n iiiii Sit B. F. SCIIWEIER, THE C05STITTITI05 TEE TJITION A5D THE EUIOEOEMEIT OF THE LAWS. Editor and Proprietor. VOL. XXXIII. MIFFLIN1WN, JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA.. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1879. NO. 10. WPllI in lr Will LTTTLE BROWN HA.KDS. They drive home the eon from the pasture, I'p through the lone shady lane. Where the quail whistles loud in the wheat fields. That are yellow with ripening grain, They find in the thick waving grease Where the thick-lipped strawberry grows ; They gather the earliest snowdrops And the first crimson bods of the rose. They toes the new hay in the meadow ; They gather the elder-bloom white ; Tuey find where the dusky grapes purple. In the soft tinted October light. They know where the apples hang ripest, A ad are sweeter than Italy's wines ; They know where the fruit hangs the thickest On the long, thorny blackberry vine. They gather the delicate sea-weeds, And build tiny castles of sand ; They pick np the beautiful sea-shells Fairy barks that hare drifted to land. They ware from the tall, rocking tree-tops. Where the oriole's hammock-nest swings ; And at night time are folded in slumber By a song that a fond mother sings. Those who toil bravely are strongest ; The humble and poor become great ; And so from the brown-handed children Shall grow mighty rulers of State. The pen of the author and statesman The noble and wise of the land The tword, and the chisel, and palette Shall be held in the little brown hand. Escaped. New Jersey, as well as Xew York, was originally settled by colonists from Holland, and although the Eng lish at one time got possession of the territory, the Dutch regained it and held it, under the name of Achter Kol, until 1073. Among the early emigrants from Holland was a family by the name of Kovenhoven, who took up lauds wnat is now Jlonmoutu county, near the present village of Eatontown. Their defendants, under the anglicized name of Conover, live in the same regions to this dav. In 1777-7S this family had a farm on the ocean shore, proba lv within the present limits of Long Branch. At that time the men folks were all away with the Continental Army, under Gen. Washington. The family left at home consisted of tl'e mother, a daughter of eighteen or twenty years, a son of sixteen and an other oi ten. 1 hese contrived to sup port themselves on the farm, and also to contribute liberally to the Continen tal cause. Notwithstanding the defenceless con dition of the place, with the enemy in possession of the country, the Kovenho ven homestead was an important post in a line of secret communication kept up between the parties of Xew York and the East, and their friends beyond the Delaware. The elder of the Kovenhoven boys, though only a growing lad, was a trus ted messenger in this "grapevine" pos tal service, and by his skill aud during in working through the British lines, had already won the name of Kalle Ko venhoven, or, as we would now say. Cool Conover. Early in the summer of 1778, when Gen. Clinton was preparingto abandon the line of the Delaware and fall back on the Hudson river, a body of Hessian troops was sent through the Jerseys to open the way to Sandy Hook, where the army was to embark for Xew York. The Hessians harried the countrv to some extent, foraging as they advanced, and making special efforts to break up the secret postal service known to be maintained in spite of their utmost Vigilence. The line was kept rniininig at that time, as may readily be supposed, with redoubled activity, and the messengers spared neither risk nor hardship to get their dispatches through. The service was all the harder as the activity of the enemy forced them to seek round-about ways, and travel long distances. The route was turned dowD through the pines, an unbroken wil derness, extending, at that time, near ly across the South Jerseys. One night In June, young Conover returned home from a trip into the pines weary and worn. He had ridden many a long mile through the soft sands of the forest without "daring to wait for rest or refreshment. Stopping at the bars and turning bis tired mare into the salt meadow, he shouldered the saddle and carried it up to the barn. He had an important dispatch with him, fastened under his arm in a water proof cover. Worn out with hard rid ing from early morning till after mid night, and with the constant strain of anxious watchfulness, he felt relieved ind thankful to get home in safety. Sitting down on a heap of straw, he took off his heavy riding-boots, and un buttoned his shirt to remove the prec ious package, and then, in an instant, the reaction from over exertion con quered him, and he dropied into a deep sleep. He slept heavily until the first beams of daylight began to shine through the cracks in the barn. Then lie w as sud awakened by a tremendous thumping close by nim. As he sprang up the butt of a musket broke through the door, and instinct ively the boy realized that lor once he had been caught napping. It was his way to face danger when he could not avoid it ; so he sprang to the door, feeling for his package and finding it safe uudcr his arm at the same moment. Six men stood outside, and in the dim morning light he recognized them as a detail from a detachment of Hes sians whom he ha J been dodging all the previous afternoon. They addressed him roughly, and one of them in broken English, com manded him to find forage tor their horses. "Und, ynnker," he added, "rouse der hause and get right away preak fast." j The boy brought out hay and grain in abundance for the horses, and then led the way to the house. His sUter Katie was already astir, and inimedi-'and ately comprehending the situation, she set about gettinff breakfast, without any fuss or hesitation The meal passed off quietly, the fam ily keeping In the background as much as possible, and the troopers show in no disposition to make trouble. I he corporal in clutrge after uartak- ing most heartly of the good things that filled the table, seemed inclined to be quite friendly. l nu what your name 1st, niein Kindt he said to his hostess. "Katie, sir, replied tne girl. "Ja wohl Kathariua Du bist ein liebes Maedchen Gutes Maedchcn I'ndder Bruder?" "ily brother? His name is Ned- Ed ward, I mean." "So, Etouart, ya! Und der fader wo ist?" At this moment"Etouart"canie to the door leading the corporal's horse. "1 ve watered him," he 6aid, and rubbed him down as well as I could in a hurry." &.f. i i . - . n oui scuu-ner tvert. .ow we go aheai wit;" and the dangerous question as to the father's whereabouts was not answered On inquiring the the way to Shrews bury town, the corporal decided that "tutouart" must accompany the party a mile or two up the shore to point out the road. Ihe boy did not object under the cir cumstances, and was the less unwilling to go as in walking up the beach he might meet Dennis Hendrickson, the messenger expected to take the dis patch and carry it forward. He therefore led the way down to the shore, striding along besid: the corpor al's horse, explaining to that worthy the state ot the tide, and the necessity for making some haste to avoid the ris ing water. The Kovenhovens still spoke Holland Dutch at home, and "Etouart" under stood nearly everything the llesaiins said to each other, but he was verv careful not to permit any sign of intel ligence to escape him. To his surprise and consternation, he found that one object of their raid 'long shore was to capture himself. They were bound for Sandy Hook, and had instructions to pick him up on the way, though they had but dim ideas as to what he could be like, or where they could come up with him. He had taken the precaut'or on leav ing the house to make an excuse for handing his sister the spyglass, which hangs over every 'longshoreman mantel. The quick-witted girl had caught the hint to keep watch of the partv, as he knew she would do. After following the beach nearly mile, ana tfhdiiig the Hessians liaduta shade of suspicion in their minds as to who he was, he was just congratulat ing himself on gutting out of a danger ous predicament in safety, when out of ihe very lane the soldiers were turning into, there came the last man in the world lie wanted to see. 1 his was a shoemaker by the name of Sanborne, whom everybody in the neighborhood disliked and distrusted. He evaded his duty as a patriot, and was believed to be a traitor at heart. Coming upon eacn other at right an gles, Sanborne and Edward met al most within arms' length. Xo sooner did the shoemaker see the troopers than he threw up his hat and cried out : "Kalte. Kovenhoven, caught, by George! So they've got you at last, you young rebel!" Edward tried his best to make San borne understood that the Hessians did not know him; but the man would not heed his signals. "Kalte Koveuhoven !" queried the amazed corporal, looking all about him in confusion. "Wo ist Kovenhoven?" "This is him !" exclaimed Sandborne, "This is the little sand-snipe that has made you more trouble than a hull regiment o' ragged Continentals." "Du Kleiner Spitzhube !" cried the corporal, not without unnsed interest. Ist dot so?" The soldiers drew their horses around him, and incited by Sanborne, two of them loosened their halters to secure him with them. If they once confined him, they would be very likely to search him, and then they would get possession of the dispatch. He had no great fear as to his own fate, even if male a prisoner, but the dispatch they must not get hold of. Such were the thoughts that flashed through the boy's mind, and prompted a desjerate resort. Dropping to the ground as one of the ttoopers reached out to lay hands on him, Cool l.ortDver darted out irom between the horses and sprang across the beach. Tearing off his coat as he ran, he leaped through the surf and dove through the breakers that were rolling from four to six feet high over the bar. Fire! fire!" screamed Sanborn, "He'll getaway from you!" But the stolid German soldiers were not given to firing without orders, and the corjmral, completely bewildered could only remark, "Dot poy will go trownt!" Etouart," however, had no notion of drowning. Clearing the line of breakers, he struck out straight off shore, and although several shots were fired at him he was not hit, and soon he was out of musket range, ine tide, running flood, carried him up the beach, and the soldiers followed along after him, expecting him soon to grow weary, and see him sink under the waves. Katie Conover watched the depar ture of the soldiers with a long sigh of relief, and the moment they were out of earshot called to her mother that they were fairly off. She followed their movements until they turned towards the lane, and then dropped the glass, satisfied that all was well. Something, however, prompted her to take another look after Xed, and while trying to make him out, she saw a figure dash across the beach and into the surf. "" A moments reflection told her what had occurred- She understood that Xed had met with some sudden peril, rather than to risk the loss of the dispatch, he had plunged through the snrfai.d was swimming out into the ocean. ".Now," she reasoned with herself, "he doesn't expect to swim across the Atlantic, and he can't stay in the water all day, hoping to be picked up by a coaster. What he thinks of is maybe I'll see him, and try to pick him up with the surf-skiff; and so I will." Calling her younger brother, the brave girl ran down to the shore, and with the child's help dragged the surf- skiff across the beach. A Jersey surf-skiff is a very light boat, made of cedar, thin as a shell and easily handled. To launch the little craft through the breakers and jump Into it without upsetting, requires a god deal of skill and a good deal of pluck beside. Katie was not a novice in such things, and in a few minutes 6he was pulling a stroug, steady stroke up the beach, heading a point or two off shore. She could not see her brother in the water, but after rowii g, as it seemed to her, a very long time, she saw the sol dier? on the sand, and judged that Xed must be somewhere in tine with them. l'tilling on until she came abreast of them, she stood up and looked about her. She found she was at least a mile offshore, and two miles up the beach from home. Xed was nowhere to be seen, and af ter scanning the sea in every direction she ssiik hack with a sickening fear that he had gone down. At that moment she heard a faint call, aud rising again, could plainly distinguish a distant hall. She could uot se! anything at first, but pulled rapidly in the direction of the sound, she was presently irladdened bv a glimpse of something yet a long wav off. Rowing for dear life, she soon made out her brother's arm occasionally ap pearing on a rising wave. He was floating almost under water, and was nearly exhausted. Katie had to give him the oars to rest on, and to help Support him as host she could for some time before he was able to scramble into the skiff. The girl had done her best, but with all her speed he had been an hour in the water when she reached him. The loss Of a few moments might have lost his life. With Xed lying in the bottom of the skiff limp aud faint, Katie pul'ed away lor home with a glad heart, and if site cried a little, it was lor joy as much as anything. ihey tound Hendrickson waiting for Katie's return, thinking she might possibly have the despatch, thiuiih he little expected to see Xed with her. The Hessians had watched their es caping prisoner until most out of sight, then they saw him throw up his hands aim .isapjear. mien Jvatie came along in her boat, they supposed her 1 .1; - search would be useless, and had turned into a lane leading inland. On reaching their rendezvous at San dy Hook, they reported that the Ikj nad ueen drowned and his bodr car ried out to sea. Sanborne hastened to spread the same report through the neighborhood, and his lriends thought they had lost Mas ter Xed, and great was the rejoicing when he reapieared the next dav sound and well, and everybody said: "Isu't that just like Kate Kovenhoven?" How to Load a Gun. The author of ''Shooting on the Wing" says of loading the gun : ''Un der this head we have to consider not only the best quantities and proportions of powder and shot, but the proper mode of inserting the charge in the gun. If the weaMn be a breech-load er, full directions in legard to the point will be given by the manufacturer; but where a muzzle-loader is used, there is certain routine to be observed, both for the sake of securing rapidity and certainty, and of avoiding danger. Both barrels of the gun being unloaded, the following is the system that we always follow: Grasping the barrel with the left hand a few inches below the muzzle, the hammers being at half- cock and the gun in such a position directly in front that the trigger-guard is toward the person, we measure out the proper quantity of powder for a load, and pour it into each barrel in succession ; and, after returning the flask to the pocket, insert a cut wad in each barrel, draw the ramrod, and press it gently to the bottom. For do- ng this, Frauk Forrester gives some ery excellent advice as follows: "lie- member not to grasp the rod, much less cover the tip of it with the palm of your hand in ramming down, but to hold it only between the tips of your lingers and thumb. In case ol an explosion, this difference in the mode of holding it will just make the difference of lacer ated finger-tips, or a hand blown to shreds.' The rod may now be held in the same hand that supports the barrels, while the shot is carefullv measured and poured into them; wads are again inserted and pressed home, and the ramrod returned to its proper place. All that now remains is to cap the piece, and see that the hammers are at half- cock. Waterproof Birds. Perhaps the reader has never consi dered how all birds obtain the gloss on their feathers which makes them proof against water. Water-fowl are, of course, supplied with a thicker coating of feathers than land birds, but all have the faculty of procuring the oily mat ter to cover their feathers and resist water getting in between. Have you never noticed, when a bird was plucked, a small protuberance above the tail, furnished with a pencil-like tuft of feathers? It is here that the ointment Is hidden, and the bird has the power to raise the thicker feathers thai cover this spot, and, passing its head over it, obtains enotigh matter at a time to communicate it to the rest of its plumage. And it is truly interest ing to watch a duck pluming itself and covering its feathers with the oil that is required for keeping out the water. As this part of the body Is liable to give an unpleasant flavor to.. the .flesh,, it ought to "be cut off before cooking." In Distress. A policeman was passing dowu Rich mond Street last Wednesday afternoon when he heard a woman's voice lifted high In lamentation ; opening the wick et, he strode up to the door, where woman was lying prone on the steps bedewing the rubber foot-mat with her briny tears. "What is the matter, mam?" he said gently. "Ooh, boo, oo h !" said the stricken female. "Xow, don't take on so," said the club carrier, with tremendnous gentle ness; "tell me what is the matter." "O, I, I'm, a a ooh, oo h!" and she wept afresh aud copiously. "Why, my dear, dear madam," said the tllioer, "what great sorrow has blighte ) your lite and drove the sun shine from your happy home? Where fore are you thus cast down into the depths of anguish ? Why are the foun tains of your being broken up, and your beauteous eyes become -springs from which the aqueous fluid " "Get out you brute! ooey ooh o o boo hoo." The sympathetic officer was nonplus sed. He backed off a step or two, and as his great heart throbbed in sympathy with so much suffering, he could but make one more effort at comfort. "Madam," said he, and as he spoke his voice grew husky with emotion, "madam, I sympathize with you from the bottom of my heart, and while you do not seem disposed to trust me, yet if there is anything In the round world 1 can do to lift this sorrow from your heart, let me do It. I assure you it is no idle curiosity. I would be your friend. I will avenge your wrongs, and the services of one loyal are ours if you will accept them. I would not pry into that which does not concern me, but I know some great sorrow is upon you, and gently, tenderly would I raise the pall that hangs about life, diess the wounds that have been open ed In your tender heart, and pour the balm of consolation over the " He did not notice in bis vehemence that the woman had stealthily risen, but she had, and launching the foot-mat full in his face, she said : ' Get out o' this, you mean old blath erskite! You're meaner that old Guard ian in this dime novel, who won't let his niece marry the haml.-ome trapi er. If I want to cry about what I read. It's none o' your business." Two blocks away the policeman flick ed a boot-black off the side-walk by the ear, and muttered: "If women ain't the curiousest built animals in this world, kill me for a tool." Legebds of the Kose. In the neighborhood of Jerusalem is a pleasant valley, which still bears the name of Solomon's Itose Garden, aud where, according to a Mohammedan myth, a compact was made between the Wise Man and the genii of the Morning Land, which was w rit, not in blood, like the bonds between Faust and Me phistopiieles, nor in gall like onr mod ern treaties, but with saffron and rose water upon the petals of white roses. In Paris in the sixteenth centnry an edict was issued requiring all Jews to wear a rose on their breast as a distin guishing mark. In the Catholic Tyrol, in the present day, betrothed swains are expected to carry a rose during the erlod of their betrothal as a warning to young maidens of their engaged state, Roses have played and still play an iuiKrtaiit part in popular usages in many other parts of the world. In Germany young girls deck their hair with white roses fortheir confirmation, the entrance into the world, and when at the end of life's career the aged grandmother departs to her eternal rest a last gift in the sha-e of a rose garland la laid upon her bier. Julius Ctesar, it is recorded, was fain to hide his bald ness at the age of thirty with the pro duce of tha Komartyrose gardens, as Anacreon hid the snows of eighty under a wreath of roses. At mid-Lent tne Pope sends a golden rose to particular churches or crowned heads whom he designs especially to honor. Martin Luther wore a rose in his girdle. In these instances the rose serves as a syn. bol of ecclesiastical wisdom. A rose was figured on the headman's axe of the Voehmgericht. Many orders, frater nities, and societies have taken the rose as their badge. The "Rosicrucians" may be instanced. The "Society of the Rose," of Hamburg, an association of learned ladies of the seventeenth cen tury, is a less known example. It was divided into four sections, the Roses, the Lilies, the Violets, and the Pinks. The holy Medardus instituted in France the custom or "La Rosierre, by which, in certain localit'" . a moiiey-gift and a crown of rosef t. e bestowed on the devoutest and most industrious maiden in the Commune. The infamous Duke de Chartres established an "Order of the Rose," with a -metrically oppo site intention a.1 lrevlso a curious rose feast is or was held annually. A castle was erected with tapestry and silken hangings and defeuded by the best born maidens in the city against the attacks of the young bachelors, almonds, nutmegs, roses, and squirts filled with rose-water being the am munition freely used on both sides. Texas Bill's Last Fear-Bunt. And now I will tell you about Texas Bill's last bear-hunt. One evening last fall we were sitting out on the piazza about nine o' clock, when neighbor Ford rode np and wanted me to go over to Rock creek, about three miles, and help kill a bear. He said his wifes mother and a boy about twelvo years old had been down on the creek that day looking for some bees, and they saw a bear run into the rocks. So saddled up, took my dogs, and with Charley and Ford started for the bear. Wheu we got nearly to the creek we found another man by the name of Rus sian waiting for us. When we got to the creek we went down about a half a mile and hitched our horses and began to climb np the bank among the rocks and trees, and aftar fifteen minutes hard labor we got to where tne woman and the boy saw the bear go in. It w a a-wild looking place in a small ravine with rocks on both sides piled up one above the other, and big holders scat tered all about. The place where the bear went in was large enough for a man to get in easy, and about thity feet back of where he went in was a large hole that went down, and not one that went straight in. All the time while we were building a fire we could hear a noise in the hole like a hoarse slssing or grunting, and thought perhaps Mr Bear uiu not nis company. Auer we got a fire w e cou 1 not look into the hole but a little way and F. went about mile and got a lanp about as good as a lightning-bug. Rnssian proposed to stay all night and have daylight to work in, but I did not want to stay till I found out what I was staying for While we were talking F. took the lamp and went to the upper hole and got down to look in. "Ha !" says he, "I can see him." "Well," said I, "what is it?" "It is a bear: Come and take the lamp and see for yourself." I took the lamp and got down and peeped in, and there -he was. But I could not see very plain, so I crawled in a little further. Charley wanted me to came back for fear he would make dive at me, but I ventured carefully in a little more and then could see his head and shoulders a little plainer, but i coma not make out what the deuce it was. Its head seemed to be white and snout black, and what I could see of his shoulders were black. Finally F' says : i hat do you make It?" "n ell, I think it is ahog, and if you will band me a gun I will try to put his eyes out." They got my gun, and I ventured in a little more to get a good chance to shoot, but I got a little to near, and it moved and hissed and grunted fearful ly; but when it moved I could see it plain and tell what it was, and what do you think I saw ? A couple of young buzzards! They stood side by side, tneir necks and wings white, their backs, tails, heads and bills black, and in the dim light aud the position tliev were in, looked like the head of some large animal. R. says, "Why dont you shoot?" I said nothing but crawled out, and F. says, "What are you going to do now: Well, I think the best thing we can do is to go home." it. says, " w ny tne deuce don't you tell us what it is down there in the rocks?" I bothered them for a few minutes and theu told them it was. buzzards. and I don't believe you ever heard such a shout from a few mouths as went up through the trees from around that "bear" hole. We blew out our lamp, got into the saddles, and went home, certainly wiser if not as happy as when we went out; and that is the last hunt that I have had after bears. A rrompt Juror. An amusing story is told of the way juror in Georgia went for a convic tion. A murder case was being tried, aud great difficulty was experienced in gettinga j'iry. Eleven jurors had been sworn in and in the next panel that was brought in was a small, lank, lean. cadaverous looking fellow who had one shoe, his pants were nearly above his knees, his shirt open both in front and back, and the aforesaid pants w ere held up by a single suspender. The Solicitor proceeded to ask the usual questions in such cases, as follows: 'Have you, trom having seen the crime committed, or heard any of the testimony delivered under oath, formed and expressed any opinion as to "Ihe guilt or innocence of the prisoner at the bar?" The "siugle gallus" fellow, in a clear and distinct voice, answered : "Xot any." Second question "Have you any prejudice or bias resting on your mind for or against the prisoner at the bar?" Answer "I hain't." Third question "Is your mind per fectly impartial between the State and the accused ?" Answer "Hit air." Fourth question "Are you consci enciously opposed to capital punish ment?" Answer "I isn't." The State didn't like the juror much, but it being late and the jurors scarce, he was put uxm the jury in the usual manner; the solicitor says: "Juror, look upon the prisoner," and when the command was given he bent over scan ning him from head to foot. The juror looked the prisoner firmly in the face, and then turning to the judge, be said, in a firm, solemn voice, "Yes Judge, I think he's guilty." A Singular Bird Fust. It has for a long time been an enigma to the ornithologist how certain species of small singing birds, which spend the winter in Egypt or Algeria, and the summer in Southern or West ern Europe, ever succeed in crossing the Mediterranean, as many of them are not able to fly one-quarter of a mile without resting. The Bedouins of Xorthern Africa say that they travel on the backs of larger birds, whiling away the dreary hours of the sea voy age by their song, and Bedouin poetry swarms with allusions to this charm ing picture of the songless stork carry ing on his powerful back a cluster of small songsters across the sea. And singularly enough, the peasants of Southern and Western Europe say ex actly the same. Every European coun try has thousands of stories about the splendid gifts which the stork bring along from the Xile, and among these gifts are always mentioned as the first, babies and singing birds. But in spite of this remarkable unanimity in the low er spheres, none has dreamed of finding a fact at the bottom of these tales un til lately, on great ornithologist after the other Ilengliss, Roh, Hedenberg, etc. declares himself willing to ac cept the explanation,; nor baye traces of positive proof been altogether lacking. He Wanted to be a Hero. There is a burly, bull-necked bully who has a local habitation and a fear- inspiring name in' West Louisville. The other day as he lounged out of saloon, a beautiful young man, a clerk in a Fourth street dry goods store, met luiH. The beautiful young man touched his hat and stopped. "May I inquire if this is Mr. Buck Leathers, sir? asked the beautifulyoungman blandly "I has no objections to yo' inquirin' sir," was Mr. Leathers' reply. "Well sir, I I hope I have your pardon if I trespass in asking if your name is Mr. Buck Leathers' reply. "I hope you has, sir." I er the fact Is I w ould like extremely to know if I have the honor of addressing Mr. Buck Leath ers?" "Young man, ef you got any thing to say to me, say it. My name is Buck Leathers and whether you have got any honor or not is a catalogue not down on the bills.', Well, sir," said the clerk, in confusion, "I mean no of fence, whatever, Mr. Leathers. It's matter of business entirely" "I am always ready for business, sir." "Well sir yes, sir, you see I wouldn't mind giving you $10 if you'll do the job" "Pro-ceed, sir, if you please." "Well sir, yes you see, sir, I know you will keep It wholly between us, Mr. Leath ers." I am not a female, sir." "Well sir you see, sir that I er that is, 1 am paying my addresses to a young lady, and there is another fellow doing the same, and I'm afraid he's a little ahead. The fact is, you see, er, he rescued her snatched her from before a runaway team, and there's where he's winning on me. What I've got to do is to oflset him in the rescuing line, you see. ow. sir yes. sir. you see what I propose Is er you 'see, the other fel low Is going to take her to the concert Tuesday night, and, as they go back, when they pass by alley, I want you to jump out and give a whoop, and snatch the girl and trip up the fellow, and just as you are making off with the lady I'll appear on the scene, and we are to have a thundering tussle, and finally I'm to knock you down and save the young lady and er be a hero. you understand ?" And the beautiful young man winked mildly.' "Yes, understand ; and, now, young hero, run! 'Xderstand ?" And Mr. Buck motioned as if to bid him au reroir with his broban, whereupon, the beautiful young man departed suddenly and hurriedly, looking anon with a pale and puzzled face over his shoulder at the motionless Leathers. Suicide of a Mucklug-Rird. A well-known society young lady has long been the solicitcus owner of 'a pet canary named Jim, and a very loud- voiced mockiig-bird, which rejoiced in the euphonious cognomen of Bob. Some weeks ago the canary was moved from another room and his cage hung up in Bob's especial window. The latter soon began devoting his spare hours to furtively glancing at the new bird, and cultivating a charming canary warble. Bobby's friendship soon became quite marked, and Jim seemed to not tho roughly reciprocate the affection of bis ashyw inged neighbor, he would occa sionally sit on his perch and hold an animated friendly discussion with him. On such occasions, when he could mo nopolize the attention of the yellow- breasted warbler. Bob appeared to be n the seventh heaven of delight; he would jump up and down on his perch, and chrip and whistle in the liveliest manner no human lover could more clearly indicate a passion which was soul-stirring. The fair owner of the bird, with that kindly sympathy which the especial charm of her sex, thought it indeed a pity that cruel burs should separate this Damon and Py thias of the feathered world ; so she opened the dor one day, and Jim flew nto Bobby's specious cage, and was suffered to remain. But mark the re sult. Plato has said that man was but featherless biped, minus his quills; then truely is a bird but the feathered counterpart of the biped man. The loved Jim became the master, and the lover Boby became the slave. The for mer reigned supreme, and the latter was plucked half naked inside of a week; but despite his misfortune, he suffered it like a martyr, and appeared only too glad to have Jim display atten tions even if those attentions were of murderous character. They were separated. Bobby immediately began to pine, and struggled hard to get over into the canary's cage, but iu vain. The tragedy occured, while the family were in the sitting room awaiting the dining-room bell. A red pepper was uspended in the center of Bobby's cage, by a sup-noose; he was seen to reach forward on his perch and pick the pepper to pieces, so that it fell to the bottom, leaving the open slip-knot. He then set back, and after indulging n one of his sweetest canary warbles, put his head forward right into the noose, and, jumping from bis perch, was in another second hanging by his neck and kicking rigorously. His movements had been watched with some interestjbut this denouement was unexpected, and with a cry Bobby's owner rushed forward, and, opening the door of the cage, extricated the fluttering mocking-bird. But it was too late ; he gave one last gasp and stare and was dead. Who will deny that Bob committed suicide? Wonderful Las Tinajas. A wonderful place is Las Tinajas, about thirty miles southeast of Mission Camp, Colorado. The mountains have one face ot hard, smooth granite. All the water falling upon this basin has to flow through nine tanks, one above the other. The lower tanks are of easy ac cess, and are are often drained of their contents by men and auimals traveling between Yuma and Sonora. The up per tanks are approached only by cir cuitous and difficult climbing over rocks. To one standing below they af ford no IndicatioD of their existence, nor does the steep mountain side seem possible to ascend to one unaquainted with the way to do it. In the upper tanks water has never been known to fail. To this water comes game of all kinds, in great numbers, from the great waterless country around Las Tinajas Antelope, mountain sheep and deer ot several kinds come in herds. Rabbits and hares are as plenty as anywhere, aud are prey for many coyotes and beautiful little rock foxes. One would think that all this game would be thinned out by the Papago Indians who inhabit the country. But these Indians are superstitious and avoid Las Tinajas with abject terror. Within two miles of this water are certainly one hundred and fifty graves, and probably more each marked by rows of stones laid in the form uf a cross. Scores of men. famished for water, have expended their last strength in reaching Las Tinajas, only to find the lower tanks dry; and, ignorant of the upper ones, have lain down in despair to die. Their remains have been buried by later travelers and the grave marked, Mexi can fashion, by a cross of stones. Dur ing the rush to the gold fields of Cali fornia cholera attacked adventurers on the road from Mexico, as it did Ameri can immigrants along the Platte; pesti lence combined with thirst to gather corpses at Las Tinajas. Recollections of bleaching bones and grinning skulls protect the game from Papago arrows and flintlocks. After passing through its usual fermentation the water be comes clear and pure as any in the world ; it comes from the clouds only aud flowing into the tanks over insolu ble granite, it carries no mineral mat ter. .Every heavy rain pours a. whirl ing torrent through the tanks, washing them out- to the very bottom ; no or ganic matter stays behind. The num ber and variety of birds here is marvel ous, many of them appearing to be of new and undescribed species. At morning and evening the din of their song, confined by sides of the moun tain, is almost deafening. All around Las Tinajas is the remarkable vegeta tion of the desert; near its tanks are many aud curious plants nourished by their moisture. The place is one of much interest. A Tale of Klood. A rather rough joke was perpetrated Christmas Eve upon a citizen who had been attending a turkey rattle, and af ter frequent efforts finally succeeded in winning a turkey. He had, mean while, been getting into a fix for a "Christmas Jubilee," as he expressed it, and by the time he was ready to start for home it was an open question whether the turkey was not as fully able to carry him as he the turkev. However, he started, throwing the fowl over his shoulder and holding on to its legs. A graceless scamp in the party, seeing a chance for deviltry, took out his knife, and stole up behind the carrier of the turkey as he con structed a rail fence along the side walk, and cut off the unfortunate fowl's head. Of course the bird fluttered and struggled, but its owner not suspecting anything wrong, merely changed his manner of holding it, and finally hug ged it to his breast, thus conveying it home. Arrived there he carefully placed tne turkey in the chicken coop and got to bed as quickly as possible '1 lie next morning his wife happened to notice blood upon his hands and face, a glance at his clothing showed that was in a terrible plight, and she aroused him hastily, fearing he might have been wounded in a fight. Xt ore than half a ake and the other half still pretty boozv, he could not comprehend her inquiries. He insist ed that he had uot been in any ditlleul- y, but had spent the evening decor ously aud pleasantly, and returned home early and perfectly sober. Bu the blood ! it was beyond his com prehension. Still he had to say some thing, and he declared that his nose had been bleeding just about the time he got home, and probably in the dark ness his clothes were soiled. His w ife thought it very singular, but she could not see any other way it could have happened, if he had not been in a fight. He allotted a diversion just theu by telling her what a fine turkey he had won at a rallle, and advised her to go and feed it, and be careful it did not get out. Anxious to see the prize, she hastened to the coop, but when her eyes fell upon the headless fowl, fro zen solid, she went back to the house and commenced an oration to her hus band with the expressive words, "You old drunken beast!" Intelligence of Birds. Birds are guided almost entirely by sight, and when all nature is shrouded in snow they at once pick outand make for the first open spot. Wherever the ground is clear, there they know will be something or other almost certainly be found. If sweeping the snow away from a patch some few yards square be m possible, then let ashes be sprinkled freely on the surface. Wherever the dreary white expanse is broken, there the birds will be gathered together. Meantime, those who would judge for themselves how intelligent birds arc, and how soon they can be taught to re cognize those who treat them kindly, have only to throw out each morning n their garden, or on their window- sill, or in the balcony, the crumbs from the breakfast-table, supplemented, if need be, with oats, hempseed, millet, or buckwheat. In a week the little creatures will come to their meal as regular as the clock strikes the hour. n a month they will almost allow themselves to be taken in the hand. Let this be done through the winter. and then in the spring let little boxes be fixed up, out pf reach of cat or school-boy, and let small bags of hay and wool be hung close by, and the sparrow will build her nest and hatch out two if not three broods in full sight of the window. We have only to en courage birds, and they will come to us. - California produces the laigest barley crop, or 8,783,490 oat of a total of 29,761,205 bnshels, and also nine tenths of our native silk cocoon. Bathing Among Sharks. It was a dead calm not a breath of air the sails flapped idly against the masts; the helm had lost its power, and the ship turned her bead low and where she liked. The heat was intense, so much so that the chief-mate had told the boat-swain to keep the watch out of the sun ; but the watch below found it too warm to sleep, aud were toraient ed with thirst, which they coald not gratify until the water was served out. They bail drank all the previous day's allowance; and now that their scuttle butt w as dry there was nothing left for them but endurance. Some of the seamen had congregated oit the topgal lant forecastle, where they gazed ou the clear blue water with longing eyes "How cool aud clear it looks," said a tall, powerful young seaman; "I don't think there are manv sharks about. What do you say for a bath, lads?" "That for the sharks !" burst almost simultaneously from the parched lips of the group; "we'll have a jolly good bath when the second mate goes in to dinner." In about half an hour the dinner bell rang. Ihe boatswain took charge of the deck. Some twenty sailors were now stripped, except a pair of light duck trousers. Among the rest was a tall, powerful coast-of-Africa negro, of the name of Leigh. They used to joke, and call him Sambo. "You no swim to-dav, Xed?" said he, addressing me. "Feared of shark, hey ? Shark uehber bile me. Suppose I meet shark in water. I swim after him him run like debbel." I was tempted, and, like the rest, was soon ready. In quick succession we jumped off the spritsail yard, the black leading. We had scarcely been in the water five minutes when some voice on board cried out : "A shark ! a shark !" In an instant every one of the swim mers came tumbling up the ship's side, half mad with fright, the gallant black among the rest. It was a false alarm. We felt angry with onrsclves for being frightened, angry with those who had frightened us, and furious with those who had laughed at us. In another moment we were all again in the water, the black and myself swimming some distance from the ship. For two suc cessive voyages there had been a sort of rivalry betw een us ; each fancied that he was the better swimmer, arid we were now testing our speed. "Well done, Xed ."' cried some of the ailors from the forecastle. "Go it, Sambo !" cried some others. We were both straining our utmost, excited by the cheers of our respective partisans. Suddenly the voice of the boatswain was heard shouting: "A shark ! a shark ! Come back lor God's sake !" "Lay aft and lower the cutterdow n," then came faintly on our ear. The race instantly ceased. As yet we only half believed what we heard, our recent fright being still fresh in our memories. "Swim for God's sake!" cried the captain, who was now on deck; "he has not seen you. The boat, if possible. will get between you and him. Strike out, lads for God's sake !" My heart stood" still. I felt weaker than a child as I gazed -.vith horror at the dorsal fin of a large shark tn the starboard quarter. Though in the wa ter, the perspiration dropied from me like rain ; the black was striking out like mad for the ship. "Swim, Xed swim!" cried several voices; "they never take black when they can get white." I did swim, and that desperately ; the water foamed past me. I soon breasted the black, but could not head him. We both strained every nerve to be first, for we each fancied the last man would be taken. Yet we scarcely seemed to move; the ship appeared as far as ever from us. We were both powerful swimmers, and both of us swam in the French way called In bras.:, or hand over hand in English. There was something the matter with the boat's falls, and they could not lower her. "He sees you now!" was shouted; "he is after you !" Oh, the gony ot that moment! I thought of everything at the same mo ment, at least so it seemed to me then. Scenes long forgotten rushed through my brain with the rapidity of lightning, yet in the midst of this I was striking out madly for the ship. Each moment I fancied I could feel the pilot fish touching me, and I almost screamed with agony. We were now not ten yards from the ship; fifty ropes were thrown to us; bt't, as if by mutual in stinct, we swam for the same. "Hurra! they are saved! they are alongside !' was shouted by the anxious crew. We both grasped the roje at the same time; a slight struggle ensued , I had the highest hold. Regardless of everything but my own safety, I placed my feet on the black's shoulders, scram bled up the side, and fell exhausted on the deck. The negro followed, roaring with pain, for the shark had taken away part of his heel. Since then I have never bathed at sea ; nor, I believe, has Sambo been ever heard again to assert that he would swim after a shark if he met one in the water. Quiet Seemred. A witty clergyman was once aunoyed during divine service by several young people who talked and giggled. Paus ing, he looked straight at the disturbers and said : "I am always afraid to reprove thuse who misbehave, for this reason : Some years since, as 1 was preaching, a young man before me was constantly laughing, talking and making uncouth grimaces. I paused and administered a severe rebuke. Alter the close of the service, a gentleman s-iid to me, 'Sir, you have made a great mistake; that young man was an idiot.' Since then I have always been afraid to reprove those who misbehave themselves in Church, lest I should repeat that mis take and reprove another idiot." During the rest of the service there was good order.
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