Raftsman's journal. (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, April 07, 1858, Image 1

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VOL. l-m 32.
BI S. B. ROW.
CLEARFIELD, PA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1858.
C '
For the Raftsman's Journal.
HAST T II O IT EVERT
BT UCSTICV 3.
HasMhou ever sat and listened.
In'the evening hast thou ever
To the murmuring of the waters
Of a pebble-bedded river?
Wast thou on its green bank seated,
Yielding to the magic powers
Of the softly-breathing zephyrs
And the dew-dis:bling flowers?
Was it close beneath a broad. oak,
By the waters firmly planted ?
And didst hear tho evening carols
Of the birds in sweetness. chanted ?
iTere the gathering evening shadow t
kinping in fantas'.ic danue3
O'er the waters, at the flowers
Casting silent furtive glances?
Did the pretty evening Cowers
Hang their heads in modest blushes,
Aa tho icpbyrs. lingering, kissed them,
And sighed off among the bushes?
Came the strains of evening tnusio
lowu along tbo murmuring water,
Like the music of the daisies.
Or their laughter-loving daughter?
Hast thou ever thus been seated
Fy a pebble-bedded river.
With a. nymph right close beside thee?
lell me, tell me, hast thou ever?
A LEAF FROM riON'EEK .LIFE.
BYCAPT. M.D. AI.EXAXDEa,l.-.S. A.
Lionel Gardiner started, sometime in tho
rear lSi'J, Iron tho State of New York, to
Cud a home ou the western frontier, llo had
heard much of the beauties of the western
forests, of the proline qualities of the broad
prairies, of its placid lakes and fertilizing riv
ers; and, won by the accounts, to make the
Journey, himself, he finally persuaded his wife
lo give her consent to a removal. They had
bat two children at the time, t'.ie eldest ot
whom, a boy, was to remain at the east until
tis education was somewhat more advanced.
Oae bright and cloudless morning in May,
the waggon of our emigrant halted beside the
Missouri, in what is now called Nebraska. A
mild face was thrust out upon him from the
curtains, and a gentle voice enquired,
"Are we to stop here, Lionel ?"
"Well, wife," was the reply, "perhaps we
might as well. This seems to ba a One coun
try, and as the old adage runs, we might go
father and fare worse. So pass out pussy, and
let her run around a little. The poor thing
must be awfully cramped by thistimel Twelve
bours' riding 13 not very refreshing. Come,
puss!"
Hereupon a sweet little girl of about ten
Bummers appeared in front of the wagon, and
shaking the sunny locks back from her spark
ling face, sprang into the arms of her fond
lather.
"Oh, what a pretty phicc," she cried, with
glee, as her proud father lowered her from his
caress. "Come, mamma, come out here and
ee how beautifully the sun shines on this riv
tr, and see the fish darting all around, catch
Jug flies. Urn pretty little dears, pussey will
feed the little darlings." This was said to the
fish. Soon she was busied in finding worms
and other food for them, while hhe clapped
her hands inswild merriment to see the speck
led beauties dart to the surlace, and some
times beyond it, to catch the tempting wor
lds. Mrs. Gardiner stood lor a moment gazing
upon her child, partly in admiration of her
beauty, and partly in pity at her condition.
"Poor Amy !" she thought, "you are too
frail a flower to transplant to the wilderness ;
but there is no help for it now. We must
make the best of the portion that Heaven de
signs for us."
" She was soon busied in removing some of
the utensils from the wagon, and preparing
their first meal -in their new home. Mean
while Mr. Gardiner had surveyed the spot, se
lected a site for the erection of their cabin,
and strncK the first blow of his. axe into the
bark of an oid towering denizen of the forest
The sound awoke strange echoes. As they
listened to the reverberations a feeling of awe
crept over them. They were miles and miles
away from their kindred, perhaps from their
race alone with each other in the deep soli
tude of nature's rural home. As the smoke
of the first fire ascended cloudward. tho ven
turous pioneer, taking a band of wife and
child in cither of his own, knelt upon the rich
oil. and implored protection and happiness
lrom Him, who guides our destinies in the
palace or hut, populous city or silent wild-
wood.
Here, then, it was decided that they should
remain. Here would be their future home!
In a few days a log cabin was reared for their
occupancy. This seemed to bo tho very
Leight of little Amy's ambition. She had
read of "ronehine it in the bush" of log cabins
and forest life, and this was the realization of
the dreams she had formed or it. 1 hen n
assisted her father in planting she carrying
the seed ft r him, and in a dozen ways making
herself indispensable, and her parent liappy,
"Ah, puss !" he would say, "yon are a lit
tle jewel ! what would mamma and I do with
out too?"
"I am sure I don't know ! perhaps you
would send for brother. Then you wouldn't
iniss me much."
"Should harm come to you, dearest but of
course it will not ! Are not your parents
watching over you ?"
- But if barm should come to me, would you
feel very very bad?" she enquired with a
(mile.
Mr. Gardiner clasped tho sweet child in Lis
arms and Imprinted kisses upon her cherry
lips. Tears stole unbidden to ins eyea.
"Oh! ahame nana! she cried, "lhere's
tear! you know yoa used to tell brother that
it was not manly to weep. So I've caught you.
Bnt I must go feed my fish, they will all be
waiting for their meal, louaont us.e to ue
kept waitin. nor iln thev."
'. Away she bounded, merrily laughing and
tossing her ringlets in the air, tno very em
bodimentof a barnv sonl.
Under the care of the laborious farmer, the
'crops progressed favorablv, and promised a
: a rr i . . " .,
-jair return, me household economy unue
the skillful conduct of bis wife was quite as
prosperous, j ne little stock in poultry and
swine that had been brought with them flour
ished finely, and altogether their prospects
were flattering. It one dav occurred tA Mr.
Gardiner that it would be well for him to ride
tome little diitance up the river with a Tiew
to ascertain whether there might not be some
n raiidSng Dtar tbsm, daaigaing to make a
limilar excursion down the stream at some fu
ture time for the same purpose. As there was
no pressing work upon his little larm that
needed immediate attention he departed on
his errand, promising to return before night
fall.
He rode some dozen miles over tho broad
prairie, still keeping to the river's bank, until
he espied a small column ot smoke, some
what inland, arising perpendicularly to the
clouds. Supposing this to bo an evidence of
civilization or at least a proof that he was not
alone in the wilderness, he urged his horse
towards it. Ilardlv however had he procee
ded a mile ere a loud yell, as it from the
broats of a dozen wild devils smote his ear.
In a moment alter, uprising from tho long
grass where they had laid concealed, there
rushed towards him five mounted Indians, wa
ving over their Jieads the terrible tomahawk,
and seeming intent on his destruction. With
the rapidity cf lightning he raised and dis
charged his gun. One ot the red butchers
fell from his horse lifeless. I La managed du
ring the panic that ensued lo reload, and as
they again rushed toward him, be shot another
n mid career. I here were now but three,
nit they came upon him with such speed that
ic was lorced to si.ng his ritio across liis
shoulder and turn to flee.
The race was aa animated one; the Cam-
anehes were well mounted on swift Mustangs.
Mr. Gardiner's animal was not a slow one, and
wildly the whoUi party 3ew over the prairie.
There was one advantage possessed by the
horses of the Indiaps, they were used to. trav
elling amid the long grsss, and, having this
fact in their favor, it was not astonishing that
they slowly gained on tho pursued.
Supposing that a demonstration made with
his ritle. niieht slop them, Mr. Gardiner poin-
ed it full at the breast of tho foremost war
ier. He was not mistaken. The moment
that they perceived the weapon pointed to
wards them, they checked their speed, and
with a wild yell' darted oil in another direc
tion across the prairie. Seeing their appa
rent change of purpose, the farmer now per
mitted hij horse to walk, supposing ol course,
that he would not be again interrupted.
1 hud no idea that those red skins were hero
abouts," he soliloquized. "Where can they
have come from, and what can be their busi
ness. I ain sorry that I was compelled to
shoot any of their number, but better so, than
that wife and Amy should have lost their pro
tector." lie putted his horse's neck and spoke words
of cheer to him. It now occurred to him to
load his rifle, as he might possibly need it
again. lie did so.
"Come, Bluebeard !" lie said to his faith
ful animal, "we must push ahead, to reach
home. We will be looked for anxiously.
Who knows but what these unfeeling wretch
es may be prowling around our home 1"
These thoughts seemed to hurry turn on.
Again were they in swift motion towards thu
clearing. He soon struck into the Woods,
and rapidly left the prairie behind. As he
caiae in sight of his homo, he discovered his
wife some distance on the road towards him
gesticulating violently, and beckoning him
onward. His heart almost sank within him,
as he observed her.
"What is the matter, wife V ho asked with
terri!le apprehension.
"Amv is pone UShe has been stolen !" an
swered the wretched wife, down w hose cheeks
tears of agony were coursing their rapid way.
"By whom V he asked ; but his heart told
him already. Ho had arrived too late.
"I know not bv whom," she replied. "She
was there in lront of the cabin a few moments
since. I heard her scream, and rushed out to
save her, but she was gone. I looked every
where, but without success. Qi ick, husband.
dismount ! I will lead Bluebeard to his sta
ble. Strike into the forest here. They can
not have gone far. Oh! my child! my child!"'
Mr. Gardiner could speak no consoling
words nor dare bo tell her what he feared.
He said, "Go back to the house wife ; load
the other gun, and keep watch and ward over
every door and window. Sutler n one to en
ter. Shoot them down n tney attempt it:
I will seek for her in the woods."
During these directions, he had thrown him
self from his horse, and started at once in
pursuit. He was convinced that whoever the
perpetrator or the outrage might be, they were
on foot, as that part of tho forest was too
dense to permit ot the passage of a horse.
Apprehension lent speed to his lootsteps. He
thought that the captor or his child would
naturally be impeded in bis progress, and that
if he could -succeed in outstripping him, he
might yet save her.
lie pressed on at tho very top of his speed
for some thirty minutes, until lie reached an
oneninz. the existence of which he had here
tofore been ignorant of. He saw at once that
this would be the only means of escape from
the woods. It was bounded on'either side by
a deep marsh, through which jio one could
pass. Here, then, he determined to post
himself, and wait for a time, trusting to the
appearance of the abductor. That he might
be himself safe from observation, ho climbed
into a tree, and waited, with beating heart
and almost crazed brain, for what might occur.
Not long did he have to wait. With the
stealthy crawl of the panther, thrnsting aside
the und-Twood, and carefully surveying every
-inch of ground before him, a stalwart Jndi.'n,
bearing tho now unresisting form of the lair
Amv, made his appearance, lie deposited
the child among some tangled vines, directly
under tho tree where the father was stationed,
and then skirting the clearing, passed along
lo the other side, with the probable intention
of summoning some of his fellows. Mr. Gar
diner waited until the Indian had disappeared ;
then sliding from his position, he seized his
child, and whispered in her ear,
"Make no outcry, but rouse! It is your
father, Amy."
The words seemed to recall her to life.
She had evidently lost her consciousness
through terror. But now that a familiar voice
fell upon her car, she came to herself again,
and clung tightly to her parent.
"Quick, this way, dearest ! That bad man
will soon return, and perhaps with aid. .We
must endeavor to reach the cabin before they
reach us."
They now commenced their return. They
had not proceeded far, however, ere they
heard the Indians' cry of disappointment ring
through the solitude, and awaken the echoes
of the forest.
"They have discovered yonr escape, and
will soon be npon us. We' mnst press on,
Amy, or we shall be lost. Take courage, pus
sy, and lean on my arm.;' ,
Again was that terrific cry repeated.
"Ah, they near' us. Well, we must turn up
on them. I have it you must start at once
for the cabin. You can find it, can you not?
Tell your mother to bring the gun and all the
ammunition to this spot. I will stay and keep
the villains at bay."
Amy started oil as directed, while her fath
er placed himself behind a tree to watch for
the approach of the enemy.
The night was coming on, apace, the thick
foliage of the trees making it stHI darker.
Soon at his very side, stood one of the dark
skinned thieves. Gardiner's knife was in his
heart in a moment not a moan o sigh escap
ed they victim. The only sound was that
caused by the heavy falling of the dead man.
But even this was heard by his companions,
who now advanced and perceived the white
man and his victim at his feet. Quicker than
thought a tomahawk was thrown at him, which,
had he not dodged, it would have cleft his
brain. The steady aim of Gardiner sent a bul
let through the heart of the red man. Now
had arrived the time for action. He could
not reload his weapon. His assailants were
pressing too closely upon him for that. The
only way he could was to club his rifle and
keep them at bay as best ho might, until his
wile's arrival might create some diversion.
In this way he managed to retreat a short dis
tance. Unfortunately his heel caught upon a
fallen limb, and he was thrown forcibly upon
his back.
At the moment, and before he could recov
er, a huge body fell upon him ! Now came
the struggle! Two powerful men grasping
each other with the might of madness, know
ing that life or death would be the result!
They rolK-d over together they tore at each
other's flesh w ith nails and teeth, more resem
bling the fight of wild animals than that of
human beings. It was a matter ot doubt who
would be the conqueror! In one of the short
pauses of the struggle, Gardinei's quick car
detected the sound of an appioaching step.
He turned and saw his wife with the musket
in its rest. The Indians also saw her, and
fearing that a number ot the white man's
friends had arrived, those who could, turned
and fled. The one with whom Gardiner was
struggling now endeavored to free himself,
but in vain. Ho was held in a vice-like cm
brace "Quick, wife! fire. Hit this villain !"
Amy carefully approached her father, and
drawing liis knife from his belt placed it in
his hand.
The contest now became a short one. Fil
led with wounds and bleeding profusely, the
savage relaxed his hold, and fell lifeless be
side li Tin. It has taken sorao moments to
describe, but the battle lasted hardly as long.
Relieved of their last foe, the farmer and
his wife, with the child that had so fortunately
been rescued from a fate worse than death,
returned to their humble home grateful and
joyful. They were not again interrupted by
the Camancbcs. In a few years, at the pres
ent day, a thriving town occupies the site of
Mr. Gardiner's hut, and his son and daughter,
married and happy, are respected citizens of
that place. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner arc still
residents of the town, and upon my recent
visit there entertained me with trtie hospitali
ty. From them I obtained the eve'nts above
gven.
Ax Jxnns Wedding. The Nebraska City
iVewj ol the 3d instant, contains a long ac
count of the marriage of a Pawnee Chief to a
blood royal squaw of the Otoe tribe. The
bridegroom was named Whitewater, and the
bride Wah-mnsh-pe-shinga. We extract the
following:
"Thi Chieftain's daughter was elegantly
dressed in a red flannel shirt with deep blue
calico border, a checked apron, a Summer kil
led buffalo robo and a white felt Int. Her
jewels were magnificent. From either auricu
lar depended bright ornaments of brass, tin
and copper.
We must not omit to mention that Miss W.i-mush-pe-shinga
also wore a "red petticoat,"
embroidered according to a design of her own
with porcupine qnills,representiig a desperate
dog light. Her entire wardrobe and jewelry
could not have cost less than sis thousand dol
lars in Fontenelle money. The bridegroom
was attired in all the magnificence which bis
rank and wealth demanded. He wore a stand
ing shirt collar, a medal of President Pierce,
a blue straight-collared soldier coat with brass
buttons and an elegant pair of Spanish spurs,
while his stalwart loins were admirably cloth
ed in an ancient cofiee snck. Altogether the
appearance of both the bride and tho groom
was appropriate to their high sphere in life.
The most sumptuous feast awaited the guests
at the residence of tye bride's father. It was
spread m a camp kettle and suspended over
the fire that burned in the centre of that prince
ly lodge. It consisted of young dog meat,
very tender, blue corn and old dog meat, beav
er -tails and mule stcan, fresh fish, and sugar,
making altogether, one of the most palatable
and nourishing compounds that ever graced a
royal camp kettle. The horn-spoons of occi
dental luxury seldom convey to the educated
palate viands more tempting and delicious
As lor drinks, corn whiskey made of red pep
per, tobacco plugs and rain water, together
with molasses-sweetened collee, made up the
list.
Among the distinguished persons present,
we did not fail to' notice the six Mesdames
Petanasharo, the wives of that eminent "In
jun" who is now at Washington,visiting James
Buchanan on official business. Also, Mr.
Whitecrow, of the Omaha principality, Mr.
Big Soldier, Esquire Wildcat and the Hon.
Short-tailed Elk."
- .... i
The CniLD that CoctD kot Speak to its
Daddt. That story now floating about we
believe, from a fact which came under our
own observation. We know a case where the
couple, from what each supposed a good rea
son, alcr living happily together for years,
never for a whole week uttered a syllable to
each ether. A boy was born altera while in
this case, and when it grew up, could not, on
attempting to make known its wants to its
"paricnts," articulate a single word. Poor
fellow, it was a very distressing case. The
poor bov lived thirty-nino years and twenty
nine and a half days, and was not in all that
time permitted, when looking at his truly af
fectionate "parients," the happiness of ad
dressing them in tho endearing words ol Young
America, as "gov'nor" and "old woman," and
to tho dayjof his death was silent toward them
both bnt onr case was deaf and dumb one.
What was 'tother caot . . . '
NAT HARRISON;
OK, THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM HAMILTON.
"In early days old Nat Harrison was elected
to the Legislature from this county," said an
old fellow, as we were all seated around the
stove, n the little hotel at McLeensboro',
Hamilton .county, Illinois.
"Old Nat was a regular old brick, ne was
elected just because there was no one to run
against him. Our country was rather bad off
for intelligent people in those days. A few
days after old Nat had gone to Springfield, to
attend to the duties of his office, I happened
to be there also, on sonic business of a private
character, and thinking he would be glad to
hear from the folks at homo I concluded to
call on hint at the 'Prairie House,' and inquired
after his health."
"I've been well, Tom," said he, "but I got
awfully scared the first night I staid in this
ere darned place."
"How was that V I inquired.
"Well," said Nat, "I'll tell you all about it.
Yon see that fellow there behind the counter
the Tellers here call him tho host well, I
told him I wanted to see my bed, so I'd know
where to sleep when I'd come In after awhile.
He took me up stairs to a little room, and said
1 could sleep there, and then ho. went down.
I took . good notice of it brown door, with
vallcr streaks here and there and a white
ycarthen lock handle. I started down, a think-
in' about this, and I wouldn't look at no other
door, for fear I'd get 'em kinder mixed up in
my head, and then forget which was mine.
"About twelve o'clock thut night I came in
with a kind of half erowin' hummin' in my
head, ond the verv first thing I found at the
top of the stairs was my own identical door,
with the yaller streaks and white lock-handle.
'Good,' says I, and in 1 lumbers. I walks up
to the bed, and what do you think 7 Vi hy, I
finds one of your long legged, black-whiskered
town fellers in it fast asleep. I takes him by
tho beard, rears him np on his end, and gives
him a short sarment tells hirn to leave as
quick as double triggers or I'll be cursed if I
wouldn't kick him down stairs tel's him I
don't want to do it uuthcr, for I am atnember
of the Legislature the lleprescntative from
Hamilton but if I get to righting he'd find
rce to be a full team. The fellow looked or-
fully scared, and without saying a word he got
up very humble like, and started lor his dry
iroods. which bung on a chair up mijne corner.
I sot down the light and .begun to undress;
and savs I to him. draw on them duds and tod
dle from here, or I'll be cursed if I tnpiing
around at the same time to look fierce at him
I sees him a cotnin' at me with one of the
drottest butcher knives in the world.
"Well, thought I, Nat yo'u've got yourself
in a close place by Jingo ! and so we begun to
lumber around the room like the very nation.
Here I went, and here Le come. At last I got
between him and tho door, and out I shot.
'This beats all creation, said I, a Represen
tative to the Legislature treated in this way.
I went down stairs and told the fellow behind
the counter that some cuss was in my room.
"No, I guess not," said he ; "perhaps there
is some mi.'take yonr room is number eight.'
"Thinks I, perhaps thete may be some mis
take ; .and so I goes back. When I got up to
the top of the stairs 1 began to count at the
first door, and on until I had counted eight. I
found that they all looked just exactly alike.
I opened the eighth door and went in, feeling
certain that it was the one picked out for me.
A candle burning on the table, by the light of
which I saw that some person was in the bed.
Not feeling inclined to kick up another fuss,
I concluded to crawl in with him and say noth
ing about it. In a very short time I was in
bed and ready to go to sleep. I had not been
in bed long before the door opened, and a
young man and woman came into the room
and took seats by the candle stand.
"Something else on hand, Nat," thought I
to myself, "but let'em up."
They looked very serious at first, but finally
it wore off, aud they got to chatting very lov
ingly, and to huggin' andkissen' a little. I
was delighted with tire performance, and
thought the feller in bed with me ought to see
it and enjoy the fun too; so I whispered
him
"Say, Captain old hoss "jest look np."
They both started up, like a shocken' mill
had touched 'em, and they seemed to be orftil
ly scared, till the gal said, "it was only the
wind blowing agifl' the winder."
They soon got to huggin' and kissin' agin'
and as I could not rouse my friend I thought
I'd ieet have a little fun to myself.
"Slips," says I, jest as they was a fetching
their lips together, and up they sprung like
lightning and loped lor the door; but as for
tune would have it, the young feller had drop
ped the kev, and he couldn't git out.
"Never mind," said I, "its fun for me as
well as you. 1 love to see sich things agoin'
on."
This seemed to scare 'em more than ever
It was rich too rich lo enjoy alone, and so 1
determined to wake up my bed feller; I slap
ped mv hand oa his chin it was as cold as
ice. "ltiunuer ano. ou uuuis, ai, saiu i,
"you're in bed with a dead man," and with
out waiting to consider the matter I sprnnr
to the floor. The youngsters gave a loud
squall fetched agin' the closed door, and I
pitched with 'em, which resulted in smashing
the darned thing open. Without waiting for
ceremony or formalities we all bolted for the
. ... i , , . . v- - , ,
stairs. Hearing the r.tcket, the landlord who
occupied a room still further back, came bolt
ing after us. Catching a glimpse of him I
took him to be the dead man, and so I put all
tho steam on, and ran close in the wake of the
lovers. I could not pass them, however, for
they were frightened out of their senses, hav
ing no idea but I was the deceased in close
pursuit. In this condition we all turned pro
miscuously down stairs into the l ar-rooni.
"Now let's go and take somethin', old
boss,-' said Nat, "but don't say anything about
this when you get home, or Sally may be un
easy about me."
Very true wa s the. remark of Camden that
though he .would not say that the English lan
guage was as sacred as the Hebrew or as learn-,
ed as the Greek, yet.it, was as fluent as the
Latin, as courteous as the Spanish, ns court
like as tho French, and as amorous as the
Italian. - ,
End 05 the Florida War. The Tampa
(Fla.) Peninsular of the 6th inst., says that
Major Recto? has had a "talk" with Billy and
other chiefs, and he expresses entire confi
dence In his ability to Ipdc'ce the Indians ra
emigrate. " " "
New License Bill. The following is an ab
stract of a license Bill reported by the special
committee'to the Iloust of Representatives ou
Thursday, 18th March.
Sec. 1 reduces minimum licences of brew
ers and distillers from $oO to $25 thus alter
ing proviso of 3d section act March SI, 1856 ;
distillers selling under $1,000 to pay $15.
Sec. 2 reduces minimum of merchants' li
cense from $50 to $25, and reduces rates 20
per centum thus altering the provision of the
12th section of act of March 12, 1850.
Sec 3 rates hotel licenses on yearly sales of
liquor, instead of rental, as follows :
Class 1, sales $10,000 or more, S400 license.
Class 2, sales $8,000 or more, $250 license.
Class 3, sales $6,000 or rao;e, $150 license.
Ciass 4, sales $4,000 or more, $100 license.
Class 5, sales $2,000 or more, $50 license.
Class G, sales $1,000 or more, $30 license.
Class 7, sales $500 or more, $25 license.
Class 8, sales under $500, $15 license.
Provided, in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
none less than $50 ; nor in any other city or
incorporated borough for less than $25.
S:;c. 4. Eating houses to pay according to
the act of April 10, 1849, section 22 and 23,
but not less than $20 in Philadelphia and Pitts
burg, or $10 elsewhere. This reduces the li
cense in many cases to one-half, as the act of
1840 imposed double this amount, with the
provision that none in Philadelphia and Pitts
burg should be less than $25. .
Sec. 5. Merchants may sell by tlie quart,
brewers and distillers by the gallon ; and brew
ers may take out a retail license.
Sec. G. License shall be granted to citizens
of good moral character and temperate hab
its, wherever the provisions of the law are
complied with by them.
Sec. 7. License not transferrable, but by
the authority granting them ; no charge, save
the fees when transferred. New licenses may
be granted for part of a year, for houses pre
viously licensed, on paying in proportion.
Sec. 8. Manufacturers of cider aud domes
tic wines may sell the same by tho gallon, and
bottlers may sell cider, perry, ale, porter, or
beer by the bottle, not to be drunk on the
premises.
Sec. JJ. Licenses may be granted to keepers
of places of amusemeuts, &c. otherwise qual
ified, notwithstanding the prohibition in pro
viso'of 2nd section of act of 185G,.but spiritu
ous liquors shall not be sold under such license.
Si. 10. Applicants for eating-houses need
not file a certificate of citizens, heretotore re
quired by section eiglit, act of 185G, nor need
such applications be published. They shall be
filed with the clerk of the court, and granted
by the Treasurer, except in the county of Al
legheny, on the proper boffil being approved
by the "District Attorney and Treasurer.
"Sec. 11. Illegal sales of liquors punisbable
lor first oflence by fine of $10 to $100, ond
costs; subsequent convictions $25 to $100,
with not more than three months' imprison
ment, at tho discretion of the court; forfei
ture of license, and not capable of receiving
license lor two years. Repeals section 28 ol
Act. of 185G, but no other act or section.
Sec. 12. No prosecutor to receive part of
fine, if a witness, but constables shall receive
two dollars on the conviction of any person
returned by them; -
Sec. IS. No grocer or wholesale dealer shall
have a retail license to sell spiritous liquor.
SECsl4to20 relate exclusively to Phila
delphia and Allegheny counties.
Stc. 21. The 14th, 26th, 27th and 32d sec
tions of the act of 185G are repealed ; the re
mainder of that act extended to all licenses
granted under this act. The penalty for drunk
enness, nnder the 29th section, is fixed at $2,
to go to the school fund, and none oi it to the
prosecutor.
Sec. 22. Licences may be granted at the
first or any adjourned or special court after
the passage -of this act.
There are numerous petitions for a more
stringent law read daily, as well as those for a
less stringent one than the act of 1S5G.
The Largest Diamond in tul' Would
The Kohinoor. The Cincinnati Times of Satur
day, says : "We were waited upon yesterday
by Mr.G. P. Matthews, of Virginia, who ex
hibited to our astonished vision what he claims
to bo a diamond of the first water. It is about
an inch and a half in diameter, and nearly an
inch in thickness. It is surpassingly brilliant,
particularly when viewed by gas-light. Its
estimated vrrtue is two millions of dollars. Mr.
Matthews says he has been ofiered for it' twenty-four
thousand pounds. It was found by the
father of its present possessor in the gold
mines in Buckingham county, Va., about sev
enty years since. -
It has remained in the rough state ever since
until a few weeks ago, when Mr. M., being
satisfied by every test, that it was in reality a
diamond, took it to New York and h id it
dressed. This precious gem weighs 141 car
ats. The Kohinoor, if we remember, weighs
but 100 carats.
There have oeen several dia-4
monds found in the cold regions of Virginia
Last year, one found in said locality was sold j
at Richmond for $4o00. Mr. M. is convinced j
that ho is the proprietor of the largest diamond j
in the world, and we see no good reason to
doubt it.
A Freak of Frost. The past Winter has
been unusually severe throughout southern
Eurone and' the East. Frozen streams and
snow covered fields have astonished the inhab- j
itants of "sunny Italy," the shores of the E
goan were fringed with ice, and the drowsy
Turk was startled to see tho minarets of his
beloved St. Sophia white with shining snow
Nowhere has the effect of this unusual
frost
been so strange, as in V enice. Once, cer
tainly, Venice has been paved. Its canals
were frozen over, all its gondolas were stiff
andstar!t in the ice, and as its fisheries were
broken up and the usual supply of provisions
from the main land were diminished, the poor
islanders begin to despair. These icy letters
were temporary, of course, but it was a novel
sight, truly, to see the exquisite tracery of old
St. Mary's church hni.gwith icicles, theGrand
Canal thronged with pedestrians, and a gondo
lier, stopping to blow his fingers, as he sung
the stanzas ol Taso under the balcony of his
ladylove! ' t
Modesty is. the opiendage ol sobriety, and
it is so chastity, to temperance, and to human
ity, as fringes are to the garment.
In conversation, a wiso man may be at a
loss bow to begin, but a fool never knows how
to stop. ..
The most mischievous liars are those who
kep Jast on the rergo of trcth..
FKIGI1TEN1NG CHILDREN.
We know of nothing more reprehensible,
nothing more dangerous and injurious, than
the practice of l'righteping children in tha
nursery, at the family fireside, and in the so
cial circle, by relating to them ghost stories,
goblin tales, and witchcraft fictions. They ic- .
ceive painful impressions lrom which their
nervous system docs not recover for years,
perhaps not during their whole lives.
Children and young folks have generally
great curiosity in relation to these tales of tho
imagination, especially when they are attend
ed by some gossipping nurse, whose head, be
ing empty of good sense, has been filled brim
full of ghost legends and black letter recol
lections. .We happen to know something a
bout this matter by a most unhappy and pain
ful experience. . We know what melancholy
etlects attend these revelations of goblins aud
ghosts in the nursery. We have even now,
w hile we write, a dim, shuddering recollec
tion of these appalling horrors, which makes
the blocd chill, creep and curdle about tho
heartcven after the finger ot time has plant
ed furrows on the brow, and sown silver
threads in the hair. It was the practice of a
full grown bey of nineteen or twenty years or
age, (we are certain ho never became a man)
to take the writer upon his knee (then threo
or four years old,) when the twiligat was grad
ually fading into darkness, veil his face with,
a black handkerchief, and then, for onr espe
cial edification, fifiirm that ho was the unmen
tionable personage" who is supposed- to be no
better than he should be. Then would follow
a long dissertation upon witches, ghosts," hob
goblins, a whole" family of horrible moustro
sites, by way of giving tone to the iufar.tiie
imagination." The lessons operated upon tho
young "mind like a potent snell. Soon it be-
.came as much as the life was worth to attempt
to cross a dark eutry after nightfall, ir left
alone ia a sleeping apartment, the avenue to
the eyes was carefully barricaded by the pil
low and bed-clothes; there, panting, tremb
ling, shivering, huge drops of cold perspira
tion oozing out at every pore, the wtiter lay a
foil believer in all monstrous shapes and ter
rible forms, the shuddering victim of a most
cruel delusion, at times but a single removal
lrom a maniac.
Those terrible night time solitudes, tho
darkness peopled by the imagination with
spectres the most terrific, how vividly do they
come back, even now in the days of maturer
judgment and riper reason, never to be erased
from the recollection by the hand of time!
If there is a worse condition npon earth than
that into which this monstrous superstition
plunges an imaginative child, we have no con
ception of its curdling horrois. Never to lay
the head upon the pillow, lrom the time it is
two or three years of age, until, seven, eight
or ten, without feeling the most perfect assu
rance in its own mind of realizing its own pro
phecy, and seeing some hideous spect"e beforo
morning! This is the purgatory of early, in
nocent and otherwise happy childhood.
These midnight horrors haunt the imagina
tion even to old age. They may lose somo
what of their painful vividness, their appal
ling distinctness something of their crud
ling horror, so potent in its mystery and so
terrific even in its impossibility but these
terrors linger in the imagination still, ready
to be called i:p in every susuicious spot, awak
ened iu every solitude, in spite of all the judg
ment can do or the Teason can urge. For m
moment, at certain times, even to old age, the
heart will throb with painful distinctness, tha
hair will become perpendicular, and a disagreo
ble shudder will make the blood cold iu the
veins, even when manhood has reached its
prime. To be sure the judgment soon dispels
these unfounded fears, but they will haunt tho
victim at times to his dying day. These are
some of the paiiifully deleterious effects of
frightening children in the early season of
their growth. How important is it, that pa
rents should guard them against these ground
less terrors, exciting 'the early imagination,
and chaining the trembling victim to tbo in
describable agony of this nervous bondage lor
all its future life.
D03IESTIC ECONOMY. ;
Spring Chickess. Are always in active
demand from May to September, in the vicin
ity of all our cities and the large towns. Of
course they are profitable to the farmers, and
sfhall landholders and cottagers, who breed
them. This is a good month to set the hens,
and hatch them out. For' this purpose, a
warm henhouse, and coops in sunny places,
are reqnir-.-d. Let eggs be kept in a proper
temperature, till the lien is ready to set oa
them. Thirteen is the proper number for a
clutch of chickens. When hatched, if milk
curds can be had, this is their best food. If
not, soaked bread lor the first few days, and af
ter that, Iudi.in meal well cooked, like mush,
for your own table. Raw meal, wet np in tha
it
i:al way, is iiarsn ana scotirwvg tor their del-
icate stomachs. When a for weeks old chop-
ped cabbage, shives, and other tender vegita
bles, are to be added, and sour is the best
drink they can have.
We would, by all means, entrust the early
chickens to woman's care. She seems to pos
sess the necessary instincts worth ail the
boys and men in the country. We have
known a Scotch. Dutch or Irish washerwoman's
cottage, surrounded by a close wall, alive with
early .chickens, when the gentleman's and
farmers premises won ! J not supply a fowl for the
table bef. ire September. N -. :
Don't keep the "big" breeds for "Spring
chickens" -either. A close, compact, early
matured fowl is the thing for this purpose.
j In most large town n'pliimp, lat chick the
size of a quail, will sell lor as -fundi in May
or June, ns a full, grown one wilUn October;
and if tiiey only know you have them, the
tavern-keepers and peddlers will be after them
everyday in the week. To the habit, these
hitter people have of confining tberu in close,
filthy coops for days together, wo enter our
protest. It poisons and defiles the taste of
the fies'n. It makvs them poor. Exercise,
good air. and plenty of good food they should
have, till they aru wanted for the table; and
every one who keeps them on hand for imme
diate use, should be well provided with yards,
and roosting accommodation. To make chick
ens edibly perfect they should come on tho
table plump, piicy and full of their own na
tural gravy. "Plnuip as a partrige," is tho
term which should bo truthfully applied- to
the eai ly-chicken ; ond if they be not so,
half their excellence is lost, while, in. perfec
tion of flesh, they are a positive luxury,, V J
Edwin Forrest, America's greatest living
actor, has made a profession of feUgJos. , ,
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