The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-01-10 00:00:00

'EARTHQUAKE COATS."

In some parts of Sonth America men keep their
"earthquake coats," which are dresses that can be
put on instantaneously with a view to a speedy exit
from the house, The advisability of such a practice
may be inferred from the picture of one of the fea.
tures of life in Chili which is set forth in the following
extract from a letter of a young Englishman, who
settled at Valparaiso a few years ego. Under date
November 16 he writes (says The Times)
:
"I am in a most nervous state on account of
having had three days and nights of successive
earthquakes—fearful ones. The first night I walked
the streets, and, indeed, every one else did the
same. The second night I went to bed quite FY*
haust d at about three a.m.; last night also at about
two a.m., but I could not sleep, for we had about
six sholcs, though not so strong. The whole cornice
of a house close to ours came down into the street, but
luckily no one was pasting at the time. The women
rush into the street in their night•dresses, s,reainieg
like lunatics, and ore trembles from head to foot.
w.,s crossing our street when the strongest shock
came, and I was transfixed with fright, tor the road
was going up and down like waves. My hand even
now shakts, for at any moment we may have another,
and how strong it may be no one can tell. I can assure
you lam afraid to take off my clothes, The large
Equares have been filled for the last three nights with
beds mid people wrapped up in blankets."

No LAUGHING MATTER.—Anxious Wife (to hus-
band, who has managed to snatch a bit of hunting
from the weather), Why, John, dear, what's the
matter? I hope you've not had another of thwas
nasty ttunbleg.—John (desprmdently). Ah ! if that wae
only all a fellow had to make him look serious.—
Wife. Gucci graci6us dear, I am quite anxious. What
is it ?—John, Why, I believe it was starting to freeze
again as I rode homo.—.ludy.
AFTER MATRIMONY,—A couple in a United State
can always sign themselvel 13 S.—Punch.
AN INGENIOUS COMPETITOR. Although the race
may not always be to the swift, yet occasionally the
competitor who is at once most ingenious and energetic
wins very satisfactorily (says the Daily Tilegraph).
A .short time since it appears that two Americana
cuutted Minneapolis by the same train for a district
near Sioux Falls. Their object was identical—they
were rival claimants to a piece of land; and each held
a deed of such a nature that the first recorded would
entitle the holder to permanent possession. It was
accordingly expected by those who were watching the
contest that when the train containing the pair of
would•be landowners reached its destination there
would be a sharp run for the Government agent's
office. In this, however, they were disappointed, one
of the parties to the contract being a much cleverer
man than his friends had suspected. As the carriages
approached the city, this worthy,. moving from one
cur to another, suddenly jumped upon the engine,
and, slipping the coupling that connected it with its
load, left the train to take care of itself, and dashed
into the station. In vain was it attempted to dislodge
him; he held on until the town was reached, when,
sliding off the locomotive, he made a dash for the
office, recorded his title, and entered upon bis property,
while hia rival was waiting in the train on the line,
discomfited and outmancenYred.