ELIAS LONGLEY-(Author of Eclectic Shorthand.) Transcript Continued from Plate. "Very few contracts and mortages are being foreclosed in Southern California. The land owners are giving extensions of time to all who manifest any disposition to pay either interest or principal. The fact is, the interpretation of the courts in the matter of land contracts is all in the favor of the buyer. The statutes of California distinctly state that when money has been paid upon real estate, no matter what forfeiture clauses may be contained in the instrument representing the sale and purchase, the equity of the purchaser must be protected. In other words, the mere fact that the instrument contains a forfeiture clause, whether recorded or not, does not empower the seller to declare such forfeiture, except after due process of law. To undertake a foreclosure ties up the property for at least nine or ten months. Therefore, if purchasers manifest a desire to meet their payments, sellers are easy with them.

"I had about forty contracts in my possession a short time ago," said an attorney, "and we did not enter suit in a single case. Just what recourse a purchaser would have whose contract is not of record, in case it was declared forfeited and sold to an innocent party, is not quite clear. The actual second purchaser, being an innocent purchaser, would manifestly maintain possession. I do not know what standing in court the defaulting purchaser could establish. He would certainly be at a disadvantage, as he would be obliged to bring his suit in a court of law, which is a very different thing from bringing it in a court of equity.

"There is a second remedy that the seller might resort to, and it is strange it has not become a common course of procedure. The statute provides that the measure of damages in a violation of a contract of sale shall be the difference between the selling price at the time of such violation of contract and the selling price at the time of executing the agreement. That is to say, if a contract of sale of a lot a year ago was made on the basis of $1,000, and the lot was worth only $300 today, the measure of damages would be represented by $700, less the amount already received. If the party declining to fulfill the contract was solvent, the seller would have a valid claim against him, for the difference, as above indicated. This, I think, would apply to contracts assigned to other parties against the original parties to the agreement."

[Mr. Longley is one of our oldest writers, and his notes show that his hand has lost none of its power. He was for many years in Cincinnati, but is now conducting a flourishing school at Los Angeles, California. Mr. Longley's system is used by many reporters, and is rapidly spreading. —ED.]

A SKETCH ON THE CHICAGO RIVER.

LEAVES FROM OUR ARTIST'S SKETCH BOOK.- NO. 2.

Perhaps the most picturesque part of Chicago is the river. Although the water is thick, the scent persevering, and the bottom of it harbors— heaven knows what, the surface is not so turbid but that it shines refulgent in the light of the setting sun, and it is not too thick to carry upon its bosom the ponderous bulk of laden steamships. The surface is clear enough to reflect the sky, and that is enough for the artist. The steam and smoke are always ready to hide ugly buildings; the tugs, canal boats and ships offer endless variety of picturesque arrangement, and, saving the smell, the artist. might paint for a life time along its banks, and find new material dailyif anyone would buy his pictures.

ASSOCIATION NEWS.

METROPOLITAN STENOGRAPHERS' ASSOCIATION.

The regular monthly meeting of the Metropolitan Stenographers' Association of New York was held on the 26th of June at the rooms of the Association, 95 Lexington Avenue, Mr. Underhill, the president, in the chair. In the absence of the secretary, Mr. H. C. Ross was elected secretary pro tem. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read. The treasure made his monthly report, showing receipts amounting to $216.50 and disbursements of $183.29. The chairman of the Employment Committee reported a number of applications having been received for stenographers for both temporary and permanent employment, which had been filled by members of the association. It was requested that members desiring to obtain temporary positions during the vacation season, and also those who wished to secure the services of stenographers to take their places while on vacation, would communicate with the committee as far in advance of the time when needed as possible, in order that the committee might be better prepared to respond. The Entertainment Committee reported the success of the first "outing" of the season at Rockland Lake, and called attention to the second "outing" on the Fourth of July at Highland Beach. All arrangements had been completed, and members attending would be assured of enjoying a delightful time on the seashore. Mr. Feely, referring to the satisfactory work of the Entertainment Committee, and the fact that the new committee had made a success of everything undertaken by it, moved a vote of thanks for the efficient and energetic manner in which it had performed its duties. The motion was carried unanimously.

The president made some remarks, in which he expressed himself as pleased with the entertainment held on the previous Thursday evening, and he was convinced that the social features of the association were an important attraction to members. His time in the past had not permitted him to give as much attention to the interests of the association as he could wish, but in the Autumn, after his return from hi Summer's vacation, he would undertake to be more active and had several matters under consideration which he believed would prove of interest and value to the society.

After adjournment of the meeting, Messrs. Ramsey and Mowbray rendered some excellent music on the mandolin, accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Paine, and Mr. Albright carried the air in some of the popular songs of the day. On the second floor of the association about twenty members engaged in a progressive euchre party, in which prizes were distributed to both those who were first and last. Mr. Ramsey and Miss Green were the victors, the former receiving a substantial walking stick and the latter taking away with her a fine box of letter paper. Mr. Nichols, the efficient chairman of the Entertainment Committee, sacrificed himself for the amusement of the party, by winning the "booby" prize, which consisted of a gorgeous watch case containing a diminutive figure of a gentleman of color. Miss Riley, Mr. Nichols partner at the end of the race, received a very large frog with a very small voice. About a dozen prominent members of the Brooklyn Association were present, and expressed themselves as highly pleased with the evening's entertainment.

H. C. Ross, Secretary protem.

The St. Paul Stenographers' Business Association elected the following officers last night: P. L. Wing, President; Frank Shelberg and Will U. Smith, Vice-President; J. W. Ranke, Secretary; Miss Maggie Barry, Assistant Secretary; Miss M. V. Gibons Treasurer.

Chauncey M. Depew, when he was in Chicago recently, said of phonographers: "They are the bane of my oratorial life. You know that in delivering a speech it is the manner as much as the words, and frequently more, that makes the effect. A word uttered in a certain manner may change the whole meaning of a sentence. But in cold blooded type it stands for no more than any other word. Whenever I see such an error in a report of one of my speeches I always think of that old story of the professor of Union College who, seeing a student dressed in a coat so short as to make him look like a ballet dancer remarked to him that his coat was too short. 'Oh well.' replied the student, it will be long enough before I get another.' The professor laughed heartily, and upon meeting the faculty he said; I just met Jenkins and he said a remarkably funny thing. I told him that his coat was too short and he replied that it would be a long time before he got another.' The faculty didn't see the joke, and neither do those who read my jokes when they are published from the copy prepared by a phonographer."

TYPEWRITING DEPARTMENT.

This department will be devoted entirely to typewritists, typewriting and typewriters. The operator of any typewriter, be it a Fitch, a Crandall, a Hammond, a Caligraph, a National, a Remington, a Smith Premier, a Yost, an Automatic, a World, Merritt, or any other, will here find a place of inquiry and information.

yet, the automatic seems to be entirely new. It possesses very many good points. It has perfect alignment, smooth touch, variable spacing, manifolding power, lightness, cheapness and compactness. It has a neat appearance and under manipation it moves along with precision.

An order was given a short time ago by the stenographic firm of Hatch & Fox of the Midland hotel to Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict for a special No. 2 Remington typewriter, which has just been received. It is all inlaid with pearl in the form of open flowers, buds and green leaves, and presents a very handsome appearance. The type bars, the connecting wires, and even the hidden springs at the back are nickel plated. The machine has all the new improvements and is adjusted to perfection. The young men take great pleasure in showing off their beautiful machine, the only one of the kind in the west; and all stenographers and others interested should not fail to step around and see it. [Kansas City Star.]

Mr. Ralph La Porte and Mr. Zal. G. Sholes are in the city with a view to organizing a company to manufacture a new and improved type-writer. Mr. La Porte was here a few months ago in the interest of the Fidelity & Casualty company of New York, and at that time made his proposition to Secretary Farley of the board of trade who subsequently saw a working model of the type-writer in Chicago. Mr. Sholes is the son of the inventor of the Remington type-writer. The gentlemen want a bonus of $25,000, a site and exemption from taxation for ten years and in turn will guarantee to employ 250 hands. [Telegraph, Dubuque, Ia.]

THE NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER PRIZES. NO. 3

For shortest properly-constructed sentence which shall contain the following letters, figures, and marks: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z, &, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0., : ? ! $%. The National Stenographer will give Five Dollars. This competition will be closed Jan. 1, 1890, and is open only to subscribers.

LITERARY DEPARTMENT.

We are acquainted with many stenographers who have written splendid novels, sketches, essays, poems; whose work with brush and crayon has withstood criticism; whose mechanical ingenuity has brought forth many useful inventions; whose lectures have been well received. Heretofore these productions have not been brought to the attention of the other members of the professions as a body, to stimulate their efforts in similar directions.

THE NATIONAL STENOGRAPHER invites contributions from stenographers and typewritists to this Department, all articles printed being paid for. All articles not found suitable for publication will be returned to the writers, if stamps for the return have been inclosed with the MSS.

MY GHOST.

BY THE COLONEL.

ARLY in the spring of 1864, the Brigade of United States Troops, to which I was attached as adjutant general, received orders to join the forces of General Banks, who was preparing for his illstarred Red River campaign. Near the close of a cold, wet and cheerless day, spent in marching through mud and water, just in the rear of a heavy pontoon train which completely blocked the one narrow road which formed the route of the army, my Brigade Commander said to me: "Captain, you had better ride forward to General Franklin, and report that we can get no further tonight, as this pontoon train in our front is hopelessly fast in the mud, and our Brigade train cannot get by it."

This order, involving as it did a wet and weary ride of some ten miles to the head of the column, where General Franklin was, I proceeded with much inward dissatisfaction to obey. Hastily procuring some fragments of our own meal, looking to the condition of my revolver, and tightening the girths of my saddle, I started on my journey. At six o'clock I dismounted at the headquarters tent of my Corps Commander, made my report, listened in silence to his vigorous expressions of dissatisfaction at our want of progress, saluted, and retired from his tent, to hold a council of war with my horse, which was as tired, as hungry and as cross as his rider, upon the question whether it would be wiser to ride back in the rain to my command, or make a bivouac where I was. The early darkness of a stormy day was rapidly closing in; and, as I rode slowly back, passing squads of straggling soldiers and occasional mule-wagons, I came to the conclusion that, as the Brigade would pass that very spot the next morning in its onward march, I would seek shelter from the driving storm, and rejoin it there, or, rather, let it rejoin me. I recalled a large and apparently

tenantless house which I had seen on my way to Corps headquarters, wherein I thought I could at least get dry, and give my jaded horse the rest he so much needed.

Acting upon this resolution, I spurred him into a gallop, and in a few minutes was at the gate, or where the gate once was, of the grounds belonging to the house. It was a large, dingy, white house, standing at some distance from the road, with an extension or "L" at the rear, and surrounded by a very extensive garden. It once had been apparently a very carefully-kept place; overgrown shrubbery, ornamental vases now overturned and broken, walks whose borders were hidden under weeds and rubbish, a high and luxuriant lilac hedge surrounding the whole enclosure, all indicated wealth and taste on the part of the owner. As in common with houses in the South there was a broad piazza extending around the front and two sides of the building, upon which full-length windows opened.

At a distance of a few rods from the dwelling, and in its rear, stood an old shed or outbuiling which seemed to offer the very shelter I sought for my horse. The surroundings of the house I thus noted as I rode through the garden to this shed. I led my horse through the tumbled-down door, and, taking off saddle and bridle, looked round for something that should serve as his supper. Being a smoker-and, of course, carrying a supply of matches--I was enabled, by the light of a taper, made of an old "general order," to find a dozen or more dry ears of corn, which had escaped the "Bummers." Giving these to the horse, I left him housed and fed, taking the precaution to fasten the old door in its place as well as I could, not so much to keep him in, as to keep the wind and rain out.

Feeling very well pleased with the success which had attended my efforts in his behalf, I trudged into the house through its back door, dragging after me my saddle, with my revolver and my supper in its holsters. Curiosity prompted me to go over the building of which I had thus taken. possession, but darkness and weariness forbade. Lighting a match in the first room I entered, by its uncertain light I discovered a large fire-place, a broken chair or two, a heavy wooden bench or "settle", some corn husks and various other articles of rubbish. To make a fire of the husks and the chairs was the work of a moment, and the demolition of the bench for fuel was also accomplished in a few more.

The bright blaze revealed a large, square room, with four windows, two in the rear and two in the sides, destitute of glass, but having large wooden shutters which creaked and swung in the wind. There were three doors; one leading to the hall, one to a room in front, and the third, leading, I neither knew nor cared where, was apparently nailed up, as it resisted all my efforts to open it.

I unstrapped my blankets from the saddle, and spread them on the floor; took out my revolver, and my frugal supper; and, stretched at full length, with feet to the fire and with saddle for support, I proceeded in a very contented frame of mind to satisfy the demands of my appetite. This done, I lighted my pipe, and devoted a few minutes to an investigation of premises destined to be remembered with feelings very nearly akin to fear.

The house had a wide hall extending from the front door to the door