Locomotive, Volume 43, Number 12, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 February 1858 — Page 1

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ELDER & HARKNE5S, "The Chariots shall rage In the streets, they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings." Aaium,i, 4Printers end Publishers.

VOL. XLIII.

X II V. L O0 WOTIV IS PRINTED AND PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY BY ELDER & HARKNESS, At their Book and Job Printing Office, on Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Ind,, opposite the Post Office. ' TERMS Ono Dollar a your. Twenty-Ova Cents for three mon Hi a. Six copies to one inl dress for one year, Five Dollars; thirteen copies ono your for Ton Dollars, 11Jjin apvaxce ih all vxnr.rt.rjl No paper will be sent until pwid for, and no paper will be continued after the time paid Tor expires, unless renewed. 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Xliey are soft and plonsiint to tlie eye. Tlicy strengthen and improve the Sight Adjusted to vision with care and Judgment by i,. w. ihosks, ' Practical Optician, No. 8, West Washington street, novM-ly Indianapolis, Indiana. flAKES pleasure in returning his thanks to the Ladles and I Gentlemen of this places and vicinity for their very liberal patronage, and still hopes to meet the same confidence he has engaged since he commenced the practice of his profession in Indianapolis. Artiicial Teeth, from one to a full Bet, inserted on Platina, Gold, or Silver. Particular attention given to regulating, cleaning, and extracting Teeth. Kllier given when required. All work warranted, and charges reasonable. Office 2d story Fletcher & Woolley's block, No. 8 East Washington street. Oct. 24-tf J. F. HILL. O. GOLDSMITH. J. B. HtIL Fruit and Ornamental Nursery. THE undersigned have established themselves in the Nursery business on tiie well known Nursery grounds formerly occupied by Aaron Aldredge, a few rods east of the corporation line, Indianapolis. We have on hand a general assortment of fruit trees, of such varieties as are best adapted to our soil and climate. The trees are of the very best quality . Also a very fine stock of Ornamental Hhr"bbery. We are now ready to fill all orders promptly. Address, HILL, GOLDSMITH $ CO., " novT-'ST-tf . Indianapolis, Ind. WOO LEN YARNS OF THE 1EEST QtALIXT, Manufactured at Richmond, Indiana, FOR SALE, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, AT W ILL A B D'S. October 24, 1P57. Important to Young Men ! ! ! TF YOU WISH TO ACQUIRE A COMPLETE K.NOWLY EDGE of Book Keeping' in all its brunch as, attend HAYDEN'S MEKCANTILE COLLEGE, At Indianapolis, where each student is drilled at the desk, step by step, until he has mastered the entire routine of an accountant's duties, and is fully qualified for taking charge of any set nf hooks. . . TPPThe Evenlner Session has commenced. If you wish totON ') eomnl ite a course this winter. ou should enter soon. Fot a circular containing full particulars, address the Prin cipal, - oct!7-ly ' J. C. HAYDEN, Indianapolis, Ind JOSIAH LOCKE. KRIK LOCKS. LOCKR & BHOl'ItEB, INSURANCE- AGENTS, N. W. Cor. Washington and Meridian st's, over Dunlop's Store, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA HARTFORD INSURANCE CO., of Hifrlford Conn., Nott Assets, $542,82!) 74 Home Insurance Co.. of New York, Nett Assets, 872,823 00 Phoenix Insurance Co., of Hartford, Court., Nett Assets, 309,149 94 Farmer's Union Insurance Co., of Athens Peun., Nett Assets, 237,138 82 City Fire Insurance Co., of Hartford, Conn., Nett Assets, 201,085 40 New England Life Insurance Co., of Hoston Mass., Nett Assets, 1,074,825 95 Charter Oak Life Insurance Co., of Hartford, Conn., july4, '57 1-y Nett Assets, 495,702 29 W. A. KEYS. JAS. H. SEYBOLD. CENTKE ItlAIlllLK WI(K$! KEYS & SEVBOLD, Wholesale and Retail Dealers In ITALIAN AND AMERICAN MARBLE! Meridian St, Opposite the Post Office, Indianapolis, Ind. OUR stock of Marble is selected with great care, and is superior to mostof stocks any whore. Those who wish to purchase choice kinds are invited. to visit our works. Orders to any extent, and for any kind required, will be f rnished on short notice. All work executed in the best of workmaiishsp, and of the most approved order and style. 91 on umen ts, irive Stones, Counters, Table-Tops, Mantles, Ac, constantly on hand, or furnished to order. Jf. B. Persons wanting anything in our line, will find It to their interest to give us a call before purchasing elsewhere. Remember opposite P. O. inay23-ly E. J. HSALlVI & CO., ; JEWELERS. No. 1 Hates House. riHANKFUL FOR PAST FAVORS, would respectfully beg I leave to inform the public that they are stilt on hand with their usual full assortment of every thing in the way of Watches, Jewelry, Silve Ware, &c. We wish it distinctly understood that we do not keep the lownriced. boeus Watches ami Jewelry, gotten ut, for auction sales; but will guarantee to sell good, honest articles as low as can possibly be had elsewhere in the West. Our Silver Ware is warranted equal to Coin; our Watches bound to go and keep time, ana an our goous just whi we represent mem to be For further proof call and examine for yourselves. We have the best Watc-iimaker in the country in our em ploy; so bring on your Watches. feb2-tf QUEENS WAKE. D 1 ItECT importation per Ships 'Northland" and "Musongus," 89 Crates in Store, assortod in White Iron Stone Dining Ware, new styles; Tea do do Toilet do - - do Dishes; - Bakers, &c. JACOB LINDLEV, :, glfitf No. 16, West Washington street. House, Sign and Ornamental Painting I am now prepared to hiake contracts for Painting in all its branches, and those who entrust work to me may be assured of it being satisfactorily done. I would resnectfiillv solicit of those who Intend to have Painting done to their premises, to please lavor me wuu meir patronage. I pledge invself to do the best work at the cheapest charges. Orders for Sign Painting promptly executed by the best w,irKiiieii,anu in an cisca wiiilohicu suusiaciory. J. B. OSGOOD, Office, Room No. 6, Blake's Building, second Boor mar 2?-lv

INDIANAPOLIS,

THE SHADOWS AND THE SUNSHINE. . CHAPTElt 1. " A letter for you, sir !" I broke the seal and rend with astonishment " Mr. Edward Worthington. " Sir, Pardon these intrusive lines, and rest assured that they are from one who shall ever be proud to call himself your sincere friend. Lucy Ames is not faithful to you ! I do not write this to you for any base purpose ; for 6ince I know so well your generous and noble nature, I cannot hesitate when 1 see that nature become the innocent dupe of vile dissimulation. Nor have I been too hasty in communicating to you this knowledge ; I only fear it is too late, but rest assured that all I have said is true, and can be attested by one who has an undoubted personal knowl edge of all the facts. Arthur Wesley, our village schoolmaster, is your too fortunate rival. lours,. " A i riend. This was not the first intimation I had of Lu cy s inconstancy. I had seen things with my own eyes that made me doubt her sincerity. For a Jong time the unwelcome suspicion had been preying upon me, and this fatal letter had come to bring conviction stern, irrevocable conviction. 1 did not doubt the truth of it ; and yet how it writhed my soul with torture to think of it, to admit it. It did not, it could not crush mo I braved it to the last I had been less than man to do otherwise. I re-perused the letter calmly no, not calmly not indifferently, as though it were decreed of Fate that I should not only drain the bitter cup, but should swallow the very dregs. And yet 1 loved the wayward girl, and gladlv, oh, how gladly, would I have forgiven her im prudence, lo her first of all 1 went to seek an interview. Lucv was proud, too proud to be ust to herself, yet she was generous and noble, in spite of all her fickleness. . ' ' . Obstinately convinced that she had preferred another to me, I did not ask nor expect any explanation from her ; I showed her without any hesitation the letter 1 had just received and re quested her to return me such letters as I had previously written to her, and any other little keepsake which might in future only prove an noying to fjer. fehe bestowed on me a look 1 shall never forget. .,, , " Do you believe this, Edward ?" .' " I do 1" I replied without hesitation. " What impeachable evidence !" she retorted, with the first impulse of pride. " 1 do not rely on the information contained in this letter. I have seen enough myself without asking any person's advice or opinion. She immediately left the room, and returned in a few moments with a package of letters and a small box of jewels, my former presents, saying gaily, as she placed them in my hands " By these tokens, then, since it is your will, I absolve you 1" In spile of the smile that played upon her mouth, I thought I could detect traces of recent tears, hastily brushed away from her cheeks. In a moment the thought flashed upon my mind that she might, after all, be true. Impulsively I was about tp speak to her, to ask her if it was not so ; but what should I say ? I had gone to far, and it was too late to retreat. But, as the thought had come upon me like a flash, it vanished as it had come, leaving no alternative but to pursue the course I had adopted. " iarewell then I 1 said, with apparent mditference. " May your life be ever lighted by the sunshine of happiness. " Thank you ! I trust no act of my own may ever bring misery upon me." " Conscience, Miss Ames conscience I " Will never reproach me 1" " God grant it. The step that you have taken may, in your opinion, be just, but let me assure you that others do not think so. We do not al ways see ourselves as others see us. " I have done nothing, Mr. Worthington, to merit this you are not only deceived, but im pertinent, sir : and cautiously avoid any question hat might lead to an explanation " I ask no explanation," I hurriedly replied ; and immediately took my departure in no very amiable mood, nor did I wish to humble sufficiently to ask her any questions that might, as she had suggested, lead to a satisfactory explanation. What a victory pride had won! How pertect and complete had been its ultimate success on both sides. Chapter II. I hurried from the door, as I turned my steps homeward again. Instinctively I took the usual course in returning to the village (for Lucy lived nearly a mile out of town, J and walked down the railway track, so busy with my thoughts as to be utterly unconscious of anything and every thing else. There was a high bridge that lay between me and the village, just wide enough for the track, the middle of which was planked over for the convenience of pedestrians. Outside the track it was impossible to walk. One of the planks, which was very thick and heavy, had been partly raised for' some purpose, and left in that position. In endeavoring to pass it, I struck my foot against it, stumbled and, in recovering myself, forced one leg through the aperture, and striking my other foot with all the force required to regain my equilibrium, replaced the plank in such a maimer as not only Jett my foot protruding through the narrow crack, but promised to present a difficulty in removing the plank. 1 smiled to think how curiously I had been en trapped, and stooped down to remove the plank, and tree myself trom so dangerous a position I he task was not so easily performed as I had imagined. The plank was wedged in, in such a manner that no elfort ot mine could remove it I strove with more than mortal power, but it was in vain : nor could I extricate my foot, which was lacerated and smarting with the pain in its close confinement. At first I did not consider the extent of my peril, but I soon began to percieve the danger of my situation : and 1 shuddered with norror to think that I should be obliged to remain there and be crushed to death by the train ! It was a cold day in December, and yet the beaded drops burst from every pore. A moment o. phrenzied delirium succeeded, and when I rallied again, I

IND SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1858.

found myself sitting between the rails, my foot j still a pi isoner, and no prospect of delivery. I looked at my watch : it was half-past three. At five the down train would pass, or if that should be late, the express would go up at halfpast five ; and at half past four it would be dark. It was possible, nay probable, that some one would pass by before it should be too late. This way was nearer to the village than the road, though always regarded as more dangerous on account of the narrowness of the bridge, from which there would be no possibility of escape, in case a train should come in sight while passing over it. Already one had been killed by endeavoring to cross at a time when the train was due ; and should I be the second to perish there ? How the thought tortured me ; and once again I tugged at the resisting plank. With all my strength I tried to withdraw my foot, and leave the boot ; but impossible 1 Ii was four o'clock in half an hour it would be dark another half hour and death would be certain ! I shouted for aid, but no habitation was within half a mile, and no answer was returned to my cries. Again, and again I shrieked, while the despairingechoes reverberated in thedistance, as tho' they would mock me in my misery. And then, with all the accumulated strength of mad ness, I wrenched the plank, but could not move it from its place. It could not be possible that I should be obliged to sit there and be crushed to death, when human aid was so near. Had "I been in some isolated forest, some depth of country, distant from town or cottage, my doom might have been more certain. Once again I shrieked with agonized fury ; wildly, desperately the sounds of my voice rung out on the chilling air ; while nothing but the mocking echoes made rcP': ...... The sun had set, and the darkness was gath ering fast over the valley below. Already the last reddening of sunshine was gleaming on the tops of the trees. My irrevocable destiny became every moment more and more apparent. Hark I My Uod ! the train! JNo, no! 1 stretched iorward and listened with breathless eagernes. There was not a sound to break the silence ; I must have been deceived. ' But list 1 a voice 1 a voice! Thank God! , " Help ! help ! help 1" I cried; and each time I shouted the word, I seemed in despair, nerved up to a greater power of speech, and calling louder and louder each time. Did he hear ? There was no answer all was still ! Oh, merciful Heaven, was this last chance of life denied me ?" - " Halloo 1" . The voice was distant, but oh, how my blood leaped with joy at the sound 1 Again I called with all the strength of my lungs, and again I was answered. In a little while a figure appeared anvancing toward me, but it was growing already so dark, I could not recognize him, nor did I care to ; but when he came close to me, one glance showed me it was Arthur Wesley 1 should I let him pass by, nor ask him to assist me ? Would he do so ? As he approached he asked " Is this you, Mr. Worthington ? Bless me, are you hurt?" ! ' No, thank you, I am not much hurt, but sec, I am so nicely trapped here, that I could not free myself all, alone, and I think it is nearly time for the down train to be due." It was growing dark very fast ; so dark, indeed, was it that I found it impossible to discov er what time it was by my watch. He never hesitated a moment, but seized the detested plank with both hands, and at the same instant I, also imitated his movements. The accursed thing re sisted all our efforts, and remained obstinately immovable. What should be done 1 In half an hour the train would be due would there be time to so for assistance to brine; an axe and liberate my foot ? He would try. " For God's sake, Mr. Wesley," said I, as he started to go, " be expeditious. It is too horrible to be obliged to sit here and face death un willingly. ! I was alone again. The wind sighed mourn fully about me, but I felt relief. . I even forgot my danger, and' turned my attention once more to the thoughts with which 1 had been occupied when I unwittingly stumbled into my present un pleasant dilemma. Nevertheless, I was apprehensive that he might be delayed until the train should pass. In tact, I had no assurance that he had lime to go to Mr Ames' and return before it should be too late. Another thought rushed upon my frantic brain. Had he deceived me? Would he not only be too happy in being thus easily rid of my unwel come presence ? I knew, he never would come to me again he would leave me to the mercy of such a cruel death. Heavens 1 There is no mis taking that sound the whistle at the P Station, only five miles distant. How well do I remember the thoughts that passed through my mind, as I patiently awaited the return of Arthur Wesley ; for although I had every reason to believe he would not come, still I instinctively awaited him, and hoped, oh, how I hoped he would return. Hour after hour had I sat there all day, and now I was still waiting and vibrating between the hope of delivery and the almost certain conviction of destruction. The fearful chill of despair was creeping over me my trembling limbs already announced that my nerves were sinking into exhaustion. At every moment I kept a watch for his returning foot steps, but no welcome sound tell on my ear. Hark ! it is the train ! The low, distant thun der cannot deceive me now. It will be here in a few minutes. . ' Help ! help !" The wailing cry faded away, and there was no answer. Louder and louder came the thunder nearer and nearer came the train, lhe rising moon disclosed to me the white columns of smoke and steam, rising above the hill beyond the curve and now the retrularlv beatinff puff and courrh of the engine struck my ear, like the gloating chuckl of some terrible monster regarding his victim How like a phrenzy the thought came on me that it was now too late for assistance! JNo human beino- would venture on the bridge when the train was within hearing distance, when it was too dark to distinguish objectsin time to stop the impetuous brehoi'Stj : and yet, lunous ana iraniic ai u thought of such a death, I stretched my tremb

ling limbs to their utmost, and shrieked again 1 and ngain until I grew hoarse, and the thundcr-

g train drowned the feeble effort of my voice. And now delirium seized me. I fancied some iant fiend held down tho plank which I vainly tried to wrench from its firm Dosition I could lear the chuckle of satisfaction that it gave to think it had me there 60 safely in its power. lhe ;oud roar that now reached mv ear an nounced that the train had struck the bridge there came an end to hope oh, God, no power could avert the death that stared me in the face! or an instant I saw countless demons hovering through the air. Fire and smoke enveloped me - there was a crushing blow, a convulsion, a dim recollection of keen pains shooting through my mpnsoned limb, and all was darkness. 1 knew no more. , CHAPTER III. ' When I returned again to consciousness, I was lying on an easy couch, in a room dim-lighted, ut neatly and tidily furnished. While I lay ponering where I was, and trying to recall what had assed, the door was slowly opened, and Lucy Ames entered the room. In a moment she was by my bedside, watching the motions and the exressions of my countenance, doubtless imagining that I was still delirious. " Lucy Miss Ames !" She started back as I uttered the name, as though unwilling that I should discover her real thoughts ; but, in a moment, recovering all selfpossession, she looked calmly toward me, anu asked, with a tone of anected indifference " Do you not feel easier, now ?" " Indeed I scarce know how I do feel," I re plied, "but there is a pain and soreness in my head, and, in fact, all my limbs. I must have been badly hurt." 1 had a dim recollection of the occurrence nar rated in the previous chapter ; and I surely felt surprised that I should have again awakened to lite. The pain which I felt, on regaining my reason, increased now momentarily. A physician was at hand, and every effort was made by him, as well as the members of Mr. Ames tamily (in whose house I was then lying,) in which, also, Lucy and Mr. Wesley joined, to alleviate my sufferings. In spite of all their attentions, my pains were rapidly augmented, and in a short time I was again lost in the unconscious delirium ot lever. In my vague dreamings, I was again on the narrow bridge, bending every effort, and straining every nerve, to remove the piece ot wood that bound me there. Again 1 was chained to a huge rock, in which unconscious laborers were drilling holes, which they filled with powder, to blast the unseemly mass to atoms. Fiends, shapeless and hideous, flew about me, chatting in glee demons danced on the sharp edges of the rock, chuckling again like the measured putt ot the engine ; and, at intervals, they stooped to bind the chains closer, until the links festered into the very flesh, and turned my blood to gall with the poison in which they had been dipped. Caverns yawned on every side to receive me. All at once was heard the long shrill whistle of the engine, and voices that seemed the very agony of despair, screamed on every side of me. " I he train ! the train ! But all this was past. ' 1 was well again, and could walk about the house with the aid of crutch, for I had left one foot suspended in the bridge where 1 had so miraculously escaped death Lucy had re-assured me ot her love ; not indeed by words, but by her actions. Long and patient ly had she watched by my side ; and to her more than any other do I owe the preservation of my life. JNo words had passed between us in rela tion to the subject which had so nearly separated us, yet there seemed to be a tacit acknowledge ment of the error on my part, and a cheerful forgiveness on hers. But one day, when we chanced to be alone, I recurred to the folly of which L had been guilty, and more formally asked her forgiveness. " Freely do I forgive you, if indeed you have been guilty of any act which would seem to re quire it. You doubtless acted according to your earnest inclination, which I would not wish to op pose. 1 supposed your only object was to secure the hand of another in leaving me, and that " " Lucy, Lucy ! It was not so I was mad : I was a fool ! I believed too rashly, but now I will believe nothing, I will not even credit what I see; but tell me, Lucy, how it happened that on one or two occasions, after excusing yourself from ac companying me to an evening s visit, or party, I should afterwards meet you returning home at almost midnight, in company with Mr. Wesley ?" " bull jealous, 1 see. " No, no '.but " ' ., " Listen, then, and I will explain all, which I might have done sooner had you requested it. I was anxious to learn F'rench : and as this was probably the only opportunity I should ever have, I had engaged to take private lessons of Mr. Wesley. I did not think it necessary to tell every one why I was so often 6een in the company of that gentleman, who, I must assure you, is not only a very amiable young man, but is engaged to my cousin, with whom no inducement could cause him to break the compact." " But why did he delay so long to come to my assistance, when I was about to be crushed by the train ?" 1 " He did, indeed, make all haste in his power; but, in company with mv brother, arrived a mo ment too late, when it would have been madness to have gone on the bridge. In the light they saw you fall into the water, which was fortunately deep and rapid consequently free from ice. They hastened to the bank of the stream, and in a few moments succeeded in rescuing you from this second danger, and bore you to the house ' Friends ! thank God ! all friends !" I could not help but utter, after listening to Lucy's ex planation of all that had transpired, I was happy again though maimed for life, a fact which Lucy generously seemed to quite overlook, as she did not hesitate to become Mrs. Worthington in less than a month after my perfect convalescence. "Pompey," said a good natured gentleman to his colored man, "I did not know till to-day you had been whipped last week. "Didn t you massa ?" replied Pompey.- "I knowed it at tho time."

NO. 12.

C0MMEECE IS KING THE PURSE IS STEONGEK THAN THE SCEPTRE. Henry Ward Beechcr, in his nervous stvl. thus shows how much more powerful a com mercial panic now affects the world than a war does : "A bank explodes in Ohio; then a line of banks gives way in Pennsylvania. It shook the continent more than all the canonade of Sevastopol. Next, the Banks of New York suspended. All ousiness stopped, bociety was tremulous from top to bottom 1 The tidings aro borne across tho ocean. That wonderful Island, whose top is narrow, but whose base is broad as the whole earth, began to quiver, and that silent panic brought her down quicker than nn axe brings the ox! War could not make her plumes quiver; but Commerce, by a look cast upon the ground. And it stands apparent to the world, by the greatest demonstration, that Commerce has supplanted War, and is its master. The General's sword, the Marshal's truncheon, the King's crown, are not the strongest things. The world's strength lies in the million hands of producers and exchanges. Power has shifted. No matter who reigns the Merchant rules. No matter what the form of government is, the power of the world is in the hands of tho people. The King's hand is weaker than the Banker's. War cannot convulse the world but Capital can. "There are undoubted evidences of the advance of the world in true civilization. Within the last ten years the most extraordinary wars and civil revolutions have taken place on the globe. Once such a combination and movement as we have but lately beheld, would have affected the whole globe with terror. Since the French Emperor put his bloody foot upon the steps of the throne, there have been set on foot the most wide spread combinations of governments, the most prodigious nrmies and navies, such as turn the historic Armada into a mere affair of yachts. Once the globe would have trembled to the footsteps of such an unparalleled war! So much did the spirit of the past dwell in military things, that a hundred or two hundred years ago, such a thing would have drawn with it the world's nerve, and blood, and vitality. But now all Western Europe rose up, and the world did not tremble. All Rusia gathered together, and the Orient did not feel it. And the pounding of war in that gigantic conflict disturbed the world as little as a thraser's flail upon the barn-floor disturbed the firm earth beneath it. Not even the nations that carried such battle in their hands thought it heavy. Great Britain took but her left hand. Not a wheel stopped in her manufactories. Not an acre the less was tilled in France; and the world upon this side read the account simply as news. It produced no more effect than the last serial story that drags its long and tedious tail through cheap and studied magazines." A BATTLE BETWEEN AN EAGLE AND A . SERPENT. In the month of August, 1834, I was sailing up the Ohio river, on board the fine steamer Wacousta, when, as we approached a noted spot on the river, called the "Robbers Cave," my attention was attracted by several loud screams. I looked above, where the sound seemed to originate, and saw an eagle describing circles in the air, iu a most beautiful and graceful manner. As it wheeled around in its gyrations with mathematic precision,with outstretched but motionless wings, it ever and anon uttered the peculiar screams which first drew my attention. While I was gazing in admiration at its elegant curves, it suddenly changed its motion, and descended with almost inconceivable velocity in a perpendicular line to the earth. It went down, as one of the passengers described it, "like a dart." Before we could express our astonishment, or give any opinion concerning its objects, it again rose, and ascended to a great height, with a rapidity almost equal to its descent, bearing in its beak a large serpent! As it mounted up, the long body of the snake hung down from the beak of the eagle, like the end of a large rope. It was not, however, lifeless. It squirmed iu every direction, and, made strong efforts for its deliverance. But in vain. The eagle held him with a death grip. The serpent, resolving to sell his life as dearly as possible, endeavered to impede the flying of the bird, and by dint of hard struggling succeeded in getting its body over the back of the eagle. The feathered pirate now became aware of his danger. His wings were his only means of safety. If these became bound, he must perish with his enemy. All his efforts, however, could Dot dislodge the snake. The wily serpent, anaconda ' like, drew itself more tightly round him. It now had the advantage in the contest. The snake, coiled like a rope around the body of its adversary, was enabled to completely fetter its wings and stop its flight. The struggle ceased. The eagle was conquered ! They both began to fall, bound together as they were. They came down as rapidly as they had ascended, and fell in the river. So interested were the officers and passengers in the singular contest,' that the steamer backed water, a boat put off, and in a few minutes the two belligerants were laid upon the deck, dead ! The snake had wound itself complete around the wings of the noble bird. Small Pox Patients in Prussia. A curious law suit is going on just now in Berlin. A rich banker of that city, who is ill of the small pox, has had two actions brought against him, one by his barber and the other by his upholsterer, who claim damages because he communicated the malady to them. They demand compensation for the doctor's expenses and the time they have lost. According to the Prussian law the banker was bound to hang up outside of his door a notice with the words "There is a person here ill of the small pox." Flight of the Pidgkons. Millions of wild pidgeons, says the Louisville Courier, passed over, the city Friday evening, in their flight north. The flock 6oemed more than a mile long, and they flew much higher than usual. Their flight north is indicative of mild weather for the balance of the winter. We hope the pidgeons will not be disappointed.' ; '