the way was long unless they crossed a high railroad bridge. “You must not go over the bridge, children,” said the mother,—“it is not safe. Now remember,—I know it is nearer for you, but there is the curve, and you could not see the coming train. So go around the other way, and good-by.” With a hurried kiss they were gone. Beguiling the time with childish prattle, they soon came to the place where the two paths met. The forbidden and the unforbidden,—the safe and the unsafe. Obedience and disobedience, danger and safety, were before them. Just over the track in tempting array, flaunted the beautiful flowers.
“O let’s run over the bridge, it’s so much nearer; mama won’t care, and we’ll be home so much quicker,—come on, Jennie,” said her two companions. “No, no; you must not do so; I will not go over the bridge; mama forbade us.” Still they insisted, and, hand in hand started over the bridge, while the other child ran home, screaming: “O, you will be killed, because you will not mind mama!” The direful prophecy was all too true; and two mangled little forms were shortly afterward carried to the saddened home.
O, if the children, and the youth as well, could learn to recognize the first lisp of the tempter’s voice, leading them away from the strict path of obedience!
From over across the waters we have been hearing about the terrible loss of life and property in the war in the far East. Great ships have gone down; and without a moment’s warning or a thought of danger, hundreds of people on board the doomed vessels have been sent into eternity.
What was the trouble?
Ah, away down deep in the quiet waters the cunning enemy had buried the deadly explosive. The vessel had approached a little too near,—only just over the danger line. The dimpling waters rippled softly about the great ship, and the blue sky above gave no hint of danger. No echoing bell rang its note of warning, and no signal man flaunted his crimson flag above that chasm of horror. When, hark! a deep, rumbling roar; a shudder runs along the great steel sides of the war-ship,—an awful trembling, like that of a mighty leviathan in his last throes of mortal agony; a streak of flame, as from the bowels of the earth,—and the dark waters part, and close, and settle down again, over the grave of a hundred men.
O, look out how you tamper with the enemy. Look out how you approach ever so distantly the danger line of disobedience. Do you know what it was that wrecked this beautiful earth, and changed an Eden into a charnel-house of dead men’s bones?—It was only disobedience.
There has never been a tear or a sorrow or a moment’s pain or an hour’s grief or a wail of agony or a gray hair or a bent form or a furrowed brow or a mourner’s sigh or a bed of death,—never one that has not been caused by disobedience.

“THE ANGEL OF THE CRIMEA.”

BY JOHN W. KIRTON, L.L. D.
Few stories are more beautiful and thrilling than that of Florence Nightingale, and none better illustrate the spirit of disinterested and voluntary self-sacrifice than hers, nor the reward which such efforts bring. Alas! that such a life should be so rarely seen; and it is in the hope that a glance at some of its chief incidents may arouse within some others a like spirit, that these are given.
She was the child of well-to-do parents, and was born in the Italian city whose name she bears. As a child and maiden she had the good fortune to enjoy the privilege of having her studies directed by her cultured father, who took the greatest delight in aiding her bright and winsome ways.
As a child she manifested great sympathy with any who suffered from any physical infirmity, and displayed rare skill in its relief. She could not even see a dumb animal in pain without feeling some desire to care for it. This feeling grew with her growth. As she reached young womanhood she began to visit hospitals, and to study their condition, surroundings, methods, etc. She soon saw the need of refined and sympathetic women to minister to the sick, and asked herself if there were not to be found women enough to undertake such an important work.
Gradually and steadily this purpose grew in the young girl's heart, and at length she resolved to go to Kaiserworth, near Dusseldorf, to undergo a course of training in Parson Fliedner's hospital, so that she might secure for herself as complete a knowledge and skill as possible, and while there she worked among the “deaconesses” as earnestly as if her daily bread depended upon her labors.
On her return to England she gave herself for several months to the work of building up a hospital for sick governesses.
While so engaged, dark rumors reached England from the Crimea, saying how the soldiers were dying of cold, sickness, and neglect; that the hospitals were foul and crowded; that there was a lack of proper food and clothing, and, above all, of tender care. Was there no one prepared to go to the rescue?
This stirred a soul already prepared for heroic effort, and Florence Nightingale set to work and organized a band of thirty-four trained nurses, then gathered the needful supplies, and went out to be known hereafter as “the angel of the Crimea.”
That she richly deserved this name may be gathered from the fact that under her labors the death-rate was reduced from 60 per cent. to a little above 1 per cent. She saw that the food was properly cooked, the clothing and bedding well washed and aired, that the bandages were adjusted and remedies applied. Long after the physician and other attendants had retired for the night, and darkness and sleep reigned through the hospital, this slight, frail woman was to be seen moving, lamp in hand, between the rows of poor couches on which the sick and wounded lay in pain.
Nor did her labors end with caring for the body. She also sought to heal the soul. For months before her arrival the soldiers had not seen a woman's face. Their lot had been one of hardship and cruelty. But her presence worked like a charm, and soon brought a great change among them.
One said of her, “Before she came there was cursin' and swearin', but after that it was as holy as a church.” Another said,—and no more touching tribute has ever been paid to woman,—“She would speak to me and another, and nod and smile to many more; but she could not do it to all, you know, for we lay there by hundreds; but we could kiss her shadow as it fell, and lay our heads on our pillows again content.”
Eternity will alone reveal the grand results which thus followed the splendid self-denying efforts she and her companions made on behalf of the wounded and dying during that terrible war. One fact may be helpful to understand that such will be the case.
In Scotland the 23rd psalm is taught to children when they are scarcely out of their babyhood, and it is known as the “Nursery Psalm.” The following touching incident is given of one of the ladies who was thus co-operating with Florence Nightingale as nurse in a Scutari hospital. A Highlander near death, and yet hard against God, lay there. She spoke to him but he would make no answer. He even drew the sheet up over his head to keep her from speaking to him again.
The next time she went through the ward he saw her coming towards his cot, and he covered his face again. Seating herself beside the bed she began to repeat in a low, kind voice the Nursery Psalm:—
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He maketh me down to lie In pastures green. He leadeth me The quiet waters by.”
She noticed before the psalm was finished his hand went up to his eyes under the sheet. The next time she came he was ready to listen to what she had to say of Jesus and His love. He gave his heart to the Lord, and five days later died in great peace.
The Nursery Psalm was used to touch a chord that was not quite paralyzed by his bitter enmity against God. It was “mony a weary mile” from his mother's knee in the Highland cottage, where, with her loving hand on his bonny, bright head, she had taught him the dear old psalm, to the Crimean hospital, where, a rough, hardened soldier, he lay dying; yet the mother's love, like Christ's tenderness, reached all the way, and drew him back to God.
When the war was over, Florence Nightingale, the heroine of the hospital, was not forgotten by Her Majesty, and ultimately the government placed at her command the means to establish what is now known as St. Thomas's Hospital and the Nightingale Training-school for Nurses.
Would that other young ladies, instead of wasting their time in foolish pursuits, would seek some field of labor in which they could do good, and thus prove a blessing to those who need it.
Since her return from the Crimea, Miss Nightingale has never been strong, but she has been able to exert a wide influence through her books, which are everywhere accepted as authorities on nursing and hospital work. “Nursing,” she writes, “is an art; and if it is to be made an art, requires as exclusive devotion, as hard a preparation, as any painter's or sculptor's work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or cold marble compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God's Spirit!”—Home and Health.

THE MOTHER'S WELCOME.

It is night upon the prairie, And a crescent moon looks down, While a wagon, slowly creaking, Makes its way from distant town, Makes its way to home and shelter Where a friendly light burns clear, And the glow within the doorway Speaks of welcome, love, and cheer.
'Gainst the glow there stands a woman With a sad yet tender smile, Watching, listening, through the darkness, Tho she scarce keeps back the while Mingled tears of joy and sorrow, And her heart is beating wild, For the wagon, slowly nearing, Brings to her a little child.
Will it love her? Will it ever Win from her a mother's love? Will she give it true devotion? And she prays to God above— Prays to God who keeps her darlings Safe from all the world's alarms, Yet her mother-heart is hungry For their little clinging arms; For the sound of baby voices, For the patter of their feet, For the joy of happy childhood Making life a thing more sweet; Sickness came, in vain they fought it With the love that sometimes saves, But the silver moon is shining On three little children's graves.
So she waits there in the darkness While her heart is beating fast With the promise of the future, With the memories of the past; From the “Christian Home” is coming To her motherly embrace Some poor, friendless little orphan In her heart to find a place.
Then a voice she loves calls bravely, Tho it bears a hint of tears, “Have you welcome ready, mother, For two sleepy little dears— 'Tis a brother and a sister And they both have eyes of blue. At the Home they never part them— Don't you think we've room for two?”
Opening wide her arms she took them, Close the orphans nestled there; Room in heart? and room at hearthstone? “Room?” she answered; “Room to spare!” And that night upon the prairie While the stars their vigils kept, Two glad watchers knelt together As their new-found children slept,
—Ada Stewart Shelton.

HANDIWORK OF ALASKAN INDIANS.

BY OLIVE M. HILLERY.
In looking over the various arts of the Alaskan Indian the most interesting to me are the carving and basket-weaving. For the carving they use gold, silver, wood, bronze, and ivory. Out of gold and silver are made rings, bracelets, and earrings, cups and saucers from the bronze, and tiny canoes and paddles, gaily colored, and both small and large totem poles are carved from the wood. The gold and silver ornaments are made from coins, which are heated and pounded into the required shapes. These are decorated with the pictures of frogs, snakes, or bears, anything the Indian fancy dictates.
Both handsome and unique cups and saucers have recently been made from the bronze, but those are very expensive. The canoes and paddles vary in length from a few inches to two or three feet, and are painted the same as those used in every-day life.
Native Jewelers of Alaska Carving on Metal and Ivory.
Native Jewelers of Alaska Carving on Metal and Ivory.
The totem poles are family histories. Each tribe is represented by some animal, as a bear, fox, eagle, etc. Thus, if a man from the bear tribe marries into the fox tribe, the bear is at the head of the pole followed by the fox, and as the children marry their tribe emblems are recorded on the pole.
Formerly the Indians made their own herb dyes, but, as they have copied many other ways of the white man, they now use our common dyes. They do not last as long as the herb dyes, but they still succeed in producing as hideous combinations of colors as they ever did.
Their basket-weaving is all that one can really admire and still be truthful. The young, tender shoots of the yellow cedar are used for the finest work. Baskets are made of various sizes and many different shapes. Handles, and covers with tiny knobs, furnish some, making them useful as well as ornamental. Some are so closely woven as to be water tight. As a rule the color combinations on the baskets closely approach the beautiful, and make really pretty ornaments for one's home.
Skagway, Alaska.

SENDING MEAT BY MAIL.

A RESIDENT of Berlin has a package of meat mailed to him every Saturday from a point one hundred and fifty miles away in Silesia for a little more than twelve cents—the rate for a twenty-two pound parcel. German merchants deliver most of their goods by mail—the small storekeeper thus provided with as good a delivery service as the larger. Germany has even been permitted to mail eleven-pound parcels to addresses in the United States.—World's Work.

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Like Olive Oil, and Keeps in Any Climate
Price, F. O. B., Cash with order
5 gal. can, $3.50; 10 gal. can (75 lbs.), $6.75. Write for circulars on Bbl. and ½-Bbl. lots.
(Refined Cotton Seed Oil, 10 Gallons, $5.50)
Address O. C. GODSMARK
2005 Magazine St. LOUISVILLE, KY

THE NORTH-WESTERN LINE RUSSIA-JAPAN ATLAS.

Send ten cents in stamps to R. R. Ritchie, No. 617 Market Street, San Francisco, for Russo-Japanese War Atlas, issued by the Chicago & North-Western Railway, three fine colored maps each 14x20, bound in convenient form for reference. The Eastern Situation shown in detail with tables showing relative military and naval strength and financial resources of Russia and Japan.
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