1'
BI S. B.: EO.
CLEARFIELD, PA.,- WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, : 1858.
VOL. 4.-ITO. 24.
ta
: 1 j c
I'M TaiUKING OF THEE.
When the wild winds are howling,
.. How distant, how nigh, .
And the storm king is growling,' ' "
And clouds veil the sky ;
, TThen the tempest is foaming
: O'er ccean and lea, r
My thoughts are not roaming ' ' '
I'm thinking of the !
When the mild gentle showers ,
. ' Distil from tho sky, .
And tho bright blooming flowers
- Delight the glad cyo r' :'-
When the xepbyrs are playing
1 "!so blandly and free. - ; I ;
My thoughts are not straying
Im thitking of thee!
Wben'tho beams of Aurora
Are flooding the earth, - . . ,:
With Morn's radiant glory,
And day's jovial mirth ;
"When the gay birds arc singing..
In innocent glco,
As their clear tones are ringing,
I'm thiaktng of thoo !
Wbea day's fading sky-light
Wanes Blow from tho west,
And the shadows of twilight
Steal soft o'er, its breast ;
When Luna is shimmering
O'er land and o'er sea
' While tho bright stars are glimmering,
" I'm thinking of thee !
- Amid gay festive pleasure,
Where mirth leads the song,
There myhcart ha3 no treasure
Tbou'H not ia the throng ;
But forgetting the present,
Its wild merry glee,
My communings arc pleasant,
I'm thinking of thee!
A TALE OI' THE REVOLUTION.
CHAPTER I.
It was near nine o'clock, one warm, sultry
night in the month of September, 1778, that a
party consisting of sonic one hundred horse
men, dressed in the uniform ol British light
horse, rode rapidly along the rodo traversing
tho right hank ol the Santee rivrr, in South
Caro'iia, and took their way to the dwelling of
Walter Steel. They were commanded by
Hugh Langsford, a bloody and cruel ofiicer in
the English service one who had been select
ed and placed in the position he occupied en
account of adamantine heart, and t ranical dis
position, for tho express purpose of teaching
the surrounding inhabitants due obedience to
his majesty's laws. On many occasions he
had exercised hi3 authority in the most bar
barous manner, wantonly burning the houses
of known patriots, end ruthlessly hanging the
owners, without provocation, save their lilwjral
opinions. His name had become a terror to
ail the patriotic inhabitants of the Santee, the
"more 60, as General Francis Marion, -the only
'rel el partizan who fibred any resistance to
the British troops, had been for some time ab
sent in North Carolina, leaving Langsford un
disputed sway over tho region.
Waiter Steel, towards whose honse Langs
ford was now making his way, was a well
.known sterling patriot, and had been heard to
advance opinions boldiy in favtr of the revo
lutionists, and directiy in opposition to King
George, many wondered how ha had so long
escaped thfc vengeance of Langsford: but
there had been a charm powerful in its nature
ba'iging around the dwelling of the aged rebel,
which had so far preserved his home scatheless.
Mary Steel had won the admiration of the
Captain, and this had ripened into love on his
part, and as is usual on such occasions, he
wished and strove to appear in a favorable
light to her, and of course treated her father
aud his family with all the lenity in his power.
From tho bottom of her heart Mary despised
the Woody officer, but aware that her father's
life depended on her actions, she coquetted
with Langsford in such a manner as induced
him to believe he was the idol of her heart.
But he was soon to be ur.deceired.
He bad been called to Charleston, and had
been absent from the Santee about two weeks,
and at the time he is here introduced he was
.returning with fond expectations to Steel's,
having resolved to become at once united to
'the object of his affections. .
' As he was ri ling leisurely along the road, the
distance to the farm house being about three
miles, he was suddenly accosted by a man who
upransr from the bushes by the way, and placed
-fa ira self in front of his horse.
"Your mission is bootless," exclaimed the
newcomer; "return fit onco to Charleston."
"Who are you?" demanded Langsford, in
vain endeavoring to trace the man's features
in tiie gloom of tho night.
.- "One who knows why Captain Langsford
seeks the house of farmer Steel,"' replied the
mtn. "But I tell you Mary marries another
and more favored Iov.er, who is even now at
the house."
"Then his audacity shall cost h;m his life !"
retorted tho Captain "fiercely, as he put spurs
to his horse and galloped on, followed by his
nicn.
'And I rather guess yours will cost yon a
bout the same;" exclaimed the man who had
iveo tho information, kas ho disappeared in
the bushes. ;
A half bour sufficed for Langsford to reach
th house of Steel, which was -surrounded in
t lcnce he having ordered his men to dis
rioirn when somo distance from tho dwelling,
-d leaving a part in charjc of the horses, ap
pUached with the remainder on foot.
livia" stationed his troops so that no one
o'd leave the house, ho approved the par
lor window, from which- a Hgbt shone, and
carlly peeped in. Sitting t ut a few feet
froi&hiSi he discovered Mary in conversation
with young man of some three and twenty
vearsof aze dressed in tho light blue uniform
rmr. Tho first word he heard
pronounced was -lm own name, and almost
breathlessly he listen d. '
I have been consigned," hs heard Mary
ecorn to do were I pUceun otht;r circumstaa
ccf.r If you knew how tested him, it yoi
iAi I loath is advances, you
,iy "for the purpose of savin; my father s
life and prevent our hoe from being pilUgcd,
I fin-rsforain fanner wnicu x
my conduct. No, Harry ; I never loved any
but yon, and I would die sooner than become
the wife of that blood thirsty British demon."
And Langsford stood there and heard it all.
loir shonld have seen his brow contract, arid
his face torn red and pale in rotation, and be
hold his teeth sink Into his under lip until the
warm blood ran trinckling down his chin, and
fell, drop by drop npon his heaving bosom
vet he siirred not, but with every muscle quiv
ering like an asp.-n, he listened" for the reply.
"I believe yon, Mary, and never yet have
doubted tho real cause of your action ; but I
trust there will be no more occasion for dis
sembling. Marion has again returned to tho
Santee his blood boiling to avenge his coun
trymen npen this simc Langsford ; and woo
to the puppet of English power if he leaves
the streets of Charleston for tho open country
at present."
' "But he fs coming. I got a letter from him
the other day, couched in tho most loving
terms, in which he said he ' should bo out in a
few days to claim me as his bride. I threw
the abhored letter into the fire, and wished he
might break his neck first."
Langsford could stand it no longer. The
warm blood had rnshed into his face until it
was red as scarlet ; and drawing back his right
hand, dashed ' the window in by a vigorous
blow, and exclaimed in a voice of thunder
"And he is hereto claim his bride, and
hang the traitor who would seduce her love."
Saying which. he called his men to advance,
and sprang into the room.
Mary Steel uttered one convulsive scream
of horror, and sank lifeless to the floor; while
the partisan surprised at the unexpected in
terruption, retreated to the side of the room
and placed his back against the wall, drawing
his sabre S3 he did so.
"A, ay, my fine fellow, caught in a trap of
your own setting," exclaimed Langsford,
sneeringly, as he glanced at the rebel. "Seize
him, men," he added, to several soldiers who
had by this time crowded into the apartment,
"and gunrd him weil."
The men advanced to obey, and concluding
that resistance would be useless against such
odds, tho j'oung patriot bent bis knee, across
which he snapped his sabre and throw the
pieces upon the floor.
Langsford being left alone in tho room with
M.iry, advanced and bent over her senseless
furm, which he was about raising in bis arms,
when Walter Steel cam's into the apartment.
Striding i:p to the Captain,' he placed bis left
hand against his shoulder and pushed Langs
ford somewhat rudely from the body, at the
Siimc time raising his daughter with the other.
"A father's attention is best given his
daughter at a time like the present," he said
sternly, noticeing the scowl gathering upon
the officer's brow. ' : '
"But remember, Mr. Steel, that I am not to
be insulted with impunity," he growled
angrily.
. "And you will recollect, Captain Langsford,
that I am master of my own household," re
plied Steel, calmly, though a little touched by
the officer's taunt. "If you have anything to
say to my daughter, yoa must wait till she is
recovered."
"Well, I have much to say, and will give
you two hours to prepare her for what ia to
take place," said Langsford slowly.
"Much obliged to you for your condescen
tion," muttered Steel ia an audible voice, as
he bore his child from the room.
CHAPTER II.
Abont an hour a'ter the occurrence related
in the jireceeding chapter, a figure was obser
ved by the sentry, who was stationed, in the
road, in front ot the horse, coming quickly
towards him, and as it was a bright moonlight
night, he saw that the person carried two pan
niers of tin, suspended from a yoke over his
shoulder. Tho sentinel instantly surmised
tiie individual to be a pedlar, as there were a
good many traversing the country at that time,
and it being his duty to hail everything that
approached his post, he instantly shouted
"Who goes there 7"
"Nothia but a pcdler," was the reply, in the
rcgul.ir drawl of the down caster.
"Advance and give the coiiitorsign," contin
ued the sentry.
"I'll advance if ycou want me tn, but I'll be
darned if I give anything away."
So saying the pcdler approached the sentry,
where hs was met by the corporal of the guard,
who had been attracted to the spot by the
challenge.
"What have yon got to sell?"' he demanded.
"Better ask what I haven't got to sell," re
plied the pcdler.
"Well what haven't yoa got to sell 7" repli
ed the corporal.
"Xothin' that ycou want, unless it be this
pint bottle of rum." ,
" What do you ask for it ?" demanded the
corporal, - -. "
"Not much. If ycon'll let me intew the
yard among the soljiers, 111 give it to yeou."
"It's a bargain," answered the corporal
quickly, whose orders had been positive to
let no one out, but nothing had been said a
bout not letting' pcoplo in...
(living the ofiicer on guard tho mm, the
pedler passed into the yard among the soldiers,
who congregated immediately around him.
"What have you got to sell, old fellow 7"
-veiled one. ' "
"(Jot any rr.m 7" cried a second. ' ,
"Get me cut a pack of cards." said a third.
"I Wint a j ick knife," said a fourth.
"Go to thunder, every darned one of yeou,"
replied the pedler in a loud voice, as he put
down his panniers. ' "Darn it to darnation,
dew yeou think I've got forty tongues to an
swer you all at once. Who is that wanted
mm i" . - '-UrS-"5"' '
"Mc," auswerd the soldier, stepping for
ward .
"Well, I haint got none," retorted the Yan
kee to the crest fallen trooper. "Who's that
wanted cards," he added. ' . .
"Me," said another advancing.
"Well here they be." And the pcdler took
tbcra out.- "They are fifty cents for a pack."
"Let mo see them." And the trooper held
out his hand. .
"Darned if I do nntil you let me see the
money to pay for 'em."- -
Tho man paid the half dollar, and the pcd
ler was soon busy selling off his goods to the
troopers, most of whom wanted something.
Nearly all of these men were out of money,
oroavnrinir in vain to dispose of
some hing To Them, be pettishly exclaimedr
"Well, darn if yeou won't buy anything
can't yeou tell me of somebody who will 7"
Tou see that fellow tied to that tree don t
you ? Mid one of the men, pointing to the
rebel lover of Mary, who had been bound to a
sapling near the fire. : .'-' f '
. "I rather guess I dew." , . r j; ; ; . ; :
"He's to be hung in the morning, and would
doubtless like to buy a black cap for the occa
sion.".:, :. . ; 1 : . " i . j - , '
Thank yeou, mister, there's a pocket comb
for yeou. ; I've got one of tho daindest black
caps you ever 4ced."-. - ' ! ..
.While speaking the pedler had thrown the
comb on the ground, and' he instantly ; made
off for the prisoner. As he drew near the rebel
raised his head and gazed upon hi a, but his
slouched hat completely hid his features.
'They said yeou was tew be hung in , the
morning, and I thought yeou'd like to have a
black cap tew put on," exclaimed tho pedler,
first breaking the silence.
"Dj you come to taunt mo V; , demanded,
the prisoner quickly. , ;.
"in'o darned if I dew, but this cap of mine
is a darned good one, and let's people off hang
ing so easy." ... ,
The pedler placed a strong emphasis on the
word off, which caused the prisoner again to
attempt a scrutiny of his features.. This time
the matter was not difficult. His hat was slip
ped to one side and tho countenance fully re
vealed. , -
"God of Ileaven I can it bo possihlo 7"
murmured tho-rebel in a guarded tone.
"Hist or all will bo lost. Buy the cap, and
in its top you will find a knife. - My men are
near by, but number only thirty. Stratagem
must be used. Cut your cords whea all arc
asleep, and then be off."
"But Mary," said the young man in a hollow
whisper. ... . ;
"Shall be saved, rest assured of that."'
"Thank you General, and may God bless
yon for this." ' ,
"Well I guess you can have it for that, tho'
its a darned little price," exclaimed the pedler
aloud, observing that one of the men was ap
proaching the spot, at the same time handing
the pi isoner the cap. "Take ont the knife and
put it in your mouth," he whispered to the
youth. "They are going to search you.''
And as he obeyed, tiie pcdler jcrecned him
with his body. The knife being small was
easily held inside the teeth. ,
"Dam your picturs, give the money I say V
shouted the pedler, in an excited voice, as the
trooper came up beside him.
What did yon sell him 7" asked the soldier.
'That black c:ip to be hung in. darn him.''
'Good. He'll need it in the morning.
Come away with me and I'll take you to the
capt;:in. who'll settle the bill."
"Will he 7 Well, he's a darn clever fellow
then, sure as shootin'. Dew yeou think I can
sell him anything 7"
"More than likely. He is to bo married to
night." 'Is he 7 I've got some of the handsnmust
gloves ever you seed. white as thnndcr all over.'
"Then I think he'll buy a pair."
. ''Dew you ? . Well yeou're a clever fellow,
and hero's a pocket comb for yeoo.?' '
They had bv this time reached the door of
.the Captain's room, and the pedler was usher
ed into the presence of Langsford.
chapter in. ,
Langsford was seated beside a table on which
a lampwas burning, casting a dim light over
tiie room, and his head was resting upon his
hand, while he appeared so deeply absorbed
in a reverie as not to notice the entrance of
the trooper.
The man passed inside the door, scraped
his feet once or twice, and finally succeeded
arousing the captain, who raised up his head,
stared at them a moment, and then uttered in
an audible voice :
"Well!"
This is the pedler you wanted to see," re
plied the trooper touching his hat.
- "Oh, is it 7 Well, you may retire."'
The trooper did as he was directed, and as
the door closed upon the retreating form
Langsford resumed r '
"Come a little nearer, Mr. Pcdler, I want to
examine your stock." . .
The pedler obeyed, setting his ' panniers
down before the officer, and holding the lamp
for hini as he examined the goods.
The gloves attracted the Captain's eye.
"I don't know as I want to buy anything yon
have got, but there is a young lady in the
house who would doubtless like to purchase a
pair of these gloves, as she is going to be mar
ried to-night." "
"They're. d.tmed fine gloves."
. "No doubt of that. I will send you to her
when I get through with you. But I want to
ask you one question : What side do you take
in the present strife between England and the
Colonies 7" . - ; . .
"Me 7 Why, darn it, tew tell the truth I
rather favor the mother country, though bcia'
notbin' but a poor pedler, and havin' tew
trade with both sides I have to be pretty much
neutral." .
'But do your feelings on the side of loyal
ty ever prompt you, when opportunity occurs,
to be of service to your king 7"
'Don't know but they might never had a
chance tew dew anything for the king yet."
"Well, I will give you a chance. . I have ev
ery reason to believe that the arch rebel, Ma
rion, is hovering not far from this place at the
present time." . .
I know he is, darn him ; I've seen him
this very day."
" "When where 7" demanded Langsford ea
gerly. ; ."
".'Bout five miles from here, on the upper
Santee road. ' I seen him cuttin' across Ben
Brady's farm, with about thirty men follerin'
after him."
"Then my plan is laid.' Go into the room
where Miss Steel is, and pretend sympathy for
her and offer to help her. She will sond you
to this Marion for aid. Return and guide me
to tho spot and your fortune is made."
'I'll dew it da-ncd to darnation if I don't.
I'll make her believe. I'm her best friend, get
her tew tell me where this all fired rebel is
campin' and lead you to the spot.". ! : - I-
Taking up bis things, the pcdler left the a
partment of Langsford, and soon reached the
door of tho room where Mary Steel and her
father were sitting. Knocking upon the door,
ho soon heard the voice of Steel demanding
who was there. , ' "
- A pedler, who wnts to soli Miss Steel
some goods," ho answered. r '
- A short consultation was heard between Ma
ry and her father, and the door was unlocked,
and the pedler admitted. ' '-" '
Advancing directly across the apartment to
where Mary was seated by the table, ho imme
diately made a display of his goods before ber,
but she instantly exclaimed ' -
"I have no wish to purchase anything, bnt if
you do me a service,' I will pay you well for H.
"What is it ma'am 7" esked the pcdler pul
ling his slouched hat still farther over his face.
f'l am about to bp forced into marriage with
the Captain who commands the rccn now a
ronnd the house. ' I hate and despise him. ' If
you will consent to convey a message from me
to Gen. Marion, he will come at onco to my
assistance and prevent it." '
Mary Steel !" fell from the lips of the ped
lejr, in a soft musical voice; which riveted the
eyes-of the maiden fixedly "npon him. The
slouched hat fell slowly off, revealing to the
eyes of the astonished girl the features ol
General Marion. ' - ' -
"Oh, Marion, this is too much.. Why run
this risk why jeopardize your life in this man
ner?" miiTmured'the maiden, reproachfully.
' "Nay, Mary,' methinks if your sharp eyes
could not pierce my disguise, those who never
saw me would not be likely to make the dis
covery. It will prevent this marriogc, and
teach Langsford a lesson in letters of blood !
Good-bye for the present." And the general,
who had resumed the slouched hat and tho
panniers, glided from the room. 1 .
He made his way at once to Langsford's n
partment and found that officer impatiently a
waiting his return. "
"What news?" asked the Captain.
'Good. We've got the darned rebel, snre
as shootin'. ne's just three miles from here,
on the Bp-river road."
Do you know the spot exactly "
I guess I dew. I can lead you right tew It.'
: .Well, then let's be off at once."
And they left the room.
A quarter of an hour afterwards the party
left the honte, with the exception of three
troopers, who were left to guard the rebel
lover. Ccmcajioa next veek.
A Dutch Sojinambclist, The Dutchman
whose advertisement of a lost horse has been
the rounds of the papers, has a brother who N
addicted to somnambulism. Ho. writes as
follows in relation thereto, to Porter's Spirit
of the Times : . . ,
Vot I shall do mit mine prodcr Fretty," I no
can dell. He stants up ven he. lays toun ; unt
coos vilkin arount vast avake ven he ish vide
asleen. . He sleen in de same ted in anoder
room sis me ; I mean he sleeps in anoder room
in der same ped as I. Veil nex veek, Satur
day nitc, der dailer snnts home my new suit
mit brod clot close. I dinks next tay I vares
dem mit incding, unt Parpary vill dinks 1
looks nicer as mine rifal, Ilenrich Bottshmire.
So nex morning 1 gets , up early, like every
body toes ven tay has new close, unt looks a
pontit, ven lo ! and bchol ! I find mine close
hadn't staid put! Te key vas locked dight
roit der door on te insite tint ter vindows vas
bulled to on te outside of te plints. unt not
ings vas proke loose no vares. I looks on te
ped, unt unter te ped unt arount te ped, unt
like der old shcntlemen Byron dells apout, ev
ery vare but in te ped, nnt I no viuts dem.
Den I pegins to sware in low Bensylvany
dietch, vitch sounts much like der steam mu
sic unt cat squalls niixt, unt ter noise vakes
up pruder Fretty. Sonrkrout nnd grab ap
ples ! vot you dink 7 Te scamp has got up in
Ser nite, tressed himself in dcra, unt come
pack to ped mit dem on. Te smardest chew
in Chatham street wouldn't hafe sold der
whole suit for vifc thalers. If I hadn't a
know Fretty tone it in his sleep, unt dat he vas
more as a goot teal stronger as me, I'd peged
him dill he vas plackcr as plew.
Oeigix of Odd-Fellows. It has been sup
posed by many that the origin of the society
of Odd-Fellows or rather the organization of
that association Was of comparatively mod
ern date. They will be somewhat surprised,
however, says the Cincinnati Times, 'to Icarn
that its origin dates as far back as the time of
Nero, and was established by tho Roman
soldiers in the year 55. At that time they
were called "Fellow-Citizens." The present
name was given them by Titus C;csar, twenty
four years afterwards ; and they were so called
froni the singular character of their meetings,
and from their knowing each other by night or
day by means of mystical signs and language.
At the same time he presented them With a
dispensation, engraved on a plate of gold,
bearing different emblems of mortality. In
tho fifth century the Order was established in
the Spanish dominions, and in Portugal in
the sixth ccntnry. It did not reach France
and England until the eleventh century. It
was then established in the. latter country by
John De Neville, who, assisted by five Knights
from France, formed a Grand Lodge in Lon
don. This ancient fraternity has now its lodges
in every quarter of the Globe, and, by its use
fulness and benevolent character, commands
tho respect and countenance of all who arc ac
quainted with its nature and . purposes."
Those upon whose information reliance may
be placed give credit to Baltimore for first in
troducing Odd-Fellowship into the United
States, and to Grand Sire Thomas Wildic, still
living among us, belongs the honor.
. All about the Law. A Western pettifog
ger, while conducting a suit before a justice
of the peace, seeing that his case was going
against him, broke forth in the following high
ly oratoric and indignant strain : 'Go on
with yer abuse you infernal bullhead ! I
'spose you think now that you're going to get
tho case. Well mabby yer will get it, my cli
ent can't get no justice before this court. But,
sir, we're enough for ye, the hnll of ye. Me
and my client can't never bo intimidated, nor
bo tyranized over, mark that. And sir, just
so sure as this court decides against us, we'll
file a writ of prptandcr, sir, and we
Here he was interrupted by the opposite
counsel, who wanted to know what he was
meaning by a writ ol protander.
'Mean 7 why, sir, a writ of protander is a-a-it's
wal, I don't just remember the exact
word, but it's what will knock thunder out of
your blasted one horse courts !" '. . f
Graphic. "I say Sambo, was you ever in
toxicated?" ,
'No, Julius, nebbcr. Was you 1"
"Well I was. Sambo." . ..
"Didn't it make you feel good, Julius ?" .
"Yah! yah! But, oh golly! next mornin,"
thought my head was a wood shed and all the
niggers in Christendom . were splitting wood
in it." ..; .. . . ,: '
; 4Tht people of the United States, ' number
ing 27,000,000, smoke more cigars in a year
than all the people in England, France and
Russia, numbering over 100,000,000. -
: CHINESE FOOT-CRAMPING.
While the badge of the man is in the head,
that of gentility in the woman is in the foot.
One of the earliest inquiries of a foreigner,
when he visits that monster curiosity-shop
"the flowery land" is anent this point ; and
any new-comer from the West, be he never so
modest, is sure to watch the pedicles of the
first Chinese -beauty or ugly ho meets. But,
should he bring up in the Southern waters of
China, the impression (coflimon throughout
Christendom.) that the stinted foot is univer
sal among the Chinese women, is at once bro
ken. The Canton boatmen, who are most ex
pert at the oar, are the earliest to hail your
approach to the shores, and they show by their
naked foot that they find it more convenient
to sutler this member to grow to its natural
size. And generally rpeaking, the female do
mestics of the Canton province preferred this
freedom of nature. With truth too, it may be
averred,' that, among the lower classes, tho
popularity of this objectionable fashion is of
ten but local. Thus, in Chusan and Ningpo,
where I resided for eighteen months, in 1S42
and 1843, 1 can scarcely recall a single instance
of a natural-sized foot among the women, even
the maid servants." But a subsequent resi
dence in the North, particularly my travel
through the interior of the Canton, Kianges,
and Chihkiang provinces, daily brought in
stances of females to whom tho nndislorted
foot seemed indispensable for the sake of live
lihood. But, as it is an error to say that the cramped
foot is universal in China, it is no less a mis
take to state, what I have seen in print, "that
only parents of the wealthier sort can afford to
their daughters tho luxury of small feet."
The streets and houses, in every town accessi
ble to foreigners, abundantly testify how this
fashion is mimicked by all glasses. Even a
mong the poor, who are likely to appreciate
the value of preserving it in its natural size,
there is another mode of calculating the profit
and loss of the bandagad foot.- When their
daughters are given in marriage, "the golden
lilies," as their delicate feet are jolitely call
ed, come in as a matter of no trifling pecuni
ary consideration. It is not at all improbable
that many who have submitted to the torture
till marriage, have felt it absolutely necessary
to unlose the bandages and set .themselves
free, to assist their husbands in the garden or
in the fields, &c. Yet, it is unquestionable,
tiiat among the lowest orders too, as well as
the richer, the custom is popular and fashion
able. In gangs of female beggars which have
passed me in the streets of some of their cit
ies, I have seen those whose bodies were cov
ered with rags and vermin, but whose feet
were, bound as tightly and squeezed to as mi
nute 'dimensions as you migt.t witness in any
wealthy f imily. Not unusually, what to your
eye seems a fot duly bound and bandaged, is
all sham, and got up for the sake of aping re
spectability. A nnrse in the family in her ev
olutions by day, will sprit quasi-cramped feet,
but when suddenly called up at midnight, will
expose feet of ordinary and unmutilated di
mensions. The pretence is admirably kept
up, in some instances, by wearing short stilt.",
with small wooden feet in elegantly embroi
dered shoes. The writer has seen the part of
a Chinese actress p;a'ed. one of whose chief
attractions was a remarkably small and elegant
foot. The gait, the manner, were entirely
feminine. However, it turned out to be noth
ing but imitation, to the very feet all per
formed by a youth !
Some Europeans, I see, who conceive that
there is no f pecies of monstrosity but what
must le laid at the door of the Tartar con
querors, boldly assert that the cramped foot
was introduced by them 2.')0 years sinco, when
they mounted the throne of China. There is
not the slightest foundation, however, for
such an assertion. The written accounts of
tho natives in tracing this custom, go much
further back than 00 years. One author
ascribes its origin to an infamous woman,
Tankey, who lived n. c. 1100. She was em
press at the time. Having been born with
t?lub-fect, she, by her marvellous influence
over her husband, induced him to adopt her
form of foot as the model of beauty, and to
enforce, by imperial edict, the compression of
the feet of female infants down to this impe
rial standard. Others are of opinion that the
detestable custom arose 1,700 years after hc-r,
or a. d. COO. According to them, the then
reigning monarch Yangte, ordered a pet con
cubine to bandage her foot. On the sole of
her shoo she had stamped the Lotus flower ;
and each step this royal mistress took, she left
on the grounds a print of the Lotus or water
lily. On this account, to the present day, the
bandaged feet of Chinese ladies are compli
mented as golden lilies." But another ac
count maintains that the fashion owes its ex
istence to a whim of Lc-yiih, a licentious and
tyrannical prince of the Tang dynasty, who
held his court at Nanking about a. d. 916. It
seems that one day as he was amusing himself,
the thought struck him he might improve the
appcaraace of the feet of a choice favorite in
his harem by bending the iustep, and laising
it into on arch, in his imaginary something re
sembling the new moon. How a resemblance
was effected it is difficult to imagine. Never
theless, the courtiers were so taken with admi
ration of this contortion, that the novel form
was immediately introduced into their families.
During the anarchy that prevailed at the o-
pcning or the present dynasty, a notorious
robber-chief, who had a particular detestation
of tho club-feet of Chinese women, chopped
off" the feet cf a very large number of females
and raised a vast pile or them. But the manes
of those injured wemen are described not as
crying for vengeance upon the bandit chief,
but npon the head of that unpopular and un
lucky Prince Lc-yuh,wbom they regard as the
real occasion of their sufferings. Heaven is
represented as responding to the appeal of
these nnfortunates by sentencing the tyrant to
make 1,000.000 pair or shoes for tho women of
China with his own fingers. "
Generally, the result of such binding" is,
that four of the toes are bent under the solcr
the big toe only being left free, and tho instep
is forced up into a bulge. Accordingly the
walk of "the little-footed celestials' is a short
low lefore a centle breeze ! Freqnettly, to
support themselves in walking, these "waving
willows' use an umbrella,' make a walking
stick ot an attendant, or lean upon the shoul
der of a respectable grandson. It cannot be
doubted that cases of gangrene bare occurred
from such severe compression of the foot;
and loss of both feet, or of life, and other -
and qnick step, with a swinging or tne arms
precisely as in walking on one's heels. The
nhinns romoare this to the waving of a wil
vils, might be detailed as arising out of fhia
pernicious rule of fashion. But, from all I ,
have seen, I incline to the opinion that the in
jnrious effects of life and health from this Tor
tuous position, are not so certain as has been
imagined. Lift in China. .
THS TCST S2TELLI2KJ SW11TDLE.
The Washington correspondent of the New
York Post, refering to the sale of Fort Snel
ling, and the Committee appointed to examine
into it, 6ays s
"The commission who went ont to make the
sale were so exceedingly modest and unob
trusive, and so very reserved in regard to their
business, that those living in the immediate
vicinity, and even some of the officers in the
fort, did not know for what purpose they
were there until after they were gone. Peo
ple there were surprised to learn of the sale,
three weeks after it was made. There were
men anxious to purchase the land, and were
expecting and prepared to do so at $25 to $100
per acre. The government could have real
ized at least 400,000 for the land at the time
the sale was made. Responsible men had ex
amined the advantages of the locality and soil.
They had the money for the first payments,
and until they learned, to their astonishment,
that the land was sold, expected to purchase
a portion, if not all of it.
The government sold it for $90,000, at a pri
vate sale; ro private that it may be called secret.
A Mr. Steele was the nominal purchaser, who,
although he claimed nothing as an actual set
tler, which he might have done, obtained the
whole. The only apparent and alleged reason
for the preference given to him is, that he had
established a ferry and erected some buildings
for the convenience of the United States
troops, who had the use of them gratis. Mrn
Steele, from tho countenace and favor of the
Government, had made so large a fortune that
be is the last person who should have the per
ference, if it was to be given' to any one.
The only reason and excuse offered -for the
manner of the sale is, that if it had been of
fered at the public sale, tho price would have
been kept down to $1 25 or $1 50 per acre by
a combination which had been formed for
tha- purpose.
Sucn a combination could not have existed,
because no one kuew that the sale was to be
made until afterwards. And what if there was
such a combination 7 The land might have
been appraised and the bids received in wri
ting. Fort Dearborn was sold in that way.
Had Fort Snelling been advertised for sate in
a proper manner, and bids invited in writing, v
the Government would have been offered
S400;000 by men who are now in Washington.
The sale is now referred to a comniitt'-e lor in
vestigation, and Fort Snelliug is likely to be
come as fdmons in tho history of national
swindling as the Galphin and Gardiner frauds.
The Aduinistration is responsible for it, and
though no personal imputations are made, the
individuals immediately connected with it
must clear theirskirts of the evident unfairness
of the transaction, or take the odium of it."
DOMESTIC ECOXOHV.
ArniCATiox of Maxcres. It is now pret
ty generally agreed among practical farmers,
that manures of all kinds may be buried too
deep in the furrow ?o deep with a deep plow
as to entirely destroy their efficacy for a num
ber of seasons, if not forever. The reason
why this is so is not very satisfactorily ex
plained for it is proved that manures never
work down to any great depth, else the sub
soil would be valuable after many years of
deep manuring.
One great point with farmers should be to
prevent loss of their barn manures by check
ing great fermentation. Strong mannres heap
ed up, soon ferment and burn unless much ex
tra mayer is mixed in the pile. Some heaps
heat so much as to turn white. They are "fire
f.inged," as the old gardeners used to express
it, and they are almost worthless when this
excessive heating has been permitted. We
incline to think that more of the essence of
our natnre is wasted by this fermentation
this heating process than all other modes of
waste.
It is certain that excellent crops of corn are
grown where the manure from the barnyard
was buried no deeper than a common barrow
would bury it when spread on the surface.
This we often see on dry ground and dry sum
mers, and with only a moderate dressing of
manure.
So we find that all kinds of manure spread
in October and November on grass land or
meadow land, work well and increase the crop
abundantly though exposed through the winter
to nil kinds of weather.
The truth seems to be that not much of the
essence of barn manures is lost by evapora
tion when they are spread out where no fer
mentation takes place. '
Still if we would secure all the essence of
barn manures, we must mix them with fresh
earth immediately, or in the yard, or in the
field with a light furrow or a harrow. . When
this is done no effluvium or ammonia, is per
ceived to pass away. Mass. Ploughman.
noors. A young miss of fourteen summers
was indulging in the delightful sport of skat
ing on a small water privilege about one mile
out of Manchester, N. II., recently, and the
ice gave way where the water was twelve feet
deep, and in she went, but being surrounded
by a most fashionable array of hoops, which
made a wide ring aronnd her on the neigh
boring ice, she was saved from sinking far be
low the waist. Another girl came to her res
cue and she was saved. Had it not been for
her hoops her chances would have been very
poor. - .... ' : ' ' ' .
Cheap E.voroa. Oysters can now lie bad
in Chicago, for 35 cents a can, containing
quart; beef, by' the quarter, from: $2-50 to
$3.0a per cwt ; pork, for 200 lb hogs, $3.50 ;
flour, $3.50 to $4.00 per bbl.,and butter from
14 to IS cents per lb. for the best article.-J
. I compare the art of spreading rumors to
the art of pin making. There is usual somo
truth which I call wire; as this passes from
band to hand, one gives a polish another m
point ; others me and put on the bead, at
last the pin is completed. John Newton i
It is estimated that abont fbirty-fonr million
pounds of maple sugar are made annually in
the Northern States. : "
A sublime' spectacle Is that of "two Inveter
ate tobacco ebewers driving a sharp bargain
over a load of wood. ?
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