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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.