THE MAKING OF WORDS Curious Origin of Some of Our Most Common Expressions: In the “Romance of Words,” a publication by an English author, much space is devoted to “aphesis,” which means a gradual or unintentional loss of an unaccented vowel at the beginning of a word. This kind of word shrinkage is more common than one might suppose.

Sometimes the middle syllable of a word will be slurred to the point of extinction. From Mary Magdalene tearful and penitent, comes the word mandlin. Sacristan is contracted into sexton; the old French word paralysie becomes palsy; hydropisie becomes dropsy, and the word procurator becomes proctor in English. Bethlehem Hospital For Lunatics, established in London, came to be telescoped into bedlam, much as Cholmondeley came to be Chumley and Majoribanks Marshbanks. Peel is for appeal, mend for amend, lone for alone, fender whether before a fireplace or oneside a ship, is for defender; fence for defense, taint for attaint.

The word peach, commonly regarded as English thief slang, goes back to the time of Shakespeare and is related to impeach though used to indicate informing against an accomplice. The word cad is for Scotch caddie, once an errand boy, now familiar in connection with golf. Caddie is from the French word cadet, meaning a junior or younger brother — Indianapolis News

OBITUARY Miss Anna L. Van Lindas. Miss Anna L. Van Olinda passed away Friday morning, April 25th, 1913, at the home of John Wynkoop two miles south-east of New Salem. The deceased had reached the great age of 92 years, although the exact date of her birth is not known. She became the foster mother of C. F. Miller of Scranton, Pa., when he was but three years old. He was as devoted to her as to his own mother. Mr. Miller says it with emphasis. “She is all the mother I ever knew and I have not forgotten her kindness to me through the days of my youth.” Miss Van Olinda has been housekeeper in the Miller home for years and also resided in C. F. Miller’s home. She being his mother’s cousin, when old age at last began to wear her strong frame, he provided a home for her in the kindly family of Mr. and Mrs. John Wynkoop. Rev. J. Dyke Spoke a few appreciative sentiments at the funeral which was held from her late home, from Ps. 71, “With long life will I satisfy him,” and Isa. 65, “Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of thine hands.” The interment was in the Wynkoop family plot at New Salem.

EAST BERNE: The home of Mr. C. T. Slater, near the village, was invaded by about 40 young people from the neighborhood, Thursday evening, who came with music bent on a good time. They were heartily welcomed and made to feel perfectly at home. The early hours of the morning saw the happy party disperse, voting Mr. and Mrs. Slater most royal entertainers.