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YE P1I0R TRAVELS. The Minnesota Editorial Associa tion Invades Canada and is Royally Received. The Annual Trip was a Continuous Round of Changing Scenes Always Delightful. Historic Points are Visited Along the St. Lawrence Leaving Pleasant Memories. The lnnd of the Huron and the Iro quois the land of JacqueB Carteir, of Chainplain, of Frontenac, the land of the French voyageur, the land of ro mance, of poetry, and of song,— French Canada was the scene of this year's outing of the Minnesota Edi torial Association. It was a trip full AMOXO THE ISLANDS—LAKE MUSKOKA. of the greatest interest and in many ways the most valuable ever offered to members of the association. There was more of historic interest, there was more that was strange and for eign and more that was educational. Starting from St. Paul on Thursday evening, the party of two hundred, all editors and their immediate families, in a train of splendid palace coaches, traveled over 3,000 miles. From the windows of the rushing train they saw as a continuous panorama the southern parts of their own state, the splendid states of Iowa, Illinois, Indi ana, and Michigan before entering Canada. Then passing through the Port Huron tunnel under the St. Clair river, a remarkable example of en gineering skill, we entered the coun try of our neighbors. Through much of the best of Canada's farming coun try we went into the Muskoka lake region, that glorious haven of the INTERIOR STEAMER TORONTO, sportsman and the pleasure seeker down the beautiful St. Lawrence, through the Thousand Islands, to Montreal and on to Quebec, the New York and Gibraltar of Canada, and then to Ottawa, the seat of the Do minion government. It was ay outing long to be remembered and thought over, and one that it will take the editorial party long to thoroughly di gest. For it the editorial thanks are due, first, to the Grand Trunk Railroad, whose officers made it possible. Never in the history of the association has such care and attention been extended to it by any railroad. The editorial train passed over a part of all four of its passenger divisions, and every where the arrangements for handling it "were made with the thought only of having every detail of the service conduce to the pleasure of the excur sionists and their convenience. The Grand Trunk's passenger department is both a family and a machine. There is the strongest possible personal fealty between the members of the force, from the humblest clerk to the head, of this branch of the service. Not only is there obedience to instruc tions, but a somewhat close look into their methods shows every one sitting up nights and scheming off-hours to see if somehow, some way they can do something to further the interest of the Grand Trunk, while every sub ordinate knows that he can always reach the ear of his superior and gain his attention. If this is an example of the other departments of the road it *8 no wonder that in the few years She system has been under the pres ent management, it has been brought from discredit, ill-repute and worse repair, to rank as one of the very nest railway systems of the country. Its rolling stock .has been put in the best possible condition, so that now its trains Nos. 3 and 4, the pride of the road, are not excelled in perfection of appointments by any road in the Country. This train is pulled by a great ten-wheeled locomotive and is completely vestibuled. There is a New York and Philadelphia coach and elegant through Pullman sleeping car service to those, cities, via Niagara Falls to Boston via Stratford, Toron to and Montreal to Toronto via Stratford, and from Detroit to Buffalo Ha London and Hamilton. Connec- tions with convenient sleeper accom modations are also made for other eastern points, and during the sum mer through service is maintained for Portland and Old Orchard Beach. These trains are simply palaces on wheels and no one going to any point on the eastern coast of the United States or to eastern Canada can fail in wisdom to take this route. So per fect has the road bed been made that this heavy train at the high rate of speed, egualled by few and excelled by no through service, rides so smoothly that writing and reading are pleasures, and to travel becomes no more tiresome than sitting at home. The Grand Trunk has the right to be the favorite road to 'the east, and to be prosperous, because of the country it traverses. From Reaving Chicago to arriving at any terminal, it has no stretches of drfeary wastes* no miles of stumps or desolation often found on trans-continental routes, but every mile is through the best and most^ fruitful country,, and every mile has its scenes of beauty. Passing through a corner of Indiana, through a succession of intrusting towns, it leaves the state at South Bend, a real ly charming city, whose busy fac- tories, pretty paved streets, fine houses and business blocks, and pic turesque river, are seen to advantage from the train. Across Michigan the important cities of Battle Creek, Lan sing and Flint are seen, and there are good views at the great Sanitarium, the state's capital building and the factories and mills. Then at Port Hu ron, the train whirls without delay through the great tubular steel term inal under the river, and is in Canada. Eastern Canada is a splendid coun try, fruitful and prosperous, and the Grand Trunk here networked the very best of it all. Indeed, from Detroit and Port Huron to Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Toronto on the south and the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay points on the north, there is little of rail road importance except the Grand Trunk. It not only covers the splen did farming country north of Lakes Erie and Ontario, but the rich timber and mineral region and magnificent inces3ion of lake resorts. Indeed, when one stops to think, first, of what we saw on the trip, that succession of scenic wonder: the Muskoka lakes, the Thousand Islands, the St. Law rence rapids, Montreal, with its hun dreds of magnificant churches, and its views from Mount Royal Quebec, that bit of ancient Europe, and the glorious outlook from the citidal over the bay, with the Laurentian moun tains in the distance the Montmoren ci Falls, three hundred, feet of falling feathers Ottawa, in many ways the most beautiful city of Canada, with its Parliament buildings, which, in the perfection of their architecture, are not excelled on this continent the splendid Ottawa and Rideau river scenery, and the Chaudiere Falls, and things of all that was left unseen, we 'wonder that any one ever travels on any other road, save from necessity. But to begin our trip back at St. Paul, we started out with five Pull man vestibuled sleepers and a day coach over the Chicago Great Western road, which has proved its excellence by its popularity and by gathering in passenger and freight business in a way that startles its rivals. The as sociation is under obligations especial ly to Mr. S. C. Stickney, the general manager, to Mr. F. H. Lord, the gen eral passenger agent, and to Mr. J. P. Elmer, the local agent at St. Paul, for great courtesy and kindness. The Great Western handled our train splendidly, and nothing was neglected that would add to the pleasure of the trip. On the return a change of schedule made necessary a breakfast at Oelwein, where the local agent spent the entire night arranging that the party be accommodated at one sitting. This is but an example of what the Great Western, or "Maple Leaf," as it is so well known, will do for its patrons, and shows the reason as* THE VICTORIA JUBILEE BRIDGE—MONTREAL. NgjgaSli*5' outside of its equipment and facilities, for its popularity and business-get ting. Leaving Chicago, our first stop was at Durand for supper, at the Grand Trunk eating house, and it is enough to say that when it was announced that another meal woulcl be had there on the return, in spite of change of program, it was greeted with a cheer.. Even the local band of twenty pieces was out and played all during the stay. The second morning, after a run through a beautiful country, through farming and timber lands and pine forests and past lovely lakes, we landed at Muskoka Wharf, and were at that famous chain of lakes, that brings health and strength to thousands, and pleasure and sport to as many more. There is something remarkable about the atmosphere in the Canadian lake region. In a few hours it will cure any cold in the head, hay fever disappears like magic, vigor comes to the tired body and brain, and the water, pure and wholly free 'from alkali, has strong medicinal properties. It is a haven of rest, and while this Muskoka lake region is the center, it extends for miles and miles through all that part of Canada. The lakes teem with bass, pike, musko longe, the streams with trout, and the woods are full of wild game. Last year 12,000 visitors passed over Mus- koka Wharf, while 24,000 visited region. This year the number will be over 30,000. At Little Pittsburgh, as they call one resort, 500 Pittsburgers go regularly each slimmer, while all along the shores of the lakes and on most of the innumerable islands, which are of every shape and size, are cottages, club houses, hotels, camps, resorts and all sorts of inducements for the pleasure seeker. It is sure to be Canada's great resort and is al- STEAMEB TORONTO. ready a strong rival of the Adiron dacks. Last season 6,000 deer were shipped from there, and 10,000 killed in the region. The lake transporta tion is fully provided for by the Mus koka Navigation Company. Captain Cockburn, the manager, put the first boat on the lakes in the Ws, and his faith h§8 had its reward. Now this company's fleet of five large steam ers, on one of which our party of 200 was nicely accommodated and served with meals, cover the lakes. They call at all the clubs and island homes and dodge in and out of the maze of islands, where familiarity shows the way, but where the stranger would be lost. The captain has his own home on one of the islands and he accom panied us that far on our rounds, his daughters coming out in a pretty launch to take him from the vessel. The lakes are connected by narrow rock-bound channels and one round of 80 miles entering these lakes did not by any means show all their beau ties. That night, which was Saturday, we were taken via Toronto to Thousand Island Junction on the Grand Trunk, where, by courtesy of the Thousand Islands Railway, a short but very im portant train link, we were landed at Gananoque on the St. Lawrence. Here we left our train with all heavy bag gage to go on to Montreal, while we were transferred to the care of the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Com pany, whose floating palaces make this one of their regular stopping places. The Grand Trunk officials re mained with us, but we also had the honor of having with us Mr. Thos. Henry, the traffic manager of the R. & O. N. Co., to whom we all were great ly indebted for his kindly attentions and care. The R. & O. N. Co. is to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence what the Grand Trunk is to eastern Canada, and they make close mutual connections at all the principal lake and river points. From Niagara Falls, Hamilton and Toronto at the end of Lake Ontario, their lines of boats, that in size and appointments rival ocean vessels, reach every important town and city on both the American and Canadian sides, to the Saguenay river and up that to Chicontimi. There could be no more delightful trip,than all of this route or any part of it. The company's boats will accommodate a thousand day passengers and can pro vide sleeping accommodation for nearly 500. It was on one of the most splendid of these, the "To ronto," that we were taken down through the Thousand Islands. Our breakfast and dinner were taken on the boats, and in service and cuisine they equaled any of the famous ho tels. And even with all the beauties of the St. Lawrence to fill the eyes and attract and satisfy the mind and heart, the stomach still remains an important factor in the tourist's pleasure. Down the river, winding past the multitude* of islands, we steamed, while scenes of beauty, each more charming than the other, brought "Ohs" and "Ahs" and pro longed exclamations of delight. On the American side are the most im provements. On Round Island and Thousand Island Park are magnifi cant hotels, and a short stop gave the tourists a chance to run up to the hotels, and here our "Oom Paul" at tracted the Canadians' attention and loud were the calls for him. But all were waiting for the famous Alex andria Bay, where American wealth has built. another Saratoga. The boat threads in and out among the hundreds of islands on which the rich have lavished literally their millions in rivalry as to who should have the most georgeous mansion. Many of them are modeled as are ancient cas tles, with towers and battlements, their heavy walls built up from the rocky cliffs. Others are more modest but equally picturesque, and fitting their purpose and surroundings. It was a display of magnificance that opened the eyes to the vast wealth that can for mere pastime and luxury invest such vast sums. At Prescott we transferred to the "Bohemian," a smaller vessel that could pass the rapids. It was most comfortable, but must be a staunch and sturdy ship to stand the strain of the succeeding rushes of water, the Long Sault, the Coteap, the Cedar, the Split Rock and the last and most ter rific of all the Lachine rapids. Noth ing can be said or written to exceed the reality of these rapids. Almost between walls of stone, barely cov ered with rushing water, with vast masses of rock on every side, over which the waters tumbled and dashed with foam and spray thrown high, the vessel was taken until. it plunged over what was nearly a water fall, while five strong men hung to the wheel and every one inwardly prayed the good ship's harness might prove faultless in its strength and take us safely through. Finally we swept around the bend and the grand city of Montreal, the commercial center of the Dominion, came in view. We left the boat only regretful that we could HIGHLAND STREAM—MUSKOKA. not again transfer to one of the boats? still larger than the AMONGST THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. where connections are made for the Lake St. -lohn region. It is a great trip, this offered by the Richeleau & Ontario Navigation Company, one that for scenic grandeur certainly is un rivaled in any land. Here, side by Side, the Old and New Has each a charm spread out to view From where Niagara's thunders roar By scarped cliff and frowning shore In fertile fields and Island groves. By winding streams and wrinkled coves In haurtts of pleasure gay with life In scenes of peace and ancient strife. When we took the boat four mem bers of the Quebec Press Association, President Charles Gordon Smith, Vice President G. H. Porteous, and Messrs. John Richards and Marson met us and proved most royal entertainers. They had badges and programs of the Montreal entertainment. This courte sy was but a forerunner of what Mon treal. held in store for us. Mayor Pre fontaine, members of the council. Major Brittinger, our consul general, with the press, joined in greetings and a succession of courtesies, that ended in a reception on Mount Royal, where, on the grand outlook with its view over the city and the river, a delicious lunch was served. The mayor ex tended the city's welcome in a most gracious little address, and Mr. H. P. Hall made a response. Other fitting talks were made and then the second evening ended with a theater party. In the morning the Grand Trunk had taken us in a special train out to the Victoria Jubilee bridge, one of the engineering wonders of the land. We were accompanied by many of the road's officials, including Assistant Engineer McNabb, who most enter tainingly told of the bridge built in the '50's in the tubular form. It was opened officially in 1860 by the Prince of Wales, who drove the last rivet. It was then a wonder, but the traffic over it so increased that it had to be rebuilt in 1897-8. It was not closed for a minute, and so thorough was the first structure that the old piers did not have to be replaced, the super structure alone being replaced by open steel pans on which is a double railroad track, and on either side, sep arated from the railway tracks by stone walls, is a roadway. There are 24 piers, and the bridge is 6,592 feet in length. It is no wonder the Grand Trunk is proud of their splendid structure on which, in all, $9,000,000 has been expended. Little souvenir books, picturing and explaining the bridge and printed for the occasion, were given each guest. Again that night we took our train and the Grand Trunk whirled us to Quebec, that quaintest of cities of the new world, with its famous hostelry, the Chataus Frontenac, perched upon the lofty hillsside, with the citidal as a background. As at Montreal, where we were housed at the Windsor, that city's swellest hotel, and one of the best on the continent, so in Quebec we were at the Frontenac, as nothing is too good for the touring Minnesota editors. The Grand Trunk runs on the south side of the river, and at Point Levis opposite Quebec, the edit ors were transferred to one of the fine ferry boats of the Quebec & Levis Ferry Company, whose officers went to much trouble and no little incon venience to accommodate us, showing more of that friendly spirit that marked everywhere our reception by our brethren across the line. Quebec gave us a splendid reception. Its com mittee, headed by Mr. L. J. Demers, President Press Association of.Prpv .ince of Quebec, a prince of enter tainers, showered us with attentions. A reception by His Honor, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Hon. L. A. Jette, and lunch at the parlia ment^ building, a trolley ride about the city, which, it seemed, might have been dropped there out of ancient Eu rope a reception and address of wel come by the mayor an excursion down the river, past the Falls of Montmorency, and back to the beauti ful home of the Hon. R. R. Dobell, where we were received, lunched and addressed. All this made up a day never to be forgotten. And when loaded in our train of street cars, over forty broke into cheers and songs and the association yell, the thousands of citizens on the esplanade listening to the band, hurried to see and hear. It was a noisy and most enthusiastic de parture and seem6d to please our hosts, the Quebecers, as much as our selves. Back we speed to Ottawa, the seat of government. The entertainment there had been arranged for by Mr. vVill J. White, Canadian land agent, and it was like him, generous, cordial and heartsome. More than ever is he endeared to all Minnesota editors, for through him we have' been able to learn and know, to respect and" to honor our Canadian neighbors, and to realize a mutual and hearty friend ship. We reached Ottawa over the Canada Atlantic .Railway, which ex tends from Montreal and 8wanton, via the capitol, to the Georgian Bay, and there connects with the company's line of steamships running to Port Arthur, Duluth, the Boo and Chieago, S'S^S' r, 4tToronto" and go on down to Quebec. Then on to Merway Bay, which, with the Lauren tian mountains just back, rivals Scotland's highland beauties, and is a region renowned, too, for its attrac tions of mountain lakes and streams. And then Tadousac, another of the continent's famed summer resorts, just at the mouth of the Saguenay, up which the boats pass to Chicontimi. .•U- ?ery Important transportation line :Atid one which offers a number ofde htful lake and rail trips. The Can-. »ua Atlantic has a fine roadbed and Our train made 80 and 60 miles an hour on the run. We were placed un der especial obligation to Mr. E. J. Chamberlain, the general manager, end to Mr. J. E. Walsh, the assistant general passenger agent, for their kindness. The latter not only saw that we had all his road could do for us, but remained with us and took 'us in Charge on the trolley ride to Alymer. Certainly nothing could have been more flattering than our reception and entertainment at Ottawa. His wor ship, Mayor Payment, who gave an address of welcome, the aldermen, the press and many distinguished-mem-, bers of the government and of parlia ment, showed us marked .attention. At the beautiful parliament buildings, the city fire department, a model for such a city, gave an exhibition run and received much applause for their fine work. Then came the ride to Aylmer, where, at the Victoria* a huge summer resort, lunch was served, and address made by his wor ship, Mayor Rainboth, and the Rev. R. F. Taylor, each extending a hearty welcome. At the Queen's park every body "shot the chutes," and after a visit to Hull and the famous Chau diere Falls, which it' is estimated can furnish all the motive power used by the immense factories of Ottawa's manufacturing suburb and a million horse power more, we returned to the capitol. Hull is being rapidly rebuilt but the evidences of the extent and the destruction wrought by the great fire are simply appalling. Ottawa is a beautiful city, and has more of the home feeling than any other large city we visited. In beauty of its buildings, and surroundings, also, it is not excelled by any, while nowhere was more done by prominent citizens to make us feel the warmth of their welcome. It was, with much regret that we finally boarded our train a somewhat tired but most enthusiastic party, to start on ou^. through homeward trip. We made a" very fast run over the Canada Atlantic to the junction with the Grand Trunk, the Grand Trunk also gave us almost a record-breaking run to Chicago.. We had the right of track over everything and the time we made was startling, running often Over sixty miles an hour. And he^e we wish to extend our especial and roost sincere thanks on behalf of the Editorial Association to the Grand Trunk passenger department, from Mr. W. E. Davis, passenger traffic manager, who replied to our first re quest with the laconic and most grati fying remark, "Mr. Elliott, give these gentlemen whatever they want," and Mr. H. G. Elliott, ass't general passen ger agent, at Montreal, who, with Mr. Geo. W. Vaux, the assistant general agent at Chicago, made the arrange ments for the trip, and Mr. G. T. Bell, general passenger agent, whose pre sentation of our cause won Mr. Davis' approval, to Mr. Dixon and Mr. Pease, division passenger agents, who accom panied us while on their division, and to Mr. David Brown, Jr., city ticket agent at St. Paul. Mr. Brown per sonally .conducted the excursion for the road, and his help was of the ut most value. Mr. Vaux also was with us during most of the trip, leaving nothing undone that could possibly have been desired of the road. There will always be a warm spot in the heart of each of the editorial party fcr the Grand Trunk and for its more than courteous officials, and it was with the utmost pleasure that we learn that at the Paris Exposition the Grand Trunk's exhibit of views along its route and the advertising of its passenger department was awarded the first prize, a gold medal. And this pleasure also is increased by our ac quaintance with Mr. Charlton, the road's advertising agent, who placed us under many personal obligations. It was indeed a glorious trip, but no impression brought back was stronger than that eastern Canada in the immediate future must have a re- jifr markable commercial growth. All that region is prosperous. It has remark able wealth in timber and minerals as yet little more than touched. It has a splendid farming country. It has its wonderful lake region, with of fered gifts of health and pleasure. It has vast wealth to carry out any project. Its financial resources are enormous' and its foundations on which to build commercial growth through manufacturing and transpor tation are broad and deep. Quebec is an-all the year open port for vessels of any size, and it and Montreal are 1,000 miles nearer the whe&t fields of the northwest than is New York via Chicago. All this tells a tale of com mercial wonders to be, and soon to be. To see what is and what is to be, to learn the importance of the mutual trade relations of the United States and Canada, to form a basis for intelligent study as to what those re lations should be, all this,, added to the mere sight-seeing, made this trip through eastern Canada one of great importance and of great value. The members of the association are deeply appreciative of substantial courtesies extended by Hon. R. C. Duiin, state auditor, CITY OF QUEBEC. FROM HAMIL'S POINT—LAKE MUSKOKA. and Col. C. J. Monfort of the Windsor hotel of St. Paul, while the beautiful itinerary of the trip presented jointly by the Kel logg Newspaper company, the Minne sota TypeJToundry and the American Press association wm a souvenir that was keenly relished and.' will long be treasured by every recipient. No less a delightful courtesy was' the presen tation of the magnificent enameled metallic badge presented to members by Mr. Will J. White in behalf of th« immigration department of the Do minion of Canada. Its appropriate ness was only equaled by its artistic and emblematic design. On the return trip the ladies con* ceived the happy idea of a testimonial to Mr. W. J. White, the representative of the dominion government, who had accompanied the party on the entire trip. None but ladies were permitted to contribute. On reaching St. Paul a handsome and commodious travel ing bag with toilet utensils was pur chased and all of the party still in the city gathered at the ladies' parlor at the Windsor hotel at 4 p. m., where the gift was presented. Mr. White made a handsome 'acknowledgment, expressing his pleasure at the cordial relations existing between the associ ation and himself. He not only proved a most enter taining companion on the ,trip, but the committee wish to add their ver bal testimonial to the practical one of the ladies for the assistance he ren- ft dered not only in planning this trip but the one to the coast two. years ago. The first one never would have been undertaken but for Mr. White, and it is doubtful whether the second one could have been secured without his advice and assistance. He is a gentleman without reproach and a host without a peer. Before leaving Ottawa the party as sembled in the corridor of the Russell house and Mr. W. J. Munro, in behalf of the association, presented President Mitchell an elegant gold watch and chain, which Mr. Mitchell accepted with hearty thanks. F. J. MEYST, C. C. WHITNEY, H. P. HALL, Executive Com. REFORM IN GRAMMAR. Preach Coancll of Public Instruction Orders Simplification of Syn tax and Orthography. Americans in France—and those at home who have to learn French gram* STEAMER IN RAPIDS. mar—will welcome the announce* ment that a decree has just been is sued by the council of public instruc tion, the ruling pedagogic body of the country, directing that hereafter French syntax and orthography are to be simplified. In a word, French grammar is to be rid of some difficul ties that have never served any useful purpose but mental discipline. To begin with, the chapter in the grammar dealing with the past parti ciple of verbs conjugated with "avoir" is suppressed. Such participles are for the future to be invariable. Another reform concerns nouns that were heretofore of two genders. From this time they may be spoken or writ* ten in either gender. A more important innovation affects the plural of composite nouns, hereto fore a cruel embarrassment to the young Frenchman, and an almost in surmountable barrier to the foreigner learning the language. The council of public instruction directs that the plural is to be formed by merely add ing "s" at the end of the last word. For instance, one may now say "tete* a-tetes" as the plural' of "tete-a-tete,* and "chef d'oeuvres" as the plural of "chef d'oeuvre." The council condemns examiners who, in France or in the United States, get a fiendish delight in presenting as questions to be answered grammatical problems whose petty peculiarities are far better ignored. It has come out boldly in favor of a simpler style and common sense in things grammatical, Addlnsr Color. Larry—Do you renumber our ould torn* cat thot wud run if a kitten looked at him? Will, he kin lick- th' hould alley by himself now. Denny—Phwat brought about th' change? "Wae toied a grane ribbon aroun' his nick."—Chicago Evening News. Pass? Willows, Perhaps. Mr. Homewood—Are you doing any gar dening this spring? Mr. Wilkansburg—l have made a begin ning. I planted a eat under a peach tree yesterday evening.—Pittsburgh Chronicle Telegraph. Hot Too Well Done. Pepprey—No, I won't have anything more for you. Your work last week displeased me very much. Laundryman—What's the matter wasn't it well done? "Yes, .too well done. I like my shirts rare."—Philadelphia Record. The foolish will never take simple reme dies.—Chicago Democrat, MINNESOTA NEWS. WmLoMTMrTotM. There are* many voters scattered over the state, particularly in the cen tral and northern part, who are be moaning their fate because they can not assiet in shaping the polities ei their individual, districts. They have filed claims on govern ment lands, many of them during the past year, and are consequently obliged to acknowledge their claims as their residences, which deprives them of voting qt the election next month. The United States land offices at St. Cloud, Marshall and Crookston have recorded big increases in the numbei of homesteads filed upon this year, and at the rate government land is being taken up there will be little left in a short time. There is no loss without some small grain, however, and the homesteaders realize that their claims are increas ing in value according to the rapid rate in which the north is being opened up. Business is pushing to ward the northern boundary of the state at a rate highly gratifying to those who have claims. Grades Established. The Minnesota State Board of Grain and Warehouse Commissioners met and agreed upon a basis of grades for it year were changes allowed one hard this year. The rules mainly renewed, were made. Last to mix with the wheat from the Red per cent of red winter wheat. This resulted in loaaing .the^ed River Val ley wheat and virtual ly'depressing its price. This has been changed this year by adopting the rule that any ad mixture of other wheat will cause it to grade as mixed winter wheat. Valley five Tine Appearance. The fair grounds present an un usually fine appearance this year. The rains of July and August came at the time when the grass is usually just beginning to dry up in this vicinity, and tney have been so numerous and frequent that the fair grounds look like a part of the city park system. The trees, too, are in fine foliage, and have added another year's growth since they were examined by the pub lic last. Secretary Randall has seen to it that the walks and drives have been kept in good order. A Dual with Razors. Donald Gray and Marcus Hutchin son, colored, armed with razors, fought a bloody duel at St. Paul, and the former may die from his injuries. The men began quarreling over a girl, and before any one was aware, they were slashing each other fright fully. The men fought until Gray fell exhausted from the loss of blood. He was taken to the hospital, while Hutchinson was locked up. Gray is horribly lacerated and cut about the face and body, and it is believed that he cannot live. Died at a BaU Game. John Ford, of Randolph, Minn., died suddenly in the grandstand at Lex ington Park while watching a ball game between the Hastings team and that of Lennon & Gibbons. His daugh ter was by his side and after bidding her good-bye he expired before aid could reach him. Death was due to hemorrhage of the lungs. He was 4S years old and leaves a widow and three children. News In Brief. An intoxicated man was arrested in a Minneapolis saloon who had $1,520, all in $20 gold pieces, in his pocket. The fourth-class postoffice at Steph ens will be raised to the third class, commencing Oct. 11. The postmaster's salary will be $1,000 per year. The executive committee of the Minnesota State Bankers' Association will meet in St. Paul some time dur ing the state fair. Chester R. Smith, St. Paul, is to be the manager of the evening program at the fair. Everybody in St. Paul knows that this means success. Mr. Smith has been a leader in all of St. Paul's great festive occasions, and is quite at home managing and planning brilliant spectacles like the evening entertainments at the fair. An opium joint at Duluth was raided by the police and the alleged proprietor, Alex Kennedy, and two in mates, all colored, were arrested. A laborer named Larry Kustlewski was instantly killed by the caving in of a sewer in which he was at work in the western part of Winona. A Norwegian hospital for St. Paul is projected under the auspices of the Norwegian Lutheran Seminary at Hamline. Committees have been or ganized to ascertain if a sufficient sum can be subscribed to erect a good, large hospital in St. Paul. The remains of Knute Knutson, a njan about 60 years of age, were found in a field near the Berlin post office. The steamer Eclipse, one of the best raft boats on the upper Mississippi, has sunk at a point some distance down the river from Winona. It broke from its moorings during a storm and floated upon some rocks.. It now lays in about four feet of water. Work of raising it has already been com menced. Fire destroyed the general store, building and contents belonging to S. N. Thompson, of Grey Eagle. It was insured for $1,800. The postoffie was in the building. State Auditor Dunn has withdrawn the state's one-third of the wolf boun ty, being $5 for males and $15 for fe males. He says there are people in the state who operate wolf farms on account of the bonus and find it a paying industry. The girl inmates of the state train ing school are camping at Point Au Sable. A girl named Annie Mooney was drowned. .While making a leap down the steep banks of the paddock to escape from dogs at Minnehaha Park, an antelope broke one of ito forelegs. The limb has been set and bound in splints. The animal may not recover. William Schaal, a farmer living at Warwick, near Minneapolis, started to drive to the South fit. Paul stock yards with a load of hoge Monday. Near Midway the team ran Into is livs electric wire and both hones worn In stantly killed. Willie Oustefeon^nged'" 1*.\wil drowned while bathingin Ely Lake His parents reside *t MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. The polar bears of Kodiak island weigh from 2,500 to 3,000 pounds, and none of them has ever been caught alive. There are SO large oyster packing establishments in Norfolk, Va., and it is estimated that they handle 2,500, 000 bushels annually, representing a value of $2,000,000. Mount Edgecombe, in Alaska, has one of the largest craters in tha world, being five miles in diameter, which is filled with dense forests 2,000 feet below the rim. A man Who owns a eocoanut grove in Venezuela is independent, as the fruit continues to ripen all the year and brings a good price. Each tree averages an annual income of five shillings. Saddles, in some form, are of the greatest antiquity. Under Tiglath Pileser III. the Assyrian cavalry were provided with them, and the early Bo mans used a covering of cloth, hide or skin, which was no doubt very simi lar. The public buildings of the United States have cost, since the foundation of the government, exclusive of the buildings in Washington and those em ployed by the army and navy, $154, 775,384. Of this the sites have cost $22,755,167, and there remains $23,843, 574 to be expended on these buildings before they are completed. The increasing dearth of women servants was instanced by Canon Duckworth at a recent meeting of the Society for Promoting the Employ ment of Women in London. The other day, he said, a youijg woman who had advertised for a situation as house maid on the morniifff after the adver tisement received 80 letters, three telegrams, and three personal visits from ladies anxious to engage her. A marvelous top, capable of spin ning 43% minutes, and then remain ing erect and still, has been construct ed by Prof. Charles Jacobus, for many years superintendent of the New Brunswick (N. J.) public schools, but now of Springfield, Mass. The inven tor of the top guards it earefully, and never allows it to pass out of his hands. He has spun it scores of times before scientists in New York, Philadelphia and other cities. FOOD IN OILS OP PLANTS. Mneh Nutriment Is Contained In the Fats Found In Vearetatlom off Various Kinds. The possibilities latent in vegetable oils as an article of diet are not util ized, especially in this country, to an extent proportionate to their merits. Theoretically we may admit that plant oils are of the greatest nutri tive value, but do not realize the prac tical importance of this fact. Fat is a substance elaborated by cellular activity in living organisms. Whether the cell that accomplishes the produc tion of the fatty material from indif ferent elements, or collects it little by little from the nutritive materia] supplied to it, be plant or animal, the process and its results are biologicaUy equivalent. The protoplasm of the plant cell is to all intents and pur poses exactly the same as that of the animal cell. Analyzed chemically after the death of the cell, they are found to be made up of the same sub stances. It is no wonder, then, says the Bos ton Globe, that the various products of their activity should resemble each other. Plant oils and animal fats have, it is true, certain characteris tic qualities in which they differ from each other. Certain members of the plant series of fat compounds are, however, much more nearly related to certain animal fats man they are to other members of their own se ries and, on the other hand, many animal fats resemble others of their own eeriea much less than they do the plant oils. The more fluid fats contain a larger proportion of oleln than dcirthe harder fatty substances, which are rich in palmitin and stear in. The yellow fats are richer in olein than are the white fats, which owe their color mainly to stearin. Human fat is much richer in olein than most other animal fats, and for this reason approaches more nearly many of the vegetable oils. Chemical experience has shown how beneficial for human consumption are the fish oils, "which are also rich in olein. The producjt is, however, expen sive, and its preparation for table use requires most careful precautions, as it may have associated with it a num ber of undesirable substances that make it unpalatable and indigestible, especially for the delicate stomachs of the patients who most need it. The vegetable or plant oils are not open to these objections. Moreover, they can be obtained very cheaply. Modern manufacturing enterprise has made it possible to obtain certain ox them in a perfectly neutral state, and much cheaper than even the ordinary ani mal fats. There seems every reason then, that their use in the family should be encouraged as much as pos sible. They represent a most desir able addition to the domestic economy of the modern household, a cheap, clean, eminently nutritious and whole some fat. Missed the Combination. Smythe—It won't work. Brown—What won't work? Smythe—Hypnotism. Tried it on the butcher Looked at him fixedly until I had his undivided httention, then I said, very slowly and with em phasis: "That—bill—i»—paid." Brown—And what did the butch er do?'* Smythe—He said: "You're a liar I* —Stray Stories. Bossanee Bmded. "When are you going to marry the floorwalker?" asked the girl behind the eatsup counter. "O, that's off," said the girl in charge of the sugar counter. "He says we: can't afford to many on my salary, and' he needs all his own to support the dignity of his position."—Chieago Trib» une. Isvlsglsadr. "I can't see," said the shoe elerk boarder, "why a Scotchman should say *bae' for *have.'" "It is his economical disposition. He eaves a every time he does so," eeld the Cheerful Idiotw—Indianapolis