and spread by them over the whole of Asia and
Europe.

This plague is supposed to attack only the dirty and unwashed, and as the
majority of these pilgrims are filthy beyond description, it would be
certain to fasten upon them.

This will be the first year, since the death of the prophet Mohammed, that
there has been no general pilgrimage to Mecca.

We may hear a great deal more about it yet.

* * * * *

At last active measures are about being taken in reference to the terrible
Dead Man's Curve.

Some weeks ago, it was said that it was to be done away with, and the cars
run through a tunnel made under Union Square.

Nothing, however, has so far been done, and the people are getting tired
of risking their lives, to oblige a cable car company.

At last the officers of the law have interfered, and the owners of the
road are being prosecuted, for having their cars run in such a manner
that it is a danger to citizens.

The president of the company was called before the Grand Jury, and said
that it was impossible to run the cars around that curve in any other way
than that which is in use at the present time.

Several engineers who understood all about cable cars were then called.
They said that if the company would put a short cable on the stretch of
road around the curve, there need be no more danger. They said that a
gripman could stop his car or slow up on a short cable, but that with the
long cable, such as the company is now using, it is impossible for the
gripman to have any control of his car while rounding the curve.

The president of the company declared that a short cable would not work.
The case is to go to trial. While the worst that can be done to the
company is to be fined $500, people are looking forward to the trial,
because they expect that the witnesses who give evidence will show some
way of getting the car round the curve without shaking everybody who is in
it, and killing or wounding all who cannot jump out of its way.

* * * * *

Did you ever see a house move?

If you have not, you have missed a very funny sight.

Imagine driving along a country road, and meeting a three-story house
making a journey along the highway to new quarters.

There is a good deal of this to be seen just now at Katonah, New York.

A year or so ago the Croton water, which is in use in New York City, was
found to be impure.

A commission was appoi