THERE are two widows of Revolutionary soldiers living. One of these is Rebecca Mayo, now over ninety years old, who resides in the South. Stephen Mayo, her husband, had four terms of service in the Revolution, and fought at the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. At the age of twenty-four Mrs. Mayo married Mr. Mayo, when he was seventy-seven years of age. The Committee on Pensions of Congress has reported in favor of increasing Mrs. Mayo's pension from twelve dollars a month to twenty-five dollars a month. The other surviving widow is Esther S. Damon, of Plymouth Union, Vt. It would be interesting to know how long Stephen Mayo lived after his marriage. The war in the Orient has revealed one of the pitiable, superstition-breeding characteristics of the Russian orthodox religion. Many "sacred images" have been sent to the seat of war to influence or turn the tide of battle in favor of Russia. The great general was presented with many of these "ikons" before his departure for the East, some of which were said to have wonderful powers. Now Admiral Verkhovsky has shown the empress an image of the virgin for which wonderful properties are claimed. This image is to be sent to Port Arthur to help the Russians to retrieve their lost prestige. The Lewis and Clark Centennial, at Portland, Oregon, in 1905, from June 1 to October 15, will be among the great exhibitions of the world, tho not as large as the St. Louis Exposition. It will cover 405 acres of land and natural lake, and will represent a total outlay of over $5,000,000. The Federal Government has made appropriation, and the President has invited foreign nations to participate. This is the first Pacific Coast exposition to be held under government patronage. There have been great demonstrations in Italy during the week over the visit of the French president. There have been naval and military reviews, and great demonstrations by the populace, and all in spite of the fact that the French president is persona non grata with the pope and authorities at the Vatican. The pope has protested to the world against the visit of M. Loubet. It had been given out by officials of the Vatican some time ago that the pope would not see M. Loubet when he should come to Rome; but the Italian Government has given him a very warm reception. It was the pope's inability to influence the Italian Government in this matter that caused him to protest to the world at large. And still President Loubet is president of one of the oldest Catholic countries, a country which has stood for the protection of Catholic missions and missionaries in all parts of the world. The temperance people of Boston are engaged in an endeavor to wipe out some of the most objectionable features of the saloon business in that city. Hereafter no saloon-keeper will be allowed to sell liquor to women except in original bottles. Drinking by women at bars has been in vogue in the north and west ends, especially among the foreign elements. This reform has extended to the cleaning out of many of the second-class hotels; and some druggists whose principal business was liquor-selling have gone out of the business. What is known as the red-light district will be attacked next. A speech made by Emperor William, on April 28, has aroused the suspicion that Germany contemplates interfering in the oriental war. The emperor made an appeal for domestic harmony, "in order that the fatherland may be found united and courageous if it should become necessary to intervene in international affairs now moving the world." Most of the political authorities assert that it is impossible to put any other construction on his majesty's remarks than to conclude that he looks to the widening of hostilities, demanding either diplomatic or armed interference on the part of Germany. The dowager empress of China has ordered the provincial governors to abandon her birthday celebration and to use the money collected for that purpose to equip 72,000 troops immediately. It is asserted on the best authority that the Russians intend to declare martial law in territory outside that in which their jurisdiction is now recognized. China has many thousands of troops already in this vicinity, and there have been grave fears of a collision between them and the Russians, especially on account of the reported excesses of the Russian troops. The great Louisiana Purchase Exposition was opened at St. Louis, Mo., on May 1. President Roosevelt pressed the button in Washington which set in motion all the machinery of what is probably the greatest international fair ever held. The grounds are much larger than those of the great exposition held at Chicago or the last one held in Paris. There was an immense concourse of people present on the first day of the exposition, estimated at more than two hundred thousand. The street-car men of San Francisco are on the point of declaring a strike on all the lines of the city. Negotiations between the men and the company have been in progress for some time; but the final offer of the company has been refused by the street-car operators. The latter have decided to wait three days before declaring a strike. The strike of Santa Fe machinists, which was inaugurated at San Bernardino, is spreading to other places along the line. A stringent injunction has been served upon the strikers against trespassing upon the company's property, or interfering in any way with the operation of its various shops. It is reported that the Chilean Government has instructed its minister at Washington to inquire whether the United States Government will defend Peru in case Chile shall proceed forcibly to annex the two Peruvian provinces of Tacna and Arica, which Chile is disposed to do. A train on the Michigan Central has attained the remarkable speed of 111.9 miles per hour. It was a special train carrying the president of the road, and the speed named was maintained only for 3.73 miles. This is the fastest time made by any train in the world except the electric train in Germany. Government forces of Santo Domingo have been defeated in an engagement with the rebels. The rebel movement seems to have taken on new life, and there is prospect of an attack upon the republic of Haiti. The Panama Canal Bill was signed by President Roosevelt on April 28. It was one of the very last measures passed by the Congress which is now adjourned. The German army has adopted the automobile for use in ambulance work and also for the transportation of arms and ammunition.