The Portland daily press., 1889-09-13
PERSONAL AND PECULIAR.

Anewspaper in classical Latin is published
fortnightly in Italy.
Travellers in Europe are remarking that
more English is spoken there this year than
ever before.
IL is death to any person in Siam to men
tion the Kings name. This is custom that
many other tribes rigidly adhere to.
The wanton slaughter of birds in Florida
has led to an increase in the number Of
SNAKES. The pond birds are great destroyers
of the reptiles.
The widow of President James K. Polk,
who celebrated her seth birthday at her home,
in Nashville, ON Wednesday, says she had
put one great sorrow in life-the death of her
husband.
E. ID. Webster, the next but one to w. Byrd
Page, the champion high jumper, is a direct
descendant of the Mansfield statesman. He
is the only athlete who ever defeated Page
after ne had won the championship.
DIR. Dulin, who was elected Coroner of
Christian County, KY, and the only negro
ever elected to any office in Kentucky, lately
has discovered that he is ineligible, and adj
dressed to his constituents O card in which
he observes: AFTER diagnosing the Constitu-
ton of the State OF Kentucky. find that MY
progn0siS Is unfavorable."
French revolutionary days may still be seen
standing in Guilford. Ct 1t is an old house
painted black, whose sombre hue il said to
have been bestowed upon II by French
refugee when he heard the news Of the gull
loting of Louis XVI.
The drouth in portions of North and South
Dakota this summer, has entailed extreme
distress upon the settlers. Henry B. Black
well in a note to the Boston Transcript gives
some points from awoman inDakota who has
worked like hero for her homestead, but is
in the greatest need through the misfortunes
occasioned by the dr0uth. She says that
many farmers who depended on selling
grain to meet mortgages and other expenses
have not enough for their bread and seed for
next year. The mortgaged property must
go, whether it be land, live stock or machiD-
cry. =. 1t is very sad and depress-
meet us when we visit neighbor, but often
burst Of tears from some poor woman
whose over-burdened heart seems almost
broken"
The ST. Louis Republican tells this story
of the Shah and Mr.. Winston, who briefly
represented America in Persia not long ago.
When Mr.. Winston got to Teheran, the
Chamberlain presented to him four ele-
plants in the name Of the Shah. Mr.. Wins
| ton, who had never seen an elephant out
side of a menagerie. was paralyzed at his
| situation, but managed to express his thanks
| for the Shah's kindness. After he had
been presented and had assumed
the duties of his office, his great
est official burden was the care of
his elephants. Relief came on the second
day when the intimation was politely con-
yeyed that the Shah expected present from
him. Certainly" said Mr.. Winston as
smile wreathed his face. 81 have only been
waiting to secure one worthy of so great
ruler" That afternoon he proceeded in
state to the palace and presented the Shah
five elephants. The Chamberlain seemed to
regard the animals with suspicion, but
Oriental polteness prevents the inspection
of gift horse in the mouth; and anyhow the
extra elephant removed all doubt. "That
extra elephant cost me $780," said Mr.. Win
ston, in telling the story afterward. "But |
considered myself getting out of bad scrape
cheap at that