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.