The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11 00:00:00

HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL.

SUCH IS THE LAW !—Bring an action, and you'll
repent it bitterly. Defend one, and you'll repent it
still more bitterly.—Punch,
WHAT IS A "PASSENGER?" Some provisional
orders of the Board of Trade, which authorize the
construction of tramways, and which are to be con-
firmed by a Government Bill, now before the House
of Commons, refer to, and adopt certain sections of
the Tramways Act of 1870, relating to accounts to be
given by licences ef the "number of passengers"
conveyed. These provisional orders declare that in
construing those sections for these purposes "the
expression ' passengers ' shall include animals, goods,
minerals, and parcels."
A PLEASANT MIXTURE.—Lady: "I hope your little
grandson took all that beef tea I sent, Mr. Stubbles."
Mr. S. : " Ne'er a drop would he take, mum, and
the milk and sugar I put in you wouldn't credit"—
Fun.
GIRLS IN THE GARDEN.—If there is any one thing
more beautiful than another in a garden of flowers,
that thing is a beautiful girl, with a sunbonnet on her
head so wide and capacious that you have to get right
square before her, and pretty near her, to see the glowing
cheeks that are sure to be there if she is at all accus-
tomed to garden walks and works. Physically, there
can be nothing better for daughters, and, indeed for
many wives, than to take sole charge of a small flower
garden. The benefits derived from early rising,
stirring the soil, snuffing the pure morning air,
are freshness and glow of cheek and brightest
of eye, cheerfulness of temper, vigour of mind
and purity of heart. Consequently she must be more
cheerful and lovely as a'daughter, more dignified and
womanly as a sister, and more attractive and confiding
as a wife. If you have not the dooryard ground, then
get a dozen pots and plant the seeds of flowers to your
taste. The care and attention required to rear and
train the growing plants occupies the mind, to the ex-
clusion, oftentimes of senseless novel reading—sense-
less waste of time. You listless, pale-faced fragile
thing of a girl, throw off your mock delicacy, put on
your gloves, if you will, but work in the flower
garden, till your cheeks vie in colour with the blush of
the rose you cultivate.—Flora's Dictionary.
EXCHANGING A GRlP.—Marks of the Russian Bear's
claws in every clause of the San Stefano Treaty.—
Punch.
NEW HARVESTING APPARATUS.—The Pacific Rural
Press of April 13th contains an illustrated description
of .a new harvesting apparatus, the invention of Mr.
G. F. Kelly, of Susanville, Lassen County. This is a
contrivance by means of which a load of corn or hay
can be lifted bodily from the waggon on to a stack or
into a barn. A netting placed in the waggon contains
the load, and in this the corn or hay is rolled off the
waggon on to a low level, or hoisted by means of a
pole and pulleys, by horse power, as the stack gets
higher. For unloading into- a barn the load is first
rolled on to a car, which is then drawn up an incline
and unloaded through an opening in the upper part of
; one end of the barn.
• "THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE" (according
to Mr. Bright).—One-and sixpence a day.—Punch.

AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS. Monday's Magnet
says :—The position of agricultural affairs has yet
further improved. The weather has been all that
could be desired, and the development of vegetation
has made rapid progress. However, even with the
great start obtained during the past week, the crops
are not at all forward for the time of year. The young
wheat plant generally presents a healthy and vigorous
appearance. A bad field is quite the exception, and
there is not much discolouration. In the meadow
lands a plentiful supply of grass is noticed, suggestive
of a good hay crop under a continuance of favourable
circumstances. From the Continent as well as from
America equally encouraging advices are to hand.
The present season may be regarded as eminently
satisfactory thus far, and at least a good foundation
has been secured for a beneficent harvest.
"DELAYS ARE DANGEROUS."—Young Housekeeper:
"I'm afraid those soles I bought of you yesterday
were not fresh. My husband said they were not nice
at all!'—Brighton Fisherman: Well, marm, that be
your fault—it bean't mine. I've offered 'em yer every
day this week, and you might a"ad 'em o' Monday if
you'd a biked !"—Punch.
CANINE CUNNING.—The following is from a corre-
spondent (says Chambers's Journal): A near neighbour
of mine has a large mongrel dog, a terrible nuisance to
all passing the house, Which unfortunately stands near
the highway. Tha brute has the nasty habit of rush-
ing out and attacking every passing vehicle. Com-
plaints were loud and numerous; and at length the
owner hit upon a plan which he thought would effectu-
ally cure his dog. He attadised a small log of wood or
a " clog " by a chain to his collar. This answered
admirably; for no sooner did the dog start in pursuit
of anything than the clog not, only checked his speed
but generally rolled him over into the bargain. Now
this would not do. Doggie was evidently puzzled,
and reflected upon the position; and if he did not
possess reasoning powers, he certainly showed some-
thing very like them, for he quickly overcame the cliff'.
calty, and to the surprise of all, was soon at his old
work, nearly as bad as ever. And this is how he
managed. No longer did he attempt to drag the clog
on the ground and allow it to check and upset him,
but before starting he caught it up in his mouth, ran
before the passing horse, dropped it, and commenced
the attack;
.and when distanced, would agabs seize
the clog in his mouth, and resume his position ahead,
and. thus became ,as great a pest as ever. Even on his
ordinary travels about he is now seen carrying his clog
in his mouth, instead of letting it drag on the ground
between his legs,