2 l)c tmcs, New Dloomficft, JJ(u THE TB4IRIE DUEL. IIFTEEN yearn ago, when the Great . West seemed to be muoh further west than it doea in these day of railroad, that " belt all creation," a remold patch or corner of one of the great prairie wa counted by the few hunter and settlor occupying It m t district in itself, and they called it Little Elk Prairie. Among the half-wild character who had built for thorn selves hovels of driftwood and brush on this bit of rolling plain was a huge hulking fellow of mixed French Canadian, Indian, and negro blood, whose name wa Bendbow Lara!. A complete savage in ap pearance, hi clothing, whether in summer or winter, never consisted of more than two garment a ragged shirt and trousers, the material of which was rendered problemat ical by age and dirt. The mass of woolly, Iron-gray hair by which hi bead was thatched was crowned by something that had once been a portion of a hat ; and his immense stockingless foot wore thrust into rude cowskin shoes, with holes cut in them to accommodate certain peculiarities of shape and pedal excrescence. From his huge size and muscular development, Laval was more than a match for any one of the dweller of Little Elk Prairie, none of whom were "chickens" a regarded phy sical strength. Entirely devoid of educa tion for he did not know one letter of the alphabet from another nevertheless the great coarse fellow had a sort of chivalry about him which might or might not have been derived from his share of French blood. His appreciation of the benefits and etiquette of duelling was intense, and he had more (than once killed bis antagonist in a fair fight. A much more dangerous man to deal with than Laval was Ilabakuk Bams, by origin a Yankee, as his name de notes, but a prairie man by predilection and long residence. "Hab," as he was called by the men of the plain, was a thin wiry man of middle ago, with a brick-red complexion and very light hair. He was an excellent marksman, and had a reputa tion for courage, shown in encounters with Indians and bears ; but he always pre ferred mild stratagem to skill or strength for the discomfiture of his foe. He hod several disputes with Laval,on the common basis of accusation that each was in the habit of stealing animals from the other's trap. This, in the code of the plains, is an unpardonable offence. Men caught in the act have frequently been killed on the spot, and when the offender was an Indian there are traditions of hi having been tortured before being put to death. Whether Hab 8am had ever defrauded Laval by pur loining fur creature from the trap set by the latter never transpired. But that Laval was a fur-thief was established be yond a doubt when he was seen carrying to bis hovel, one day, a block wolf, caught in a trap set by Uab, and which the latter had left there purposely to test the hon esty of his rival. Hab' first idea wa to Are upon the purloiner of his property, and ao adjust the matter without any need of further reference or appeal. On further consideration, however, he approached Laval, and, taxing' him with the theft, de manded restitution of hi property or "rea son why."" "Take that, then," howled the huge feliow, hurling the wolf with such a force at Hab that it knocked him down and sent him spinning a distance of several feet'.' In a moment Hab Bams had risen on one knee, and, taking aim at hi antago nist, fired, but without effect, owing to the flurry caused by the suddenness of the assault. On proceeding to reload his rifle ho remembered that he had no powder ;but Laval was in a similar predicament, for all the powder in the place had been expended in a recent hunt, and they were awaiting .1.. n . Mn.eAn.H : V. m. MID nillTKI Jk " MlUDDVUgVl VTlfcU 1M1UI3 A1VIU the nearest trading post. Drawing their knives then, the two approached each other for a deadly conflict, which would have been an unequal one, however, owing ' to the superior strength of Laval, who was -also a proficient in the use of the knife. Knowing bow slight his chance wo with such an antagonist, Hab Sams paused, and looking fixedly at Laval, said, " If you are a man, and not a cowardly sneak, you will fight it out with me in another way, and give me an equal chance of my life." " What way do you want to settle it, then ?" said the other. " I'm fs good as you anyhow, and ain't afraid to gst square with yon any way you please. Name your plan, and I'll go you even on it." " Well, then," rejoined Hab, "here's what we'll do, if you have heart enough to do It, a I have. Let's go to the place where the prairie dog burrow, away over there. The rattlesnakes that live there are big, and unfailing with their deadly fangs. Let each of n choose a burrow, lie down iu front of It, thrust his arm in to the shoul dei, and wait to see which af us will die first. You're too white-livered a fallow to light it out that wsy with me, eh T" Fear ful to back out from thi horrible proposi tion lest his spulalikTu for valor might become tarnished forever, Laval agreed to intrusting that, if one only keep (till, rattlesnake are not apt to bite. The mat ter wa arranged as follows : Tbey were to meet next morning, half an hour before sunrise, with one witness, who wa to act a umpire for both. The burrow in which they were to place their hands ware to be selected by this umpire, who wa to see them properly and Impartially 'placed. 1 There tbey were to remain until the first ray of the un beamed above the horizon, a few minutes before which it is the habit of rattlesnake to orawl forth from their den. The umpire was to notify thorn of the rise of the sun, at which moment they were to be ' free to go their ways, should Bbould they have escaped the fangs of the venomous reptile. The honor of both was then to be considered as fully satisfied, and from this there was to be no appeal. It must have been a terrible time, that quarter of an hour before sunrise, to the victims of the etiquette with which the duello ever bas been rendered romantic Perhaps Hab Sams did not feel it so acute ly as his rival, for reasons best known to himself. The first gleam of dawn now reddened upon the horizon, and at a word from the umpire Hab Sams sprang to his feet, ex pressing by a loud hoop his satisfaction at having come safely out of the terriblo ordeal. Not so with his rival, who lay where the umpire had placed him, motion less as a log. On examination, it was found that he wa laying in a death-like swoon, from which be was recovered by the free use of whiskey. Sheer fright had got tho better of the man's brute courage, and brought him to the brink of death. Hab Sams, as already hinted, had reason of his own for preserving bis equanimity of mind throughout the fearful ordeal. A little after sunset the pvovions evening, when the rattlesnake had retired for the night, he took the precaution of stuffing a num ber of the dons iu that part of the prairie agreed on for the rendezvous with a sort of weed that is most noxious to snakes, ren dering thom torpid for many hours, and unable to crawl or strike. This is how . Yankee ingenuity triumphed over brute strength, and Bendbow wa ever aftewards obliged to knock under to Sams for per sonal courage. Under False Colors. BY JUDOK CLAIiK. 6 "VTY POCKET book' gone 1" ex- 11 JL who had stepped up to tho bar to liquor, and suddenly found himself without the means to liquidate. "Mine, too 1" chorusscd a dozen of us, simultaneously clapping our bands on our personal sub-treasuries and finding them vacant. There was a commotion on board the good steamer SieiUurt, one of the best then navigating the Mississippi. A rue ful set we were on whom thus unexpect edly dawned the fact of present insol vency. ' My own case was peculiarly hard. The money I had lost was my all. I had just drawn it from a bank to pay for a home I had bargained for, and to which I was expecting soon to conduct my long intend ed bride. Poor Kate I could hardly, in justice, ask her to wait longer. " It is evident that we have pickpockets on board," observed a grave-looking gen tleman, who bad already found time to talk himself into a leader among us. It vai pretty evident. "They may have gone ashore with the booty," suggested another-" we have al ready made several stoppages." "True," replied the grave gentleman; "still, it in proper that a general search be instituted. It will at least serve to clear of suspicion those present." "Very right," was the general voice. "And as mover of the proposal," the gentleman continued, "I first offer for scrutiny my own person and effects." For form's sake the offer wa accepted. Of course no discoveries were made in that quarter. Beyond a decent supply of clothing, a few religious books, and a moderate sum of money, nothing was found on the gentleman's person or among his effects. " At least tbey have left me my little pittance," he remarked, returning it to bis pocket. "I presume they hardly thought it worth the risk to venture on robbing a clergyman." Had we known the gentleman' calling coouer we were inexcusable not to have surmised it we certainly should have in sisted on bis exemption from the test he had just undergone. . One after another was put through the ordeal with equally fruitless results, till it came the turn of a slipshod little man, who had hung back to the last and whom nobody seemed to have noticed till now. "Step forward, sir, and submit like the rant," said the clergyman. The little man obeyed. A be approach ed, a lingular change came over the min ister' countenance. It grew a trifle pale. But the feeling whatever it was, was ev anescent. " Do your duty, gentlemen, " he said, in his usual tone f authority. , Those appointed to conduct the search proceeded with it This time results were not so barren. Every one of the missing wallets was found in the little man's pos session I He didn't even flush at his de tection. It was bard to tell whether the clergyman looked more surprised or pain ed. " What shall be done with blm was the general query. "It's a pity the laws are so laxly ad ministered hereabouts," remarked the minister. " , ' " That' true," said another, "there's no ubo turning him over to the law ; he would be out of its clutch in a week." "Let's doal with him ourselves, I say," spoke up a burly. looking planter from the bayous. "My function forbids that I should ac tively counsel violence," said tho clerical gentleman, with just a touch of snivel in his tone. -.'. "Never you mind, Dominie," interrupt ed the planter ; "we'll take the responsi bility." ' s ' ' ' 'f ' " It is greatly to be regretted," the min ister went on, "that such necessities should ever exist, but, it must be confess ed, they sometimes do exist." This time the snivel was more precept ible. " Sound doctrine old boss 1" again put in the planter. " Jest leave the practice to u." A rope wa procured, at one end of which a noose was improvised, the other being made fast to one of the stanchious, and the culprit was given ten minutes to prepare. "Have you no remonstrance to make against this?" asked the little man of the minister. "Ask your own conscience," replied the latter, what remonstrance I can make." "There is but one crime desorving of doath," said the little man, with calm distinctness, " and that is wilful murder." Again the minister's face paled. "Timo'supl" admonished the planter, "now you just mount the guard there, and when you're shoved over the side, whether you're hanged or drowned '11 de pend on the stren'th o' the rope." " Can I offer you any spiritual consola tion, my Binful friend "? said the minister, with a snivel which was now very distinct. " You hypooritical viilian !" thundered the little man with sudden vehomence. " In your situation, .such language to a clergyman is little short of blasphemy," returned the other. "You a clergyman 1" exclaimed the lit tle man. "If you ever entered a church in your life it was to rob it." " My character, I trust, is not to be as sailed by the slandors of one found with stolen property on him," was the digniflod answer. '"This has gone far enough," said the little man. " Gentlemen, I'm Tom Han ley, the detective. I hold a warrant for tliis man's arrest for murder and robbery. It was be who picked your pocket, for be is an adept in that as well as other crimes, I saw him in the act. The accomplice to whom he passed the stolon property I took aside unobserved, before he left the boat at the last landing, and by a little moral suasion, induced him to disgorge privately, taking good care he should afterward have no chance to oomunicate with his priucipal. Two of my me followed him ashore, and ere now he is as hard fast a this one will soon be." The detective pulled off his wig and false whiskers, when the familiar face of Tom Ilanley was recognized by at least a score of those present. At a given signal, half ft dozen stalwart assistants, whom we had, until now taken for simple passengers, came forward, and ill a trice the desperate thief and murderer was taken in custody, and manacled. He was taken ashore at the next landing, and in due time bad justice. The Oldest Timber In the World Probaby the oldest timber in '. the world which has been subjected to the use of man Is that which is found in the ancient tem ple of Egypt. It is found in connec tion with stone-work which is known to be at least four thousand year old. Tbi wood, and the only wood used in the con struction of the temple, is in the form of ties, holding the end of one stone to anoth er in its upper surface. When two blocks were laid in place, then it appears that an excavation about an inch deep was mad in each block, Into which an hour-glass shaped tie was driven. It is, therefore, very difficult to force any stone from its po sition. The ties appear to have been the tamarisk, or shittim wood, of which the ark was constructed, a sacred tree In an cient Egypt, and now vary rarely found in the valley of the Nile. Those dovetailed ties are just as sound now as on the day of their insertion. Although fuel is extreme ly scarce in that country, these bits of wood are not large enough to make it an object with Arab to heave off layer after layer of heavy stone for so small a prize. Hod they been of bronze, half the old temples would have been destroyed years ago, so preoious would tbey havo been for various purposes. . tW Iu all Buddhist temples i a tall and broad-leafed 1 illy, which stands directly on the front of the altar. Its idea is as beau tiful as its workmanship ; it represents that just as the pure white flowers may grow out of the mire and filth, and blos som into lovelfcicss, so muy the heart of mau raise itself above the wickedness and corruption of the world unto a state of spotless purity. ( tW The terror of being thought poor has been the ruin of thousands. SUNDAY BEADXXTB. Overcoming Temptation. ONE night at a late hour, Dr. Bently, well-known among the clergy of old en time, was disturbed at bis studies by a rattling sound among some wood which, was sawed and aplit for hi study fire, and had been left by the teamster the afternoon previous ; too late to be properly housed. He rose, went cautiously to the window, and saw a ' woman filling her apron with wood, which she hastily carried away. He resumed his seat and recommenced his study. , Shortly after, the same noise occurred, and on looking out a second time be aaw a similar operation, the woman filling her apron to its utmost capacity. When she had gone he re turned to his book with a tondor pity in his heart for a destitution which sought re lief in this lonely, dreary, not to say sinful manner. By-and-by be was startled by a crash of falling wood, and hurrying to the wiudow, beheld the poor woman casting the very dust of the wood from her apron. He remained motionless, bis gentle heart filled with commiseration. . Bho swiftly departed and soon returned heavily ladon with wood, which she threw on the pile as if it were indeed "the ac cursed thing." The doctor' compassion and curiosity were now intensely exoited, He followed her retreating figure till he discovered her residence, and thug ascer tained who she was. What she was, was no mystery to him. The last hour had plainly shown him her virtue's lofty height. He called early the next morning on Mr. B., the wood-dealer, and directed him to send a half cord of his best wood, sawed and split, to Mrs. , but by no moans to let her know from whom it came, which was readily promised. Mr. B.'s teamster, who happened to be within ear shot, though out of sight, wa not so bound and when he tipped the wood into the poor widow's yard, replied to her eager inquiry who sent it, by relating the conversation be had overheard. The conscience-stricken woman, feel ing that her sin and her repentance in the lonely darkness of the midnight hour were known and understood by another heart besides her own, hastened without delay to the house of the benevolent man to ex express her gratitude and her sorrow, and with deep humility and bitterness told him the temptation to which her extreme pov erty had reduced her of breaking the eighth commandment. "Sir," she said, "though my house wos dark and cold, though my heart was wrung with anguish at the sight of my poor shivering little one, I could not keep it 1 1 could not keep it 1 My conscience would not let me I" "Say no more, my dear madam," said the good man, " I saw it all I saw you conquer the devil in two fuir fights.'1 The Life of Man. How graphically the varied aspects of the leaf picture the various seasons of a man's life. The tenderness of Its budding and blooming in spring, when that rich goldeu green glints ou it that comes only once a year, represents the bright beauty and innocence of youth, when every sun rise brings its fresh, glad hopes, and every night its holy, trustful calm. The dark greenness and rush of the summer leaf portray the strength and self-reliance of manhood ; while its fading hues on the trees, and its rustling heaps on the ground typify the docay and feebleness of old age and that strange mysterious passing away which i the doom of every mortal. The autumn leaf is gorgeous in . color, but it lacks the balmy scent and dewy freshness of hopeful spring. Life is rich and bright in it meridian splendor ; deep are the hue of maturity, and noble i the beauty of success ; but who would not give it for the tender sweotness and promise of life's morn ing hour? Happy they who keep the child's heart warm and soft over tho sad experiences of old age, whose life declines as these lost November days go out with the rich tints of autumn and the blue skies of June. Stick to It. Nine persons out of ten ignore the gold en secret of conteut ; they are constantly striving after something different from that they enjoy. We do not deprecate enterprise, but it I a babit of constant change that we pro test against the habit of shifting from one pursuit to another. There are thousands of almost penniless and disappointed men, picking up a pre carious living at the very extremity of life, because they have, in the course of their existence, tried a hundred different things, and abandoned all in turn, simply because thsy did not succeed at once. To few men is it given to do more than two things well. ' There is scarcely any pursuit that if followed out with a single ness of purpose, will not yield a rich ru tin n. Select some useful occupation, Kick to it, and success must crown your efforts at last. Choose it note make no delay. Don t waste your time and your strength, and opportunities, by always meaning to do something do it I Only weakness comas of indecision. Never Known to Fail I THOMPSON'S Fever eft Ague.Foivclers t ( roa ran PERMANENT CURE" OF CniLLS AND FE VER, DUMB AGUE, OR ANY FORM OF INTERMITTENT FEVER I The Greatest Discovery of the Ago ! rpiIERE are no diseases so debilitating In J tlielr effects npon tho eonttltntlon as the above, and none more difficult to cure by the ntnal modes of practice. The Fever and Ague Powders will effect a cure In cases of the loog est standing, as well as prove a preventive in the forming stages of disease. Being purely Vegetable, they act with certainty on the dis ease, totally eradicating it from the system, and preventing a return at any future period. Why waste your money and health in trying every medicine you hear of, when Thompson's Fever and Ague Powders have never failed to cure the Chills in any case. REASONS WHY THEY ONLY SHOULD BE USEDt Their deputation it JCntablUhed. Thousands of testimonial! havo been received, showing that these Powders have performed miracles in curing cases of long standing, many of them considered hopeless. There it no Itltk in Taking Them. They contain nothing Injurious, and, therefore, cause none of those lingering diseases so often the re sult of the many nostrums of the day. Physi cians recommend them as far superior to Qui nine, or any other known remedy, for they leave the system in a healthy state, and the patient beyond the probability of a relapse. BEWARE OF COUNTERFEITS. The genuine are put up in square tlu boxes, with "Thompson's Fever and Ague Powders" stamped on the lid. and the signature of "Thompson & Crawford," on the wrapper. No others can possibly be genuine. PREPARED ONLY Br CRAWFORD & FOBES, 141 Market St., Philadelphia. THOMPSON'S K II EUMATIC AND HORSE LINIMENT, The Great External Remedy for IlhcuiuutiMiii, Neuralgia, Sprains, Bruises, &c, Ac. EQUALLY GOOD FOR MAN OR BEAST. This Liniment has earned for Itself a reputa tion unequalled In the history of external ap plications. Thousands who now suffer from Rheumatism, Neuralgia, fcc, would find im mediate relief from all their pain by using this certain remedy. It Is equally effectual In Cuts, Burns, Scalds, Stiffness of the Neck, Sore Throat, Swellings, Inflammations, Frost Bites, Pains iu the Side and Back, Bites of Spiders or Stings of Insects. ' One rubbing will in all cases give immediate relief, and a lew applica tions complete a cure. On account of its pow erful penetrating properties It Is beyond doubt, the 8UREST REMEDY for the most trouble some diseases to which horses and cattle are liable. It enres Scratches, Old and Fresh Cuts and Bores, Chafes produced by collar or sad dle. Injuries caused by nails or splluts enter ing the flesh or hoofs, Bruises, 8pralns, Swee ney, Bpavln, Thrush, and all diseases which destroy the hoofs or bones of the feet. Fnll directions accompany each bottle. Prepared only Ily Crawford fc Fobca, . 141 Market Street, ' 29bly PHILADELPHIA. Why not havo a Beautiful Complexion? WHY BS AXHOTXD WITH CHAPPED HANDSobROUCH SKIN? when such an agreeable and efleotual REMEDY CAN BE OBTAINED AT SO SMAIJ. A COST. BY USING WRIGHT'S " ALCOMTED GLYCERINE TABLET." Bold by Druggists & Dealers In Toilet Articles. 00 Neiv Pension Laiv. UNDER an act of Congress approved March 3, 1873, widows of olltcers who were killed, or died of disease commuted In the service, are now entitled to l00 per mouth for each of their chil dren. The guardian of a minor child of a soldier who heretofore only revelved $8.00 per month pension is now entitled to 110. per moth. Holdlers who receive Invalid pensions can now have their pensions Increased to auy sum or rate between $8. and SIS. per month. Holdlers who have lost their discharges can now obtain dupllvates. Fathers and mothers who lost sons In the serv. loe upon whom they were depeudeut tor support, can also oblain pensions. The undersigned having had over 10 years ex perience iu the Claim agency business will attend promptly to claims under the above act Call ou or address LEWIS POTTER, Attorney (or Claimants, ' . New Bloomlleld, 7 2utf. Perry Co., Pa JOBINBON HOUSE, (formerly kept by Bweger and Bhuman.) Nn Mloonfleld, Perry County, J'a. AMOS ROBINSON, Proprietor. This well known and pleasantly located hotel has been leaned for a number of years by the pres ent proprietor, and he will spare no Mine to accom modate his guests. The rooms are comfortable, the table well furnished with the best In the mar ket, and the bar stocked with choice Honors. A careful and attentive hontler will be In attendance. A good livery stable will be kept by the proprietor Aprils. 1871. tl I. M. OIHV1N. t. U. OIKV1M J. M. GIIIVIN HON, Commiwlon Mcreliaiit, No. 8. SPEAR'S WilAlIF, It B I t I III O r C . 91 1 . M-We will put strict attention to the sale of si kinds of country produce, and remit the amount promptly. w oijr A DMINISTRATOH'S NOTH'E. Notice Is JV hereby given, that Loiters ul AaniiiilHtratlon mi the entitle of William Adair, late of loysvllle, Tyrone township. Perry county, Pa., dceied, have been grained to the subscribers residing iu Mailisoii uiwiiKinp. All iirnon Indebted lo said estate are rennent f d lo make linutrdlale pRymenl, iiihIIIiom) luvlng o lalnis will pieteiil ineiu uuiy nutiieiiiicaieu lot settlement to ANIHKW- A P A lit, HOlltKT A. t:l.AHK. September IB, 1873 l Administrators.
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