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HENRY A. r ARSONS, Jit, Editor axd Publisher.
ELK COVNTYTUE 'REPUBLICAN TARTY.
Two Dollars per Ann-cm.
VOL. I.
. 1UDGWAY, PA., THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1871.
NO." 4.
ii
mm
I
I
WORD FROM THE BATTLK-FI KI.D.
She rose up In the parly dawn,
And white and silently she moved
About the house. Four men had gone
To Imttlo for the land they loved,
And she, the mother nnd the wife,
Waited Tor tidings from the striie :
How still the house seemed I and hor tread
Sounded like footsteps of the dead.
The long day passed ; the dark nielli came ;
She had not seen a humnn fare ;
Some voice spoke suddenly her name
How loud it sounded in that plaee,
Where day on day no sound was heard
But her own footsteps! "Bring yon word?"
She cried, to whom buc could not sec
" Word from the battle-plains to me "
A soldier entered at the door,
And stood within the dim tire-light.
' 1 bring yon tidlnfrs of the four,"
He said, " who left yon for the fight."
" (iod bless you, friend," she cried, " spc .k on !
Kor I can bear It : one is gone f "
" Ay, one is gone," he snld. Which one "
" Dear lady, he your eldest son."
A deathly pallor shot across
Her withered face. She did not weep.
She said, " It is a grievous loss,
But (lod gives His beloved sleep.
What of the living of the three
And when can they come back to me V
The soldier turned away his head :
" l.ady, your husband, too, is dead."
She put her hand upon her brow ;
A wild, sharp pain was in her eyes :
" My husband ! oh, God help me now !"
The soldier shivered at her sighs ;
The task was harder than he thought.
" Your youngest son, dear madam, fought
Close at his father's side; both fell
Dead by the bursting ol a shell."
She moved her Hps, and seemed to moan ;
Her face had paled to ashen gray.
" Then one is led me one alone.
She said, "of four who marched awav.
Oh! overruling, all-wise fiod, "
How can I pass beneath Thy rod !"
The soldier walked across the floor,
Paused at the window, at the door
Wiped the cold dew-drops from his cheek,
And sought the mourner's side again.
" Once more, dear lady, 1 must speak :
This last remaining son was sluin
.Tust at the closing ot the tight ;
'Twas he who sent me here to-night.
" Rod knows," the man said afterward,
" The light itself was not so hard."
SKATING IMTO LoYE.
" Make up your mind, old fellow, that
a woman who understands the art of
cutting pigeon-wings on skates, under
stands also the art of flirting. Confound
it, man 1 whether married or single, she
is a heartless coquette, and that's the
English of it. More men have made
shipwreck of their lives by falling in
lovo with a pretty foot and ankle, a
graceful carriage, and a bewitching
manner, which the hussies pick up, most
of 'em, before they are out ot short
clothes, than you can shake a stick at.
Don't be a fool, now don't be a fool."
The gentleman thus addressed was a
decidedly good-looking individual. His
features were regular expressive, manly,
and earnest. A pair of large dark 6yes,
into whose depths it was plain to see
that love had penetrated, illumined his
face with a tender light, which made
them very friendly eyes to look upon, or
look out of. Love is a wonderful and
glorious transformer. The little god
can make even a plain face handsome
and fascinating. How .much more so,
then, one that nature has richly en
dowed. " Ah, father," replied the young man,
after a short pause, " you are a splendid
talkist that fact is indisputable ; but,
do you know, I am half iuclined to be
lieve that yeu have forgotten all about
how it feels to be in love. This is my
first experience, and, if it goes a trifle
hard with me, to call a fellow a fool
doesn't mend matters. You don't think
well of her, and I do ; but the chances
are that she wouldn't incline her pretty
head to such a plain, unattractive no
body. Bo, if you please, we will let the
subject drop."
Chauucey Belknap, Sr., surveyed for
a moment the vexed countenance of his
son, and then laughed heartily at his
discomfiture. Love, to this man of
fifty, seemed a passion only distantly
related to the love he used to feel and
understand.
" He jests at scars, who never felt a
wound," muttered Chauncey, Jr.; but
here he was mistaken, for Chauncey, Sr ,
had undergone more than one tussle
with Cupid, and had on two occasions,
to the knowledge of his friends, been
ignoininiously beaten. It would not be
strange if such an experience had blunt
ed the finer feelings of his soul, causing
him to keep his eyes for ever turned
away from the contemplation of a cica
trix which reflected no credit upon his
personal charms or spiritual fascination.
" Just bear in mind," said Chauncey,
a little nettled at his father's manner,
' that I intend seeking an introduction
to this beautiful girl, and that one ap-
Ereciative smile, one little word from
er, will bring me on my metaphorical
knees before you can say ' Jack Robin
sou,' and ' that's the English of that.'
So, au retoir;" and Chuncey took his Ae-
orture, apparently very much to the
tgbt ot the elder, who laughed, and
iitinued to laugh a good half-hour
i r the door had closed upon his son.
I Zounds, this is a rich ioke ! Con-
nd the young dog ! He'll get over
n nat it be knew that the eirl be
les so about is my affianced bride eh,
ftiat then?"
The. young lady whose imaee had so
strangely, and, after all. naturally en
graven itself upon Chaunoey's heart,
was present with a party of friends.
" If there was only some way that I
could manage an introduction to that
young lady, I should be the happiest
man ia Brooklyn," muttered Chauncey,
as Miss Preston emerged from the dressing-room,
skates on, ready for fun.
No wonder the gentleman was dazzled
with the pieture. Dressed in a Scotch
tartan picturesquely arranged, her beau
tiful wavy hair Moating around her neok
and shoulders, two tiny feet incased in
neat-fitting gaiters, the little lady seemed
the embodiment of harmony. .
" That's what I call the poetry of mo
tion,", continued Chauncey, apprecia.
tively. A bright thought struck him.
" I'll dash out after her, and, if she has
the grit I give her credit for, she'll enjoy
the fun."
In a moment more Chauncey struck
out. The acknowledged champions of
the season all stood back, to give them
room and watch the chase. Miss Pres
ton took the cue in a twinkling. Like
the steed who afar off scents the battle,
the lady, with head erect and nostrils
dilated, waited until she had discovered
there was no possibility of mistake, then
darted off, in a straight line, with the
fleetne89 of the wind. Surh a chose as
she led him ! But he kept steadily on,
his face lighted up with a rare smile, as
he considered how eagerly his challenge
had been accepted. Up and down,
around in circles, curly cues, and every
imaginable figure, he followed the lovely
skater. All eyes were upon them. The
music from the band a bright, spark
ling galop lent wings to both pursuer
and pursued. Cheer after cheer greeted
them from the delighted spectators.
Without the slightest diminution of
strength or fleetnem, Chauncey kept
steadily on. For ten full minutes the
race continued. At the expiration of
that time Miss Preston, tired and dizzy,
waved her handkerchief as a Hag of
truce, and attempted to reach her friends.
Chauncey, with a true lover's instincts,
discovered the state of the case, and,
gracefully throwing his arm around her
waist, escorted her to a seat.
" Oh, I am no sorry !" panted the little
lady. " I did so long to win this game j
but I am no match for ynu in hold-out-ativeness."
" Please allow me to introduce my
self," replied her companion. " Chaun
cey Belknap, at your service. Now,
who are you '( Please tell me," as the
young lady almost gasped for breath.
" A relative of Chauncey Belknap of
W Square "r" she inquired, as pale as
death.
" His son, my dear young lady. But
why are you so excited '( You are not
acquaint&l with my father '("
" Yes oh, yes !" she murmured. " I
am Charlotte Preston, and engaged to be
mirrUd to your father. Order my car
riage, please, or your carriage, or some
body's, and take me home. I will then
tell you all about it."
Chauncey was staggered, but imtntdi
ately did as he was bid ; and, in a few
moments, had the pleasure of listening
to the strange particulars.
" My father is on the verge of finan
cial ruin, and I did it to save him. What
shall I do 'i For the love of mercy, tell
me I" and Miss Preston burst into tears.
" You do not love him 'r"
" No, and I told him so."
"Don't marry him, then. Do you
suppose," and here Chauncey stopped,
and raised the uplifted face wet with
tears " do you suppose you would ever
learn to love Chauncey Belknap, Jr. '("
and the young man again halted.
' Well, what if I could Y" and a mis
chievous smile chased away every sign
of weeping.
" Oh, only I have loved you ever since
the first moment I laid my eyes on your
face, and determined to win you, if pos
sible. I have money enough to fix
things, I reckon, and I I not, my dear
little girl, I can make you happy."
" And I Inow you can, too. Will you
tell your father about iff" and Miss
Charlotte Preston hid her head on her
lover's Bhoulder.
" Yes, my darling ; but you must ac
company mo. My wife must not be a
shirk. We will go now.
An hour later, and Chauncey Belknap,
Jr., stood before his paternal parent,
with the promised bride of both on his
arm. The old gentleman's consterna
tion we will leave to the imagination of
our readers, assuring them it was im
mense. " I do not lovo you, Mr. Belknap ; but
I do love your son, and he loves me.
That is all I can say ; I tnut you will
forgive me for having, because of pov
erty, held out to you a promise love
could never fulfil."
"All right," replied Chauncey, Sr.
"Don't say any more about it. The
young dog meant business, and has cut
me out. That's the English of that."
A Wise Horse.
Almost every day aneodotes of horses
are told us which illustrate the capacity
for thinking in the equine-world. But
the latest incident comes from Missouri.
In a certain town in that State lives a
horse of more than ordinary intelligence.
His owner is a physician, and a church
going man. Recently the horse was left
Btanding in the road. After a time he
became impatient, aud went in search of
his owner. With logical calmness ho
proceeded to the favorite haunts of the
doctor. Not finding him, he walked
around to the church. He looked up to
the dark windows, beard no singing,
and then came to the plain conclusion
that it was not a night for service, or
there would be a flood of light from the
window panes, not to mention the racket
made by the choir or preacher. He
turned carefully so as not to upset the
buggy, and with a puzzled air marched
slowly back to his master's house.
Did not this horse manifest intelli
gence of a high order ' He reasoned
calmly, and proceeded with logical clear
ness to find the doctor and gently re
mind him that it was time to go home
and enjoy supper and rest He hunted
for him at bis favorite resorts, and not
finding him, sadly turned homeward, no
doubt feeling that he had done his duty
in making the search. Incidents can be
multiplied without number which be
speak th? reasoning powers of the horse.
And in the face of facts so plain, it is
idle to assert that the horse does not
arrive at logical conclusions. Admit
ting, then, that he is gifted with differ
ent degrees of intelligence, it does not
seem to us that in breeding the intellec
tual capacity ot the anoestry should be
overlooked.
The last two or three steamers at San
Francisco have brought but very few
Chinese an average of less than a hund
red each; and by departures and deaths
the number of Chinese in America must
now be dacraaainor. M akin AT no account
of the deaths, the increase by immigra
tion in 1870 was 7,000, The whole num
ber of Chinese in the country, probably,
does not exceed 75,000, of whom one-half
are In California.
k LADY'S' TOILET.
Hair and It Horrors HevMatloni about
Powder, Kaa;e etc.
Never since the beginning of the sev
en teeth century has fashion given license
to so many absurdities in the arrange
ment of ladies' hair, or so many abomi
nations with which to ornament it, as
at the present day. The enormous
pinnacles worn during the fourteenth
and in the early part of the seventeenth
centuries were called fontanges, and were
constructed by means of illusion lace
and the hair borne up by wire. These
ridiculous cones were sometimes an ell
in height, and made women taller than
men. There is no record, however, of
ornamental- hair having been used ia
their construction.
Instead of the hair being raised in a
fontange, it is now fashionable to build
out the head at the back, by means of
chignons, stuffed with topseys, or long
rolls of curled hair, curls over this, and
puffs and frizzes on the top and front
of the head.
The long braids, or chatelains, as they
are called, are worn by young people
instead of of the chignon, and are loop
ed in the back with curls between.
Those persons possessing a reasonable
amount of hair of their own, or rather,
growing on their own heads, (what lady,
now-a-days, has not quantities of hair
of her own 'r ) can braid and arrange it
in this manner, to look very tastefully,
without the addition of ornamental hair.
There are few heads, however, that have
undergone the " crimping process," and
the constant washings to make the hair
light and fleecy, that can be made to
look monstrous enough, without adding
rats and topseys, switches and clmts
lains. ,
THE CHIGNON.
The ordinary chignon now in vogue
is a very convenient head-dress, more
especially for elderly persons and those
possessing but a small quantity of hair ;
yet it is sometimes pinned upon tin
head in a very absurd position by those
making their toilets in a hurry, and un
der the circumstances is a very ridicu
lous appendage. It is only a few year
back that those wearing false hair took
the greatest care to conceal it. A "switch"
coiled in with the natural hair was as
carefully guarded as if it were a snake
about to rattle ; but in these days a
lady's dressing table is strewn with
curls, puffs, rats and chignon boxes, as a
matter of course ; and it is quite a fact
that one of the fair sex not long since
purchased a " charming set of . fleecy
curls " while accompanied by one of our
New York beaux.
The young men of our city appear
quite resigned to the extravagant quanti
ties of false hair worn by the ladies
whom they admire. Could they behold
one of these blonde beauties before the
ornamental hair has been fastened on
her head, her own locks drawn straight
back and twisted in a very little knot
behind, it is to be feared thoy would be
disenchanted.
I'ERSONAL DECORATION.
As with a gentleman elegance of cos
tume begins at the collar and neck-tie,
and with an inviting and gracefully ap
pointed room the attraction concen
trates in a neat and glowing hearth
stone, so in the toilet of a lady the
charm and beauty of appearance is made
or marred by the symmetry of her head ;
by the arrangement of her hair in a be
coming and elegant manner, or by its
disfigurement with an untidy conglom
eration of horse hair, tangled curls,
rusty nets, and snarly frizzes.
1 bere bas been a great deal written
and said of the many abominations of
the present style of head-dress, and we
are all so used to the ridiculous arrange
ment ot ornamental bair, that outland
ish head-gear and struck-by-lightning-
looking cbignons fail to attract a second
glance. . There is one kind of decoration,
however, of which none like to talk, of
which few undertake to write, and no
one will admit the using, viz., cosmetics
for beautifying the complexion. To be
sure ladies will acknowledge the posses
sion of " Baby powder," and a puff, and
writers have attempted the exposition of
poisonous cosmetics, but generally the
subject is avoided.
There are few women in fashionable
society who do not use powder or some
other cosmetic for whitening the skin.
There are very many who beside thi,
pencil their eyebrows and blacken the
edge of the lower eyelid. Rouge is not
used to the extent ot either the above
articles for improving the oolor of the
face ; but there are great quantities of
it purchased, and the truth is it is put
on the cheeks with such care that it is
difficult to tell in many instanoes who
is painted and who is not.
Gentlemen are more deceived by the
manufactured complexions of the fair
sex than by any other of their arti
ficial adornments. Mankind are especi
ally averse to powder and paint, and wo
weu who are in the habit of using it
generally apply it cautiously. Many
married women there are whose hus
bands do not suspect of artificial com
plexion, who regularly whiten and
rouee their faces, yet most careful
ly secrete the Oriental cream and the
pink saucer.
Why is it so much worse to use the
white and vermillion on the skin than
it is to adorn the head with a mass of
dead bair, sometimes musty and always
dusty r It is certainty a more cleanly
artifice ; yet gentlemen will not object to
fondling a long, golden curl they know
to be dead hair, if they have common
sense, who would fly into a rage at the
aiirht of a box of "MeenFun" or a
bottle of ' Bloom of Youth." Gentle
men, notwithstanding, have been known
to return from the barber's with some
thing looking very like powder left
about their ears.
- ABOUT FOWDEBS.
Dry powders for skins that chafe easily
are almost necessary for the toilet the
liquid cosmetics, where tney do not con'
tain white lead, are very improving to
the complexion, if used in moderation on
occasions where one becomes heated by
danoinsr and the face is liable to look
greasy from perspiration. Powder is
really a necessary comfort for some faces,
especially In warm weather, and there
are many ladies using it who would feel
disgraced by rouging their cheeks. There
is something so very vulgar in the im
moderate use of cosmetics, especially
rouge, that it at once stamps the person
so besmeared with indecency. No load
ing the head with ornamental hair can
produce the bad effect that an over ap
plication of powder and paint will j yet
they are both artificial adornments, and
the rouge is not as unhealthy for the
cheek as the weight of the false hair for
the head.
H.UR-DRESSINO.
The business of hair-dressing has
grown rapidly since the introduction of
the present fashion of wearing orna
mental hair.
Ladies that could dress their own
heads formerly, cannot ariange the
braids, curls aud puffs now worn to look
satisfactory on occasions where they are
to appear in lull dress, without the as
sistance of a hair-dresser.
Hair-dressingestablishmtntR generally
keep three and four, and often six young
women, who are proficients in the art.
and who dress tho heads of ladies coming
to the establishment, or attend their
customers at their own residences. On
evenings when a large ball is to take
place these girls go to five and six houses
each between six and ten o'clock. The
Broadway hair-dressers charge two dol
lars for sending to the residence and
dressing a head. Those on Sixth avenue
demand but half that sum, and seem to
understand their business fully as well
as their Broadway neighbors. The
patience possessed by some of these young
gin bair-dressers is really amazing.
when tbey bave to contend with a ner
vous customer, whose head is "So
tender 1"
BEHIND THE SCENES. ;
Imagine a room wherein is seated a
young lady awaiting the hair-dresser.
She is dressed for the ball, excepting
chat ber bair is in disorder, and her
dress remains to be put on, the last thing
done. A little ruffled dressing sack
covers her shoulders, and the long trail
skirts with their snowy fluted edgings
are carefully drawn aside, displaying a
pair of satin boots that impatiently pat
the floor. Not many minutes pass be
fore the hair-dresser enters, short breathed
from hurrying, and with cheeks scarlet
from the cold. She throws oft her hat
and cloak, takes a pair of crimping irons'
from ber pocket, puts tbem in tbe tire,
and without stopping to warm her fin
gers begins her work by twisting the
tront ot tbe lady s bair on long bair-pins
a process known among the fair sex
as " putting the bair in crimps.
" riease be a little careiul, said the
lady ; " my head is so tender, and I am
very nervous. I promised to be all ready
at nine, and every carriage I hear roll
through the street I imagine is for me."
" It you will hold perfectly still 1
shall get along much faster, miss," re
plied the hair-dresser, who was growing
nervous herself.
" The hair-pin in that last pull' almost
kills me," cries the victim. " Oh, how
my head aches. I fear my hair will not
look as well as the last time you dressed
it"
After enduring these complaints from
several during an evening, one may be
lieve the task of the hair-dresser is not a
very easy one.
It is a common expression, especially
of one lady of another, " She was en
amelled. Ileal enamelling the face in
this country is not done, and it has never
been accomplished with any success
abroad. The most celebrated enameller
in Europe was a Madame Rachel, of
London, who advertised to make people
" beautiful forever." Failing to Apply
tne enamel so mat it remained mere
was a law suit brought against her by
one of her patrons, whom she agreed to
make beautiful forever tor a large sum
of money.
In liundon lor a long time alter this,
" beautiful forever" was a slang phrase.
Those who study really to beautify
their heads by the arrangement of their
hair, will dress it modestly and sym
metrically, that it may not distract tbe
gaze from features and expression. Those
who desire a good complexion will use
a reeine com nosed of exercise in the
open air, simple food, early bours tor re
tiring, with plenty ot cold water. A.
J . hrening rout.
LoTe.
Who is he in youth, or in maturity, or
even in old age, who does not like to
bear of those sensibilities wbicn turn
the curled heads around at church, and
send wonderful eye-beams across ossein
bhes, lroin one to one, never missing in tbe
thickest crowd r The keen statist reck'
ons by tens and hundreds ; the genial man
is interested in every slipper mat comes
into the assembly. The passion, alike
everywhere, creeps under the snows of
Scandinavia, under tbe tires ot tbe equa
tor, and swims in tbe seas of Polynesia,
Loth is as puissant a divinity in tbe
Norse Edda as Camadeva in the red
vault of India, Eros in the Greek, or
Cupid in the Latin heaven. And what
is especially true of love is that it is
a state ot extreme impressionability ;
the lover has more senses and finer senses
than others ; his eyes and ears are tele
graphs: he reads, omens on. the. flower,
the cloud, and face, and form, and ges
ture and reads them aright. In his
surprise at the sudden and entire un
derstandiner that is between him and
the beloved person, it occurs to him that
they might somehow meet independent
ly of time and place. How delicious
the belief that he could elude all guards,
precautions, ceremonies, means, and de
lays, and holds instant and sempiternal
communications I In solitude, in banish'
ment, the hope returned, and the ex
periment was eagerly tried. The super
nal powers seem to take his part,
What was on his lips to say is uttered
by his friend. When be went abroad,
he met, by wonderful casualties, the one
person he sought. If in his walk he
chanced to look back, his friend was
walking behind him,: And it has hap
pened that the artist has often drawn
in his picture the face of the future wife
whom be had not yet seen. Kmermn.
HINTS ON HEALTH.
Facts Aboal C lothing nnd Pliori.
Next in importance to a thoroughly
clean skin is the preservation of that
organ from the injurious action of sud
den changes of temperature. Of all
terrestrial annimals man is tne most
scantily supplied with natural protec
tion. The necessity for artificially
maintaining the animal temperature is
thusforcibly put by Dr. E vory Kennedy :
" strange as it may appear, clothes
are used equally in oold climates to re
tain the natural heat, and in warm cli
mates to isolate the body from the sur
rounding highly elevated atmosphere
and burning rays of the tropical sun."
.between tbe layers of clotbes there
are strata of air kept at equable tem
perature, which but slowly conduct al
terations in it from within or without ;
and as they are confined by the dress,
they do not freely allow of the admission
of colder air. It is for this reason that,
in going from a warm room into the
cold, we should put on our extra cloth
ing some time previously, so as to heat
this protective stratum of air, which is
actually a non-conductor.
Linen, which is so great a favorite in
temperate climates, is an objectionable
material for dress on account of its high
conducting and radiating powers, in
consequence of which it feels cold and
does not freely distribute heat. It is
also attractive of moisture, which it re
tains, and thus keeps a damp instead of
a dry medium around the skin.
In warm climates cotton or thin wool
ens aro entirely substituted for linen
garments, and the only objection to
them is their rougher surface, which oc
casionally irritates sensitive skins. Not
withstanding this objection, wbicb babit
will overcome, there is no other medium
so fitted for a variable climate as this,
since it preserves the warmth of the
body during great cold, and prevents
the conduction ot intense beat.
When linen is put on a perspiring
skin, the moisture passes through it,
and, evaporating, still produces cold.
Manned, on the contrary, absorbs the
moisture and gives out heat. Its non
conducting power is clearly useful on
tbe cold winter s day. Tbe wearing ot
flannel shirts, or those of merino, which
contains about one-tbird of cotton, dur
ing winter or summer, is so usual in
England. as to realize Blierhaave's max
im, that winter clothing should be taken
off at the end of midsummer's day only
to put it on the following morning.
Wohllens, however, should be more fre
quently washed, as they absorb so much
perspiration.
Since the more - general adopt ion ot
flannel underclothing the number of
deaths by bronchial complaints is very
much lessened. Jobn Hunter s receipt
for rearing healthy children was " plenty
of milk, plenty of sleep, and plenty of
flannel. It bas been stated on reliable
authority that woolen clothing is a pre
ventive ot malaria. Dlanuel drawers
reaching high on the abdomen, and a
long flannel shirt, so that two layers
may cover that region, are regarded as
a great safeguard against cholera.
The color ot dress is important. This
was demonstrated by Benjamin Frank
lin. He placed pieces of various colored
cloths on the surface of snow, and found
in a given time that the snow under the
black was most melted, that under the
white the least, from this can be
judged the proper shades for winter and
summer wear.
Water-proof clothing, made, for in-
instance, of India-rubber, should be
avoided as checking perspiration. This
is illustrated by Breschet's experiment.
He Bbaved rabbits and coated them with
impermeable varnish, and found that
tbey perished in an hour or two of cold
and suffocation.
Competent authorities have suggested
that the reason gout so otten attacks the
feet is that their natural cutaneous ac
tion is impeded by the boot or shoe now
in use, stating also that among the Ro
mans these parts were less otten affected,
as the sandals only partly covered them.
Such a covering tor the toot, though not
permissible by the fashion ot tbe day.
is undoubtedly the mcst natural, as it
will allow a tree perspiration tor the
foot, and render frequent washing
needful.
The Countess de Noailles has lately
written an able "Apology for Bare
r Vet, in which she contends that it tbe
wretched boots the poorer children wear
were cast away, tbe teet and ankles
would become stronger, would be kept
cleaner, and there would be much less
liability to colds and to illness among
girls.
lit. Jobn iirown, the well-known
author, remarks that " it is amazing the
misery the people of civilization endure
in and lroin their shoes. JNobody is
ever, as they should be, comfortable at
once in tbem ; tbey hope in the long
run, and after much agony, and when
they are nearly done, to make them fit,
especially if they can get them once
well wet. X redenclc tbe Ureat kept an
aide-de-camp to wear his 6hoes till he
could put tbem on, but he sometimes
wore them too long, and got a kickmz
for bis pains.
The square-toed boot and those with
the inner edge straight, not curved in'
wards, are the most natural, as they al
low the expansion of the toes a matter
seldom allowed for by bootmakers, es
pecially as they measure the foot when
lifted from tbe ground. Great comfort
is often obtained by haviner a lost care
fully shaped for oneself. It is said that
the Duke of Wellington, being Ques
tioned as to the most essential requisite
for a soldier's clothing, replied, " A good
pair of shoes." What next V "A spare
pair oi good shoes ; and even thirdly
" A spare pair of soles." Most men can
speak with bitter recollection of a tight
aud ill-fitting boot ; how completely it
has destroyed their pleasure in the
brightest scenes of enjoyment, and how
it has unhinged tbem both mentally and
bodily.
We remark, in conclusion, that in
both the extremes of life, when heat-
producing power is most feeble, addi
tional warm clothing is clearly de
manded. It is the same with the young
as with the old, and it is pleasant to see
this truth more recognized than formerly
in the fact that children are not now
left half dressed from the erroneous no
tion of making them hardy, or to follow
the dictates of an arbitrary fashion.
The I'rottrtor,
CuriosUifs of Hivorres.
In St. Louis last week a divorce was
granted to Britton A. Hill, Esq., divorc
ing him from his wife Mary Melinda.
The parties were married about thirty
years ago, and lived together until
184H, when on a Joint petition, tbejr
were divorced by an aot of the Missouri
Legislature. The wifj was allowed all
the property now worth nearly a mil
lion dollars and the custody of the sur
viving child. In 1854 the lady was mar
ried to D. Kobert Barclay, Esq., with
whom she has ever since lived happily.
In 1867 Mr. Hill married again, but his
last union was not more fortunate than
the first. Several years ago the second
Mrs. Hill went to Europe and remained
so long that her husband went after her ;
when she returned to this country he
applied for a divorce, pending which
the lady went back to Europe, - and
shortly afterward was reported to have
been drowned while bathing in tbe liay
of Nice. Mr. Hill employed fishermen
to drag the bay tor tbe body, but it
leaked out that tho lady was not drown
ed, but had gone away with a friend.
Afterward she became acquainted with
King Victor Emanuel, and was em
ployed as tho grand lady of his house
hold at Borne. Several months ago so
it is stated she died of fever, nnd the
suit for divorce was dismissed.
The divorce of Mr. Hill from his first
wife was decided by the Supreme Court
to be illegal. The matter came before
the court last year on a bill filled in
court by the lady's trustees to compel
Mr. Samuel Simpson to purchase a cer
tain lot ot ground on fourth St., op
posite the Court House, in accordance
with agreement Mr. Simmons having
refused on the ground that the legisla
tive divorce proved to have been illegal,
the trustees could not convey a clear
title. To obviate this difficulty Mr.
Hill brought tho suit before Judge Lind-
ey. Un the decree being granted, Mr.
Hill moved that the legal disability
against tho lady marrying again in less
than five years be removed, which was
granted. Under the law of the State,
the children by both marringes are made
legitimate.
I bus ended a case, which, lor roman
tic detail and strunge circumstances,
bas no parallel in the annals of the di
vorce courts. It is hoped that all diffi
culties, legal and social, are now remov
ed, and that there will be no further
trouble between any of the parties.
Contentment.
True contentment is not the being
satisfied with things as they are, and
wishing no change. This would pre
vent all improvement and reform in in
dividuals and in society. Dissatisfaction
is often a forerunner and harbinger of
better things. Austin Phelps says " The
unaspiring soul is a mean one. Content
ment is rather a calm acquiescence in
the present, while waiting for and watch
ing for opportunities to do better for
ourselves and others. It is opposed to
that restless, anxious, fretful, irritable
state, which makes a man chafe against
his circustances as if held there by an
iron fate.
Contentment may be cultivated. If
we have but few wants well supplied,
we are richer and happier than with
many wants ill supplied. Beduce your
wants and thus increase contentment,
Look at those above you, and your ac
quirements will seem to grow respect
able, your possessions to increase, and
you will live contented with comforts
and even luxuries almost unknown be
fore.
In a mictions look to those who are more
afflicted than yourself. If you are sick,
others are sicker. If you have lost a
finger, somebody has lost a hand. If
you have lost a hand, others have lost an
arm or leg, If you have lost a part of
your property, others have lost all. If
you have a child Btck, somebody has one
dead. If you have lost a child, others
bave lost several. It you are poor, many
others' are poorer.
An excellent way to cultivate content
ment is to make a list of your blessings.
When you begin to count them up, they
seem to multiply like the loaves and
fishes in the hands of the disciples, or
like the stars of heaven when once we
begin to number them.
By these and other ways we may
bring ourselves into an enjoyable state
of contentment, always remembering
that we never Bhall be perfectly satisfied
in this lite, but, looking into the future,
we may say with David, " I shall bo
satisfied when I awake with thy like-
A Beautiful Sentiment.
Life bears us on like tho stream of a
mighty river. Our boat at first glides
down the narrow channel through the
playful murmurings of the little brook
and the winding ot tbe grassy borders,
The trees shed their blossoms over our
young heads ; the flowers on the brink
seem to oiler themselves to our young
bands ; we are happy in hope, and grasp
eagerly at the beauties around us ; but
the stream hurries on, and still our
hands are empty. Our course in youth
and manhood is along a wider and
deeper flood, and amid objects more
striking and magmhoent. We are am
mated at the moving picture of eniov
ment and industry passing around us
are excited at some short-lived dissan-
pointment. The stream bears us on, and
our joys and griefs are alike left behind
us. vv e may be shipwrecked we can'
not be delayed ; whether rough or
smooth, the river hastens to its home, till
the roar ef the ocean is in our ears, and
the tossing of the waves is beneath our
feet, and the land lessens from our eyes,
and the floods are lilted up around us.
and we take our leave of earth and its
inhabitants, until of farther voyage
there is no witness save the Infinite and
Eternal.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.' 1
Michigan is to have a new State Capi
tol which is expected to cost a million
dollars.
A ei can tic steam scoop, called "Beelze
bub's Spoon," is dredging in Devil's Lake,
Ilaraboo, Wis.
Maine people are talkinsr about sowinsr
the seeds of forest trees for lumber, and
especially of the white pine.
At Bacine College, Racine, Wis., a bil
liard-table and smoking-room has been
provided for the use of the students.
Auburn-haired eirls in Arkansas will
persist in wearing red velvet hats, under
the impression that they are becoming.
The first daily newspaper printed in
Virginia was printed in 1780, and the
subscription was fifty dollars per an
num. Wvomins lynchers hold " neck-tie
sociables" when they catch a horse-
thief. The tie is made ot rope and lasts
man a life-time.
The hen with fifteen dollars of gold in
er gizzard has just been killed out in
Wisconsin. Good chance for poultry
raisers to get up "prize hens," for the
market, with gold pieces, Attleboro
jewelry and watches for prizes. " A
prize in each hen. . ;
Mamma What is baby crying for,
Ma'reie'r' Massie I don't know. .
Mamma And what are you looking so ' '
indignant about? Maggie That nasty,
greedy dog s been and tooK and catch
my 'punge cake ! Mamma Why, I saw
vou eating a sponge cake a minute ago f
Maggie Oh, that was baby's 1
An unsophisticated gentleman lately
called at the Troy Gas Works with a
large stone jug for the purpose of having
it filled with gaB to take home, some
seven miles in the country, to burn in a
kerosene oil lamp. He said be bad
"seen the durned thins burned in the
stores about yer, and it made a mighty
good light."
" Now." my bov." said the committee
man, "if I had a mince pie, and' should
give two-twelfths of it to John, two
twelfths to Isaac, and two-twelfths to
Harry, and should take half the pie my
self, what would there be left ? Speak
up loud, so that all can hear." " Tho
plate . shouted a boy.
Judsro C of Memphis was recently
called to preside as chairman at a pub
lic meeting in that city, uuring tne
proceedings an exciting discussion
sprung up, and amid the confusion of
loud speeches, motions, ana cross mo
tions, one speaker called out impatient
ly to have his motion put to tbe meet-,
ing. " Has your motion a second 'i" in
quired the Chair. Speaker Yes, sir j it
has fifty seconds at least. Chair Then
let it have ten more, and the Chair will
make a minute of it.
A Portland paper is publishing ex
tracts from a diary kept by Hawthorne,
when a boy of ten years, of which this is
a sample : " This morning the bucket got
off the chain, and dropped back into the
well. I wanted to go down on the stones
and get it. Mother would not consent,
for feur the well might cave in, but hired
Samuel Shane to go down. In the good
ness of her heart she thought the son of
old Mrs. Shane not quite so valuable as
the son of the widow Hawthorne. God
bless her for all her love for me, though
it may be somewhat selfish."
A correspondent of the Scientific Amer
ican writes that he has seen a steam boil
er advertised which saves 35 per cent, of
fuel ; a valve which saves 1 5 per cent.; a
governor which saves 10 per cent.; a
cut-off which saves 10 per cent; a fire
grate which saves 20 per cent.; metal
packing and damper regulator which
saves 1- per cent.; and a lubricator which
will save 1 per cent making in all a
saving of 101 per cent. Combining all
these improvements, an engine would,
he thinks, run itself, and produce an ad
ditional one per cent, of fuel, which
might be used for domestio purposes.
A petition has been presented to the
Massachusetts Legislature for the estab
lishment of a young woman's apprentice
association, with aid from the State to
the amount of $ J;0(X). It is stated that
the proposed institution is designed to
be an establishment where young women
can become skilled in the various
branches of industry that are so essential
to the welfare of the community. One
department is to be devoted to dress
making and other kinds of needlework,
millinery, tailoring, etc. The house
hold duties are to be performed alter
nately by the apprentices in a scientific
manner, rather than to be considered
mere brute labor as now. Such an in
stitution would, no doubt, prove highly
useful. At present, indubtrious, honest
women have no protection from over-'
bearing mistresses, while, on the other
hand, kind and considerate mistresses
are shamofully outraged by ungrateful,
worthless women. Both classes , are
victimized by the system of to-day. If
anything can be done to bring about a
better system, certainly there should be
no delay in doing it.
According to the Economist the al
leged pecuniary indemnity demanded by
Prussia from France is impossible.
" France could not raise 400,000,000, or
any thing like that sum. It would re
quire her to add more than 30,000,000
to her annual taxation, which would
not be possible. France is, speaking
broadly, a country ot great savings out
of small earnings. Here people are
timid in business though penurious in
expenditure. She has no Income tax, i
and she would not bear one ; she ia op-
pressed with protective duties, and she
would not bear free trade. Her soil is '
tilled carefully and anxiously ; but it is
tilled at a great disadvantage, fqr the .
peasants who own it and work it have
no science, little oapital, and an obsti
nate adherence to use and wont," Such '
a country cannot be taxed as yon would
tax a young Anglo-Saxon community.'
as you would tax America, where tbe
power of taxpay ing is at a maximum, and '
the disposition to pay equally great. In
France both the ability to pay and the
willingness are small comparatively.