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I THE JOURNAL LUCIAN SWIFT, I J. S. McLAIN, MANAGER. EDITOR. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS Payable to The Journal Prlntlnff Co. Delivered by Mail. One copy, one month $0.35 One copy, three months 100 One copy, hlx months 2.00 One copy, one year 4-00 Saturday Eve. edition, 20 to 26 pages.. 1.50 Delivered by carrier One copy, one week 8 cents One copy, one month 35 cents Single copy 2 cenU CIRCULATION OF THE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL Average for P%lT7^i November...^ 11 * Dec. 2 51,220 Dec. 3 51,471 Dec. 4 51,068 Dec. 5 50,923 Dec. 6 51,095 Deo. 7 52,807 Dec. 9 51,316 Dec. 10 51,333 3ec.11 51 ? 323 Dec. 12 50,902 Dec. 13 51,163 Dec. 14 52,085 Dec. 16 50,613 Dec. 17 50,700 Dec. 18 50,640 Dec. 19 50,562 Dec. 20 50,507 Dec.2l 52,199 Dec. 23 50,826 Dec. 24 51,282 The above is a true and correct statement -* the circulation of The Minneapolis Journal tor dates mentioned. KINGSLEY T. BOARDMAN, Manager Circulation. Sworn and subscribed to before me this 26th day of December, 1901. o. A. TULLER, Notary Public. Hennepln County. The World's Peace It is gratifying to read the announce ment from Buenos Aires that there is a very favorable prospect of peace between Chile and Argentina, and a satisfactory settlement of the question of the en croachment of Chile upon Argentine ter ritory and vice versa. It would be well if, in this Christmastide there would be a general adjustment of international dis putes and arbitration take the place of the threats of war and the actual tragedy of war. The clash of arms is heard in northwestern South America, and the parties thereto ere blindly yielding to an insane appetite for turmoil and anarchy. The South African war is in its third year, and, while there is a rumor of a composition of the trouble, it is unre liable and the suffering and slaughter and vast waste of material and money and blood continues. China, after the orgy of blood in 1900, is trying to pull herself to gether and her conspicuous effort is to or ganize an army and navy which will make her strong as Japan to resist the dicta tion and encroachments of the western nations. China will accomplish her desire. .She may one day become a strongly ag gressive power. The international arbitration tribunal at The Hague has been ready for business for some time. Its establishment was followed by two of the bloodiest conflicts on record. The Pan-American congress assembled in the City of Mexico to pro mote peace and amity on this hemisphere. It has thus far failed to agree upon the subject of arbitration. There are sharp differences, Mexico adhering to the prin ciple of obligatory arbitration, and the other Spanish-American states divided, Chile leading in opposition to the inclu sion of present questions in dispute in the scheme and Peru and Bolivia insist ing upon the inclusion of their dispute with Chile over the nitrate beds and the boundary. These differences have threat ened to break up the congress, but it is yet possible that something may be ac complished for the peace of Spanish- America. One of the most promising events look ing to arbitration of differences is the organization of the industrial peace com mission of the National Civic Federation. That commission is the result of much serious consideration of the subject, and it is thoroughly representative of both capital and labor. The placing of Sena tor Hanna at the head of the commission has been adversely criticized by labor representatives to some extent, but there is no doubt that Mr. Hanna is thoroughly sincere in all that he has said on the subject of industrial peace. He was the first large employer in Ohio to organize a union of employers and employes for the purpose of adjusting differences be tween themselves without a strike. What ever views may be taken of this latest effort to secure industrial peace, it is certainly an earnest, well-meant effort, which promises success if labor and capi tal will unite to promote it. Nothing can be accomplished if a spirit of carp ing and wanton criticism prevails. The millenium has not come and is no doubt a long way off, but the tendency, at the dawn of the twentieth century, is to grav itate to a peaceful adjustment of inter national disputes and of differences be- tween labor and capital. It is a good ten- dency. It should be strengthened by th 6 championship of every one who believes that, while it is impossible to prevent wars altogether, their number can be re duced to the substantial edvantage of the work-a-day world. Messrs. Evens, Munzer, Pickering & Co., the gentlemen who constitute the New Store ownership and management, ought to heve enjoyed their Christmas dinners this afternoon with a peculiar zest If there is anything in the way of satisfaction to be derived from having contributed to the happiness of others. Their distribution of toys at the armory this morning was the greatest success in the history of such efforts by that splendid establishment. This is the fourth dis tribution of left-over toys, after Christ mas sales, among the poor children. There were five or six thousand little people on hand thi3 morning ready to claim the promises and generosity of the New Store, and it required the most perfect organization to handle the crowd. This was done, however, with great success, and, so far as known, not a single child departed from the distribution without something to make glad his little heart on this beautiful Christmas Day. There is nothing more worthy of the day, no oc cupation better calculated to bring with it satisfaction and pleasure than to ad minister to the joy and delights of child hood on Christmas morning. Everyone who has had the privilege of doing so in a limited sense to-day may have some ap preciation of the satisfaction which the New Store people must feel if he would multiply his own sensations by several thousand. Speaking of the Merger In speaking of the merger, Mr. Lowry Baid to The Journal yesterday: The importance of this move has been overestimated in the west. The Great North ern and the Northern Pacific lines have been virtually operated together for the past two or three years, and I cannot see that the merger will change matters to any consid erable extent. This is substantially the point made by i all those who contend that it is useless I to fight the merger because the dissolu tion of the Northern Securities company I will not deprive the men in it of their j holdings in the Great Northern and Nort h! em Pacific, or of their power to act har moniously In the operation of these roads. Certainly not. But how long is harmonious action likely to continue without some such organization as the Northern Securities company? Evidently Mr. Hill does not think it would lost a great w'aile, for in his statement he makes tho point that the Northern Secu rities company was organized for the pur pose cf making permanent the policy of harmonious action among there same people. It is well known that the per sonal relations between them' are not cor dial, and Mr. Hill's statement of last ! Saturday is an evidence of that fact. Moreover, these two roads have not been operated so closely together during the past two or three years that they have pursued the same policy with regard to maintenance, equipment and facilities. The Northern Pacific property and the Great Northern are not in the same con dition and are not supplying the public with equal facilities and like accominoda- tions, as they undoubtedly will do if the merger stands. Minnesota people who have been hoping that ex-Governor Merriam would have a place in President Roosevelt's cabinet, either as secretary of the interior or as secretary of commerce, when the new department is created by the passage of Senator Nelson's bill, naturally look upon the possible appointment of Governor Shaw as secretary of the treasury with peculiar interest. President Roosevelt has already substituted for Charles Emory Smith of Philadelphia, Mr. Payne of Mil- waukee. It is said that he has offered the treasury portfolio to Governor Shaw. Will he take a third cabinet officer from the northwest, locating one in each of the three states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa? Ordinarily these places are filled with some reference to the consideration! of locality and a fair distribution is aimed at. But probably President Roosevelt will be influenced less by such considerations than most of his predecessors, and if he sees fit to select all his cabinet from the Mississippi valley he will probably do so without much regard to precedent. Prece dents were never made for Theodore Roosevelt. A Merry Christmas in Trade. This is the fattest Christmas the United States has known in years, perhaps in all its years. Money for Christmas pur poses has been spent as lavishly as if there had never been a '93. The nation has so entirely recovered from the hard times that not even the scars of the wounds then inflicted remain. Many of us thought that the depression that set in in 1893 was a revolution in commerce and industry, rather than an episode, and that hereafter the United States would have to get down to what may be called the half-ration system of Europe. We had, it was thought, entered a permanent period of reduced salaries and wages, and it was incumbent upon the people to eschew the national fondness for generous spending and cut the garment to fit the cloth. But only eight years have passed sine» then, and all but children can vividly re member the hardships and worries of those gloomy days, yet here we are spend ing as fueely as, if not more so, than ever. The London papers agree that of a.ll tho great industrial capitals, New York is to day the most prosperous and enjoying the merriest Christmas. Locally, merchant after merchant comes forward to say that there has never been such a holiday trade as that of this sea son. It exceeded all estimates, and it was impossible for the stores to engage enough help to handle it as they would have liked. The jewelers and all dealers in luxuries report unparalleled sales, and it is that kind of trade that proves prosperity. People must live, and, therefore, must have meat and groceries and clothes, but jewelry is bought chiefly by people who have money to spare, if not to burn. Another sign of the plethoric condition of the Minneapolis purse was the falling off of trade on the day before Christmas. The crest of the wave of trade came on Monday. When the times were hard the day before Christmas was the day of the climax. This difference is the difference between eager and stinted spending. In the hard times people put off parting with money for gifts until the last moment when, relenting, they scraped together such coins and bills as they could and, shutting their eyes to the morrow, dashed in and bought. The postofflce, the railroads and the ex press companies join in the song of good times. On some railway lines travel is 100 per cent larger than at any other Christmas tide. People are not only sending presents by mail and express, but they are carrying them in person and are traveling to spend the season of good cheer with "the old folks at home" or with the young folks In the new hbme. To the extent that material well-being makee for happiness the United States in general end the northwest ought to be very happy .this Christmas. According to the views of Great North ern officialdom, expressed to The Journal to-day, Governor Van Sant and Attorney General Douglas are "only Indians beating tomtoms." Tnere is no ooDortunity for comment to-day on this contemptuous estimate from the Great Northern general offices of the action of the governor of the state of Minnesota in seeking to prevent the violation of the laws of the state, but the attention of the thoughtful, law-abiding people of the state is called to this authentic interview aa something worthy of their considera tion. It is said that Governor Taft, who sailed yesterday from the Philippines to' take a rest in the United States, will present the Philippine situation in a much different light from that in which Gen eral Chaffee views it. Governor Taft is convinced that the mass of the people in the pacified provinces are loyal, instead of secretly traitorous, as General Chaffee holds. Moreover, he seems to think that the presence-of troops in small garrisons is a cause of irritation and unrest, that the constabulary can preserve order ex cept in the new provinces, where a state of guerrilla war prevails and the presence of troops is necessary in the field, that the soldiers should be concentrated in large garrisons away from the cities, and that the number of jtroops may soon be safely reduced to 20,000. It is to^be hoped that Governor Taft's encouraging view is right, but somehow one naturally feels that General Chaffee is nearer the truth than the governor. London Dock Charges It is a graphic illustration of the small ness of the world and the interdependent relations of the great commercial nations that a question of London dock charges should be of great interest and impor tance to the people of Minneapolis. But by the same token that the people of Minneapolis have a keen interest in the flour industry are they concerned in these London dock charges. These charges are a discrimination against the flour of the United States and Canada, and sequential ly, in favor of the flour of all the rest of the world. As Minneapolis exports hundreds of thousands of barrels of flour to London annually, this dock charge of 1 shilling and 9 pence, or 38 cents, per ton, is a very serious matter. Except among those who are personally interested in the matter, there has been a false impression that the charge is a governmental one, and that it is an evi dence of British ill-will against Ameri cans. The charge is made by virtue of an agreement among the British North At lantic steamship companies, and is sup posed to be levied for the purpose of en abling them to meet the.rentals they have to pay at London docks for storage room, protection from the weather and some other incidents of discharging freight. Prior to 188S tha shipping companies met this charge out of their receipts for car rying the freight. tXow they make the owner of the freight pay it. They contend that as a matter of fact, they do not charge enough to meet the rentals. The shippers and consignees think they make a large profit over and above the rentals. At the request of one of the Minneapolis milling compames, Ambassador Choate has made an exhaustive inquiry into the subject, and his lengthy report makes the question intelligible. He shows that whate^r may be the merits of the re spective contentions regarding the rea sonableness of the dock charges, they ere "undoubtedly a discrimination as against flour from the United States and Canada in favor of flour coming from all other parts of the world." Steamship lines from other parts of the world do not make such charges. Nor is it flour only that is affected by the "London clause." In view of the fact that the objection able charge is imposed wholly by private action, Senator Nelson's bill forbidding the insertion of the "London clause" in bills of lading is the only effective way to meet the situation. Ambassador Choate recommends congressional action. The steamship companies are represented as saying that if they have to cancel the clause they will add as much to regular freight rates as they lose through the elimination of dock charges. It is be lieved, however, that they would not dare to raise rates the full amount of that charge. And even if they did it would be more convenient for shippers to meet all charges in one bill than to have dock charges added after the freight has been prepaid. Minnesota will soon be known as the capitalist state. It continues to pile up the securities of other states in its vaults. In this way a number of southern states are getting hold of some good Minnesota money. Tennessee and Virginia have been on the list and now Louisiana is added. The poverty-stricken southern state governments are amazed when they hear that Minnesota has something like $16,000,000 invested in good securities. It is said that the president will pun ish A-dmiral Dewey and General Miles by sending others to represent the army and navy at the coronation of the King of England. If Dewey wishes to go and it had been the plan to send him, prior to his "memorandum" in the Schley case, and lie is now kept at home, President Roosevelt is likely to discover that the White House does not shelter the only popular man in the United Staes. The continuance of the freight car shortage makes it look as if an elastic freight service is as neccessary to the business interests of the country as the elastic currency we hear bo much about. i The Nonpareil Man | On the Side. All the real fighting men having been slapped with an ax, the government is now resting on its laurels. Great Tear is expressed that Historian Maclay will tell all about himself in the magazines. A Chicago professor thinks he can produce life. All he needs, he says, is an "ion." A little tack, plared with its live end up, in a chair," has often beta the Iron needful to produce much activity in the lives of our fathers. Pieces of another Pittsburg boiler have been found about 500 feet distant. The boiler inspector then gets around and looks wise. The pilgrims went ashore at Plymouth, Mass., about 281 years ago at this time. They landed on (he grindstone where the monument now stands and the first survey 'of the coun try gave them a touch of cold feet. The following 280 years' work, however, has proved very satisfactory- South Dakota is producing more wealth per capita than New York and Doane Robinson lsr trying to get his fair share of it without owning a railroad. One of those made-to-order ghosts at a seance at Auiti-n, Texas, stepped on a tank supplied by a sceptical Texan and material THE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL. lzed a round of language that smelled of the pit during the heated spell. It will take Spaulding's glue to hold the McKinley cabinet together much longer. Lieutenant General Miles refused to be in terviewed in New York yesterday. The gen eral may have his opinions but he knows when an eight-story building has fallen on him. The Sorrowful Tragedy of Mite's Stocking:. V "Well, well," said old Claus as he shinned down the flue, - / - : .. "This Christoias-Ude rush is a pretty to-do; i I've spent all my money, I'm' black as a coal ;■'-}:■?':* • . - ''.<;. ;v;;v;'.:: And here in Mac's stocking just look at the hole! I slipped in a doll and the blame thing ran through, I shall pass Mary up in favor of Lou." So Lou got the doll and Mary got "knit"— She'd said "darn it" too late; tho doll didn't fit. Diary of the Christmas Present. Dec. 25.—1 understand that somebody g-ave me away pretty badly last night. I had been lying in a warm dry room for several days and my glue waa seriously cracked. I felt just mean enough to fall to pieces on tho tree but I had agreed to hold together as least until the first of the year. I feel that something serious is the matter with me. Mayhap it is that cheap glue. Still, what can you expect of a 48-ceut Christmas present, intended merely for show and to satisfy the minds of both parties concerned in the trans action? The Christmas necktie was near me all of yesterday and i think he had been drinking. The noise he made kept us all awake and nearly cracked the Cheap John Chinese ware. In this inebriety he was joined by the Smok ing Jacket presented by the loviiig wife to her husband. I regret to say that the Smoking Jacket had taken on a heavy load of riot water and the noise he made called out the fire department tcy given little Johnnie by his aunt. When the department arrived, the Jacket and the Necktie were engaged in a disgraceful fight. I also found myself unable to associate with tho cigars the lady had given her husband. Their morals were bad aifd their flashy clothes annoyed me. There I go! The heat from the steam radi ator has cracked my glue! TO SiBDIE THE WIFE Probably the meanest organization in the country is the Henpecked Husbands' asso ciation, organized at Ferguson, Mo., recently. If any of the wives insist upon attending she is punished by the immediate election of her husband as president. As a result of this rule nearly every member in the organization has been compelled to serve in the capacity of chief executive. The present officers are James E. Hereford, president, his wife having attended last Sunday's meeting; John' Nick erson, vice president of the Bank of Com merce, vice president; Charles A. Cunning ham, secretary; Shepherd Smith, treasurer. Two unmarried men were elected to mem bership under a special sister and mother pecking clause, which was adopted by the association at the time of its organization. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch tells all about the organization. It says: The Henpecked Husbands' association is a source of terror to the married women of Ferguson. If a matron wants to scold her spouse, she is afraid to do so for fear he will join the organization. The men are all aware of this fact, and they take advantage of it by threatening to become a member if their wives do not grant their wishes. It is no uncommon occurrence for a citizen of Fer guson, after being refused permission by his wife to "go out" of an evening, to threaten to join the H. H. A., or if she makes him the victim of a severe "call down" for something he has done or failed to do, he gets even by saying: "Well, I'll bring this matter before the next meeting of the H. H. A. and see if I can't join the order." Unless he has made the threat too often, his life partner accepts it and aeks hie forgiveness, promis ing never to scold him again. At the last meeting some very Interesting papers were read. One was entitled, "How to Make your Wife Realize that You Are the Boss." It provoked a great deal of en thusiastic comment. Another paper was en titled "How to Enjoy Good Health After Eating Home-Made Pie." aA open meeting is being contemplated for the near future. All the married men and bachelors of Ferguson will be invited to at tend and learn the purposes of the organiza tion and" the benefits derived from member ship in it. Whoever is president at that time will deliver an address on "Some Things We Can Say About Our Wives When They Are Not Around." Several of the members have volunteered to do "stunts" at the meet ing. It is said that President Hereford is writing a pretty little song entitled "How It Feels to Be What You Are." Mr. Ellerbe, one of the ex-presidents, has introduced a resolution into the association indorsing the Silent Women's' club. THE XOBI.E MACEDONIAN BANDIT The Era. The bandit is the Macedonian hero. The admiration of him is inbred. Greek independ ence was won by bandits inured to fighting and marches, not by townsmen. The Greek national costume to-day—the resplendent uni form worn by the king's crack regiments of "Buzones" —is tiiat of the Albanian brigand. Macedonia spasmodically hopes to be re deemed from Islam as was Greece. In a coun try where poverty is the sole safeguard against plunder, the brigand is the only hero, and he Is the only dandy. He comes into the semlweekly market where the women chatter over their wares, or strides through a railroad car, known by everybody, with his snow white fustanella standing out about him like a ballet dancer's skirt, his embroidered tunic stitf with gleaming metal, twirling his flrce mustachios. The romantic young envy him; their elders at least recognize in him a famil iar burden. He is popular. The world hears nothing of the brigands unless they distunb Europeans. With natives their methods are drastic. The famous Nicko once took from Larissa two children, of dif ferent families, whom he "held for ransom at 300 and 400 liras, respectively. The wealthier parents redeemed their child. The other pair were very poor They sent 50 liras with hum ble apologies. Nicko returned the money. By heroic efforts the districatefl people scraped together 100 liras; again Nicko returned them, givingl in a. peremptory message three days to furnish the entire sum. When, the three days had passed he sent laack the child, cut into four pieces. Kismet! It was rate! Nothing was done. COILON'T PRONOUNCE IT Chicago Record-Herald. Dmitri Kosjsujajkean is the name borne by a new student of the Garrett Biblical insti tute when he came to Evanston, but he doesn't bear it any longer. He is now known as Mr. Littje. Kosjsujajkean is a recent ar rival from Armenia and has come to America to study theology. He can talk a little Eng lish, all but his name, and he couldn't find any English synonym. Non 9 of KosjsujaJ kean's professors could master it, not even the Instructors in Hebrew, Greek or Sanskrit^ and every time they essayed to call on him a panic was narrowly averted. The president of the institution is Dr. C. J. Little, and as the Armenian is a great admirer of the execu tive he has decided to be known by the same name. HER READY REPLY New York Tribune. Among the many southern visitors to New York this autumn were Mr. and Mrs. Delgado of New Orleans. Mrs. Delgado Is one of the kindliest and most, charming hostesses of the crescent city. Many very clever sayings are credited to her. She ha» always been an ardent southerner and is never at a lose for a reply. Some years ago, at the unveiling of the Lee monument in New Orleans, a rather practical but "unsympathetic New Englander ! observed: "Way, Mrs. Dalgado, according to Lee's convictions, that monument is all wrong. He has turned his back on the south and he is looking toward the north." "He always faced the enemy," was the quick retort. LINK'S LOOT SENT HOME Dr. R. S. Linn of Detroit, who went to China as a surgeon in the volunteer army, has sent home several cases of looted goods. Among other things is a sacred yellow robe, which "Dr. Linn thinks is possibly the only one sent to America. He took it from tin 1 shoulders of a god in the sacred temple of Peking. The Retort Courteous. Aberdeen (S. D.) News. The Aberdeen News is evidently worried because Beadle county gava a majority for Mr. Null.—Huronite. Jtot at all. Nobody worried over Beadle county any more. WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 25, 1901. OTHER PEOPLE'S NOTIONS A Cure for BaNhfulnean. To the Editor of The Journal: The paragraph in your New York letter headed "A Hypnotic Fame" states a case which once had a counterpart in Minne apolis. A lady was to read a paper of her own before the State Horticultural society on "The Wild Flowers of Minnesota." It de scribed the appearance and habits of a great many and in an appendix not read pre sented a catalogue o fthe entire flora of tho state of that class' so far as then known. This was in ISS.t or 1882 and it may be found fn the annual report of the society for one or the other of these years, or possibly in the report of ISB3. So fine was the paper that she was unanimously voted an honorary life mem ber on the spot, although this was her first appearance in the society. She had written the paper not to be read by herself fearing as she said, that she would break down with embarrassment and not be able to* utter a word, never having been on a platform at a public meeting in her life, and her nat ural diffidence was very great. She did not even expect to attend the meeting, because of her retiring, bashful disposition. On the positive promise of a friend in whom she confided that he would, the moment she rose to read, relieve her of all embarrassment for the evening (it was out at the old Audi torium of the state university that this even ing meeting was to be held) she reluctantly consented to attend and make the plunge, though when she pleaded to know how it was to be done, her request was refused with the remark, "You must not know beforehand; that would spoil the means. Wait and you shall see." When she was called and introduced and tremblingly began to open her manuscript the friend advanced, waved her to silence and made a short speech of his own on the gen eral subject without mentioning her paper at all. . Her surprise and curiosity was so great to hear what jhe would say about wild flowers that she forgot all about herself and the friend, seeing that she was now out of all danger, launched her at the audience and she went through without a flutter, and car ried herself as steadily as any old working member of tho society. This was no hyp notism. She lost self-consciousness. That was all. . Else the friend was a hypnotist "unbeknownst" to himself. The .lady's name was Miss Sara B. Man ning, of Lake City, since deceased. ■■• —Oliver Gibbs. 1536 Nico'let ay. Centralized Butter Making. To the Editor of the Journal: In your issue of Dec. 19, an article in your editorial department regarding . centralization of buttermaking comes to my notice. Allow me to take exceptions to the last paragraph of this article. It seems to (be the general tendency to de plore the closing of small co-operative cream eries. Why deplorable? The fact that these large manufactories pay into the hands of the i farmer more for his product than the local creamery is directly responsible for the clos ing of them. . If the farmer receives more money for his product, he certainly is bene fited, and the country merchant is also bene fited in proportion, as the farmer has more money to spend both for the necessities and •comforts of life and to improve and make more valuable his farm. Years ago the farmer had drawn up Into the fence corner and left to decay the old reaper with which he 'harvested his grain and which required a number of men to bind the grain which it cut, and bought a new one—an up-to-date self-binder—with which one man -can do the work of several, j Does the farmer deplore the loss of this old machine because he paid for it a goodly sum? . Not by any means. He says: "The old.machine required quite an: outlay each year .for repairs, and harvest hands were hard to get and wages were high. I now have a machine with which one man does the work of several, and I can save money." Why deplore the closing of the doors of these local institutions when it reauires 3 to 5 per cent of the proceeds of the product manufactured to pay for repairs and keep the plant in' condition to operate, and also re quires a special assessment every year or two to replace an expensive machine which soon wears' out? No one wishes to belittle the benefit the farmers have derived from these institutions in the past, but they are (being superseded at the present time by modern and economical methods, the benefits of which accrue directly to the farmers, and any such particular loss I as is met with toy closing up these out-of-date, expensive local institutions is more than made | up to the. farmer by the larger advantages and the increased proceeds which are offered by such large institutions as are now offering to them the benefits of their large experience in economical operations. S. J. Wright. Aberdeen, 1 Dec. 21. EDWIN BOOTH ON MINNEAPOLIS Here is an extract from a letter from Ed win Booth to his daughter, written from Minneapolis during an engagement—probably his last—ln this city. It is interesting in sev eral particulars. The reader will note what i he says about the waning popularity of Ham j let and the picturesque beauty of Minne apolis: "Since my dispatch to you I have received your three letters; one had been delayed at Detroit. To-day I hope you are comfortably .settled in your new home, where, I trust, you may have great happiness. Last night my engagement closed with a crowded house; it has been an extraordinary week of great success. * * * We do not leave until" 8 c. m. to-morrow for Duluth. The "crickets" (critics here persistently "go for" my an tiquity, while praising me otherwise. * • ■ ♦ Poor Hammy (Hamlet) must soon be laid away in camphor in a dark corner cup board. • •.*,•.' ■ -., >:-.a:<- "I have a cold that checks my breathing, and I sit with my mouth agape like a bloom- Ing idiot. I took cold here last season about this time of the year. The temperature seems to keep time with Newport in its ups and downs. When you wrote of cleat, autumnal days I wore my overcoat and enjoyed the delicious fall weather. After this week I shall ha-ve a stop of three weeks in Chicago, with no rehearsals and infrequent changes of bill. We hope to get a run of 'Caesar' and of 'Othello'; Brutus and lago being quiet parts, I shall have comparatively an easy time. By doing the fifth act of The Mer chant of Venice,' with some new scenes, dresses, etc., we may get several nights and the matinees out of Shylock also, the three easiest of my characters. "This city seems to grow mor» beautiful every year; one of the prettiest parks of sev enteen acres lies in the heart of the town, and the residences are very picturesque. The land Is undulating, trees are abundant and lawns charming. The winters are long and cold, however; but they have rare sport in sleighing, etc. If I were twenty years younger I wofcld settle here. * * •" Minneapolis. Sept. 25, 1887. AMUSEMENTS Foyer Chat. 9arah. Cowall LeMoyne and her star com pany will give the last performance of "The First Duches3 o£ Marlborough" at the Metro politan to-night. Henry Irving, Miss Ellen Terry and the London Lyceum company will present a double bill, "Nance Oldfield" and "The Bells," for their opening performance at the Metropolitan to-morrow night. Eugenic Blair will appear at the Metro politan for four nights and matinee, starting next Sunday, in' her production of "Peg j Womngton," a play in which she is said to have achieved the most notable success of her career. J. H. Stoddart, with the original New York cast and scenic production, will present "The Bonnie Brier Bush" at the Metropolitan the last half if next week. ".Man's Enemy" continues to attract large houses at the Bijou. The original production of "Quo Vadis," dramatized by Stanislaus Stange, and given a gorgeous dress by Messrs. F. C. Whitney and Edwii Knowles, is the attractive menu announced for Christmas week at the Bijou opera-house. IS THE AUTOMOBILE "HE?" The French academicians are still in doubt whether "automobile" is masculine or femi nine. Uudovic Halevy -writes in a recent number of Figaro: "It seems that 1 some times say un automobile; at other times une automobile. There are as many reasons for the one as for th« other. The beat thing is to watt. Usage, in the long run, -will de cide." Copyright, 1901, by Carolyn Wells. On Christfas in her cozy library Mrs. Tom Mcllvaine sits absorbed in contemplation of gifts already received and excited anticipa tion of probable or possible ones 1 to follow. An impulsive cuckoo shoots out and delivers his twelve wooden squeaks and snaps him self in again. Mrs. Mcllvaine—Twelve o'clock. Kitty will be here soon. She said she'd call on her way from church—oh, here you are! (She rises and greets warmly a young woman of somewhat frivolous effects.) Merry Christ mas! Miss Bates—Merry Christmas yourself! Oh, Edith, suoh larks! What do you think I did? (She walks toward a tableful of Christmas flotsam and jetsam.) Oh! Who gave you this chafing dish? How perfectly lovely! Mrs. Mclilvaine—Brother John. What have you been up to now, you crazy girl? You look like a spirit of Christmas with that hol ly on your coat. And is this mistletoe pinned to your hat brim? Miss Bates—\es, that's the lark. You see, just as I was' going in church this morning I found that spray on the steps, and it was lovely, and I wanted it. So, for lack of a bet ter place to keep it, 1 stuck it in my Mat. Mrs. Mellvaine—With disastrous results. Oh, Kitty, Kitty! Miss' Bates—Yes. Dick Wheeler kissed me in the vestibule; Captain Jenuings, who has the pew next ours, leaned over and kissed me during the prayer, and the vestryman who passed the plate nearly let it fall when he came to me, but he neglected his privilege. The choir boj-3 threw kisses to me, and I expected every minute the rector would come down and salute me, but he didn't. After service I had fairly to scamper out the door, and hers I am. Did John really give you this chafing dtsh? How much nicer be is as a brother than as a friend! He gave me a copy of the "Sistine Madonna," and I have three already. I wish he'd ask me to be a sister to him. Mrs. Mcllvaine—He's much more likely to ask you to be a sister to me. Miss Bat 2S —Not he! He never pays the slightest attention to me, and I adore him. Mrs. Mcllvnine—He'll be here directly. Leave your hat on and see whether he pay* any attention to you or not. Miss Bates—l will. Is any one else coming? Mrs. Mcllvaine—Only Mr. Henderson and Tom. You won't mind them. Miss Bates—Oh, no! In a multitude of risks there is safety. Mrs. Mcllvaine's brother, John Morris, and her husband ai.pear in the doorway. Mcllvaine—Merry Christmas, girls! Oho, madcap Kilty! (Sees the mistletoe in her hat and kisses her heartily.) Morri3 (not observing the mistletoe)—Ah! A special privilege, I suppose. I mightn't hope for tne same, Miss Bates? Miss Bates—Not without some encourage ment. Morria —Oh—ah—certainly not. Mcllvaine —Don't you see any encourage ment, old roan, in the —er—atmosphere? Morris ;notinj; Miss Bates' frigid manner and forbidding face) —No; I can't say that I do. Miss Ba r,os—Of course he doesn't. Why should he? Ant 1 yet it's a telling situation. Good gracious, Edith! Who gave you this painting? Mrs. Mcllvtnut—Oh! That's one of the exigencies of the occasion. Christmas isn't all beer and skittles. Miss Bates—What an awful looking child! Its flesh is blue. Morris —Where it isn't green. 1 Bates—And that pink poodle is a daisy. Mcllvaine—Why, that's impressionistic. Your low natures can't appreciate high art. Ah! (to Mr. Henderson, who enters with Bert Barrington.) Merry Christmas, old fel low! Helli, Bert! You're just in time. Help me hang these green, will you? .Barrington—Sure. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Mcllvaine! (He sees the mistletoe in Kitty's hat.) Well, I'll be blessed! (Kisses her.) Morris —You audacious wretch! Do you al low such impertinence. Miss Bates? Miss Bates —Oh. I can't resent it under the —circumstances Daily New York Letter Aims to Reform the Stage. Dec. 25.—Theater-goers and actors alike are laughing and gossiping about a bill that will be introduced by Assemblyman Ahearn to appoint a hoard to supervise tha theaters. The board will consist of three actors of at least ten years 1 experience. This body is not only to stop immoral productions, as is done by the English censor, but it compels any per son desiring or intending to engage as an actor to submit to on examination as to his experience and qualifications. The bill calls for the registration at the state board of health of every person engaged in the pro fession before May 1, 1902. After that date it will not be lawful for any person to en gage in the calling of acting unless such person shall have obtained a certificate of competency from the board of examiners. Ahearn is in dead earnest. Palisades Will Be Saved. The fight against the despollers of the Palisades along the Jersey coast of the Hud son river is bringing fruit. The Interstate Park commission is acquiring all the land between Fort Lee and Piedmont, and the states of New York and New Jersey are ex pected to open their purses again to pay for the few tracts yet uupurchased. It is the intention to make a public park along the river, and -when this is done the west shore of the Hudson will be as beautiful as the east shore, which is now lined by Riverside park, one of the moat picturesque breathing spots in America. Coler and Shepard as Klvalit. When it became impossible to nominate Coler for mayor, owing to Croker's opposi tion, the Brooklyn democracy proposed Ed ward M. Shepard, and he was accepted. Since his defeat Mr. Shepard has been Invited to come, with his friends, into the regular or ganization, and has done so. This- has cre ated a peculiar situation, inasmuch as it seems to put Coler and Shepard into rivalry for next > ear's gubernatorial nomination, and this is occasioning not a little talk here. Brooklyn Bridge Inspection. Although Bridge Commissioner Shea con siders the action of the grand jury in making a presentniHiit and not an indictment, as an exoneration of his management of the Brook lyn bridge, otl.ors will look at the matter differently. While the grand jury did not find enough evidence to make out the crime of wilful neglect, it does charge culpable negligence. The presentment is, in fact, a severe criticism of the management of the bridge. It declares that there has never been any regular inspection of the bridge, and that, if the bridse had been periodically 1 subjected to a proper inspection, such acci dents as that of July 24 last would have been avoided. Such inspection an was made was not by an engineer, but by carpenters, rig gers and other mechanics. As to the present condition of the bridge, the jury says' thac it Is, as a whole, safe, but that "there are certain parts of the structure, notably the anchorages and parts of the floor system, which should uot be subjected to additional strain, because the present strain upon them is approachiiig close to the limit of safety. Account should also be taken of the fact that, under the same condition of traffic, the strains upon certain portions of the bridge are jL/6yiß --i-is Bund* By CArolyivWells. Barrington—Ho, ho! Never heard the bough called by that name before, i say. Kit, you look like a poster for a Christmas num ber. Miss Bate*—Not I. I'm not tall enough. Christmas poster girls are always eight feet high at least. Morris (speaking aside to Kitty)— And you're only at nigh au my heart. Barrington (overhearing him)— Then she' 9 not very tall, lor you look as if your heart was in your boots. Morris—That dcesn't follow, tor I'm »ure I don't know whether I'm on my jc-ad or my heels. Mcllvaine—Ha, ha! Score one, John. Now, you! fellows, help me with these greens. They ought to have been up hours ago. Henderson—We will. Where's the ladder? Mcllvaine—lt's j:at outside. I'll fetch it. (He gut 3 out and returns with a tall step ladder.) Now, Edith, what goes where? Mrs. Mcllvaine —I want this rope green draped from the chandelier out to the walli on all sides; sort of e?nopy fcffect, you know. Mcllvaine—That's dead easy. Hold one er;d, 8.-rt. Barrington—No; let me go up the ladder, Tom. You're too heavy. Mcllvaine—Go oa, my dainty Ariel: Behold Barrington's first rise in the world! Barrington (starting up>— Fain would I climb but that I fear to fall— Morris—lf you've heart failure, do not c'i:nb at all. Barrington—My heart isn't affected. Speak for yourself, .Jchn. Morria (locking at Kitty)—l ouly wish I dared. Mrs. Mcllvaine—Oh, Pert, while you're up there please faston this mistletoe to the chan delier. Will you hand It up to him, Mr. Henderson? Henderson (taking it from her)— What a beautiful spray! Barrington—Berry fine! Henderson—Don't notice him. He's tried everything for it. (He hooks the mifttlatoa to the end of an umbrella and waves it aloft.) With this scepter I am monarch of all I sur vey. My right there is none to dispute. With this magic wand In my hand I do not envy the sultan of Turkey. (He holds it OTffl Mcllvaine's head and kisses her on the brow.) Lady, I salute thee. What have you to say, Tom? Mcllvaine —Don't do it again. Henderson (holding it over Kitty)— And here I make assurance doubly yure. (Kissr-s her.) Morris —Your assurance needs no doubling. Barrington—Quit your fooling, Hen. Give me the daggers. Henderson (handing the mistletoe up on the point' of the umbreUa)—Take it and put it where it will do the greatest good to the greatest number. Barrington—l'll fasten It right beneath the chandelier, so. Now, Kitty stand from under. , Miss Bates —I! I wouldn't stand under th-a mistletoe for a thousand pounds a minuie. There's no telling what might happen. Barrington (approvingly)— That's right. Kit. I hate a girl who would kiss and tell. There; that's fastened. Step up. Miss Bates, and take your place. I'll warrant John will be your first victim. (He whistles "1 gave her kisses ten, kisses ten.") Miss Bates—Mr. Morris! He's the last man I ever expect to kiss me under the mistletoe. Morris (stntentiously)—The only girl I shall ever kiss under the sacred bough will be- my future bride. Harrington—Hear the fellow talk! Why, Jack, old b:;y. you're not such a catch, W.y few nice girls would marry you. Morris—Very few would be enough. Mcllvaine —Ha, ba! John, yeu'ie real funny to-day. Come oft" your perch, Kf-rt. We've got to do tlto diniug-room next. (He tak^s the ladder and goes out to the dining-room. Barrington follows with a pile of greens.) Mrs. Mcllvaine —I'll bring the holly wreaths. Will you help me, Mr. Henderson? Oh, thank you! (They go out, leaving Miss Bate 3 and Mr. Morris alone.) Miss Bates—Mr. Morris, I want to thank you for that beautiful picture you sent me. It is one I have wanted for ever so long, and I'm so glad to have it. Morris (taking her by the elbows and gent ly pushing her backward until she stands un der the mistletoe) —I won't receive my thanks anywhere but here, and I want them in deeds, not words. Kitty, those people may be back any minute. There isn't time now for a formal proposal, but —won't you let me be "tile last man that shall kiss you under the mistletoe?" Mlsr Bates—You might have bec-n the first, too, if you hadn't been so stupid. Jack, didn't you see this mistletoe in my hat? Morris (observing it for the first time)^ No, my darling, but that is only a proof o£ my affection for you, for love is blind. greater at certain seasons of the year thau at others." Instruction In Chinese. While General H. W. Carpentier will not admit It, be does not deny that he is the giver of the $100,000 presented to Columbia college to found the "Dean Lung fund'" for instruction in the Chinese language and liter ature, '{eneral Carpentier. who graduated from Columbia many years ago, made a for tune in California and is a great believer in the Chinese and their future. He has a Chinese • •ompanlon named Dean Lung of whom he is very fond. Mls» Accool'g Fine Record. Miss August Accool, daughter of ReT J Harris Acsoql, the colored clergyman has graduated at the head of her class in the girls high school of Brooklyn. Her stand ing was a remarkably high one of 96 6 per cent. The talented young colored woman was warmly applauded as she received her diplo ma. She intends to become a teacher Rev Mr. Accool formerly resided in Philadelphia OX THE DEATH OF A FRIEXD'S (HILD •Tis sorrow builds the shining ladder up Whose golden rounds are cur calamities Whereon our firm feet planting, nearer bod The spirit climbs, and hath its eyes unsealed True is It that Death's face seems stern and cold. When he is sent to summon those we love» But all God's angels come to us disguised; Sorrow and sickness, poverty and death. One after otner life their frowning masks, And we behold the seraph's face beneath. All radiant with the glory and the calm Of having looked upon the front of God. With every anguish of our earthly part The spirit's sight grows clearer; this waa meant When Jesus touched the blind man's lids with clay. Life is the jailer. Death the angel sent To draw the unwilling bolts and set us free. How changed, dead friend, are thy part and thy child's! He bends above thy cradle now, or holds His warning finger cut to be the quid«; Thou art the nurslfng now; he watches thee Slow learning;, one by one, the secret thlnpa Which are to him used sights of every day; He smiles to see thy wondering glances con The grass and pebbles of (he spirit world. To thee miraculous: he will teach Thy knees their due observances of prayer. Children are Qod's apostles, day by day Sent forth to preach of love and hope and peace; Xor hath thy habe his mission left undone. To' me. at least, his going hence hath given Serener thoughts and nearer to the skies, And opened a n*-w fountain in my heart For thee. my friend, and ail: and oh, If Death More near approaches, meditates and clasps Even now same dearer, more reluctant hand, God, strengthen thou my faith, that 1 may sea That 'tis thine angel who with loving haste Unto the service of the inner shrine Doth waken thy beloved with a kiss. —James Russell Lowell.