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-.t. esTABLisneo k -I8S/. \ rUBUSHRD WBEKIT AT THB OFFICE. 8YD- BNHAM STKEET, FI.BHHF.KT11N, ONT., BT W. U. THURSTON. 01 per annuin.strictly in adrance Advertising Bates: OasUolui uilfeol., 1 year, 927 qaarterool.,ODe year, tlS. Traaaient aavariiot. ..»-... charged at tbe rate • cents per liua for first insertion anJ 3 cente each subsequent insertion. Hit liitn back, Mr. Liiurier, hit liim back. Tiie scriptural iiijiuictioD don't KO (lere when Uncle Sam starla on the war patli. " Chuck " hiiu one where the huir is BJiottest. It appeurb now that we are to have a papal envoy sent out from Rome to invcsiigate uur lUGthods of doing busi- iicss in tliia country, or, specializing;, to see if Mr Laiiiier has done right in liie scllleinent lie haa made with Slaiiiloha. Mr. Drolet has letuiiied from Roine and vonchbafes this infor- uiation. Rome is cxpeciod to dvcido the matter. Might wc ask somebody (anyone may aiistwer), who luiis this country, anyway ? Is it the Qiiceu the Cor'mond, Senate, Legislatures, or docd it get its cue from Italy ? We are somewhat confused and have not time at present to figure it out for ourselves. ToioDto papers have been waxing ^Dite eloqncu^ during the past week over tlie Crows Nest railway. This proposed line will tap the new gold country in British Columbia and the C, P. U. is anxious to got possession of it. There are only two passes through the Rockies, it seems, and the C. I*. R. already has possession of one of them and is anxiously bidding fur the other. The overwhelming balance of public opinion is in favor of jfovcrnment control of this new line. Unly one paper champions the cause of the C. P. R., and that one is the Toronto Globe, ^rliich has been charged with being financially inter- ostcd iu granting it to the C, P. R. For the^akc of sufTeiing humanity, weSvonld say, keep the Globe and the C. P. R. out of it. The latter has enough, in all conscience, and the grind would bu too bitter to bear if it bad more. Politicians do not feel the suckt-ra that this octopus has upon Canada ; it is for the farmer and Iradnr to (eel their life blood slowly trickling away m defiance of all gov- arnmcnt regulations and safeguards ? supposed to bo in existence. News- paper men have felt it, too, but half of them are afraid to say much about the matter. These remarks are par- liculaily applicable to the Northwest, but also apply in a lesser measure to IJastern Canada. THB FLESHERTON ADVANCE MNgâ€"g'a â€" iu i j.«" I - M j The department store must go, or elMO it must flourish and grow until wo have Edward bellamy's ideas woiked out ill their ciitii-ety. In Chi- cago and other American cities the biiHiiiess men nny it must go, and are piitiiiig up a strong fight against it III Toionto the business public have seaicely yet opened their eyes to the fuct that these stores aie creating a revolution in business methods, which it< likely to result deplorably to them, but just now they are having the scales knocked oif. For ourselves, we wmild like to sue Bellamy's ideas in HucecAHfiil operation, but it is iinpos- siiile ; the ooodition of locietj will uut admit of any thing so radical. Nor will It admit of the department store if it can be Bupprepsed, and a great big ofTori will be made to destroy it. Our Qounlry merchants buy farm produce ift. swttU. oj: lnjjo quantities, giving goods or cash io excliange therefor. How long would these iHeruhknta live if yon sold your small trtick to them and bought nothing from them iu letnrn ? Bush a policy wonid have the efTeot of deslroyiuij our vill- ages and i>aralyziug all buciuess out- side the large cities, 1 here are very many a>'gument8 to be adraneed agaii'St the departmental store, but space will not admit of us enteriu:< fully into them, Our advice is, however, to let the departmental stores severely alone, if yua do not wish to distroy home markets uud annihilate the home comsumer of products Why do ministers and others single out tlie tobacco smoker for tlieir con> tiiiued scorn ? They should start a crusade against the wcring of broad- cloth, as cheaper material wonId al- low of more being expended upon the heathen ; or against the use of tea and coffee, when water is quite as whole- some ; or against the extra decoration of churches at largo expense when worship iu u closet is quite as accept- able to the Supreme Architect ; or e;:i)enditui'e on uscltss jewelry, or on extravagant trappings at funerals ; or a;/ainBt any of the thousand and (-ne luxuries that our miniiitcrs and people indulge in every day ? Rut no, the individual wlio has the temerity to enjoy his pipe of tobacco must take it all, along with the uniepentant sinner, with whom by some ministers he is placed on a par. Now, wo do not pretend to say that enjoyment of any of the above luxuries is wrong, but we do claim that toOacco should not be singled out as the one tiling altogether unlovely and specially de- serving of having the sharp shafts of clerical anathema hurled at it m the exclusion of other indulgences. Tea drinking, we are told, is one great cause of increased insanity and bliud- upst, coflfee drinkers are (lyHpeptic,and now adjctor comes along and tells us timt even potatoes, a staple article of diet, are the cause of chronio dyspepsia, and that Raleigli, or Elaw kins, or Drake, or whoever it was that in'^roduccd it to Englishman com mitted a gastronomic crime. Let 1 1 have a pul|)it crusade started against eating potatoes, or giiava jelly, or marmalade, tea drinking or anything in the world, only let the smoker alone in the glory of his smoke curls for a f}w weeks at least. The Advance has received a three- column communication fiom Mr. T. G Craig of Detroit, who is an enthusiastic champion of free trade between Canada and the United States. Free trade i? an impossibility and argument is futile. Mr. Craig is an Englishman. Possibly he lias not heard that Canada tried free trade with the States from 1862 to '61, and notwithstanding the fact that the United States was a gainer in trade of about niuety- millions she abrogat ed the treaty owing to the report of an emissary that if that were done Can- ada would within throe months be knocking at their doors for admission to the Union. She has not worn the skill off her knuckles knocking as yet, ant is not likely to. Various acts of the United States govetnmcnt, too, make closer trade relations with them more and more impossible The Corliss Dill is the last straw added to the pile, but previous to this is the unpaid Behring Sea claims, ths knowledge that Uncle 8am holds a laigo balance belonging to Great Britain which remains after the Alabama claims were satisfied, and which she shows no desire to refund, and many other acts which make interiistioual dealing unsatisfactory and less and less desirable. It is time this country stopped talking of closer trade relations with this rogue and cast around for honest nations with whom they might trade on honest terms-her own sister colonies, for iimtanco. It is national eon- federation that we want, if it can only be acqnvrodâ€" not inUrnational degra cllUoa,. feverabam. From our own Curtetpmtdrnt Mr. and Mrt>. Haiiiilti.n nf Fle»h«rt<iii, alaii Mr and Mihh Guy of M ixweil, weie the KUesta of Mr. John Hudioii, uii Sun- day luMt. MeHnr8. Henry and J;inieH Bovair nf Teinperaiicfvillf, liave Hpent a c>iti|>lti(if eliji'VAlilv Wfek with frieii.lsaniund hvr>-. Miiu MoriiHuM of Mt-afoid \r viKltiii^' friuuda ill tliJH vicinity. Mr. T. HurlsoiiHiid Mi:<a M. Hantiin, ft!(t<. Mr. T Hhwiiiii and Mis« Hudxoti, spent last wei'k with friei'da in Hullnnd Ci-iitre an.! Owen Sound The MeilnKlist pfoplH of Bethel chinch purpMStj lioldln-^ a te4-inoei.in.j on ihfl7i'i i-f March, wlieu a grand tiiiif is expejted. The Fo'usteia hUo purpose h<'liiiii)(a Ciiticert 8<><iti, hut have nut an yat decided when See li>c<il elitewhere. Mr. baiiiuel Oitewell, V. 8 , is verj ill at present. We hope to hear of hit rec 'vory aonn. Mr. John Paul, who haa been ill fur a long lime, it rec(iverliis2 nioi-ly. The ynuiig p.oplo of this villajte hare heeii Miiiceri'ly intetested in the reviVHJ services held at Piovidence. "T" has been exchanijin'.; horses con- aidwrable lately. Be careful "T" or jou will be in the soup. Lady Bank From our own I'urrt'pimdrnt. Well Mr. Edimr, we are hiivi iir plenty (if snow amuiid our little bu-'e. We have had luts of fine weatlier this wintei, but it did nut last l'>iii> unou<.'h for one uf our youiik! nieti. as V\ ill has had hia sleiuh loaded fur a week and is uiiahid to Kel it out. Whewell Bros, are busy engaited cutt- ing wood ill Mr. Fvr^ijion'a buih at present. Mr. William D»iid had a very narrow escape by a limb fnllintion him. We are glad to hear that Mr. Hu)!h T. Wriyhl is alowly rvcoverini; from an injury received from a limb fallia:{ un him. Dr Olfewell, V. S , is quite low at pteaent with a severe attack of la v'rippe. Miss Tena Smith of Flesherton i« visit- in/ iierauiit, Mrs. Ciuo. Myers. Mias Minnie Clark is viaitiiig at Ferer- shani. Mi^H Millie LiDley returned recently from a viail with her aunt iu Colliii);- wood. Flesherton Station Fromtnir oiniairrcspoiident. Quite a number have been laid up with â- evero culda. Mr. VV. McMullen gave a party t» the young folks on Friday evening, which was thoroughly enjoyed. A number of the vnuiig people took posieB.si()ii of Mr. U. Whitlukcr's house on Monilay evening and had a good time. Some of the young folkx had a jolliti- cation on Monday i-ight, it being Mr. White's laat niuht here. We wish Mr. and Mrs. White every prosperity wher- ever they may go. Mr. J. Connor and family took posses- aion of the Globe hotel on Tuesday ninrn- ing. We extend a welcome to Mr. Con- nor and family. Mr. H McKctizie limta valuable young horse last week. The animal iell, atrik- ini{ its head with such force as to cauiie instaiit death. Mr. and Miss Wilson of Creemore art viaitinu the former's daughter, Mrs. W. McMullon. Mrs J. Wilson of Sydenham is spend- ing » few days with Mrs. Wilcock. Mr. H. Wilkersoii, who has been spending a few iiionihs in Avoniii)?, re- turned last week. We welcome Mr. W. back. Died RoBsnTSoHâ€" At nivth, Nurthuqiberland, Kng- land, on WednesrI ty. Jan. 6tli, 1M)7, the result of a (all on shl|>boari), I'sptain Thomas KobertHon, SKed HiKty-flTsy^ars. Uiiceaseil was a bruthurof thelate Mrs. Oso. McReiiKln. and uncle of MoMiis. Rrodrlok and T. U. MoKensie of Artemesia. Mr. Watson of Suniiidale shot a black fox. The wife of John Davidson, black- sniiih, Tuviotdale, gave birth to triplets. Mt. Forest Mothodiat church is having wonderfully stioceHsful revival services. The Mt. Forest Kop. has its woodyard full to overflowing. Dhto here, Bro. Chip. Wm Grrshaw of Maryborough was suddenly stricken with blindness as the result of overlifting. The Conservatives of North Grey have pUced 0. M. Boyd in the field as candi- date for the next Ontario election, Mr. Boyd is president of the North Qrsy Association. M. Richardson & Co A LAST SHOT at WINTER GOODS In order to clear out balance of ear winter Ftock and nuke room for Spring Goods now arriving, we are offering very special inducements to iiarch purchii»ura. Flannel Specials Grey Flannels Navy Fbtxnel Shirtin'.'S 7ii-inch Flannel Shee ings, grey and white ;12-inch Heavy Flannelettes. . . 7c to Iflc a yard 15c a yard 60c a yard 5c, 6c and 7c ii yard Staple Specials , ;J2-inch Grey Cottons 3ic a yard â- Â»4-inch Grey Cotton* 4o » y.ard 1 -inch Huck Towe lings . . 5c a yard IH-inch Linen Titwellings fie a yard 45-ii.eh Taiile Oilcloths . ..18cay<iri Dress Goods Specials 38-inch Double Fold Dress Goods 10c a yard 42-inch Double Fold Dres- Goods ... 12ic u yard 42-inch Navy, Myrtle and Maroon Dresa Goods 15c a yard Cauhmere, Serge and Tweed Drewi Goods At 60c on the 9 Laces and Ribb'jns â€" A lot of short ends clearing ut 5c a yard GLOVES- TwIITTS' HOSIERY- WINTER - WEIGHTS, - ALL - AT - CLEARING - PRICE.S Boots Gurq I^ubbers Felts Moccasins AT - BARGAIN - PRICES - TO - MAKE - ROOM - FOR - NEW - GOODS. Clothing Special A line of heavy All Wool Tweed Pant.s, all sizef , going at fl.OD Grocery Specials â- RS^^IPBI •f Pail Pure Sugar Symp, 05 cents Baking Powder, 10 cunts a ])ound 3 Boxes Sardines, choice, 25 cents 2 Bottles Pickles, 25 cents 3 Boxea Matches, 25 cents 6 Bars Richard's Pure Soap, 55 cents Prunes, 5c lb.; Evaporated apples, 5c. Raisins 5c., Figs 5c. HARDIVARE: DESPARTIiSENT S Next to Nothing V ^V- «^ ivAaf ive ar* eleariny off severaf iinaa ^^ffr "^ Soodt at duriny SiocA Uakiny, Peerless Metal Polish for silver, brass or tin, worth 16 cents, for 10 CMkI* Stone's Genuine Lanterns, to clear at 35c, worth 50 cents. Carving Knife and Fork, worth 36 and 50 cents, for 26e a pair Asbestos Sad In)n Stands, worth 16 cents, for 8 eento Michigan Axon, cheap at 75 cents, for 60 eent* Cake Plate Handles, regular price lOcents, for 6 cents 60-ccnt Rodger Bread Knives for 26 cents Soup Plates, any {lattern. worth ll a dozen, for 5 cents ©ack Knife Board and box of Polish, worth 25 cents, for 16 cento No. Pot Covers, special, at 5 cents each A I rVTp OF Fancy Tea Pots at 10 cents. Gravy Pitchers at 10 cents aiW LtW 1 Clothes Brushes at 10 cents still left. PURSES, POCKETBOOKS, ' finmiRI HAIR BRUSHES and VUm' H SPECTACLES Of[lj||lL COME TO US for anything you want in any line and we will give you it right. M. Richardson & Co « i â- gSt