it - 1 I TV rn "CYJYVV 1: 1 : 13. F. SCIIWEIER, THE GOHSTmrnOS-THE TTSI03 AJD THE HJTOBOEMHIT OF THE LAWS. Editor and Propiiotor. VOL. XXXII. MIFFLIXTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1878. NO. 7. LETHE. Adnwu the slumberous Und one liver flows, S ow, euent. under light of stars or son. Falling from a far land that no one knowa. To a great m whtre all the stream are out, tloon of lilif-a npon its breast. Vbos8 cold root grasp the euulea ahina be low. Sever bath past-ion broken oo their rest. Sor aino oua tear drop, on their iovelese auow. What time the aun throwa w.da his golden door. Aui kJid'.a peak on p.-ak to amotbjat, A ei-h brefthe o'i thoie wood of svcatnore. Aud uVougU the twinkling tree top trail the m.Bw KoUmg through glisti aiui glena that stream vhall glide. Wt-cping. those ghuot haU stand npon the shore. Koi sorrow with oblivion shall ahi ie. Till stream, aud sea, and mountain be no tuoie. The Black Decoy; Or A Itide For Ufa. ! guess I never told you aliout that horse, did 1? asked Major Maxwell -n old veteran of llic American war, a: nointed out a larjre black horse that was quietly feeding in the pasture just acros the road. ' that is me lamous libu-k Decor; and he cost nie an even thousand dollars, to say nothing of the vexation and the l-ril attending tin purchase. I bou-'ht hi ill out in the mountains It was before the war. I had two good .,ris then, and this leg wasn't a stick I was on escort duty. Something had hai'1-i-in'd to some of the w agons, and the train lay in camp a day tor repairs. Nearly all the hoys went out after buf- but mr horse was lame, so 1 re mained in camp. "There was only one companionable oer-am left with me, and that was old Jacob Stockton. He was going out to Montana, to meet his daughter. He had been hi Montana for years, leaving his child with friends in the Last, and early in the spring he went to visit her. He found, however, that she had gone to vi-it him. so lie hurried back, ana oy chance joined the train 1 was escorting, We had become verv good friends. and at every opportunity I sought his company, and was always well repaiu. -on that day I found him stretched at full 'length under a tree, pulling away at his oid l-lack pipe. 1 followed his example, excepting the. pipe, and was sjiiu an interested listener to the old gentleman's tales of travel and adven ture. "In the mid-t of one of his most ex cit:i:g uarrations, he started unexpect edly to his feet, exclaiming: The Black Decoy, as sure as I live! I w.,nd. r what ill-luck is coining to u now y "I quickly changed my recumbent Mi-iti..u for one better suited for obser vation, and saw, coining towards camp, a stranger riding one horse and leading another. "There was nothing remarkable about the stranger, nor the animal he rode; hut the led horse was the most perfect thing in the way of horse-flesh I ever saw. 1 was smitten at once. My poor bay, though be had mrved me faithfully for a year or more, looked like a carthorse by the side of tbi splendid black; and I decided at once that if this animal could le bought for money, I would buy him. "Don't do it, major,' said old Jacob, although I had not spoken a w ord. 'J had rather see you astride a Bengal ti ger, than that horse, w ilh all its beau ty.' "Beauty:" I exclaimed. 'Why, Mr. Stockton, that word does not half ex press it. He is absolutely incompara ble! I will give a round thousand for just that black horse, and consider it clienp. too!" "Don't think of it, major!" cried died the old man, grasping my arm as 1 ro-e to my feet. '"1 wouldn't ride nor own that horse for the whole of Montana no, not if every stone were pure gold !"" "Pooh, my friend, you are w ild ! " ride him, and buy him, too, if I can."' "The old man shook his head." '"Major, if you know when you are well ott, you'll not go nigh him." "Your reasons," said I, half vexed at his superstitions." "1 have hut one.'" he replied sol emnly. "'If you mount that horse,you are no better than a dead man.'" 'I laughed outright." "You have forgotten the text, Jacob; Iea:h comes on a pale horse." "'Clack or white, you will find it as I shv, uajor.'" "By this- time the new comer was irliiu shaking distance. I halted him and went out to where he stopped. It was no hard matter to trade with him; and in less than ten minutes I was leading the horse away, and the seller was riding off with a thousand dollars added to hi pocket-money. "Anxious to try my new purchase, I saddled and bridled him, aud mounted. "'Major! major! don't doit!" "I had forgotten old Jacob; but there be stiMl, holding the horse by the bri dle. ..',! '"Major, you wilt certainly ride to your death !"' "1 was too much excited to pay any attention to Ms words; and, toucldng the horse lightly with my sharp Mexi can spurs, 1 left the old man still tlk inir to me. "My beautiful black went charmingly. 1 never had an easier seat; add I never saw a horse tlit could get over the ground with less exertion. Twice one thousand dollars would not have taken him from tue. . ; "At the start I gave the horae. free ein siiwl lio t.wik norlherlv course tO- " . T i wards the mountains. ' In this way 1 rode several mile; but the nearness of the sun to the zenith, and the admoui- j tions of my inner man reminded me that it was time to return. 1 accord-1 iugly drew rein ; but, instead of wheel. Ing aboi". the horse broke into a gal lop, nearly unseating me. "I had hitherto prided myself on my command over anything of the horse kind; hut that magnificent black took tue conceit out of me. All that I could do or say made no impression on him ; and I was forced at last to srive un and admit that I had found my match. It was very humiliating, I assure yon; and there was Jacob Stockton' warn ing to think about. I was not alarmed however; but I did wonder whether the old man had not some good reasons tor tits belief. Aud I was vexed, too I could ride as far as the horse could carry me; but I felt that I had the right to choose the direction. There was my dinner, too a nico juicy buf falo steak. Take it all-in-all, I was de cidedly uncomfortable; and had it not been for a weary tramp hack to our camping-ground, I should have shot the animal dead in his tracks. "The way grew rougher as I drew nearer the mountains; but the horse did uot abate nis speed in the least. He plunged ito a ravine the dry bed of some mountain stream like one accus tomed to the w ay. On Jhe dashed, aud up, the path growing narrower and the rocky sides steeper. "Higher and higher were the walls, as we advanced, until they closed over our heads, shutting us into the gloom. Ten minutes of this darkness, and the horse emerged into an oen space, lighted by the noonday sun. There he stopped as suddenly as he had started, aud neighed loudly. ''Before I recovered from my surprise a quick, sharp, well-known sound struck upon my ear; aud looking in ilie direc tion from whence it apieared to come, I saw two men staring down at me two as rough, villaiuoiis-looking creatures as ever encumbered the earth. "Ah, my friend. I knew my eril then, and my thoughu went through my brain with wonderful rapidity. I had not a second to lose. Already two rifles were pointed at nie. Whatever I did must be done Instantly. There wa but one chance to stakea dumb brute's life against mv own. "I drew my revolver and placed the cold muzzle to the ear of my treacher ous captor. "My release or the Black Imp's death ! I shouted. So soon as they comprehended my intentions, they disappeared; but I knew it was only to gain a more advan tageous position. I dared not leave the horse, however, for on him dejiended my safety; sol sat there still holding my revolver ready for any emergency. and watching all oiiits. Vigilant as 1 was, however, I was surprised. With out auy warning, a light form leaped uiKMi the saddle behind me, and a hu man voice uttered some strange word some magical word it seemed, for the horse, so motionless before, wheeled on the. iustaut, and weut dashing back through the path we had came. "Then and there wrs a ride for life. The rocks seemed swarming with men; bullets flew about us like hail, and the clatter of hoofs over the hard stones came distinctly to our ears. I spared neither w hip iior spur, aud by strange good fortune we escaped the bullets and reached the open plain. Then, for the first time, I ventured to look behind. and I saw a woman's face. I cannot describe my feelings my surprise, my gratitude, my admiration, my love. For once I forgot that there was such a man as Major Guy Maxwell. Neither know ing or caring who this stranger was w hether rich or poor, of high or low degree I then aud there gave her the noblest, truest, best love man ever gave to womau, nor thought perhaps it would ever be returned. My life then was nothing, only so far as it was necessary for her safety. The yelling demons iu pursuit were welcome to it, if, by this means, she could be saved. But there was no surety of that. Both would be saved or both lost. Our pursuers were gaining on lis. Ever and anon a leaden messenger ploughed np the sand behind us, lessen ing our hope as they fell nearer and nearer. But we could only urge on the poor, tired horse, and pray for deliver ance "A mile or two ahead of us was a belt of timber. Iliad no recollection of passing it in the morning; but, if we had lost our way, we could not turn back. If we could only reach the shel ter of those trees, it would tie better than remaining on the open plain, a tareet for half a score of rifles. But conld we reach it? I had not the shadow of an idea that we could, for the horse was nearly iqeiit. Yet I urged hint on. He strained every muscle to the utmost, but those sinews of steel gave way at last. He staggered and fell, and I was ust in time to save myself and my eom- . 1. .1 t panion rrom neing -ruu urnram him. "The timber was vet a hundred yarJs awav, and the ruffian scarcely f fty be hind. Why they didn't fire upon us I never knew, but I think they wished to spare my compauica's life. "I grasped the small white hand of my companion iu peril, and together we resumed the flight. But half the distance was covered, when one of the robbers galloped up to my side, and drew his sabre on me. "'Take that."' "They were the last words he ever spoke. Puffs ot white smoke appeared suddenly among the trees, aud of the ten outlaws but three escaped. "Well, there is but little more to tell. The timber which I had tried so hard to reach was our camping-ground, and it was the rifles of my own men that sent death ami defeat into the robber ranks.' "Mr. Stockton stared at me as though I were a veritable ghost; but when I led forward the beautiful girl, it was my turn to be amazed. !' i: '"Minnie, my darling!" cried the old man. "And I knew then who had shared my ride from the robbers' stronghold. "She had been taken prisoner only the day before. Failing to flud her father, she wau on her return, nd the coach fell into the hands of the robbers. By chance she saw me, and conceived the bold plan for escape; but what ma gic word she nsed to induce the horse to turn back with us I never knew, and she cannot tell. "'It came to me and went again when 1 had no further use for it,'" is her re ply, when I ask her about it; so I am contented with the benefits received, and ask no questions. "We resumed our way next morning, Minnie accompanying lis. The horse, too, I took with me, although it seemed utterly worthless. He grew better, however; and there he is now, pretty well advanced in years, it is true, but still the cheapest horse ever bought. simile away, if you line. I do not al lude to the original investment I paid enough for a share iu the concern hut to the dividend received. Only one has been de. -bared ; yet I should not sell tt for teu thousand dollars. Let me show you. Minnie! Miunie! O, here you are. My w ife, Minnie Stockton Max well mv dividend." ltabies Mixed. The following accident hapieued at a party given in Nebraska. A great many ladies sixteen who were young mothers, attended the party, and their babies were laid together on a bed. As the party dispersed the mothers, with out sufficient care, gathered up their babies and went home. Then it was discovered that mistakes had been made, and though three weeks have passed, the errors have not all been corrected, and the town is full of unrest. This is a very old ttory, and was much better told in the early days of California. As related then, stripped (the story, not the babies) of all embellishments, it ran as follows: The scene of the story was laid in the neighborhood of Miasta. There was a grand ball given, aud ladies buing scarce, all iu the neighbor hood, without regard to age or previous or present condition, were invited. A good many brought babies, and the babies were dressed, some in red, some In blue, some in pink, some in crimson and some in white, until, as they were tumbled together upon a bed, all kick ing, the effect upon the eyes of the mineis gathered there was like a sudden vision of a morning rainbow. The dance went ou, merry as a marriage bell, until nearly dawn, when the ladies retired, put on their bonnets and shawls aud gathered up their babies to go home. Then the gentlemen present desired j ist one more dance, and when the ladies olj-!cted because they had their darlings iu their arms, some short card sports in attendance volunteered to be dry nursea while the dance went on. The music waj pulsating through the house; it wohM take only a few minutes; aud the result was that the proposition of the sports wa accepted. Sow, these sports, in manipulating cards, bad become experts with their fingers and in less than three minutes the babies were undressed and re dressed. Blue dresses were exchanged for pink and white dresses; red was changed for yellow and orange for plaid. When the dance was completed the mothers found the sports as demnre as Sisters of Cha: ity , humming low tunes to and gently trotting their darlings. With grateful thanks the mothers re ceived their treasures, in their haste each merely taking the right dress without a close examination of the con tents, and all hurried home. Then the difficulty began. Mothers found that angels of girls had tn a night chang-d to demons of boys, and under the delightful overdress of some, coarse gar ments appeared, while to others under the coarse dress there were scollops and edgings and dainty embroidery. To say that there was a storm, that there was unrest and confusion, for many days, gives no idea of the real situation. The sports on the second day left town and never returned. We saw one of them many year afterward in a mining camp in the mountains of California. He always wore a furtive aud frightened look and seemed perpetually on watch for something, One day a waon came to camp and a woman with a baby in her arms descended from it. The sport instantly disappeared and was never heard from again. The Shasta catas trophe happened about seventeen years ago. Last week a lad seventeen years of age killed bis putative mother in Oakland, Cal. Wc are curious to learn whether that boy was born in the neigh borhood of Shasta. A MatrtmoButl Sensation. Terre Haute has a sensation, ami the end is not yet. A Ir. Keed died, leav ing considerable property in Terre Haute and Chic-go, and his w ill devis ed all bis possessions to Mrs. Dr. Reed, who was the" second wife, Mrs. Bayless Hannais Dr. Reed's daughter by a former marriage. She entered suit against Mrs. Dr. Reed for a partition of the property, claiming that undue in fluence was used upon the doctor to in duce him to leave ' all bis property to his second wife and nothing to his chil dren. The prosecution claimed that Mrs. Reed was a terrible woman jn words and deeds, and had au array uf fifty . witnesses .drawn , from Terre Haute's most worthy citizens to prove the claim. It was alleged at the trial that Mrs. Reed caused poison to be ad ministered to the first wifo, and also to the doctor, and that both their deaths resulted from her doings. It further came out in evidence that this woman had made many threats and uot a few attempts to kill various citi zens of Terre Haute. The feeling against her was becoming very strong, and in the midst of it she created an other kind of sensation by directing her lawyer to ask the jury to find for the plaintiff. She gave up the case, and was evidently scared by the muttering and threatening of the poison theory. The jury found a Terdict for the plain tiff according to instructions, and the will case was thus ended, but further developments at law touching Mrs. Dr. Reed are expected. The peculiarity of her giving np her case seems to point to some adequate aud governing cause. More of the sensation may be confident ly looked for. " " ' The Humautax-Blrd of the California Water rails. One winter morning, when the Mer ced Kiver was blue and green with un- nielted snow, I observed ' one of my ouzels perched ou a snag out in the midst, of a swift-rushing rapid. He sang cheerily, as if everything was just to his mind, and while I stood on the bank admiring him, he suddenly plunged into the sludgy current, leav ing his song broken abruptly off. After feeding a minute or two at the bottom, aud when one would suppose he must inevitably be swept fat down-stream, he emerged just where he went down, alighted on the same snag, showered the water beads from his feathers, aud at once continued his unfinished song, splicing it together as if he had suf fered no interruption. The ouzel alone of all birds dares to enter a while torrent. Aud though strictly terrestrial in structure, no other is so inseparably related to water, not even the duck, or bold ocean alba tross, or storm-jietrel. Ducks go as'iore when they have done feeding in uudis- turbed places, and frequently make long overland flights from lake to lake or from field to field. The same is true of most other aquatic birds. But our ouzel, born on the verv brink of a stream, seldom leaves it for a single moment. For, notwithstanding he is often on the wing, he never flies over land, but whirls with rapid, quail-like beat above the stream, tracing all its winding modulations with great min uteness. Even when the stream is quite small, say from five to ten feet wide, he will not try to shorten his flight by crossing a bend, however ab rupt it may be; and even when dis turbed by meeting some one on the bank, he prefers to fly over one's head, to dodging out over the ground. When therefore, his flight along a crooked stream is reviewed endwise, it appears most strikingly wavered an interpre tation of every curve inscrilied with lightning-like rapidity in the air. The vertical curves and angles of the most precipitous Alpine torrents he traces with the same rigid fidelity. Swooping adown the inclines of cas- fcades, dropping sheer over dizzy falls amid the spray, and ascending with the same fearlessness and ease, seldom seeking to lessen the steepness of the acclivity by beginning to ascend before reaching the base of the fall. Xo mat ter how high it may lie, he holds straight on as if axut to dash head longinto the throng of booming rockets, then darts abruptly upward, and, after alighting at the top of the precipice to re.t a moment, proceeds to ieel anu sing. His flight is solid and impetu ous without any intermission of wiug licat. one homogeneous buzz like that of a laden bee ou its way home. And while thus buzzing freely from fall to fall, he is frequently heard giving ut terence to a long outdrawn ot unmodu lated notes, in no way connected with his oug, but corresponding cloM-ly with his night, both in sustained vigor, and homogeneity of substance. llouioXJfp of 1 bloves. "Tell me bow men ol jour class live," asked a report'-r recently of a Xew York thief. "I've been crooked,'! the famous robber said, "but now 1'iu square, I've made it all up. If I should try, I couldn't mention more than five crooked men of whom I have any Intimate knowledge. I always try to associate with Fqnare men. I don't feel easy with a crooked man. I can only tell you my own experience and that of a few men like me. I never wanted a five dollar bill off of any man. The most of the crooked men I kn w are legally married, and they love their wives and children, not only as well as other peo ple love theirs, but ue them a great deal better. They set their hearts on them. These children and often the mother, know nothing of the father's way of making money. The crooked man is often fearful of every body. He must constantly be on his guard with square men and with his own kind. There is only one place in the world where he can feel at ease. That place is his home, and he learns to love it." "Where do ciooked men live?" "Many of them keep saloons hotels In the suburbs of cities. The do this for the sake of getting cover. It gives them the appearance of a regular busi ness, and they are also out of the road of ordinary observation. They can tell better whether or not they are being watched in those thinly settled places. But for my part I have always lived in the city, open and plain. When I left my last house I told the man when I surrendered the key, that if a man pre sented a bill there for a five cent stamp he could cut off my arm. I never left a neighborhood yet that I couldn't come back to in 0ien daylight." "If you wished to find a crooked man io this city, and had to pace the Streets to look for him, what part of the city wonld you visit f" "I wouldn't know. I might find the crookedist man that I have known in any respectable part of the city. If you mean sneak thieves and pickpockets. you know just as much about them as I do. I know nothing about them. I have always lived in respectable neighbor hoods. My wife was always dressed like a lady, and the furniture in my house was the best that money could buy. My bed cost $400." "Are the wives of crooked men usually good women in their, homes and faithful to their husbands?" "As a rile they are, but there are some exceptions, as you might expect. A crooked man is apt to have his ups and downs, and the wife's constancy is sometimes put to severe tests. Some times the wife learns to drink, and then everything, children and all, go to ruin. I have always hated drinking, especially in women. A drunkard is no good to any man.' To you the life of a crooked man may appear interesting, but to me, outside of the special transactions in which he may be engaged, it is quite the ordinary thing.'? : "How do crooked men first become crooked ? Do they Inherit the disposi tion?" -' . "I don't know how It was with the men I knew. I found them crooked. I guess their parents were sqvaare enough. 1 know my parents were. I was pushed into me business, l had money. 1 was pushed into the crooked business, and then the crooked lueu tried to ruin me 1 was the only oue that had money, and they wanted iU I can stand a thief, but I can't stand a liar. With a liar I don't know what to do." The reporter then visited two criminal lawyers, each of extensive practice. Oue of them said : "You want to know about the domestic lives of men that handle the jimmy, do you? Well, the best of them I mean the most success ful are brave men. The man that takes the jimmy iu his hand to break into a house is not driven to it by any sudden Impulse. The scheme must be planned. He always risks both bis life and a long imprisonment. These men are just the kind to win a girl's heart. It is astonishing how often they marry into good families or win a mistress from them. The women are true to them when they get Into trouble. The children generally do the wrong way through force of circumstances, though the parents are desirous of bringing them up virtuously. The usual home of a thief is in furnished rooms, where no references are required, and where there Is no tea-table gossip. They eat at restaurants. The affection between husband and wife is often Intense, hut It Is seldom lasting. A woman who pawns all of her jewelry to pay the cost of getting him out of prison will, per haps, in the very next case be a witness against him. "The same characters are coming np again and again in my business, but 1 never know until I talk to them what motives are actuating them. The im pulses of the criminal classes are gener ally good. I know a woman, for ex ample, who keeps a disreputable bouse. Her daughter is now being educated in fashionable convent school, but doesn't kuow how the money is sot that pays hersehool bills." The other criminal lawyer said: "The average thief cares no more for his chil dren than he cares for lumps of wood. He generally becomes attached to a dis reputable woman. He may love her intensely for a time. He doe nothing from day to day, while he lives on her earnings. Xow and then he will make strike in bis liue. This money soon goes in gambling, and then he lives again on the woman. I notice this that when the man is arrested the womau will pawn her clothes and wear her shoes out in running to lawyers for him, but when the woman gets caught in shop lifting, the man never comes near her. But the affection even of the woman is shortlived. Let either man or woman be sent to prison for a year or over, the other will uot wait a month before he or she picks np another com panion. If they are married, the oue out of prison will not marry again, be cause It would be bigamy, but I never knew a case where real faithfulness ex isted between a pair of criminals. The wife may visit the prison and so keep up a show of faithfulness, but it is only lu form. A Little !Kg- Opportune Visit. The Lancaster (I'a.) Examiner says: "A short time since the house of Dr. I. W. Uiestand, at Millersville, was bur glariously entered while the family were quietly asleep iu their beds. The bold intruder bored a hole in the outer cellar door, through which he mauaged to in sert some Instrument and push back the Inside bolt. In the cellar he found au axe, with which he cut a bole in the kitchen door at the bead of the cellar stairs, and so succeeded in unlocking the door. In the kin-hen he found and appropriated to his own use a pair of boots aud twenty-five cents of milk money. In the kitcheu was the doctor's dog small and gentle quite unable to cope with a burglar, but, as the sequel will show, possessed of that sagacity which often is more effective than mere brute strength. After the burglar bad thoroughly inspected the lower pre cincts of the house, with the indifferent result above stated, he bethought him self of the more promising region above. But no soouer bad be opened tbe door leading up stairs than the little dog be gan his part of the drama. Quietly had chat dog looked on while the villain prowled about on the first 11 jor; with out any audible protest had he seen his master's boots and the milk money or bis mistress stolen before his very eyes; evidently the opening of the upstairs door was what he had waited and hoped for. Unostentatiously lusinaating bis little body into the crack of tbe door made by the burglar in opeuing it, the dog passed noiselessly up to the doctor's chamber, and had told him of the robbery below and the danger above before the cautious thief had got half way up. Of course the Doctor sprang to the rescue on the instant and made some noise in doing so. The burglar heard the noise, hastily retreated and made good his escape. But the house was saved, and saved by the dog ; saved a good deal more intelligently and readily than the geese saved Rome. It will be some consolation to the foiled burglar to know the cause of his ridicu lous fiasco, and to learn tbat Dr. II ie stand got a good look at him, and will have no trouble in identifying him when the time comes." What to Tearh our Girls- Teach them self-reliance. Teach them to make bread. Teach them to make shirts. Teach them not to paint or powder. Teach them to wash and iron clothes. Teach them . to wear thick, warm shoes. Teach them how to cook a good meal. Teach them how to make their own dresses. Teach them to say "no," and mean it. Teach them how to wear calico dress es and do it like a queen. Teach them how to darn stockings and sew on buttons. Teach them to regard the morals, not the money of their beaux. . Teach them that a good, round, rosy romp is worth fifty delicate consump tives. Teach them the essentials of life truth, honesty, uprightness and at a suitable time let them marry. Aneient Cookery. Ancient cookery was exceedingly simple. Our first glimpse of it is in the patriarchal tent of Abraham, where Sarah kneaded "fine meal" and made cakes npon the hearth, which were served with the dressed calf and butter and milk. For aught we can see in the text, the patriarch himself cooked the calf, and If be did so, he was justified by noble company. His own grandson is represented as making a pottage so seductive as to beguile hie brother of his birth-rlght. The heroes of Homer did their own cooking. Achilles turned the spit. Their exact methods of coot ing are not very carefully recorded, and it is probable that the women did tbe most of the culinary work, yet the men tion of many such circumstances seems to indicate that it was done with very little art and upon occasion by those who needed it. R-Kist'ng meat before tbe fire or seething it in a pot, and bak ing cakes in the hot ashes on the hearth were probably for ages the highest achievements in that liue wholesome cookery indeed ! Shall we say that it were bet-er if we bad never departed therefrom? Is it true that man in this respect, in his belt estate, Is a barbarian, or shall we take the results of a long experience in waywardness and learn how tocoinebackto nature Intelligently and permanently? Expensive eating came to be apparently the only ambition of the Roman people and their rulers. Their senators vied with each other in giving the most extravagant dinners, and their Emperors took the lead to such a degree that some of them are noted only for the extent of their ap petites. The Emperor Claudius sat down to table at all hours and in any place; nor did he leave tbe repast until dis. tended with food and soaked with drink, and then only to sleep. When he awoke, a tickling feather relieved him of his surfeit, and he was ready to eat ag-iin. Many of the gourmai.ds became great adepts in the use of the feather. Vitul Iius used It so effectively that he could cause himself to be invited to dinr.er by several different senators the same day. Little he cared if it should cause tlieir ruin ; for they could not venture on such a banquet at a less expense than 400,000 sesterces ($16,000), and this was but a moderate sum. Lucullus served Cicero and Pompey with a little colla tion that cost $5,00i) and there were three of them to eat it. now they could expend so much may be easily seen if we examine their dishes, which were little prized unless procured at great expense. The bard of peacocks, at forty dollars per pair, was preferred to that of cheaper but more delicious poultry. But since many could avail themselves of peacocks, even at this price, those who would not be outdone bad dishes of peacock's brains. Another dish was composed of the tongues of singing birds. Young pigs were fed on dates; geese were fattened on tigs, and their livers alone were nsed, being soaked in milk and honey the fore runner of the modern pate de Joie gnu. Fish were in great demand, and those which were brought the greatest dis tances were the most highly esteemed. Whole fleets of ships were employed in bringing these aud other dainties from abroad. Roman nobles would not un frequently py one hundred dollars for a single lamprey. Mullets sold as high as from seventy-five to one hundred dollars each, and it is related that Cris pinus paid three hundred dollars for one weighing six pounds, and con sidered it cheap at that. In the reign of Tiberius three of these were sold for over one thousand dollars. What, then, must be the cost of dishes composed only of the livers of these fish? llelio gabalus had upon occasion two large dishes filled with their gills only. At last the wealthy built expensive re servoirs and kept theirown fish, though not with a view to 'economy, for they fed them with the rarest dainties. It was even said that slaves were some times thrown in to satiate these pets, but whether this be true or not, their sea-eels were commonly fed with veal soaked In blood. Other sorts were taken from the river just where it received the filth from the entire city. Cannibals la Teams. Mr. liams, who still resides in Hous ton, went to Texas, then a province of Mexico, Id 1323. He and his father lived first at oue place then another on the bayous emptying into Galveston B iy. The country was then a perfect wilderness wild and desolate, Inhabit ed by the wolf and the buffalo, the deer and the savage Indian, who roamed in its solitude, master of all he survey ed. Mr. Iiams being a young man, and of somewhat adventurous disposition, took every opportunity of cultiva:ing the ac quaintance of the Indiauaand procuring their good will, especially as they were to be hi neighbors. He became well acquainted with them, and he now de lights In recounting bits of their history. According to his account, the great region stretching from the Trinity to the river Braios on the south, was at the time of the advent of the white race inhabited chiefly by two tribes of savages. Oue of these was tbe Caron kawa, the other the CoushatU tribe. Tbe home and headquarters of the latter was on the river Trinity, where there are two or three settlements of them still existing, the modern Qoushattas adhering to tbe same manner of life as their fathers. They roamed over the prairie a far south as Buffalo Bayou, on which the city of Houston now stand and in their hunting and fishing expe ditions to the bayou and the bay into which it empties, they were frequently met by Mr. liams. Tiiey told him on one occasion that before that time (1823) they had been living in the same territory they then occupied for upwards of thirty years, which wonld date their residence back to 1792. - The Caronkawas were the immediate neighbors of the Comb at Us on the north, their dominions and hunting grounds ranging from Buffalo Bayou to tbe river Brazos. They also held Gal veston Island, and occupied or claimed the spot where Houston now stands. Hams states emphatically that these Indians were cannibals, and many years after his arrival in tbe wilderness one of their exploits was tying np a white man to an oak tree, butchering him like a "fattening hog," and ending the terrible and revolting spectacle by cutting him up like fresh pork, cooking and then eating the slices. It appeared to be delicious to their palates. The Caronkawas In summer went en tirely nude, and their only weapon con sisted of bows anil arrows, in the use of which they were great adepts. The women, except in winter when they wore furs and skins also went entirely nude, excepting a cloth made of grass bound about their loins. Their long black hair flowed down on their shoul ders, giving them a truly graceful and picturesque appearance. There was a time, away back, when, as tradition has it, the Coushattas crossed over the bounds of the territory of their neigh' bors and a war resulted. A battle was fought on Clear Creek, near what is now known as Fort Bend County. The Coushattas were led by an Indian known as Big mouthed Captain, and many were killed on both sides. The Caronkawas were defeated. There was, at the time of the settle ment of the country, a tradition among the Indians, and since handed down among the class of citizens known as " Old Texans," that the Caronkawas, on one occasion, fought a battle with an inferior tribe named Cencis; who dwelt in a village on the banks of Buffalo Bayou, where the site known as City Mills, near Houston, now stands. Tbe Caronkawas, the strongest and more powerful tribe of the two, attacked the Cencis in their lodges, fighting with their bows and arrows. The Cencis defended themselves to the last, but the Caronkawas finally getting th6 upper band, after slaying the men and massacreing the women and children set fire to the village. The only one of the Cencis who escap ed was aa old hag and sorceress, or at least reputed as such, aud whom the superstitious fears of the Caronkawas alone prompted to spare. While the homes of ber tribe were burning she climbed to the top of a low tr at the scene of the conflagration, uttered a curse upon the spot and flung herself into the fl tmes the last of her kindred and her tribe. To this day, strange as it may appear, no enterprise started on that spot has ever prospered; at least, such is tbe assertion of old citizens, particularly those disposed to be super stitious. A Lost Child. About nine o'clock on Wednesday -moruing, the ih ultimo, a littledaugh- ter of John lH.-lph, aged about four years, was missed trom the resideuceof its parents at Shawmut junction, about a mile and a half east of Kidgway, IVun. All day long the grief-ftrickeu parents searched the deep woods which surround the house for their lost darl ing, but to no purpose. The news reached Ridgway about nightfall, and without delay a party of twenty or more took to the woods and searched until nearly midnight, with no better success than that which attended the parents during the day. Thursday morning bright and early quite a nu oi lier of our citizens reneweil the search, ami, although it was kept up tbe greater part of the day, the where abouts of the child was as much of a mystery as ever. Friday morning no one went into tbe woods, because tbe ground bad been gone over so thor oughly that it was deemed unnecessary to search further. The parents, bereft of hope, and worn out by tlieir pro tracted vigils, felt that they had seen their little daughter for the last time, while the impression was gaining ground in the community that she had either been abducted by the band of gypsies that bad been seen on our streets a day or two before, had met her death from exposure.orbeen foully dealt with. But at this dark hour, when hojie had sunk low In the human breast, the joyful intelligence passed from lip to lip that early en Friday morning, as James Meehan and Charlie Stafford were going up Moran run to their log job, they heard, when about two miles from IMph's residence, a pitiful cry resembling somewhat that of a child. Thinking it to be some wild animal, they were about to proceed on their way when the cry was repeated, this time more distinctly than before. Going in the direction of the sound, they came to a large log, alongside of which lay the missing child, barefooted and with nothing on bi-t a calico slip. Suffice it to say that in a short time the darling was restored to the arms of its sad-hearted parents, the household of mourning was transformed into one of joy, and the hearts or the community beat with satisfaction over the happy consummation of one of the most thrill ing episodes in Us varied and ever- cbanging annals. Three Thine. Three things to love courage, gen tleness and affection. Three things to admire intellect, dignity and gracefulness. Three things to hate cruelty, arro gance and ingratitude. Three things to delight in beauty, frankness and freedom. Three things to wish for health, friends and a contented spirit. Three things to like cordiality, good humor and cheerfulness. Three tilings to avoid idleness, loquacity and flippant jesting. Three things to cultivate good books, good friends and good humor. Three things to contend for honor, country and friends. Three things to govern temper tongue and conduct. Three things to think of life, death and eternity. A Human Body Petrified. It is a fact not geuerally known that the cemetery of the Methodist Church in IlendersouvilleX. C, contains a pe trified human body. About the year 1S30 Miss Adeline Byers lived with her father, Frances C. Byers, fifteen miles south of this place, in Henderson coun ty. She was a bright, sweet girl, much beloved by all who knew her, and her hand was sought in marriage even be fore she was of marriagable age. At last she was won by William I'inkney Murray, whom she had known long and well. Soon the nuptials were cele brated, aud the bride and bridegroom set out in search of a new country, fol lowing the settin sun to the Mississippi Valley. There they located aud and be gan the journey of life together in real earnest. Prosperity and happiness came to them, uutil at au unexpected moment death cut down Mrs. Murray in the very prime of life. The discon solate widower, consigning the body of his deceased wife to the dust, as he supposed, sought "surcease of sorrow" in the wilds of Texas. A few year afterward Dr. Josiah Johnston, intend ing to return to Xorth Carolina, whence he had removed with his brother-in-law, Mr. Murray, disinterred the body of Mrs. Murray for the purpose of car rying it back with him. . Imagine how amazed he was to find it in the colli n just as lie had seen it there years lie fore. The same features almost the very same expression. But what he saw was not flesh it w as solid stone. The whole body had petrified. In that condition he carried it to Xorth Carolina, and de livered it to the aged father, Mr. Byers, who could hardly doubt that his daugh ter had come home to him asleep ! The news spread that Adeline's bodv had been "turned into a rock," and treat was the desire of everybody to see it. Attempts were made, it u said, to steal it out of the cellar here the old gen tleman had carefully concealed it, but they were unsuccessful. AH through the war it was guarded by the father as the most sacred trust, but few per sons being allowed to see it. About six years ago, however, it was quietly bur ied in the Methodist Cemetery at Hen- dervinville, where, it is hojied, it will be permitted to rest until the "resur rection morn." Soond Prorerbs. In the company of strangers sileuce is safe. Good deeds remain ; all things else perish. He is a slave that cannot coiumaui himself. A man's best fortune, or bis worst, is a wife. Choose a wife rather by your ear than by your eye. I know of nobody that wishes to die his year. He that falls to day may lie up again to-morrow. Holiest men's words are as good as heir bonds. He that grasps at too much holds uothing fast. A good cause makes a stout heart and a stjong arm. Children are certain cares but uncer tain comforts. As love thinks no evil, soenvy speak no good. everiiy breeds fears, but roughness engenders hate. Discreet wives have at times neither eyes nor ears. To see what is right and not do it is want of courage. Frowns blight yourcliildreiias frosty nights blight oiir plants. Burke said : "Never despair: and, if you do, work in despair." The best riches is contentment ; the wor.-t of poverty, low spirits. How They Call For IU Last n inter w hen the mind of the average statesman was absorbed in the all engrossing topic incident to the presidential count. ther-'niri-arof the Senate was ordered to abstain from the saleof all intoxicating drinks. Within twensy minutes alter the ukase had been promulgated, Senator Clayton, of Arkansas, appeared and gave one of these knowing winks to the man be hind the counter. The w ink failing to be interpreted, as the Senator thought, he threw up bis finger (all drinkers know how it is done) but even this ac companied with the wink duplicated and triplicated, failed to penetrate tbe seeming stolidity of the attendant. Finally Clayton, out of patience, said : 'Here, give me some whisky.' 'Sorry, sorry, very sorry,' replied the attendant. "But Vice President Ferry has issued an order that no liq ' 'Hang Vice President Ferry, gimme a drink quick.' 'But you will protect me if dis covered '!' 'Certainly I will. Gimme ome whisky." The tea cup was served, the Senator quaffed from it, smacked his lips and passed up stairs to legislate. Presently Senator Jones, of Florida appeared. 'Ah,' said he with a great deal of dignity. 'You may jfive me one of those things in a cup. You know what I mean Mr. Love.' 'Excuse me, Senator, but Vice Presi dent Ferry has warned me, under pain of dismissal, not to sell any liquor to ' 'I don't care Mr. Love what Vice President Ferry wants ; I want a enp of comfort. Jones assured him that, of course. certainly, ahem! Why to be sure he wo'ld protect Mr. Love if trouble came. The next customer on hand was Senator Cameron, of Pennsylvania. Without making any round about at tempts to indicate his wants, by facial or finger gymnastics, he called out: Fetch me some brandy. 'But my dear Senator,' said Love, 'Vice President Ferry . Tbe senator excited 'Oh, curse Vice President Ferry. Bring me some brandy, and I don't want any tea cup business about it, either. You may bring the jug.' Love saw that Simon meant business and without exacting any promise of protection, the Pennsylvania senator got the jug.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers