BI S. B. KOW.
CLEAEFIELD, PA., WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 1858.
YOL. 4 NO. 36.
HAPPY ARE WE.
Happy are we to-night, friends;
ilappy, happy are c,
Tlie hearts that we delight, friends,
.With us may happy be.
Friends should laugh with those who laugh,
And sigh for those in pain.
The most of ns hare met before,
And now we meet again.
Manj"s, many's the mile, friends
Many, many the wild,
That we should rove and smile, friends,
With hearts we ne'er beguile.
Voices we have often heard,
And faces we have mot,
In tones of sweetest melody,
We never can forget.
Weary we may return, friends
Weary, weary nt last.
What memory we learn, friends,
To love the happy Past.
Age may bring us gloomy hours,
And liino may make us sad,
Eut we, to-night, are free from care,
And all our hearts are glad.
THEVILLAOK PRIZE.
A TALK OF WASHINGTON ASD 1113 TIMES.
In one of tho loveliest villages of old Vir
ginia there lived in the year 175, an old man,
whose daughter was declared, by universal
consent, to be the loveliest maiden in all the
country round. The veteran, in his youth,
had been athletic and muscular above all his
fellows; and his breast, where he always woie
them, could show the adornment of three
medals, received lor his victories in gymnas
tic feats when a young man. His daughter
was now eighteen, and had been sought in
marriage by many suitors. One brought
wealth another a fine person another this,
another that. But they were all refused by
the old man, who became at last a by-word for
his obstinacy, among the young men of the
village and neighborhood.
At length the nineteenth birth day of An
nette, his charming daughter, w ho was as ami
able and modest as she was beautiful, arrived.
Tho morning of that day, her father invited
all the youth of the country to a haymaking
frolic. Seventeen handsome and industrious
young men assembled. They came not only
to make liny, but also to make love to the fair
Annette. Jn three hours they had filled the
lather's barns with the newly dried grass, and
their own hearts with Jove. Annette, by her
father's command, had brought the malt liquor
tl her own brewing, which she presented to
each enamored swain with her own fair hands.
'Ji'ow, my boys," said the old keeper of the
Jewel they all coveted, as leaning on their
pitebforks they all assembled round the door
in the cool of the evening, "now, my lads, you
have nearly all of you made proposals for my
Annette. Now, you seo, I don't care any
thing aliont inonry or talents, book-larning
nor soldier-laming. 1 can do as well by my
gal as any man in the country. But I want
her to marry a man of my own grit. Now.
you know, or ought to know, when I was a
youngster, I could leat anything in all Vir
Xinny in the way of leaping. I got my old
woman by beaUng the smartest man on the
Eastern Shore, and I have took the oath and
sworn it, that no man shall marry my daughter
without jumping for it. You understand me,
lys. There's the green, and here's Annette,"
lie added, taking his daughter, who stood tim
idly behind him, by the liand. .Vow, the
ino that jumps the farthest on a "dead level,"
shall marry Annette this very night."
This unique address was received by the
yonngmen with applause. And many a youth
of trial, cast a glance of anticipated victory
back upon the lovely o'.ject of village chivalry.
The maidens left their looms and quilting
t rames. the children their noisy sports, the
idaves their labors, and the old men their arm
chairs and long pipes, to witness and triumph
in the success of the victor. All prophesied
and wis'jed that it would bo young Carroll.
He was the handsomest and best-humored
youth in tho country, and all knew that a
ntrong mutual attachment existed between
him and the fair Annette. Carroll had won
the reputation of being the "best leaper," and
In a country where such athletic achievments
were the tine qua non of a man's cleverness,
this was no ordinary honor.
The arena allotted for this hymeneal contest
was a level space in front of the village-inn,
and near the centre of a grass plat, reserved
In the midst of the village, denominated the
"green." The verdure was quite oft at this
place by previous exercises ot a similar kind,
jtnd a hard surface of sand, more befitting ior
which it was to be used, supplied its place.
The father of the lovely, blushing, and with
al happy prize, (for she well knew who would
win,) with three other patriarchal villagers
were the judges appointed to decide upon tne
claims of the several competitors. The last
time Carroll tried his skill in this exercise, he
"cleared," to use the leaper's J.rascology,
twenty-one feet and one inch.
The signal was given, and by lot the young
men stoimed into the arena.
"Edward Gravson, seventeen feet," cried
one of the judges. The youth had done his
utmost. He was a pale, intellectual student
But what had intellect to do in such an arena ?
Without a look at the maiden, lie left the
trrouhd.
"Dick Boulden, nineteen feet !" Dick, with
a lanirh. turned away, and replaced his coat.
"Ilarrv Preston, nineteen feet and three
Inches. " Well done, Harry Preston !" shouted
the snectators. "vou have tried hard lor the
acres and homestead."
Harry also laughed, and swore he only jump
ed for the fun of the thing, liarry was a rat
tie-brain fellow, but never thought of matri
monv. He loved to walk and talk, and laugh
-mid'romn with Annette, but sober marriage
never came into his head. He only jumped
lor the fun of the thing. He would not have
said so, if he were sure of winning.
"Charlev Simms. fifteen leet and a half.
Hurra for Charley ! Charlev'll win !" cried the
crowd, good-hunioredly. Charley Rimms was
the cleverest fellow in the world. His mother
advised him to stay at home, and told him if
he ever won a wife, she would fall in love with
his pood temper rather than his lees. Char
ley, however, made the trial of tho latter's
capabilities and lost. Many refused to enter
the list altogether. Others made the trial,
and only one of the leapcrs had yet cleared
twenty feet.
"Now,-"' cried the villagers, let's see Henry
Carroll. He ought to beat this," and every
one appeared, as tbey called to mind the inn
tual love of tbJrtxt competitor and the sweet
Annette, as i
i y heartily wished his success
Henry stepped to his post with a firm tread.
His eve glanced with confidence around upon
the villagers, and rested, before he bounded
forward, upon the face of Annette, as if to
catch therefrom that spirit and assurance
which the occasion called for. Returning the
encouraging glance with which she met his
own, with a proud smile upon his lip, he boun
ded forward.
"Twenty-one feet and a half !,' shouted the
multitude, repeating the announcement of one
of the judges, "twenty-one leet and a half
Harry Carroll forever i Annette and Harry !"
Hands, caps, and handkerchiefs waved over
the heads of the spectators, and the eyes of
the delighted Annette sparkled with joy.
n hen Henry Carroll moved to his station to
strive for the prize, a tall .gentlemanly young
man, in a military undress frock-coat, who had
rode up to the inn, dismounted and joined the
spectators, unperceived, while the contest was
.going on, stepped suddenly forward, and with
a knowing eye measured deliberately the
space accomplished by the last leaper. He
was a stranger in the village. His handsome
face and easy address attracted the eyes of the
village maidens, and Ins manly and sinewy
frame, to which symmetry and strength were
happily united, called forth the admiration of
the young men.
"Mayhap, sir stranger, yon think you can
beat that ?" said one of the bystanders, remar
ing the manner m which tho eye of the stran
ger scanned the arena. "II you can leap be
yond Henry Carroll, you'll beat the best man
in the colonics." The truth of this observa
tion was assented to by a general murmur.
"Is it for mere amusement you are pursuing
this pastime 7" inquired the youthful stranger,
"or is there a prize for the winner V
'Annette, the loveliest and wealthiest of
our village maidens is to be the reward ol tho
victor," cried one of the judges.
"Is the list open to all ?"
"All, voting sir!" replied the father of An
nette, with interest, his youthful ardor rising
as he surveyed the proportions of the straight-
limlied young stranger, "she is the bride ot
him who out leaps Henry Carroll. If you will
try you are tree to do so. But, let me tell
you, Henry Carroll has no equal in Virginia.
Here is my daughter, sir, look at Her, and
make vour trial."
The officer glanced upon the trembling mai
den about to be offered on the alter of her
father's monomania with an admiring eye.
The poor girl looked at Harry, who stood near
with a stroubled brow and an angry eye, and
then cast upon tlie new campctitor an implor
ing glance.
Placing his coat in the lianas ot one ot tne
judges, he drew a sash he wore beneath it tigh
ter round his waist, ana taking tne appointea
stand, made, apparently without ellort, tne
bound that was to decide the happiness or mis
crv of Henrv and Annetle.
"Twentv-two feet and an inch !" shouted
the judge. The shout was repeated with sur
prise by the spectators, who crowded around
the victor, filling the air with congratulations,
not unmingled however, with loud murmurs
from those who were more nearly interested in
the happiness of the lovers.
1 he old man approached, ana grasping ins
hand cxultingly, called him his sen, and said
he felt prouder of him than if he were.a prince.
Physical activity and strength were the old
leaper's true patents of nobHity.
Resuming his coat, the victor sought with
his eye the fair prize be had, although namo-
less and unknown, so fairly won. She leaned
upon her father's arm, pale and distressed.
Her lover stood alool, gloomy ana mortin-
ed, admiring the superiority of the stranger
in an exercise in which he prided himself as
unrivalled, while he hated him for his suc
cess. "Annette, mv pretty prize," said the victor,
taking her passive hand, "I have won you
fairly."
Annette's check became paler than marble ;
she trembled like an aspen leaf, and clung clo
ser to her father, while the drooping eye sought
the form of her lover. His brow grew dark at
the stranger's language.
"1 have won you, my pretty tlower, to matte
you a bride tremble not so violently I mean
not myseu, however promt 1 ougniio ue, aa
ded he, with gallantry, "to wear so fair a gem
next to my heart, p'erbaps," and he cast his
eves inquiringly, while the current or life leap
ed joyfully to her brow, and a murmur of sur
prise ran through the crowd, "perhaps there
is some favored youth among me crow uw no
has a higher claim to this jewel. Young sir,"
he continued, turning to tho surprised Henry ;
"me thinks you were the victor in the list be
fore me I strove not lor the maiden, though
one could not well strive for a fairer but
from love for the manly sport in which I saw
you engaged. You are the victor, and as such,
with the permission ol this wormy asscmuiy
you receive from my hand the prize you have
so well and honorably won.
The youth sprang forward and grasped his
hand with gratitude, and the next moment
Annette was weeping for pure joy upon his
shoulder. The welkin rnng with the acclama
tions of the delighted villagers, and amid tho
temporary excitement produced by this act,
the stranger withdrew lroni mo crowd, mouu
ted his horse, and sparred him at a brisk trot
through the village.
That night Henry and Annette were married,
and the health of the mysterious and noble
hearted stranger was drank in overflowing
hiimners of rustic beverage.
In process of time, there were born unto the
married pair sons and daughters, and Henry
Carroll had become Col. Henry Carroll of the
Revolutionarv armv.
One evening, having just returned home af
ter a hard campaign, he was sitting with his
family on tho ga lerv of his handsome country
house, when an advance courier rode up and
announced the approach of Gen. Washington
and suit, informing him that he snonid crave
his hospitality for the night. The necessary
directions were given in reference tothehouse-
hnld nrenarations. and Col. Carroll, ordering
his horse, rode forward to meet and escort to
his house the distinguished guest, wnom ne
had never yet seen, although serving in the
same widclv-extcnded army.
That evening, at the table, Annette, now
the diirnifled. matronly, and s.ni nana
some Mrs. Carroll, could not keep her eyes
r.m thn f;iee of her illustrious visitor. Every
moment or two she would steal a glance at his
commanding features, and half-donbtingly,
tiair.nssnrodlr. shake her head and look again,
to he still more puzzled, ner absence of
mind and embarrassment at lengui became evi
dent to her husband, who inquired, anecuon
atcly, if she were ill.
"I suspect. Colonel." said the General, who
had been some time, with a quiet, meaning
smile, observing the lady's curious and puz
zled survey of his features "that Mrs. Car
roll thinks she recognizes in me an old ac
quaintance." And he smiled with a mysteri
ous air, as he gazed upon both alternately. .
lhe Colonel started, and a faint memory of
the past seemed to be revived as he gazed
while, the lady rose impulsively from her
chatr, and bending eagerly forward over the
tea-urn, with clasped hands, and an eye of in
tense, eager inquiry, fixed lull upon him,
stood for a moment with her lips parted, as if
she would speak.
"Pardon me, my dear mac am, pardon me.
Colonel, I must put an end to this scene. I
have become, by dint of camp-fare and hard
usage, too nnw icldly to leap again twenty-two
feet and one inch, even for so fair a bride as
one I wot of."
The recognition, with the surprise, delight
and happiness that followed, are left to the
imagination of the reader.
General Washington was indeed the hand
some young "leaper," whose mysterious ap
pearance and disappearance in the native vil
lage of the lovers, is still traditionary whose
claim to a substantial body of bona fide flesh
and blood was stoutly contested by the village
story-tellers, until the happy denouement
which took place at the hospitable mansion of
Colonel Carroll.
Water in the Sahara. The Monileur Jll-
gerine brings an interesting report of the new
ly-bored Artesian wells in the Sahara desert,
in the province of Coiistantine. The first well
was bored in the Oasis of OuedRir, nearTa
merna, by a detachment of the Foreign Legion,
conducted by the engineer, M. Jus. The
works were begun in May, 185G, and, on the
19th of June, a quantity of water ol 4,010 litres
per minute, and of a temperature of 21 Reau
mur, rushed forth from the bowels of the
earth. The joy of the natives was unbounded:
the news of the event spread towards the south
with unexampled rapidity. People came
from long distances, in order to see the mira
cle; the Marabouts, with great solemnity,
consecrated the nwly created well, and gave
it the name or "the well of peace." The sec
ond well, in Temakin, yielded 35 litres of 21
deg. temperature, per minute, and from a
depth of 85 metres ; this well was called "the
well of bliss." A third experiment not far
from the scene of the second, in the Oasis
of Tamelhat, was crowned with the result of
120 litres of water per minute. The Mara
bouts, after having thanked the soldiers in the
presence of the whole population, gave them
a banquet, and escorted them in solemn pro
cession to the frontier ol the Oasis. In anoth
er Oasis, that of Sidi-Nacbcd, which had
been completely ruined by the drought, the
digging of "the well of gratitude" was accom
panied by touching scenes. As soon as the
rejoicing outcries of the soldiers had an
nounced the rushing forth of the water, the
natives drew near in crowds, plunged them
selves into the blessed wave, and the mothers
bathed their children therein. The old Emir
could not master his feelings; tears in his
eyes, he fell down upon his knees, and lifting
his trembling hands, in order to thank God
and the French. This well yields not less
than 4,300 litres per minute, from a depth of
54 metres. A filth well has been dug at Ouni
Thiour, yielding 108 litres per minute. Here
a part of the tribes of the neighborhood com
menced at once the establishment of a village,
planting at the same time hundreds of date
palms, and thus giving up their former nomad
ic life. The last well is that -of Shegga, where
soon an important agricultural centre will
spring up. There is no doubt but that these
wells will work in these parts a great social
revolution. The tribes which, alter the pri
meval custom of their ancestors, kept wander
ing from one place to another, will gather
round these fertilising springs, will exchange
the herdman's staff for the plow of the farmer,
and thus take the first steps towards civiliza
tion, which, no doubt, w ill make rapid pro
gress in northern Africa.
The Bombshells of Sebastopol Still Ex
ploding. A correspondent ol the .boston
Transcript, writes from Sebastopol March 1,
says : "The bombshells strewn about the city
during the siege are still doing the work of
death. No less than eight deaths, I think,
have been caused byjexplosion of these missiles
since my arrival, hardly a year since. Only
a few days ago, two seamen belonging to the
English steamer "Boyrout," came on shore
near our shipyard, and for a few minutes were
conversing w ith Mr. Gowcn. They then start
ed for a walk to the Redan, quite near our
residence, and on reaching the breast-work,
one of them picked up an exploded detonating
shell, intending to keep it as a relic, but find
ing it rather heavy, threw it down, when it in
stantly exploded and killed him, almost sever
ing the head from the body, and completely
cutting off his right leg. The remains were
brought to our yard, whence they were buried.
His companion escaped with a slight scratch
upon the lip. On the following day two Rus
sians were killed in a similar manner, while
picking out tho stopper of a shell. The lock
by which the concussion ignited the powder
of the shell is a curious affair, being a small
equilateral cross, with a capsule at each point,
and lour little hammers held by a human hair.
A sudden jar breaks the hair, causing the
hammer to strike the cap, which explodes.
After the shells are charged, the locks are in
closed in a copper tube and inserted within the
hole of tho shell, upon which a plug Is placed
The shells, thus prepared, aro placed in a box
of the size of an ordinary chronometer box,
which, for safety, must be handled "this side
up, with care."
HI pw nidiiri Tf iha man rf apnillS guf
.... a. . v ....... - O
fers more acutely than a less sensitive mind,
he has also recources and enjoyments within
himself of which others are deprived.
Thmio-l.t cVirinL-c with sensitive dread from
AakawwaLvas BUI lima " -
contact with the rough and less cultivated
mln.lo st nlhnn ho oan at All times find COIU-
panionship in his own thoughts. He needs
not the assistance of friends in order to dissi
pate ennui; his books, at all times, afford him
the delight and recreation mat ue maj uvku
Thnc ,n a tviso manner, good or evil are pro
portionately blended throughout the wide ex
panse ot nature.
Mr. Tbompson,of Washington county, Ohio,
has a little daughter, who, at tho age of four
vars. weighed one hundred and hfty pounds.
She is now four years and five months old,
and weighs, as her parents suppose, one hun
dred and seventy pounds :
- TACT AND TALENT.
Talent is something, but Tact is everything.
Talent is serious, sober, grave, and respecta
ble. Tact is all that, and more, too. It is not
a seventh sense, but it is the life of all the five.
It is the open eye, the quick ear, the judging
taste, the keen smell, and the lively touch. It
is the interpreter of all riddles, the surmount
cr of all difficulties, the remover of all obsta
cles. It is useful in all places, and at all times
it is useful in solitude, for it shows a man
his way into the world ; it Is useful in society,
for it shows him his way through the world.
Talent is power, Tact is skill ; Talent is weight,
Tact is momentum ; Talent knows what to do,
Tact knows how to do it ; Talent makes a man
respectable, Tact will make him respected ;
Talent is wealth, Tact is ready money. For
all the practical purposes of life, Tact carries
it against Talent ten to one. Take them to
the theatre, and put them against each other
on the stage, and talent shall produce you a
tragedy that will scarcely live long enough to
be despised, while Tact keeps the house in a
roar, night after night, with its successful far
ces. There is no want of dramatic talent
there Is no want of dramatic tact but they
are seldom together; so we have-successful
pieces which are not respectable, and respect
able pieces which are not successful. Take
them to the bar, and let them shake their learn
ed curls at each other in legal rivalry ; Talent
sees its way clearly, bnt Tact is first at its jour,
ney's end. Talent has many a compliment
from the bench, but Tact touches fees from at
torneys and clients. Talent speaks learnedly
and logically, Tact triumphantly. Talent makes
the world wonder that it gets on no faster;
Tact excites astonishment that it gets on so
fast. And the secret is that it has no weight
to carry ; it makes no false steps; it hits the
right nation the head; it loses no time; it
takes all hints ; and, by keeping its eye on the
weathercock, is ready to take advantage cf ev
ery wind that blows. Take them into the
church. Talent has always something worth
hearing; Tact is sure of abundance of hear
ers. Take them into Journalism. Talent
writes for the paper ; Tact makes it succeed.
Talent may obtain a living ; Tact will make
one. Talent gets a good name; Tact a great
one. Talent convinces; Tact converts. Tal
ent is an honor to the profession ; Tact gains
honor from the Profession. Take them to
court; Talent feels its weight; Tact finds its
way. Talent commands ; laci is ooeyeo.
Talent is honored with approbation ; Tact is
blessed by preferment. Place them in the Se
nate. Talent has the ear of tho house ; but
Tact wins its heart, and has its votes. Talent
is fit for employment ; but Tact is fitted for it.
It has a knack of slipping into a place with a
sweet silence and glibness of movement, as a
billiard-ball insinuates itself into the pocket.
It seems to know everything, without learn
ing anything. It has served an invisible and
extemporary apprenticeship. H wants no dril- j
ling. It never ranks in the awkward squaa.
It has no lclt hand, no deaf ear, no blind side.
It puts on looks of wondrous wisdom ; it has
no air of profundity, but plays with the details
of place as dexterously as a well-taught hand
flourishes over the keys of a piano-forte. It
has all the air of commonplace, and all the
force and power of genius. It changes sides
with a heypresto movement, and be at all points
of the compass, while Talent is ponderously
and learnedly sifting a single point. Talent
calculates clearly, reasons logically, maks out
a case as clear as daylight, and utters its ora
cles with all the weight of justice and reason.
Tact refutes without contradicting, puzzles the
profound with profundity, and without wit out
wits the wise. Set them together on a race
for popularity, pen in hand, and Tact will dis
tance Talent by half the course. Talent brings
to market that which is wanted ; Tact produ
ces that which is wished for. Talent instructs;
Tact enlightens. Talent leads where no one
follows ; Tact follows where the humor leads.
Talent is pleased that it ought to have suc
ceeded ; Tact is delighted that it has succeed- j
ed. Talent toils for a posterity which never
will repay it ; Tact throws away no pains, but
catches the passion of the passing hour. Ta
lent builds for eternity ; Tact on a short lease,
and gets good interest. Talent is certainly a
very fine thing to talk about, a very good thing
to be proud of, a very glorious eminence to
look down from, but Tact is usctui, portable,
applicable, always alive, always alert, always
marketable ; it is the talent of talents, the a
vailableness of resources, the applicability of
power, the eye of discrimination, the right
hand of intellect. Assays and tKctches.
The Diamonds of the Ephod. Dama was a
jeweller at Ascalon,and distinguished by many
virtues. One day me eiders came io nun o
purchase precious stones, to ornament that
part of the costume of the high priest which
the Bible designates under the name of Ephod.
They explained the object ol their visit, and
offered him a reasonable price forthe diamonds
they desired. Dama replied he could not let
. .. a a A J
them see any stones at mat moment., aim ue
requested them to call again. Desirous of ter-
. .. , . - i. - : .1 4 . J 1 1
minating meir cuoice wuuuut ueiuy, uu iuu
cying that the reply of the jeweller was only a
pretext to increase the value of his merchan
dise, the elders insisted on closing the busi
ness immediately. As somo fine stones were
absolutely necessary, and as Dama possessed
those of the requisite quality, they doubled
and trippled the price which they had first of
fered ; but as Dama persisted in his refusal,
and resisted their solicitations, they went away
in very bad humor. Some hours afterwards,
he placed before them the requisite diamonds,
for which they tendered the price they had last
offered ; but he said "I will only accept the
price which you proposed to me this morning,
for this is all the stones are worth." "Why
then, did you not close with ns forthwith V
asked they in astonishment. "When you came,
my father had the key of the chest wherein
the diamonds were inclosed, and as the old
man was then asleep, I should have been oblig
ed to awake him, to satisfy your demand. At
his age, a short hour of sleep does him a great
deal of good ; and, for all the gold in the world,
I would not be wanting in respect to my fa
ther, or deprive him of a single enjoyment."
The elders affected by these feeling words,
spread their hands on the bead of Dama, and
said, "Thou shall be blessed by Him who has
said, nonor thy father and thy mother,' and
thy children shall one day pay thee the same
respect and love thou, hast displayed 10 me
author of thy being.
that several
j. neaci u jiot' v....- , --- - ,
cases of hydrophobia, in the neighborhood of
Keokuk, Iowa, nave Deeu cun wj u.iuui6
the bite when fresh, witn narwuorn.
Cah't Tou Take a Joke. Under some cir
cumstances a journey on the Missouri river is
the pleasantest of traveling ; under some it is
the most unpleasant. The latter is the case
just now. The "Ryland" is the second boat
that has passed down the river since tho re
opening of navigation, and consequently she
is crowded almost to suffocation. Every stato
room was occupied before she left Kansas, and
now-every superficial foot of her cabin floor
is nightly covered with sleepers, packed like
pickled mackerel ; while scores of men are
compelled, if they repose at all, to perform a
somewhat difficult feat, and sleep sitting or
standing.
These unf ort unates.having no other resource,
keep the cabin so full of tobacco smoke that
one might cut it with a knife. And occasion
ally one of them, having indulged too freely
in certain stimulating hibulants at tho bar,
makes night hideous with his vocal gymnas
tics. Last night one of these gentry, or rath
er the strychnine whiskey within him, kept up
6ticli a concert as mortal roan never heard be
fore. Regularly, at intervals of about half an
hour, just as the floor passengers were becom
ing unconscious, he would startle them all by
bellowing forth in stentorian tones,
"O hace you seen the tur-i"e dove V
Expostulations were in vain, and the sitters,
with that dog-in-the-manger spirit so largely
prevalent in poor human nature, seemed to
enjoy the fun immensely.
Stimulated by their laughter, and by sun
dry fresh potations, the young man soon grew
more practical in his freaks. He would annoy
some of the sleepers hy stepping upon, or
accidentally kicking them ; and when they
awoke, in surprise and indignation would bring
out another peal of laughter, by asking, with
an air of injured innocence, "Can't you take
a joke 1" At last he approached a quiet gen
tleman, who, stretched upon his back sleeping
soudly on one of the tables. Quietly raising
his head several inches he suddenly let it fall
upon the table. It of course awoke him, and
as he looked around to see the cause of the
unexpected collision, the young man asked, as
usual :
"Can't you take a joke ?"
"O ves," was the reply. "Capital, wasn't ?
na, ha!"
And the gentleman slowly arose, descended
from the table, and before the young man
comprehended his purpose stepped leisurely
up to him, and suddenly planted a tremendous
blow with the fist right between his eyes. The
astonished practical joker fell like a ten-pin
seven or eight feet from the table. In a min
ute or two he picked himself up, rubbed his
eyes to collect his scattered thoughts, and at
last said in a low whine :
"Stranger, I didn't mean any harm."
"Of course you didn't replied the gentle
man ; "na more did I." "Why, mau, can'
you take a joke V
The roar of laughter that loiiowed subdued
the young man altogether. He has been very
quiet since. Kansas Cor. Boston Journal.
Cheating TnE Devil. Sqnire U . living
in the town of A , was a man in easy circum
stances, with everything enough, in door and
out. In his yard was a huge pile of wood
sawed and split, and sufficient to keep a dozen
families through the winter, with enougbrmore
where that came from.
Across the street from Squire II . lived
Mrs. W , a poor widow woman, in straighten
ed circumstances, with four little mouths to
feed and four little bodies to warm besides her
own.
Squire H , doted on his big wood pile, and
was in the habit of taking a peep at it through
the closed blinds of his window before retir
ing at night. One night he saw a female hang-
ng around the pile, and opening the d&or par
tially to cot a better view, saw her stoop, pick
up a large armful, and start off". She had not
proceeded lar, however, when she stopped
short, and he overheard the following ; "I
cannot steal the eye of God is upon me,"
ard down went the wood and she walked off
a few steps and stopped again ; "I have not a
stick of wood in the house, the weather is
hitter cold and my poor children are freezing.
The Squire has enough and will uever miss it."
So saying she filled her arms again with the
much coveted fuel.
Again she started and again hesitated,
"What ! Steal 1 1 never did such a thing,
and God forbid that I should do it now!" and
down went the wood again. But the thought
of her suffering brood brought her once more
to the pile, and filled her arms the third time
with wood. Once more-she started and again
turned back ;'I will not steal I will trust in
God and if it is His will, we'll perish togeth
er, bo saying sne threw down tne wood
upon the pile, and the Sqnire saw her enter
her dwelling and close the door, lie retired
to bed, but slumber was slow in visiting his
eyelids. He thought of the poor widow and
her suffering children, and perhaps when ne
slept he dreamed of them.
Early the next morning, Widow W. , was
surprised to see the Squire's lour ox-team,
loaded with wood, haul up in front of her
dwelling and the Squire commence pitching
it off.
"What's this Sqnire H ?" said the aston
ished and half frightened woman ; "I didn't
order that wood, and God knows I can't pay
for it."
"It's yours, and all paid for, Ma'am !" sung
out the Squire, tugging away at a big log.
"You cheated the Devil last night."
The poor woman insisted that there must be
some mistake thou t it.
"I tell you it's yours, for cheating the Devil
last night," said the Squire, "and there comes
a man to saw it up, split it, and pack it away
in vonr wood house." -
The widow began to "smell a rat," and
stammering her thanks to the Squire, retreat
ed into the house. She wanted for no more
wood that winter.
Twenty years ago we met a handsome young
gentleman who was a zealous Whig. Last
week we met him in Washington city, an old,
wrinkled Locofoco. We were not a little puz
zled to decide whether time had most injured
his beauty or bis politics. Prentice.
The Christain "Register" says : "It is cal
culated that the clergy cost the United States
six millions of dollars annually, the criminals
nineteen,the lawyers thirty-five,tobacco ch ew
ers, forty, and rum one hundred millions !
The late Vice President of the Illinois Cen
tral Railroad, whose salary was $10,000, claims
some $160,000 in addition, for bis services in
England, in purchasing iron and selling bonds
Some Stort. When a yonng man I was tra
velling in WTC9tcrn New-York, and late of a
stormy night applied at a log capin for lodg
ing. The occupant a woman, ref used it say
ing her husband and sons were out hunting,
and, if they found me there, would murder me.
I Preferred the chance to the storm, and she
consented that I might lie down before the
fire. In tho night I heard them coming, and
scrambled up the chimney. Thinking I was
safe, when at the top, I stepped over roof, and,
jumped plump into a wolf-trap. A scream of
pain brought the men and Uoys out, ana mey
declared that I deserved a more severe pun
ishment than death ; so they kept me both in
the trap and suspense until morning ; aud then
heading me up in a hogshead, with no air and
light but through the bung-hole, they put mo
on a sled and drove me some four miles up a
hill, and then rolled me off to starve. This I
undoubtedly should have done, but for a very
singular occurrence. Tho wolves smcllcd me
out, gathered around my prison, when ono of
thenv, in turning around, happened to thrust
his tail into the bung-bole. It was my only
chance. I caught a firm hold, and held on liko
death to a negro, which frightened the wolf, of
course, and he started doh n the hill, followed
by the hogshead and me. It was a very unea
sy ride over tho stones and stumps ; bnt I had
no idea how long it was, until the hogshead,
striking a stone fairly, the staves being worn
by long travel, were broken in, and I jumped
out and found myself way down in the lower
end of Cattarangns connty, some thirty miles
from the scene of the disaster. Fact.
The Legislative. The last legislature pas
sed 500 acts, all of which were local bills ex
cept 17. The 17 general acts are not of much
importance, and will not effect the routine of
affairs in any perceptible degree. The local
acts are about .township election districts,
personal claims, county roads, and hundreds
of things which the Courts ought to be em
powered to settle. Still, the amount of legis
lation of this kind is much less than that of
last year, when over 800 bills were passed,
and we hope to sec a still further decrease next
year. The Governor vetoed 23 bills of a
purely local nature, and so probably restrained
this kind of work. Xo new banks were char
tered, and the railroad charters were principal
ly confined to passengers railways in Philadel
phia. Some 80 of the laws passed apply to
Pittsburgh and Allegheny county.
Tocchisg Ixcidest. A little boy had died.
His body was laid out in a darkened room, "
waiting to be laid in the cold, lone grave. His
afflicted mother and bereaved little sister went
in to look at the sweet face of the precious
sleeper, for his face was beautiful even in
death. As they stood gazing on the face of
one so beloved and cherished, the Utile girl
asked to shake his hand. The mother at first
did not think it best, but the child repeated
the request, and seemed very anxious about it;
she took the cold bloodless hand of her sleep
ing boy and placed it in the hand of his weep
ing sister. The dear child looked at it a mo
ment, caressed it fondly, and then looked up
to her mother through tears and love, and said :
"Mother this hand never struck me." What
could have been more touching and lovely ?
An Irish "gintleman" had occasion to visit
the South some time since. When he return
ed he remarked to a friend that the Southern
people were very extravagant. Upon being
askea why so, he remarked that where be
staid they had a candlestick worth eleven hnn
dred dollars ! "Why, how in the world could
it cost that much r" inquired a friend. "Och.
begorry! it was nuthin' more'n a bignager
fellow holden' a torch for ns to eat by."
"Talkin' of law," says Pompey, "makes me
think of what the mortal Cato, who lib 'most
a thousand years ago, once said de law is
ike a groun' glass winder, that gives light
enuff to light us poor errin' mortals in de dark
passage of dis life ; but it would puzzle da
debble himself to sec troo it."
A Heap or Gold. There is now in tho
vaults of the Merchant's Bank of Boston,
over four million of dollars in gold, the prop
erty of the associated Banks ot Boston. This
large amount is kept there from motives of
convenience and safety. The gold is in bags
containing $5,000 each.
Proper cse of the World. God hath not
taken all the pains in forming, and framing,
and furnishing, and adorning this world, that
they who were made by Him to live in it
shoi.ld despise it ; it will be enough it they do
not love it so immoderately, as to prefer it be
fore Him who made it.
Elegast Livixg. An Irisraan who lives with
a vegetarian,writes to a friend, that if he wants
to know what "illigant living is, he must come
to his house, where the breakfast consists of
nothing, and the supper of what was left at
breakfast."
One of our western editors, speaking of a
large and fat cotcmporary, remarked that if
all flesh was grass, he must be a load of hay.
"I suspect I am," said the fat man, "from tho
way the asses are nibbling at me."
Coo Skins. On Friday last a Chicago firm
shipped direct to London, by way of New
York, eighteen thousand coon skins, valued
at $9,000. The skins were made up in sixty
compact bales. " ,;
We lately heard of a housemaid, who, about
to leave a family rather unexpectedly, and
urged to givo a reason ior n, siaipiy saia : "A,
can't stay, the ladies speak such bad gram
me r."
Cowles, in his excellent history of plants
notices tne virtue or hemp thus laconically :
"By this cordage ships are guided, bells are
rung, and rogues are kept in aire."
"What," inquired a schoolmaster, "what is
the plural of penny ?", "Two-pence," shout
ed tho sharpest one in the class.
It is said there are a hundred attorneys in
Cincinnati who have never bad a case, even
before a city magistrate. . . ,
The next anniversary of the American Tract
Society will take place on the 12th of May in
New York city.
The Charleston Mercury says the religions
meetings in that city continue with unabated,
interest.