a bait—again it advanced —another halt—it
tooffcd the air aud stepped into an open space, j
either suspicious of dauger or scenting its prey.:
From bis liidiug-placc Beu could distinctly !
hoar all that was passing, but he could not see \
the approach of the foe. aud therefore durst uot j
move lest he should reveal his ambush. There j
was nothing for it but to lie still and wait pa
tiently for the moment when the creature 6houid
emerge into the moonlight.
Just then the pack gave tongue again a lit
tle t<-> the right, and a smile of triumph already
jJayed across Ben's feotiu - es; but this quickly I
c.ave place to an expression of painful anxiety, I
86 he saw the wolf, apparently decided by the
last note of call, stop into the opeu space, cir
cled only by a few tall, solitary trees. He
carefeily raised bis piece, and endeavored to
take aim by one of the glittering stars; aud
then, laying himself ou a line with his rifle,
the face of the creature, as it stood look
ing down the valley, in full range, he pressed
the trigger. The shot raug echoing through
the forest, and Ben followed it with the speed
oi lightning. There lay the black carcase, still
cud lifeless in the moonshine.
BCD, with hunter-hke caution, reloaded his
rifle, slung it over his shoulder, aud made with
hasty strides for the 6}>ot where lay the fallen
enemy. It was a large, powerful, coal-black
wolf, with just the usual heart shaped white
spot on the breast. The ball must have went
straight through his head—he never moved or
raised himself.
'• He has Dot eveu ouce stirred," said the
burner softly, as he beat over hie prey to feel
for the hole of his ball. He stroked the hair
of tbo head backwards aud forwards without
finding any mark whatever, neither was there
the usual relaxation of tbo muscles; and his
hiuid when held in the moonlight was white
and clean. "It was a wonderful shot that,"
muttered the huuter, " but after all, what mut
ters i> where the ball went in, as long as it hit
the mark, and since I have settled tho villaiu's
business. Hallo," he exclaimed hurriedly, "is
the rascal coming to life again ?" He stood
watching with breathless eagcrne.-s every move
ment of the animal, which now began to give
ftiil stronger signs of life, raising its head, aud
finally springing forward on its fore-leg.
But Beu was too well versed iu the hunter's
craft to be taken by surprise by this movement.
His first and almost uncouacious impulse was
to put the muzzle of his rifle to the wolfs jowl,
-—but instantly withdrawing and throwing it
from him, he threw himself with dauutless cour
age upon the now vigorous and wildly strug
gling auimal.
" Ho, ho, my man!" cried the hunter, laugh
ing ia proud exultation, as he delt his blows lus
tily and with all the might of his iroa fist, up
on the prostrate writhing body of tho wolf.—
" Ho, ho! what, caught at last!—ha, ha, ha,
struggle away—struggle hard my hearty! you
won't escape this time, uuless you manage to
•lip out of your skin."
The cre-ature, now restored to perfect consci
ousness, seemed fuily aware of the dangerous
predicament in which he was placed, and strove |
with all his might to turn upon his captor and
bite him, and by struggling and scratchy to
regain his freedom. But Ben's grasp was an
iron bridle upou him, aud, pressed by the great
weight of his tali and atheletic peison, the as
tonished beast, fairly exhausted by the contest
lay at last perfectly still and attempted no fur
ther resistance.
But what was now to be done ? Moat the
wolf be killed ? That would indeed be the
work of a moment, for Beu's hunting knife was
ready in his belt—but that were to slay his
best hopes. Ben bad not so much as a leath
er strap about him, nothing but his belt. The
only alternative was to carry the heavy beast
on his shoulders to the hamlet. It was half
an-hour's walk without such a burden; he paus
ed for consideration.
"80 on," murmured Ben. "It is just thou
or I, rascal! thy luck or nunc, that this night
inn6t decide. But hang it, I've carried many
a atout buck that weighed full as heavy, and
that for nothing but his flesh: my limbs will
not fail me now that they are strung by a high
er hope, to say nothing of the pleasure of tri
umph over the crafty and mischievous beast."
Hie resolution taken, he renewed his grasp
of the still struggling beast, brought his right
foot under tbc auimal, and supporting himself
against au overshadowing elm-tree, rose slowly
from the ground. lie had the creature's back
towards him, bis right arm was passed between
the forelegs, and with tho left he compressed
the flanks as with a vice, so as to hinder the
auimal from biting him. nis rifle he was in
deed obliged to leave beliiud, and his cap had
also fallen from his head iu the struggle; but
this mattered not. and with teeth compressed,
aud with loftiest determination, he strode along
the path that led to Woodville. the wolf every
Instant renewing its etforts to escape.
The sounds of the revelry were still issuiug
from the old court-house. Bowl after bowl of
strong negus was emptied, and the heat of
wax-lights, drink and dancing, became so in
tolerable that a movement was made to admit
a current of fresh air by throwing back a little
window that opened on the wood. The notes of
the old fiddler rang quicker and shriller, as jigs
aud horn-pipes followed in quick succession.—
The feet of.the dancers beat time more firmly
to the inspiriting tunes. Metcalf was beside
himself with exulting hopes; he would only
speak of Mabel (although she persisted in her
refusal to dance with him or with any of the
guests" as his "sweet little bride." Twice he
had embraced old Sutton as his father-in-law,
aud in short his rapture seemed beyond his
control. And now Lord Howe's hornpipe was
jnst at an eud, and then came an interval, dur
ing which refreshments was served ronnd. Ma
bel, who by he father's desire presided, was
seated near the entrance over against the table,
and Metealf, who kept by her side, was whis
pering insipid compliments in her ear, which
brought the deep flush of anger to her cheek,
when on a sudden something smote heavily
against the door. " Ha!" cried the bridegroom
shrinking back, 'a somewhat uncivil approach!'
The guests turned towards the entrance in as
touishmcnt; but the only answer to the inqui
ry, " Who is there?" was a renewal of the
knocking or rather pushing against the door.
" Deuce take the rude fellow," cried Metcalf,
" but I will soon see who he may be," and, has
tily lifting the latch, he threw the door wide
open. " Ha!" There met him a pair of star
ing eyes just ready to start from their sockets,
and a yawning gulf of jaw set with bristling
fang*, 'from which depended a bleeding tongue
—in a word, a wolfs head, such as the most
horrible imaginings might paint it; and above
it, and showing deadly pale in the light of the
tapers, was the haggard countenance of Ben
Holiek.
" The wolf 1 the wolf 1" cried lfetoalf, after
<me huty glaneo at the terrific pair. " The
wolf 1 the wolf!" and qaieklj making way for
hlrcaelf throagh the throwing gr.eats, he roabh
to tS# .re any cao toaid
prevent or even foresee his purpose, he put his
hand on the sill and vaulted out- 1 -and away.
Those about the door drew back, scarcely less
alarmed than their host, while the rest of the
company, unconscious of the cause of such ex
traordinary agility, burst into shouts of laugh
ter.
"The bell! the bell!" were the only words
that the exhausted Ben could utter. "The
bell! 1 can no more"—
" Merciful hea\eu !" exclaimed Mabel, who
had sprung forward on hearing Metcalfs first
outcry, aud who, scarce believing her own eyes
us they rested ou the deathiike and agonized
countenauce of the hunter, was herself incapa
ble of any effort. " Merciful heaven, send
help—help! oh help!"
" The bell!" he repeated in a now faltering
accents. "Mabel, the bell! My arms fail me."
" The bell!—what bell?" repeated the by
standers, looking wondcringlv at each other.
" Ha! the wolfs bell!" cried Mabel sudden
ly, and joyously comprehending what had pre
viously been liko a frightful dream to her.—
"The wolfs bell! One moment, Ben—a few
seconds only, and I am here with it."
And rushing past him, and so close to the
jagged fangs of that terrific beast that the red
tongue almost touched her shoulder, the girl
flew to her father's house, reached down the
bell which, ou his return from the empty trap,
he had hung up beside his gun, and iu another
minute preseuted herself with it at the door of
the court house.
In the meanwhile the men had recovered
their surprise; and old Suttou, seeing how
matters stood, had eutreated Ben to let him
take the wolf from him. But Ben would uot
consent to relax the firm grasp with which he
held the beast, neither for his own sake, nor
for that of the old man. No sooner however
did Mabel appear with the bell, thau taking it
from her hand, he slipped the collar round the
neck of the raging, slavering creature, and
buckled it not too tightly, but so as to prevent
it being slipped over the head. And now, what
was next to be done ? How was the beast to
bo let loose ? for was it not to be expected
that, in its present eufuriated state, it would
use its recovered freedom rather for vengeance
than for flight, and, turning ou his cuemies
might occasion fearful damage? Were it not,
indeed, more prudent to kill it? Its struggles
become liercer and more desperate with Ben's
failing strength; and the continual jingling of
the bell disquieted tho prisoners of the court
house still more seriously. Many of the young
men indeed came forward with ropes, and one
of them produced a sling, in which lie propos
ed to hang the wolf, and compress his throat
until he should be stunned, when he might safe
ly be left in the wood to make his escape on his
recovery. But this seemed far too hazardous
au experiment; for iu case the beast was injur
ed, all the fatigue and risk of the exploit would
hive been in vain.
Mabel had been standing with her hands
tightly pressed against her temples, listening
to each proposal, as it was eagerly made and
as quickly rejected. She suddenly hurried for
ward and cried—
" Take him to the garden, Ben, to the bend
of the river; the bank has fallen, aud if you
throw him iu there, he must swim to the oppo
site shore."
" She's right—the girls' right," rejoined old
Sutton.
And in a rndment Ben was on his way to the
epot. Tiie fence that divided him from the
garden was soon trodden down, and the weary
hunter stood at the edge of the cliff that over
hung the mounntain torrent. Mabel had taken
hold of his arm, to prevent his going too far
and falling over.
" Now, Ben," she cried, holding him back.
" Now, let loose!"
" Thank God!" murmured Ben, as he opened
his arms aud let down his dark burden and
heard the splashing of the waters as they closed
over the beast.
And now the men of the hamlet came in all
directions, bringing lanterns; aud by their light
they soon discovered the black body of the
wolf making its way through the foaming
stream, and groaning as it 6wam. But when
he reached the land, aud shook himself, the bell
was heard jlngliug loud and clear. Terrified
with the sound, he sprang headlong from the
bank, tore madly through the wood, where the
peculiar iouging gallop of the creature and the
wild leaps were distinctly heard, along, with
the ringiug of the bell—cling clang, cling clang
—as the animal strove to escape from the in
tolerable din.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha!" shouted Ben at length,
swinging his benumbed arms, and breaking the
breathless silence with which his companions had
hitherto listened to the still retreating sound.
" He has it now—ho has it now; we have made
sure work this time. Now Mr. Metcalf may
ape me if he will!"
And where was Mr. Metcalf all this time ?
Heaves only knows; at least he was never seen
in Washatah again. His leap from the window
was an indubitable fact witnessed by many;
aud he was traced some distance in the wood
in the direction of Arkansas. His effects were
left behind—even his hat—and was never written
for; and Ben must certainly have been right,
when he said that "it was evil conscience
that had driven him out of the mountains.
And what became of his sweet little bride 1"
I will leave the readers to imagine, only help
ing them to a few facts, which may be as out
lines for them to fill up at their pleasure.
Mr. Metcalf had indeed taken flight; but
from tidings which subsequently reached
Washitah, it was evident that the letterdeclar
ing him heir to his uncle's property must have
been a forgery, since that gentleman had been
declared a baukrupt some weeks previous to
his nephew's arrival at the hamlet; and the
supposed heir was something worse than a
beggar, seeing he was over head and ears iu
debt. The wealthy farmer's daughter was a
tempting prize to a needy man, and Metcalf had
naturally enough striven by all means to get rid
of his dangerous rival. That he had been the
culprit in the matter of releasing the captive
wolf, ascertained beyond ail doubt; and that
old Sutton thoroughly ashamed of his chosen
son-in-law, was never once heard to mention his
name, will be readily believed.
It is now ten years since these events took
place, and farmer Suttou sleeps in his narrow
bed iu the greenwood. Ben Holick has given
up the hunter's precarious life, aud lives with
his wife Mabel, and three boys, on the farm, to
the managment of which he devotes himself
wholly. Their herds have increased and multi
plied, for the belled wolf has scaped all his
companions from the neighborhood. And on
the spot where he had at last caught the wolf
alive, he bnilt a cottage, and, in memory of that
event named it WOLF'S BELL.
MAIWE POLITICS. — The Republican Conven
tion of the State of Maine, which met at An
gara on the 22d, have nominated AM on P.
Morrfii ?&r Covemof
SnrtforVlUjJotter.
E. O. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOW NDA:
Satnrban XUormnn, fllrtnl) 3. 1853.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The capital just now presents a very busy
scene. The weather is bitter cold, and the
winds that howl about the State House, where
in the assembled wisdom of the State is delib
erating, pierces one to the bone; but despite
the elements the politicians are gathered here
as the vultures gather about carrion. The sub
ject of absorbing iuterest is the United States
Senator. To-morrow, (Tuesday) is the day to
which the Convention adjourned, and plots are
hatched and schemes are laid to procure the
"consummation so devoutly to be wished for.''
The prevailing opinion is, that no election will
be had Tuesday, but there is no telling " what
a day may bring forth." There is no prospect
of the election of any one, if CAMF.KON should
not be successful. I have my doubts, if by his
particular mode of tactics, he has not secured
the votes of some of those who voted against
him before. Others are sanguine that some of
his votes will not stick by him to-morrow.
One thing is certain, that the sentiment of
opposition to the encroachments of Slavery is
strong in the House. If CAMERON is elected,
it will be because anti-slavery men have couti
dence in his professions. To show how neces
sary it was there should be no question as to
his views upon that subject, the following
pledges are sufficient:—
HAiißisßfKG, February 9, 1555.
DEAR SIR:—I have at 12 o'clock, received your letter of
this morning, and reply to it immediately.
To your tirst interrogatory.
" Have you ever, at any time been, or are you now, or
will you ever be, in favor of the so-called Kansas-Nebraska
bill, passed by Congress at its last sessiou V"
Answer —From the day it was introduced into the Sen
ate to this time, 1 have becu opposed to the bill, nor shall
1 ever favor it.
2d. " Would you, if elected to the Senate of the United
States, use all honorable and fair means to effect the res
toration of the so-called Missouri Compromise, which was
literally aud virtually abrogated by the passage ol the
aforesaid Kansas-N't hraska bill I"
Answer—l would.
3. Would you. if elected to the Senate of the United
States, use all honorable aud fair means in your power, to
effect a repeal of what is commonly known as the " Fugi
tive Slave Law ?"
Answer—The passage of the Compromise Measures was
acquiesced in by the North, and 1 had hoped the questions
growing out of it had been settled, but as the South has
beeu the tir.st to violate it, 1 hold the bill subject to revis
ion, and will act with the North upon this and all ques
tions connected with the subject of Slavery. 1 answer—l
will
Ith. " Do you recognise the right of Congress.and if so,
would you act upon such right, aud use your vote aud in
fluence to legislate for all territories uow belonging, or
which may hereafter be acquired, by the United States, to
the utter and entire exclusion of slavery or involuntary
servitude in said Territories ?"
My answer is that 1 recognise the right and would so
legislate.
oth. •' Would yon oppose by all and every honorable
and fair means in your power, the extension of slavery and
iuvoluutary servitude over territory now free, or anywhere
or any time, uow or hereafter, wherever or wheuevcr it
may be endeavored, by its friends, to introduce it ? '
For an answer to this, I could readily refer to tny Sena
torial cour.-e—especially my vote on the \N ilmot Proviso:
but that there may be no misunderstanding, 1 emphatical
ly answer in the affirmative.
6th. " Would you at all times, and upon all occasions,
protect aud preserve inviolate in this respect, as in all
others, the rights, immunities, aud privileges ol the North,
as guaranteed to thein by our constitution and laws,
agaiust any and all encroachments of our sister states,
comprising aud composing the Southern part ol our Na
tional couiederacyV'
Auswer—A Northern mau who would not protect and
preserve the rights of the North is unworthy oi the respect
of any houoraolc man, aud for those rights 1 would ouftle
until the last, either in a public or private staliou.
7th. " Are you in favor of, and would you vote, act and
use your influence in favor of such a system of public rates
aud duties as would most effectually, aud beyond nil doubt,
guard our borne industry and manufactures against foreign
competition and pauper labor V"
Answer—My principles have always been in favor of tbe
" American system."' 1 have uever doubted as to what
was the true policy of the country, aud 1 answer your in
terrogatory in the affirmative.
6th. Do you still iu this respect adhere to and abide by
the sentiments and doctrines contained iu the speech de
livered by you in the Senate of the U uitcd States on the
loth day ol July, 16-461
Auswer—l most certainly do.
9th. Do you recognise tile l ight of Congress to legislate
and make appropriations for the improvements of our ri
vers and harbors (
I do recognise the right—greatly deplore the Executive
vetoes on this subject, aud will use every means in uiy
power for the passage of bills for the improvements ol the
Rivers and Harbors.
10th. Are you in favor of such a change in our National
laws, pertaining to the naturalization of foreign citizens,
as will compel all of them arriving iu this country, after
the passage of such an act, to remain iu this country at
least 21 years before being eutitled to the rights of suffrage
as they uow possess tliera. aud will you use your vote and
intlueuce to accomplish such change ?
This, your last interrogatory, 1 nuswer in the affirma
tive.
It was noon when I received your letter. Visitors and
friends have crowded my room since I commenced writing,
or I should have written more in detail. Your inquiries
were direct—the aaswers are as direct and to the point.—
Still I must regret that I had not time to elaborate them
more fully. Very respectfully, yours, Ac.,
J. M. KIRKFATRICK, Esq.. SIMON CAMERON.
House of Representatives.
Business " creeps its slow length along."—
The Senator question engages the attention of
the members. As the usual time for holding
sessions has more than half expired, it is to be
presumed that extra diligence will make up the
delay.
The Representatives from Bradford, Messrs.
LAPORTE and HOLCOMB, stand very deservedly
high in the estimation of their co-laborers. Al
ways at their posts, attentive to the interests of
their constituents, they wield an amount of
personal influence of which we may well be
pround.
To-day while on my way to the Capitol, I
heard the to me, familiar cry of fire, and saw
pouring from the windows of the cotton facto
ry immense volumes of smoke. It had taken
in the picking room, filled with large quanti
ties of the most combustible materials. For
tunately, to provide against such an occurrence,
this room was separated from the main build
ing by a partition wall and iron doors. After
severe labor in the intense cold, the fire was
subdued. The machinery, &c. f iu the picking
room was totally consumed.
PIANO-FORTES. —We invite attention to an
advertisement in another column of Mr. Jos.
R. LOUD, of Philadelphia. Mr. L. is engaged
in the manufacture of Pianos, and would be
happy to furnish those who desire them. It is
said by those who are capable of judging, that
his instruments are superior to any others now
in use for durability, volume, and sweetness of
tone. Mr. LOUD will remain in town a few
days, and will attend to repairing and toning
Platoa. Hs is ftopping at tU Wtrd Konse.
EX-SPEAKER CHASE AGAIN.
The Ex-Speaker is as rabid as was ever any
canine quadruped in dog-days. He flies into
a paroxysm whenever the name of Judge WIL
MOT is mentioned. He seems to be afflicted
with monomania on the subject. His last ago
ny is characteristic of the man, and shows how
deep a man can dive in the pool of duplicity
and deceit when he undertakes to do the dirty
work of another.
Having spent some weeks in Harrisburg, en
deavoring to effect the election of SIMON CAM
ERON he becomes possessed of a letter from
Hon. DAVID WILMOT to Mr. CAMERON, expres
sing what we have do doubt every man in the
County will coinside with, namely, that his elec
tion would, under certain circumstances, be pre
ferable to the success of those who have been
foremost in stifling the free voice of Pennsylva
nia, and making her freemen appear as the tools
of the Slavery propagandists. This letter,
which in itself contains nothing obnoxious, did
not suit Mr. CHASE'S purposes, but by the era
sion of a line it is made to appear as if the
writer's preference was for CAMERON over all
his rivals. To say nothing of the decency of
publishing a private letter, always regarded as
sacred amongst gentlemen, what should be
thought of the positive dishonesty which would
stoop to such a disgraceful and dirty trick !
To convict another of the very crime of which
Mr. CHASE is truly guilty, he is ready to pub
lish private letters, mutilated and altered, so as
to convey a false impression. We leave the
public to judge of the baseness of such a course.
Below will be found a letter addressed to j
the editor of the Harrisburg Herald, by B. '
LAPORTE, Esq. Upon the appearance of the (
publication by Mr. CHASE, the dirty trick was ,
recognized, and fortunately a copy of the letter |
was in the hands of Mr. STURDEVANT. Will
the convicted falsifier longer have the assurance
to ask the public to place any confidence iu his
statements ?
CHASE, WILMOT AND CAMERON.
HOCSR OK REPRESENTATIVES, Feb. 24, 16.15.
MR. STEPHEN MILLER — Dear Sit —To-day's mail brings
us the Montrose Democrat, conducted by ex-Speaker Chase
containing what purports to be a letter written by Judge
Wilmot to Simon Cameron. A sentence in staring capi
tals is made to announce Mr. Wilm it's preference lor Si
mon Cameron over all his rivals. hen Mr. Chase was
here some two weeks since. I learned that he was the
custodian of a private letter of Judge Wilmot s, as he ex
hibited it to one at least of our Northern delegation, in or
der to induce us to vote for Simon Cameron. Yet Mr.
Chase claims to be an anti-Cameron man ! That letter was
afterwards handed about in the caucus, and Major Sturde
vant was offered an opportunity to copy it. Ihaveju -t
seen that copy ; it corresponds with my recollection of the
contents of the original, and proves the copy published by
Chase to be a mutilated one. Here is the sentence just as
it appeared in the Democrat, capitals, italics, brackets and
all: , J ej .
" In respect to yourself I have erpressed no t cord of dts
ccm fakement or unkindness. ON THE CONTRARY, I
HAVE REPEATEDLY EXPRESSED A PREFERENCE
FOR Y OU OVER ALL YOUR KIVAUS. (Buchanan, Daw
son. Ac, Ac..) AND THIS WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED
THE "PARTY" WOULD HAVE THE UNDISPUTED
POWER TO M AKE AN ELECTION."
Below is the true copy taken by Major Sturdevant :
" In respect to yourself 1 have exnressed no word of
disparagement or"unkindncs. On tlic contrary I have
frequently expressed a preference for you overall your ri
vals of the old line democracy, Buchanan, Forney, Hirst.
Dawson. Ac., Ac., and this when it was supposed the
" party" would have the undisputed power to make an el
ection."
It will be readily noticed that the suppression of the
qualifying phrase, "of the old line democracy," change- 4
the meaning of the sentence aud makes it an expression ot
absolute preference for Cameron over everybody else, in
stead of a mere preference for him over the old liners, who
have done so much to " debauch public sentiment' in this
State on the question of slavery extension and domination.
So far as the conduct of Mr. Chase, in this matter, is con
cerned. comment is unnecessary. How shall we excuse
the violation of confidence and friendship shown in the
act, of placing a private tetter in the hands of a bittor and
unscrupulous enemy of its author, to l>e used as he might
see fit! " Call yon this backing your friends)" 1 have I
no ambition to appear " in the papers," but the aliove ex
planation seems due to Judge Wilmot and tbe public.
Truly Yours, B- LAFOBTE.
THE EXEMPTION ACT.—OR tbe 20th ult.,
Mr. Gross of the House of Representatives of
this State, read in place a bill repealing the
three hnndred dollar exemption law, which was
referred to the Judicary Committee. We arc
gratified to perceive that it has been reported
back from the Committee with a negative re
commendation. It is very seldom that the
interests of the poor are cared for, and when
perchance a magnanimous Legislature docs
enact a law for their benefit, it is wonderful
with what tenacity the rich insist upon its re
peal. The three hundred dollar act, was but
the result of a liberal aud enlightened policy
—a consequence of the repeal of that relic of bar
barism—imprisonment for debt; and its repeal
now wonld in fact be a step backward. Misfor
tune sometimes sweeps from a man all he pos
sesses, and it is but right the law should inter
fere and permit him to retain a portion of it.
It is no argument to say, that his misfortune
was created by his own negligence, folly and
imprudence. There are the helpless wife and
children who are innocont, and who should
not be turned loose as dependents upon public
charity.
Almost every man in the community knows
what the law is, says the Harrisburg Union,
and if he does not, it is no excuse. Indebted
ness, therefore is contracted with a full knowl
edge of the consequence. If a storekeeper, or
other person, is willing to trust an individual
and does do so, and loses the debt, the fault is
not of the law, bat of himself. He had the
right to refuse the individual credit, but having
failed to exercise it, he comes with an ill-grace
to the Legislature for a remedy in the repeal of
the law, the provisions of which he knew and
understood. Let the law remain as it is.—
Sheriffs and constables, right about face.
HON. GEORGE M. DALLAS. —It is reported
on high authority, that the President has re
solved to appoint Hon. G. M. Dallas, and cx-
Chancelor Walworth, of New York, Judges of
the Court of Claims.
Gov POLLOCK has nominated Col. A. K.
M'CLURE, of Chambersburg, editor of the Repo
sitory and Whig, as Superintendent of Pnblic
printing, in place of E. CORNMAN.
SALE or DANIEL WEBSTER' 9 HOMESTEAD.—
The old Homestead of Daniel Webster, at
Franklin, New Hampshire, was sold on
Thursday week, to Rufua L Tay, of Boston.—
The pr>e paid wrs $15,000.
Pioneer Festival.
A large meeting of Pioneers, their desccn.
dants and friends, was held at the Ah-wa-ga
Mall, Owcgo, on the 22d inst. The meeting
was called to order by Hon. S. B. LEONARD,
who named the following gentlemen, as officers
of the meeting, which nominations were unani
mously adopted.
l'fisuUnt —Hon. G. 11. BARSTOW of Tioga.
Vice President* —Hon. John Laporte, Brad
ford, J. Mcßuruey, Esq., Steuben, Win. Hoff
man, Esq., Chemung, Hon. Tr Robinson,
Broome, Hon. C. P. Avery, Tioga.
Secretaries —W. Smith, and H. A. Beebe,
Esqrs.
Doct. Barstow on taking the chair, made
some appropriate and timely remarks in ac
knowledgement of the honor comferred npon
him, and alluded most feelingly to the contrast
between the jiast *nd present time.
The President then called upon Rev. C.
Greafsinger, who addressed the Throne of
Grace.
The representatives of the several Counties
were theu called upon to announce the names
of those Pioneers who had deceased since the
last Festival. The following names were an- j
nounced : John Hughes of Chemung; Mason
Webster, aged 86; Charles Pumpelly, aged
76; Win, Piatt, 63; Alansoif Goodrich, 64; j
Mrs. Sally Sarins, the widow of a Revolution-'
ary Soldier, !)G; and by a record recently found
said to fie 105 years of age; Rosetter Parinel- i
lee 72; J. Shepard, 53; Kphriaui Wood, 82;
Ephraim lieaeh, 66. After this announcement
the Owego Band played a requiem to their
memory.
Thomas Maxwell, Esq., of Elmira, was then
introduced to tiie audeince, and gave a lengthy
Address embracing much statistical information.
He gave extracts from the Tax list of the sixth
Assessment District of New York in 1789, em
bracing the county of Tioga as then constitut
ed. It presented a great contrast in the val
ue of property, number of houses, Ac. The i
assessment was made by Guy Maxwell, Esq.
On the first of October 1780, there were 10
houses in the village of Owego, 22 in Elmira, ■
a few of them frame buildings, lmt the most of
them built of logs. Lands, in and about these i
points and through the valley, were valued at
from three to eight dollars per acre.
Mr. MAXWELL read a portion of an Original
journal kept by Gen. Proctor, relating his jour
ney and operations through the Susquehanna
and Chemung valleys. It was a very iuteres- j
ting document. Me also read some interesting j
biographical sketches of some of the early set
. tiers of these valleys.
I Eloquent speeches were made by C. L.
WARD, Esq., of Towanda, Hon. C. P. AVERY,
of Owego, and othefs, relating to the history
and historical incidents of the early pioneers of
Southern New York, and Northern Pennsyl
vania.
On motion, the following Counties were ad
mitted to the association. Broome, Tompkins
and Schuyler, in New York; and Susquehanna,
Wyoming and Luzerne, in Pennsylvania.
On motion, a committee of Arrangements
was appointed, consisting of one from each
County, to determine the time and place for
holding the next Festival. The following gen
tlemen constitute the Committee:—
Hon. John Laporte, Bradford; Thos. Max
well, Esq., Chemung; Win. Stuart, Esq.,
Broome; Judge Jeasup, Susquehanna; Hoi.
John Mcßurnev, Steuben; Judgellollenbaek,
Luzerne; C. B. Drake, Esq., Tompkins; P.
M. Osturhout, Esq., Wyoming.
United States Senator.
The two houses met in joint convention on
Tuesday last, and resumed balloting for United
States Senator, with the the following re
sult:—SlMON CAMERON, 55; BUCKALEW, 23;
scattering, 52 —no choice. The above shows
a slight falling off among CAMERON'S friends, he
having had 59 votes at the previous trial.
On the second balloting, CAMERON had 54;
BUCKALEW, 23; balance scattering. On the
third ballot, CAMERON had 55; BUCKALEW, 23.
A motion to adjourn till to-morrow, at 11
o'clock was, lost, 63 to 66. A motion to ad
journ to the first Tuesday in October next
was then agreed to —yeas 66, nays 65.
AMERICAN AND BRITISH CLAIMS. —The lower
House of Congress, Tuesday, paseed a bill to
carry into effect the treaty between the United
States and Great Britain, ou the subject of
claims, concluded February Btli, 1853. The
commission to examine these claims provided
for the payment of $277,000 against this
Goverment, due to British subjects, and $329,-
! 000 against the Britisli Government, due to the
American citizens, and requiring the money to
be paid within one year from the expiration of
the commission, which expired on the 15th of
last mouth.
THE TARIFF BILL, which has passed the
House, and is now before the Senate of the
United States, provides that articles now bear
ing duties of 100, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and
5 per rent., shall after the first, of July, pay
80, 32, 24, 20, 16, 12, 8 and 4 |>er cent., or
reducing the present rates 20 per cent. It re
duces the duty on the wool to eight cents a
pound, and makes raw silk and flax, most kinds
of dye stuffs, and various other articles used in
manufactures, duty free.
1®" A correspondent informs ns that in a
case before the court of common picas, where
an Irishman prosecuted for damages for the
bite of a dog, which bite disabled him for several
weeks, eleven jurymen desired to render a
verdict in bis favor, but the twelfth refused to
concur because thepiautiff waa au Irishman. 1—
N. H. Register.
ITEMS OF NEWS,
—The editor the N. Y. Tribune has recent
ly paid a visit to Maine, and in delighted with the result
of the liquor law there. He say*:
" The pretence tliat as much liquor is sold now in Maim;
as in former yean, is impudently fal-e. We spent three
days in travelling through the State, without seeing a
glass of it, oi an individual who appealed to be uudei'tLe
influence."
—A man driving four yoke of oxen passed
through Wutertown, Wisconsin, dr.wing his c< ttage con
taining his family of y jpng children and hi - w;.c co king
their food ut a good lire- He "wai g >ing out wt t"
si >wly, like the snail, carrying his -.bcli on runners.
—The largest import ever paid at the Cus
tom House, in Boston in a single day was taken on Mon
day, iiraountiog to $122,034. The whole number of entries
was 119. A large proportion of the merchandise entered
was received by the steamer Asia.
—Storer, the man who committed a high
way robbery at Ist well, Mass., by stupifying his victim
with choloroform, has received a-entcnce of ten years' im
prisonment in the State prison.
—The total consumption of foreign molasses
In the United States in 1854, was 24.434,018 gallon-; total
consumption of foreign and domestic was, 54,492,010
gallons.
—UongTess has passed a law creating Gen
eral WISHKLD SCOTT a Lieutenant General. This is a
sjiecial honor conferred upon Gen. S.,and death the
office will become extinct.
—Brighara Young is building two large and
beautiful houses adjoining that which he uow occupies in
Sail Lake City, to accommodate his increasing family
He now rejoices in between fifty and sixty wives, and from
forty-live to fifty children. Eider Kimball, one of the
Mormon Apostles, ha- between sixty and seventy con
sorts.
—The North Carolina Legislature at its re
cent session, inserted in all the new charters, the re-char
ters, and amended charter of banks a prohibition against
the issuing or paying out of bills under five dollars.
—Some {renins is dramatising " the life of
Greely." Queer idea, that. We should as soon think of
drainatisiug a yard of sausage meat or a peck of pop-corn.
We w mder what the next wrinkle will lie? Some soup
h : c, pi • ably set to music.
—"Tn Mormon, * f is the name of a new pa
per -tart! ' hi New York. It goes in for Jo Smith and
Polygamy. Until Hour falls. We think think the latter
docti; ot will be an " up-hill preach."
—Paris letters rcporl tlrat the health of Mr.
MASON is gradually improving. Mentally his convalescence
is complete; he yet labors under S partial paralysis, which
render- locomotion impossible, but the muscular m >ve
nTents arc gradually resuming their natural power, and
there is a fair hope tu.it the-e, too, are susceptible of a
complete restoration.
—At a prize foot race at Bo.doa circus, on
M uiday evening, a 80-ton boy, named Stetson, ran two
mile - in nine minutes and lii'ty-thrce -econds.
—lt is a singular fact, that since the pas
sage of the I> sights Nebraska Bill,every U. S. Senator and
Govern >r elected in the X .rth, has been an opponent of
tii.it k-adi ig AdiainMrati in measure.
—T.ic last dodge of New York sharpers, is
to paint or dye the plumage of common pigeons and -ell
them as •• rare specimens of South American bird?."
—lf is said that Minister A. C. DODGE has
; selected Prof. Diinitry to go to Madrid with him in the cv
I pacify of Secretary of Legation.
—The Mormon Temple began a Salt Lake
j City, will be much larger than the temple built by the
j Mormons at Xauvoo. It will require ten year? to complete
j it, and will cost three millions of dollars.
—The Court, in the case of FRY VS. BENNETT,
1 granted a new trial on the ground that the judge at m-i
I prius wrongly admitted the deposition of Strakosch, as
ij-ent witness.
—The Detroit (Mich.) Advertiser , says:—
'• The last device of the rum st-Tlers which has come to
light, is th'e establishment of a drinking stand ou the ice
I midway across the f retro it river. Standing so near the
| boundary, the prohibitory law may never close it; but it
I will l?e pretty sure to move " in the spring."
—Mr. EDWIN FOREST is performing to crowd
ed hou-es, in Providence, li. 1., in Foroea' new theatre.
—Tie VVester a Y.rginia pipers state that
cattle i i t! t -e.ti >u are positively dyiugl rwi..t •. foul
T ie g.i .. drought of la t -ea-ou urs cut off nay, grass,
a., i i;.cr..;>s, and the country is t>o much cleared up
to i id browse for the .-tock. The suuw has btea deep,
and remains long on the ground.
—The Legislature of Michigan adjourned on
the 13th dt. The bills passed are a Prohibitory Liquor
Law, a <!t era! lbulrnad Law, a law to encourage Mining,
a law t > incorporate Colleges, Ac.
— Tiic Louisville (Ivy.) Courier namesHF.V
--RY T. Doc AS, of Fayette County, as a suitable candidate
fir Governor. The Frankfort Yeoman announces Hon. J-
C. IIKKCKENKIDOE as a candidate for re-election to Con
gress from that district
—A concurrent resolutio nto go into joint ses
sion on the 2d of March, to elect a United States Sena: r
in Missouri, passed the Senate by a vote of 17 to 14.
—lt is rather rt singular fact, that among
the varieties of parties that have ruled in Ma<ach i-etu,
within the last ten years, none have been found to wipe
fr<m their statute book the disgraceful law of imprisonment
for debt.
—The Legislature of Michigan has passed *
law which provides for the trial by jury to any -live claim
ed, prohibits the use of jails to retain fugitives, and re
quires that the prosecuting attorney of each county !;•>
upon request, give aid and counsel to any such fugifif
slave.
—We loam from Harrisburg, that J. II
M C'ci.LKY, ot Franklin county, has been appointed Cf '•
Clerk iu the Executive Department. WILLIAM KINO,
Adams county, was also appointed a Clerk in the-ami d(
partmcnt.
—The very latest report of Paris fashions
for gentlemen, announces that " Pantaloous are
worn at this season, and fit the person very tightly.' Ti:-*
piece ol intelligence must prove gratifying to (hose
have some slight regard lor public decency.
—The case of Mrs. GAINES, in which
seeks to recover the large estate of her father, ha? bet
on trial for several days at New Orleans. We learn fu*
the Bulletin that the will, according to the testimony *•'
dneed, recognises pointedly and directly Mrs. Myn i'k*
Gaines as the only legitimate child of Daniel Clark
was born, it appears, on the sth of June, ISOo.
—lt is rumored in Washington that C
" filibusters" are preparing to make a de-cent j
Tney look upon the agitation there as favorable
—The churches of Wuliainsport have
lisheil a Home Mission—W. H. Field, agent.
—Shocks of an earthquake was felt at P ja "
• f I^l
gor, Maine, on Monday morning. In several part? 01
city, buildings were shaken violently.
—George W. Green, who was convict*?
Rome time since at Chicago, of the murder of hi? *"
committed suicide on Saturday morning, by
self in his ceil.
—A female has been detected in St.
in forging the name of Bishop KkNiucx, cud 'uC
, promissory note for $2,400.
1 —General HOUSTON declined a (
lion in lwnn, but roc-eivcd the call* of the citicu 3
T-savc t H aso