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 W4S.  .1  4 .f  VOt:' I.  ���NBI/SO'N,  B.   C.,  WEDNESDAY,   DECEMBER 22,  1897.  NO.  24.  ��  THE NEL;SON/EC6NQfl 1ST  Issued every Wednesday at the city of Nelson, B. C  I>. M. Carley.'���..."......  .  Publisher  SUBSCRIPTION RATES:  One,Year to Canada and United States. A .... ...... ...'.���'.���$2.00'  If paid in advance.... :  :A. 1.50  One Year to Great Britain...A.:.............................. 2.50  If paid in.advanee...... ..........    ..;... A .  2 00  Bemit by Express, Money  Order,  Draft,  P. 0.  Order,   or  Registered Letter.  Correspondence on matters of general interest respectfullv  solicited.  Advertisements of reputable character will be inserted  upon terms.which will be made known on application. Only  articles of merit will be advertised in these columns and the  interests of readers will be carefully1guarded against irresponsible persons and worthless articles.  EDITORIAL COMMENT.  Within   a   few. days   the   whole   Christian >  world will once more turn their eyes   towards  the star of Bethlehem, and with one voice proclaim from the bottom of their hearts peace on  earth and good-will towards men.      Under all  the more sordid   and  common-place motives  and conditions of every-day existence, a strong  undercurrent   of kindly sentiment runs   broad  and  clear   and.   sweet   among   the   Christian  people, and, as the years pass, the celebration  of   the   blessed    "Christmas-tide"    becomes  more general.     The manner of the observance  of this   day   ma}^ have changed with   years,  but the sentiment peace on earth  remains  the  same.  In Canada we have a .Christmas day peculiarly our own. It is scarcely the Christmas  of our forefathers in the motherland, the Yule  of the Scandinavian, the Weibnacht of the  German, the Noel of the Gaul, nor indeed the  festival of any of the great peoples of Europe,  but it partakes of them all, and is enjoyed and  observed in many and various ways. To  nearly every nation, however, Christmas still  brings a gentle, religious reminiscence of the  caravansary of Bethlehem ; the radiance of the  guiding star ; the wanderings of the wise  kings and their lowly homage and alien tribute to the helpless infant in his manger  cradle.  And strange that through all the years  these reminiscences have been recalled, there  is so little known but what we read in the New  Testament of the early life and subsequent  death of the Royal Infant, the Babe of Bethlehem, the blue-eyed embodiment of the Heaven's Creator. Some time ago it was announced as a remarkable discover}^ that a copy  of a letter that was alleged to have been  written by Pontius Pilate to the Emperor  Tiberius had been found in the archives of the  Vatican. :    That  Pontius Pilate wrote a letter  to the Emperor Tiberius,  describing   the   circumstances attending the crucifixion of Jesus  Christ may be not  at all   improbable.      That  such a letter has been found in the Vatican is,.  according to ecclesiastics well informed  as to  the manner in which the literary treasures of  the papal residence are   preserved,   decidedly  improbable.      As read in the English translation, the alleged letter has the   appearance of  a clever fiction.   There are two circumstances,  among others, which especially tend to invalidate its claims   to   genuineness���one   having  that effect among   all  observant readers ;   the  other among   a   larger   ciass   of  chronlogists  who do not accept the traditional  view  of the  length of Christ's active ministry   on   earth.  The first of these circumstances is that in   the  alleged letter Pilate speaks of the followers of  Jesus as ''Christians."      That name was first  applied to them at Antioch,  some twenty-five  years after the letter's date.      The   other   circumstance is the reference in the letter to the  "three years." of Christ's ministry before   his  death.     That period was established,   if established at all, by.deductions from the Gospels,  not one of which had been written at the time  when    Pilate   is    represented   as    writing    to  Tiberius.     And  the scholorship of the world  is now divided on  the subject ;   some   chron-  ologists coutending for a period of two  years,  while others compress all the events of Christ's  ministry, from His baptism to His crucifixion,  within the limits of a single year.  The truth is, all that is really known of  Christ is contained in the New Testament���  that He spake as no other child has before or  since spoken, that He established a new code  for the government of man, that His influence  has been irresistible, that His teachings have  brought mankind closer together, and that  through Him we rna}' enjoy everlasting glory  ���is all that is given us to know. For nearly  two thousand years this magic influence has  constituted the world's reservoir of moral and  intellectual force, from which mankind have  drawn their noblest forms of social, civil and  religious energ3y  There are few men or women so devoted to  the cares of life, or so unaffected b}' the popular sentiment that do not recognize and provide for the gathering together of families on  Christmas day. It is the day when children  are made happy by the gifts of loving parents,  and friends take each other's hands and  extend the hope for peace and good-will. Indeed the day is different from all others, in  that it reflects noble simplicity and universal  love and charity towards men,  the   love   and  light divine which nineteen centuries ago  ���illumined the manger of Bethlehem, and  which through intervening ages-has cast its  benigrn radiance ou so many human hearts in  life and death.  The Nelson Economist greets its readers with hearty wishes for their unalkryed  enjo3^ment.of the coming Christmas, and to all  to whom it may come greeting, may a happy  home, a cheerful feast and all good fortune  possible, make the day a golden milestone of  the ever-var3dng wa3^ of life. To those in  affliction, ma3' the divine love bring some  portion of comfort,   pleasure  and  consolation.  Prof.    Gold win   Smith,   in    the   Christmas  number of the Canadian magazine, has  taken  the rather  gratuitous   trouble   to   expose  the  absurdhy   of��� the    theor3'    which ; originated  many years ago with Miss  Dellia   Bacon   that  Francis Bacon was the real author of the plays  attributed to Shakespeare..    This theory afterwards found secondar3' expounders in Holmes,  Ignatius Donnelh^ and others.    How anybody-  could imagine that Francis Bacon  could have  written  the dramas   of  William Shakespeare  has been to many one  of the   most   amusing  examples of human stupidhy in  the annals of  literature.      It   needs no learning, no   critical  acumen���nothing but that the  reader of both  shall not be wholly blind   to color  and   form  and deaf to tone to perceive the  utter unlike-  ness of ever3rthing   that Bacon wrote to eve^-  thing in Shakespeare's works.     But,  as  Prof.  Goldwin    Smith   in    prefacing    his    remarks  states,    " the whimsical   theor3^   seems   to   be  still alive, and even   prevalent in  niai^ quarters."  Prof. Smith points out that the Shakespearean plays are full of passion   and   humor.    In  Bacon's,works there is not a trace   of either.  The3' are the works of a   very   calm   philosopher and a cool-headed, not to sa3r   somewhat  Machiavellian, politician.      The learned professor   then    draws   a    comparison     between  Bacon's   "Essay   on   Love,"���written   in the  spirit of the coldest analyst, but   in   that   of a  sage and a man of the world who despises the  passion���and asks, can it be believed that the  man   who    wrote   this    was    the    author    of  "Romeo and Juliet?    Prof.   Smith   refers   to  the circumstance    that in    many   of  Shakespeare's plays there is obscenity,    "which   we  can hardl\r  imagine  Bacon   condescending  to  purve3r for the audience of the Globe theatre.''  It   has   been   contended   by   Donnelly   and  other champions of the  Baconian  theory  that  Shakespeare did not possess that   legal knowledge of which his works give evidence.   This  ii  i'yi:  NA  iinfflnHRnmRmncnnEBstnEsanRsnsnt  mBSfmBmmmmgmm THE NELSON ECONOMIST  structure on which the Bacon building has  been made to stand is completely: demolished  by Prof. Gold win Smith, who states that the  immortal bard of Avon, living very probably  with some law,'student's, may easily have  picked up some law terms.  Shakespeare was one of the keenest observers who ever lived, but his works do not  abound in evidences of the learning which is  usually obtained from books. With Bacon it  was otherwise. For instance, Prof. Smith  asks : "Could Bacon have imagined that  Bohemia was on the sea, and that cannon  were used in the reign of King John.?. Could  he have fancied that there were nunneries in  ancient Athens, and that Athenians fought  . duels ?" '     ���:���:..;���, '';    .A  These aud other reasons are advanced to  disprove the contention that Bacon wrote, or  could have written, the plays of Shakespeare,  and Prof. Smith dismisses the subject by  expressing the belief that Mrs. Delia Bacon  was inspired, it may not uncharitably be supposed, by her natural regard for the name.  She thought the plays too good to be written  by anyone but Bacon.  It appears to us that the strongest condemnation of that -thing of '' shreds and patches "  known as the "Liberal platform, "is meeting  with,-, far more   opposition from   the   Liberals  than from the Conservatives.       To   the   Conservatives it comes rather in the   nature   of a  huge joke   than   as a   serious   declaration   of  principles of a  political   part3^ ;   but   its   title  throws its responsibility   on   the   Liberals   of  British. Columbia,   without   asking   b3r   3^our  leave or license.      That. it does not   represent  the.views of any considerable number of those  holding Liberal views, we believe the remarks  .quoted last week from the Vancouver World  bear   the   most   conclusive   testimony.       The  World speaks for the Liberals of the mainland  and it is not likehy that it would express itself  so uncompromising^  opposed  to  the   " platform " if there were vasniy Liberals who  held  the views therein expressed.     The fact is, the  Liberal convention at New Westminster   was  not called  for the   purpose   of  gathering   together the threads of political principles,   but  to settle upon some plan for   the   distribution  of government patronage.     The promulgation  of a declaration   of  principles   was   merely a  blind, and has not deceived   aii3rone   but  the   j  builders of the platform,  who   supposed   the3^   j  were     sufficiently    ambidextrous   to   conceal  j  their real purpose.      If the   Liberals did not  j  grab up ever3" ofhce   in sight   and   howl   for   j  more,   the3r would be   inconsistent with them-   j  selves,  for   long    ago   the3r   appropriated   the  sentiment which prevails among the   knavish  politicians of  their   Uncle   Samuel's   country  that to the victors belong the spoils.      Therefore, it was not to be expected that   the   rank  and file of the part\r   would look   silentl}-   on  while a few wire-pullers decided  matters  that  in no wa3r concerned the doctrines of the part3r  as a whole.  It is what was only to be expected that the  platform, wrhich in many respects resembles  the architectural designs of the  populist  plat  forms that have been floating around the  United States for the last few 3^ears, would  meet with opposition. Its primary principle  is to confuse political issues and deprive the  .���"country of responsible government, and that  in the main was all that was ever -sought -by.  their populistic brethren. The Revelstoke  Herald of a recent date has a -very-'��� vigorous  editorial on the Liberal platform. In the  course of its remarks the Herald says :        y  " This   condition   of affairs   has   not  been  arranged to suit the Herald and it certainly is  not   the least in   accord  with   the  lines,   on,  which it was constantly urged that  the   coming election should be conducted.     But as the  choice has to be   made  between   the   Liberal  platform and the   Turner   government,   then  the Herald has no hesitation in sa3dng that of  the two it vastly prefers and will support- the  Turner  government.       The  Turner government may not be disposed to  grant  so   full a  measure to.reform as the Herald would like to  see.      Neither do the vote catching, and purposely vague and meaningless articles of the  platform.      But we do know that Mr. Turner  and his associates will administer  the   affairs  of this province as  British   Columbians   pure  and simple, while the whole histo^ of Liberal  ascendency in provincial politics goes to show  , that everything is conducted by them   with a  constant eye to the success of their party.    At  this   very   time the   Liberal   premier  of the  dominion is calling the Liberal government of  Manitoba to his aid in the difficulties in which  his temporary settlement of the school  question has involved him.      Who is going to say  how some question  of provincial  rights  may  arise   between    British    Columbia    and   the  Dominion?    And  who  is   there,   except  the  Liberal partizans, who wants to see such questions   bandied   about   between   the  Victoria  government  and the Ottawra cabinet and kept  open or settled to suit the  exigencies   of the  Liberal part3^ from month to month?    Who is  there, except the Liberal partizans, who wants  to see ever3' office in the administration   filled  with   Liberal   supporters,    and    the     whole  machine used to bring pressure on the electorate in Dominion  elections.       Both   Conservatives and those who dislike   the  introduction  of part3^ lines into our domestic affairs may as  well face the issue at  once.      Reforms   in the  administration of our provincial   affairs   ma3^  be necessa^.   They are necessary and its support of Mr. Turner's  administration  will not  prevent the Herald from pointing   them   out.  Several of the details mentioned in the Liberal  platform itself will probably be  considered at  the next session.       Other  reforms   can   wait  until the great danger at  present   threatening  this province is overpast."  These are very fewr supporters of the Turner  Government who will not candkhV confess  that the changing condition of affairs demand  new legislation, but we rather believe a vast  majority of the voters would place more faith  in securing consideration and legislative relief  from Mr. Turner and his government than an  Opposition that in the past has displa3^ed a  greater capacit3^ for drawing parliamentary  salaries than for comprehensive and intelligent  legislation. The people have very little faith  in a part3^ that once upon a time, when it held  the reins of power, demonstrated great genius  in reducing the wages of honest working men  and adding to the salaries of useless clerks.  This was one of the features of Mr. Beaven's  reign, and it is useless to contend that the  seemingb^ immortal   remains   of the Hon. Ro  bert Beaven will not be brought forth from the  vaults to lead the Opposition should the opportunity present itself. The Liberal platform,  apart from its populistic tone, has many of the  finger-marks of Mr. Beaven upon it, and it  may develop that while the hands that gave it  to the world are the hands of Esau, the voice  is the voice of Jacob Beayen���-for the Hon.  Robert is a srnooth man.  There is something radically wrong with our  postal service. For some time the citizens of  Nelson have enjoyed the convenience of,a rapid  passenger and freight service with Slocan City,  3^et the postal authorities have not }ret been  moved to take advantage . of this short  service for the transportation of the mails. Just  now it takes a letter posted at Slocan City for  Nelson from .forty to fifty hours to reach its  destination, whereas the same letter could be  shipped over the new route tand reach here  within a very short space of time. We understand that the attention of the postoffi.ce inspector has been directed to this matter, but so  far he h&s fefusedto take cognizance of the  fact.  The mysterious things said to be done in the.  lodge room invariably meet with the severest  censure and ridicule at the hands of the uninitiated. Those who have gone through the  ordeal preserve a commendable silence on the  formalities of initiation, contenting themselves  with the avowal that there is nothing in the  proceedings derogatory .to principle or hurtful  to the constitution. Now-a-days when almost  ever3)- man belongs to some societ3^ secret or  otherwise, the few exceptions to the rule have  positive proof that the supposed tortures to be  endured before one is thorough^ initiated are  not so dreadful after all. Occasionalty, however, a case finds its way into court which  would go to prove that in some instances at  least the candidate is roughly handled, or that  the ceremoii3^ acts upon some particular function in a manner other than that designed. A  Knight of the Maccabees has just been aw7arded  $10,000 03^ a Kansas city jury for the dislocation of one of his kidneys during filiation into  the local order. Lenna Winslow joined the  Knights of Maccabees four years ago, and from  that date his kidne3* has been a source of trouble to him. He estimated his loss at $25,000,  but the ju^ solemuW decided that $10,000 is  fair compensation for one kidne3A considering  that Lenna has had the honor of knighthood.  The parrot-like persistenc3^ with which certain interior papers re-echo the abuse hurled at  the Local Government 03' the chief organ of  the Opposition on the Coast is becoming exceedingly nauseating. There is a great county  here to be developed, and attracting the attention of capital should be the chief aim and object of the British Columbia Press. Instead of  aiding our leading men in inducing the desired  capital to open up our resources, we find week  after week abuse and calumn3r heaped on the  heads of the ver}' men who are in a position to  divert capital in our direction. If a public man  shows his faith and interest in this province hy  llillMllUUMIMH^IMU^Mat^m^^  IWMiTOiroCMS THE NELSON ECONOMIST.  W  ft-  m  interesting the capitalists of the old world in  the great natural resources of the illimitable  West, he is abused, and compared to a boodler  or some other synonymous term culled from  the political vocabulary of the United States,  Of course there is one inducement to print  these long, 'dreary editorials���^theyyw.ill be reprinted with due credit in the Victoria Times.  Such recognition as this is, to sa3r the least,  very tempting. So far as moulding an antagonistic sentiment to the government, the effect  is quite the reverse.  It now looks as if Theodore Durrant would  suffer death on the scaffold on Frida3v January  7th.      The   Durrant   case has never been paralleled    in    the history' of  criminal jurisprudence:      He   was found guilty of murder   by  the  newspapers  of  San Francisco   before   he  was tried in court, and since  the  moment  he  was   first arrested   he has   been   pursued d3a  police and press of that chy most relentlessly.  If there were an3r links missing  in  the   chain  of circumstantial evidence the Examiner and  detectives forged them.    The Economist has  no feelings  of sentimentality   with   regard  to  murderers.'   It believes in the old Mosaic law  of an eye for an eye and a tooth for   a   tooth,  but it does most  emphaticallly condemn   trial  by press and detectives, as was the case in the  conviction of Durrant.      The jury was intimidated,    one    member    thereof   having    been  threatened with personal violence if he refused  to return a verdict of-guilty.      Much   of the  evidence    on    which   Durrant   was  convicted  could ver3r easily have been supplied by interested    witnesses.      One  witness���Rev.   Geo.  Gibson���stated over  his   own   name   that   he  could supphy important evidence that  he had  purposely   kept   back   in   the    witness box.  While   there   is   a   great deal  that points   to  Durrant's guilt, there is just about   as   much  that would go to show that he is a victim of a  huge conspirac3r.      The writer  of this article  was   present   in San   Francisco    during    the  excitement resulting  from  the   disappearance  of Blanche Lamont and Minnie  Williams and  was    present   during   the   removal   of   Miss  Lamont's body from the  cupola   of  Emanuel  Baptist church.      As a disinterested spectator  of many of the events in that tragic  drama he  was forced to the conclusion  that  a   detective  with just about as much of the  sleuth   in  his  composition as the  detective who worked  up  the case  against   Durrant   could   have   made  equalty as strong a  case against one   or  two  others    connected    with     Emanuel     Baptist  church.       The   truth   is   Durrant   was   pronounced guilt3^ and tried afterwards.  The United States wants to   annex Hawaii,  but the Hawaiians do not want to be annexed,  for much the   same   reasons   that   Canada assigns to be taken under the   maternal wing of  the American eagle.       Uncle Sam   coolly sa3rs  that the interests of his citizens  in the islands  are greater than those of any other nation, and  hence  he  has the privilege of exercising his  fostering care over the balance of the community.       Unfortunately for him   there are others  interested in the islands, and these others very  strongly object to his interference ; that he will  be permitted to force annexation is altogether  improbable. The object is altogether too apparent, as will be seen from the following from  the Spokesman-Review, which is t3'pical of the  general sentiment of the American Press on  subject :  '���' Native Hawaiians to the number of 21,269  have petitioned the United States senate  against annexation. The United States would  gladly leave them out if it could. It wants  the islands, not the native  race upon  them."  The Victoria Colonist is of the opinion that  it will now be in order for the Toronto Globe  to call upon Hon. Mr. Mulock to step down  and out of the cabinet. He not only lent the  prestige of his good name and high position to  a financial corporation, but that corporation  has proved to be a fraudulent concern. Perhaps, however, as in the case of railway subsidies, a different rule prevails as to ministers  and corporations in the East to what the Globe  thinks should prevail in British Columbia.  The Rossland Times puts the tcase very  clearlv when it states that the citv is too much  interested in the development of its gold rnines  to advocate any particular road by wmich its  mining population can be deported to the Tar  north. That a great number of miners and  mining men will leave Rossland for Klond3Tke  when the rush commences in the spring is to  be expected, and that the foolishness of such  migration will be exemplified to many of them  later on is a certainty. But while the vast  crowds are rushing pell-mell to the far north,  the Trail mines will go right on increasing  their output of gold and copper, and by the  time the great majority of disappointed gold-  seekers are back in Kootenav7 again our mines  will be producing gold enough to throw the  Klond3rke entirely in the shade.  Having   failed in    open    competition    with  Canadians to secure the outfitting trade of the  Klondyke, the traders  of the  coast   cities   on  the   American    side   are   now showing   their  teeth and are petitioning congress to have the  sub port  of customs   at   Dyea   closed.       The  object   of this  move  is   to prevent   Canadian  goods from passing in bond across the narrow  strip of United  States territor3r.      That   their  petition will be granted is very   doubtful,   for  this is a game at   which   two   can   pla3^,   and  wiser heads at  Washington   will   realize   the  situation.     The gold fields are in Canada, but  because Canada happens to be on  the   American   continent   that is   no   reason   why Uncle  Sam is to have all the good things  which she  possesses.      Yankee   merchants are no   doubt  handicapped by the fact that their goods going  into the KloncH'ke are subject to  duties   such  as    would   be    imposed   if they   were   to   be  brought into any other place at this side of the  international boundar3',   but  this  fact   should  not agitate them  so much,   seeing   that   Canadian    goods    are    taxed upon   entering    the  States.      The  newspapers in the communities  interested., have   fraudulent^  misrepresented  facts and induced miners to outfit with them,  knowing well that the   outfits  were   dutiable.  This fraud having been exposed the3r are now  trying to make things disagreeable for Canadians who cater to the wants of miners going  to Canadian mines.  How not to overdo a good thing, says the  Western Mining World, is a lesson 3ret to be  learned b3r some mining men. Not long since  a mining property in Oregon was sold for a  consideration of $740,000, but j .list before th e  deal w'as brought, to a close the purchasers  learned that the middle men who were steering the trade to a conclusion were to secure a  rake-off of $22,000, This made, them indignant, as well as suspicious of the true value of  ; the property,1 and the3r refused to fake it, preferring to forfeit $15,000. already paid. Middlemen are a race of people more or les.s ��� necessary to maintain the . proper equilibrium of  civilization, and'they should be permitted to  eat regular^, but when they reach out after  such compensatory fees as in this case a little  pariugof the finger nails will do no harm.  According to a dispatch from Washington  the bill relating to pelagic sealing which has  just passed both houses of congress, is far  more sweeping in its provisions than it-was  anticipated it would be. In order to strike a  more effective blow at the 'British and Canadian interests it is proposed' to absolutely  prohibit the importation of seal skin's into the  United States from an3r source whatever. The  United States is one of the largest purchasers  of sealskins, so it can readily be understood  that this measure will have a disastrous effect  on the sealing industry It was not expected  that the bill would go any further than to  prohibit Americans from engaging in pelagic  sealing, but there is a section which applies to  sealskins in general ." taken in the waters  mentioned in this Act," which includes the  whole Pacific Ocean. The provision is as  follows :  " Section 9. That the importation' into the  United States D3' any person whatsoever of  the furs of seal- skins taken in waters mentioned in this act. whether raw, dressed, c^ed  or manufactured, is hereb3r prohibited, and all  such articles imported after this act shall take  effect shall not be permitted to be exported,  but shall be seized by the proper officers of  the United States."  So  far   this   winter   there have   been   more  snowr slides reported in the Kootena\'S than in  an3' previous  year.       And a significant fact is  that main' of the more destructive slides have  occurred in localities in which they have never  before been known.     There must of course be  some cause for this, and we do not think it is  far to seek.     It is a noticeable  fact that where  the mountain sides have been denuded of timber, there is  more probabilit}'   of   the   unwelcome visitant   sweeping down   than in   places  where the timber is undisturbed.     Prospectors  and their camp fires have done much   to start  the destructive fires which leave the mountains  bare.     The3r ought to be more cautious, if only  for their own sakes.       If more caution   is not  exercised, it will only be a matter of time until  mining in the higher sections   will have   to be  suspendrd during the winter months.  All  Al  A|  \'i-l  W  1 iS"*  \i THE NELSON ECONOMIST  LARRY'S LETTER.  Hogan's Alley, Dec. 20*  Deer Tim���Me decision in the relationship  case that I was telling ye about last week, wTas  rindered yisterday  in favor of Casey.       After  spending several sleepless noights and wakeful  days over the case I foind  that its possible to  have-seventy-two relations an' only ten peeple  in the crowd.      Mickey Burns hisself gives in  that I'm roight, ,an!   Billy Hering is   a happy  man -bekase he won a lot  ov money over  the  bet.     Whin meself gave me vardict won of the  boys axed " Is that the case, eh ?" and thought  he was having a grate joak on Casey,   but  he  had all  the  laughing to   hisself.       Of coorse  Billy traited after winning,   an' says he to the  boys, says he, ' 'Would 3^e like me to retrait ?''  '' Ov coorse   we  would,''   says they,  and wid  that Billy walks away���'������' I'll retrait," says he,  an' he had the laugh upon thim, for they were  thinking that he meant he was going to stand  trait agin.   They were drinking beer, Tim, an'  some ov them called it loger an' more ov thim  lager, an' they   got up a row as to which was  roight.    They were rale hot over it, an' were  laving it to meself, as usual,   when a stranger  come in, an' says Casey, says he, " We'll laive  it to this gintleman,  for   he's   in   the trade."  Well, Tim, they agreed to this, an' Case}^ axed  him  " Is it lager or loger?''     "I cant tell ye,"  says the,chap, -V till I taste it."      Then Casey  (he thought the man was a brewer)  called for  a schooner ov beer for him,   an' that I moight  nevir be wddout two blue  duck  eggs for   me  brekfast if he didn't swallow the whole ov it to  satisfy   his   taste.     ". If that's what  ye   call a  taste," says Casey to him, sa3^s he, " I wonder  what a thurst 'd be wid 3re, "says he: An3^wa3^,  Tim, the droughty stranger decoided that loger  was the proper word.     'l An' what moight \^ou  be, an3^way.?'.'sa3^s won of the boys.    "I'm a  logger,'' says the chap, running aw^y from the  crowd.       " Sowld. agin,"   sa3^s the bo3rs,  an'  then they began to make fun   of Con   Case3r.  Micke3^ Burns put him  sitting on   a stool, an'  sa3^s Micke3',   says he,   " What's   Con now ?"  " Saited,"   sa3's   Dooley.       " Roight 3'e are,"  sa>rs   Mickey,    " he's Con-saited.       An' if he  was powder in a mine wThat!d he be ?"   " Confused, ''   says Dooley.       ' * Roight agin," . sa3^s  Micke3',   "but if he was  lost an'   discovered  agin, what 'd he be ?"   " He'd be Con-found,"  says Dooley ;  "but I'll give ye won.       If he  was camping out what 'd he be ?"       "That's  aisey,'' sa3^s Mickey,   '' He'd be Con-tented.''  " If he was   brought  before the police magistrate," says meself, ''what 'dhebe ?"     " He'd  be Con-founded,"   sa3*s   Micke3^,    "an'  Confined," sa3'S Doole3'.     " If he wras after getting  his shoes mended   what 'd be?" sa3^s   meself.  " Con-soled ov coorse," sa3rs Dooley,    "but if  we axed him to have another drink,   what  'd  that be ?"     " Con-tempt," sa3^s Casey hisself.  " Now I'll give ye won," sa\<s he.       " If meself had to come down the Hall street toboggan  slide ?"      This was a puzzler, an' the bo3rs were  gessing all sorts of things.      The}- found that  he'd be   Con-tested,   Con-jested,   Con-fusion,  Con-stumbled,  Ccn-caved,   Con-vexed,  Concentered,   Con-citationed,   Con-corded,   Con-  coursed,   Con-current, Con-descending,  Condoled,   Con-doned,   Con-ferruminated,   Configured, Con-firmed, Con-fixed,   Con-fronted,  Con-genial, Con���globulated, Con-natural   an'  Con-spired, Con-strained, Con-tributory, Convulsed, Con-glaciated, an' a whole lot ov other  con-ditions that I can't think ov.       Meself,  I  couldn't tell ye half the riddles that were given  but we were having grate fun.      Of coorse we  had the hen-an'-half an' the egg-an'-a half an'  all thim owld wons.    Boole}' held up his own  empty glasj, an1   says he, " How does that re- .  simble ttye ne.w reservoir ?"     " Bekase there's  nothing in it," says Casey, says he, "but how  does the new reservoir resimble yerself?"  "Bekase it 'd ho wid enough to do the whole  town of Nelson," says Micke3>\ " How does  a donkey resimble a stick of candy ?" was won  of Casey's conumdrums. " Bekase the harder  ye lick it the faster 'twill go," sa}rs Dooley.  Arrah, Tim, but they kept going on in this  way till meself got tired ov it. But talking of  donkeys, Tim, remoinds me that I ought to be  after telling ye that we have a rale, live, living  won roight here in Nelson. Tis the furst I've  seen since P came to the country, an' he brings  back to me memory the happy toimes meself  used to have in owld Ireland wid me legs across the donke3^'s back. Ye remimber the  donkey that I used to have that we called  Gra3^ Nedd3^, an' the varse I wrote upon him  before I left.  Poor Neddy Gray, I'm a-going far away,  And you'll never see yer master any more,  You've been a brother true, although I've.wolloped you  Till yer hide, if it was tender, would be sore ;  If ye can only spake, you'll do it for my sake,  In accents even louder than of yore, .  That wheresoe'er I'll be, I'll surely hear from thee,  An' Neddy, wont he honor my encore ?  I'll whisi^er in yer ear a parting word of cheer,  .     And for friendship's sake a lock of hair I'll take,  Others may despise the look that's in yer eyes,  But, Neddy, they don't know tis for my sake ;  To the tender care ov me friends from everywhere  I'll consign ye, poor owld Neddy, e'er we part,  An' tell them to be koind,���I know they will, you'll foind���  To the playmate of me childhood, an' his cart.  Meself doesn't know that they calls the donkey we have here Candy, but a licking 'd do  him no harm.      If meself had the nameing ov  him tis Game-cock. I'd be after  calling him   bekase he'd die before he'd fun away. As I  was saying, the baste is a stranger in the town  and everybody stops to look at him. Maybe  tis Con-saited he is, an' that he-wTont hurry on  bekase he wauts evetywon to admoire his laziness. Even the dogs ov the town' have a go  at him, and set up a howl whenever he shows  up.  An' talking ov dogs, Tim, but there taking  the Klond3rke fever, or the chaps what have it  are taking the dogs. If ye ax a chap now  where's his dog, he'll tell ye its gone to the  Klond3^ke he supposes.  Begorra, Tim, but I'm towld some of the  poor chaps up there is starving, wdd lots ov  goold in their pockets. Hunger in a cowld  country must be an awful thing. Tady Braui-  gan was telling meself that Paddy Leary an'  hisself was after coming from a prospecting  trip out be Christina Lake wron time, an' that  the}' hadn't a bit to ate for two days before  they struck Cascade Chy. They crawled into  the hotel���the only place they could get a da-  sent mail, for the3r had lots ov money in their  pockets���and axed for a dinner in haste. " Is  it corn beef and cabbage ye'11 be after having,"  sa3'S the landlord. " Anything ill do," s?ys  Tady so long as ye give it to us quick. Wid  that the landlord got a business move on, an'  the furst thing he put upon the table was a  bowl of mustard, an' whoile he was out getting  the corn beef and cabbage, Tady takes a big  spoon an' goes for the mustard, thinking it  was some soort ov a custard. As soon as he  gulped down the furst spoonful, that w-as all  he wanted ov it. He began to cough an' to  groan an' to sigh, an' that Paddy couldn't see  the big tears in his e3res, Tady hid his head in  the table cloth an' kept sobbing away. '' What  are crying for," sa3^s Paddy, thinking it was  the hunger that was overcoming him. ' * Ah,''  says Tady, sa3rs he, " I was just thinking ov  me poor Uncle Dan, what was kilt in the Crimea. He used to loike corn-beef an' cabbage."  Be this toime Padd3' had helped hisself to a  spoonful of the mustard too, an' began to act  loike Tady. But Tady was rekovering, an'  when he see the other chap struggling wid the  mustard, he knew what was up.    But says he  to him, says he, " Paddy, what are you crying  about ?"       * * Bad look from ye," says Paddy,  says he,   "I'm  crying bekase yerself wasn't  kilt  wid yer owld uncle in the Crimea.  Why  the divil didn't ye tell me what that stuff was ?"  Just as they were having  the scrap, the landlord came in  wid the corn-beef and cabbage,  and there was no more allusions to mustard or  the Crimea for a long time.     Biut they ate two  dinners apiece, before they   filled what Paddy  called his vacuum.      After dinner Thady fell  into chat wid the landlord,   an' they began to  talk about there trip.   "It took ye a long time  to make the journey.    Why, Dick Darrow   or  Alec Cameron or any of the boys 'd make it in  half that toime.''     This made Tady purty mad,  for he puts up to be a bit of a walker ye know,  an' what does he do but put all the   blame 011  Paddy.     " I'd do it meself in half the toime,"  says Tady, " but ye see me. partner is gone oh  the feet an' cant travel well.       The poor chap  has bad corns,   an' I used to  take him off the  trail now an' agin an' let him rest for an hour  or two."       "I thought   I   seen   him hopping  about purty lively after dinner," says the landlord says he.     Faix but this bit of obsarvance  was nearly giving the lie to Tad3^, for Paddy is  as lively a man on his pins as   you'll foind in  in the whole country.       But Tady, the divil,  was aqual to the occasion, and says he,. " Oh,  yis, he's all roight agin ; the corns dropt off at  dinner."       " Dropt off at dinner 1"   sa3'S  the  landlord, surprist loike,   as if he was agin in  doubt about the story.       " Yes," sa3^s   Tad}V  '' didn't ye obsarve his agitation when ye came  in wid the beef an'  cabbage the furst toime ?"  before Paddy was recovered from the mustard.  " I thought there was something wrong," sa}rs  the landlord, says he.       "An'  didn't  ye   obsarve how continted he was  when ye came in  wid the beef an' cabbage   the second toime ?"  says Tady, getting in his foine work.     "True  for ye," says the landlord.       " He was   after  getting rid  of his   corn be   that toime,"  sa}-s  Tad}7".     "Young man," sa3*s the landlord, rale  sarious,   " are ye trying   to fool me ?       What  corns  do ye main ?    Is it the corn beef or the  corn cobs 3^er having allusion to? I'd have 3-e  understhand that I'm no tinderfoot���greenhorn  I main."      Faix, but Tady saw the landlord  was getting crass, an' that if he didn't moind  himself he'd  he after   putting his   fut in it as  well as Padd3^'s.   " I dont want to make a fool  ov ye," says Tady, says he.     " Tisn't the corn  that was on the beef  or the corn that was on  the cobs aither that I'm talking about, but the  corn that wras on   me frend's toe.       The cure  that he got from the  corn doctor up in Nelson  was acting on him whoile we were walking an'  it wasn't till we sat down to   dinner  that the  corn fell off.       Tis the gratest an' the simplist  cure I evir heerd tell ov.     The corn comes out  root an' all, an'  yer nevir troubled agin.      Ye  seen me frend limping in, an' 37eseen him hopping round after asfriskhy as a two^ear-owld  streer in a field ov clover.       That'ill show 3'e  what a cure it is."    Begorra, but the landlord  got interested in the case,   and sa3<-s he,   " I'd  give a ten-dollar bill to get shut ov a corn that's  troubling meself for the   past foive  years.       I  must ax yer frend for the resait."      " I'll give  it to ye  meself,"  says  Tady.       "Get   half-a-  dozen mother-ov-pearl  shurt buttons an' put  thim in a wine glass.       Squeeze the juice   ov  twTo fresh lemons upon thim, an' laive the buttons dissolve.       When   there  melted,   take a  foine camel hair brush, dip it in the stuff,  an'  paint the corn wid it.    When it dries it'll be a  soort ov button on the corn, an' all you've got  to do is to pull that off, an' the corn comes wid  it."     " That's aisy,'' says the landlord,  " if I  had the brush."       " You'll have lots of toime  to get it before the buttons dissolve," says our  frend Tady, and so he will.  Larry Finn.  i THE NELSON ECONOMIST.  FROM   THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL.  \i  V.  rr  (Special Correspondence of The Economist.)  If the outfitting trade for the Klondyke  does not amount to something enormous, it  will be a grevious disappointment to Victoria  merchants. I have been informed by a Wharf  street merchant, whose business it is to keep  posted on these matters, that never in the history of this city have there been such large  amounts of goods in the warehouses. And  there is more to follow. The orders given to  eastern houses for supplies approximate the  seven figures. The estimate of the number  of pilgrims to the land of gold has been  reduced by one half; and the more imaginative give it out,that they will not drop one  below 50,000. And the mad race for gold  goes merrily on.  . It is understood that the Local Legislature  will convene within a month for the dispatch  of business. From present appearances it is  inferred that the coming session .will be one of  the most important that has ever been held in  British Columbia. .Mining legislation should  be the predominating feature of the session,  and it is understood that the new laws regulating that industry will be adopted.  There is a growing belief that the weather  in this latitude has changed very considerably  of late 3^-ears and. that the great influx of  eastern visitors are in some way responsible  for the change to the worse. Years ago we  were able to pull through the winter with  half-a-dozen or so cold da3rs, but now it is  considered the Correct thing to get  regular all-round Manitoba winter,  course this may be done to remind the  Westerners that though far away from  native hearths the3^ will find here something  of home���even if that reminder comes in the  way of a blizzard.  up a  Of  Nor'  their  By the death of Aid. J. B. Harrison, which  occurred last Frida3~, Victoria has lost a most  enterprising citizen. The deceased has been  a resident of this province- since the early  sixties. During the construction of the  C.P.R. he had a contract for a full section of  the road. His death was the result of an  accident a few months ago.  The municipal pot is beginning to boil. Already there are two candidates for the mayoralty in the field���the present incumbent,  Chas. E. Red fern, aud Joseph Westrop Carey  ���and there are others said to be ambitious to  fill the chair. The crop of aldermen promises  to be a large one.  Nelson sent us this week a delightful singer  in   the   person    of   Mme.    Frances   Graham  (known in private life   as   Mrs.   Brougham).  The fact that Mme. Graham's home is in Nelson impresses one with an exalted idea of the  culture of your city.       As   3^ou   have   all,   no  doubt, heard Mme. Graham/a criticism of her  work here   in   Institute   Hall,    last  Tuesda3^  evening would be superfluous.      Suffice  it to  sa3'  she   created   a   good   impression   on   the  music loving portion of Victorians���who,   liy  the way, hold a very   high   opinion   of  their  culture from a musical point of view.   Strange  that Nelson, that does not boast much in that  wa3^, should have been the first   to   reveal to  us that in   British   Columbia   we  have   some  really first-class talent.      So far we have been  struggling along with rather inferior   singing  material, but since   Mrne.   Graham  appeared  on the scene it would not surprise me   in   the  least to hear that the lovers of art   in this city  should insist on a better quality of singing  than we have enjo3^ed in the past. But stop  ���I may bring down the lash of Mr. Greig's  virile pen for my indiscretion. By the wa3^,  Mme. Graham was accompanied hy her husband��� a most accomplished pianist. Both  left here on the Umatilla for southern California.  Beacon Hill.  SENSIBLE ADVICE.  The Victoria Colonist, in the course of an  article intended to give a little advice to ten-  derfeet, says that thousands of men will go  into the wilderness of British Columbia and  the Yukon next year with scarce^ any experience. Many of them will go through the  sensation of being lost, which is, perhaps,  about as" uncomfortable a performance as one  can very well have. Nearly every one who  cruises in a region that is new to him is likety  to get astray, but this does not matter very  much to him while his pack is full of provisions. It is the man whose " grub " has  run short and who is making his way back to  camp that is liable to suffer from being lost.  As this may be any one's experience a word  or two based upon practical knowledge may  be of service to some.  The writer of this article once emplo3^ed an  Indian to cruise out a route for a road through  a very little known portion of Eastern Canada.  The Indian was gone longer than wras expected and on being asked for his reason, said  he had been lost. Asked what he had done  then he answered. " Biled kettle. When  Injun lost, Injun bile kettle." There is a lot  of wisdom in this answer. It means that he  cooked a meal. Other experienced cruisers  express the same idea b3^sa3dng that when a  man is lost he should camp. The philosophy  of the thing is that the sensation of being lost  is likely, in case of the inexperienced, to lead  to bewilderment, and to be bewildered may  lead to very serious results. While "Injun  bile kettle,'.' he gets time to think. He also  gets time to familiarize himself with his surroundings. This gives hirn a new point of  departure. He is no longer lost, for he can  as well start to find his way from one place as  from another.  This is all very elemental, and ver3* simple;  but hundreds of men have been saved a good  deal of trouble 03^ observing the rule, and hundreds more would have been benefited 03^ following: it.    Nothino; is so destructive to a man's  '&  self-control as to aitnlessty wander through a  wilderness searching for the wa3^ out. He soon  loses all sense of distance or direction. He will  pass and repass the same spot without recognizing it. He will do all manner of foolish  things. We are speaking now to the inexperienced, that is to the majority of those who  will tiy the Northern wilderness next 3Tear.  Keep the experienced Indian's sa3*ing in mind:  " When Injun lost, Injun bile kettle.'' It nia3r  save you lots of trouble, and ma3r be from a  worse fate than trouble.  Government Agent Armstrong has informed  the people of Fort Steele that he cannot  recommend the construction of the new bridge  across Wild Horse Creek until other works of  greater urgency have been executed.  Vancouver will ask the Provincial Government, at the next session of the local house,  for a grant of $18,000. Of this sum, $5,000 is  for the Chy Hospital, $2,000 for a woman's  hofpital, $1,000 for an orphans' home, $9,000  for a drill shed site, and $1,000 for the Fire  Department.  The only place where you can buy a  bottle  of  tir.st-olass liquor at a reasonable price is at the NelsonWine Co. *  THE CITK). COUNCIL.  Mayor Houston;presided.at the meeting of  the Chy ������'Cpiiiicil pii''Monday'afternoon. There  were also present Aid. MaldiieVFletcher, Teetzel, Hillyer and City. EugineervMcCulldch.  Aid. Fletcher suggested that the Columbia  & Kootena3^ Railway'. Co;, who had applied for  a suppty of city water at the mountain siding,  be informed that the water would be furnished  the compai^ to. erect its own tank.  The Ma3ror recommended that the rate be  fixed at $20 per month.  After some discussion, it was decided to  adopt both recommendations.  A letter was read from J. Fife, Rosslaud.. re  the franchise of the Kootenay:.- Gas Light &  Power Co., seeting forth that it had been ruled  in Rossland that such a franchise would have  to be approved of by the ratepayers, ;and.asking that a bye-law be prepared by the city solicitor of Nelson for submission to the citizens  at the approaching municipal elections, and a  copy of same forwarded to Mr. Abbott, the  company's solicitor, for approval.  Aid. Teetzel asked if Mr. Fife hadenclosed  a cheque to cover expenses,  and being replied  to in the   negative,   moved that   the letter be  received.  Aid. Fletcher objected to this formal course  , as a matter of business.      S^oihe notice should  be taken of the communication .;>" ;;  After considerable discussion it was decided  to call upon the company to have .���the-by-law  prepared and to submit a copy of sameTor the  approval of the city solicitor ; also to deposit  a sum of $50 to defray' expenses.      ���'��� -  In reply to Aid. Fletcher the 'Mayor stated  that a cheque for $750 had been issued as  against the claim of the Nelson Town site Go.  for right of way for water flume, etc.  Aid. Fletcher asked if anything had been  heard from the Provincial Board of Health as  to the sewerage outlet.  The Mayor replied in the negative.  1' There was a member of the board in town  yesterday," said Aid. Fletcher, " and a few of  us got after him about the Outlet for our sewers -  and gave him a bit of our mind 011 the subject.  It appears that Dr. Davie has never lived in a  cold country, aud is stuck on the sewerage  farm plan. It is all nonsense to think of that  here, but when they refuse to let Kamloops  drain into the Thompson they'd do anything."  " Its a wonder they let Victoria dump into  the ocean," suggested Aid. Teetzel ironically.  The Mayor said he did not anticipate any  trouble in the matter.  Aid. Fletcher asked if there would beany  use in again calling attention to the presence  of a powder magazine and the consequentdan-  to the communit3'.  The Mavor did not know how the rnatter  could be dealt with, so as to have the danger-  removed.     Something would have to be done.  "I am told that they are filling it up choke-  a-block again," said Aid. Fletcher, "and if  any accident were to occur there the whole  town would be blown up. The explosion that  occurred in United States the other day shows  how destructive such an explosion can be."  The Mayor suggested that the subject be  brouo-ht before the" legislature at its liext sit-  ting.  Aid. Fletcher   said there was   no   doubt on .  his mind that if the magazine went up.it would  wreck the whole town.  The Mayor asked if Aid. Fletcher had heard '  anything in reference to the proposed cefneter3;  site.  Aid. Fletcher replied that .the railway company required a sketch showing location and  the area required. ' ' _       '  iil  Try a bottle of the Nelson Wine Go's -l-Crown Scotch.  !tffeFOTS?E37SM  ^5OT^?^^^ THE NELSON ECONOMIST  A SRANGE COINCIDENCE.  The   Chicago   papers of the last few weeks  have contained lengtty accounts of the somewhat   mysterious   marriage   and    subsequent  death   of  a   wealthy gentleman   named   Ket-  chum.      It   appears that the deceased,   some,  months ago,   married   Mrs.   Minnie   Wallace.  Walkup, of New  Orleans,   and shprt^y afteiv  wards died under   circumstances, to   say   the  least, of that were rather peculiar.    My reason  for referring to the matter is that at one time  I had the'honor of being acquainted with Mrs.  ���Ketchurn, ���.-while   she was being, tried on the  charge of murdering her first husband, James  Walkup, of Emporia, Kansas.  ,     At that time I  was connected with a newspaper in the Southern States, and the scene of  the supposed murder being   but a short dis-  . tance. froiu me, .1; took much   interest   in   the  circumstances surrounding it.      The   accused  was a handsome woman, and she had married  a man   sd' much   older than herself as to preclude the p5s'sibility-'df:;the union being one of  altogether disinterested attachment.  At No. 222 Canal street,   New   Orleans,   in  .  the 3'ear 1885, lived a  Mrs. Wallace  aud  her  -only daughter   Minnie,      Mrs.   Wallace   had  , some time before-this been   divorced  from her  husband, an obscure lawyer.     Minnie, was the  only fruit of a union which-covered a   period  "���of- a dozen' years.  ' The house w^as a neat two-  f stoiy "dwelling. :ymuch ��� the    same   as   other  buildings rto be. found in the   Crescent City.'  The place,was -used as  a  high-class  boarding  "and-lodging' house.   ' During*  the vear 188s,  the exposition was"'.being   held   in   that   citv,   ,  and amongthoseAwho were attracted to it, was  James"   Walkup,' :'Mayor   of   Emporia.       He   \  lodged during: his' short stay in  the  house   of  !  ���Mrs.- Wallace..- He-was a person considerabh7:   j  ��� ou the shad3l side ol fifty, .and a widower with   j  ��� a fa'xi!.L3^:,   -Butuy)..twit:istiiidiiig his advanced   |  age the sprightly carriage and engaging man-   j  ners of Minnie Wallace,,who. w7as only seven- 'j  teen wears of age,   found   much   favor   in   his   i  ..eyes."- In short, with the consent, and encour-   |  agernent   -of' the    mother  he  offered her   his   !  hand in marriage ahd: was accepted.     The old   j  stoiy of Uniting winter and spring was again   j  enacted/ although the -you ng lad\- was candid   I  enough to confess to her husband that a home   |  for-herself was the greatest consideration she- !  had in the matter, y |  In .due time the 3'oung woman was installed j  . in the" house of her husband in the bustling" j  ^'little-city of Emporia., She w7as all attention |  to the man ,she had sacredU^ vowed to " love, |  honor and obey*," and everything- might have |  gone along "smoothly enough had it not been I  for the interference of.the husband's relations. I  One daughter in particular by a. former wife I  opposed her stepmother on every possible |  occasion. -As'might-be expected, this state of !  "affairs had the effect of'repressing the cordial i  and affectionate intercourse which should,  exist between man and wife, and life for Min- ���  nie Wallace Walkup soon became irksome ���  indeed. In the course of a couple of weeks :  after'the marriage Mr. Walkup took suddenh-  ill, and despite the fact that several of the  most skillful physicians were called in to make i  diagnosis of the case, the cause of his illness ;  was an 'impenetrable nystery. The 3-01111 g i  wife was all attention to her sick husband. !  She remained'by his bed side and followed the j  " doctor's.orders " with remarkable assiduity. !���  But neither the efforts of the phvsieians nor I  the unceasing attentions-oi the wiie could pre- j  vail against."the grim monster, death, and one j  I eautiiul day in the autumn of 1SS5, James '  Walkup was gathered to his fathers, and the !  citv of Emporia was left without a mayor and i  tV.e young girl'"from New Orleans was trans- \  formed, into a widow. j  But   people will' talk   in   Kansas  just   the  same 'as-'they do any place else.      It was   first  whispered and afterwards   shouted   from   the  housetops that there was something "irregular " about the death of Mayw.  Walkup.     At  the suggestion of his daughter, the body was  exhumed, and a chemical analysis- of the contents of the stomach was   made.      This   disclosed the fact that arsenic had been  administered to him in small quantities, but sufficient  to cause death.      A druggist of Emporia also  volunteered the information that he   had  sold  young-'-.Mrs.-   Walkup   sma.ll     quantities    of  arsenic to poison the rats.      These   facts   constituted   a   chain   of circumstantial    evidence  that 'was deemed sufficiently strong  to j ustify  the   suspicion   that   the    deceased   had   been  poisoned b3^ his young wife.    She was accordingly arrested., charged with the wilful.- murder of her husband.   In j ail she was permitted  to    live   with   the   jailer's    family,   and  was  treated more as a  distinguished guest than a  person accused of murder.  The day. for,the trial at last came about.    It  was in   the   early  part   of. November.     The  friends of the young widow., and she had many,'  rallied to her assistance,   and secured  for  her  the best  counsel available.     The defence  was  unique in its "way,   and depended  largely on  expert  testimony.      Several   important   facts  were, disclosed, the principal one of.which was  that the deceased had suffered from a  painful  disease,   the   excruciating  tortures   of which  would be alleviated 03^ the use of small quantities   of arsenic.     It was   also  demonstrated  that'it was a common  practice among  yourig  ladies to. use arsenic for beautifying  the  complexion, and that it was for this purpose  that  Mrs. Walkup made the purchases of the drug.  But there  was  another circumstance  which,  fortunately for the prisoner, much prominence  -was.'nqt giveii to by-the' prosecution.     It  was'  that the accused had a young lover  in   New  Orleans, who would be benefitted'very greatly'  by'the death of Mr.   Walkup.     I  shali never  forget the impressiveness of the scene, after the  evidence was all in, and  the addresses of the  judge and lawyers to the juiy had been  concluded, as the twelve good men in whose hands  reposed the prisoner's fate, filed slowly out  of  the   court   rooms,   to   consider   their   verdict.  Strange to say the prisoner herself appeared to  be far less   concerned  than   any   one   of  the  spectators.     She was removed to  the jailor's  private parlor, and while the jury were wording their heads over the'testimony' of the   experts, aud debating the case in all its bearings,  she-amused   herself  and   one   of  the  jailer's  children by singing " Naiicy Lee,"   and play--  ing her own accompaniment on the piano.  After a short space of time it was announced  that a verdict had been arrived at, and the  jury returned to the court room, the silence  impressive, but not ominous. After the usual  questions, the foreman of the jur3r handed in  the verdict, which was that Mrs. Walkup was  "not guilt\* " of causing the death of her husband. A cheer rent the air at this announcement, but any attempt at further demonstrations was quickly suppressed by the judge.  Minnie Wallace Walkup returned to her'  home in New Orleans. The last time I met  her was in the spring of 1886. She did not  look as if her premature widowhood bore  heavih* upon her; on the contrary she appeared  supremely happy. Although she was entitled  to a large share of her deceased husband's  propert3', I was informed that she refused it  most emphatically-.  In the case of the death of her last husband  Mrs. Walkup, or Ketch urn, was benefited  thousands of dollars, but this time she proved  property aud was handed over the goods,  which shows that the times change and some  people change with them. C.  CHRISTMAS ON  THE RANCH,  Christmas morning dawned bright and  clear on Stockman Roundup's ranch, on the  Bitter water. There were signs of life all  around the ranch as the glowing orb of ���-day  surged.ab.bve. the .horizon, and all the men  who were "up'save a few,sleep3T sluggards who  were still in their :' tarpaulins,'' dreaming of  catching mavericks ���'��� without number, and  branding them with their own private marks,  with bridle rings heated red hot in buffalo-  chip fires.  At   last   the   door   of the well-built  house  opened and Bessie Roundup, the -.-only .daughter- of the   house,   stepped cut   into  the   crisp  morning   air.      As   she   turned  towards   the  corral and the quarters of the cowbo37S,  she  noticed   Dick  Roper,   the   handsomest   rascal  who ever cut out a -two-year-old,'throw   away  a cigarette and reel'in her direction with that  awkward yet graceful gait   which'., indicates a  long usel'of high-heeled boots and a life in the  saddle.     He approached her in  a modest and  respectful wa3',  and,   lifting   his   broad   sombrero, saidi  " Good' morning,   Miss' Bossie,  and Merry  Christmas!  -And what did'you  find  in 'your'.,  stockings this morning ? It must be something  nice, for I heard the jingle   of  Santa   Claris'  bells last night."  The 37oung gitl, with her color   heightened  by7- the frosty air, and-her'eyes  snapping with  mischief,  looked" ��� archly  at   him   a moment,  and then replied :  " Wal, Dick, yer right, I did get something  mice. I got the'two' prettiest calves that ever  come-on the range. But they're mavericks,  for there ain't a mark on aiy one of 'em, and.  so I' m going" to"keep 'em out o' the sight o'  the boys, -you bet.". "  The latest Outcry in English societ3^ against  American habits is that youiig and pretty  American girls do not hesitate to live bv  themselves with necessary servants, whenever they feel inclined and can afford it. They  give dinner-parties and balls, supper and  theatre-parties, as if the37 were married  women. The worst of it, writes a correspondent of Vogue, is that English society acknowledges that there is a tendency to follow that  lead, and that some smart English girls have  started establishment's-of their own, and that,  strange to tell, they have not been frowned  down upon by " certain.-, aristocratic, old-  fashioned, and conservative families " as it  was expected they would be. An instance is  given in Lady" Rose Molyneux, who gave a  house-party at Abbey stead, including the  usual shooting party, all fully described. Lady-  Rose'being her father's favorite daughter (the  late Lord Seftcn) at his death she inherited  an estate in Lancashire with thirty thousand  dollars to keep it up, besides ten thousand  dollars a year. Her house-party turned out  a perfect success, and her mother, Lady' Sef-  ton, was present as her daughter's guest and  nothing more.  Mme. Kedwig Lamperti, the widow of the  famous Italian singing-master, is to come to  America next year for a seas'cn of teaching.  Though Lamperti was fully seventy'years of  a.ge when he died a few 3rears ago, his widow  is less than half that age. She was studying  singing with the great maestro when he, an  elderly widower, fell in love with her beautiful face and married her. For some years she  had assisted him in his-work, and he left her  all his. valuable notes and manuscripts.  John S win ton, who has been associate editor  of the New7 York Sun for twenty-two years,  has severed his connection with that paper.  ������i.iu��iiii����>Mll^lj,HBMM.WW)aWgCTBgCT  WMIMIMM^^ THE NELSON ECONOMIST.  7  V  a  i > '���-  h-i  ''��� V,-  mi  4  '-ill  fill  if  nn  ^  THE WIDOW.  . The dull winter's day was drawing to a close  when Marianne de Ccurvoy came  home  from  the cemetary where the remains of her fiance,  .Jean de Themines, had been interred.  This brilliant young man, the elder of the  family whose name he bore, died from the  effects of a hunting accident at 28 years of age,  and on the eve of a marriage ardently desired  by all concerned and one that seemed to combine all the conditions of happiness.  Marianne sank down in a state of exhaustion  on a sofa in the drawing room. Her strength  was _ exhausted. So man3' overwhelming  emotions had completely exhausted her and  ���she -fainted: away. The careful attention of  loving hands brought her back to consciousness  Then she swore to God to bury her twenty  years in the sorrows of a voluntary widow7 h ood  and in the solemn duties of eternal fidelity to  the memory of the past. The resolution that  Mile, de Courvoy had formed and had communicated"'to her farnity did not take long to make  itself known generally to the world. Among  people who did not know her well she found  only unbelievers. Her father and mother  alone believed in her resolution, 'for they knew',  her firm will and the energy and singleness  of her soul. They were convinced that as the  widow of Jean de Themines she would wear  her widow's weeds forever, so much convinced,  indeed, that they made no effort to combat her  resolution.  During the year that followed the death of  her betrothed Marianne received two proposals  of marriage. She refused them. A third who  arrived upon the scene received the same treatment. Her sisters married, and their marriage  furnished an opportunity to test somewhat the  strength and depth of the young widow's resolution, bin she remained unchanged.  '' I am a widow,'' she said, '' and  a widow  I mean  to rerriain."     Every six months she,  spent a few  weeks with Jean's  mother,   who  lived   since   his  death   in   retirement  in   the  chateau of Themines.  When she returned to her parents after  these periodical abscences, she showed the  same disposition to remain single, and by  degrees the conviction at which the world had  laughed was accepted as serious and final.  It past belief that Mile, de ConrVo3^ would  never marry again. <  * * * * ^  Mme. de Themines had a second son, Pierre  de Themines. He was younger than Jean  and was now at the age at which his brother  had met death in the hunting field.  Marianne did not know him. At the time  when she was bethrothed to Jean he was away  in Asia on a voyage of exploration, and although after his brother's death he had signified his intention of coming heme for two years  he had been detained by the delays of a long  and tedious journey. His mother was still  waiting for his return.  She awaited his arrival with an impatience  that was more keen because she had not been  able to console herse1 f for the death of her eldest son or to fill the void caused by that less.  Her grief was only partially aleviated w7hen  she w7as able to talk of Pierre, her beloved  second son, in whom all her hopes were now  cantered. She hoped that soon after his return home he would marry and by his marriage bring back to her hearth and homesome  of the joy and light that Jean's death had overshadowed.  Marianne was the only person to whom the  old lady had confided this hope. She was the  person to whom, in preference to all others,  she spoke of the absent one. She would praise  his excellent qualities of heart, his personal  appearance and his character.  " He is the exact image of his brother," she  would often say.  Marianne heard so much about Pierre, read  so many of his Tetters, saw his picture and  heard his praises so often and so loudly sung  that she began to feel an interest in him, although she had never seen him. She began  to form in her mind a picture of what he should  be if his character and appearance had been  truly drawn.  But in this interest for the absent Pierre was  no trace of the love she had conceived for Jean.  She merely professed for Pierre, without knowing him, the affection that she was bound to  feel for everyone who had loved or known  Jean. She looked upon herself in seme sense  as his sister, and she would have protested  strongly against any suggestion that the, character of her affection for this unknown brother  could change into love.  One evening while she was staying at the  chateau a letter came announcing the arrival  of Pierre in the country. It w7as followed two  hours later by the arrival of Pierre himself.  "You will see him and you will love him,"  said Mme. de Themines to Marianne.  She attached to these words no special meaning, but when he came into the room she was  overwhelmed. Mme.de Themines had not  exaggerated when she said that Pierre '-was  the image of Jean.  Marianne thought that she saw before her  the old lover alive from the dead. The same  face, the same hair, the same frame and build  and the same manners. She listened for his  voice. It was the voice of the dead man, and  in the accent and turn he gave to thern it was  as if she were actually in the presence of the:  dead Jean and listening to his words if cm the  grave. This interview resulted in an attack,  of prostration.  On the following day she made hurried  preparations to go aw7ay, as if some danger  threatened her. But Mhie.de Themines  would not allow her to depart.  "If you go away now," she said, "you  will throw a shadow over the j 03^ I feel at the  return of my son."  So Marianne did not go away. In spite of  her alarm there soon took place in her a transformation that, unknown to herself, resulted  in the awakening of hopes' that she would not  admit.  Once again she experienced in talking with  Pierre the charm that she had loved so well  with his brother Jean.  With the help of this illusion her heart  opened and warmed once again with love.  One day Mme. de Themines came up to her  and w^hispered in her ear :  " Pierre loves you, my dear girl. Love  him."  She did love him.      Now they are married.  Recent^, for 375 vacancies in the ccrps of  Paris street-sweepers, there were 21.562 candidates.  In the freshly published memoris of Mrs. de  Morgan, widow of the distinguished mathematician, Charles Lamb is described as a  "small man, quaint and old fashioned and  greatly given to indulgence in chaff." And  on one occasion, as Mrs. de Morgan records,  "he was indulging in a bottle of Loudon  stout. "  > j  Miss Clara Barton is the first woman who  ever held an official position under the United  States Government. When she was 24 years  of age, she was appointed clerk in the patent  office, which had then been organized but a  few years, and she was still holding that position when she commenced her philanthropic  work at the outbreak of the Civil War in the  year 1861.  PROMINENT PEOPLE.  The Duchess of Devonshire is a large contributor to current lh^ under a nomde.  plume.  Henri Rochefoft no longer haunts the boulevards of Paris, but lives the life of a literary  relcuse.   ' ',  ' . '" '.-'���'  William Black, the novel writer, is also a  portrait painter, an enthusiastic botanist and  an all-round sportsman.  Mrs. Rudyard . Kipling attends to all her  husband' s correspondence*and caretully guards  him against would-be intruders.  The Queen of Greece is -an .accomplished  yachtswoman, holds a master's certificate and  is honorayr admiral in the Russian navy.      A  Herbert Spencer was a newspaper reporter  in his youth and attributes his habit ol close  observation andaccurate memory to theytraiu-  ing he then acquired.  President Diaz of Mexico at 67 possesses a  bodily and mental activity of a man of 20,  due, he says','to the fact that he has been a  great eater and a good sleeper.  Professor Huxleyy's notorious fondness for  cats was a fad w7hich he shared with Cardinal  Richelieu, Cardinal Mazarin,. Charles Stewart  Parnell and other eminent public men.      a  .Blondin never .used a netting to save himself from a tight-rope, and. alter devoting his  entire career to the most perilous feats of rope-  walking, he died peacefully7 in his bed.  Rabah,   now the   head - of the   sultante   of  Bornu, was at one time a slave.     He is a full-  blooded negro of gigantic stature and  is said  to be possessed   of immense  stores   of gold,'  silver and ivoy7.  Rev. Robert Colh'er, while at the breakfast  table of one of his friends in the county7 near  Boston, was asked by che of the family : " Mr.  Colfyer, do 37ou enjoy as good an appetite as  in 37-ears past?" " To w7hich he replied: "My  dear, if I lose the appetite I now hay7e, I hope  no poor man will find it."  William E. Gladstone receives more requests for his autograph than any other man  in the world. In One day recently twenty-  five letters reached Ha warden from various  parts of the world, politely asking for specimens of the grand old man's chirography. Mr.  Gladstone is too busy to gratify the wishes of  autograph collectors, and his secretary so  informs correspondents.  George Curzon, under secretayr to the British minister of foreign affairs, and the man  who married Miss Leiter of Chicago and Washington, represents his department in the debates in the House of Commons. He has, up  to the last session, been regarded as a man of  great promise, but is steadily losing ground on  account of inordinately long and tedious ver-  bosiy- of speech. The House of Commons  will not stand a bore under any circumstances.  Lord Wolsele37 gives an interesting account  of his first meeting with Heny7 M. Stanle3r.  The Coomassie affair had become a hand-to-  hand fight when Lord Wolsefy noticed a man  in civilian attire, literal^7 surrounded, butw7ho  went on calmly potting Ashantees with his  rifle. Lord Wolsele3' was much impressed  with the man's coolness, and inquired his name  " You were luck37 to escape," said Wolsely  afterward ; "didn't 37ou see that 37ou were  surrounded?" "Well," replied Stanley, "I  was too much occupied with the niggers in  front to pay much attention to those behind."  ������1  ���5 8  THE NELSON ECONOMIST!  A LANARK COUNTY DANCE.  ��� ��� ft. ��� ���   ��� .        ���        ���  Dancing, I read the other   dayr, is   the   outward expression of the happiest and most exhilarating emotions of the heart and   was   one  of   the   most   ancient  of pastimes,    inc proof  whereof it is pointed out that the  children of  Israel betimes tripped the light   fantastic  and  David executed a   sand jig   before   the   Ark.  There have been many forms of pastime since  .those, day's,-but the, dance has "more than- held  its own against all-comers, especially the  particular kind of a gathering of which I am about  to write.     Indeed, you may have wandered in  every clime and   partaken   of every   pleasure  your   peregrinations afforded ; you may have  absorbed the incense of those grand  Cairenne  evenings while  dreaming   in the   gardens   of  Esbekieh ; you may  have flirted   with  ." the  sweetest   girl  in   all Tennessee ;"    perchance  youtiavesat  night  after   night   behind   the  scenes with   some   favorite   actress   and   Bohemian-like imagined -your cup   of happiness  had been filled to the brim ; perhaps you have  ogled some mischievous, black-eyed Irish barmaid, then asked yourself what is there left in  this life worth living for ; you may have done  any and & 11   of these things,   besides,   gazed  upon the seven winders, yet I   sa^   unto   you  your life has been  a   bleak,   barren,   malarial  waste,   if you   have  never   participated  in   a  Lanark County dance.     I mean   the   Lanark  Count37yof the years when I   was a   boy,   and  that is not so long ago  either.  To brush   up   the   geographical   and  topographical      knowledge     of    the     reader,     I  may say that Lanark County wras, and I have  every reason to believe is yet, situated in   the  eastern  part of the Province of Ontario.     The  count3r was settled in   the  early da3^s   of the  present century by natives of England,   Scotland and  Ireland, but  the  representatives   of  the latter two left the deepest impression on the  socialogical condition of the people.  The bright  wit of Paddy contributed   amusement   for  the  well-being of his more cautious   and  thrifty  neighbor  Sandy.       They   agreed   well,    but  Sandy created wealth,   while Paddy  supplied  more  than his share of the.fun, not but   that  Sandy occasionally^ engaged   in the  sport and  Paddy had "a shilling to lend and  a  shilling  to spend."   Particularly- were the social qualities of Sandy more in; evidence when the farm  work of the season was over.  Then it wras that  the descendants   of Irish   kings   and Scottish  chiefs joined forces for the purpose of showing  good  fellowship   and   giving    the  bp37s   and  girls   a   dance.    A later generation, especially  those   whose   dancing   da37s; are   over,   may  shake their heads and sa3r  "all is   vanity,"  but I do aver, and I propose to bequeath   this1  opinion as a legacy to nyr   children  and their  heirs, even to the third and fourth generation,  that   more    healtly   -amusement was    never  provided than that to be obtained b3r attending one of these dances.   While the music may  not   have   been   so intoxicating   as streamed  forth from Apollo's lute, 3-et   to my   mind   it  was "a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets."  Those functions (that seems like putting  new wine into old bottles) it should be remembered were invitation affairs, and while  there were 110 elaborate cards issued to the  elect, the obligation to be present was none  the less imperative. The first invitation, of  course, was to the fiddler. The fiddler for the  district in wrhich I lived was a blacksmith.  Since the dayrs when I first heard Jimmy'tune  his fiddle and strike up the "The Soldier's j  Joy," or "Off She Goes to Miramichi," with j  "The Flowers of Edinboro" for a breakdown, !  I have heard niany more pretentious violin- j  ists, but the marvellous harmonious combinations of Musin, Remenyi and Ole Bull, never  pleased me one half so   much   as   the strains  would  women  tea and  success  so   that*  the con-  which poured forth from Jimmy's fiddle in old  Lanark County, and if some kind friend   will  convey this intelligence  to rriy  old  friend   I  shall esteem it as an especial mark of their goodwill and feel ever so much obliged.  It must not  be supposed that we had o'nly.'ohe fiddler.   Indeed  I   had   a   brother   whose   rendition   of  "Steamboat   Quickstep" (with   variations  almost   innumerable)    was    soul-stirring    and  lamentable   in   its   effect.       And  there   were  others���-many   others,   in   fact.      Then   came  the invitation to the caller-of.     My   own   district   was   exceptionally  wrell   provided   with  "callers-off," but the twro who  were in   greatest demand w7ere JohmyyK and Bob M������A  I may mention that there was sometimes considerable rivalry as to the respective merits of  less noted "callers-off," but I do not remember ever hearing anyone pretending to believe  that the ones mentioned were not the most accomplished in the whole county. Next came  the1 invitations to the young women and young  men. Indeed, I violate no confidence, at this  late da3^, when I sa3A that the fathers and  mothers sometimes dropped in for an hour just  to look on, audi pledge rny word that once  upon a time I beheld with my own two eyes  a most distinguished, clergyman of the Church  of England mixing up with the dancers.  Moreover, a son of "the Bishop," (who, when  wearied with theological study sought recreation in the skirling of the bagpipes,) told me last  summer, in Nelson, that he had accompanied  this same clergyman to many a dance in my  native village, nearly fifty years ago. As the  good man was born and reared in Lanark  County, no doubt the recording angel refused  to mark down these transgressions.  At 8 o'clock the guests began to put in an  appearance, and about 8:30 came the announcement : "Partners for a cotillion." In  the meantime, Jimmy with his fiddle had arrived on the scene, andwas busily engaged in  preliminayA tuning up. After the cotillion  came a waltz, and so on until every number  of a long programme was exhausted. The  best dancers w7ere always in greatest demand,  but to the credit of the young men be it said  it was not often that a 3roung woman was subjected to the indignity of being a wallflower.  And there were good dancers in those times,  and as proof of what w7as accomplished in the  way of producing terpsichorean artists it may  be remarked that the champion step dancer of  the world first saw the light of day in Lanark  County.  Then came the  supper, and  oh   such   suppers !    There were cakes that wrere marvels of  the good housewife's culinary skill, pies   that  aided digestion instead of producing   dyspepsia, cold ham that inspired respect   and gratitude for the porcine from whose body   it  w7as  cut, and tea���the Lord bless  us���that  float an iron wedge.     Lanark County  were conj urers in the   art "of making  pasty, and I hope the secret- of their  in this art may some day  be divulged  the cooks in   restaurants   and  hotels  tinent over ma3r benefit therebyr.  After the supper dancing was resumed, and  I think generally eveyrone was in better  spirits for the good meal. There was the  same routine of dances until about 4 o'clock  in the morning, when breaking-up time came.  Then was executed the last dance, which w7as  almost invariabhr a four-hand reel, with a clog  step or so by wa3r of extra. Then each young  man escorted his luost intimate lad3' friend  to her home, and they bade good-by-e���meet to  again some other night.  It must not be supposed for one moment  that the people devoted all their day7s and  evenings to the perpetuation of this pastime,  and to the exclusion of intellectual pursuits  and the other serious   responsibilities   of life.  On   the   contrary,   the  fathers   and   mothers  manifested  a    more   than   usual   interest   in  providing an  education for their children,   so  that  they might   be   adequately   equipped  to  fight the battle  of existence.     History proves  that   Lanark    has    contributed   at   least   her  quota  to  the  men   who   have made   Canada  what   it    is     to-day. .    In   politics,     natives  of   that   county7    have   chiselled   their names  high  up   in the   rock of   fame ; in   the  field  of commerce they have   cut a   wide, swath   at  home and   distinguished   themselves   abroad,  and in the learned-professions Lanark has had  many7 eminent sons.   In developing the natural  resources of Canada they  have   alwa)7s   taken  the lead, aud British Columbia as much as any  province   in   the   Dominion   has benefited by  the labor and wealth-creating qualities  of  the  descendants of that hardy   old, uncompromising, unflinching British stock  that  settled   in  Lanark county nearly one hundred years ago.  Indeed,   all over this province there are mines  and ranches the names of which "must   induce  the belief that the natives of that county were  determined to perpetuate early associations   in  monuments of industrial  wealth.    The  determination and energy of these people, in the face  of what would  now  seem almost insurmountable  obstacles,   cannot    be  fully   appreciated  by the  people  of   this day  and   generation.  They hewed   out  homes and caused grain to  grow where once stood the lordly pine and in-.  dustrious maple.     Some   years   ago, that excellent weekly newspaper,   the   Almonte Gazette, (then owned  and published by  William  Templeman,   the   recently appointed   senator  from British Columbia,) reprinted a  series   of  letters, originally published   by   Rev.   Robert  Bell, of Perth, Ont.,  in   1810.     A   perusal   of  these letters afforded an   interesting  study   of  the marvellous ptysical   capabilities   and   fortitude of the early settlers   of  Lanark.    They  were confronted wdth hardships and privations  that now appear almost be37ond human endurance.     But they hewed, ploughed  and sowed,  with the result that what  w7as   once   a   forest  wras eventua1ly forced to yield sustenance to an  indomitable, unconquerable and thrifty class of  people.     May their names and deeds  be as revered and imperishable as those of our greatest warriors and grandest statesmen..  ���' Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield,  Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke;  How jocund did they drive their team a-field;  How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke."c  " To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land,  And read their history in a nation's eyes."  But this is a digression, for which the excuse  is that the writer is a patriotic, if not always a  discreet, champion of his native count3^.  *>  ^  It is a good many years since I attended  one of those dances, but even 3-et I can hear the  music of my old friend Jimmy's fiddle or the  voice of Johnny K���: as he shouted, "honor to partners, honor to corners, all join hands  and circle to the left." Of allw7ho took part  in one dance (twenty years ago) I doubt if the  requisite eight could now be gotten together  in response to the call of "partners for a cotillion." "Some are in the churclyard laid,"  and far be37ond the cares of this w7orld. Others  are married and. their children are doing the  dancing for the family, aud many have found  homes in the great west. No doubt all have  drunk more or less frcm the bitter cup of sorrow7. To those who happen to survive, and  who are not too intensel3' devout to appreciate  a dance, I extend a heart3^ God bless 3rou, for  the da37s of "Auld Lang S37ne," and to all  " A Merry Christmas and a Happy^ New  Year."  D'Emcee.  m  VfiMtfM!  mwmmiBBaiaBmmsPi&7S*?*rrtt73?'  ^^^^ THE NELSON ECONOMIST  '&  IV*  't,,  ��M.  ,&  11  MAXIME   LABELLE.  A CANADIAN'VOVAGEUE'S  ACCOUNT OF THE  NILE EXPEDITION.  Vietoriaw: she.have beeg,war, E-gyp's de nam' deplace���  An' neeger peep dat's leev 'imdere, got very black de face,   .  An'so she's write Joseph Mercier, he's stop on Trois Rivieres���  " Please come   right   off,   an'   bring   wit'you   free  bonder  yoyageurs. '   ,  " I got de plaintee sojer, mc, big'feller six foot tall���  Dat's II'JEnglishman, an' Scotch also, don't wear no pant at all;  Of course, de,'^Irishman's de be.s', raise all de row he can,  But nobodee cuiu pull batteau lak good Canadian man.  "I geev you steady job for sure, an' w'en you get 'im t'roo  I bring you back ou Canadaw, don't cos'de man un sou,  Dat's first-class steamboat all de way, Kebeck an  Leeverpool,  An' if you don't be.satisfy, you must be beeg, beeg fool."    ���  We meet upon Hotel Dufresne, an' talk Mm.till daylight,  An' Joe he's treat so many tam, we,very near get tight,  Den affer w'ile, we mak' our min' dat's no bad  chance, an' so  Joseph Mercier he's telegraph, "Correc', Madame,��� we go.'-'  So Joe arrange de whole biznesse, wit' Queen Vietoriaw ;  Two dollar day���work all de,tam'���dat's purty good 1'argent !  ,     An' w'en we start on Trois Rivieres, for pass on boar'"de ship,  Our fren' dey all say, "Bon; voyage," an' den, Hooraw ! E-gyp i  Dat beeg steamboat was plonge so much, I'm 'fraid she never  ���'.stop���:' .  De  Gapitaine's no use at all, can't kip heron de top���.  An'.so we all come very sick, jus', lak' one leetle pup,  An' ev'ry tam' de ship's go down, de 'h'.'inside she's go up.  I'm sorry spoke lak' dis, ma fren', if you don't t'ink it's so,    :.A  Please h'ax Joseph Mercier heself, or,Aleck De Coteau,        .  Dat stay on bed'mos' all de tam, so sick dey nearly die,  But lak' some great, beeg Yankee man, was never tole de lie.  De gang she's travel, travel, t'roo many strange contree,  An' ev'ry place is got new ham', I don't remember, me,  We see some fonny t'ing for sure, more fonny I can tell,  But w'en we reach de Neel Riviere, dat's feel more naturel.   :  So many line   beeg sojer man,-1 never see before,  All dress 'im on grand uniform, is wait-upon de shore,, A  Some black, some green, an' red also, cos' bonder dollar sure,  An'holler out,  "She's  all right how,   here  come de voya-'  .'   geurs !"���..-������     , ���   ' . .  We see Boss Generale also, he's ride on beeg chameau,  Dat's what you call Ca-melle, I t'irik.Tlaugh de way she'go J  Jomp. up, jompdovv.n, jomp.ev'ry.place,. but still de Generale  Seem satisfy for stay on top, dat funny an-i-mal.  He's holler out on Joe Mercier, "Comment ca: va Joseph,  You lak' for  come right off wit' me. talc' leetle-ride youseff ?"  Joseph, he mak' de grandsalut, an'.tak' it off he's hat,  "Merci, Mon Generale," he-say, "I got no use for dat."        ���  Den affer we was drink somet'ing, an' sing "La Brigadier,"  De.sojer feller's go't prepare; for male'de embarquer,  An' everybody's shout 'im out, w'en we tak' hole de boat,  "Hooraw   pour   Queen   Vietoriaw !"  an'   also  "pour  nous  autres." A ' : -  Bigosh ; I do hard work meseff, upon :de" H'Ottawa,  De Gatineau an' St. Maurice, also de M.attawa,  But I don't never work at all, I 'sure you dat's a.fack    ..  Until we strike de Neel Riviere, an' sapre Catarack !  "Dis way, dat way,.can't kip-her straight,"   "look  out,  Ba-  teese, look out!"  "Now, let her go"���arrete un peu," dat's way de. pilot shout,  "Don't wash de neeger girl on shore," an' "prenez  garde  be-  hin'" y"  " Wat's .matter wit' dat rudder man ? I t'ink lie's goin' blin'!"  Some tam of course, de boat's all right, an' carry us along,  An' den again, we mak' portage, w'en current she's too strong  On place lak dat, we run good  chance,  for sunstruck  on de  neck,  An' plaintee tam we wish ourseff was back on ole Kebeck.  De seconde Catarack we pass, more beeger dan' de Soo,  She's nearly forty mile for sure, it would astonish you,  Dat's place free Irishman get drown, won day we have beeg  storm,  'I s'pose de Queen is feel lak cry, los' dat nice uniform !  De night she's very, very cole, an' hot uponde day,  An' all de tam, you feel just lak you're going melt away,  But never min' an' don't get scare, you mak' it up all right,  An' twenty poun' you los' dat day,  she's  coming  back  sam'  night.  We got small bugle boy also, he's mebbe stan' four foot,  An'firse t'ing ev'rj* morning, sure,   he mak'   it toot!   toot!  toot!  She's nice enoxigh upon de day, for hear de bugle call,  But w'en she play before daylight, I don't lak dat at all.  We mas' get up immediatement, dat leetle fellow blow,  An' so we start 'im off again, for pull de beeg batteau,  De sojer man he's nice, nice boy, an' help us all he can,  An'geev'im chance, he's mos as good lak some Canadian  man.  Wall all de tam, she go lak dat, was busy every day,  Don't get moohe chance for foolishness, don't get no  chance  for play,  Der's plaintee danger all aroun', an' w'en  we're comin' back  We got look out for run 'im safe, dem sapre Catarack.  But w'ere's de war ? I can't mak' out, don't see no fight at all!  She's '���'not' irig but une Grande Piqnique,  dat's las'  in all  de  .  '-'fall!'. ���'   ', ":.  Mebbe de neeger King he's scare, an' skip anoder place,  An' pour la Reitie Vietoriaw!   I never see,de face.     ' ������'��� ,  But dat's not ma biznesse, ma fren', I'm ready pull batteau  So long she pay two dollar day, wit' pork an' bean also;  An' if she geev me steady job, for mak' some more i'argent,  I say, "Hooraw! for all de tam', on Queen Vietoriaw!"  ,   ���   '   '  William H. Drumrnond.  books:  THE CHARM  AND  OTHER DRAW! NG-ROOM   PLAYS, By Sir  . ���   ,. /; ���  Besant and Walter H.  Pol lock.  There is something of a dearth of cleverly  constructeel pla3^s suitable for drawing-room  presentation, and adapted to the talents of the  average amateur, and those few which have  been favorites for so loug have been done to  death. It is, therefore, a pleasure to welcome  .this little group of pla37s by Walter Besent and  his co-worker, Walter H. Pollock, and to find  in them that airy grace and -simpleness of plot  and construction, which are so needful for  dramatic work which is to be done -with little  or no machinery and under conditions which  are difficult at best. Anything like seriousness or heaviness in the situations has been  avoided in-most of the plays as being unsuited  to the nature of their stage", the occasions of  their presentation, ye\. Xk.ey are superior to the  average drawing-room "farce," and will  doubtless;-; receive a cordial welcome at the  hands of those who are devotees of this \Texy  charming and- entirely fascinating form of  amusement. There are eight pla3^s comprised  in the prettily-bound volume, of which the  title-giver, '-'The Charm," and probably one  or two others, are-already fairty well known.  The excellent-drawings are by Chris Hammond and A. Jules Gdrdman.  THE EYE OF 5STAR,   By .WiHiam  Lee Qusux.  Mysticism land .danger  are the elements of  this,  story of the   Soudan,   and   its   clashing  tribes.     Romantic material is furnished b3;r the  customs of palace and harem, by the despotism  of half-savagelnibnarchs, the dangers of desert  travel and the mysteries of a race and religion  which feeds  oh   occultism   and' its   attendant  .manifestations.       Romances of   the   order   of  ."Istar "  seem, a bit old-fashioned  when   one  considers how long it is since " She " delighted  a large and breathless audience,   but   all   this  refreshingly impossible sort of thing is agreeable to read once in a while,   even though   it  has not a ghost of a" mission,"  nor even   an  apology for a problem.      As a romance of the  wildest adventure,  " The h/ye of Istar "   is an  unmitigated success, calculated to produce the  maximum number of thrills which it is   possible to experience in the course  of one   short  story.  THE  FOURTH  NAPOLEON,   By Charles Benham.  Luckily for history, the career of the Fourth  Napoleon is confined to the realm of fiction,  otherwise some dull pages would fall to the  lot of the student of nations. Even romance  has failed to make interesting the career of  this m37thical, shambling and indeterminate  personage, though Charles Benham has led  him through 600 pages of intrigue and adventure, only to kill him off ignominiously on the  six hundredth, without having vouchsafed  him even a gleam of manliness to sustain him  in his great position and in the lofty name he  bore.  B3^ an impossible coup d'etat this great-  grandson of Napoleon I is placed upon the  throne of France, only to find, when his ambition is attained, that the responsibilities bore  him and   that   the   men who  have made him  their Emperor and who now surround him as  advisers and official retainers, regard him with  the profouridest contempt;  his wishes are disregarded and he has neither force nor   pertin-  acity  sufficient   to  insist upon   their enforcement; his brief reign is, of necess^, an ignominious failure and his taking off a matter of  congratulation to those about him.       ~    A  ..   The story offers an  abundance of incident,  yet there is a certain lack of clean-cut impressions iri  the, earlier   chapters   relating  to the  intrigues which place Napoleon at the head of  the empire.     Beginning with the introduction  of the Framlingham fainity,  however, whose  daughter   is   to   prove   Napoleon's   undoing,  there are some good  character  drawings  and  an   -influx   of animation in  the   style 'which1  visibly alters the character of the narrative.  The unlovely side of character predominates  not alone in the upstart Emperor,but in those--  who flock to his palace,  seeking   either social'  favors or official patronage.       The   nabbiness;  and faint-heartedness of the master- attract ytoy  themselves -only' the   contemptuous   and ��� the-  sneering���those  in  whose hands the mail is -a-  tool and  an   ineffectual ;one.      Naturally-"the-  assemblage is not an admirable, one,   nor   the-  characters such as are likely to induce a cheer--  ful view of human tendencies.     Nevertheless a  the story is, in the main,  cleverly told and its  incidents the logical outcome of the character  of the hero.      ���'>-. ;���       ^::;^      :������; .a :-.,;-.  ��� Anthony Hope Hawkins, the author of  "The Prisoner of -'Zenda,'" proves,A on-'-  closer acquaintance ���which, his visit to  country is now yieldingy h"o: less attracfiye as a1  man than a writer: His public readings ffomA  his own works seem to give his large audiences"  ,w  the highest satisfaction ; ; and in the'  course of friendly dining through- which he1  has been put since -he landed he has "showh;  himself the kindliest and most 'unassuming  of sruests of honor. ������- ��� -   ���������'���      r    '    ���        y;^  Mr.  Hawkins, is how ,34   years   old. '    'He  beo;an life as'a. lawyer,-'and. in 1892 he 'made a  vigorous . but     unsuccessful'  caiivass . for ; a  Liberal "seat in  parlia.ment.     . While   \vaiting  for clients   he   besran   to Write   stories.       He.  made his wa3^ but slowly at first; he had-been;  writing   but   four   or    five   years . before ;he;  achieved   a   pronounced   success' in     "The  Prisoner of Zenda:"   V' The Dolly Dialogues;'^  followed and confirmed his popLilarit3A   ' Tt'is^  an interesting fact that while   he   is .visiting-'  this countr3r an American magazine will begiif  publication of a sequel to the story.'which was  his great success:       McClure's   Magazine "for  December     contains   the    opening'    chapters  of '' Rupert of Hentzau,'' a new . Zenda novel  which continues the histor3r of .the   love and;  adventures of Rudolf Rassendyll and  Princess  Flavia.      They were extrernety' engaging people   as   the3^   presented   themselves   in   "The  Prisoner of Zenda,"   but those who have had  the privilege   of reading   the   new   story   sa3r  that they are still more engaging   in   it,   and  that the series of adventures through which it  carries them is one to  keep readers sitting up  all night.     The stoiy has been  illustrated for  McClure's   03^   the   author's   personal   friend,  Charles Dana Gibson.  The Christmas Ladies' Home Journal opens  with a page of pictures of beautiful children,  selected from thousands of portraits. The  children's holida3r greeting is a pleasing introduction to the excellent articles pertaining to  the great festal season. One of these interesting^ describes Christmas in the palace at  Potsdam, telling how the German Emperor  and Empress and the nryal children celebrate  the da3'~.  HWSUIMllfflnZf  UWiWUfflMUHWYitJWUil'B  mtmawmmmmmigmmmm  MMfimiMi'MHi^M^i^itrMimvmmmumimmbim IO  THE NELSON ECONOMIST.  GOVERNMENT AUCTION SALE.  The auction sale of 279 government lots was  held at the Courthouse on Wednesday last,  1 and proved an unqualified success. Mr. Joshua  ��� Davies, perhaps the best known and most expert auctioneer in Canada, was selected to conduct the sale, and there seems to be no two  opinions that in every detail the work was  admirably done. \ There were over 200 persons  present, and sharp at 2 p.m the auctioneer read  the terms of sale, and in a short address sue-'  ' ciiictly proclaimed that the value of Nelson  realt3r was conceded, and that from Kaslo to  Rossland the palm was given to Nelson as the  city of hotnes, the head quarters of the government in the district, and the commercial centre  of the Kootenays:    \ > ���  The sale commenced with block 6,   and the  ���best bidder had the choice of auy or  all of the  loas offered in the block.      The purchaser was  Ma3^or" Houston, for P. Burns & Co.   The sale  occupied three hours, and from   start to finish  was conducted wdth vigor and with a   rythmic  cadence'of voice which   always   interests Mr.  Davies' audience, and holds the bu3^ers without  noticing/the time as it slips b3A   It is probable  that not more   than ten persons   left the room  during thesale, and these not without securing  the particular'lots in which, they were  interested.   At times, especially during the bidding  on lot.24, block 58,. which   was contested   by  a lad3^ and   one of the.;,sterner sex,   the  bids  came like the crack of a1 whip, w7ere picked up  in a flash by; the auctioneer, and thelady being  declared,the purchaser,   .was   cheered   D37- the  audience. A   When ,block 72 was  called,  Aid.  Hillyer'asked that it be put up at so much per  lot,; and made a  bid of $250,   which   the auctioneer accepted.      A spirited contest" then  endued,   the   competition   up to the   $385   mark  being-confinedA'toaAiocal   syndicate   and Mr.  Gra3'.       From this point Mr. Peter McVeigh,  the well-known railwa3^ contractor, entered the  contest, and brought the figure rip to $435, but  Mr. Gra3r went better, 'and at $440 per lot,  or  $5,280 for the block, he was declcred the purchaser.    This bu3~ was a popular one,- and Mr.  Gray was applauded   for   having   secured the  best piace of property in the city, for warehouse  . and forwarding purposes.     Mr. Gra3' is at present occup3dng the ground as a mill  site and  lumber yard.  Excepting the lands owned and for sale b3r  the C.P.R., the realty of the city is now in the  hands of individuals, and the progress of Nelson should consequent^'showr a marked advance in the building line, even in excess of  this year, although 1897 was conspicuous in  this particular.  At the conclusion ��� of the sale Mr. Davies  thanked his audience, and many of his friends  came forward and congratulated him upon his  successful handling of the business, aud for the  clearness and fairness with which he placed  the propert3'- before the bin-ers. There is one  feature which:" always strikes the hearer, no  matter how often he may hear Mr. Davies selling, and that is his intense earnestness and  the almost mechanical rapidity of his utterances, which can alwa3;rs be heard clearh^ and  distinct^', no matter how large the room or  the audience.  The sale totalled $24,440, or an average of  $87 per lot. Many, of the lots are fractional,  some in river beds and on the side of ravines,  and all have been offered for sale by auction before, so that the average price obtained for a  25-foot frontage lot in Nelson will compare  favorabl3r with that of any other cit3' in the  interior.  Appended is the list of the lots sold, name  of purchaser, and price obtained :  Block 6-  12-13,  P.   Burns   &   Co.,   $210  15', E. A. Dills, $50;  Waterman,   }no;  I4j ; Alice Kiinpling, $60 ;  16,  L. Pogue, $65.  Block 7���15-16,  C.   A  19-20, W. Johnson, $140.  Block 8���20-21. j. Cochead, $95.  Block 17-���1-2, R. Ince, $270 : 3, J- H,  Matheson, $135 ; 4, J. H. Matheson, $90; 8-9,  J. A, Turner, $220.  Block 18���3, C. A. Waterman,  $115.  Block 24���4 to 9 inclusive, R. Hunyv $540:  17 to 20 inclusive, O. Falconer, $240.  Block 28���13-14, S. Roberts, $360 : 15, C.  Hoskins, $i'8o.y .'.'������  Block 34���-3, D. Hawkey; $150 ; 4-5-6, O.  Newling, $165 ; 7. R. Bradford, $150 ; 8,. W.  N. Shaw, $85 59-10, W. Askew, $200 ; 13-14.  C. A. Waterman, $220; 16, G. A. Jackson,  $105 ; 17-18, A. L. McCulloch,' $150-; 19, T.  A. McDonald,' $80 ; - 20, W. N'. Shaw, $60 ;  21, R. J. Brewster, $75 ; 22-23, J.   A- Turner,  ���$i8o'. .'.';     ' x       -  "'"��� -���   '  '���"' ',   ���.���'  Block 36���16, A. Ford, $50 ;; 17-18, R. W.  Da3^, $100 ; 19, H.Ward, $55"; 20-21, W. P.  Robinson, $100. >;_.. ."  Block 38���5-6, John Knudson, $170 ; 7-8,  O. Falconer, $60 ; 9, W. Askew, $25 ; 10, G.  L.   Robinson,  $45.;   11-12,   C-.  H. Leichester,  $1.70-a   ������,.���'���' . "       ���������'���"���������. "a":::'.::    ;  Block 40���4, A. L..McCulloch, $65; 13-14,  C. A. Waterman, $230 ; 15-r6, A. L. McCulloch, $170-,17, A. Manson,- $55'; 18-19, A.  Booth, $130; 20, J. H. Matheson, $60 ; 21-22,  J. H. Matheson, $170 ; 23-24, C. A. Waterman, $230.  Block 42���18-19, A. L. McCulloch, 140;  20-21-22, H. Selous, $195: -.-'.".'  Block 44���19 to 22 inclusive,   A.   McDon-  aid,  $150. ���'.-��� ,'--':-'-'. y  Block 44A���1-2, O. Falconer, $70 ; 3-4, R.  W. Day, $50 ; 8-9-10, F. Fletcher, $150.  Block 44F���1 to 6 inclusive, H. E. Croas-  daile, $300 ; 11, R. Gordon, $35 ; 12, L. E.  Gallowa3', $40 ; 13-14, R. W.Day, $60 ; 15-  16, W. McDonald, $60 ; 17-18; Jas. Faulds,  $60 ; 19 to 22 inclusive, H. E. Croasdaile,  $140 ; 23-24. H. E- Croasdaile, $100.  Block 47���-3. Geo. Holbrook, $105; 4-5, A.  L- McCulloch, $160 ; 14 to 22 idclusive, H.  Selous, $450. ;  Block 54A���1-2, C. Jiscowitz, $70.  Block 58���3; C..S. Rosey, $135 ; 4 to 6 inclusive,   D.   McCreath,   $420;   8-9-10,   H.   J.  Evans, $345;  ii, E. Kilby, $135 ; .16-17,   W.  R. McLean, $220; 18, Mrs. Stutter, $110 ; 19,  A.' Manson,  $105 ;   20-21,  D.   Morris, $280;  24, A. Smith, $230.  Block 70���12,, Mrs. * Stutter, $355; 11,  Webster Traves, $360 ; 13, R. Dinsdale, $255;  14, Applewaite and Newton, $155; 15, A.  Ferland, $165; 16, A. M. Tamblyn, $210 ; 17,  Judge J. A. Forin, $220 ; 18, Joshua Davies,  $260 ; 19, J. O'Shea, $240 ; 20, Wynn Evans,  $280.  Block 72���1 to 12 inclusive, T. W. Gra3^,  $5,280.  Block 74���1 to 5 inclusive, H. B. Thomson, $275 ; 6, LaBlanc, $45 ; 7-8, J. M. Jameson, $70 ; 9-10, Lawrie, $100 ; 11-12, Wm.  Martin, $90.  Block 75���1-2, W. R. McCarty, $140 : 3-4,  J. LaPoint, $90 ; 6-7, W.J. Hatch, $90; 8,  Fred Turcott, $60 ; 9-10, T. Elford, $100.  Block 76���1, G, F. Trimm, $50 ; 3-4, G.  F. Trimm, $130 ;   5-6, McKay, $90 ;   7-8,   G.  A. Jackson , $80 ; 9, A. Smith, $45 ; 10-11-12,  D. McBeath,'$i65. ���  Block 77���4-5-6-7, Mrs. Emily M. Stephenson, $240.  Block 79���1-2, G.N. Wolf, $150 : 3 to 7,  W. Hancock, $175; 8-9, -Dr. Arthur, $150;  10, 11, 12, W. Hancock, $210; 13, W. Askew,  $45; 14-15, Walter Askew, $140; 16, 17, 18,  Dr. Arthur, $150; 19, Jeremiah Cleveland,  $65; 20, F. A. Nichols, $40; 22, O. Falconer,  $40.  Block 80���2, 3, 4, J. J. Maloue, $465; 9 to  12 inclusive, G. Still well, $360; 13, N. Ranger, $70;  14^ "15, 16, T.G. Proctor, $165.  Block 81���1-2, O. Newling, $250; 3, O.  Newling, $55; 4, E. Gustavson, $80; 5, 6. 7,  H. H. Ward, $225. ,  Block 98���3, E. Roper, $45; 4-5, R. Cor-  lett, $30; 6 to 9 inclusive, G. A. Jackson, $60;  10, 11, 12, F Fletcher, $120; 13,..., 14, F.  Fletcher, $110; 18 to 28 inclusive, H.A E.  Croasdaile, $165.  Block 100���1, Alex. McDonald, $70; 2,  Alex.' McDonald, $25; 3, 4, 5, R. W. Da3A  $105; 6 to 12 inclusive, W. P. Robinson,  $280; 21-22', R. Bradford, $70; 23-24, O. Falconer', $90.  .  CHARGED WITH   CRIMINAL LIBEL.  HonA J. H. Turner, premier, and Hon. ', C.  E. Tooley, president of the executive council  of British Columbia, have brough a charge of  criminal libel against Hewitt Bortock, M. P.,  Ian Coltart, and W. C. Nichol, all said to be  connected in one capacity ��� or another with, a  weekly paper called the "Province," printed  and published at .Victoria, and Senator "William Templemau of the Times.A The article  complained of was first printed in the "Province" and copied into the Times., The information, after giving the article, goes 011 :  "And which libel was written in   the  sense  of imputing that the said John Herbert Turuer  and  Charles  Edward   Poole3%   as such  minister   of   finance  and  agriculture   and president of the   provincial  executive  council  respectively,  had   each   of them  betrayed  the  public trust reposed, in them and as such minister of finance and agriculture and   president  of the executive council respectively, are bribable and have received bribes   and  that the3^  did put and are prepared to put the plans and  purposes and secret information of the said ex-.  ecutive council and  government of the   said  province, of which the3^ are   members,  at   the  dispositijn of a certain   commercial   compan3^  or companies, with which they are connected,  and that they are lending   such   their   official  influence and official knowledge as such members of the said executive council to   the   promotion of companies of a questionable character (meaning in regard to honesty) for a valuable consideration direct or indirect to a large  amount paid or given or to be paid or given by  such companies to each of them the said John  Herbert Turner and Charles   Edward   Pooley  therefor, and that such   their  conduct   constituted a corrupt bargain and sale of themselves  and prostitution of such their public offices for  their own private gain as men in high places,  meaning their said places as such  minister of  finance and agriculture and president   of said  executive council, and as such members of the  legislature of the province of British Columbia  is dishonestly and   corrupt^-   accepted   or   attempted to obtain for himself money or valuable consideration  on   account  of something  done or omitted, or to   be  afterwards   omitted  b3r him in his capacity as such member of the  said   legislature   and   of   the said   executive  council."  As the matter is now before the courts the  door to comment is necessarily closed.  Hon. Geo E. Foster has purchased two additional claims in the Dibble group, and now  owns nearly all the claims that surround  Dibble's original location.  Commencing with the new 3?ear, the C.P.R.  will introduce a change in the method of  making up freight trains. The coming into  use of cars of large capacit3^ necessitates a reduction in the number of cars composing a  train, and a fixed amount of tonage will constitute a train load.  B,�����<��''����swBsni^^ THE NELSON ECONOMIST  ���III:  LOCAL NEWS.  'MINING, NOTES,  P  t\  \$  R. W. Drew was married at Renfrew last  Friday. .... . .  The skating rink was   opened last Monday  Jiii^hfTpr;the season. ;: ":  Several oLour city churches have prepared  specialmusic for Christmas.  A hockey team from Sandon will play a  Nelson team in this city next Saturday.  The annual Masonic banquet will be given  at the Queen's Hotel on the evening of December 27.  The developments of the past few weeks  disclose the fact that Nelson will become the  great railroad center of the Kootenay country.  A The Maple Leaf Social Club are'arranging  for a masquerade ball, to be held on New  Year's eve,, which promises to be a big success.  The storekeepers of Nelson are all.well supplied for the Christmas trade, which this year  is better than ever. The store windows are  beautifully decorated. ���-"'.'  .During the severe frost of the past week a  couple of men spent the nights under, canvas  atrfhe lake shore between the C. P. R. and the  city wharf.. Their camp fire was the warmest  looking thing about.  The fittings for the completion of the waterworks system have at last arrived from the  East, and have been put, in position. This  will bring the new reservoir into immediate  use, and secure an ample suppty of water for  all purposes.  xA largely attended meeting in the iuterests  of the Independent Order of Foresters was  held in the Methodist church on Tuesday  evening,'and was addressed by Messrs. J. H.  Falconer aud G. L- Lennox, deputy supreme  chief rangers. These gentlemen spoke of the  -objects and benefits of the order and adduced  facts so convincing that at the close of the  meeting several applications   were   handed in.  LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL.  I he provincial government assessor was in  Ymir last week engaged in the valuation of  the town property.  ./Chestnut, the victim of the snow slide acci-  deiit:0at -the; Porto-Rico, has almost quite  recovered from theAinjuries received.  While British Columbians are enjo3dng  most delightful Christmas weather, down in  Southern California they are keeping fires  going in the orchards to keep the trees from  freezing.  Engineer Burns and staff, of the Crow's  Nest Railway, have been at work locating a  Hue for the railway into Fort Steele. Two  lines have been run, each of them bringing  the track up to the west bank of the Kootenay  river near where the bridge crosses.  The survey of the Hootalinqua River has  been completed by Mr. St. C}7r, the government engineer, who reports that it is navigable for its whole length from Teslin lake to  Lewis river. Some parties who could not get  to Dawson are wintering on this river.  At a special meeting of the Rossland city-  council on Saturday7" evening the bank of  British North America made a proposition to  loan the city $14,000 to pay off its floating indebtedness, if the city will sell it all the debentures amounting to $65,000. The offer was  accepted by the council although Mayor Scott  opposed it.  The Nelson Wine Co. sells only the purest wines and liquors  Trv one bottle.  the   Dundee  gives  The   latest assay from  $100 to the ton.  .  ,  The evening Star has been added to the-list  of Shipping mines in the Rossland camp.  ,  The ore shipments from Rossland during  the week ending Saturday last were 1720 tons.  A pay streak of rich galena has been uncovered on the Snowslide, on Wild Horse  Creek.  The Hall Mines smelter closed down last  night for repairs, but will be iri full blast again  in a few da3^s.    . A "..  It is reported that a large bod}^ of free gold  has been discovered on the Big   Patch  group, ���  on Porcupine Creek.  The 50 foot shaft 0:1 the Tamarack has1 been  timbered, and preparations made to work the  property during the winter.  Col. 33. S. Topping, of Trail, who returned  from a trip to Spokane last week, has closed a  deal for the sale of the Good Friday mine.  The final payment of $40,500 for the1 Porto  Rico and the Lizzie B: claims has been made  b3^ the Canadian Pacific Exploration Co., Ltd.  A mining exhibit company is seeking a  Dominion charter at Ottawa to show samples  of Canadian minerals in Montreal and elsewhere.  The Goldie-Rene group of claims, owned by.  the   Goldie-Rene   Mining   company,   limited,  has been   bonded by a  syndicate  of English  capitalists.  A dispatch from Camp McKinney announces  that Alexander Ramage, a miner, received an  ugly cut in the neck while in a drunken row  at that camp a few days ago.  The tunnel of the Dodo ou Wild Horse is  in 45 feet and the showing of ore is fine. Preparations are now being made to sink a shaft  on the Klondyke, an adjoining claim.  At the second annual inter-provincial conference of mining engineers to be held in Montreal during the first week in Febrriar}', Prof.  Carlyle will read a paper on the progress of  mining in British Columbia.  It is rumored that the Monte Cristo and  Colona will be consolidated. The properties  are practically owned b}^ the same parties, but  worked under the management of one company it is claimed that considerable advantages would be obtained.  Messrs. Darrough aud French brought in  from Porcupine Creek last week, some samples taken out of a five foot shaft in the Big  Patch group, which assayed $389 in gold and  $5.45 in silver. The claim was located in  June last b}?- the present owners.  The London Hill Mining and Development  Co. Ltd., held its annual meeting at the company's office in Kaslo last week. Eveiything  is reported as looking well, but owing to their  inability to get in further supplies and danger  from snow-slides the company have decided to  discontinue work 01 the property for the rest  of the winter.  At a meeting of the   Hall  Mines   Co.,   ltd., j  held in  London,   Eng.,   on   the   15th  inst.,   a ;  dividend of 10 per cent,   was  declared on   the |  ordinal^ shares in addition to the usual  7   per j  cent, preference.      The   report   showed  gross j  profits    for   the   year amounting to ,��30,357. \  The   dividends   declared total ^"1,750 on  pre- j  Presentation  Goods at    Thomson  Stationery Co., L'td.  All the popular lines of imported cigars can be  had from  S.  J. Mighton. *  ferred and ^"25,000 on the- ordinary shares.  This state of affairs is eminently calculated to  bring the Kootenay mines in td.greafer prominence than ever, as it demonstrates beyond all  doubt the profit there is iii; them.y No-Cotn^  pany has attracted greater attention in England than the Hall Mines, and: the fact that it  is in a position to declare so substantial a  dividend will be productive of the- best results.  \yith the addition of the second reverberatory  furnace and roasting oven and other improvements still better things Ama}^ be confidently  exDected from the Hall Mines, y-  The Wasa group of claimson Wasa.Creek,  has been bonded to Henry Croft of- ..Yietpria  for $20,000, cash at the end of;60 days,    y \ A ; r  By all means give the Nelson Wine Co...a (.'all���-i.il..you want  good liquor. ... ���;���"' ;   -:'] "��� ���;--   ��� ��� ���* �����'  G. 33.-D. pipes can cbe found at-'s" -JiAVPighton's' Post;Office  cigar store. .. '   '.......-.;.,,,. -,'.'���.  ,,;/.y ;.-,.,..!���   ",,y?; '���-.,:���;_ <;.'���*... ..,  Attention is called to   the sale, of bootsi ancl y  shoes for the next thirty days; at  the,. Peoples ;:  Shoe Store, on Ward Street.   ;iVThis'��� is a .bona,  fide clearance sale. ; y        J. K>. Tho.mso^,(',������';V'.;y  Advt. ..������;���,.::..:   y:;.|.yy,/A;v-s.yManagerv  A good "Christmas gift, '.would-be one.'of S. J. Migh ton's 13. B. ,  B pi pes.      ,'A ���   '���'��� '.'    '-'".A-* 'A'""' ' '  ���' A :A ";','";   .-'-*'���*���-" ���-;  Mr. Justice McColl -sat at' Verho 11 ' Wednes- ���  day   as   commissioner   to   investigate certain ;  charges preferred against County Court Judge-'  Spinks.      The  latter "was ���presents at the- lap- '���'  pointed hour as  was  also ;,A^ -Hehdefsonj  bf^  New Westminster,   representing ! the   minister-  of justice,' and Charles Wiisoii,   Q: C.,' on  behalf of Judge SpinksA     Np'bire appeared   oil  behalf of the complainants^ The'commissiOnerA  of course dismissed the  c'aseV'and ; commented^-  on the extraordinaty   cdtiduct:; 'of; the- "fiartiesA  who had laid the  charges-'aiidL?vet"failed:1 -toi  appear to snbstantiatethem. ���  ru y/c- ^.u^i  ��� ^   >;���.':;;.;..  TENDERS WANTED:  In  the matter of  the Winding-up'Act .and/in the -lijatter of  the Nelson Sawmill Co. (Limited).        .   .   >   {  Sealed tenders will be received by the- undersigned .as' 'Liq.i'rik..  dator of the Nelson Sawmill Co. up-to 12 oy'lock^iocu^on Sat-;,  urday, the 22d day of January, 1S9S, for' the "purchase'.-of the-  estate and effects of such company, viz.! : '���'���.  A-y^'";:<���"���.' ^:--',\   ��� r  Sawmill, 20x96, sash and door house, .dwelling-house, dry"  kiln and boiler, lumber shed, safe, sto'clc'-of nTouldin'g^,- and.:,  10,000 feet of lumber, one engine, and rb.>.iJei4, (l.Oo U-.p.) n.pA,vr;>  one shingle machine, one lath machine, one' thrtfe-saw ed-'  ger, one inserted tooth saw, o2 i-ncliesA- one-solid'tootlt- suw,,;  4S inches; one solid tootn saw, 50 niches;, .one planer;; one'  circular cut saw, (new); log carriages; helti^igA '���������'���'H i'-'J-    v i ���.  The machinery and  belting, .are- nearly--ne\vf.,auil, in  gpod  condition. '��� v     ': ���;>..-,       --���.���'������'--  The above property is situate in the limits of the CompKn-y, '  adjacent to the city of Nelson, B. C.  Book accounts ayjproxiniatihg $21212:08.': -';'  y:-:i   '.-; -��� ���--, ;-��� >''  Timber Limits���Lot 2S2, group I, Jvoqteany, comprising 1,000  acres, less 120 acres  transferred   to  the 'Hall' Miuds;;Jlot.-*28:^,Aj  group I, Kootenay, comprising 1,0-JO aere^;  lot. 2S8;A.,.group I. ,  Kootenav. comprising 80 acres.-'        '" '���      'A r ''"'"  l  The above parcels are held, under: a ;21: yearsA dease. frqirj-  Government, dated 14th Mar.cli.,.,lS92, ^atan. annual rerftal o"t -  10c per acre and rent is paid up to .-Marcli-lslth. '189ft. '���'   ...:?"!���; ,  Lot 22S, group I, comprising- 50.0 acres, hold-under a,. 9, years,'  lease, dated February 5th, 1S92, from CJOverh'me'nt at -ivii annual rental of 10c peracre and rent is paid up. .toyl'lebru^ ry,'5.M  T898,  The four parcels above mentioned are.on thp.north;slop.c ot  Toad Mountain, and commence .about  half  a   mile iroiu  son. B. (.'  N'el-  ftV.'ll .   I >. V .. .............  Lot 937, group L comprising 1,400 acres, .is held under .leas,  from the Government, of   21 years fro m.M arch   -Ith,   1890.   an 1  is on Kootenay  River, aliou t 4 mi leS w:est. of   Nelson. . T,her ;  is a balance of rent, amounting  to |140,   due  on  this  parcel.  There is a flume one and  a-lialf 'miles long \vi th ainplewa-  terhiipplv to float the lumber from tlie mill.to   the city yard,  and the company has a statutory right to  .100   miners'' inche <  of water from Cottonwood Smith Creek  and  00-inches   from  Cive Out Creek.  Tenders arc to be for the entire assets of the   coin pany; but  parties so desiring may tender separately   for  any portion o  the assets, and such tenders will be considered.  -    Tkiois���Ten per cent, of the amount-must,  accompany   each  tender, the balance to be. paid in (it) days from   tlie date of acceptance, with interest at N per cent.   Or,  Terms may be arranged for such balance at the meeting of  the creditors to be held in accordance with the notice hereunto attached.  The lowest or any tender not. necessarily accepted.  Inspection of the books, copy of the leases; and all other information can be obtained on'applieatiou to tlie undersigned.  Dated at Nelson, B. (A, 20th December. 1897.  II.  R.  CAMERON,,  Liquidator of Kelson Sawmill Com pan /'  NOTICE.  In the mat ter of the Wind ing-up Act and the Nelson   Saw  wil  Compan\  V    V'Ul  |'(UI   >   ,  A meeting of t he crcdi tors of the above company wil  held at the law office of Macdonald <v. .Johnson. Raker st  Nelson, H. ('., on Tuesday, the 25th January, 1S9S, at 2:30 \  to consder the sale of the assets of the company and ree  report, of liquidator and deal with all matters within t  power affecting the com pan v.  Dated at   Nelson, B, C. 20th December, 1897.  II.  R.  CAM KRO.V.  Liquidator of Nelson Sawmill Comp  mill.  I  b  root,  >.m.,  civ ���  he   ��� 12  THE NELSON ECONOMIST  FRENCH HEELS.  A profound German thinker has assured us  that "der Mensch ist was er ist," that is, in  other words, meat makes the man ; we are of  such stuff as we feed upon.  Schiller's poetry was inspired by the odor of  decaying apples ; Goethe's ''Sorrows of Wer-  ther" came into being after an over-hearty  meal of fat ham and brown bread, washed  down with deep draughts of Frankfort beer :  Heine's sentiment.was the offspring of German  sausage and French wine ; Poe's "Raven" is a  fit of delirium tremens set to the music of verse  and rhyme, and Longfellow's ���"Hiawatha" is  the legitimate result of pie for breakfast.  Oh, yes, meat makes the man, but I will not  admit that it has so much to do hi making woman what she is. Physiologists assure me that  the gastatory nerves are very imperfectly  developed in most women. That as man in the  early ages was always the hunter and provider  it never became, necessary for the woman to  educate her senses of taste and smell. She had  to eat what the man brought home. It was  Hobson's choice with her���ground hog or  nothing..   But not so in the matter of dress.  Here the woman had an opportunity to cul '  tivate taste, to create proclivities, to develop a  force along a certain line. Depend upon it,  Eve did not remain long in full fig. Feather  trimming came in vogue that Fall and a sealskin sacque made its appearance when the  eold weather set in.  I was once inveighing against the rum traffic  fostered by English traders on the coast of  Africa.  "Bah!" said one of the officers who had followed Stanley through Darkest Africa, " a load  of beads does ten times more harm than a  cargo of spirits ; the men can sleep off the effects of the liquor, but the women never recover the effects of the beads. In London a  riviere of diamonds does the business; out  there a string of glass beads corrupts a,whole  village."  Really, I begin to understand now why Sa-  phirakept back the money. She needed a new  gown.  A woman will barter her soul for something  to wear, just as a lord of creation will part  with his for something io eat.  While the old men are dreaming dreams and  the young men seeing visions, the women are  busy with their toilets.  " I powder my nose twenty times a day,"  said a lady of fashion to me, " but I consider  it is time well spent."  Now, if you admit that a woman is what she  wears, you take your stand with Emerson, who  declares dress is more powerful than religion,  that there is more potency in a "pouf " than in  a prayer.  It was Auguste Comtc who asserted that woman's virtue largely depended upon the kind  of shoes she wore, and that the world would  continue to go wrong again. You know what  a sandal is. and that there were no heels in  those days. The Cornelias, the Portias, the  Lueretias stood in no danger of toppling over  on their precious noses. They never were able  to catch a Roman senator in the act of kissing  a pretty chambermaid, for the clatter of these  sandals on the marble floors gave timely noth e  to frisky benedicts. It was impossible to tiptoe about the house, hence the sin lal was a  real and substantial help to those who were  anxious to be happy though married.  The French heel has changed all this���a man  never knows where his wife is.  High heels have transformed every woman  into a home-made ballet dancer by developing  the strength of her toes. She humps her shoulders and sails as noiselessly into the drawing-  room as the ballerina crosses the stage on the  tips of her white satin slippers. 1 have been  astounded at times to see the ease with which  some women can support their weight on  their toes. This explains why some girls are  such delighful waltzers and such poor walkers.  There can be no doubt that there is a moral  as small as physical centre of gravity, and I go  so far as to affirm that the one is very largely  dependent upon the other.  To keep their women in perpetual childhood  the Chinese don't permit their feet to grow. It  was a happy thought, but the women of this  continent meet their masters half way by  adopting the fashion of the French heel just as  in the olden time we women followed the ridiculous mode of towering headdress or long  trailing skirts, anything to keep us indoors  and make locomotion difficult; this has been  man's aim from the very beginning of things,  and we, poor, vain, weak creatures that we  have been, still take pleasure in being "pleased  with a rattle tickled with a straw," just as  in  childhood's days.  Shall we ever.get rid of our skirts, our corsets  and our heels ? In this, the American women  are more French than the French themselves.  They lace tighter, their heels are higher,' they  munch more candy, they drink more wine,  they eat more indigestible food than the most  chic of Parisiennes. They take to French vices  rather than French virtues���just as the Romans pushed aside porridge for the curry of  humming-birds' tongues of Heliogabulus.  I heave a sigh of despair when 1 walk down  street and note the perilous height to which  the French heel has grown, and then to think  that the girls just entering their teens are permitted to throw their spines out of gear by setting these pegs uder their insteps wrhen they  walk. <   .  Isn't it monstrous ? Is there any wonder that  migraines, neuralgias and nervous ailments,  nourish among our women? How can they  get their shoulders back when their bodies are  tilted forward in this manner ?  I really believe that the French heel is a potent factor in the bringing about of these conditions which culminate in divorce or some  other modified rupture of the marital relation,  for how can a woman be mentally well-balanced when she is physically "wobbly ??'   '  Only the other day 1 noticed a young boarding-school girl, who is usually perfect in ner  exercises and vocabulary, had suddenly manifested a tendency to make most surprising  breaks in the irregular verb. My first tnought  was that her engagement had been declared  off for some reason, and when I began to make  discreet search for the cause of her mental perturbation siie burst into tears.   c  " Oh, no,"  sue whimpered,  "Jack   is    still  faithful to me,   but he has  made   a request  which, if he insists upon my complying  with  it, will force me to give him up, dear, good lei-  low though he is!"  " Love m a cottage, I suppose," said I, laughingly, "or possibly to stop reading novels."  '��� Oh, if it were only that," sue explained,  with a sigh, ' 1 would, gladly let Jack nave his  way. Yes, I would do more, i would give up  round dances, stop candy-eating, promise  ne\er to flirt, agree to let him have three evenings out of every week, even content that  mamma should not live with, us; bat, never,  never so long as I have any self-respect leit,  shall I consent to thrust my feet into common-  sense shoes and go hip-rlops up and down the  sidewalks merely to humor tne wuims of a  cranky young man. He must take me as I am,  French heels and all. In six months he'd na.e  me in a health-corset, and at the end of a year  crimps would go. In heaven's name what  would there be left for a woman to live for?"  Claire.  NOTICE.  Owners of Placer Claims are invited to send  a few ounces of the black or gray sand, obtained in washing the gray sand or gravel for  gold, to "The Provincial Mineralogist, Bureau  of Mines, Victoria," stating the name of the  creek irom which the sand is taken, and its locality.  It is believed that PLATINUM and perhaps  IRIDIUM are frequently passed over and lost  by the prospector, as they,have much the appearance of iron in the sand. These minerals  are as valuable as gold, the latter more so, and  if the placer claim owners will send the black  or gray sand as aforesaid it will "be assayed and  the results given to the owner.  JAMES BAKER,  Minister of Mines.  Tax Notice.  "Unpaid taxes Within the  municipal  limits  of the cities of Nelson and Rossland."  "As provided by the Speedy Incorporation of  "Towns  Act, 1897, a  rateable   portion of the  " real estate taxes within the municipal limits  " of the cities of Nelson and Rossland for the  " year 1897, is payable to the respective muni-  " cipalities.   In  order that the Provincial as-  " sessment roll may be closed, in so far as re-  " lates ...property assessed within said cities ;  "notice is hereby given that unless all arrears  " of taxes due and payable on  said  property  " are paid to the undersigned at Kaslo, on  or  " before the 30th day of November,  1897,  the  " lands and property against which taxes are  " then unpaid will be advertised for sale in ac-  " cordance with the provisions of tax sales un-  " der the Assessment Act."  John Keen,  Assessor and Collector.  Dated this 4th day of October, 1897.  IS HONOUR the Lieutenant-Governor, under the provisions of the "Counties Definition Amendment Act, 1897," and the "Supreme Court Act" and amendment Acts, has  been pleased to make the following Rules,  Regulations and Rules of Court respecting  Registrars, and proceedings in Sub-Registries  of the Supreme Court.  ������ Proyincial Secretary's Office,  9th December, 1897.  Assessment   Act and  Revenue Tax,  rovincial  Rules, Regulations and Rules of Court respecting Registrars and Proceedings in  Sub-Registries of the Supreme Court.  1. Each Sub-Registry shall be known by the  title of " The Rossland" (or other local description^ Sub-Registry of the Judicial  District.               .  2. In each Sub-Registry there shall be a Registrar and such Deputies or Assistants as the  Lieutenant-Governor in Council may appoint.  3. Each Sub-Registry shall have and use such  seal as is provided by the Order-in-Council establishing the Sub-Registry or by Rules of  Court from time to time in force.  4. Writs of summons and otlier process maybe issued out of, and all proceedings taken  and had in a, Sub-Registry as if the Sub-Registry were a separate District Registry of the Supreme Court, and all Statutes and Rules of  Court relating to District Registries shall, mutatis mutandis, be applied to proceedings in a  Sub-Registry.  5. A Judge may at any time, by special order,  direct that any process may be issued, or proceedings had or taken, in the Registry whereof  the Sub-Registry is a branch, and anything  done in pursuance of such order shallbe valid  and effectual accordingly.  G. Any motions or other applications in  Court or in chambers may, by leave of a  Judge, be heard at the main Registry or in any  other Sub-Registry in the same Judicial District.  7. The Registrar of a Sub-Registry shall have  the same powers as a District Registrar of the  Supreme Court, and generally perform such  duties in respect of any proceedings in the Supreme Court pending in the Sub-Registry as  heretofore have or might have been performed  by the Registrar of the main Registry in like  cases, or may be assigned to him by Rules of  Court or these Rules with respect to proceedings in his Sub-Registry, or to anything to be  done in his Sub-Registry in connection with  proceedings pending in any other Registry or  Sub-Registry.  8.. On these Rules coming into force in any  Sub-Registry, an order may be procured by  either part} trami'erring to sveh Sub-Leg stry  any cause,   action   or   matter which,   in   the  .    opinion of a Judge, may be more convenientlv  I   'carried on in such Sub-Registry.  Nelson Division of West Kootenay District.  Four-Crown Scotch is the best tonic for nervous debility. The medical profession recommend it ; $1.25 per quart bottle at the JSelson  Wine Co. *  INDEPENDENT ORDER OF   FORESTERS.  Court " Mines, " Ainsworth B.C.  < Meets every Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., at  Henry's hall. Donald McAuley, C. D. S. C.  Ranger; .John Milles, Chief Ranger; Leander  Shaw, Treasurer; W. R. Jarvis, Recording  Secretary; Wm. P. Freeman, Financial Secretary. Visiting brethren cordially invited.  Court Kootenay No. 3138, .Nelson b. c.  Meets rirst and third Wednesdavs in the  month in the Odd Fellows hall. Officers: F. W.  Swannell, G.D.S.C.K.; M. McOrath, C.K.; J.  Mowat, W.C.R.; YV. B. Shaw, R.S.; YV. Hodson,  F.S.; W. H. Graham, Treas.; J. K. Green, Chap.;  E. C. Arthur, M.D., Phys.; A. Shaw, P.C.R.  NOTICE.  To Seach it Brown, Plasterers, Nelson, B. C. :  Take notice, that on the (5th day of December instant, .1. A. Sayward, milfowner, commenced action against you in the County  Court of Kootenay, holder! at Nelson, to recover the sum of $174.(.54 for goods sold and delivered to you and an amount due by you to the  Lawrence Hardware Company, assigned by the  said company to the said J. A. Sayward. And  further take notice that by order of His Honor  Judge Forin, dated the. 9th day of December  instant, it was ordered that service of tlie  plaint aud summons in the said action be effected by posting a copy of the order plaint  and summons in the Nelson Postoffice, addressed to Seach & Brown, Nelson, B. C, by  posting a copy of the said plaint summons and  order in the hall of the Court House in the  City of Nelson, B. C, and by publication of this  notice for two issues of the Weekly Economist  newspaper. And further take notice, that by  the said order you are allowed ten days to appear in the said action, and that in default of  your so doing, judgment may be entered  against you by default.  Dated'this 9th dav of December, 1S97.  .1. A. Airman,  Mara Block, Nelson, B. C.  Plaintiff's Solicitor.  NOTICE is hereby given, in accordance with  the Statutes, that Provincial Revenue Tax: and  all taxes levied under the Assessment Act are  now due for the year 1S97.. All the above-  named taxes collectible within the Nelson Division of West Kootenay, assessed by me, are  payable at my office, at' Kaslo, B. C* Assessed  taxes are collectible at the following rates,  viz. :���  Four-fifths of one per cent, on the assessed  value of real estate, other than wild land.  Three-quarters of one per cent, on the assessed value of personal property.  So much of the income of any person as exceeds one thousand dollars the following rates,  namely, upon such excess, when the same is  not more than ten thousand dollars, one and  one-quarter of one per cent; when such excess  is over ten thousand dollars and not more than  twenty thousand dollars, one and one-half of  one per cent.; when such excess is over twentv  thousand dollars, one and three-quarters of  one per cent.  Three per cent, on the assessed value of  wild land.  If paid on or before the 30th dav of June,  1897 :  Three-fifths of one per cent on the assessed  value of real estate, other than wild land.  One half of one per cent on the assessed value  of personal property.  Upon such excess of income, when the same  is not more than ten thousand dollars, one per  cent,; when such excess is over ten thousand  dollars, and not more than twenty thousand  dollars, one and one-quarter of one* per cent.;  when such excess is over twenty thousand dollars, one and one-half of one per cent.  Two and one-half per cent, on the assessed  value of wild land,  Provincial Revenue Tax, #3.00 per capita.  John Keen,  Assessor and Collector.  Kaslo, B. C, 2nd September, 1897.  TO    THE    REGISTRAR    OF     JOINT  COMPANIES, VICTORIA.  STOCK  Sir���Notice is hereby  given  that the Byron  N. White Company (Fo'rcign) intend changing  the situation of their registered  office in  this  Province from the City of Nelson to the Town  of Sandon, in the  District of West Kootenay.  Such change to  take   effect on  the   first day  of January, 1898.  Dated this 27th dav of December, 1897.  BY RON" N." WIIITE COMPA N Y,  , ^ (     By j. hoyt Smith,  President.  J. W. Dadmun,  Secretary,  In the Supreme Court of British Columbia.  In the matter of the Winding Up Act and in  the matter of the Nelson Sawmill Company, Limited.  The Honorable Mr. Justice Drake has by an  order dated the twenty-seventh day of September, 1897, appointed Hugh R. Cameron, of the  city of Nelson, British Columbia, to be Official  Liquidator to the above named Company.  Dated this 6th day of October, 1897.  E. T. II. Simpkins,  Deputy District Registrar at Nelson, British  Columbia.  Notice   of   Application to  Purchase   Land.  Sixty days after date the undersigned intends  to apply to the Chief Commissioner of Lands  and Works: to purchase the undermentioned  tract of land, situated south side of Kootenay  River and on the east bank of Sandy Creek";  post planted ahont twenty chains south of Kootenay River marked Northwest post running  40 chains south, then 40 chains east, then 40  chains north, thence to the starting point. 160  acres more or less.  David McCreath.  Nelson, September 1st, 1897.  Notice   of   Application   for   Certificate    of  Improvements.  U. B.���L. 2018, G. 1���Mineral claim. .  Situate in the Nelson Mining Division of  West Kootenay District.  Where located:���About one and one half  miles west from the Nelson and Fort Sheppard  railway at Hall's water tank, i ake notice that  I, W. A. Macdonald, acting as agent for W. H.  Sherrod, Free Miner's Certificate No. 81993,  intend sixty days from date hereof, to apply to  the Mining Recorder for a Certificate of Improvements, for the purpose of obtaining a  Crown Grant of the above claim.  And further take notice that action, under  section 37, must be commenced before the  issuance of such Certificate of Improvements.  Dated this 17th day of September, 1897.  W.'A. Magi onald.  NOTICE.  corporate seal of  byron n. white co.  1, Edward Cordingly, hereby give notice that  1 intend to apply at the next meeting of the License Commissioners for the City of Nelson for  a transfer of the Saloon License held by me for  thn premises on Lot 4, Block 1, Vernon street,  Nelson, B. C, to premises in the rear of Lot 7,  Block 9, Ward street, Nelson. And further,  that I intend to apply for a transfer of said license from myself to S. E. Emerson, of the said  citv of Nelson.  Dated Dec. 11th, 1897.  Edward Cordingly.  '-4.>  m  km  ial��l-.ij  9frammma3af0tB!aatBSSrt,  "5T  ������mi   ip-tt--  ��� ^^r^^ <��� 'hi mf^^ njir  ft* THE NELSON ECONOMIST.  13  m-  ii /y  ft  ' <?>  ft    ''  i  !. >  SHORT STORIES,  Dr. Johnson paid a pretty compliment to  Mrs. Siddons when, for a moment, he had 110  chair to offer her : "Madam, you who so often  occasion a want of seats to other people will  more easily excuse the want of one yourself."  ��� " o  Down to Charles the Second's reigii' women  were not permitted on the English stage, and  their parts were taken by men. Kynaston was  to act thus in the "Maid's Tragedy," and, not  being ready, the curtain did not rise. His  Majesty, losing . patience, sent to know the  meaning' of the delay,-, and was told by the  manager that "tlie queen was not shaved yet."  Charles Kingsley was a great martyr to stammering, and it was torture to.him to keep conversation waiting until he could put his  thoughts into words. Singularly enough, when  he was reading or speaking in church there  was no sign of stammering; but 011. the way  from church he. would say : "Oh, let me stammer now;  you won't mind it!"  Under the Valois kings duels were simply  murders. In an encounter between three favorites of Henry the Fourth and three of the  Guise faction, the point of the sword of Caylus,  one of the favorites, caught in the hilt of his  adversary, D'Entragues. As Caylus had neglected to bring a dagger, this left him at the  other's mercy, and he pleaded the inequality.  "We are here to fight���not to split straws," said  D'Entragues, and stabbed him to death.  Edward the Fourth had the habit of calling  his wealthy subjects together and asking them  pleasantly what they meant to give him for  the maintenance of his wars. He was extremely  handsome, and this so won upon a womau of  good estate that she exclaimed : "By my  faith, for your lovely countenance's sake, you  shall have twenty pounds." This was-so much  more than he expected that the king kissed  her. Whereupon she gave him twenty pounds  more.  The late Dean Stanley used to relate that a  gentleman once called to tell him that he had  been into the abbey, and had knelt down to  pray, when the verger had come up to him and  told him he must not kneel there. On asking  why not, the verger had said : "Why, sir, if I  was once to allow it, we should have them  praying all over the place." This recalls the  gentleman visiting the church and asking the  sexton whether gentleman ever used it for private prayer, to which.he replied : "I ketch'd  two of 'em at it once."  A good story is told of an English family living in Norfolk County who possessed the eu-  phonius name of "Bug." As that term in England is never mentioned in polite society, and  signifies a minute insect noted for its power of  jumping, the family of that name did not appreciate its uniqueness. Upon coming into  possession of some money, they at once petitioned to have it changed to "Howard." Their  request was granted, but, alas for them, the  bugs of that portion of the county were henceforth known by the more refined title of the  "Norfolk Howards."  Dr. Chalmers, the eminent divine, was fond  of telling the following story: Lady Cunningham, having had some difference of opinion  with the parish minister, instead of putting  her usual contribution in the collection plate  merely gave a stately bow. This having occurred several Sundays in succession, the elder  in charge of the plate at last lost patience and  blurted out : "We cud dae wi' less o'"yer manners an' mair a' yer siller, ma lcddy." Dining  on one occasion at the house of a nobleman, he  happened to repeat the anecdote, whereupon  the host, in a not over well pleased tone, said:  "Are you aware, Dr. Chalmers, that Lady Betty  is a relative of mine?" "I was not aware, milord," replied the doctor; but with your permission I shall mention the fact the next time  I tell the story,"  During the recent visit of Sir Wilfred Laurier  and other Canadians to Washington, the ladies  of the Canadian party were entertained by an  excursion to Mt. A'ernon and were accompanied by the wives of the U. S, Cabinet ministers  and several others prominent in social circles  there. They were met by Mr. Dodge, superintendent  of   the   place,   who    escorted    them  Pants���you   need  them,  choose from at Ross'.  Over 100 pairs to  through, the, old mansion and grounds, and  finally conducted them down the winding path  to the bluff that overlooks the Potomac and  conceals the vault that contains the dust of the  father of his country. As the party approached  the sacred place Mr. Dodge, who, was leading,  turned and said, in an impressive tone : " Ladies, it is just a step, to the tomb of Washington." There was a pause and' a; reverential  silence for an instant, which was broken by  the clear, sweet voice of a Cabinet lady, who  asked that ever-present conundrum: "Is my  baton straight ;  Men's patterns in English, Scotch  and  Irish  tweeds at Ross'.  For Oysters in anv stvle, Clam  Chowder, Short Orders. The  best Coffee in town.. Next to  Tfemont Hotel, Baker street.  4.  TOTAL DAILY CAPACITY 8,200 BBLS.  "OGSLVIE'S PATENT HUNGARIAN " will hereafter be .known under the brand; "OGIL-  VIE'S HUNGARIAN." Branded Blue.  '  ' ",'OGILVIE'S STRONG BAKERS "will  hereafter  be  known  under the brand "OGILVIE'S  GLENORA."    Branded Red.  . All these brands have been dulv registered in the Government Patent offices, and anv infringement Of the same or refilling of our branded bags with flour will be prosecuted according  to law, as each bag of flour is fully guaranteed which bears our registered brand and sewn  with our special red white and blue twine.    ���     '      '  In thanking you for your patronage in the past, and in soliciting a continuance of your favors, Ave take this opportunity of informing vou that " OGILVIE'S HUNGARIAN " and " OGIL-  VID'S GLEWORA " have been established at" a -high standard, manufactured under special process, securing the right combination of properties gluten and starch, to produce the highest  results in baking.  . In placing our new brands upon the market we do so with the assurance that your most  profitable interests wilLbe served in securing you the finest quality of bread. No expense is  spared in the manufacture of these special brands of flour, and our prices will at all times be  ot as low a figure possible consistent with the superior article which we offer.    Yours  truly,  -PANY.  .Contractor.  25   Years'    Practical    Experience.  Office Ward St'.-, near CourtHouse, Nelson, B.C.  T. S. Gore.  H.  Burnet.  J. H. McGregor  Provincial   and   Dominion  Land  Surveyors and Civil Engineers.  Agents for Obtaining  Crown   Grants and Abstract of Tiile to Mineral Claims, &c.  E LSON ,   -   - .-    British Columbia  ^^ESs*"���-^  elson, B. G,  G,' M. LEISHMAN, Victoria, Agent for British Coiumbia,  High Glass Suits Made in the  Latest Styles.  A Magnificent Line of Scotch Tweeds and Worsted,  and West of England Trouserings, Suitable for  Spring wear. A special feature of Fancy Worsted  Suitings..   UIRE.  Baker St., Nelson., B, C.  X'MAS.  1  NEW YEAR  ��  ��  A large number of business lots for sale. Also  business blocks on Baker,  Vernon and other streets.  Residential lots and houses  for sale in addition A and  other parts of the city.  Baker Street,   Nelson  Three carloads of Dressed Poultry have left Ontario, direct for our  Kootenay markets. Thev will arrive December 15, when we will be  in a position to fill all orders for Turkeys, Geese, Ducks aud Chickens, either WHOLESALE OB RETAIL, at reasonuble prices. Orders  can be placed at any of our Branches now, and they will have our  prompt attention oil arrival of stock. We will also have a large assortment of Prime Beef, Pork, Mutton, Cured Meats, Fish and Oysters.   Mail Orders a Specialty .   Branches at  ROSSLAND  SANDON  TRAIL NELSON KASLO  THREE FORKS SLOCAN CITY  Opened under new management  Everything First-Class  White Labor Only Employed  MEALS FROM   25   CENTS UP.  GIVE  ME A CALL.  F. J. VAN BUREN, .Prop.  Is fast becoming a social as well as a mining and business  centre. The maii3r social, political, church and club banquets held the past few weeks attest this fact. The fine  glass and chinaware so conspicuous at most of these functions was furnished by  The largest dealers in these lines   in   the   district.     They  also furnish the choicest teas, coffee and groceries.  eattle Fish and Poultry Market  rop.  All Kinds of Fresh Fish, Oysters  and   Poultry.  Opposite Thomson's Book Store, |��  Baker St, Nelson.        \y&  umanajiujMmym'JiEWiuiHtuiiJWiM  ��BWH^miM4^ii^^ 14  THE NELSON ECONOMIST.  DRAnATIC   DOINGS.:  '  Sarah Bernhardt is coming to America  this  winter.  ,  Four Chinese plays are now swinging around  the continent.  Victoria and,Vancouver have been provided  this season better-than ever with "theatrical attractions.  And the agonizing cry still goes forth from  the throats of the multitude, why hasn't Nelson  a theatre.'  "Peter the Great" will be -produced in London during the holidayAseason by Sir Henry  Irving at the Lyce'um.'^'       :'"������    A,-'  Anthony Hope's play, to be entitled, "The  Adventures of Lady Ursula," will be presented  in Philadelphia by E. H. Sotherii.  GENERAL  NOTES.  e uiaries for 109  Special Values in Typewriter and Office Supplies.  Canada  Drug and   Book   Co.,   L'td.  Wagon work and Blacksmithing in all its Branches.  Nelson Blacksmifh Go-  H. A.  PROSSER,  Manager. Lake St.,  Opp.    Court House. A  NELSON,   B. C  Naples is to be connected with  Mount Vesu  vius by a direct railroad line.  A Camera for a  X'mas Present at  Thomson  Stationery Co., L'td.  The firm of Turner. McKeand & Co.,    whole  sale grocers, Winnipeg, have assigned.  A Fouutain Pen  at Thomson  Stationery Co .  L'td... ���  Sir Richard  Cartwright lias returned from  Mount.Clements, Mich'. ���.  Haycock Brothers of Ottawa,  have  invented  a thawer and excavator for miners.  Toys at Thomson Stationery Co., L'td.  Overcoats in Beavers and   'Chinchillas,-, at  Ross'.  ^>  ��i^lDSGxdlDe fco? Tlie  anqttert, ���..Hangin  ,H  ��  GOODS AMD PRICES RIGHT-  Telephone 2i  Baker Street, Nelson, B. C  i ..  B*'S  Very   Handsome  and Appropriate  X'lVIAS   GIFTS.  Compare My Goods and Prices before Making Your Purchases.  VANSTONE'S DRUG STORE, Kauffman Block, Baker St., Nelson  DEALERS   IN  Rough and Dressed Lumber, Sash, Doors,  II BAKER STREET,  Jn  y>remises latelv occupied   bv  A. McDonald ct  Co.  NELSON, B.C.  and Soft Coa! for Domestic Purposes  acksmith Coa! and Coke Contracts  made on application to  ��� i  (TWO DOORS  FROM CORNER BAKER ST.)  BLE & O'REILLY, Baler St.. or WILSON & HARSHAW, Vernon St.l boo^sI^S c^LhoL^hMii bTllm ll1bTtom^S1^  Telephone No 35.  cial attention to making: and renaming.  THE    PEOPLE'S    SHOE   STORE  oors, Sashes and Turned  Office Fillings.  rackets an  Satisfaction Guaranteed.    Prices Reasonable.  WINNIPEG, MANITOBA.  Wholesale Dealers in Butter, Eggs, Cheese, Apples, Poultry  and Cured Meats.  The largest handlers of these goods in Western Canada.  All warehouses under perfect system of cold storage. Full  stock carried at Nelson, B.C.     For   prices write or wire  P.J. RUSSELL, Mgr Nelson Branch Parsons Produce Co  ���3  mmTOii!ium��w��m^^  W:  $3&  TV   1   hti  mmim^mm: THE NEtSON ECONOMIST  15  Come with the Crowd and take tlie advantage of the  IO    PER    CENT  GOTTHNTT ; SALES  AT  A.  ,1  A'  f(A  \  ft  a  4  A HERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.  PERSONAL.  Joshua Davies left Monday for Victoria.  A. B. Gray, Nelson, is ragistercd at Victoria.  J.  A.   Sayward,   Victoria,   was   in   the   city  Thursday. �����  Charles Wilson, barrister, Vancouver, was in  Nelson last week.  Oscar   C  Bass and   Alex. Henderson,   New  Westminster, were in town last week.  E. J. Coyle, Vancouver, is in the city. ___^  C G. Cunningham, a mining man of Ymir, is  in town.  A. French, merchant, Vancouver, is in town.  M.H. Cowan, contractor, was in  Nelson on  Wednesday.  T. S. Gore has gone to Victoria, for the winter.  N. F. Hagel and son,  Percy,  left last Friday  for Toronto.  O. M. Rosendale left yesterday 011  a visit to  Spokane.  Walter Askew will spend  the holidays  with  relatives in Victoria.  John Keen was down frjm Kaslo Friday.  J.   B.  McKilligan,   ex-Police   Magistrate   of  Kaslo, has gone to Victoria to reside.  X'mas Ornaments at Thomson Stationery Co.  lAtd.  Cigar   and   cigarette   cases,    suitable     for  Christmas gifts at S..T. Mighton's.  GENERAL NOTES.  Fox's Serges in Blue and Black, warranted  not to fade, at Ross'.  A Guitar, a Violin, a Mandolin, an Autoharp,  a Banjo at Thomson Stationery Co., L'td.  The Presbyterian Sunday School will hold  their Christmas entertainment to-morrow  evening.    Old and young are invited.  Services will be held in the city churches  Christmas morning.  Presentation Goods at Thomson Stationery  Co., L'td.  Mayor Gordon of Kamloops has taken action  against Thomas Roadley for defamation of character, damages being laid at $5,000.  Empire Typewriter at the Thomson Station^  ery Co.,  L'td.  R. B. Skinner has purchased the Forty  Thieves group of claims on Bridge River.  You have your T. &, B. plug cut while you  wait at S. J. Mighton's.  The directors of the Excelsior Gold Mining  Company, have arranged for the treatment of  ore at the GJolden Cache mill.  Get your tobacco pouches at S. .1. Mighton's  Postoffice Cigar Store.  Dr. Callanan, of Quesnelle, is said to have  ridden to the Forks, a distance of 150 miles, in  26 hours. He had been called for consultation  in a serious case.  MUSIC.  European papers state that Mascagni, of  "Cavalleria Riisticana" fame, has just completed a new opera' entitled "Iris," which  treats of a Japanese subject.  It is often wondered whv there is not an amateur musical society in Nelson. Thereis abundant material here for the production of the  less difficult of the light operas.  Mrs. W. A. Thurman, who has been delighting the congregation of the Methodist Church  with her singing lately, is a decided acquisition  to the musical circles of Nelson.  For Toys go to Thomson Stationery Co., L'td.  Big line of pipes in endless variety at S. J.  Mighton's.  Playing cards at S. J. Mighton's.  Music Lessons.  Mrs. Morley is prepared to  receive pupils for piano,  violin or organ. For  terms apply at residence,  Silica street, or  Thomson    Stationery    Co.,     L'td,    Nelson.  asoosc Banquet.  The annual Masonic banquet will be given  at the Queen's Hotel on the evening of Dec. 27.  Sojourning brethren are cordially invited to  participate. Tickets can be had on application  to members of the committee or the undersigned.  S. P. Shaw,  Secretary of Committee.  er  EnormousrSale  Great Reductions  Thomson Stationery Co,, Ltd  NELSON,   B.  C.  Of PouIt ry J ust A r r i ved  -AT-  WEST KOOTENAY BUTCHER CO'S  Anything you want at the lowest market price. Wholesale and retail shops at Nelson, Kaslo, Sandon and Quartz Creek. A specialty  made of supplying railway companies and miners.  Head Office, Nelson, E. C, TRAVES, Manager  Just One Moment,   Please.  We don't care where you have been buying ; get your wants in  the line of Groceries, Provisions, Fish Poultry, Fresh and Cured  Meats, from  The    B.   C.   C.  D.  Grocery,  and you will be money ahead. We can't offer you any 30 or 60 days'  time. Our only inducements are courteous treatment and prices that  will defy all competition.  arSey  imoson. Proprietors.  Agents for the Bell-Knapp Patent Bob Sleighs.  ^~Y~  HJJL  ��T  All kinds of Watches,   Clocks,   Spectacles   and   Eye-glasses   FOR  SALE CHEAP.  Mara    Bloc5k*    JNTelsox^  J���L &  9 H  GENEREL HARDWARE, STOVES, MINING SUPPLIES,  LAMPS AND LAMP GOODS, PLAIN AND FANCY. Agents for  Armstrong & Morrison's Ore cars���the best in the market.  All Work Guaranteed  Eyes Tested Free of Charge.  OPPOSITE SILVER KING HOTEL,  BAKER ST.,  NELSON.  sr.i? i6  THE NELSON ECONOMIST  >TT*  :T.  tesi  ..This startling arid Mtt#ing' Mm tfte people of Kootenay  as the: FACT thM Brands of  Liquors Jn Turner,   Beeton& Go's Nelson  ^ses.a liC^ose b  HUHOROUS.  ���' Jabber's son, they say, could talk when only, two weeks old."    "That's nothing.   The Bible  says Jo-b cursed the day he was. born." '"   y ���'.'��� '���".���".  She"���"Do you tliihk it would be unmaidenly' for a girl to propose to a man?" He���"Certainly not, if she is'.rich enough for two." >'��� . .  0 ;     ������.."*   '��� ..     .        .s       -  ' '. ...'-'.���.'... ���'���'.-/'__��� . ...      a    .   . . _  "Prisoner at the bar," said his lordship, solemnly, having donned the black cap, you will  shortly have to appear before another and���perhaps���-a better judge."  ..'������,'<"������'-��� ......... ,       .. . ...  See the young woman'.   Is the young woman being suddenly and unexpectedly kissed ?    Ah.,.  yes.   And does the young woman raise a hue and cry ?   The young woman' raises a slight  hue  but no cry. A '  "Laura," said the fond mother, "what are the intentions of that young man you are permitting to call oh you so often ?" "Never mind that," answered her mother's daughter,���'!. know  what my intentions are..'.'  JL large stock of all graces  from the "best makers. We  can sell yon any kind of a pipe  Criterion Saw Sets, Ice Creepers,  Coal Oil Stoves, ' Queen Stoves  Warrior Stoves and Kanges. .  ���AT THE���  BAKER STREET/NELSON.      P.  Received per express 3,000 fine Havana Cigars���a sample  lot���comprising Henry Clay, Espanola, Herrnosas, Carolina, Bock and other well-known brands, packed 25 in a  box. Also a lot of beautiful cigar-bolders, cigar cases,  tobacco pouches, cigarette-holders, cases and  match  safes.  Why to Gilker's for anything I need.     See his new stock of  ;s,   Telescope   Bags,  C  ags,  ravemn  ;s, Salisbu  Just the Thing for  is Presents.  L  fH  Hungarian,  NXXX  Strong Bakers,  Economy,  Superfine,  Bran,  l*i*  W��  Shorts,  Chicken Feed,  Chop.  u  The Okanagan Flour W\\\$ Company, Ltd, Armstrong, B. C.  &   CO.,  AGENTS,   KELSON,   B.   C,  anutacturers' ��sl��;i  Kers ar  Agents for Manitoba Produce Company, Gold Drop Flour,  Wheat Manna, Wf. J. Pendray's Soaps, M. R. Smith & Co's  Biscuits, Etc.  P. O.  Box  Vi  t��.  E  CJive this Flour a Trial before passing an opinion.  fc  /IS*'-'  mmmmmmmmsl&'tWi<��!&  wBwwwataiM^^