B. F. SCHWEIER,
THE COHSTITUTIOH THE TTNTOS AJTD TEE EHTOBOEMEBT OF THE LAWS.
Editor and Proprietor.
VOL. XXXII.
MIFFLINTOWNi JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA , WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1S78.
NO. 4G.
TBB OLD HOWL
O little boise lost in the heart of the lindens.
What would I cot give to behold yon once
mire:
To iohale once a;ain the sweet breath of toot
loses,
And tbo nUrrr clematis that climbed round
your door
to see the neat windows throws wide to the
euDshine;
The porch where we aat at the eloae of the
day.
Wbere the weary foot trailer wae welcome to
ret him, ,
Ao J the beggar was never sent empty away ,
The wainwcotted walla, and the low raftered
ceilings;
To hear the loud tick of the clock oa the
stairs; .
and to kiss the dear face bending over the bi
ble.
That always was laid by my grandfather"
chair! ,
O bright little garden beside toe plantation.
Where the tall fleurs-de-hs thetr blue ban
ners nnfurled.
A.od the lawn was alive with the thrashes and
bla.'kbirdx.
I would rou were all I had known of the
world !
My sweet pink pea-clusters! My rare honey
suckle.
Mr prim polyanthuses all of a row!
In a garden of dreaaia I aUIl pass and carem
you.
But your beautiful aelree are for errr laid
low
For yonr walls, little house, long ago have
been levelled;
Alien feet your smooth borders, O garden,
have trod;
And those whom I loved are at rest from their
labors,
Reposing in peace on the bosom of God!
The Missing Ship.
We sat eating our fluff. Very little
molasses on that duff! We were
Hearing the end of the voyage ; and our
Nantucket owners did not intend
when they fitted out the ship that
any of the men in their employ should
overload their stomachs; they believed
It was unwholesome lo cat too much;
and, O. how considerate of our health
they were, at least in that particular!
But we talked not of that; we thought
not of that, for we had got accustomed
to it. We thought and talked o the
poor feliows who had just come out
from home, and who had a long voy
age before them. Such were the crew
of the Lady Adam-;, the ship that wa
rocking and plunging and rolling up
her bright copper almost within an ar
row's flight of our weather bow.
Captaiu Tobey and his boat's crew
had just gone aboard, for they had
paid us a visit, and had brought letters
from the States.
We talked of those ''poor fellows"
with commisseration, though they
wore bright blue jackets, while we
were in tatters, or wore garments with
patch upon patch, astonishing speci
mens of masculine needlework. We
also talked of Captain Tobey; a smart
young fellow was he, who it was
averred, might have married the own
er's daughter had he been so disposed;
he had chosen a dark-eyed damsel of
less lofty pretensions. This was his
first voyage as captain ; he had sailed
from home only a few weeks after his
marriage.
Captain Tobey and his boat's crew
had made but a short stay on board of
us, for there were signs of whales in
the distance, and the captain of the
Lady Adams was not a mau to neglect
business for the ake of amusement.
But, so far, the two ships had kept
company, and it was agreed that, if
nothing prevented, the two captains
should enjoy the day together on the
morrow.
Ve were eating our duff, and specu
lating on these matters,when,suddenly,
the first mate leaned over- the hutch
and bawled to us :
" Up here, at onov, all hands, and
don't be hanging on there by the teeth.
Up ! every mother's son of you, and
close reef the topsails !"
' Hah ! now we're going to have it,"
ejaculated old Ben Lovel, as he rose to
his feet and pulled up his unmention
ables; "we're going to get the bitter
end of Japan. Captain Hussey ought
to have squared away for Californey
before this time. Boys, you are going
to see trouble."
By the time old Ben had finished his
speech we were all on deck. It cer
tainly looked ominous to windward,
and the gale was already singing In
the rigging.
We looked toward the Lady Adams.
Ilr look-outs were hastily descending
from the top-gallant mast-heads, and
we could even hear the hasty orders
given, as the shrill tones of her officers
came floating over the deep.
But we were sooner under the short
6ail than our consort, for her hands
were mostly green, and it took them
longer to reduce the canvass than it
did us.
It was observed, however, that Cap
tain Tobey had not contented himself
with reefing, the sheets were let fly,
and the clew-lines were manned.
Our mate was quick to notice that,
and looked meaningly at the captain;
but, perhaps Captain ITussey did not
care to receive instructions from young
Tobey, and he let the crew hoist the
topsails and belay.
Louder and louder whistled the
wind ; then it roared, and a thick cloud
of blinding spray came rushing down
upon us from the windward.
Bang! went the main topsail. It was
carried completely out of the ropes,
and like a small white cloud floated
upon the wings of the tempest.
The lee gunwale was in the water;
there was a rumbling under the deck,
but not much fear that the cargo would
shift, as due Care bad been token to stow
compactly. ..!
The fore and raizzenmaRts and their
weather rigging were strained, yet
Captain Hussey would not risk storting
tlic sheets
The gale increased at every moment,
and at length orders were given to
clew up and furl the mizzen topsail.
The sheets were carefully loosened
and the clewlines well manned, but
the ropes rushed through the hands of
the men who held them, and the sail,
rent trom top to bottom, fluttered like!
ui T tn ga,e' Anot.hr report
. ..... ui a canon announced that the
foretopsail had been blown .out of the
uoiwopea.
We luiiv .1
- wmu uu Liu more, ana we
looked for the Lady Adams. It was
useless not on account of the interven
tag seas "rolling mountains higli
mUI iue uiin.nng mist or sr.rav whi. li
scarcely permitted us to se the men
wno stood at our sides. All the after.
noon the water was smooth as a marble
floor, and the seas, forced dowu flat bv
)ii. t .( .. ... -
". niuu, DUl one OI tllPtll rfurn.1 t
uow its head above the surface, for
tear of having its cap blowed ou".
vsiuc uu. auu mere was no
lull in the gale. The shin was he!
fast, as if in a vice, just in one position
nn me lee gunwale in the water.
The Lady Adams was probably a
"" ummncB iroin us; and tar into
the night the watch discerned a bright
light, which doubtless appeared nearer
man it really was.
The captain was called up, and much
speculation arose on the subject. It
could not be a ship trying out blubber
that was incredible in such a gale. It
could not be the Lady Adams, or some
other ship, setting a signal of distress
Ihen what could lie the meauingofthat
.. ..
distant glare on the surface of the
water ?
The captain said little, but he looked
very grave.
In the morning there was less wind
and a heavy swell. Nothing was to be
seen of the Lady Adams, and then the
steward reported to ns that there had
been much talk in the cabin about the
light which had been seen during the
night. The captain had expressed ap
prehension that it was a ship on tire
uia Hen listened tn silence to our
speculations; shut up his jack-knife,
stuck it in his belt, and went on deck
with a sober countenance without ut
tering a word. Then we doubted not
that Ben believed that the Ladv Adams
and all her crew had perished by fire
on that stormy night.
We sailed for California. After a
short stav at Santa Barbara we left for
home with a full cargo of sperm oi'.
Nothing more was heard from the
Lady Adams, and it was taken for
granted that she had caught fire and
and that all hands had jierished by the
conflagration.
Years rolled on, aud among the
whaling yarns that whiled away the
long winter evenings at Nantucket
firesides was that of the tragic end of
the young and gallant Captain Tobey
and his ili-fated crew.
In the meantime from a young boy 1
had become a man. Business called
me to New London, and I put up at a
hotel in that town. The young man
who attended the bar was what wa
called "a clever fellow," and he and I
soon became acquainted. I had not
been many days at the hotel when this
youth joyously informed nie that he
was going to New Oilcans. A gentle
man named Chessner, who belonged to
the South, and who had taken a fancy
to the amiable youth, had promised to
give him a good situation if he would
go to New Orleaus with him.
While we were talking Mr. Chessuei
came along, and nodded to his young
protege.
" That's the man that's my friend,"
said the youth.
1 turned and looked at Chessner,
feeling somewhat curious about him,
and haviug heard so much of his kind
ness to the young clerk. Chessner,
who overheard the remark of his pro
tege, turned at the same moment, and
our eyes met. He gave a slight start,
scowled, and turned very pale. He
then went on.
I was certain that I had seen that
man before; but where. I felt that
it was impossible to say. I felt confi
dent that be recognized me, and that
the recognition pleased him little. His
eyes were very black, surmounted by
thick, black eyebrows, under which
shot malignant fire. I never saw such
an expression of concentrated hate.
Why that? whom had I ever injured
or offended past forgiveness, that this
man seemed desirous of annihilating
me?
Once again I saw this man. It was
on Sunday, and I, with many others,
was walking in a sort of park or pleas
ure ground. Suddenly I encountered
that sombre countenance. It was cer
tainly a face, the expression of which
was familiar to me, but the dress and
form were strange. I had no rei-ollec-tion
of any part of the man except his
face, and that face now appeared to me
at a distance, those black.vengeful eyes
glaring through a long vista of shawls,
bonnets and hooed skirts, so that the
rest of his person was hidden from my
view.
On the next doy, or the day after,
for my memory is treacherous on that
point,l went out in a sail-boat to take a
pleasure excursion on the sound. A
flaw of wind upset the boat on my re
turn. I was not morethan a quarterof
a mile from the shore, and several per
sons who witnessed the accident be
stirred themselves very zealously to
send me assistance. A boat put off;
but it was needless; I swam to the
shore without difficulty On the next
day, a fellow lodger at the hotel said to
me, 44 Do you know Mr? Chessner?"
"Why that question?" was my re-
" Because," resumed the querist, " I
suppose you and he must be great ene
mies. When your boat capsized yes
terday he was on the wharf and saw it
all ; yet he walked rapidly a way instead
of assisting in launching the boat
which went to your aid."
44 1 think I have seen Chessner some
where," said I; "but I have no recol
lection of any person of that name."
"There is something very eccentric
about the man," added my - interlocu-
lNo more was said; but I felt pursua
ded that, for some cause unknown to
me, this Chessner would be glad to
hear of my death. Soon after I went
to New York, leaving Chessner In New
London.
About twenty years after these events
I lived In a house on the Blootniiigdale
road. Sitting In front of the house one
evenin I ., A i.r .! .. k.i
dashing down the road, the hor-e evi
dently taking its own course, iudepeud
eutly cf the driver. Nearly opposite
my house, one wheel of the carriage
struck some impediment, and the chaise
was overturned. I ran to the assistance
of the persons thus thrown out upon the
grassy tdope by the wayside, aud was
glad to perceive that neither of them
were seriously injured. They con
sisted of a stout gentleman, with large,
black sidewhisktrs, a lady aud a small
boy. We took the latter two in the
house, while the gentleman, after hfiv
ing paid the necessarv attention to the
horse and shattered vehicle, soon
joined them.
hile souie conversation about the
accident was in progress between the
gentlcmaa and myself, I noticed he
fixed his eyes ou my countenance very
steadily. At length he called me by
my name, and aunounoed himself as
the young clerk of the hotel in New
London.
44 You went to New Orleans with Mr.
Chessner, did you not?" inquired I.
Ah, you remember Aim do you ?" .
Yes, 1 have reason for it," I an
swered. ami ne rememnerea you. ue re
membered you on his dying bed."
44 He is, then, deceased ?"
44 He died of the yellow fever in New
Orleans, atotit five years ago. A
strange confession ne maue. I wa
with him ft the time. You may re
member the ship Lady Adams.
"Ah!" cried I, "now I rememWr.
He was one of the boat's crew that
came on board of us with Captain To
bey. But how does it hapiien that he
did not neri.Ji w ith the rest when the
Lady Adams wa burned "
"The Lady Adams was not burned
at that time," resumed he; 44 the crew
mutinied on that night, killed the cap
lain and ofhecrs. and threw a burning
tar-barrel overboard in order to make
your officers and crew believe that the
ship had caught fire and that all hands
had perished."
" But then, wny was not the ship
ever heard of afterward?"
" Becau.-e the mutineers took her to
an ilaud inhabited by savages, where
they set her oi? tire after having re
moved everything of value from the
abin. Chessner, whose real name
was Hexie. and who had leeu the stew
ard, secured the captain's money, aud
wore it about bis person in a canvas
belt. The mutineers had not been
long on the island before they got into
a quarrel with the natives, aud all of
the former except Hexie were killed
lie escaped from the island after a time
and turned up in New Orleaus after
various vicissitudes. There fortune
favored him; he became wealthy, and
you kuow the rut."
Tlow Tlaejr Vot In CauMta.
Each poiling place has to be divided
into two apartment, either by an ordi
nary partition or by a screen. In the
outer of these, where the ballot box is
kept, will be the presiding officer, his
clerk, and the certified representatives
of the candidates. No others will be let
into this apartment except the voters.
and tney will only be admitted one at
a time by the constable, by whom the
door of the polling place is guarded.
One voter must be disposed of and re
tire from the polling place before
another is admitted. Upon the voter
presenting himself to the presiding of
ficer, the latter will look over the list.
and if his name is found upon it, he
will have the right to vote, subject to
challenge from the certified represen
tatives of the candidate; present. The
voter will then be furnished by the pre-
iding officer with a ballot, ou which
the presiding officer will place his ini
tials, and on the counterfoil attached
to it he will place the number of the
ballot, w hich number shall be the same
as the n'imber of the voter's name on
the voting list in the clerk's book. The
ballot will contain in alphabetical or
der the names of all the candidates. On
receiving it the voter will be requested
by the presiding officer to retire to the
inner apartment, or behind the screen,
and there make a cross in pencil oppo
site the name of the candidate or can
didates for w horn he wishes to vote.
Should the voter be illiterate, the pre
siding officer and the representatives,
who have previously been sworn to se-
recy, will retir with the voter, who
will then be asked for whom he wishes
to vote, and the presiding officer will
mark, in the presence of the represen
tatives, the baliot as designated by the
voter. The voter on returning to the
outer room will present bis ballot to
the presiding officer, folded in such a
way that the latter can see his initials
uiHin it, and see that the numberon the
counterfoil agrets with the number on
the ballot. On finding that the num
bers agree, and that it is the same bal
lot which he gave the voter, the presi
ding ofiicer will tear off and destroy
the counterfoil and place the ballot in
the box. The voter will then retire
and another voter will be admitted to
vote.
flow to 0t Alone;.
Don't stop to tell stones in business
hours.
If you have a place of business be
found there when wanted.
No man can get rich by sitting around
stores and saloons.
Never fool in business matters.
Have order, system, regulation and
also promptness.
Do not meddle with business you
know nothing of.
Do not kick every thing In your path.
More mile? can be made in one day
by going steady than by stopping.
Pay as you go.
A man of honor respects hi word as
he does his bond.
Help other when you can, but never
give what you cannot afford because It
is fashionable.
Learn to say no. No necessity of
snapping it out dog-fashion, but say it
firmly and respectfully.
Use your own brains rather than
those of others. ,
Learn to think and act for yourseir.
Keep ahead rather than behind the
time. j
The Bntiawav Match.
Many years ago there dwelt in the
town of P , a pretty village, distant
some miles from the market tow u.
peculiarly comely and graceful maiden,
who had a decidedly ugly and cross-
grained but wealthy father.
Minnie was Dan forth' onlv child,
and report said she would be his sole
legatee. The old man was a sturdy
farmer, and was estimated to be worth
full ten thousand dollars atthat period
a very handsome fortune, to be sure,
1 he sparkling eyes and winning
ways of Minnie Daufortb had stircd up
the finer feelings of the whole male
portion cf the village, aud her suitors
were numerous; but her father was
particular, and none succeeded in mak
ing headway against him or her.
In the meantime Minnie had a true
and loyal lover in secret. His name
was Walker Joe Walker, and he was
simply a farmer, employed by old Dan
forth, who had entrusted Joe with the
management of his place for two or
three years.
But a very excellent farmer and good
manager was the plain, unassuming
but good-looking Joe Walker. He was
only twenty-three, and he actually fell
in love with the beautiful, pleasant,
joyous Minnie Danforth, his old em
ployer's only daughter. But the
strangest part of the occurrence was,
Minnie returned his love earnestly,
truly and frankly, and promised to wed
him at a favorable time.
Things went on merrily for a while,
but old Danforth discovered certain
glances and attentions between them
w hich excited his anger and suspicion.
Very soon after Joe learned the old
man's mind Indirectly in regard to his
future disposal of Minnie's hand, and
he quickly saw that his case was a
hopeless one, unless he resorted to
strategeui : and so he at once set his
wits to work.
By agreement, an apparently settled
coolness was observed by the lovers to
wards each other for five or six months,
and the father saw, as he thought,
with satisfact:on, that his previous sus
picions and fears bad all been pre
mature. Ihen, by mutual consent,
Joe absented himself from the house at
eveuing; and night after night for full
three months did he disapear as soon
us his work was finished, to return
home only at late bedtime. This was
unusual, and old Danforth determined
to know the cause of it.
Joe frankly confessed that he was in
love with a man's daughter, who re
sided less than three miles distant; but,
iil'tcr several months, the old man had
utterly refused to entertain his applica
tion of the young lady's hand.
This was capital just what old Dan
forth most desired. This satisfied him
that he had made a mistake in regard
to his owu child, aud he would help to
get Joe married, and thus stop all fur
ther suspicious or troubles at home. So
he said :
44 Well, Joe. Is she a buxom lass?"
"Yes, sir," said Joe. "That is,
other folks say so. I'm not much of a
judge."
44 And you like her?"
44 Yes, sir; yes."
"Then marry her," said old Dan
forth. " I can't ; the father objects."
"Pooh!" continued Danforth; "let
him do so; what need you care? Run
awav with her!"
"Elope?"
44 Yes ! Off with her at once ! If the
gal will marry you, all right. Marry
her aud bring her here. You shall
have the cottage at the foot of the lane :
I'll furnish it for you; your wages
shall be increased, and the old man
may like it or not, as he will."
But "
" Give me no huts, Joe. Do as I bid
you ; go about it at once, and "
44 You will stand by me?"
" Yes, to the last. I know you. Joe ;
you're a good fellow, a good workman,
and will make anybody a good hus
band."
44 The old fellow will be so mad,
though."
"Who cares, I say? Goon quietly
but quickly."
"To-morrow night, then," said Joe.
44 Yes," said Daufortb.
" I'll hire Clover's horse "
44 No, you shan't."
"No?"
44 1 say no. Take my horse the best
one young jiorgan; he u take you on
in fine style, iu the new phaeton."
" Exactly."
"As soon as you're spliced, come
right here, and a jolly time we'll have
of it at the old house."
4 But the old man might drop in on
us. '
Bah! ne's an old fool, whoever
he is; he don't know your good quali
ties, Joe, as well as I do. Don't be
afraid. A faint heart, you know, never
won a fair lady."
"The old man will be astounded."
"Never mind, go on. We'll turn the
laugh on him. I'll take care of you
and your wire at any rate."
44 I'll do it !" said Joe.
"You shall!" said Danforth. and
they parted In the best of spirits.
An hour after dark, on the following
evening, Joe made his appearance,
decked in a new black suit, and looking
really very comely. The old man bus
tled about the barn with him, helping
to harness "young Morgan" to the
new phaeton, and leading the spunky
animal himself to the road. Away
went the happy Joe Walker in search
of his bride. A few rods distant be
found her, as per previous arrangement.
and, repairing to tl.e next village, the
parson very quickly aide them one in
holy wedlock. Joe tcok the bride and
soon dashed back to tte town of P .
and halted at the house of Danforth,
who was already looking for him, and
received him with open arms.
" Is it done?" asked the old man.
"Yes yes," answered Joe.
"Bring her in, bring her in." con
tinued the old fellow in high glee;
"never mind compliments; no matter
about the dark entry; here, here, Joe,
to the right, in the parlor, we'll have a
jolly time now," said the anxious
farmer, pushing away for lights and re
turning almost immediately.
44 1 am married "
"Yes,' yes " '
" "And this Is my wife," lie added, a?
he passed up the beautiful bride, the
bewitching and lovely Minnie Dan
forth. ' - ; ;
."What!" roared the father. "Joe
you villian, you scamp, you audacious
cheat, vou you vou
" It Is true sir; we are lawfully mar
riel. You assisted me, you planned
the whole affair, you lent 'me your
horse, you thought me last week worthy
of any man's daughter, you promised
me the cottage at the foot of the lane,
you "
"I didn't! I deny it! ' You can't
prove It. You're a a a "
44 Calmly now, sir," continued Joe;
and the entreaties of the happy couple
were at once united to quell the old
man's ire, and to persuade him to ac
knowledge their iriion.
The father relented at this. It was a
job of his owu manufacture, aud he
saw how useless it would be finally to
attempt to destroy it.
He gave in reluctantly, and the fair
Minnie Danforth was overjoyed to be
duly acknowledged as Mrs. Joe Walker.
The marriage proved a happy one,
and the original assertion of old Dan
forth proved truthful in every respect.
The cunning lover was a good sou and
faithful husband, and lived many years
to enjoy the happiness which followed
upon this runaway match, while the
old man never cared to hear mnch
about the details of the elopement, for
he saw how completely he had over
shot himself.
The vm and Abuse of Coffee.
now strong should coffee be taken, is
an inqu'ry of much practical innort-
ance. liow much should be taken at a
meal is scarcely of less moment. Coffee,
like any other beverage, may w holly
ruin the health; the very use of it teuds
to this, as certainly as does the use of
wine, cider, beer, or any other artificial
stimulating drink. There is only one
safe p'an of using coffee, and that Is,
never, under any circumstances, except
of an extraordinary character, exceed
in quantity, frequency, or strength
take only one cup at the regular meal,
and of a given, unvarying strength.
In this way it may be used every day
for a lifetime, not only without injury,
but with greater advantage than an
equal amount of cold water, and for the
simple reason that nothing cold should
be drunk at a regular meal, except by
persons in vigorous health, We have
ersouaIly know n of the case of a lady
a lio was for a long time in poor health
to the mystification of several physi
cians whom she consulted, when at last
we discovered that she made a most ex
travagant use of coffee many times a
day in fact, she had a pot of coffiic all
ways at hand. Following the advice to
abstain from coffee, resulted in an im
mediateend of all tier trouble. Iu re
gard to the strength, it is maintained
by some that one pound of the bean
should make sixty cups of the very best
coffee. If a man takes coffee for break
fast only. one pound should last him two
months, or six pounds a year. One
pound of coffee should be made to last
a family of ten persons, young and old.
one week. Put, about two ounces of
ground coffee in a quart of water, or
rather divide the pound into seven por
tions, one for each breakfast in the
week, and make a quart of coffee out of
it, which will be sixty-four table-spoonfuls.
Give the youngest two table
spoonfuls and the eldest a dozen, the
remainder of the one cup being filled
up w ith boiled milk. This will give a
cup of coffee sufficiently strong for all
healthful purposes lor the respective
ages; and for various reasons, pecunia
ry as well as physical, some such sys
tematic plan as this should be adopted
in every family in the land. How to
make a cup of coffee good is a third
question. It is perhaps as good and as
easy a plan as any to buy the coffee un
ground, pick out those grains that are
imperfect, wash It, parch as much as
will last a day or two, with your eyes
upon it all the time, until it Is a ri jh
brown, with no appearance of black
upon it. Grind only enough for a day's
use; grind it fine, for the greater the
surface exposed to the hot water the
more of the essence you will have;
pour the boiling water on the coffee and
close it up. Some boil it a little, others
prefer not to boil It at all, but let It
stand to clear ten minutes, then use.
Toledo Swords.
Not the least prominent of the sights
of Toledo is the Royal Manufactory of
Swords, the same which has made the
Toledo blades renowned throughout the
world. The weapons were first pro
duced by independent workmen, who
eventually resolved themselves into a
guild known as "Los Armeros de To
ledo, or the Armorers of Toledo." Wri
ters on the subject state that the finest
blades were produced In the sixteenth
century, but the artisans of to-day assert
and give ample evidence that it would
be Impossible to produce any, superior
to their own handiwork. While In the
testing-room, blades were bent to such
a curve, for our satisfaction, that pru
dence prompted us to withdraw to a
safe distance. And then such thrusts
and blows against a large steel block
that it was surprising no breaks occur
red. A visitor can also have the pleas
ure of wrenching his arm in such efforts
if he feels so disposed. Also in the
finishing room, an expert displayed
what is known as an espada de rosea a
slight flat blade which easily assumes
the form of a circle. Every stage In
tbe process of manufacture is performed
within the factory, trom tbe forging to
the finish. The engraving of the orna
mental blades; the carving of the'elabo
rate hilts, and the gold inlaying, are all
parts requiring skilled bands. The
number of men employed varies with
the demand. There are probably seventy-five
at present. An order for Ger
man cavalry sabres la now in tbe works.
A line dress sword Is also being made
for the Prince Imperial of "baptism of
lire" renown.
- Saved by a Play-RUI.
The old saying that everything finds
its use sooner or later is simply borne
out bv an episode in Russia's eastern
progress which one may suit hear re
lated wiih infinite glee by some veter-
aus of the Russian army. While 15ok
hara was still an Independent prlnci
pality under the terrible Nashrullab
Kahn, a small party of Russian engi
neer officers from the settlement of the
Syr-Daria ventured into the hostile ter
ritory, in the hoi of surveying a por
tion of it before they could be Inter
rupteil. ihn hope, however, was
speedily disapointed by the appear
auce of an overwhelming force of Bok-
harlote horsemeu, w ho advanced with
the evident intention of attacking
them. The Russian leader, seeing his
case desperate, boldly assumed the
character of a special envoy from the
Czar to the Ameer, and in this charac
ter made a triumphal entry into the
capital, escorted by the very men who
had been about to take his life. Ad
mitted to an audience, he coolly pre
sented his own gold watch and silver-
handled knife to the savage despot, as
the Czar's gift to bis "royal brother,
and everything was proceeding with
the utmost smoothness, when the old
Ameer upset everything by suddenly
observing that surely the grea. Czar of
the Ojroos (Russians) must have seat a
letter of some kind along with his
gifts. At this malapropos remark the
self-styled ambassador turned pale as
death, and already felt his head sit
loosely upon his shoulders. A young
subaltern beside him. however, with
miraculous presence of mind, drew
from his pocketbook an old play bill of
the Alexander theatre at St. Peters
burg, and coolly read from it an imagi
nary letter of congratulation, winding
up by handing it with a low boy to the
Ameer. The latter, who had already
seen the Czar's name appended to more
than one official document, was quite
convinced by the sight of the huge
"Alexander" along the top of the pa
per in company with the Russian dou
ble eagle, and the precious play bill
was reverentlr deposited among the
royal archives of Bohkara, where it
probably remains to this day.
Bojal Luxuries.
Three thousand year ago Nineveh
comprised 216 square miles. Its walls,
100 feet high, with towers twice that
height, took 140,000 men eight years to
build. Babylon was yet larger; this
city founded by Nimrod 2233 B. C, had
its hanging gardens, a series of terraces
raised one above the other on piers about
forty feet high till they over-topped the
walls of the city. Each terrace com
prised alxMit three acres and a half
planted with trees and shrubs, The
government was despotic, but tempered
by a curious check. The King had ab
solute power, but could not rescind his
decrees. E;tgles were trained to accom
pany the warriors in their battles, to
pluck out the eyes of the enemy, or to
feast upon the conquered. Very great
cruelties were practised upon the cap
tives, in one of the rural scenes, the
King, who quaffs tbe goblet in an arbor
is gratified by the sight of the head of
au enemy hanging upon oneof the trees.
The royal quarry was the lion. Park
were kept entirely for the King to enjoy
the lion hunt.
Making; tbe American Desert Bloom.
From the Italian raiiche, comprising
100 acres, situated south-east of Sutro,
Nevada, two hundred tons of potatoes
have been gathered this season, beside a
variety of other products. The Italian
rancbe, on the Carson river, below
Cocney's, comprising 200 acres, ha
yielded 325 tons of potatoes, 150 to'.s of
carrots, 100 tons of turnips, and 50 tons
of onions, besides watermelons, beans,
peas, corn and pumpkins in abundance.
Mostof these products aresent toVirginia
Cty together with a considerable quan
tity of chickens, eggs and butter. On
the Sutro ranche the third crop of al
falfa will be ready for mowing by the
loth instant, it being at the present
time two feet four Inches high, and will
yield at this cutting, two tons and a
fraction to the acre. These results
have been produced by a praper system
of irrigating the sage-bush land.
Tbe Way to Manage Serpents.
An hour's gazing
at the quiescent
reptiles behind the glass plate at the
Zoo, set one thinking about how un
pleasant a duty must be thatof the keep
ers, and what daugers they must incur
in moving them. But the handling of
venemous snakrs has been performed
by Englishmen without the least re
course to art except thatof acquaint
ance with the habits of snakes. The
late Mr. Watterson would take up rat
tlesnakes in his b..re hand out of a box.
carry them into another room, put them
into a large case, and afterwards re
place them in the box. "He described
the manner in which he did it," using
says Mr. Wood, "my wrist as the'repre-
sentive of the serpent. The nature of
all serpents Is rather peculiar, and is
probably owing to the mode in which
the blood circulates. They are extreme
ly unwilling to move except when
urged bv the wants of nature, and will
lie coiled up for many hours together
when not pressed by hunger. Conse
quently, when touched their feelings is
evidently like that of a drowsey man,
w ho only tries to shake off the object
which may arouse him, and compose
himself afresh to sleep. A quick and
sudden motion would, however, alarm
the reptile, which would sfike in self
defense; and sluggish asare its general
movements, its stroke is delivered with
such lightning rapidity, that it would
be sure to inflict its fatal wound before
it was seized. If, therefore, Mr. Wat
terson saw a serpent which he desired
to catch, he would creep tip very quiet
ly to it, and with a gentle, slow move
ment place his fingers round its neck,
just behind tbe head. If it happened
to be coiled in such a manner that be
could not get at its neck, he had only
to touch it gently until it moved suffi
ciently for his purnose. When he had
I once placed his hand upon the serpent
It was in his power. He would then
grasp it very lightly lndeed,and raise It
gently from the around, trusting tha:
the reptile would be more inclined to be
carneu quietly than to summon up
sufficient energy to bite. Even if it
had tried to use its fangs, it could not
have done so, as long as the captor's
fingers were around Its neck. As a
rule, as with wasps, bees, hornets, etc.,
a great amount of provocation is needed
before a venomous serpent will use iu
teeth." Mr. J. G. Wood tells us: One
of my friends, when a boy. caught a vi
per, mistaking it for a common snake.
He tied it around his ueck, coiled It in
the way of a bracelet, aud so took it
home, playing many similar tricks with
it as he went. After arrival iu the
houe, he produced the viper for the
amusement of his brothers and sisters,
and after repeating the performance
tried to tie the snake in a double knot,
this, however, was enough to provoke
the most pacific of creatures, aud iu
consequence he received a bite ou the
finger.
About Canaries.
For mating, a large breeding cage
should be secured, kept scrupulously
clean, and a pair the hen bird, it
possible, at least a year the senior of
the male should be placed in their new
borne. It after an honr's occupancy
the two birds are observed quietly sit
ting on the perch together aud mani
fest other symptoms of an acceptance
of the situation, you may reasouably
concludo that thev have mated. On
the contrary, should they become bel
ligerent at the outset remove them;
try the exeriment again, and if with
the saute results, be assured they will
ntver pair. The breeding cage should
be iu the quiet corner of a cheerful, not
noisy apartment. oise, such as the
report of a pistol, the violent slamming
of a door or loud kr.ocking, has been
known to destroy the usefulness of
eggs, une person should alone be giv
en the care of the birds, as thay become
familiar with their voice, manner and
touch and naturally attached to one
upon whom they depend for their daily
w ants. W here too many visitors have
been allowed to investigate the breed
ing cage and nest of eggs, instances
have been frequently known where
the disturbance was so distasteful to
the hen bird that she would immedi
ately destroy her nest, break up her
egirs and refuse to set. Canaries never
pair earlier than February nor later
than September, ofteu raising as many
as three or four broods a year. The
hen is the architect of her nest, and
displays great fickleness in iu con
struction, building and demolishing it
two or three times before being thor
oughly satisfied with its construction.
The satisfactory effort is accomplished
just prior to the laying of the first egg.
The ale bird is kept busy furnishing
his mate with the materials, aud a con
stant supply of horse hair, finely cut
paper, and bits tf thread should be
bountifully supplied him in the bottom
of his cuge. The number of eggs at
each setting varies from two to six; the
first laid the eighth day after paring.
and the first egg hatched the thirteenth
day after the last egg is laid. In two
week's time the young will feed them
selves; iu a month they may be re
moved from the cage. The eggs, if not
always hatched on the day you calcu
late, should be left undisturbed, allow
ing each forty-eight hours, when they
sho ild be removed from the nest, as
they become injurious to the old bird.
The eggs are invariably laid at the
same hour, between 7 and 9 o'clock in
the morning, when the cage should
neither be disturbed by visitors nor iu
inmates annoyed by extraordinary noi
ses. A fact strange, but nevertheless
true is, that if in a breeding cage there
are two females, aud one dies, the other
assumes charge of her nest, hatches her
eggs, and gives to her young the same
care she could possibly bestow upon
her own. The breedingcage should be
kept bountifully supplied witn food.
and that furnished at night, lest a tar
dy breakfast or the hen's voracious ap
petite may tempt her to cannibalism,
and she devour her own eggs. Th
food proper for tne young fledgling is
quarter of a hard-boiled egg minced
Due, with a dried roll, made without
salt, soaked in water, the latter well
pressed out. One of the seed vessels
should contain boiled rape seed, the
other replenished twice a day, their
bath vessel claiming the same scrupu
lous care. Their food should be care
fully examined aud destroyed at the
slightest detection of acidity, as this
proves fatal to the young brood. After
hatching, the female is allowed to en
joy the liberty of the cage, and commits
the uuinotherly act of giving little at
tention to her young, the feeding and
are devolving solely on the male bird.
Her attention is only given the fledg
ing when the proper time comes for
them to leave their nest. If from want
of energy, or laziness thev tarry, sje
administers a castigation which they
do not appreciate, and, taking in the
situation they become assured that of
two evils it is best to choose the least,
and leave their cradle home, and do not
hesitate as to the mode of leaving.
Itlrds in Western AfHcav
The parrot is by tar tne most exten
sive of the feathered tribe, from the gray
parrot to the beautiful gr vn love bird.
In plumage tbe variety is most extraor
dinary ; and as they flit in the noonday,
their gaudy, beautiful colors add to tbe
grandeur of the scene. By the margins
of tbe lakes and swamps are seen the
stately storks, the cranes, the curlew,
the pelican, and the prince of Africap
birds the crown bird. On the broad
calm waters are wild ducks, teal and
widgeons; turkey buzzard and members
of the eagle tribe, to both of which a
superstition is attached by the natives
a certain dread of consequences if de
stroyed, enforced by the government in
order to retain these useful scavengers.
There are 21,75'J horses in Russia,
or one to every four persons.
The pigeon roosts of Forrest county.
Pa., netted the hunters about 8CU0.
How Timber Is Consumed.
Ill Russia, mtny of the roads are form
ed of the trunks of the Scotch pine-not
trees from six iuches to a foot iu diame
ter at the larger eud being selected for
that purpose. These are laid down side
by sidi; across the iiueuded road, the
thick end of one alternating with the
narrow end of the other, the branches
being left at the end to form a sort of
hedge on each side of the road. When
thus laid, the hollows are filled up with
earth, and the road is finished, being
analogous to the corduroy roads of
North America. In Germany, casks
are made of larch, which is almost in
destructible, and allows of no evapora
tion of the spirituous particles of the
wine contained in theui. Iu Switzer
land it is much used for wine props,
which are never taken up, and which
see crop after crop of vines spring up,
bear their fruit and peri-h at their feet,
without show ing symptoms of decay.
The uninjured state in which it remains
when buried in the earth or immersed
in water renders it an excellent materi
al for water-pi pes, to which purpose it
is largely applied in many parts of
Frauce. The butternut isesteeuied for
the posts and rails of rural fences in
America, for troughs for the use of cat
tle, for corn shovelsand wooden dishes.
Shell-bark hickorv provides baskets.
whip-handles ami the backbows of
Windsor chairs. The pignut hickory is
preferred to any other for axle-trees
and ax-haiidles. The sugar maple is
used by wheel-wrights for axle-trees
and spokes, aid for lining the runners
of common sleds. Dogwood is used for
the handles of liIit toois, such as mal
lets, small vises, etc. In the country it
furnishes hard row- teeth to the Ameri
can farmer, and supplies the hames of
horses' collar, etc., also lining for the
runners of sledges. The mountain lau
rel is selected for the handles of light
tools, for small S'-rews, boxes, etc. It
closely resembles b.xwcod, and is most
proper to supply its place. Bow ls and
trays are matie of red birch, and when
saplings of. hickory or w hite oak are
not to be found, hoops, particularly
those of rice casks, are made of the
young stocks aud of branches not ex
ceeding one inch iu diameter. Its twigs
are exclusively chosen for the brooms
with which streets and court-yards
are swept. The twigs of the other spe
cies of birch, being less supple and more
brittle, are ut proper for this ue.
Shoe lasts are made from black birch,
hut they are less esteemed than those of
beech. Imiiicuae quantities of wooden
shoes are made in France from the wood
of the common Eurouit alder, which
are seasoned by lire before they are
sold. The wood of the locust is sub
stituted for box by the turner in manv
species of light wood, such as sall-eel-iars,
sugar howls, candlesticks, spoons
and forks fr salad, boxes and many
other trilling objects, w hich are care
fully wrought into pleasant shapes and
sold at low prices. The olive is used
to form light ornamental articles, such
as dressing cases, tobacco boxes, etc.
The wood of the roots, which Is more
agreeably marbied, is preferred, and
in laying it is invaluable. Of persim
mon turners make lame screws, and
tinmeii m-.llets. Also shoemakers' lasts
are made of it equal to beet-h, and for
the shafts of chaises it has been found
preferable to ash. and to every species
of wood except lance wood. The com
mon European elm is used for tiie car
riages of cannon, aud for the gunwale,
the blocks, etc., of ships. Ic is every
where preferred by wheelwrights for
the naves ami fellies of wheels aud for
other objects. White cedar serves many
subsidiary purposes. From it arc fabri
cated pails, wash-tubs and churns of
different forms. The ware is cheap,
light and neatly made ; and instead of
becoming dull like other w ood, it grows
whiter anil smoother by use. The hoops
are made of young cedars stripped of
the bark, and split into two parts. The
wood also supplies good charcoal. The
red cedar furnishes staves, rop-cocks,
stakes, and is also used for coffins.
Water Supply In the Country.
Farmers will find mat a small steam
engine will serve their purpose in this
particular much better than any other
device. There are numerous excellent
ly made and yet cheap engines in the
market, especially suited to the work.
Many are combined with their boilers
so as to be portable, and if they are
not already provided with pumps. these
can easily be applied in connection
with them. Apart from the saving in
time aud muscle effected, the engine
renders its ow ner imlejiendent of cis
tern or of any other single source o
supply. It frequently happens that
spriugs exist near houses, but on such
low ground that the labor of pumping
by hand is too great. Here I he engine
will prove a great help, and similarly if
it becomes necessary to carry a pipe
even over a considerable distance to
get water, the engine is capable of do
ing the extra work. There are besides
the incidental advantages of the extra
safeguard secured against fire, and the
obviation of the necessity of drawing
water from sources near the house and.
perhaps, as is frequently the cae, in
too close proximity to the cesspool. As
for the skill required, any person pos
sessed of an average share of common
sense and the ability to manage a stove
or cook cattle feed can run a little en
gine. It should have a trustworthv
governor, ami the boiler a free work
ing safety valve. Then the operator
has only to see that the bearings are
kept oiled and the grate replenished.
Many small engines are now made
with Interchangeable parts, so that if a
portion gives out it is as easy to replace
it by seuding to the manufacturer as it
is to obtain a new part of a mower or
reaper. When the amount of water re
quired in one house is not enough to
make work for an engine, two or more
neighbors might club together for the
purchase, or some enterprising person
might, with one portable engine, make
a livelihood by going from house to
house and pumping up supplies of wa
ter sufficient to last over a few days at
a time.
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