—Bliss Carman, in July _Century_. * * * * * Over the ballast, the ropes and the chairs, I see the fat picnicers clamber galore, And struggle for seats by the rail near the stairs, To fry in the sun when they steam from the shore. The barker has rallied them out of the town To sands stretching white in the pitiless glare; And all of their talk as the calm night comes down Is the crush going back and the bargain day fare. M’LISS COWBOY. * * * * * Ham Garland has gone up the coulee to his farm near La Crosse and is writing another novel. He is daily in receipt of letters and telegrams from people in all parts of the country asking him to pull the coulee up after him. * * * * * In a recent number of the _Chip-Munk_ it is said the intelligent compositor set it Charles G——d— Roberts; and the Only Original Lynx-Eyed being on a journey the whole edition was printed. It was one of those very aggravating mistakes that will occasionally occur even in printerys which print things on the finest paper. * * * * * I greet with exceeding joy the name of a new writer of stories which appeal to me as being above the plane of universal grayness which we have viewed for many months, and for this reason I am glad to see _A Very Remarkable Girl_ in the quarterly issued by _Town Topics_. The author of this story is Mr. L. H. Bickford of Denver, and the editor of _Town Topics_ says that he has heretofore been unacquainted with Mr. Bickford’s work. For many years I have watched the development of this young author, and if I am not much mistaken he will yet be heard from in no uncertain way. I do not believe that the public has any business with the private life of writers, but it may be said that Mr. Bickford is twenty-six, and was born in Leadville, Colorado. For a half hour’s entertainment, reading aloud in a hammock, I know of nothing better than _A Very Remarkable Girl_. It is suggestive of the signs of the times. * * * * * Good form has determined that special attentions at a time of bereavement are to be recognized by sending engraved cards. Some people used to send letters of thanks for sympathy, but of course cards are more impressive. A coupon scheme has been suggested, the thanks to be attached to a ticket to the funeral. * * * * * And furthermore be it known that the marginal notes opposite articles in THE PHILISTINE are never supplied by the authors thereof. * * * * * A man in Paris sends me the following delicious bit clipped from the Paris edition of the New York _Herald_ of April 1: NEW YORK, March 31.—The _Herald’s_ leading editorial to-day says that many surprises await us in heaven.