The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-27


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again, instead Of the beautiful green
fields, of which so much had been antici-
pated, nothing but gray ashes could be
seen, far as the eye could reach, in some
places two or three feet deep The erup-
ton OF some unknown volcano had not
only destroyed all prospects of a hay har-
vest that season, but for many seasons to
come. Want of fodder for the sheep and
cattle meant starvation for the people.
their live stock being their only depend
ence. In addition to this appalling calam-
ity the fisheries-their last resource-were
effected by the ashes, and famine was i'm
minent King Christian of Denmark sent
prompt help, and then Prof. and Nine
Magnusson got the lord mayor of London
to start relief fund, which was gener-
ously responded to. A steamer was char
tered, loaded with fodder and breadstuffs
and put in charge of Prof Magnusson.
who distributed the cargo where it was
most needed. The lands, however, could
not be reclaimed for years to follow, and
great distress prevailed. During the long
period of terrible deprivations many wo-
men of the first families of Iceland sent
their heirlooms and ancestral treasures
to Nine. Magnusson to be sold in England;
and often when she was home on sum
mer visits they brought their Jewels and
ornaments to her when in need These
means, often paying more than the small
price asked-always with the intention Of
giving them back to Iceland, either to the
little museum at Reykjavick or to the
daughters of the women who had sold
them at so great a sacrifice. But now, in
the interest of the Girls High School, she
has added all her own personal Icelandic
ornaments given to her by relatives and
friends, and will sell the whole collection
for whatever 1t will bring
The women of this favored land have
little idea how their sisters fare in Ice
land. The latter weave and spin every ar
ticle of raiment worn by themselves. and
also cloth for the mems clothing as well
as the linen and other furnishings Of the
nome. They make their own shoes. too.
and the chidrens and the mems few
years ago one Of Queen Victoria's maids
OF honor went with Nine. Magnusson on
a summer visit to Iceland. While there
the latter's mother spun and wove a pair
OF gloves and presented them to her guest.
On her return to England, she showed
them to the queen, who was so much
pleased with them that She requested her
maid OF honor to send to Iceland and get
her pair. 1t was done, and now her mai
esty has beautiful pair of white wooden
gloves which fit her to perfection: and
since that time the queen has worn no
other winter hand-covering than the soft
men OF Iceland. One of their PRINCIPAL
products is eiderdown said to be the
finest in the world. This is because the
duck plucks it from her own breast. with
which to line her nest for her little ones
AS 1t thins out, she adds more. and n re-
mains until the young ones abandon the
nest. Then the Icelanders carefully
gather 1t and put 1t through a cleaning
process, after which it brings a higher
price in market than any other
eiderdown. Being never molested in anv
way, the ducks grow very tame, and re-
turn year after year to the same islands
A superstition prevails that they bring
good luck to Iceland-and surely they do
in the way of furnishing an unfailing rev.
enue.
Both Washington and western people are
greatly interested in the announcement
just made, of the engagement of Miss
Francis Alger. daughter of the Secretary
OF War, with Mr.. Charles B. Pike of Chi
cago. The groom-to- be is a young attor.
ney, who graduated from Harvard Col
lege In 1893, and then entered Harvard Law
School, from which he received a legal
diploma last year. His father is E. q
Pike. well known real estate owner and
dealer of the Windy City. The date OF
the marriage is not yet arranged, but II
VIII take place early In the coming au-
tumn.
Another wedding Of interest to Wash
ingtonians was that of Miss Nellie PETER.
daughter of ex-senator PETER, the long
whiskered Kansas populist She was
married the other day, in Topeka, TO Mr.
James s. McIlhenny of this city. The
wedding was a beautiful one after the
Episcopal service, Bishop Mlllspaueh ON
ciating. The bride-a very lovely and ac-
complished girl. who was her fathers sec
rotary while he was I'm the Senate ana a
great social favorite In Washington-vore
white taffeta covered with accordian.
pleated mousseline de soie with sash ana
collar OF white satin ribbon and tulle veil
Inc ceremony was witnessed only by the
relatives and immediate friends, but was
folloWed by a reception, to which EVERY
BODY as Is anybody" out in Kansas was
bldden The young couple will reside In
washington, and have engaged Apartments
In the Concord flats, while their own
house Is building.
The usually quiet Russian embassy IVA.
the scene OF a brilliant fete last Wednes.
day-the occasion being some anniversary
IN the life OF the czar-hardly second a.
splendor TO that given by M. Kotzebue
some time ago, In honor OF the Young
cars accession 20 the throne The great
house, corner Nineteenth and I s,reets
was decorated from end to END win AM
ers and national banners, and al each
plate was hugh bouquet of blood-red
roses, NJ. de VIOLENT, who Is now resjdins
at the legation In the absence OF Prince
Cantacuzene, Russia's accredited minister
plenipotentiary. presided as host. Ills
guests Included the entire embassy no.
sides Nine. de Smirroff and Miss Neika
smirron, Gen. Sevastianoff ana M. Ro-
danowski' and other delegates 10 the nos.
tal congress. The last-nAmed rentiennan
by the way. who II making his frat visit
70 this country. has been a Conspicuous
hgure IN Washington society ever sInee
ms arrival His stay this time r. neces-
sarily short but Il Is rumored that his
heart has already been won By the beau.
tlful daughter Of cabinet minister ara
that ne VIII return IN the near future 10
press his suit and place the ancestral
lands ana diamonds de Rodanowslxi AZ her
ieo'' Fannie Brigham
Here Is a lively item from the Harrods-
burg (Ky) Sayings Judge c. A. Hardin
drank a half pint OF pasoline an Nfona.,,