Slu piuMttr pteUigenm, Published hveby Wednesday by 11. G. SMITH A CO A, J, Steinman H. G. Smith, TEKMS— i'wo Dollars per annum, payable all cases In advance. OFFICE—HOUTHWICST CORNER op Centre HaUAKE. «9»AU loltors on busluosß should bo ad* dressed to H. G. Smith & Co. ptMiWVJ. “Sent by Kxpress.” 11Y AMY HANDOLPH, Marla Harlan wuh alono In the world —her mother Just buried. She waH a beautiful, brown haired girl, with soft shy eyes of violet gray, and rosy Ups compressed to a firmness far beyond her years. Nor after all she was scarcely seventeen, and so Deacon Gray was telling her, as he sat by the fire spreading his huge hands over the tardy blaze and usked : “ But what are you going to do to ’urn your bread and butter, child ?” 11 1 don't know—l haven’t thought— Mamma had an uncle in New York who ■” 11 Yes, yes—l’ve hern tell about him —hu ivas mud 'cause your mother did not marry to suit him, wasn't huV" Marian was silent. Deacon Gray waited a few minutes, hoplngsho would admit him Into her secret meditations ; hut she did not, and the Deucon went home, to tell Ills "that Harlan gal was the very ipieorest creature he had overcome across.” In tho meanwhile Marian was packing her few scanty things Into a lltllccurpet hag, by tho weird flickering light of tho dying wood fire. “ 1 will go to New York," Hhe said to hersulf, setting her small pearly teeth firmly together. " My mother's uncle shall hear her eaiiHe pleaded through my own lips. Ob, I wish my heart would not throb so, wildly! lam no longer meek Min nie llurlun ; I am an ornlian all alone in the world who must fight life’s bat tle with her own single hands!” Gower Broadway at seven o'clock I*. M. VVliat a babel id' crashing wheels, hurrying humanity and conglomerate noise It was! Minnie Harlansat In the corner of an express ollice, under the Hare of gaslights, surrounded by boxes, and wondering whether the people ever went crazed In tills perpetual din and tumult. Her dress was plain—gray poplin, with a shabby old-fashioned little straw bonnet tied with blind; rib bons, anil a blue veil, while her article of baggage, the carpet bag, lay in her lap. Hhe had sat there two hours, and was vury, very tired. “ Poor little tiling,” thought the dark haired young clerk nearest her, who Inhabited a sort of wire cage under a circlet of gaslights. And then lie took up his pen and plunged into a perfect Atlantic Ocean of accounts. “ Mr. JO vans V” “ Hir!” Thu dark haired clerk emerged from Ills cage with his pen behind Ills ear In obedience to tho beckoning finger of 1 1 ih superior. ” J have noticed that young woman sitting here for somu tlmu —how came alio hero " Kxpressed on, sir, from Millington, Jowa, —arrived tills afternoon.” As though Minnie Harlan were a box or a paper parcel. “ Who for?” “ (ionsigned to Walter Jlurrington, Ksq.” “ And why Imn'twlio been called for'."’ “ I sent u]> to Mr. Jlarrington’s ad dress to notify him Homo time ago; I expect an answer every moment.” “ \'ery odil,” said the gray haired gentleman, taking up his newspaper. “ Yen, sir, rather.” Some three-quarters of an hour after wards, Frank Kvans came to the pale girl's Hide with an Indescribable pity in his ha/el eyes. “iMlhh Harlan, wo have sent to Mr. Harrington's residence —” Minnie looked up with a feverish red upon her cheek, ami ljor hands clasped tightly on the handle'Ol'thofadedcarpet bag. —Ami wo regret to inform you tlmt ho Hiiileil for Kurope at twelve o’clock tliin iluy.” A midden blur camo over Minnie’B eyoH —Mho trembled like a leaf. In all her calculations, hlio nnuie noallowunee for an exigency like this. “ (’an we do anything furLher for you?” questioned the young clerk po litely. " Nothing—no one ean do anything Frank Evans hail been turuluguway, hut something in the piteous tones of her voice appealed to every manly in stinct within him. “Shull 1 send, you to any other of your friends?” “ I have no friends!" “ Perhaps I can have your things scut to aome quiet fumily hotel!" Minnie opeueil the little leather jiurau and uhmved him two cent pieces, with a smile that was almost a tear. “This is all tlie money 1 have in the world, sir!’’ So young, ho beautiful, and ho deso late! Frank Evans had been a Mew Yorker all his life, hut he had never met with ail exactly parallel case to thiaj lie bit the end of his pen ill dire perplexity. “ Hut what are you going to do?” “ 1 don’t know, sir. Isn’t there a work house or some such place, I could go to, until I could liinl something to do ?” “ Hardly.” Frank Evans could scare ly help smiling at poor Minnie’s sim plicity. “ They are putting out the lights, and preparing to close the oilice,” said Min liiestartiugtoher feet. “J mustgosome where.” “ Miss Harlan,” said Frank, quietly, “my home is a very poor one—lam only a live hundred dollar clerk —hut I am sure my mother will receive you under her roof a day or two, if you can trust me.” “ Trust you ?” Minnie looked at him through violet eyes obscured in tears. “Oh, sir, I should be so thankful!” “ How late you are, Frank ! Here giye me your overcoat —it is all powder ed with snow ami—' But Frank interrupted his basiling cherry -cheeked mother, us she stood on tip-toe to take oil'his outer wrappings. “ Hush mother! there is a young lady down stairs.” “A young lady, Frank ?” “Yes mother; expressed on from lowa to old Harrington, the rich mer chant. He sailed lor Europe thlH morn ing, and she is entirely alone. Mother, she looks like poor Blanche, and I knew you wouldn't refuse her a corner here until she could find someting to do.” Mrs. Evans went to the door and called her cheerily out. “Come up stairs, my dear—you’re as welcome as dowers in May! Frank you did quite right; you always do.” The days and weeks passed on, aud still Minnie Harlan remained an in mate of Mrs. Evans' humble dwelling. “ Itseems just as though she had taken our dead Blanche’s place,” said the cozy little widow; “ aud she is so useful about Lire house. I don’t know how 1 managed without her.” “ Now Minnie you are not in earnest about leuving us to-morrow “ I must, dear Mrs. Evans. Only think—l have been hero two months to-morrow; and the situation as gover ness is very advantageous.” “Very well, I shall tell Frank how very obstinate you are.” “ Dearest Mrs. Evans, please don’t! Please keep my secret.” “ What secret Is it that is to he so re ligiously kept?” asked Mr. Frank Evans, coolly walking into the midst of the discussion, with his dark hair tossed about by the wind, and his hazel brown eyes sparkling archly. “Secret!” repeated Mrs. Evans, en- ergetically wiping her dim spectacle glasses. “Why, Minnie is determined to leave us to-morrow.” “ Minnie!” “ I must, Frank, I have no right fur ther to trespass on your kindness.” “No right, eh? Minnie, do you know that the house has been a different house since you came Into it? Do you sup pose we want to lose our little sun beam?” Minnie smiled sadly, but her hand felt very cold and passive in Frank’s warm grasp. “Yob’ll stay, Minnie?” “No.” She shook her head deter minedly. “Then you must be made to stay,” Lancaster jhitdUgencei: VOLUME 67. said Frank. “I’ve missed something ol' great value lately, and I hereby ar rest you on suspicion of the theft 1” “Missed something!” Minnie rose, turned red and white. “ Oh, Frank, you can never suspoct me !” “ But I do suspect fact I am quite sure the article 1s In your pos session. " “ The article !” “My heart, Miss|Mlnnle! Now look here : 1 love you, Minnie Harlan, and I will be a good and true husband to you. Stay, be my little wife !” So Minnie Harlan, Instead of going out as a governess, according to the programme, married the dark haired cleric in Ellison’s Express Office. They were very quietly married, early In the morning, and Frank took Minnie lio'mo to Ills mother, and then went calmly .'about Ills business In the wire cage, under the circlet of gas light. “ Evans !' J “ Yes sir.” Frank, with bis pen behind Ills ear as of yore, quietly obeyed the behest of the gray lieuded official. “ Oo you femembeiftheyoung woman who wus expressed'on from Millington, lowa, two months since?” “ Yes, sir—l remember her.” A tall silver haired gentleman here Interposed wllli eager quickness: “ Where In she? I am her uncle Waller Harrington. I have just re turned from Purls when the news of her arrivul reached me! I want her; she Is the only living relative left me “Ah! hut sir,” said Frank, can't have her.” “ (Jan’t have her? what do you mean ?” “ Hus any tiling happened'. “ Yea, air, something lias happened ; Miss Harlan was married to lue this morning.’ Walter Harrington started. “ Take me to her,” he said hoarsely. " J can’t he parted from my only rela tive for such a mere whim.” “ 1 wonder if he calls the marriage service and wedding ringinerewhims,” thought honest Frank ; hut he obeyed “ Minnie*,” mild tlie old man, in fal* ,urlng aecenU, “you will conic* to me uxl tt(j tlie daughter of my old age? I mi rich, Minnie, and you are all 1 have n tlie world.” Hut Minnie ntole her hand through ic»r hu.sbaml’H arm. “ Deurent uncle, he wan kind to me L»n i wa.H mont desolate and alone. I .not leave my husband, uncle Walter love him!” “ TTien you must both of you come and ho my children,” suid tlie old man, doggedly, “ And you must coine now, for the great house Is us lonely us a tomb." Frank Evans Is no longer an express clerk, and pretty Minnie moves In vel vet unddiamonds; hut they are quite uh happy us they were In the old days, und thut Is saying enough. Uncle Walter Harrington grows older and feebler every day, and his too children are the Hunshinu of his declining life. A Strange Story. Ten years ago I was elected Sheriff of county, Illinois. This was my first election, and I have been-returued sev eral,times since. My lirst attempt to open court was made during an inipor tanttrlal. Theorimiual was a depraved, desperate wretch, who had been indict ed tor an atrocious and brutal murder. The fellow was'greatly hardened and seemed to care but little how the trial went; the evidence was strong against him, and when the cnHU was submitted to the jury, they returned a verdict of guilty without leaving their seats. The execution wasllxed for u day two weeks after the trial. Of course it was a distasteful duty, J ussure you; for though I knew full well the man de served his fate, I did not relish the idea of hanging him. I got through with It, and set him to dancing in the air. He struggled but little. 1 thought he had an easy death. After hanging the usual time he was cut down, and his body given to his lriends for Interment. I thought I had seen the last of the man, as the wagon containing the body drove out of the jail-yard—but I was greatly mistaken. About four months after the execu- tion, I happened to be passing my barn, when I saw u man sitting in the door way with his head resting on his hands. J did not like his looks, so I approach ed him, and asked him what he wanted there. He raised his head and looked at me in silence. lam not given to su- perstition, aud I don’t think I’m very timid ; hut I felt my blood grow ice cold us I recognized the man before me as the same man whose execution 1 had conducted. His lace showed no trace of his violent end; and the only indi cation of it, now visible, was a slight disfigurement of the neck. I scarcely knew what to say or think, for I had seen him hung and pronounced dead, ami had delivered his body to his friends for burial; and yet after a lapse of four mouths, there lie sat looking at me with a face as white as asheet. The terror which was exhibited in his coun tenance convinced me that lie was no ghost, so l asked him, with as much coolness as I could command: “ Jack Harkings, do you know me?” “ You’re the man that hung me,” he replied doggedly, at the same time mov ing away. “Before you go, Larkings,” said I, “ 1 would like to know how you cheated tlic gallows.” “ You won’t peach on any of them folks that helped me, will you?” lie asked. “ No, I replied, “ I will not get any of them into any trouble ; I simply wish to know how you were resuscitated.” He hesitated for some time, hut upon a renewal of my assurances that none of ills friends should he molested, he told me the following story : “ When I put the rope around his neck, and left him on the gallows, he felt a faintness about the heart, caused by realizing his fearful situation for the lirst lime; Hut before lie had time to think, tile trap was sprung, and he fell through the opening. His thoughts were remarkably clear, and lie seemed to have the power of seeing far above, below, and allaroundhim. Everything assumed a bright Vermillion hue, and a soft, dreamy languor stole over him, until lie became insensible. There was nothing painful or unpleasant in any thing he had undergone. He seemed to be sinking into a delicious sleep, and all liis thoughts were pleasant. The next he remembered was being wrung by the most agonizing torture. The pains were not confined to any particu lar place, but extended through the whole body. His first thought was that he was in perdition, and was suffering the penalty of liis crimes. The pains increased each moment, and at last be came so intense that he started to his feet with a scream of anguish, at the same time opening liis eyes. Great was liissurprise to find himself in hisfather’s house; in the midst of his friendH and relatives. He fainted at once, and when he recovered found himself in liiß own bed. As soon as it was thought safe to do so, his friends informed him that' upon bringing his body home, they had determined to resuscitate, him although they feared it would be useless. They worked faithfully nndatlastsucceeded.” “Butsir,” said the man in conclusion, “ coming to life again was much worse than dying.” The man promised to leave the State aud try to do better. I had but little confidence in him, yet I let him go. He kept his word, however, and a short time ago I heard he was a well-to-do farmer in one of the territories. This is the manner in which Igotmy ideas about hanging, aud I think you will admit their force. The East Baltimore Union League, Fri day night, adopted a series of resolutions advocating the adoption of the Constitution al Amendment, uud pledging themselvos to Support the principle of universal suf frage. A Western paper contains a formal notice —“ whereas” if anybody sells or gives the signer any liquor, even though ho ask for it, ho the signer pledges himself to prosecute the party as soon as he gets sober. This is a new way of committing/e!o deae through the types. Taking a Whale. BY ROOEB STARBUCK Early one morning while we were cruising ofr the coast of Peru for sperm whales I was dozing on the maintop gallant cross-trees. Suddenly something seemed to go right through my brain. I woke to discover that it was the wild voice of Zadlk, the Captuin’B harpooner, a tall, swarthy, straight-haired youth, half Kanaka, half English. He was very tender-hearted, but an excellent whaleman, whose power of vision was truly remarkable. He stood on the other side of me, shrieking with all the force of his lungs: “ There blowß ! —there blow-ow-s ! there—there— there —blows!” “ Where away !” thundered old Capt. Boom, glancing aloft. " On the weather-bow, four miles.off, heading to leeward!” This unswer sent an electric thrill through every vein : the old ship lurch ed us If she lelt It too. Up came old Boom, with spy-gloss slung over his shoulder, mounting two ratlines ut a time. When on the cross- trees he Just gave one squint with his telescopu ; then his voice rung through the ship like a greut saw going through “ Back the main-yard—clear away the boats!” It would have done you good to see the men jump to falls und braces. The ship came up slowly, and Boom went down like lightning by means of a back-stuy. Zadlk, following him, sprung like a deer into the starboard bout. “ Lower away !” growled the Captain. Buz-z-z! buz! buz z-z z ! sounded the falls, and swash! went the four boats, almost simultaneously, into the water. The merry dogs bundled Into them, and away t.iey llew, the Captain’s taking the lead. “Snap your oars, ye griffins ! Make the lire lly, my bull-dogs! Long uud strong's the word! Breuk your backs every mother's son of ye!" gritted the old fellow through his teeth. In a similar manner the otherolllcers encouraged their crews, until they hud proceeded about fourmllos, when orders were given to stop pulling. “None of your dare devil pranks, Tom, if you get alongside u whale!” said the skipper to his son—a lad of ilfteen, who belonged to the after-thwart in the lirst mate’s boat. Tom—the ship's favorite—smiled and Hliook Ills curly head. At Lite same mo ment the water broke Into a whirlpool a few fathoms astern. There was a hurried whispering; then the boats were forced round as a very small whale—a calf —rose to thesurface. We perceived at once that the creature had been struck by some other crew, for the shank of an iron protruded from its body. It seemed very weak and In much pain, moving slowly and now and then reeling sideways with a sudden plunge. It swam in a circle as if be wildered, and the noise of Its spouting somehow reminded me of the wailing of u child. “ Paddle ahead!" was the order, for every man believed that the mother of the calf—the cow whale—was not far off. The first mate was soon within dart ing distance. “ Give it to him !” lie shrieked, and whiz, whiz! went the hurpooner’s irons, one after the other, Into the animal’s body. For a few moments the little whale, as if half stupefied, remained nearly motionless ; then, breeching, It camu down, writhing and whirling its llukes lit great agony, ufLor which it sounded. It was too weak to drag the boat very fast or very far; it soon rose about fifty yards ahead. "Haul line!” ordered the mute, now in the boat’s bow, lance in hand. As he spoke the water on one side of the calf suddenly parted with a roar like a cataract, und an enormous levi athan—the cow whale—boomed up from the surface, beating the sea with lier llukes and spouting thunder. Bound and round her offspring she swam, but soon paused, as if half para lyzed with astonishment and grief at the situation of the sufferer. A moment she remained thus, then moved ahead slowly andgently, occasionally turning, as if to entice the little creature to fol low. In fact the calf endeavored to do so, but was too badly crippled to swim ; it made a few feeble plunges toward its parent and then began to writhe and wheel in great agony. Perceiving that it was now in its llurry, the mate stopped hauling line, and remained watching the animal until its blood red spout no longer rose, and it rolled over quite dead. Now the behavior of its mother was pitiful to witness. She seemed unwill- ing to believe that her young one was really dead. Bound it she slowly swam, spouting with a noise something be tween a shriek aud a gasp. Then she moved ahead as before, and like one half crazy, seemed not yet to have abandoned the hope of being followed by her offspring. Meanwhile her enemies were rapidly but stealthily advancing. Soon the Captain who was foremost, was near enough to dart. " Letherhaveit!” he growled. Zadik raised his harpoon ; at the same moment tlie .cow gently rubbed its great head against the little whale, as if to ascer tain the reason why it would not follow her. Zadik lowered the pointof his weopon; his wild eyes softened. “That whale’s just like a human mother, Captain,” said he, “and I haven't tlie heart to strike it!” ‘ ‘ Dog !’ ’ hissed Boom, Dart! dart! I tell ye !” As he spoke a sudden change came over the whale, which now, half turn ing, saw the boat. Wrathful and wild for revenge, she breached, the whole length of her enormous body, out of water; then falling back with the din of a hundred thunder-bolts, she made straight for the boat, her bristling jaw wide open, her broad flukes beating the sen! “ iStarn ! starn!” gritted old Boon, aud every man of his crew except Zadik turned pale. The harpooner Had changed with the leviathan. The llush of fight was now on his cheek, and there was fire in his eye. His dark brow was wrinkled ; the endß of his straight black hair bristled like spear points. He motioned to the Captain to keep off a little, and, being obeyed, sent both irons wiiizziug into the side of tlie monster’s hump ! Maddened with pain, fiercer tliau ever, the whale made a swift dash to ward the boat, which she must have grappled had not the Captain, by adex trous movement, whirled the light ves sel to one side. Thus baffled, the mons terduve, shaking a savage warning with her flukes as she disappeared. Away went the boat, swift as a whirlwind, the line humming around the logger head, and the crew cheering like wild demons in answer to the cheers of those who were pulling after, them. Zadik aud the Captain changed places, and the “ old lion,” as we called Boom, soon had his lance ready. The whale came up a quarter of an hour later, aud “Haul line!” was the order. When within darting distance the skipper sent his long weapon quivering into the monster’s body. Enraged beyond all bounds, she came booming towards us in a cloud of whirling spray tossed by her busy flukes. “ Starn ! starn !” from the “ old lion,” and every time he spoke he was either darting his lance into the whale or pull ing it back. Thicker and faster flew the spray, almost hiding the animal from _us, until suddenly its great head, bursting from the white foam cloud, we saw the bristling jaw within six inches of the skipper! Had the nerves of Zadik failed him, the old man must have perished the next minute. But the voice of the half breed rang like the clang of a hammer, as with ready steering-oar he whirled the boat’s broadside toward the mon ster, and then gave the order to “ stern!” Snap ! went the monster’s closing jaw, just missing the boat’s bow ; ana whiz-z-z-! went the old lion’s lance again into her body alongside the hump! Now, as she dashed furiously toward LANCASTER PA. WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 26,1866 : us, our Bhlpmates arrived to take part in the combat. The long limbed first mate, who had left the calf to be towed by an extra boat’s crew from the ship, attacked the monster on one flank, while the Cap tain and his second and third mates battled desperately upon the other. The cheers of the men, the orashing of the whale's fluke's, mingling with suoh wild cries as " Lay me on!” " Keep off a little!” "Now then—steady as you are!” “ Starn! staru! starn!” “Pull ahead!” “ Hoo, hoo! take that, old queen !” “ Mind yourself at that oar!" “Now then, Mr. Spooner—there's a ‘good sight!’” “Whang! whang! whang 1 three lances Into her that timeT” “Hooray! hooray!” etc., etc., were heard on all sides, while so thick was the spray that no man could see his neighbor distinctly. Vigorously pressed—with lance after lance piercing her body—her Jaws and flukes avoided by the vigilant narpoon ers—the wbule soon acknowledged the power of her assailants by sending up into the spruy-cloud a light red foun tain of blood! With exultant screams the lancers, still attacking, burled their weapons in her writhing body, from which the spout rose darker and lower every moment. Suddenly, with ouetremendouswhirl of her flukes, she struck the first mate’s boat, shiverlngittoatoms 1 Then slowly round aud round she swam, the dark blood-spout now ascending scarcely six inches! The Captuin and his third andsecond officers churned her with their lanceß, when, turning over, fin out, aud hair lifting her flukes aud head in one last spasm of agony, she expired ! The first mate’s crew, being good swimmers, had not yet been picked up ; in fact, the Captain had been too busy to notice which vessel was stoven. Now, as the poor fellows were helped into his boat, he looked in vain for his sou ! The sad story was soon told ; poor little Tom was far down under the sea, whither lilh frame, crushed by the whale’s flukes, hud been dragged by sharks. The ('apLnin groaned and bowed Ills aid. Hu did not lift It until we were oi.gsidu theship. While we were cut ug In the whale we looked In vain for m. “ He is down In the cabin,” said the mate, “weeping aud sobbing like a child. He will never be a happy man agai n ! ” “Ay, av,” said Zadlk, gloomily. “ I felt us if no good would come of our striking that whale 1 We killed her off spring, and »hc killed the Captain's son!” A Story or Two Kisses I am an old man ; so old am I that, looking back, life seems very long, and yet so short that I do notknow whether many things did not happen in adream. I am hale and hearty, aud merry, for the matter of that; and when I laugh, my laugh rings out clearly aud loud, they say ; so much so that it makes the people around, especially my grand children, aud nephews, and nieces, laugh too. And when I laugh, the old times come back when others, who are now silent, laughed with me. and then I am suddenly still, and the laugh dies away; and when I thlukof it, its empty echoes fill my brain Just as If It were sleep-laughter in a dream. When 1 stop laughing so suddenly— for the merriment aud enjoyment, and, fortlie matter of that, the grief andpaln of old men, are short and sudden, like those of children—my grand-children, und nephews, und nieces, have a great dllllculty to stop too; aud they choke, and nudge each other, and say, “Ah ! thut Is a good story, uncle, almost aH good us the story you told us yester day.” Told yesterday; let me see what It was that I told yesterday. How long ago it seems; it must be longer ago than the time I was twenty years old, a stalwart, brave fellow in yellow breech es, black leggings, a heavy brass-bound helmet, with a white plume tipped with red, with a clanking sword which 1 now could not lift with my two hands. I was a royal volunteer then, prepared to resist the French, and I aud some of my companions were encamped in white tents on the east Kent. Yes; people think me very merry. And so bless heaven ! I am ; for I try to stand upright, lour squares to the world, as a man should ; but, being an old man, I have blank places in my heart now, where no love grows; barren spots In my memory, aud chill and numbed parts in my feelings, whereto I cannot look back, aud whereon I dare not tread and touch lest sudden pain should come back, like to the shooting ' uu old, old wound. Been in love? Yes, I should think I have; how else could J have grand children, those people who laugh so hearty when I laugh, aud make me say how old I am a stjore of times, and say how well I am looking. Been in love? I think I was talking of that, was I not? Yes, been in love! Well, we just did love when I was a young fellow, aud I recollect her as I loved her when she was very young, and as I love her now. I think that she could do anything but drink and smoke, or tell an untruth, or doa wrong action. Her face was a sweet oval face ; her hair a very dark brown, nearly black ; and her eyes a deep blue, full of merriment at one moment, aye, at all moments, except when she heard a sad story or was touched with pain for any one else, and then they grewdeeperand deeper as they filled with tears. Not for herself. .She never cried for herself that I know of, for she never had a day’s illness. But she was terribly cut up when her poor brother died, and that you see was how I knew her. Her brother was my right hand man in my company. Many’s the time that he stood shoulder to me, good at drill, good at song, good at anything. He used to live near the coast; and, indeed, he joined us, and I was one of his tent fellows, and liis chum. Well, he knew people that I knew, and we were Boon friends ; and he took me home to show me Alice. He was always talking about her, and she about him ; and, when he was there, scarce a look did she give me. Her brother— “ whatailsye? his name was Joe, and mine too—could do everything, and was the be-all and end-all of the world, I used to think, and so one day I tried to run with Joe, and Joe beat me, and Alice laughed ; and then I shotagainst Joe, and he beat me too, and she laughed the more, and I wrestled with him and threw him ; and she didn't laugh then, but ran to see whether he was hurt, and said it wasn’t fair for Joe to tackle a big fellow like me, although he was nigh an inch taller. In short, I could not please her anyhow. Well, it was one day when we heard that the flat-bottomed boats of old Boney were not comingover, and that the army of Boulogne had melted bit by bit away like a snow drift, that we made a night of it. Ay, it was a night, too ! and being hot and in the summer time, we must keep up the fun ti}l the sun came up over the seacoast, looking red and angry at our folly. Well, Joe and I—the two Joes, as they called us—ran down on the beach and washed our hot faces, and plunged in the' fresh, salt waves, and were in a few moments as fresh and merry as larks. And, after dressing, Joe must needs take a walk with me— who was loth, you must know—along the edge of the clifT. The Beas for cen turies have been washing that chalk bound coast, and at intervals there stand up pillars of chalk, with seas around them. The people call such a place “No Man's Land,” and no man can own it, truly. Well, Joe cametoone of these, within a few feet—sjay twelve — from the cliff, and turning to me, said “ Joe Junior,” said he—l think I see his bright face now—“ I challenge you to jump on ‘No Man's Land,’ I do.” “Joe,” said I, hurriedlv, “don’t be a fool! It may be it would give way at the top, and, if it did not, how could you jump back without a run ? You’d be stuck on top there like a mad senti nel or a pillar saint. I’m not going to jump it.” “But I am,” said he. And before I could stop him, if Indeed I had tried, he took a run and jumped. It was so sudden that I could only stand aghast when I saw him there. He stood. Indeed, but for a moment, and then he took a back step, and would have jumped back, when I heard a rumbling sound, and half the top of the “No Man’s Lund” parted and the chalk and earth, and Joe, too, fell down with a crash on a rocky coust below. I ran round the little creek to the other side of a small bay, and throwing myself down on the turf, stretched my neok over, looked over aud cried out! “Joe! Are you hurt, Joe 1” A faint voice came up, and I couldsee the poor fellow struggling under a huge Elece of chalk, which seemed to hold lm down In agony. He Broiled In a ghastly way with his whitened race, and said. "Run, Joe, run ! the tide’s coming In!’’ Well, I did run, and we got ropes from the tents, and a few strong fellows held these as I swung over the cliff', Just reaching poor Joe os the cold water was lap, lap, lapplngup to his mouth, tuklug away his breath, and then running baok, crawling over him and leaving bubbles of salt foam, as If In sport, I got him out, but he could not stand. Some bones were broken and he was badly bruised, bo that I was forced to tie him to a rope, andthey hauled him up, and afterwards pulled me up, und we took him home. Well, well! to make a long story short, poor Joe died, with my praises on his lips, and Alice bowed her head like a broken lllly. It was a long time be fore she got over it, and summer had grown into winter, and winter to sum mer, to autumn, and to whiter again. The threatened Invasion was all over; our swords were getting rusty, our uni forms dirty, andwlien the holidays came I left the firm In which I had just be come a partner, and went to spend a fortnight at my old friend's In Kent. Alice was there, well aud cheerful now, aud reconciled to her loss, though we often talked of poor Joe, anu as the days wore on we grew close together, and she called me hy my name anu Heeined to have transferred her brother’s love to me. She never told me so nor let others see It till one merry Christmas night, when she rejected all her cousins and her friends and would only dunce with me. We had the mlsletoe, too. At last one mud-cap fellow proposed that the ladies should kiss the gentlemen all around when and how they could; and Alice should play, too ; aud Hhe, In a solemn, quiet way, smiling sadly andyetsweet ly, too, took me beneath the Christmas bough and kissed me on the lips. And, its many years ago, but I feel it now. My heart beat so fast that I hardly dared return it: but I put my arm around her and took her gently to the bay window of the old hall, saying, as I pressed her hand, "Alice, dear Alice, did you mean that kiss?” Well, I need not tell you whatshe an swered. ’Tis fifty years ago, fifty yeais ago! and I am surrounded by Alice’s grand-children, aud there is one, a little thing with light and golden hair that will deepen Into brown, who plays around my knees aud tells me her little stories, her sorrows and her Joys; so quick, so hurried In their coming and their going that they are like my own, and, us we talk, we grow quite friends and companions, as my Alice was tome. Bless you, she understands it all! She Ih a woman In her pretty ways ; her poutiugs, pettlngs, and quurrellngs. Hhe manages her household of one wax doll and two wooden ones, and tells me, for the wax doll Ih the lady and the two wooden ones are the servants in the mob-caps and stulf gowns, when they gossip with a wooden policeman, who belongs to her brother, little Joe. So we are fast friends, little Alice and ; and to-night, on Christmas night, I lotlced that she could not dance nor pluy with the pink uud shiny-faced lit tle boyH who were unnaturally tidy and clean in their new knickerbockers, with red stockings ; but she came and sat by me and talked softly in the fire light, as Alice did, and made me think of fifty years ago. And only think how old times came back and new times like the old; only just think that when her mother told her she should choose a sweetheart,shegotalittlebitof mistletoe and climbing slyly on my knee,and hold ing me in talk as if to hide her purpose —though I guessed it soon, I’ll tell you —she put her doll-like arm around my neck, and holding the mistletoe above my head, she kissed me again and again, and said I was her sweetheart. So this child sweetheart brought the old times back—the old times that are still so distant and so Dear—and the sweet kiss ’Death the rustling leaves made me think of my dead Alice in the grave. Foreign Gossip—An Affectionate Wife and a Dutiful Husband. A London correspondent of a New York paper gives the following: It is not often that I have any scan dal for you, but here is a hit about acer tain Mrs. N' , whom you may see daily driving through the streets at a furious pace, with her meek-eyed lius hand at her side, his face hearing the impress of fear in every feature. He would remind you of Mr. Some body's picture of despair, if the ludic rous was not blended quite so strongly with affright. Mrs. N., however, is a stunner—a little hit mauny, but a mag nificent creature, and drives herplneton well, though she does hold the reins a little too tightly, perhaps. Imagine, then, if you can, her indignation when she heard for the first time that Mr. N. had accepted an invitation to sup at Brown's, a jolly fellow of his bachelor days. "Only ourselves you know," and Jones and Robinsons,” said Brown, and Mr. N accepted, not without mis givings, however, for he knew what he would have to encounter when he com municated his rash promise to Mrs. X. As fact would have it, his wife looked awfully splendid and fierce that night. Between love and fear, his tongue re fused to speak the words. He would wait till next morning—there was no hurry. In a word, he did not tell her at all, and it was by the merest chance, of course, that she heard of it. •"And bo, sir, I hear that you are going to supper with thathorrible man, Mr. Brown, to-morrow?” " I certainly am invited my dear.” " And what do you propose doing, Mr. N ?” " To accept the invitation, of course, my dear.” “ Then, of course, you expect me to accompany you ?” “To a bachelor’s supper party, my dear? Impossible.” “ Then you don’t go, that is all, my dear.” And Mrs. N closed her mouth and Bpoke no more that evening. Mr. N resolved he would be master this time, and in silence made his plans. The day came. No more had been said on either side—nothing rela tive to the subject was said now. Yet I am reluctantly compelled to record the fact that Mr. Brown and his friends were disappointed of their friend N 's company that night. "That she wouldn’t let him come,” said one. "I only Baw him this morning,” said Brown, “ and he promised to be here.” “ What a lark, if we called on him.” "Let us say all.” And they did so. A thundering knock ; N ’s street door was opened to Brown, Jones and Robinson, and they were Bhown into the dining-room, where Mr. and Mrs. N sat immovable in their chairs— fast asleep. They had administered a strongopiafe to each other unaware—the wife to Keep the husband at home, the husband to quiet the wife. A divorce is pending. The Virginia Legislature has re-eiected Wm. F. Taylor, auditor of public accounts; John M. Herndon, Secretary of the Com monwealth; John S. Calvert, Treasurer, and J. F. Pendleton, Superintendent ot the Penitentiary. Broad street, in Philadelphia, is destined to be the dnest street in any American city. It has been extended from Nicetown Lane to Fisher’s Lane. It is now ten miles long, with a width of one hundred and thirteen feet, and straight as an arrow, Love on tbe Ice. Lake Austrlce, the skating pond of Whltestown, was a perfect tlower gar den ; scarlet, and purple, and amber and dlvinest shades of azure flirting about hither and thither, shading ourls of flax and brightest ebony. Silvery laughs rung out high above the sharp click of skater’s steel, and soft eyes grow tenderly lustrous beneath the fire of others held all too dangerously near. Remington Ashe looked on with ad miration in his dark, bright eyes. Suddenly a little figure shot out from the shore, and sped down the lake like an'arrow. Now keeping close to the wooded Bhore. then gliding like a sun beam through the very midst of the skaters. The scarlet feather in her cap floated back behind her, mingled with the black hair, which escaping from her net, tumbled Into masses of glittering ringlets on her shoulders. Ashe touched the arm of a gentleman near him. “ Who Is she. Churchill ?" Verne Churenlll’sdark cheek showed a touch of crimson. " Which one?” "Ah If there was more than one! She with the scarlet feather and velvet sacque. The queen of them all." “Oh; that's Asia Vance.” "Asia! What a uume ! How came she by it." “A conceit of her father's, I have been told.” "Humph! An odd fancy! Do you know her?” " Yes.” ' Introduce me, please ; I cannot re- turn to Boston without heurlng her voice. It ought to be sweet as Bllver bells to accord with her face and figure.” “ I see no opportunity, at present, to gratify your desire,” said Churchill, rather coldly. "We will seek the opportunity. Buckle on your skates. We will over- takeher.” "That Is easier said than done. Miss Vance is a swift Hkater.” ‘ 1 At least there Is no harm In trying, ’ ’ Ashe said, and presently the two gen tlemen set furth in pursuit of her. Both skated well —Ashe a little more sprightly perhaps; but Churchill Ills superior in endurance. Asia saw them coming, aud divined their motive. It pleased her to allow them to overtake her. Her brilliant eyes softened slightly, as they met the expression in Church ill’s, und a little consoious rose-color flushed her cheek. He touched lightly the dainty hand in its soft-furred gauntlet. " This is Mr. Ashe, of Boston, Miss Vance,” She acknowledged the Introduction with a gay courtesy. Ashe was fully a match for her In small talk, and the acquaintance progressed rapidly. The two bo lately strangers whirled off together, leaving Churchill to return or to follow them at leisure. He hesitated a moment, and thon joined Maud Eastford. Maud was unusually brilliant that day. The keen air had colored her pale cheeks scarlet, aud her blue eyes flushed like Bapphires. Maud and Asia were rival beauties. Maud’s skates had be come loosened. She seated herself on a fallen log, while Churchill arranged them. Just then Asia and Mr. Ashe swept by. Churchill saw the bright flush on Asia's face, and caught something of the subtle fascination In Ashe’s dark grey eyes. And he, whohad loved with his whole soul Asia Vance for three years, had never been able to win from herusmlle half so tender as that which now wreathed her face for this stranger. Churchill's thoughts were bitter. Per- haps ids countenance expressed some thing of what was passing within. Maud bent towards him, one curl of perfumedgold touched lilscheek. What u sweet voice she had. “ What troubles you, Mr. Churchill?” For a moment the man was tempted. He looked up into her beautiful face, so near his own that he could have touch ed the scarlet II]) with his. Maud loved him, and Asia was a cold-hearted co- quette. He took the hand Maud laid on his shoulder, and Half encircled her waist with his arm, but his native truth con quered. Because one woman flirted, he would not be false himself. So he answered Maud quietly: “Thank you. Nothing troubles me. Shall we join the company?” And piqued and disappointed, Maud reluctlantly assented. Asia, little coquette that she was, could not be unmindful of the attrac tions of Mr, Ashe. His blonde face with its golden, brown beard and hair, would have won the heartofalmostauy young lady. Asia liked the courteous deference of his manner, and she was not averse to reading the admiration expressed in his eyes; besides, the marked attention made the other belles spiteful towards her, and Asia liked that. She did not care how hard the g'rls felt against her; she knew her bright eye would set all right with the other sex. Ashe walked home with Asia, and obtained permission to call. He went there frequently. His stay in Whitestown was pro longed from three days to a week, and to a fortnight. His business had taken more time than he thought, he said, by way of excuse. But he could stay no longer. His partner was becoming im patient at ids delay, and had peremp torily recalled him. The last day of his stay he went down to the lake. It was the first of April, but the ice had not yet broken up. The old people said it was unsafe to venture on it, but old folks are prone to croak, and the young people gave little heed to them. There was quite a crowd on the ice, and among them Asia Vance. Asia had never been gayer. She glided up to the gentlemen mentioned, and challenged them to a race. Ashe’s eyes glittered meaningly. “ What shall be the stakes we con tend for, Miss Vance?” “Whatever you please, ’she answered quite saucily. 'Very well. I accept the condition. It Bhall be yourself, if you please. She blushed, but wastoonlghspirited too retract. “So be it. But you must catch me fairly. I claim that.” "Right. We are both gentlemen, I think, ' bowing to Churchill, who stood a little apart. “ Allons ,” she said gaily; but in spite of her light tone, there was a sober fright in her eye seldom seen there. She could see that by the way they looked at each other. What if Ashe won ? and, again, what if Churchill won ? She dared not think lest they should recede. They started off fairly—all together. Asia went straight up the lake toward the head waters. The gentlemen fol lowed her. None of the party as yet They glided on easily, saving their strength for the final contest. Bwifter and swifter flew the slight figure of the girl, the distance between her and her followers material ly lengthened, and now the race began in earnest. People called out that it was danger ous to go so near the mouth of the Rocky River, the principal tributary of Lake Austrice; but they did -not heed the warning. They were too much excited to think of peril. On went Asia, the scarlet feather streaming out behind her like a war flag and her silvery voice of defiance now and then floating back to them. The color and texture of the ice was different here. It was dark, and they could see the water gliding beneath. Still they would not hesitate to follow where she dared to lead them. Ashe’s handsome face gleamed and his eyessparkled as he sped on ; the ice bending beneath his weight, and the water bubbling through the air holes with a hoarse sound. He knew how insecure was his foot ing) he knew the risk he ran; but Asia a little before him was beckoning him on. He made the attempt toadvanoe) but thaice cracked beneath his feet; the NUMBEK 61. water was ankle deep, and It was fright fully evident that the lake was breaking up. “Good God!" he cried, " ail Is lost!” To go on was death. He was not ready to BaorlUce himself for the des perate chance of outskatlng Asia Vance. He turned quickly, and like lightning glided back to where the Ice was yet Intact. Gathering his strength for an Instant, he made lor the shore. Churchill’s eagle eye took In thescene at a glance. His breath came quick, and his heart bent like billows of the sea. And his great strength served him. Over the yielding ice lie gilded on, gaining perceptibly on the scarlet feath er. A moment more and he should be beside her. Suddenlyshe stopped, transfixed with horror: at last she realized the deadly peril of her position. Churchill strained every nerve, never for a second losing sight of the grace ful figure standing bo frigidly erect amid the roar and tumult all around. Another Instant—lt seemed hours to him—and he had thrown his arm around her. " I have won you,” cried he hoarsely. She was white as death, and her still' lingers climg'to.his nrm with the grip of despulrr^ “ O, Verne, we are lost,” she cried. "We mußt trust to the water. Bee It Is growing deeper.” Even as he spoke his feet were swept from under him ; the whole mass of ice heaved and groaned ; and then the large cakes drifted tumultuously around. Churchill wasa strong swimmer, and battled bravely foi the victory. Some times it seemed as if he must go down ; but his will was like iron, and his strength indomitable. He fought his way through the mas sive cakes of Ice, torn and bleeding, but never despairing. At last he caught the pliant branch of a willow which swept far out over the water, and by its aid drew himself and his burden to the shore. Asia looked into Ills face with wide open eyes, and a glow of crimson steal ing over tlie ghastly whiteness of her countenance. “Havo I wop fairly, Asia?” “Yes; you have won,” she huUI, averting her eyes. " I do not liold you to it unless you will it. Are you mine freely ?” " And what then ?” she asked softly. “Asia!” their eyes met. She flung her arms around his neck, and put her face up to his. “ I give myself to you, oh, so free! Verne did you not know that I have loved you so always ?" Mr. Ashe returned to Boston the next day, without calling to bid Asia good bye. She did not think of the omission until Mr. Churchill asked her opinion of Boston breeding. She answered him saucily: “I am quite satisfied with Whites town manners sir.” Seasonable Hints to Farmers and Gnrd' The time is now upon us when wo must prepare for winter. Not a day should be lost. Many plants, we find, that are supposed can be protected only in the green-house, will stand the winter If carefully laid down and cov ered with two or three inches of earth. All such plants as the hydrangeas so Crotected will come out in the spring etter than if kept under glass. Even the unusually severe temperature of last winter did not affect ours in the least. So with what are called half-hardy roHes ; they will keep In the most per fect order. The strawlug up of roses, which wo sec iu so many places, is the very worst thing that can he done with them. If the winter 1h moist they are almost certain to he smothered, and under any circumstances are never henefitted. Small criptomaria juponlcas should lmveathicktwinerun round the branch es and loosely drawn together, and then strawed on the suuslde only, leaving them open to the north. So with Irish yews. If roses which are strawed were allowed an unobstructed northern expo sure, they would stand the winter. If straw is loosely thrown over maho nies, and secured against being blown away by the wind, they will come out in perfect order. Mahonies growing toolarge may he pruned as much as de sired. Raspberry canes should be pruned for next year’s growth and laid down In the row and covered with a couple of inches of earth so as to secure them in their places. It will benefit all rasp berries to lay them down through the winter. Fig trees must be taken up bodily and laid in a trench and buried. Three inches of earth over all plants are better than any greater quantity. Spinach sown in the fall should be slightly covered with straw, and bean poles laid over the straw to keep it in its place. Thus treated, this best of all greens will give the earliest of all green vegetables in the spring. A parsley-bed surrounded with four boards, from eight to twelve inches high, with a board top or a sash, which should be covered in very cold weather, will afford a supply all through the vinter. If the top is of boards it should be removed occasionally for light and sun. Salsify, like carrots, is better to re main in the ground, and use as may be needed. Strawberry beds should have a light covering of stable manure ; but where the ground is low and moist a slight covering of straw is better, or they will be winter-killed. Chrysanthemums Bhould he taken up as soon as the frost interferes with their blooms, and placed in sand in a cellar or pit. Much complaint is made o, heir destruction during the winter, 1 which we have reason to believe is done by mice, as all the protection that can be given to them does not seem to be of any use. Gladiolus bulbs should he taken up and buried In sand. The mice are particularly fond of feeding upon them In winter, and many of them will not stand a severe temperature. If these homely directions are follow ed, they will accomplish pretty much all the good mentioned. —Germantown Telegraph. What a Spider Eats per Diem. In order to test what aspider could do in the way of eating, we arose about daybreak one morniqg to supply his Hue web with a fly. At first, however, the spider did not come from his retreat, so we peeped among the leaves and there discovered that an v earwig had been caught and was now beiug feasted on. The spider left the earwig, rolled up the fly, and at once returned to his “first course.” This was at half past five A. M., in September. At seven A. M. the earwig had been demolished, and the spider, after resting awhile, and proba bly enjoying a nap. came down for the fly, which he had finished at nine A. M. A little after nine we supplied him with a daddy-long-legs, which was eat en by noon. At one o’clock a blow-fly was greedily seized, and then immedi ately, with an appetite apparently no worse for his previous indulgence, he commenced on the blow-fly. During the day and towards the eve ning, a great many small green.flies, or what are properly termed midges, had been caught in the web; of these we counted one hundred and twenty, all dead and fast prisonersjSh the spider's nest. Soon after dark, provided with a lantern, we went to examine whether the spider was suffering from indiges tion or in any other way from his pre vious meals: instead, however, of being thus affected, he was employed in roll ing up together, the various little green midges, which he then took to his re treat and ate. This process he repeated, carrying up the lots in little uetack ndents, until the web was eaten, for the web and its contents were bundled up together. A slight rest of an hour was followed by the most industrious web making process, and before daybreak another web was ready to be used in the same way. A gunboat with Surratt is expected to ar rive m about four weeks. BATES OF ABTEBTMHO. BUSI9ZU adv tisiicbitb. 113 a rttr par MW* of un linei; tan p 3 cent, inert—for fraotlom ox a year, REAL ESTATE, PEMokAL PBOTEBTT.and OD a UAL AnyUTuxxo, 7 oenu a Un# tea tilt first, And 4 oenti for each labeaanant inttr* Uon. Special Notices Inserted in CM> lnmn t 15 centt per line. Special Notices* preceding marriages and deaths, 10 cents per line for first insertion, and 6 oentt for every subsequent insertion, Buanvssfl Cards, of ten lines or leas, one year, 10 Bnilneu Cards, five lines or less, one year, - „ 5 laEOAL AMD OTU •• B NOTICES— Executors’ notices.....— 3.00 Administrators' notioea, 2.00 * Assignees’ notices, 2.00 Auditors' notices, 1.00 Other "Notices, ’ten lines, or lets, three, times 1.50 1&MIH1U0U0. Philadelphia’s Early Masonic History. In 1733, at the Tun tavern, then a fushlonable hotel, on the east side of Water street, between Walnut and Chestnut, a Grand Lodge of Masons was held, as we learn from the gazettes of the time. Iu 1734, Franklin was G. M. of Penn sylvania, and In the same year reprinted the" 1723 edition of “ Anderson's Consti tutions,” since reprinted at the “Ma souio Mirror and Keystone Office,” in this city. In 1735, tho Grand Lodge changed Its meeting from the Tun tavern to the Indian King, corner of Biddle’s alley, in Murket street, below Third. Iu 1741), B. Franklin was appointed Prov. Grand Master for Pennsylvania. A Grand Lodgo was held on September 5, 1741), ut the Itoyal Standard', on Mar ket street, near Second. In 1760, Win. Allen, lleeorder of tile city, wusuppoluted l’rov. Graud Master, and 110 appointed Ben. Franklin Deputy G. M. The record states, “as farastho mluutes of the modern G. L.go, Dr. Franklin was ‘never absent from a meeting.” Soon ufter this the craft built a hall for their use on the site of the old Bank of Pennsylvania, on Second, near Wal nut. Tho building, of brick, was finish ed about 1754, and Inaugurated with much ceremony. Lodgo alley, now called Gold street, took Its name from this building. In 1758, Lodge No. 2, of Philadelphia, was constituted. In 17114 (or as another record suyß 1701) a patent for u G. L. was issued by the G. L. of Ancient Masons In London, and was “No. 1 in Pennsylvania, and No. 8D In Euglaud.” Tlie prior patents to Pennsylvania were from the G. L. of so-called modern Masons. During the British occupation of tho city, the records were destroyed or car ried oil'. In 1771) the G. L. was reorganized. In 177(1 the G. L. of Pennsylvania separated from tlie authority of the U. L. of England. llootli mid the Lord's l’raycr. 11l the palmy days of Booth (tho father of Edwiu Booth, now performing at the Brooklyn Theatre), the great trage dian, together with several I’rlondi, was invited to dlno by a peason who was opposed to theatres anil theatre-goings -and yet who had curiosity enough to wish to see something of the lion of the day. During the evening, some one requested Booth, os a particular favor, to read the Lord sprayer. Ho expressed Ills willingness to all'ord the company this gratification, and all eyes turned expectantly towards him. Slowly and reverently ho arose. All were as tonished ut tho play of emotions that convulsed ills countenance. His face became deathly palo, and Ills eyes tremblingly turned upwurds were wet with tears. Tho silence could almost he felt: it became absolutely painful before Ills rich-toned voice from tlie death-lined lips indescribably sylla bled forth, “Our father who art In lieuveu, etc.” Every heart was thrilled with the pathos and solemnity of the occasion. After ho hud, finished tlio silence continued, until u subdued sob from u remote corner of tho room broko tho spell. The host stepped forward witli streaming eyes ami seizing Booth by tho lianil suld: “Sir, you have afforded me u pleasure for which my whole future life will feel grateful. I am an old man, and every day from my boyhood to the present time 1 thought! lmd repeated the Lord’s prayer, but I have never heard It before, never.” Booth replied: “Torcaii that prayer us it should he read, has cost mo the severest study and lubor for thirty years: and 1 am far from being yet satisfied with my rendering of that wonderful production. Hardly one person In ten thousand comprehends how much beauty, tenderness and grandeur can be condensed, in u space so small and in words so simple. That prayer of Itself sufficiently illustrates the truth of the ilible, ami stamps upon It the Heal of Divinity.” So great an elfect had been produced by the reading, that after a few minutes of subdued conversation, the company brokeupand retired, for the time atleast with full hearts. A Wonderful Land With Stone Trees Six Hundred Feet Long, lu the Eastern (Slope newspaper we And a report of many of the curiosities and great riches of the Black Rock country, In the Northwestern portion of California. The reports of the singular features of that section are of many years standing, but are so marvelous that they have seldom obtained cre dence. Among’ the wonderful Btorles we have heard is one that there Is a petrified tree there seven hundred feet In length ! The present report in part conflrms previous statements, and es tablishes the fact, that Black Rock i one of the wonders of the Pacific coast, like the, Yosemite, the big trees, the Gey sers, &e. Besides the curiosities there appears to be an abundance of silver at Black Rock, but the ore is said to be of an unusual variety and very difficult to work ; but it has been worked with very good results at the millsat Washoe. The quantity of ore is so great that It Is said it will justify the erectionofathou sand mills. A gentleman who has visited the section has exhibited to the editor of the Eastern Slope very many curiosities peculiar to the country, strange petrifactions from the ravines, curious water-worn pebbles from the mountain tops; knives, arrow-heads and daggers manufactured by Indian skill from solid Hint, a superior quality apparently of ore-block tin, said to con tain six hundred dollars in silver to the ton, pebble tin, with itscurlous fracture, that admits no change in form, and a thousand strauge and new things. The editor says: He also tells us of many strange things that he saw but could not bring with him, and many stranger things he heard but did not see. Among the latter list of wonders is a great basin that con tains a petrified forest, apparently float ed there, many vast trees of solid stone, ranging from six to fifteen feet In diameter. Doubtful as thlß tale may ap pear, shall we dare to dispute its cor rectness when we know this strange country has a boiling spring of fresh water iifteen feet in diameter, that can not be sounded, from which no drop of water ever runs -■ that in the same vicinity there is a flowing stream of cold and apparently good water, the drink ing of which! nduces venereal disease; and that any water found.by digging Is as salt as salt can make it; that a half dollar deposited in the soil is eaten up by the salt, and after thirty days no vestige can be found !” An Actress In n Good Itole. A San Francisco paper says that Miss Alice Kingsbury, the actress, went to the Baptist Church in that city, recent ly, and volunteered to teach a class in Sunday School. The oiler was accepted, and tlie superintendent complimented the lady on (lie manner in which she performed the duties. He, however, when lecturing to the children on their duties, warned them to shun the theatre. Tor it was a “lighthouse of hell, and all actors and actresses were emissaries of the devil." Miss Kingsbury got up and stated that she was an actress and a member of the church, and in a short speech defended the profession in a manner that placed hora du combat the man who hau opened the war. A prize fight took place on Sunday morn ing, In a hall in New York, between Patsey Evans and Luke Murphy, for $lOO a side. After fighting twenty-four rounds, and both men being severely punished, a panla took place at the approach of policemen, and the fight was declared a draw. The death of a remarkable rabbi of the Jewish Church of Germany Is announced. M. Frank was a native ot Wllna, born In the year 1758, so that he had attained hla one hundred and eighth year. At that ad vanced period of life he was without any of the Infirmities of old age; his hearing was perfect, he read without speotaeles, ana tools long, walks up to the last week of his life,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers