MOSES ROSENTHAL.” * * * * * BEING CHEERFUL AT MEALS. A man read in the paper that the family table should always be the scene of laughter and merriment, and that no meal should be passed in the moody silence that so often characterizes such occasions. The idea struck him so favorably that when his family had gathered round the table that evening, he said: “Now, this sort of thing of keeping so silent at meals has got to stop. You hear me, you girls? You begin to tell stories, and keep up an agreeable sort of talk; and you, boys, laugh and be jolly, or I’ll take and dust your jackets till you can’t stand. Now, begin!” The glare that he sent around the table made the family resemble a funeral party. * * * * * THE NEWS OF ALL NATIONS. Washer with Heater. A new device that lessens the drudgery of wash day is the combination washer and stove. It is made entirely of metal. The advantage of having the fire under the wash water is that it enables the cleansing to be done better and more quickly; it is not necessary to carry water from the stove to the place where the washing is done. A few minutes’ pumping on the handle is said to drive the dirt from the clothes, linens, or other fabrics in the washer. $686,700,000 Paid in Life Insurance. Distribution of life-insurance companies and organizations in the United States and Canada during 1914 amounted to $686,700,000. This is the largest annual amount on record, exceeding by $40,150,000 the amount paid in 1913. Claims paid in the United States and Canada, $433,050,000. Payments for premium savings and surrender values, and to annuitants, and in foreign countries, $253,650,000. Grand total, $686,700,000. While the amount paid by the companies was more, the amount of ordinary and industrial policies written and revived in the United States during 1914 fell off slightly last year. Until the outbreak of war in Europe, the writing of life insurance exceeded the normal rate of increase. The largest claim paid last year was on the policy of George W. Vanderbilt, whose residence was in Washington. The company that issued it reinsured $750,000 of the face amount. Mr. Vanderbilt carried the policy on the twenty-payment life plan for seventeen years. During that period he paid premiums to the amount of $595,000. A Fearful Aspect, at Least. “George,” she screamed; “my neck!” “What’s the matter?” “There’s a pillacatter----” “A what?” “A tap-e-killer----” “What in the world do you mean?” “Oh, dear!” she moaned, as she clutched him frantically; “a kitterpaller! You know, George! A patterkiller on my neck!” “Oh!” said George, with evident relief, and he proceeded to brush the future butterfly away. Who Was First Under Wire?