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B. F. SCHWEIER, - . IHB C0K3TITCTI0H THITOIOH A5D TH1 ENTORCEME5T OF THB LAWS. d Editor and Proprietor.
VOL. XXIX. MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA.. DECEMBER 22. 1875. NO. 5 V
1
I
"THEY SAT."
Tlwy Mj-lh ! well, suppose they do,
Eat can thej prove the story true ?
Suspicion msy arise from nought
Bat malice, envy, want of thought ;
Why count yourself among the "tbsy"
Who whisper what they dare not say ?
They ray but why the tale rehearse.
And help to make tbe matter worse ?
No good can possibly accrue
From telling what may be untrue :
And is it not a nobler plan
To speak of all the best job can ?
Thry nay well, if it thould be so.
Why need you tell the tale of woe ?
Will it the better work redress.
Or make one pang of sorrow less ?
Will it the erring one restore
Henceforth to "go and sin no more ?"
Tty tay Oh ! pause and look within ;
See how thy heart inclines to sin.
Watch, lest in dark temptation's hour.
Thou, too, should sink beneath its power.
Pity the frail, weep o'er their fall.
But speak of good, or not at all.
A Christmas Tale.
"Christmas Eve, Aunt Ellen. Onr
first Christmas at home for ten lone
years. Ten long, lonely years. Only
you and i to wish each other a Merry
Christmas, with heart far removed
from merriment. Xo little children to
greet .Santa Clans with ringing shouts
of joy. Xo family to gather round the
Christ mart Tree. We will give to each
other trinkets to mark our love, we
will cat tin key and mince pies, ami in
the afternMin 1 will go over to the
Sunday-school children. Aud so the
day will glide by, as if has year after
year, in Paris, in Italy, in London, in
St. Petersburg where have we not
i-nt a Christ ma I"
"Hut we are at home home now,
dear," was the reply.
"1'rnH. There is" some comfort in
that. I have lunged so for home think
ing that we might find in Xew York
some trace of our lost one. Surely she
will come home! Yet, it is ten years
that the house has been in the hands
of strangers. Who can tell that she
has not been turned away from the
doorT It breaks my heart, Aunt Ellen
it bieaks my heart !"
The woman who spoke was pacing
slowly np and down a long, handsomely
furnished drawing-room, her small
jeweled hands clasped tightly together,
and her eyes misty with unshed tears.
She was richly dressed in heavy silk of
a deep wine-color, soft tine lace, and
tasteful jewelry, aud she was very
beautifnl.
She was not very young, past thirty
but her soft fair complexion and deli
cate features made her appear younger
than her actual age. Her eyes, ot deep
violet, were large and expressive, and
her hair, worn iu close curls roll no her
shapely head, was of the richest brown,
throwing back goldeu llgtits in tne
bright glare from the chaudelier. She
was tall and slender, yet gracefully
proportioned, ami her movements were
easy and dignilied.
Her compauion, who was halt hidden
in the depths nt a velvet armchair,
was small and very pretty, but old
enough to have her suowy hair folded
away under a soft lace cap. aud to wear
the old-lady dress of black silk and
w hite muslin, with a shawl of Shetland
wool around her shoulders.
She looked with loving, tender eyes
at the restless woman pacing the door,
and when she spoke, there was sympa
thy in everv tone. .
"KemeinlHT, darling," she said, "that
it is less than a year we returned here,
it is t4K early to Ik- discouraged."
"I am not discouraged, but it is so
hard to wait. Think of the happy fam
ily that gathered year after year in this
room, of our father, Uncle Harry and
Mattel 1 All gone. Xothing left me
but your precious love, and the good I
can do the jioor.''
"And Mira, speaking of that, did you
not tell me you had still some purcha
ses to make for your class to-nior-
"True. Mr. Morrison s call drove it
from my mind. There were more toys
needed. I can go now. It is not seven
o'clock. I will order the carriage, and
be back before nine."
She rang the bell as she spoke, or
dered the ca riage, aud sent for her
. maid and wraps.
The old lady waited until they were
once more alone, and then said, wist
fully1 "You would have told me it Mr.
Morrison brought any news t"
"Indeed I would !" was the earnest
reply, and the old lady felt a caressing
hand upou her own. "There was only
the old story of failure. Oh. Aunt
Ellen, I would spend every dollar I
own if it would bring her once more
into my arms. bring her face against
my own again !
Where is she this cold
Christmas Eve t How do we know she
is not cold or hungry, while we have
luxury ! How do we know what sor
row she may endure ! Oh, Mabel, Ma
U l! where are you I"
"She may be dead," the old lady said,
very sadly. ... . ,,
A heavenly smile lit the face of Mira
Cresswell, ai she answered :
"Xo. She could not die, and I not
know it. Yon forget we are twins,
Aunt Ellen, She has suffered deeply,
has known illness and sorrow bitter
sorrow but she is not dead. hen I
feel keen pain, I know she is ill and
suffering. When tuy heart sinks with
some unknown gnet, 1 know she weeps
in sorrow. Hut she could not die, and
I live on. Do you know she seems
strangely near to me to-night, and she
is sad. very sad !"
"Xearer than she seemed bix months
ago. dear, when you were so sure she
was coming home I"
"Yes ; even neater than she seemed
then. Hut here is Mary with my
wraps." , . . ,
"Are you going alone I Take Mary
with you." ' ' ... , ,, ,
"It is not worth while. I shall only
drive to the toy-shop and back.
She pressed a loving kiss upon the
sweet face raised for the caress, and
left the room. .....
A tew words of explanation here will
make clear the conversation quoted
above, and tell the reason why Mira
Cresswell. rich, lovely and talented,
was single at thirty, lonely and sad.
Mabel and Mira tresswell, twin
daughters and onlv eldldren of God
frey Cresswell, one of the leading mer
chants of Xew York, were at twenty
acknowledged belles in their own cir
cle of society, and brighter, happier
fate never seemed offered to girlhood
than theirs. Their mother had lieen
dead many years, but their father s sis
ter, Ellen Cresswell, had so faithfully
tilled her place, that the twins never
felt the loss of mother love or mother
care. . . .
During their first season in society,
for the first time in their short, happy
lives, the sisters wakened to the know
ilira tli at. there was another love even
more absorbing than that they felt for
each other. ,,.,
Mira became the botrothed bride of
her father's junior partner, George
SewelU and her family approved heart
ily of her choice. Hut Mabel gave her
heart to a man in every way unworthy
of the gift. A man handsome, talented,
and brilliant, but wholly unprincipled
one of whom society more than whis
pered disgraceful tales, yet tolerated
for the sake of his old family name and
position. "
Gordon Blanchard was so farpardon-
k.ln.1 hia namnls .1 an Mrlff
ULC, lunt II V ' aj,o ' in" ' J
age, had had the control of ample means,
ana oeen iree iron, mi mtnuu, biw
boyhood.
Mr. Cresswell. alarmed for the happi
ness of his child, opposed her choice as
soon as he Itecame aware of her attach
ment, forbidding all intercourse be
tween the lovers, and nsing his pater
nal authority with rather injudicious
strictness. The daughter, who had
li.tr nt Intra snd
sunshine from infancy, resented the un
usual severity, ana, yielding mi me so
licitation of her lover, eloped from her
father's house.
lief ore Mira had recovered from the
bitter grief of this first violation of sis
terly love and confidence, she was
..lln.1 mn ,a niAiirn tlm death of
George Sewell, after a short sudden ill
ness.
The girls health broke under the ac
cumulation of sorrow, and by the ad
vice of her physician, her father deter
mined to retire trom business, and
travel in Europe. His brother and sis
ter, with Mira, composed the party,
and they sailed from Xew Y'ork the
Fall following Mabel's elopement, t or
.... hj fatlior forbade the name
of his erring child being spoken in his
presence, but ne oecame in iu nw.
ence, and upon his deathbed he forgave
her, giving Mira his dying words of
blessing to cherish in her heart nntd
she met ber sister. Yet, his will, drawn
up in Xew York before he sailed, left
his fortune entirely to Mira.
It was the girl's earnest desire to re
turn to her own home after her fathers
death, bat her uncle Harry, who was
also her guardian, was ailing, and fan
cied the air of Italy or France was ne
cessary to his life. .
So, for three more weary yf". tne
travelers lingered abroad, till Harry
Cresswell, too, died in Italy, and was
buried beside his brother. But by bis
will, Mabel, could she be found, was
left equal heiress with her sister of his
handsome property, his own sister tl
len being already independent
The first grief being over, the two
women felt return the weary homesick
ness they had conquered for the sake ot
those who were gone, and returned to
Xew Y'ork. , . . .
As soon as they were settled in their
old home, Mira instructed her lawyer
to spare no money or time to find her
sister ; but her efforts were unavailing
up to the lime whenahe is introduced
ji : SlftSi
to the reader, a little more than six
months having passed since her return
to Xew York.
As she drove toward her destination,
Mira Cresswell praved silently, as she
had so often prayed, that, before ano
ther Xew Y ear dawned upon her louely
life, God wouid restore to her the sister
whose loss she mourned more than that
of uncle, father, or lover.
Her dead were, she trusted, safe in
the eternal home of Christians ; but her
sister, living, yet lost, was perhaps suf
fering want when plenty was her own
by right was lonely when love await
ed her.
With sad thoughts for company, Mira
entered the toy-shop, crowded with
purchasers, and as her foot passed the
threshold, a weight seemed to tall from
her heart and limbs. She was dazzled
by the light, she was bewildered by
the strange unexplained happiness that
seemed pouring into her heart.
Unconsciously she spoke the thought
that tilled her brain and heart, and
many in that gay crowd turned, as the
sweet, clear voice spoke one word,
"Malel !" turned to see a shabbily
dressed woman, at the counter, devoted
to cheap toys, drop her triding pur
chase, and fix her eyes upon the lady
wrapped in costly raiment who had
spoken.
Even in the contrast of dress, the
likeness between the two could not be
hidden. It was as if each faced a mir
ror, though one face was thinner than
the other. Both were pale, deadly
pale, as the shabby figure, drawn by
the power of tbe other's dilated eyes,
slowly crossed the store, never seeing
anything of the wondering group, and
found herself in a carnage, with Mira
sobbing and caressing her.
"Mabel. Mabel. Mabel !"
That was all Mira could say, feeling
her sister's kisses on her lips, her sis
ter's tears on her face. But after a mo
ment of deep, intense happiness, she
was recalled to this world again by the
coachman demanding the next desti
nation. "Drive slowly forward till I pull the
check-string."
Bang went the door, and the hones
took np a walk. , .
"Darling," aaid Mira, can it be true T
Are you really here here in my arms."
"But, Mira, 1 thought you were .in
Europe T" .
"We were until Jane. We came home
then, to find you. Tell me of yourself.
A MERRY CHRISTMAS
I am so hungry for news of you, Ma
bel." "Xo more so than I have been for ti
dings of you, Mira. My own story is
soon told. I am widowed and very
poor, with two little girls at home, half
fed. and half clothed."
"Where is your home t" asked Mira,
and shuddered as her sister named the
poor locality.
Again the coachman received direc
tions, and as he drove, Miia told her
sister of her father's forgiveness, and
her nucle's legacy, receiving in return
the story of a wretched marriage, of
children born only to die, excepting
the two little girls of eight and six still
living, of the gradual descent into pov
erty, of illness and nnkindnets, till
death left her free from actual abuse,
to tight the widow's battle against the
world.
"We were in Cincinnati from the time
of our marriage. Mira, and Gordon died
there, two years ago. 1 tried to make
money to come home, wearying for
yon, hoping for some words of pardon ;
but it was not until last Jnne I came
here. I went to tbe house, and found a
family there who said the house had
been rented to various parties for ten
years, and was then about to be taken
by a Mr. Morrison."
"My lawyer yon know papa's old
lawyer is dead, and Mr. Morrison acts
for me. He was preparing for our re
turn, when he gave the family yon saw
notice to vacate the premises."
"I never returned there. Indeed, I
have had my bands tilled, to earn bread.
This is the reason I have not seen the
advertisements you have had pub
lished. Hut, here we are at the only
home I have known since my return.
But for the brightness the fatare
promised, Mira feltas if her heart must
have broken, as. after ascending three
long flights of rickety stairs, the sis
ters stood in the dismal attic of the
wretched tenement house. In a small
open grate were the embers of a scant
fare .and the miserable furniture seemed
as if actually falling to pieces. Upon
the low bed, where their poor garments
eked out the scanty covering, were two
children, whose fair faces and brown
curls were miniature copies of tbe fa
ces bending over them. Even by the
light of tbe miserable tallow candle,
those faces looked beautiful.
Upon the bed-post hang two tiny
stockings, andMabel's tears rose aa she
whispered:
"1 have just two dollars in the world.
Mira. and I had told the children I was
afraid Santa Clans would rot come
hereto-night. They have never been
without some toy, however poor, and,
Mira, the older one, as she said her
prayers, added a little petition to the
saint of Christmas. VN ben she rose
from her knees, she told me, with snch
perfect faith, that Santa Clans would
surely come now, that I could not liear
to pirture her disappointment- I re
solved to take a trine from my money
to buy a few cheap toys, a little candy
and frnit. and trust to Providence for
the future. Kissing my little oues, I
stole out, leaving them asleep, uncon
scious for the hour, at least, of cold
and hunger."
"Oh, Mabel! Thank God for the
child's prayer."
"To think that in answer I fonnd yon
fonnd a home, wealth, and Christcias
happiness! Mira, my heart is too
full!"
There was a moment ol deep silence,
and then Mira spoke, with a look of
merry mischief in her eyes, that they
had not worn for years !
"Mabel, let me take the children
home, asleep, jnst as they are. Wrap
the cavers round them, and we will
carry them down-stairs. There are
Flenry of warm robes in the carriage.
o, do let me carry out a little surprise
I have in my minil for the waking of
tbe dear girls."
"Just as you wish."
A rapid drive home to greet Annt
Ellen's delighted surprise, to put the
little ones, still sleeping, in bed, and
wrap Mabel in warm, handsome gar
ments, and then there was a shopping
expedition through the busy, crowded
stores, that threatened to overflow the
carriage.
Little garments of daintiest make
treasures of books, games, and toys'
tempting packages of fruit and sweet
meats, and wonderful machinery of all
sorts for Mira's suprise.
It was past midnight when the sis
ters stole from the room where the
children lay sleeping, to share once
more the room they had occupied in
girlhood. Day was just breaking when
they crept in softly again for final pre
parations, and then hid themselves in
a large closet to watch the waking.
Christmas morning broke bright and
clear, and tbe sun, peeping through
lace curtains, lighted one room, that
was in strong contrast with tbe attic
room where Mabel's children had.
dropped into childhood's deep sleep.
Acaroet of soft texture, covered with
bright boquets of dowers, was on tbe
floor ; handsome furniture was taste
fully arranged, and a low crib, of some
what old-fashioned shape, with warm
covers, held two little figures enrled
cosily under the softest of blankets,
while two brown heads rested lovingly
together noon the pillows. Uratetul
warmth filled the room, and every ap
pointment was perfect. Butthecrown
mg glory stood directly opposite tbe
crib, where the little sleepers must see
it as soon as their eyes opened.
It was a tall Christmas tree, standing
upon a large table, and sorely Santa
Claus, in Lis most generous niood, had
never dressed one with more marvelous
fruit. The small white stockings, hang
ing from one branch were well filled,
and from every bough were suspended
rare Christmas treasures, such as chil
dren love. Dolls, dressed in the latest
fashions, were there, and for the nse of
their ladyships, furniture, carriages,
and complete wardrobes. Tea-sets, in
dainty boxes, were there ; games, in
variety; books.riiled with the most won
derful ot fairv romances : sets of ex
quisite pictures, in pretty envelopes;
varieties ot candies, iruii, ana aainties
of every kind. And over all bong the
brilliancy of the rising sun touching
everv object with warm golden light.
Suddenly, as children often waken
from deenest sieeD. one curly, brown
head was lifted from the pillow, and a
pair of great blue eyes opened wide, in
delighted surprise.
"That is Mira, yoar namesake," Ma
bel whispered low, in the closet.
Great gasning sobs of perfect bappi
ness held the child silent a moment.
then the joy became too great lor soli
tarv Dleasure.
"May! May!" she cried, the sweet
voice rippling with delight "oh, May,
wake upl Santa Claus camel I told
mamma be would come. May, wake
np!"
Two brown heads were upraised now,
two pairs of blue eyes shining with
pleasure, roving from the tree to the
wonderful room, the furniture, the mir
rors, the little bed, and ever back again
to tbe marvelous display of toys and
treasures.
"Oh, May, it is like heaven ! How
warm I am ; and see our nightgowns,
all rattled, and with lace on them ! And,
oh. May ! see the lovely bine dresses
on that chair, and bronze boots ! They
must be for us, for they will surely fit
us."
Bat May's eyes were drooping a little,
in the midst of all this happiness. She
missed something, dearer than all.
"Bat I want mamma !" she said in a
grieved tone. "Did Santa Claas take
away mamma V
The closet-door opened, and the two
ladies stepped oat, dressed so nearly
alike, and resembling each other so
much, that May shouted :
"Two mammas !''
"One mamma and one auntie, dar
lings!" said Mabel, kissing the won
dering little faces.
"Has Santa Clans been to see you
too V asked Mira, the second, noting
the unwonted happinessof her mother s
f aceand the handsome Cashmere wrap
per she wore.
"Yea, darling!" her annt answered ;
"Santa Claus has brought mamma
home."
"Is this beautiful room to be oars T"
"Yes ; and when you lie down in your
crib, you can think that it is the saro
one where mamma and aantia sle t
when they were little girls. But are
you not ready for breakfast? Don't
you want to be dressed, and see the'
toys on your tree F
"Oh!" cried Mira. as the door opened,
"here is a fairy godmother coming!"
There was a merry laugh then, for
Aunt Ellen was so small and pretty,
that this was not a new name for her.
"I could not wait longer to see your
children. Mabel," she said "our second
Mira and Mabel!"
It was a day the reunited family can
never forget. The children, young la
dies now, thinking of society and ac
complishments, have passed many
happy anniversaries, but never one
quite so startling and bright as the one
when "Santa Clans brought mamma
homo."
arrjlaa; the Wtssi Wm
Haskell has been visiting a pretty girl
up town, who is very wealthy; and
with an eye to business, thought he
could marry her and handle the funds
when the old man died; so he worked
hard to line hla nest with feathery
greenbacks. The girl told him frankly
that she did not love him, hut "faint
heart never won fair lady," aud he per
severed. Again the young lady told
him her father would object to a mar
riage with him; then he boldly proposed
an elopement, and there seemed to be
so much romance in this proiosition,
that the girl at last yielded to his im
portunities, and agreed to run off with
him and get married.
Xow this pretty girl, as plump as a
dove, had a penniless maiden aunt, as
uirly as an owl and as scrawny as a fence
rail, who was very anxious to marry
an unusual thing for a maiden aunt of
thirty-five.
The night at last arrived for the
elopement, and everything was pro
pitious, dark and rainy. It was just
such a night as was needed for a safe
escape. The clandestine carriage drove
up, Haskell hurried his blushing fair
one into it and rapidly they 8ied away
to the shores of Jersey to lie made one.
Haskell was in ecstasies; his golden
dream of wealth was to be realized; he
could see it all ill his imagination first
the displeasure of his father-in-law,
then the reconciliation, and then he'd
lie received into the bosom of the family,
and wouldn't do anything hut live off
the old man and have a gay time.
They drove up to a little parsonitge in
Jersey City, aud stood up by the light
of a flickering candle, with the minister
and requisite witnesses, and were made
one. Then Haskell, in his delirious joy,
turned and raised the bridal veil to kiss
his fair, young bride when, oh, horror !
he found that he was married to the
ienniless maiden aunt. The roguish
girl had played it fine on him; and.
knowing his mercenary motive, had
substituted the aunt in her place and
to add to his misery, cards are now out
lor the young lady s marriage with a
well-known young man up town.
1 he whole family stood at the window
that night watching Haskell steal the
maiden aunt away, and the old gentle
man, her brother-in-law, gays he 11 set
them up for housekeeping in a plot np
town, and then they must scratch for
themselves.
Wlsdwwa la Brief. .
An exchange gives the following
sensible hints for 1373, which we com
mend to the consideration of all con
cerned : "It is better to live in a little.
mean, two story frame house, than in a
jail; It is a good thing, when you are
talking of another man s defalcation, to
make sure that yon coma have handled
as much money, with like opportunities
for dishonestv, and not fallen before
temptation, it doesn't pay to worry
over what will happen to your wife if
vou were taken away; she may get a
better husband; if you are wondering
what makes your former schoolmate's
hair so gray, or make such a one so
wrinkled, or why such another one is
growing so stout, just take a look in the
glass. Uo not imagine, because vou
have resolved to practice charity and to
speak well of everybody, that everybody
has made the same resolution regarding
you. If you are heartsick with regret
that vou were not more tender and
thoughtful towards the dear ones you
have lost, just trv to avoid further re
pentance in the future by being good to
those still left to you. Don't put off
enjoyment. If you are not ready to en
joy things as they come, when you are
ready they won t come. Planning to
enjoy friends and fortune in the future
is a most insecure investment. The
chances are woefully few that yon, your
friends and the fortnne w ill all come
together in the future. If you have any
good deeds to do, or happiness to enjoy,
to-day is the time. It is only when we
are arguing ourselves into the commit
ting of some act where we believe the
end will justify the means, that it pays
to wait till to.morrnw. In such a case
one cannot wait too many to-morrows."
Knife d rrk Flirt mllsws.
To drop your knife means: "I
badly hored.
To eat with your knife means:
not dos ted."
'I am
To drop your fork means : I am des
perately in love."
To wipe your knife on the table-cloth
means : "All right."
To stir your coffee with a fork means :
"How sweet you are."
To eat your soup with a fork means:
"Y'ou are very beautiful."
To whet your knife on your fork
means: "You see 1 am sharp."
To cut your mouth with a knife
means : "I am very impatient."
To pick your teeth with a fork means :
"1 am tne pick of the lot.
To wipe your nose on a napkin means
"I am making a fool of myself."
To drum on your plate with your
knife and fork means: I am almost
crazv."
To scratch your head with a fork
means: I itch for an acquaintance with
vou."
To dip your own knife into the bat
ter means : "I am not very particular
von see.
To let your knife slip and knock tbe
eravv out of vonr nlate means: "i am
exceed inirlv hanDT to be here."
To draw the knife half way down
your throat means : "I am enjoying my
self very well, 1 thank you.
Uot to make hens lay Tie their legs.
irews n brief.
James Knox of Knoxville, 111. has
given $10,000 for a Swedish college In
that city.
The aggregate shrinkage of mining
stocks on the Pacific coast is estimated
at $70,000,000.
Gen. E. E. Spinner he of the
meandering autograph ran ahead of
his ticket in Xew York. .
Alexander H. Stephens now weighs
two more pounds than be did. He
weighs only about 100 all told.
A Kentuckian thinks he has at
tained the height of human happiness
in the possession of a wife 3 feet 3
inches tall.
The Titusville Courier thinks the
daily production of petroleum this year
will fail at least 9,000 barrels below
that of last year.
Political success U not without its
penalties. A Pennsylvania Senator
elect had to kiss l,oViU babies during
the recent canvas.
The wife of a Des Moines editor
has ruu away with a beautiful Chicago
hatter. So much for the vaunted lu
ll uence of the press. .
The Gazette, a Kansas paper, has
been sued for libel by the office devil,
who says that $-JO,000 won't make his
character shine as it did before.
A Cincinnati merchant has a pair
of shoes made in 1770, during the times
that tried men's souls, and he proposes
to exhibit them at the Cedtenuial.
It is estimated that the Government
will recover $1,500,000 of the amount of
loss involved in the St. Louis Whisky
frauds. This is about one-half of the
total loss.
There is a bullfrog farm in South
eastern Wisconsin, 30 ai res of swamp
fenced in, and the proprietor sends
thousands of these feather less birds to
Xew Y'ork.
At the annual hunt of the Xc
braska City Sportsmen club, held re
cently, there were 1,1.13 animals slaugh
tered, consisting of ducks, hares, quail,
snipe, plover, etc.
Maggie Davis, daughter of the ex
Presidcnt of the confederate states, is,
it is reported, about to marry A. J.
Hayes, Jr., cashier of the National
Bank of Memphis.
A sea turtle captured on t he Mary
land coast recently, measured 10 feet in
length and S feet from tip to tip of fins.
It took 1J men with 3 sets of halyards
to haul him aliore.
Auburn, X. Y., claims more bach
elors and old maids than any other
place of its size in the country But
then, you know Auburn lias a well-iiop-..l....
..I o. .. '
General Meredith, who died lately
in Indiana, was six feet seven inches
high, ami Presi lent Lincoln used to say
that the tieneral, was one of the few
men he looked up to.
The Palmetto Guard, of Charleston
South Carolina, has determined to cele
brate the centennial of the battle of
Fort Moultrie, fought on June 2S, 1770.
by erecting a U.Ooi) monument.
The boues of over l.lHX) Chinamen
have lieen gathered together at Sacra
mento, Cal., from all parts of the state.
preparatory to their being forwarded to
China, in a few days, by a clipM-r ship.
Sixteen beds of cannel coal, sirir re-
gating 41X1 feet in thickness, the largi-st
being seventy feet thick, and fully
equal to the English article, have just
been discovered in Uintah, Wyoming.
A black duck flew against the
lighthouse at Sankaty, Nantucket, the
other day, with such force as to break
in a large plate glass window almost
half an iuch thick, killing itself in
stantly. A new base-liall organization for
the season of 1870 has been perfected in
St. Paul under the name of the Gopher
club. They exiiect to gopher every
thing In the state and visitors from out
side regions.
The old bell which called together
tbe Virginia Convention of 177.1, in
Kichmond, when Patrick Henry ut
tered his stirring sentence, "tJive me
liberty or give me death," is still in
use In Martinsville, In that State.
The annual production of leather
f loves in France is estimated at about
,310.000 dozens of pairs of first second
and third sorts, the average price being
thirty-five francs per dozen. There are
90,0)10 persons employed in this in
dustry. A colored woman of Lairtonville,
Ga., lately died at the advanced age of
112 years. She was suposed to have
been the oldest person in that State.
She was born on Koanoke Island, and
was twenty years old when the war of
1776 commenced.
Deserves success. A new steam
ship company is organizing iu Xew
Y'ork which will not ask Congress for
any aid whatever. The steamers are
to ply between Xew Y'ork, St. Thomas
and Venezuela, and are to depend
wholly npon the legitimate profits of
commerce for support.
A Wyoming paper prints a state
ment to the effect that a Mexican mus
tang fell down a shaft, a distance of
eighty feet, anil was rescued without a
bruise. The succeeding paragraph
very properly consists of a denuncia
tion of liars, especially those of the
newspaper fraternity.
The California Pacific railroad peo
ple are pushing their end of the South
ern Pacific with great vigor, and prom
ise to have railroad communication be
tween San Francisco and Im Angeles,
next summer. This will open the de
lightful climate and tropical fruits of
southern California to easy access.
St. Louis has just figured up its hog
packing for this year, and finds that
between March 1 and October 31, the
number packed was 102,124 averting
220 fts. each, against 1.7J,902,20 Bs.
last year. The product of these hogs,
together with 43,0l head slaughtered
by butchers, was 10,4'.N4,5."iO pounds of
cut meats and 3,019, 02 pounds of lard.
One of the bronze medals presented
by Congress to the heroes of the battle
of Lake. Erie is in possession of a gen
tleman cf Toledo, Ohio. On one side
is a likeness of Commodore Perry in
naval uniform, and on the reverse is a
representation of the fleet in the line of
battle, engaging the enemy. The
owner intends to send the nied:il to the
Centennial Exposition.
A farmer in Seymour, Ind., while
examining his corn crib the other day,
came across a small jug whose mouth
was stopped by the txly of a rat which
had tried to get in but had stuck fast.
On breaking the jug he found four
other rats inside, all alive. -The latier
had evidently crawled in, eaten till
their sides were stuffed out, and then
found It impossible to crawl out again.
Duncan Campbell who ha under
taken to walk from the Atlantic to the
Pacific Ocean, at the end of four months
has reached Rock Springs, Wyoming
Territory. He intends leaving San
Franuisco on the 1st of February with
a wheelbarrow to carry his blankets and
cooking apparatus, aud will accomplish
the return journey In 180 days. What
else he will accomplish would puzzle
even Sergeant Bates to tell.
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