The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, October 02, 1877, Image 1
VOL. XI. JSTEAV BLOOMFIELD, 1JA.., TUESDAY, O0TO131LR 2, 1877. NO. 39. THE TIMES. An Independent Tamil; .Newspaper, 18 PUDLISnED EVERT TUE8DAT BT F. M0HTIME1 Subscription Price. Within the County, 11 25 " " " Six months 75 Out of the Comity, Including postage, 150 " " " slxmoutli9 " 85 Invariably In Advance I Advertising rates furnished upon appli cation. $ele5t PoetiV. 'NEVER DESPAIR." Never despair, U a motto tnost true, Tho' never adopted, except by the few Who fight bravely onward, 'midst trial and care, Trusting In God, they never despair. Never dospair, In sorrow or care, Keep a stout heart and never despair. Though ill fortune meet yon wherever yon go, Faint not nor falter j 'twill not always bo so, For he who strives nobly to do and to dare Will sometime win victory ) so never despair. Never despair I There are laurels to wear For him who tolls onward, so never despair. Subjects are we of oppression and wrong, Heed not the hindrance, fight bravely along; There's One who will aid you In sorrow or care, Do the noblest you can and never despair. Never despair I There are triumphs to share, And glory awaits you, so never despair. ' All that we aim at In life may be done If we strive at the task till the object be won) l ui vi in J iv uiiu n iiu um buumgv .1 uniu Will victory come s so never despair. Never despair I For time will deel are A triumph for those who never despair. A LUCKY SHOT. (t X 7ERY wetday,slr," said the cheery ( V host of the " Traveler's Rest," as he assisted me to take off my heavy rid ing coat. " Very wet, indeed," I replied. "I've had my share of it during my thirty mile ride to-day 1" Mine host conducted me to a room with a cheery fire burning in the grate; and having been served with a good hot supper and my favorite glass of hot brandy, I began to feel more comforta ble. I drew up my chair to the fire, en cased my feet in a pair of easy slippers, and filled my pipe preparatory to a quiet smoke, when I was disturbed by the en trance of my host. " Won't you Join the company in the next room, sir V" We have a social club held here twice a week, and perhaps they may amuse you during the even ing." "With pleasure!" I replied. Bo, tak ing my glass and pipe, I followed my landlord into a large room, which was almost filled with a numerous company. At the moment of my entrance they were listening with evident satisfaction to a story told by one of their number. My host briefly introduced me, and I took a chair close to the story .-teller, and prepared to enjoy my smoke. " Now, Mr. White, you must begin your story again, inlnonor of the gentle man." Bo Mr. White recommenced. "You must know, gentlemen," he began, "that the scene of my tale lies in Australia, Just about the time of the gold fever there." i The tones of the speaker's voice seem ed familiar to me, and I gave him a searching look. What did I see V The lobe of his left ear was missing. I half started from my seat, upsetting my glass of brandy by my elbow, and startling the company generally. " I beg pardon, gentlemen ; a sudden spasm that is all 1" I stammered out. " It is the same man 1" I soliloquized. I was supplied with a fresh glass of brandy, and Mr. White resumed : " Well, I was only a young fellow at the time, and I got bitten by the gold fever, like many other people besides. Every paper contained dazzling accounts of the riches tb be found in that far-off land, so at last I made up my mind to go and try my luck. When I told Mary, she cried, and tried to dissuade me, but It was of no use, I was determined, and soon after I left home for London.where '1 entered my name on the books as a steerage passenger on board the clipper built liner Australasia." " Mary was his sweetheart," interpos ed my left-hand neighbor. " I well remember tho day we failed. The scenes at the docks were very affect ing. Husbands were parting from wives brothers from sinters, young fellows from their sweethearts, and I was not sorry when the tug towed us out to sea. We were a motley company. There were representatives of nil classes la borers, mechanics, broken-down lawyers and students, clerks, a goodly sprink ling, too, of the hangers-on about town, and even a couple of Methodist minis ters. All were going to try their for tunes at the new Eldorado. We had very good weather during our voyage, and I suffered but little from sea-slck- 68. I made many companions, but there was one man I took au aversion to. lie was called Wapping Bill, lie was a tall, broad-shouldered fellow, with a great shock of red hair, and a close cropped beard ; a pair of small, ferret like eyes that seemed to vanish beneath his shaggy eyebrows when any one ad dressed him, and an expression that showed him to be the reverse of a quiet and respectable fellow. "In duo time we arrived at Ml bourne. It was then a mere collection of wooden houses, and hastily thrown up shanties, and was peopled by repre sentatives from nearly all civilized na tions on the face of the earth. Twenty of us formed a party, bought some tools, and proceeded to the diggings on foot. Arriving there, we bought claims and set to work to unearth the long-talked of gold. My chum was a steady-going fellow, called Sandy, a Scotchman. We dug a shaft, hauled up the gold-bearing earth, and washed it In a large box with plates full of holes. The water washed away the earth, leaving the gold in the form of nugguts and dust on the plates. For the first week or so we found little or nothing, and my golden dreams be gan to wane. Then, one morning, San dy gave a shout of joy, and, hastily ascending the shaft, I saw in the cradle several nuggets of pure gold. I was half mad with delight, and for the rest of the day I worked with the energy of two men. Before nightfall we had more than 20 ounces of small nuggets and dust. We stitched it up in small canvas bags, and hid it for safety in the floor of the tent. We went on in this way for months, then our claim began to give out. " Just about this time a convoy was going to Melbourne to take some gold to the bank there. We therefore agreed to send some of ours to be deposited in the bank, and get notes In exchange When we got to the place of starting, I was surprised to see among the mount ed troopers forming the escort, my shock-headed fellow-voyager. I men tioned my distrust of him to my chum ; and, in consequence, we only sent half of the intended quantity. The fellow evidently knew I distrusted him, for when I went up with our parcel, he gave me a malicious look that boded me no good. The escort numbered about ten or fifteen well armed troopers, with a four-horse wagon, and they left early in the morning for their destination. We gave them three ringing cheers at the boundaries of the camp, and wished them a safe return. I had a singular foreboding that I had Been the last of my gold, but I mentioned my fears to none but my chum. "Tho day following I went to Mat Durn's drinking hut a place frequented by the lucky finders and loafers to hear the day's news. The saloon was full of diggers, etc. Some were discussing the day's finds ; others were playing poker, the stakes being nuggets or dust; the majority were standing at the bar drinking and smoking. I called for a drink, filled the short cutty, and took a seat among the card-players. "Well, Tom, how's your luck'r" said a broad-shouldered Yorkshireman, who had came over with me. " ' Very poor at present,' I replied. " ' Have a hand then, man ; winning dust at poker, is better than digging." " I joined the game, and played for a while. At last one of the players threw up his hand, and said he was cleaned out; so, thinking it might be my turn soon, I stopped. I finished my glass and prepared to leave the room. Just as I got to the door, a burly digger, came rushing In, almost upsetting me, and uttering the most frightful oaths. The entire saloon was in an uproar In an in stant. Revolvers and knives were drawn, and a dozen voices shouted out, "What is the matter V" " ' Mattoi: enough !' replied the Invad ing digger, with another volley of ex pletives. ' The escort's been attacked, and the gold's gone!' " Words fall to describe the scene that ensued. Men swore, tore their hair, danced, and raved like madmen. When the tumult had somewhat subsided, I managed to make out that the wagon had been attacked In the dead of night by a party of armed rangers. A fight had taken place, but a trooper had been killed, and the gold had been taken. The attack had evidently . been pre-arranged, for half of the troopers had been found drugged, and were conse quently unable to fight. Three of them were reported missing, Wapping' Bill amongst the number. I went off to our tent, and told Sandy. 'You're right about the villain, but we'll be even with him yet.' " We went back to the saloon, where we found nearlyv all the diggers assem bled, listening to an account of the af fair from one of the troopers. It appear ed, that shortly after leaving the camp, the axletree of the wagon broke, neces sitating a stoppage. Night came on, and found them still delayed by the broken wagon. Rain fell, and some of the troopers took a little spirits to keep out the cold. About midnight, the troopers who were acting as sentries were alarm ed by the rush of half-a-dozen mounted bush-rangers. They endeavored to wake up the others, but they were overpower ed, and fastened to the trees. The con tents of the wagon were divided among the gang, and they soon rode off, follow ed by Wapping Bill and three troopers. In the morning, ' the bound troopers managed to awake the others by their cries, and then It was found, by their condition, that the spirits must have been drugged, hence their inability to offer any resistance. " We held a hasty council and decided to send to a station four miles away, fcr fresh troopers. By means of a fleet messenger, a search party was organized and they left the camp two hours later, preceeded by the black tracker to point out the trail. Luckily, I managed to be enrolled among the party, much to my satisfaction. I had a score to settle with Wapping Bil I and I intended to give a good account of him If we met. "We numbered twenty resolute, well armed fellows, carrying revolvers and knives, whilst the twelve troopers with us had revolvers in addition. " We proceeded first to the scene of the encounter. We found the wagon drawn off the track and overturned. The black trackers soon took up the trail and we went into the bush in Indian file. Our progress was necessarily slow, but we were quite certain of coming up with the rangers at last. We followed the blacks for a couple of hours, then one of them suddenly set up a warning cry, and we rushed forward. In the centre of an open glade, we saw the body of a man laid upon the ground. Scat tered around were bits of canvas, and grains of gold glittering in tho grass. Examining the body we recognized it to be a person some of us had seen hang ing about the camp a few days previous to the starting of the escort. A small blue hole la his forehead told what had happened. Evidently a dispute had arisen among the rangers, and this poor fellow had been shot for his obstinacy. We again took up the trail and proceed ed. The bush now became less dense, and we made greater progress. About a mile further on, one of the blacks, who was some hundred yards ahead, sudden ly dropped flat on the grass, and gave us a warning signal. Advancing cautious ly to his side, we peered through the bushes. Down in a hollow were six bush-rangers, seated around a small fire. Their horses were tethered near them, and various packages were scattered about. Out plans were soon laid. We made a detour,und completely surround ed them. I crept quietly through the underwood, intending to reach a tree, which grew about twenty yards from the fire of the bush-rangers. Suddenly a hand was laid on my shoulder. I hasti ly turned, and saw a tall ranger close by my side. He grasped me by the collar, and presented a revolver to my fore-bead. " One sound, and I'll blow your brains out,' he hissed. " Resistance was useless, so I submit- ted. lie disarmed me, flung me oil the ground, and fastened my hands behind me with a cord he pulled from his pock et. He then went a few yards away, to warn the rangers, I suppose. I heard a ringing cheer, shots, oaths, and all the usual noise of a hand-to-hand encounter. Giving a short and sudden wrench, I got loose and rushed forward to seethe result of the fight. Just as I advanced, I heard two shots fired almost simulta neously, anil a bullet shaved past my head. I clapped my hand to my left car. Heaven I the -lobe was shot away. Another inch, and I should have been killed. " ' Rather a narrow shave, that,' said one of the troopers, coming forward. ' I just saw the fellow drawing a bead on you when I dropped him.' " I went forward, and found the vic tory had been ours. Three of the rang ers had been shot down, one of them be ing Wapping Bill. Two were wounded, and lay on the ground, whilst one had escaped. Judge Lynch soon settled the two prisoners. " We recovered all of our gold, and we made preparations for our return. . We gave the dead a hasty burial, easing them, of course, of all valuables, etc I found a pocket-book on the body of my would-be slayer, and from it I gleaned a full account of the gang. From infor mation therein contained, Sandy and I, some weeks later, made a little expedi tion of our own to a place in the bush, where we found quite a large collec tion of nuggets and dust the result of many mouths of a bush-ranger's life. As it was impossible to restore the treas ure to its lawful owners, we were obliged to keep it. We returned to camp ; and in consideration of our successful efforts we received a share of the gold. Some months later I left the diggings, and re turned home, married Mary, and settled down here. I ought to add that I gave the trooper who so bravely saved my life an old silver ring to wear for my sake. I have never seen him since ; but if ever I do, he shall be welcomed as a king. Such, gentlemen, is the story of a 'Lucky Shot.'" The hearty thanks of the company were voted to Mr. White, for his story, and the company drank the trooper's health. You never saw him after ?" I asked Mr. White. "Never, sir." " Could you recognize him If you were to see him V" I asked. " I can't say ; he may have altered considerably ; but I should recognize the ring immediately." " Then is that it V" said I, putting out my right hand, on the little finger of which was the identical ring. " It is ; and you are Jack Fox." " I am ; and I am exceedingly glad to meet an old friend once more." Loud were the exclamations of Joy at this disclosure. We had fresh bumpers, and we caroused until the small hours, fighting our old battles over again. I accepted Mr. White's Invitation to stay with him for a short time, and I must admit that I spent some very hap py hours in " The Traveler's Rest." A Bucks County Preacher. A STORY - of old times In Bucks county is told that illustrates the manner and customs of the last century, and shows that human nature in the preacher was about the same then as now. In those primitive times the surplus produce of the farmers, especially the lighter articles, such as butter, eggs, poultry, dried fruits, etc., was largely conveyed to Philadelphia market on horseback ; not only by men, but by women, young as well as old. For the sake of company and protection, a large number of these would oftentimes travel in squads, naturally making the Journey interesting by hilarity, song, jest and mirth, and in telling stories and anecdotes. This was especially the case on coming homeward, when, having disposed of their produce, they returned with empty saddle-bags, which likewise enabled them to vary the monotony of the trip by racing their nags to the top of their speed. The young women were as apt and expert as the young men in this diversion. On one occasion a party of these had raced their horses with such boisterous hilarity that on their return the story of their behaviour greatly scandalized their sober and 6teadfust elders, who thought their con duct worthy of overhauling and reproof, and what was the worst of all, the gay daughter of tho reverend preacher him self was reputed to have been the ring leader, and the most fearless in these sacrilegious sports, and the grave sire was moved to call the erring maiden to account for her unseemly behavior lu a child of one of the pillars of orthodoxy, of whose training better things was- to have been expected. But the grave, stern, Scotch divine, nevertheless, had. a soft spot in his heart for the bonnie lassie, as she appeared before him in her youth and beauty, half shame-faced at her misconduct, but half triumphing In. her wild exploits, with the free, bold spirit of her race illuminating her coun tenance. "Well, Jeannet," said he, with, a frown of censure on his brow, and with a Scottish accent in his words which we cannot reproduce, " is this story true that I hear of you racing your horse in that Godless fashion, and behaving so badly as to bring scandal on the church and the people of God ?" But Jeannet knew the divine's weak point, and after a moment's hesitation replied, " Yes, father, I did, and I ran old Bob up hill and down dale, and ' would not have been behind If I should have had to run the legs off him." Her father was a man as well as a minister, and had not subdued his weak ness for horsemanship, but a feeling of pride and elation arose within him, both in regard to his horse and the girl's bold riding. The narrative of her success was too much for his equanimity. "And did you beat, Jeannet V" " Yes, Indeed." . ' , , Instead of the expected reproof,, he bestowed on her a look of triumph, and. replied, "Well done, Jean net, well done,, and I give you credit for it." How the French Workman Lives. The French laborer probably gets mora for his wages than any other. His food, is cheaper and more nourishing. His bouillon is the liquid essence of beef a penny per bowl. His bread at the res- taurant is thrown In without extra charge, and is the best bread In the world. His hot coffee and nailk are peddled about the streets in the morn ing at a sou per cup. It is coffee, not slops. His half bottle of claret is thrown in at a meal costing 12 cents. For a few cents he may enjoy an evening's amuse ment at one of the many mltor theatres, with his coffee free. Six-pence pays for a nicely-cushioned seat at the theatre. No gallery gods, no peanuts, pipe smoke, drunkenness, yelling or howl iDg. The Jardin des Plantes, the vast galleries and museums of the Louvre, Hotel Cluny, palace of the" Luxemberg and Versailles are free for him to enter. Art and science hold out to him their choicest treasures at small cost or no cost at all. French economy and fru gality do not mean that constant re trenchment and self-denial which de prive life of everything which makes it worth living for. Economy In France, more than in any other country, means a civilization of what America throws away ; but it does not mean a pinching process of reducing life to a barren ex istence of work and bread and water. Suggestive Fact as to Music. Music Impresses itself almost Indeli bly upon the memory. Two children were once stolen by the Indians." Years after a number of white children were recaptured from the Indians, and'the mother of these two were requested to come and see if she could Identify them from among all this number. She found two whom she thought were her long lost children. She talked to them about old times, relating Incident after Inci dent of their early childhood, but they remembered none of these things. About to leave in despair, she sung one of the sweet songs that she used to eing to them in the evening hours, and their faces Immediately kindled with vague remembrances of childhood's hours, and they cried " mother." The song was remembered when all else was forgotten. Some of the early legislators wrote their laws in verse and the people learned toy slngtheui.