if
BY S. B. ROW.
CLEARFIELD, PA., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1861.
VOL. 7.-NO. 28.
"I BISK TO SEEK THE LIGHT."
1 saw a little blade of grass.
Just peeping from the sod,
Aud asked tt why it sought to pais
Beyond its parent clod !
It seemed to raise its head,
.Ail sparkling, fresh and bright.
And wondering at the question, said,
"I rise to seek the light." .
1 asked the eagle why his wing
To ceaseless flight was given,
As if he spurned each eartly thing,
And knew no home but heaven ! -lie
answered, as he fixed his gaze,
Undaxzled at the sight,
I'pon the Sun's meridian blaze,
"I rise to seek the Light.'1
I asked my soul. What means this thirst
For something yet beyond ?
What means this eagerness to burst
Jr'roin every earthly bond ? -It
answers, and I Xeel it glow .
With fires more warm, more bright,
-All is too dull, too dark below,
1 rise to seek the Light."
THE DETECTIVE'S STORY.
In one oi oar Western cities a forgery to a
large amount bad been effected, and the per
petrator had escaped with the spoils. The
place of his concealment was not certainly
known, but he was supposed to be secreted in
New York city. In the city where the crime
ihad been committed X held a .situation as lieu
tenant of police, and in obedience to orders I
proceeded to New York in search of the for
ger. It was ruv first evening in town, and as
d was sitting within the Iriendly wall of the St.
Nicholas, wrapped in a cloud of tobacco smoke,
and a fine specimen of the latest style of false
whiskers and tnnstache, 1 saw enter a very
dear friend, from whom two years before I had
parted in California. As he passed he glanced
at me, but did not recognize roe. I was glad
f it, for, it assured me that my false whiskers
would be a valuable aid to me aa a disguise in
the search which on the next day I intended
1o Commence. My friend lighted a cigar, and
seated himself somo distance from me. As I
couldn't allow the opportunity of speaking to
him pass by, I went towards him and said :
"Good evening, Mr. Markham."
"Good evening, sir," ho replied, at the
same time looking at mo as it endeavoring to
recall my countenance.
"When did you return from El Dorado I"
1 asked of him.
"A week ago ; but really you have the ad
vantage over me, inasmuch as you are acquaint
ed with my name,whilo I don't recognize you.'
"Is that the case 1"
"It is, sir."
"Don't you remember mo 7"
"No sir, I do not," he replied.
"Can I speak with you one moment in pri
vate ?" I asked.
"Certainly," was the answer, and arising,
ha accompanied me to my room. When the
door was closed, I said :
"Do you not recollect me f"
"I cannot," was the reply.
Taking off my whiskers and moustache, and
peaking in a natural tone, for I before used a
liinguised voice, I asked:
"Does that refresh your memory ?"
'"Harry Evans, by all that's powerful !" he
exclaimed, as he grasped my hand and shook
it until I feared that when he should release it
my fingers would drop oil.
"But n hat is the meaning of all this ; where
did you come from, and what are you up to
that you must disguise yourself so that your
friends don't know yon 7"
On a promise of secrecy, and in a few words,
I told him what business I had before me.
When I ended, he cried out :
"By Jove. Harry, of all the men in the ciiy
you are the one I am most delighted to see ;
for thure is a little matter which is precisely
in your line that I want attended tor"
I assured him that nothing would afford mo
more pleasure than to serve him in any way
which might be in my power. Having order
ed some champagne and fresh cigars, he told
me of the work which he had for me to do,
and 1 will repeat the story as nearly as possi
ble in his own words :
"It was just a week since I arrived here,
with good health and plenty of money a com
bination of circumstances which I considered
particularly fortnnate and last night the
trouble happened which I want you to see
right. During the evening, having nothing
better to do, I strolled into Barton's to wit
ness him in one of his inimitable performan
ces. Next to me was seated a lady who was
neatly but rather showily dressed, and who
appeared to be unaccompanied by any one.
Moreover, she was exceedingly handsome, and
having by some chance entered into a conver
sation with her, I found her also very interest
ing. What started our acquaintance I cannot
remember, although I think it arose from
some remark she had made to me but at any
rate she was quite agreeable. When the per
formance was about half through she suddenly
complained of feeling faint, and asked me if I
would accompany her where 6he could get
somo fresh air. I did so, and it appeared to
revive her; but after a few minutes she ap
peared to grow worse, and speaking to a small
boy who was standing near, she asked him to
call aearrisje. Up to the present time I had
elt a slight suspicion fhat all was not, perhaps,
as it should be. ' It had been 'but the shadow
of an ideawhich her fast 'request dissipated,
knd therefore I assisted her into a carriage.
But no sooner was she in than she fell almost
upon the floor.' Of coarse I jumped in to hold
fcer upon her seal. ' Hardly was I in before
the door was closed, the driver sprung to bis
ox, and o9 we went.. I was about ordering
niuj to stop, as I had no intention of riding
with him, When the lady, who appeared to di
vine my thoughts grasped me by the arm, and
"claimed : 'My dear sir, do not leave me, I
f ym ; I am very unwell, and if you will
ont ride with me home you will oblige me
very much ; It is not far and vou can instantly
return to the the theatre.' What could I do ?
1 as in for it, and determined to take it
quietlybesides, thought I, it may turn out to
e a romantic adventure; arjd'you will soon
se that it did, and that the romance raifjer
acceded the pleasantness of the thing. So I
eniained seated by her side, supporting her
i ,,ow,y revived. Although she had
with he d5stance was but short, and not
iinstanding I was rather enjoying myself,
8eemed t me that we were never to
'P, although the horses had been going for
1 y 1 tirae al the t0P of thef aped. In fact
mw 8eTeral "mes thought that they most bo
rl ? away with U9- Bu t last,-after ri
nR almost baH' an hour at a break -neck
pace, we halted. By this time she was again
so unwell that I was absolutely obliged to lift
tier out of the carriage and carry her up the
steps. Hero she besought me to come in,
that she might thank me for my kindness, as
suring me that she should never forget it.
Accordingly I ordered the driver to wait and
in I went. We passed through a hall in
which the gas burned dimly, and into the par
lor likewise but little lighted, but, as well as
I .could see, quite nicely furnished. The mo
ment we entered the room she appeared to re
vive, and closing the door, and taking ofi ber
bonnet and cloak, she requested mo to be
seated ; I did so upon a lounge near at hand,
and presently she came and seated herself at
my side. She thanked me over and over a
gain, and requested my card, which I gave
her. She appeared completely recovered from
her late illness, which she was quite subject
to, and I have since come very much to the
same conclusion. She had expected to meet
her husband at the theatre, and did not know
why ho had not been there. He was a lawyer,
and perhaps his business had detained him.
Thus passed a quarter of an hour. At the
end of that time I beard steps coming along
the hall ; they stopped at the parlor door, and
the knob was turned, but the door would not
yield. Then a heavy voice exclaimed, 'Open
this door!' This was followed by a strong
kick. At the same timo the lady cried out,
My God ! it is my husband the door is lock
ed ; bo is terribly jealous ho will kill you ;'
and fell fainting into my arms. What a posi
tion for a modest man ! Before I could think
twice, open bursts the door with a tremend
ous crash, and a man frantic with ragu rushed
into the room. For a moment he looked at
us without speaking ; then, with aloud oath
sprung to the table, opened the drawer, and
seizing a pair, of pistols pointed them at my
head, crying out as he did so 'Villain ! I have
found you. You shall die !' The wife sprung
from my arms, and seized the barrel of a pis
tol with each hand. 'Would you commit
murder ? lie is innocent !' she cried out, but
he swore with an awful oath that if I moved
he would kill me. Had I only bad my revolv
er with me and I generally carry it he
would, perhaps, have come off second best ;
but I had that day sent it to be repaired, and
therefoie, luckily for him, 1 was unarmed.
At length his ferocity melted beneath the
tears and protestations of his wife, and the
matter was finally adjusted by my leaving my
watch and all my money which was about
three humbjed dollars as a pledge tout I would
call the next day and settle the affair, he at
the same time giving me his noto for the a
mount, and threatening to blow my brains out
if I retired with out so doing. Altei it was
done he walked down to the carriage with me,
for it was still waiting, and trot in after me,
still keeping the pistols in his hands. When
we had ridden some ten minutes the carriage
stopped, and I was ordered to get out. I did
so, as he possessed a most potent 'persuader,'
and the hack drove off and left me in an un
known part of the city. Of course I have
been unablo to find the bouse, and so my
money is lost, without you can help me find
it ; but I will give them the credit of having
played the game excellently."
When my friend bad finished I burst into a
loud laugh. I could not help it, the whole af
fair was so rich and amusing ; but I promised
to assist him as far as I was able.
"Have you mentioned the affair to any
one ?" I asked him.
"No, you are the first. I thooght that it
would be useless, as I had no satisfactory proof
of the transaction, for, of course, the note is
worthless, even if I could find tLe lion.e, which
is perfectly impossible, as I have not the fain
test idea of its locality."
"Should you know the woman if you should
see her again ?"
"Yes, among a thousmd."
"And the man, could you recognize him ?"
"I think I could."
I asked bim to give me a description of h im
and he did so. I could have hugged him in
my joy, for here was the very man I was in
search of, and I could, by finding him, kill
two birds with one stone, and instead of being
to my friend a losing business, it would pay
well, as a reward of one thousand dollars had
been offered me by the person whose name had
been forged if I should arrest the criminal,
and I promised Markham one half of it, in case
I was successful, for having put tne on the
light track.
The next day I commenced, but for two days
nothing of consequence was done. On the sec
ond evening, however, the prospect brighten
ed. Markham and myself were leisurely pro
menading Brodway, and talking of nothing
in particular, when grasping uie by the arm,
he suddenly exclaimed :
"Do you see it 1"
Yes," said I mechanically, but without
having the faintest idea what be meant.
"That's the one," he continued, I could
tell it anywhere."
"What is the one?" I asked.
'That pink bonnet ahead," ho replied, "and
'tis the same cloak, too."
In truth, about twenty feet before as was a
lady wearing a pink bonnet, and walking along
unaccompanied by a gentleman. I instantly
knew' to what he relerred, and my pleasure
was as great as bis.
"But are you perfectly certain that it Is the
one 7"
MThat I am ; but see, she has stopped at
that' window, and we shall have a look at ber
face ; yes, I knew I was right," ho uoiiiiuued
as the lady in question, looking in at the store
window, gave us a good view of her counte
nance. I instantly requested MarkLam to leave me
lest she should chance to see hint aud to re
cognize bim, which would completely Bpoil
the pjan of operations,' the principal points of
which I had already marked oat for myself.
1 promised that if he would do so I would run
the game to cover, and be should bo in at the
death' Accordingly he turned upon his heel,
and in a few minutes was put pi sjght. As
soon as he was gone I walked forward briskly,
till 1 had reached the pink bonnet. I continu
ed behind her long enough to impress myself
with the appearance of her attire, and then
passing her, I walked swiftly on until I was
about three or four rods ahead of her, when I
stopped in the doorway of a stoic, and appear
ed to be intently examining the articles
through the side window. As she came to
wards roe I obtained a lair view of her lace,
which was very handsome, and when she pass
ed, I dropped behind and followed her at a
reasonable distance, until 8he stopped at a con
fectioner's. Observing opposite an apotheca
ry's, a sudden thought came to me, following
which, I hurried ever and purchased a bottle
of strong spirits of ammonia, resolving that if,
while in my presence, she should meet with a
fainting turn, she should meet with a most
powerful and perhaps not very agreeable re
vival. After leaving the confectioner's she
kept on until she reached Ordway's which she
entered, I following. Just within the outer
door I designedly placed my foot upon the
skirt of her dress. Rip went the sticlies, ana
my first stroke was struck. I apologized tre
inendously, and assisted her in its restoration
When it was done she inquired if I would do
her a little favor.
"A thousand if you wish me," I answered.
"Would you be so very kind as to purchase
for me my ticket 7" at the same time putting
her hand into her pocket. Suddenly, bow
ever, she withdrew it, with the exclamation,
"Heavens! I have lost my port-monnaie ; what
ouau x uu i ' x csiii 1 1 u i j oui j v jvui iwp
said I, "but that shall not prevent you from
dha II I Ha 971 id nm tuttlu nnralt 4 rf mtiw mCO
attending the performance," and hastening to
the ofbee I purchased two tickets, and return
ing to ber, placed one in her hand. She was
very sorry to put me to so much trouble was
a thousand times obliged, and hoped 1 would
not consider it unlady-like In her to receive a
ticket from me, a stranger ; but she had so set
her mind upon the performance that really
she could not stay away. All these thanks
and protestations ended by accompanying her
into the hall and seating myself at her side
She was so pretty, so fascinating, and played
her part so well, that I did not wonder that
Markham bad been taken in, and I verily be
lieve that had I not been forewarned, I should
have shared the same fate. As it was, how
ever, I was prepared for whatever might turn
up, and appeared as unsuspecting as possible.
All went oil according to my expectation. The
ill turn and carnage were strictly en regie
When I had placed her in it, I begged her to
excuse me a moment while I returned for my
gloves, which I pretended to have dropped.
Beckoning to me a boy of some dozen years,
who looked as if he might be trusted, I asked
him : "Would you like to earn five dollars ?"
"Certainly," was the reply.
I said to bim : "At the door is a hack which
I shall get into. As soon as I do so, jump on
beLind, and ride till I get out. Notice the
number of the bouse which I shall enter, and
then run for a couple of policemen ; tell them
in fifteen minutes to enter it, pass through the
hall into the second door, npon the right band
side. Don't let the driver know that you are
on. Call to-morrow at ten, at the St. Nicho
las, and I will pay you. Do you understand 7"
"les, sir."
"Iiepeat what I have told you."
He did it correctly. I entered the carriage
and went through precisely the same course
that Markham bad done. All in good time
came the knock at the door, and my lady tried
to faint, but did not quite succeed, for laying
her back on the sofa, I poured about half a
spoonful of the ammonia Jnto her iose. I
knew that it was rather cruel, but I conld not
resist the temptation to pay her off a little.
Quick as lightning she sprang to ber feet,gasp
ing and strangling, while at the same instant
open flew the door and the enraged husband
entered. The pistols were duly drawn forth
and pointed at me, while the wife, instead of
imploring for my life, was busily engaged in
endeavoring to get breath, lor the ammonia
nearly killed her. I saw that my game was
safe, that the forger stood before me, and
when his first burst of well counterfeited pas
sion was at its hight, pulling off my whiskers
and drawing out my revolver, I coolly inform
ed him that he was my prisoner. The moment
he recognized me, "a change came over the
spirit of his dreams." He dropped bis pistol
and sank speechless into a chair. In a few
minutes the policemen entered, and I explain
ed the case. The prisoners were taken care
of, and afterwards paid the penalty of their
crimes. Markbam recovered his watch and a
portion of his money, but would not accept
the five hundred which I had promised hiui,
ai. 1 v-u have often since then congratulated
each other that there was so favorable a ter
mination to our "shaking."
The pea-nut is cultivated in Georgia, Alaba
man, North Carolina, &c. It is planted in
ridges about three feet apart, u me vine
stands up about a foot in perpendicular hight.
The stems 6hoot out in all directions from it
for about fifteen inches around. These run
ners have joints about an inch and a half n
part ; and at each joint a strong root strikes
down into the ground about two inches deep;
at the end of this root the pea-pod is formed,
and comes to maturity. Some farmers cover
these lateral vines with earth, while others
leave them bare all the lime. It is not agreed
which is the better mode. When ripe, one
bunch of vines will have from one to two
quarts of peas. One acre will produce from
thirty-five to fifty bushels of peas.
There has recently been presented to the
museum of tho Medical College, Mobile, Ala.,
a beautiful specimen of the lace-wood tree.
The peculiarity of it is in the fibrous nature of
the bark, wbich is about the eighth of an inch
thick. From this bark has been dissected
more than twenty coats of apparently real crape
or lace most of them large enough to serve
as a small handkerchief. It can be washed
and ironed like ordinary muslin. The tree is
a native of tho West Indies, and is very rare.
Generals Scott and Wool were, during the
inauguration on the 4th, on foot in full uniform
at the head of two batteries in the Capitol
grounds, ready in case of an emergency to set
an example of patriotism and duty to their
subordinates. When tojd of the character of
Mr. Lincoln's inaugural, which he could not
hear, Gen. Scott exclaimed, "Thank God, we
have a Goveiuiuent."
The Republicans have al length a majority
In the United States Senate. Their total
number is 29, and that of the opposition is 24.
This gives them for the first timo the control
of the organisation and the arrangement of
the Committees. For so much, at least, the
country has reason to thank tho Secessionists.
Kellcy's Island, in Lake Erie, is all a vine
yard. The principal grape is the Catawba,
wbich yields admirable wine. An acre. n full
bearing will produce 7,000 lbs. of grapes.
worth $455, at 6 J cents per pound.
New Counterfeits on the Mutual Bank, Cas
tleton, Vt.,of the denomination of five dol
lars, are in eircnlatioh.
C0L0BAD0 NEVADA DAKOTA.
The bills organizing the Territories of Colo
rado, Nevada, and Dakota, passed both Houses
of Congress before its adjournment, and were
signed by the President. This increases the
numbei of the Territories ot the United States
to seven, including the previously existing
ones of Washington, Nebraska, Utah, and New
Mexico. In the N. Y. Tribune we find the
following description of the new ones :
The first of these Territories, Colorado, in
cludes parts of Kansas, Nebraska, and Eastern
Utah. Its boundaries run as follows : Begin
ning at a point where the 102d degree of West
longitude from Greenwich crosses the 37th
parallel of North latitude, thence north along
said 102d parallel to where it intersects the
41st degree of North latitude, thence west a
long said line to the 109th degree of West Ion
gitude, thence south along said line to the.
3th degree of North latitude, thence oast a
long the 37th degree of North latitude to the
place of beginning. The Territory contains
about 100,000 square miles, and at thia time
has a population of some 25,000 persons. The
Rocky Mountains divide the Territory into
two parts, westward from them flowing a large
number of rivers, tributary to the Cojorado,
and eastward others equally numerous and
large, tributary to the Arkansas and South
Fork Platte Rivers. It includes the famous
mining region, Pike's Peak, rich in gold and
other metals, cut off by deserts from the more
fertile Western States, but destined to bo
the home of advancing civilization, and to
give up its treasures at the summous of en
lightened toil.
Nevada is taken from Western Utah and Cal
ifornia. Its boundaries are as follows : Begin
ning at the point of intersection of the 42d de
gree of North latitude with the 39th degree of
longitude west from Washington ; thence run
ning south on the line of this 116th degree
West longitude, until it intersects the north
ern boundary of tbe Territory of New-Mexico;
thence due west to the dividing ridge separa
ting the waters of Carson Valley from those
that now into the Pacific; thence on this di
viding ridge northwardly to the 41st degree
North latitude ; thence due north to the south
ern boundary line of the State of Oregon ;
thenco due east to tho place of beginning.
That portion of the Territory within the pres
ent limits of the State of California is not to
be included within Nevada, until the State of
California shall assent to the same by an act
irrevocable without the consent of the United
States. The Territory includes the lovely
Carson Valley, the memory of whose beauty
lingers with the traveler in his journey through
arid plains and over rugged mountains, and
whose wondrous fertility, even under the ru
dest cultivation, shows what may be expected
there when intelligent mdustry has free course.
Great mineral wealth, especially ot silver, in
which it is richer than any other part of the
world, and unlimited capacity for the raising
of agricultural products, will combine at an
early day to transform this region into a rich
and populous State.
In general terms, Dakota lies between lat.
42 d. 30 m. and 49 d. north, and long. 96 d.
30 m. and 103 d. west. It is bounded on the
north by British America, east by the States of
Minnesota and Iowa, south and west by Ne
braska. Its length from north to south is 450
miles, its average breadth is about 200 miles,
and it has an area of 70,000 square miles. It
was lormerly a part of the territory of Minne
sota, Lui was detached when that became a
State. The Indians belonging to the Yank
ton, Sissiton, and Sioux tribes are numerous,
and live chiefly by the chase. The territory
includes open, grassy plains, high-rolling prai
ries, a great number of lakes and ponds, and
very numerous valuable rivers. The climate
of the south is mild ; that of the north severe,
though less so than might be expected from
its high latitude. The land is well timbered,
and the valleys are highly productive. Coal
abounds in some parts, and other minerals add
wealth to tho region. Tho game is plentiful,
and of groat value for its furs.
The eager thirst for the precious metals,
which has opened these far Western regions
to the white man, already modified by the dis'
covery that the labor necessary to obtain the
metal will yield more satisfactory returns when
expended in tilling the soil and developing
tne natural resources of the country, will soon
exert only its proper influence ; then the natu
ral vigor of free labor, assisted by the intelli
gently fostering care of an enlightened Govern
m.cr.t, vrU soon redeem these noble territories
from their wildness, and legitimately extend
by so much the real area of Freedom
Minority Presidents. In 1824, the candi
dates for the Presidency were Adams, Jack
son, Clay, and Crawford. Mr. Adams, who
was in a minority of 141,420, and who had
much less than half of the popular vote, was
elected by the House of Representatives. In
1844, Mr. Polk was elected by the people, and
was in a minority of 24,119. In 1848, General
Taylor was elected. He was in a minority of
151,708. In 1856, Mr. Buchanan was elected.
He was in a minority of 377,629. In 1860,
Mr. Lincoln was elected. He was in a minor
ity of 946.950. So much has been said about
Mr. Lincoln being a minority President that
it is taken for granted that none of his prede
cessors were chosen in the same way.
Three cases of poltical importance will soon
be before the United States Supreme Court.
These are an appeal from the Territorial Court
of Kansas on a decision as to the right of the
people of a Territory to exclude slavery there
from ; the controversy between Governor Ma
goffin, of Kentucky, and Gov. Donnison, of
Ohio, and the Lemmon case, from New York.
Col. Lay, one of Gen. Scott's Aids, has re
signed his commission. He belongedto the
General's military family, and was familiar
with all his confidential correspondence. He
is a son-in-law of Judge Campbell of Virginia.
Tbo act was not altogether unexpected.
A warning. The following notice appear
ed on the west end of a country meeting-house :
Anybody sticking bills against this church,
will be prosecuted according to law or any
other nuisance."
He who like an owl, shuts himself np from
society and daylight, must expect to be hunt
ed, and hooted at like the owl, whenever he
chances to appear.
It is estimated that there are now in Canada
forty-flve thousand fugitive slaves from the
United States. -
"BLACK STBAP."
Some ludicrous things happen in real life
inings mat everybody can laugh at, save tnoso
who are their victims ; for we take it, that to
make a good joke, to give it point and eflect
some one must suffer that there must be a
sting to produce a ludicrous grimace. Wo
neard a story in point recently, which is lit
erally true, and our readers shall have it for
their edification.
Out in Erie, Pennsylvania, there resides a
young lawyer, son of a Supreme Judge, who
is devoted to a line of practice not set down
in the Books such as gunning, fishing, and
having a "good time" generally. Not long
ago, he, in company with another young gen
tleman, started on a gunning and fishing ex
cursion to a thinly settled part of Pennsylva
nia, on the lino of the Sunbury & Erie Rail
road. The poiut at which they domiciled was
a station on the road where a German bad o
pened a store for the purpose of supplying the
laborers on the work with "dry goods and gro
ceries," principally the latter. Here they en
joyed themselves for a few days in a free and
easy manner. One morning they arose before
the sun, intending to proceed upon an excur
sion some distance into the woods to try their
luck, when the following conversation took
place between them. Said the young gentle
man, who was the son of a well known propri
etor of a hotel in Erie, to his companion :
"I have a bottle of prime Jamaica Rum, a
first-rate article, and I thiuk it would be a good
idea to try it this morning. Suppose w go to
the 'store' and make some black strap. "
Now, reader, 'black strap" is a favorite
New England drink, and is composed of rum
and molasses. Tho J udge's son demurred not
to the suggestion, and, with the bottle, they
repaired to the grocery. The assistant in
charge of this establishment was a Teuton of
not very remarkable brilliancy, but of very
accommodating disposition. As soon as they
entered, the descendant of Boniface asked :
"Have you any first-rate molasses 7"
"Yaw."
"Well take these three glasses and fill them
each about half full of the best you have."
Yaw," repeated Teuton ; and suiting the
action to the word, bo went into a dark room
and in a few moments returned with the glas
ses each containing the required amount. The
Jamaica Kura was poured in not in homocpa
tnlc doses was vigorously stirred, in the dim
light of early dawn, and the youthful offspring
of the keeper of a house of public entertain
ment gulped bis down with one null. It tast
ed queer, and his stomach evinced a disposi
tion to rebel against it, but he preserved a
smooth countenance.
How does it go V asked the limb of the law.
"Bully !" gasped bis friend.
This assurance was enough, and another
glass was swallowed. Teuton followed suit
and down went bis mixture. By this time the
two disciples of Nimrod artd Izaak Walton were
on the outside of the store shouting New
York !" No man who ever "went down to the
6ea in ships" cast up accounts more vigorously
than did these two concoctors of "black strap
The German was of stronger stomach, and he,
grasping the bottom of his vest with both
hands, rushed after bis friends ejaculating
"Mine Gott !" at every step. The gentlemen
Irom trie were, in a few rniifutes, entirely pros
trated. Completely exhausted, they stretched
themselves on the counter, while "the Teuton
rushed two miles across the country for a phy
sician, feeling convinced that all had been
poisoned. The doctor came and after exam
ining the glasses, burst into a laugh. He dis
covered that the German had tapped the wrong
barrel, and instead of drawing molasses, had
partly filled the glasses with cheap whale oil
of the nastiest kind. There was no danger to
life, but the emetic was powerful, and, the
hunters took the first train for home, looking
as pale as ghosts, and as destitute of all mus
cular vigor as Mark Tapley was after a six
months' residence in the American Eden.
The Judge's son gives it as his opirion that
"striking ile" may be a lucky thing in a gen
eral way, but striking it in mistake for mo
lasses Is intolerable and not to be borne ;
while his companion, whose ability to keep a
hotel has lately been doubted, declares that
the next time be concocts black strap" he
will be sure of his ingredients.
A very conservative and eenial minister of
Louisville, meetinc one of his vounir friends
in the street, looked with some curiosity upon
what struck him as a blue rose on the hat of
his friend, and inquired what it meant. Sir,'
said the young blood, that is the blue cock
ade.' Cockade,' echoed the minister, 'cock
ade !' 'Yes. Sir. blue cockade. That's all
right, ain't it, Sir V 'Yes,' sail the minister,
all right ; all right on the goose.' The young
man nas noi onen seen since.
Kit Carson, the famous hunter, guide and
mountaineer, is living at Taos, New Mexico,
as Indians Agent to the Utah tribe of Indians.
His salary amounts to $1,500 per annum. Kit
is quite a wealthy man ; bis property is estima
ted at about $6,000. He keeps fifty or sixty
cows, five hundred head of sheep, and several
horses and ponies. He married a Mexican wo
man, with whom he lives quite resignedly.
Lobsters are so stupid that when they are
left on dry land by a receding tide they have
not sufficient instinct to crawl back into the
water, bat always wait lor the return of the
tide. Several lobsters were thrown a few feet
above the sea by a landslide in England, and
although the water came within five feet of
their noses, they remained waiting for the wa
ter to come to them until they died.
A Northern Slav State. The late cen
sus has developed the fact that New Jersey is
still a slave State, the "peculiar institution"
on her soil never yet having been abolished,
although it has nearly died out under what
Daniel Webster would call the "laws of God."
The population of New Jersey is 644,080
whites, 24,936 free colored and eight slaves.
Capt. Hill has refused the demand of the
Texas commissioners for the surrender of Fort
Brown, at Brownsville, or the public property
under his command. Capt. Hill bad sent to
Ringgold Barracks for reinforcements to re
take tbo property of the Government on Bra
zos Island. A collision was considered im
minent. There is a tree near Williams College, Mass
achusetts, so situated that its roots extend into
three states, namely : Vermont,, Massachu
setts and New York.
D0K0S OF SOU THEE !T AFBICA.
Strange tales are told of the countries and
the tribes lying south of the Shoa. In one
place are remnants of a traditional Christian
ity, whero the people do not work on tbe Sab
bath, and where they observe tbe festivals ot
Michael, George and Gabriel. At another is
a lake with five islands, tenanted by monks,
who are the possessors of certain ancient Ethi
opic books, worth, perhaps, a fortune to hierol
ogists and eastern critics. But tbe strangest
of all are the stories told of the Dokos, who
live among the moist, warm, bamboo woods to
the south of Katla and Susa. Only four feet
high, of dark olive color, savage and naked,
they have neither houses nor temples, neither
fire nor ordinary human food. They live only
on ants, mice and serpents, diversified by a
lew roots and fruits. They let their nails grow
long, like talons, tho better to dig for ants,
and the more easily to tear to pieces their fa
vorite snakes. They do not marry, but live
the indiscriminate lives of animals, multiply
ing very rapidly and with very little maternal
instinct. The mother nurses her child for
only a short time, accustoming it to eat ants
aDd serpents as soon as possible; and when it
can help itself it wanders away where it will,
and the mother thinks no more about it. The
Dokos are Invaluable as slaves, and are taken
in large numbers. Tho slave-hunters bold op
bright-colored clothes as soon as they come to
the moist, warm, bamboo woods where these
human monkeys live ; and the poor Dokos
cannot resist the attractions otlerod by such
superior people. They crowd round them,
and are taken in thousands. In slavery, they
are docile, attached, obedient, with few wants,
and excellent health. They have only one
fault a love for ants, mice and serpents, and
a habit of spaaking to Yer with their heads ou
the ground, and their heels in the air. Yer la
their idea of a superior power, to whom tbey
talk in this comical posture when they are
dispirited or angry, or tired of ants and snakes,
and longing for unknown- food. The Dokos
seem to come nearest of all people yet discover
ed to that terrible cousin of humanity the ape.
A horrid Pyramid of Snakes. A traveler
in South America writes: In the savannahs
of Izacubo, in Guiana, 1 saw the moat terrible
spectacle that can be seen ; and although it is
not uncommon to the inhabitants, no traveler
has ever mentioned it. We were ten men on
horseback, two of whom took the lead, in or
der to sound the tiASOfA a'hili T rxrnti rr. t
to skirt the great forest. One ot the blacks
Who formed the vanguard returned t fnl
lop, and called to me. "Here, sir, come and
see tbe serpents in a pile." lie pointed out
to me something elevated m the middle of the
savannah orswamn. which looked lit hnn.
die of arms. One ot my company then said, ,
"This is certainly one of the assemblages of
oerpeuis wnicn neap inemseives on eacU other
after a violent tempest; I have heard of these,
but have never seen any ; let us proceed cau
tiously and not go too near." We were with
in twentr paces of it : the terror of our hnni
prevented our nearer approach, to which none
ntic iMiiiucu. vu a suuiien ine pyra
mid mass became agitated horriblo hUini
. o - - j
issued from it. Thousands of serpents rolled
spirally on each other, shot forth out of tbe
circle their hideons heads, and ircsentAd
their flery eyes to us. I own 1 was the first
to draw back ; but when I saw this formidable
phalanx remaining at its nost. ami annoiriniF
to bo more disposed to defend itself than to
mute us, i roae arouna in order of battle,
which faced the enemy on every side. I then
sought what could be the design of this nu
merous assemblage, and I concluded that this
species of serpents dreaded some enemy
which ruizht be tho creat scrnpnt. or nrmm .
and that they re-united themselves after see
ing mis enemy, in oraer to resist in a mass.
FtAX Instead or Cotton. Recent experi
ence has practically demonstrated that flax,
excellently adapted for manufacturing pur
poses, can be supplied in any quantity at two
cents a pound less than cotton. It grows
readily in the ncfrthern and western States.
and in Ohio has heretofore been cultivated
mainly Tor the seed, the fibre being consider
ed of little or no value. Mixed with cotton
or wool, or both, a durable, cheap and soft
fabric can be manufactured, wbich would soon
come into general use, and supersede the
goods wbich are now made of cotton exclu
sively. England is seriously directing her at
tention to the growth of cotton in various
parts of the globe, and if we extend the cul
ture of flax, not many years will be required to
establish an entire independence of tbe plant
wnicn, uname to endure the prosperity of the
last decade, has set up to control the policv
of the government, and failing in that domi
nation, to destroy the Union. By tbe time
the southern confederacy has paid the neualtv
of its rashness, and shall be prepared to return
to allegiance, enterprise and ingenuity will
probably have developed resources wbich may
displace cotton as a necessity in manufactures.
The Position of the Democracy. When
the bill was before Congress the other day, to
build seven war steamers, Mr. Garnett. a promi
nent Democratic Member, offered this amend
ment "that said ships shall not be used to exe
cute tbe Federal latet" and ihirtv-eighl Demo
craticMembers of Congress actually voted for It.
At dinner at Erie, some centlcmen offrrrf
Mr. Lincoln some wine, and rather forced it
upon him. Mr. Lincoln replied: I hm
lived fifty years without the use of any liquor,
and I do not think it worth while to change
my habits now."
A medical journal says that single'wonieD
have the headache more than saarried ones.
That may be ; but don't married men have tbe
headache oftener than aingle ones J
When you kiss a wily and beautiful coquette
you "put an enemy to your mouth to steal
away yonr brains." Young gents will please
take notice, and act accordingly.
In a circular recently published by Messrs.
Dafonr & Co., of Lyons, France, it is stated
that America takes 200,000,000 francs worth
of silk from Europe annually.
The Legislature of New York has annronri-
ated $50,000 for the aid of the starving people
of Kansas. Wisconsin voted $5,000 for the
same benevolent purpose.
A. family which applied to a charitable soci
ety at Newburyport for aid, keeps 17 cats !
f.
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