;l;V7xt(.:( - . - 1 .1 riT- ' HENBT A. PABSONS, Ja., Editor and l?cii.isnEa. 1 'V- ' 1 ' :t' ELK COUNTYTIM REPUBLICAN PARTY. Two Dollars r Ajurtni. VOL. I. .RIDGWAY, PA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1871. NO. 42. wiiii IK R .11 BOtTli FOR SOt'L. ST FLORENOB MARRTAT. 0 eyes, that pierce me through and through, And draw iny very eonl away, Tour smisblne may Dot (hi my life, Nor turn my darkness Into day. Dear eyes, you are not made for me Must I from your enchantments flee 1 O voice, whose cadence, rich and low, Bllrs my frail being to It core j Whose accents thrill my snul with hope, Which rvatnn quenches evermore. Dear voice, I tare not love thy tone Tiiou never canst be mine alone. 0 hand, that lies so warm In mine, Whose bold Is firm as hold of death, 1 shrink from thkie assuring clasp, Although It Breaks of love aud faith. Dear band, that touch is not for me ; Unloose thine hold let me go free. O Hps, that bent to erect my own, And seal them with a promise tro, Can pledge so sacred have been slnj Must 1 too bid farewell to you T Dear lips, for this world 'twere too sweet That you and I should often meet. O heart, that understands so well All that my heart longs to disclose, Upon that faithful resting-place This wearie head will ne'er repose. Dear heart, bow gladly would I bear One-half ;he griefs that rankle there I O soul, that sprung to meet my own As though it recognized Its lot. Must my soul's portals close on thee f Could n exist where thou wert not 1 Ah, no I Fate here forbids control ; Take all, bit leave me soul for soul I JOSEPH GOLDIXR'S LAST CHRIST MAS. It was very Btrange, thought old Jo seph 'Golding, that he couldn't be mas ter of his own mind. He had lived a great many years, and neither remorse nor money had ever been in the habit of disturbing him ; but now it seemed to him as if the very foundations of his life were breaking np. He was well through with his day's work he had dined comfortably he sat in an easy ohair in a luxurious drawing-room, whose crimson hangings shut out the still cold of the December afternoon he had nothing to do but enjoy himself. Mr. Galaing liken to enjoy himself at this season as much as others did, for it was Christmas Eve. What though be was in the habit f spending it solitar ily r1 be liked solitude. Perhaps be cause nothing more lively came in his way, and he was too shy to look out for it. For many a year on Christmas Eve he had sat balancing in his mind the great accounts pr? sen ted in his ledger a, the ac cumulating coffers at his banker', the strokes of business he would make in future. Not bo now. Thtj yer -was drawing to a close; some intruding voice kept whispering that in like man ner so was his career. He oould not put it from him, try us he would. The voice reminded him of a coming time when his life's woik would be all doue even as his day's work was all douf now when he would be ready to nit down in the evening and look over the balance-sheet of his deeds, good and evil. Curiously the old days came trooping in slow procession before him. And he had been able to forget them for so very long I His dead wife ! He had not loved her much when she was with him, but how vivid was his memory fur her now ! He oould see her moving round toe house, noiseless as a shadow, never intruding on nim after he had once or twice re pulsed, her gruffly, but going on her own meek ways, with her face growing whiter every day. Ha began to under stand, as he looked back, why her strength bad failed ; and she bad been ready, when her baby cam?, to flout out on the tide and let it drift her into God's haven. She had had enough to eat and to drmk, but he saw now, that he had left her heart to starve. Heaven 1 what a bard man he had been 1 He seemed to see her white, still face, as he looked at it the last time before they screwed down the coffin-lid, with the dumb re proach frozen on it : the eyes that would never plead vainly any more, closed for ever. He recalled passionately the three- days old baby that had cried in another room just at that moment, moving all the people gathered together for the funeral with a thrill of pity for the poor little motherless morsel. She teat a pas. sionate, willful baby, all through her babyhood i he remembered that. She wanted missed knowing what the lack was the love and sustenance which her mother would have given her, and pro tested against fate with all the might of ber infant lungs. But, as soon as sue grew old enough to understand how use less it was, the had grown quiet, too ; just like her mother. He r called her, til through her girlhood, ashy, still girl, always obedient and submissive, but never drawing very near him. Why ? Because he would have repulsed her as he repulsed her mother. He could see it now. It was very strange these facts should come back to him to-day, and their naked truth with them. He bad been a cold, hard, ungenial man, with out sympathy for any one human be ing; absorbed utterly iu the pursuit of money-making. And so the c'.ild, Amy, had grown up in shadow without him. But suddenly, when she was eighteen, the old passionate spirit that had made her cry so when a baby must have awakened again, he thought; for she fill in love then, and wished to marry. To marry in defiance of his wishes. He remembered her standing proudly before him after one of their quarrels, where be had been harsh and bitter, and abusive of the man -he wanted to call husband. She had borne in silence reproach of her self ; bat not of him who had become to her as her best existence. Her words Came back to the old mn now : Father, do you know anything against Harry Church ?" - " Yes," he had answered, wrathfully ; " I know that be is as poor as Job was when he tat amoug the ashes. He can net keep a wife as a daughter of mine must be kept." " Anything else, father ?" (he asked, looking him steadily in the eye. i " No, that's enough." he had thunder ed. " I'll tell you, besides, that if you marry him yon mutt lie in the bed you win make. My doors will never open to you again, never." tie met with a will as strong as his own, that time. She did marry him, and went away w't.h him from her fath er's house. Mr. Golding had known the day the wedding was going to ttkn plaoe, and diBdainet to sup it. He washed his hands of Harry Church, and of Amy, his wife. She wrote home af terward over and over again, but Mr Golding sent all the letters back tin- opened. Substquentto that, they dii- appearea trom the town ; and be bad never heard what became of them, '; It was at least ten years ago now. It seemed very strange to him that these things should have come back to night to haunt him and with a wild remorse, a pitying regret. lie had done nothing to recall thrro. Could it be his sense of failing health that brought them ? if so, what sort of anguish might he not look for, as he drew nearer and nearer to the ending? He began to wish that he knew what had been in thoBe rejected letters whether Amy had been Buffering for anything that money could supply. The next thought that struck him was why he had opposed the marriage so virulently. It is true Harry Church had been but a clerk in his own employ ; but he was a well educated gentleman, and would rise with time. Faithful, intelligent, perse vering, resoected but Door. In that lust wrd lay the head and front of Harry Church s offending. He, Joseph Golding, was rich then ; he was iiir richer now ; but he could not help ask ing it, what special good was his riches bringing him ? He was an old man, the span of life running quickly on, and he was all alone. Who would take -his gold then ? He could not carry it along with him. All in a moment he saw it clearly the dreadful truth stood naked and bare; his life and its objects hud been mistaken. " All alone I all alone I" he kept say ing to himself, in a sort of vague self pity. "I've toiled and worked for naught I" But during this time, even now, as he sat there, a messenger of lovo was on its way to him. Ferbaps Heaven bad been but preparing his Jieart to receive it I He heard a ring at the door-bell. Heard it without paying attention to it. Rings were nothing to him ; people did not come on business to his residence, and of v ib tors he expected none. Down went his head lower and lower with its weight of thought. Meanwhile two people were admitted into the hall beiow ; a man and a little girl. The mau had the ppearanoe of a staid, respectable servant. He took off the ohild's warm cloak and hood, and she stood revealed ; a dainty, delicate creature of sonii eight years old ; her golden curia dropping softly around her face, with its large blue eyes and its chtrry lips. The admitting maid, not knowing what to make ot this, called Mr. Gul -ling's housekeeper, old Mrs. Os good. The latter went into a tremor as she came forward and looked at the face. " It's Miss Amy's child !" she exclaim ed to the man, nervously. " I couldn't mistake the likeness." " Miss Amy's that was," he answered. " Mrs. H trry Church she has been this many a year." "I know. It is as much as my place is worth to admit any child of hers here. " You are Mrs. Osgood," exclaimed the little girl. "Mamma said I should be sure to see you." " Hear the blessed lamb ! And eo she remembers me." " She talks of you often ; she says you were always, kind to her ; nobody but you loved her. . " Well, I did love. The old house has never been the same since she went out of it. What's your nam, my pretty one ?" " Amy." " Amy 1" repeated the housekeeper, lifting her hands, as if there was some wonder in it. "And mamma said you would let me go up alone to grandpa. " And so you shall," decided Mrs. Os good, after a minute's hesitatien. " I won't stand in the way of it, let master be as angry with me as be will. Ha is up in the drawing-room, all by himself." The man sat down to wait. And the child went up alone. Opening the door, she went softly in not speaking ; perhaps the stern-looking old man, sitting there with bent bead, awed her ts silence. Joseph Golding, waking up from his reverie, saw a letter held out to him. He took it mechanically, BUDnosiufir its messenger, hidden behind bis large chair, was one of bis waiting- maids. With a singular quickening of pulse, he recognized his daughter's writ ing. She had waited all these silent years. she told bim, because sue was detenu ined never to write to him again until tbey were rich enough for bim to know that she did not wtite from any need of his help. They had passed these ten years in the West, and Heaven had pros pered them. Her. husband was a rich man .now, and she wanted from her father only his love wanted only that death should not come between them, and either of them go to her mother's side without baring been reconciled to the otber. " How did this come here ? who brought it?" demanded Mr. .Golding, in bis usual imperious manner. " I did. grandpapa." He sprang up at tbe soft, timid voice, as if some fright took him, and stared at the level v vision, standing mere use spirit on his hearth-stone, with her white face and her gleaming golden hair. Was it real? Where was he? Who could this child be ? But, as he looked, the likeness flashed upon bim and he erew hungry to clasp her to him. It was the little Amy of the old days grown into beauty for Amy had never been so wondrously fair as this. " Come here, my child ; don't be afraid, leu me what your name u r " Amy. grandpapa." Another Amv 1 Grandpapa ! He felt the sobs rising up in his heart with a great flood of emotion ) but he ohoked them back. " What have they fold you about me i he rejoined, after a long pause. " Have they bid you hate me ?" They always told me you were far away toward where the sun, rose ; end it I were good they would bring me to see you some day. Every night Fsay in my prayers, ' God bless papa and mamma, and God bleu grandpapa.'" " W tiy didn't they bring you r w nat madn them let you come alone ?" "Mamma sent me with John to give you the letter," was the simple answer. "The carriage is at the gate, waiting for me." "Who is John?" " Papa's servant." " And where are tbey staying ?" " At the hotel. We only arrived here this morning " Mrs. (J -good, bovering in the ball, looked on in wonder. Hr master was coming down stairs, calliag for his hat and coat, and leading tbe cmid. lie got into the carriage with her and it drove away. Mr. Golding was wonder- ng vaguely whether it was real. Thev arrived at last, and the child led him in, opening a door at the end of a long corridor, bhe spoke cbeeringiy. " Mamma, here's grandpapa. He said he would come back with me." Mr. Golding's head went off in a swim. Advancing weakness tells upon people in such moments as these. He eat down; and there were Amy's arms his own Amy's about his heck. Which of tbe two sobbed the moat, could not be told. Why had be never known what he lost through all those vanished years ? " Father, are we reconciled at last f "I don't know, my daughter; until you tell me whether you forgive me." " There should be no talk about for giveness," she said. " You went accord ing to your own opinion of what was right.. And perhaps I was to blame, too. Father, it is enough that God bas brought us together again in peaoe. I thought that no one could resist my littlo Amy, least of all, her grandpapa." He looked up. Tbe child stood by, silently ; the firelight glittering on her golden bair, ber face gaining strangely sweet. He put out his arms and drew her into them, close where no child, not even his own, had ever nestled be fore. Oh I how much he had missed in life! he knew it now. He felt her clinging hold round his neck her kisses dropped upon bis face like the pitying dew from H-aven ; and he was it him self, or auother soul in his place ? " Father, see. Amy's voice had a full cheerful ting iu it. Her married hie bad been happy. Mr. Golding turned at the call. Here are Hurry and the boys wait ing to speak to you," she said, in a less assured tone. - He shook his son-in-law's h'and heart ily. Old feuds, old thiugp, were over uuw, and all was bee une new. In his heart, uuiil that trouble came, he had always liked Harry Church. Then he looked at the two boys, brave, m Try uttiri ieiiows, ox wnum ne niigut be proud. Explanations ensued. Fortune bad favored Mr. Church ; tbey had come back fur good, and were already looking for a house. "No house but mine," interrupted Joseph Golding. " It will want a tenant wbeu 1 am gone, xou must come borne to-morrow." " To-morrow will be Christmas Day," said bis daughter, balt-doubtingly. " All tbe better, it Ubristuias was never kept in my house, it shall be uov. 1 snail not live to see another, Amy. bbe looked up at tbe changed, thin face, and could not contradict him. Some one, going out to the West Indies. had told them how Joseph Golding was breaking : the news had caused them to hurry home prematurely. Amy taid to her husband that if her father died, un reconciled to her, she should be full of remors forever. " You will come home to-morrow, all of you," repeated Mr.- Golding. " And mind, Amy, you do not go away again." " But if the children should be too much for you, father 1" " hen they are, 1 11 tell you, he said, with a touch of the former gruff ness. " The old house is large enough." He went out ; and found bis way to the thops open to the last on Christmas Ijve in tbe old town looking for Christ mas gifts. New work for him I but be entered into it earnestly. - Perambula ting the streets like a bewildered Santa Ulaus, be went borne laden with books, and toys, and jewels, and bon-bons. Mrs. Osgoad lifted her hands, and thought the end of the world must be coming. "Help me to put these things away, Osgood. Don't. Don't stare as if you were moonstruck. And, look here) there'll be company to dinner to-morrow. Mind you Bend in a good one." "The best that ever was seen on a table, master if it's for them I think it may be tor." " ell, it is. Miss Amy s coming home again." " Heaven be praised, sir ! Tbe house has been but a dull one since she left it." " They are all coming. And they will not go away again, usgood. it you want more servants you can get them " It s tbe best (Jbristinas-box you could bave given me, master." And they came. Amy and Amy's hus band and tbe pretty boys were there and, best of all, the sweet little girl with the golden hair, sitting next to grandpa. It was too happy a party for loud mirth. And among them Joseph Uolding saw, or fancied be saw, another face, over which, almost thirty years ago, he had watched the grave-sod piled a face sad and wistful no longer, but bright with a strange glory. Close over beyond him the seemed to stand ; and be heard, or fancied he heard, a whisper from her parted lips, though it might have, come only trom bis own neart, " Peace on earth and good-will toward men." An actress in New York was recently presented with a set of diamonds said to have belonged to the ex-Empress Eugenie, valued at thirty-five thousand dollars. The Sen-Serpent. A startling circumstance has, accord ing to the Limerick Chronicle, occurred at Kilkie, Ireland. The sea-serpent has actually appeared at that watering-place, to the dismay of the visitors, who had not reckoned on this pleasing addition to their little society. A short time ince a patty of several ladus aud gen tlemen, onfc of whom fortunately for the serpent U a "well-known clergy man lu the north ot ireianu, ODserved an enormous head, shaped somewhat like that of a horse, emerge from tbe water. Behind the head and on the neck was a kind of ohignon, or, as the Chronicle describes it, " a huge mane of sea-weed-looking hair, which rose and fell with the motion of the water." It may well be imagined that when the head fixed its glassy eyes on the group it excited for the moment feelings the re verse of comfortable. " One lady nearly feinted at tbe sight, and all bad their nerves considerably upset by the dread ful appearance of this extraordinary creature." The well-known clergyman in the north of Ireland, however, pre served his presence of mind and was equal to the occasion, for he minutely in spected the inttreBting stranger, btead- taHtly returning its gaze, untu, to tne relief of all present, in a few minutts the gigantio head aucKea and aisip neared beneath the surface of the water. There can be little doubt that the sea serpent, who has hitherto been too mod est to diBCloBe bimseit except to mariners on tho lonely sea, has turned over a new leaf, and will in future make himself at home at various esa-side places ; nor can any thing be mora injudicious than to turn a cold shoulder upon him, or annoy him, on the other hand, py vulgar curi osity. He is evidently a most deter mined beast, ot giganuo screngtn sno stature, and it would be well, now that hu shows a social tendency, to meet bim respectfully, but with Belf-potssssion. His appearance, it is true, is against him, but, tor aught we know, his disposition may be good ; and, so far from there being any reason for ladies to faint away when he puts his head out of the water, there is, i( is to be leareu, tar more reason to expeot that the serpent himself will be overcome by faintuess at some ot tbe sights to du wuuesssa at many of the watering-places on the Eng lish and Irish coasts. The First Sewspuper In America. In Buckingham's " Newspaper Sped mens we find that the nrot attempt to set up a newspaper in North Ametica, so far as can be ascertained Iroin exist. iiig records or from tradition, whs made in Boston in the year 1691). Ouly one copy is known to be in existence, and this is deposited in tbe btate Paper Uliiue in Liondon. Number one of this paper, and proba bly the ouly number ever published, is Sept. 15, ItiUO. Immediately on its pub lication the legislative authorities spoke of it as a piuipblut, stated that it was an act contrary to law, and contained " re flection of a vt ry high nature." They strictly forbade "any thiug in print without license nrt obtained trom these officers appelated by the Government to grant the same." Tne paper was printed by Kichard Fierce lor ueuj tmin Harris. Mr. Fierce is said to have been the fifth person who carried on the printing bad ness in Boston. Benjamin Harris, who was the pro prietor of this, had a printing bouse in Boston in 1G02, and iu 1G94 printed the acts and laws of Massachusetts, and was printer to his Excellency the Governor and Council." Harris's commission to to print the laws was in the following words : " By his excellency I order Benjamin liar Is to Driut the acts and laws made by the great and general court or assembly by their M ijes- iv s province ot Massacnuseiis cay oi ftew Eagland, that we the people may be informed thereof. " Wm. Puiri'S. " Boston, Dec. 10, 1G92.". This is curious, interesting and im portant bin tor y, showing that the advent of tbe newspaper to this country took place a hundred and eighty years ago. Opium Eating. The most painful consequence of the opium habit is that it so soon estab lishes its iron rule over the system, that very early any deprivation of the won ted supply may induce indescribable suffering, if it does not really jeopardize life itself. The opium eater find that he has entered the slavery of a master whose grip is anguish, and to escape from whom is to be griped more tightly than ever. Ksfreshmg sleep becomes a thing of tbe past. Further on in his downward career, the victim loses all relish fdr soji-1 enjoyment. His moral sense becomes deranged and diseased. Conscience ceases to control. Insanity at last becomes the condition of the mind, and morally and physically the man is a wreck aud a ruin. Worse than this, the deleterious effects of the habit extend to posterity, and the sins of the father or mother are visited upon tbe children even unto the third and fourth generation. Rough on Mrs. Jinks. Henry Jinks advertises, in a country paper, ior some one to elope with bis wite. 11a says the person who applies " must be one with a healthy constitution, and able to do with but little sleep. A sailor would suit best one that's been accustomed to big blows. My wife," he says further, "has many good points for a man who could appreciate them. I cannot. Bhe can talk faster than lightniugcan travel, and louder than a railroad whittle can scream. She doesn't care much for the amenities, but is very powerful on tbe acerbities of life, bbe would be a good assistant in a vinegar factory, buo's bo Bour, and would be a noble companion for a mau living in a country where there are plenty of bears, she's so pow erful in hugging. To any man who feels like enticing my wife to elope with him, I will pay 1 50 and the expense ef elopement, btiouia my blessing be con sidered of any importance, I'll throw it in." We should like to hear Mrs.' Jinks' tide of the story ; that is, at aconvenient distance, or with a moderate allowance of foolscap. To Idling Men. It is easier to be n good business man than a poor one. Half the energy dis played in keeping ahead that is required to catch up when behind will save cred it, give more time to busiuefs, and add to the profit and reputation of your work. Honor your fngiigements. If you promise to meet a man, or a certain thing, at a certain moment, be ready at the appointed time. If you go out on business, att. nd promptly to tbe matter on baud, and then as promptly go about your bus ness. Do not stop to tell sto ries in business hours. If you havd a place of business be found there when wanted. No man can get rich by sitting around stores and saloons. Never " fool" on business matters. If you have to labor for a liv ing, remember that one hour in the morning is better than two at night. If you employ others, be on hand to to sen that they attend to their duties, and to direct with regularity, promptness and liberality. Do not meddle with any business you know nothing of. Never buy a thing simply because the man that sells it will take it out in trade. Trade is money. Time is money. A good business habit and reputation is always money. Make your place of business pleasant and attractive ; then Btay there to wait on your customers. Never use quick words, or allow your self to make hasty or ungentlemaniy re marks to those in your employ, for to do so lessens their respect for you and your influence over them. Help yourself, and others will help you. Be faithful over the interest confided to your keeping, and all in good time your responsibili ties will be increased. Do not be in too great haste to get rich. Do not build until you have arranged and made a good foundation. Do not as you hope to work for Buccess spend time in idleness. If your time is your own, business will suffer if you do. If it is given to another for pay, it belongs to him, and you have no more right to steal it than to steal money. Be obliging. Strive to avoid harsh words and personalities. Do not kick every stone in the path ; more miles can be made a day by going Bteadily on than by stopping to kick. Pay as you go. A man of honor respects his word as he does bis bond. Ask, but never beg. Help oiners, wncn you cm, but never give when you cannot ufford to, simply be cause it is iasbionabio. lijarn to Bay no, No necessity of snapping it out dog fashion, but say it firmly, and respect fully. Have but few confidants, and the fewer the betttr. Use your own brains rather tban those ot others, larn to think and act for yourself. Ba vig ilant. Kep hhead, rather than behind the time. Young man, cut this out; aud if there is a folly iu tho argument, let ub know. A Novel Wuy to gimme off the Mortal tllll. A singular case of disregard for life. sayc the Steubenville (Ohio) Herald, by courtiug a dangerous contagion, came to our notice this morning, in th death of a young man from smallpox. .The deceased went from this city to Pitts burgh, aud of his own accord, applied for, and obtained a situation at a hos pital where several violent cases of smallpox were, for the purpose, be claim ed afterwards, of contracting the disease that he might die. He continued in the handling of smallpox patients and corpses for several weeks, and returned here some ten days Binco, and told bis exploits among the " still's" of the dread ed contagion, saying he wished he would take the smallpox, that he was tired of life, and " wanted God Almighty to take it." He had his wish. In a few days after making the reckless remarks, be was stricken with tbe disease in tbe most violent form, his physician pro nouncing bis case almost hopeless from the first. This morning he died, and was couveyed to the last earthly tene ment, where the troubles of life cease. In this death the ciroumstanoes are pe culiar; the w:sh expressed, and the means taken to contract th6 disease as stated, was a new method of getting rid of life. Another singular circumstance was the publication cf his death, and the diggiug of his grave, tbe day before he died. Gossip. So many people have sa little to do that they find plenty of time to attend to other people's business iu addition to thi ir own. We once knew a man that was bank rupted on account of the kindness of 'a friend that was too free in attending to bis business. He really meant no barm, but, on account of his cfHciousness, and not knowing the true statd of hit friend s business, be was tbe cause ot bis ruin. It ib customary to attribute this weak' neBS to Lrainlessuess, and, in contempt, to say old woman; but allow me to say that, it you bnd a decrepid old bachelor, or a brainless fool of either fex, he is the best type of a gossip in the world. He can wag his head so tignificantiy. He can say so much iu such fuw words, that to speak of woman as representative is a burlesque upon his skill. May I speak plainly, to show coutempt tor tne villau ous murderer of reputation, wben 1 say that lo fitting place can be assigned to the destroyer of more happy homes, the dtsolater of more hearts, and the imper sonation of more hell than can be con centrated in any otber victim the devil can ensnare. Pardon me, reader, but the dealer in other men's reputations Bhould not be confined with the thief, lest tbe thief suffer by the association nor the ordinary murderer, since his call ing is to kill the body, while this incar nate devil attempts to destroy the soul. The cultivation ot beef-roo . sugar in France has now risen to an industry of the first importance. It employs more than four hundred manufactories, and the process of manufacture is each year brought to a higher state ot perlection There are in France three or tour jour nals specially devoted to subjects con nected witn tne manuiacture, lis culti vation, its sale, tbe machinery required. the chemistry of tbe procoss, etc. Reticent People. . An exchange referring to this seldom understood class of people, says, " Valua ble in society, at borne tbe reticent are so many forms of living death. Eyes have tbey, and see not ; ears, and bear not ; and tbe faculty of sp eoh eems to have been given to tbem in vain. Tbey go out and they come home, and they tell you nothing ot all tbey bave seen. Tbey have heard all sorts of news, and seen no end of pleasant things ; but they come down to breakfast next morn ing as mute as fishes, and if you want it, you must dig out your own information bit by bit, by sequential, categorical questioning. Not that they are surly or ill-natured ; they are only reticent. Tbey are disastrous enough to those who are associated with them, and make .he worst partners in the world in business or marriage : for you never know what is going on, or wbere you are, and you must be content to walk blindfolded if you walk with them." But what shall be done with such people ? In an ig norant, doubting, suspicious age, of course they will be Bnarled at and de nounced and thought guilty of all man ner of sins of which no one in the world is generally more innocent. Tbey are generally the viotims of all manner of lectures, and are generally laminar with both smiles and tears. Either or both may move them, but not to commotion or storms or anger, even in self-defense. And even that silence is misconstrued. Tbey are too proud and too sensitive to enter upon a detense of what to them selves is clear as tbe noonday sun ; but the garrulous denouncer ot their pecu liarities and imagined sins takes it for an acknowledgment of guilt, and that, as tbey can say nothing in their own de fence, they keep silence. The lot of the reticent is indeed bad when it falls in such unpleasant places, and only they themselves can know tbe delight of be ing entirely alone, and communing with their own thoughts and aspirations, if tbey can hud no one wbo can stand on their own height" and under stand tbem in their abstracted musings. Language is often good, but terrible when drifting about' without a rudder. How a Publisher was Nut Taken In. Mr. Fields, the Boston publisher, has a wonderful memory, and his knowledge of English literature is so available that when a friend wishes to know where any particular passage may be found, he steers at once lor the corner and con suits the man who is likely to givo the desirediutoraiation. A pompous, would be wit, not long ago, thinking to puzzle bim, aud make sport for a company at dinuer, informed them, prior to Mr. Fields' arrival, that he had himself that morning wntten some poetry, and in tended to submit it to Mr. Fields as Southey a, and inquire in which of his poems the lines occurred. At the proper -uoment, therefore, after the guests were seated, be began : " Friend Fields, I have been a good deal exercised of late trying to find in Southey's p ems his well-kuown lines running thus : can you tell us about what time he wrote them r " I do not remember to bave met with tbem before," replied Mr. Fields, " and there were only two periods in Southey's lite when such lines could possibly bave been written by bim. " When were those r gracefully asked the witty questioner. " SomewtK-re, said Mr. Fields, "about that early period of his existence when be was having tbe measles and cutting his first teeth ; er, near tho close of his life, when bis brain bad softened, and he had fallen into idiocy. The versifica tion belongs to tbe measles period, but the expression clearly betrays tbe idiotic tone r The funny questioner smiled faintly, but tbe company roared. A Weapon of Death. The to-pedoes which have recently been devised for use in tbe Bosphorus possess some new and peculiar features. lney are ot two kinds ottensive and defensive. The latter consists of a strong, wrought-irun tank capable of containing about four hundred pounds of powder, and lying at the bottom of the water ; from a fuse in the interior proceeds an electrio cable containing a double wire and coium inication with a voltaio battery on shore. The tank is also provided with an index which floats within bve or six teet ot the surtace of the water, and which, on being touched by the bottom of a ship, immediately conveys a signal to tbe shore, wbenoe an electrio spark would be sent through the powder in the tank, the explosion either sinking or disabling tbe ship above it. The offensive torpedo, for attacking under cover of a dark mgbt enemies ships lying at anchor, consists of a hol low irou pear-shaped vessel containing a heavy charge of powder and provided with several percussion fuses. This kind of torpedo is fixed to the end of a boom some thirty feet long, which is attached to the head of a small steam launch. To tbe boom, which hinges on the head of the vessel, is attached a chain which runs on board over a pulley, and which can be shortened or lengthened at pleas ure, raising or lowering tbe torpedo in the water. The upper portion of the torpedo-case is provided with live per cussion fuses, one of which is certain to strike a ship's bottom when propelled against it. A New Alloy. A new alloy, com posed of copper and iron, bas been dis covered which is regarded as a discovery of much practical importance. The blending of tbe two metals produces substance of crest strength, which, it is said, can be tempered to greater hard ness than steel, and when soft is easily worked. Tbe principal object ot the in vention is to make a perfectly malleable metal which oan be tempered to the ut most hardness, and which, being cheaper than fine steel, oan be substituted for it in . many important applications for whioh tbe latter is now rarely employed. The tests to which the new alloy bas been submitted show its peculiar adap won tor me purpose iu uesiiuu. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. There are said to be thirty post- mis tresses in Texas. Seven thousand women belong to tbe Belgian International. The Iowa press Kent-rally favor abol- lishiug the grand jury system. Biicklayers iu Chicago are demand ing tO per day, or they quit work. Some of the most trusted lighthouse- keepers on tbe AUantio coast are wo men. Arkansas is to have an Industrial University at Fayetteville flO.OOO worth. Why is a baby cutting its first " in cisors like a teapot? Because its a tea-thing. A Chioago lady found her diamond ring in the ruins of her house some days alter tbe lire. In Colorado a bald person finds him self alluded to as " a man with his bead above timber-line." The editor of the Claremont, N. H., Eagle has been presented with a parsnip five feet nine inches long. Sliding down hill on a codfish is the winter amusement of the Njw Bedford belles. The codfish enjoy it. The United States expended four mil lion dollars last year on three kinds of dye madder, indigo and cochineal. A Methodist congregation cf eleven Mexioans has been organized near La Junta, the first of the kind in Mexico. The late snow slides in the canons in Utah were more serious than reported. Quite a number of people are missing. The workmen of Great Britain have organized a committee for promoting tbe separation ot Uhurch and State. The English people desire a silver cur rency which can be reckoned with equal facility in shilling?, dollars and francs. Cincinnati drinks beer at a cost of six and a half million dollars per annum, and only pays grave-diggers $2.50 per day. Large gold daggers, with hilt studded with diamonds and otber precious stonep, have come into fashion again for tbe hair. A bill in tbe Illinois Legislature pro poses that women shall not be debarred from any occupation except the mili tary. Most all of the saloon-keepers in Chioago are Belling horns from the cow that kicked over tke kerosene lamp that set fire to the city. H G. says that the ladies now wear bo much false hair he can't toll which is switch. What does he know about hair ? He hasn't had any iu forty years. A Fifth Avenue young lady who went to Europe last summer, taking with her ouly a small carpet-bag, has returned with sixteen well-hlled truuks. The Uuited States Treasurer has just received a contribution to the conscience fund, from the city of New York, for customs duty on wearing appareL It is announced from Japan that about five hundred of the more advan ced and promising pupils at tee Ytddo Government School have been sent to America. Continental journals state that the be trothal of the Grand Duke Alexis, of Hussia, and the Princess Mary Elizabeth, of Prussia, is soon to be officially an nounced. The Grand Dnke is twenty two ; the Princess eldest daughter of Prince Frederick Charles and the Prin cess Mary of Ankalt sixteen. The bed and mattress on which Presi dent Lincoln died was sold at public auction, iu Washington, recently, and brought eighty dollars. A restaurant keeper was tho purchaser, and intends to keep it as a relio of tbe great tragedy at Ford's Theatre. The New York Time states that a solid section cut from one of tbe original " big tree" ot California is in this city on its way to a European museum. Five men were employed twenty-five days in felling this huge tree ; its height is 302 feet, and its largest diameter 32 feet. The specimen was cut at a distance of 20 feet trom tbe base. Tbe stump is covered in, and is now used as a ball-room 1 It has been ascertained from counting tho annular rings that the tree is more than 2,500 years old. This is what they call a " joke " in New Orleans: A country-looking chap gets off a train. A stranger steps up t him and says : "Ah I five feet nine high, two feet eleven across the breast, eighteen inches through." " What do you mean, sir '" eagerly asks the countryman. " It's all right," says the other. " You mea sure five feet eleven by eighteen. I'll be ready for you by nine o clock to-morrow morning," and he puts up the tape line with which he has been making tbe measurements. " What are you driving at, sir '(" asks the countryman, augnly. "Why you see," says tbe other, "the yellow fever is killing off strangers so fast that I have to -take their measure ment as they come in, or else tbe dead bodies accumulate on my hands." A pallor comes over the countryman's face, a frantio call is made to the baggage- master to reoheok his trunk, and he leaves for home. A singular incident occurred at Lewis ton, Maine, last week, which may per haps afford physicians a hint respecting the treatment of that hitherto unman ageble disease, diphtheria. A factory girl of that city, while suffering from this complaint, was attacked with a severe coughing, when the nurse, dis covering what seemed to be a foreign substance in the patieut's throat, seized the end of it, and to her surprise and alarm pulled out the false membrane. This aot saved the sufferer. A physician of that city now has the membrane in his possession. It is about three inches in length, completely preserved, of a white leathery substance, and is so thick that it retains the shape of the air pas sage from which it was withdrawn. It has before been saggested that diphtheria and similar diseases migh,t b treated - 1 mechanically, and croup hat sometimes i yieiueu w me surgeon.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers