Marshall County Republican, Volume 18, Number 8, Plymouth, Marshall County, 1 January 1874 — Page 2

(. Hit 1SWM.VS HL GKIKS,

Is the !ion chaSedfl' I that-hange iu me ? I ChrtatBM theKy taB it uatd to be ? Are the bew a -- Jhf i saves m brigh; ? If o, Ifen It eyw areaut dnll to-night. Is the marie as gay, the dance as wild. As when my hesrt danced with the dancing child, I see them u they Ugh y fleet, Mocked by their assdow n tlu- wall. But beat no measures with my feet ; To me a ah-i. M wer aU. I that alone ta ne ? I sit and waosftss I think and gaas ; Is love what lore was in by-gone days ? Are the kisses as tweet to'rosy Ups ? Doet the blood still rush to the finger-tips, And the glad heart throb at a touch, a word, At a scented tress or a sigh half beard ? I gaza as at aa acted play, Strangely incredulous of all, And see, while these -are bright and gay, The shadow of the '.min fall - a Alike on them ana me. Just now a mistletoe spray was cast By a heedless hand, as the dancers paas'd Cast at my teet, and then dragged aside ; " Cru-h'd aawea !" the girls in their laughing cried. Ah, yes, and crushed hearts, too, men have known. Jested about in a merry a tone. I hear the music in a dream. The tftrtag are t hrobbing dull and dead ; My thoughts ran back with thoughts of old, I bear through years that long have fled, And left a wreck of me ? A Christmas memory stirs my heart. Again in the past I play my part ; The friends I have loved my pleasure share, The faces that youth and joy make fair ; And gayly the joyous laughter rings. As bubhtnag fresh from the heart it springs ; And from the midst a fragile form Trips forward with a glad surprise. And put Uttle band in mine And looks up with cer trustful eyes. While smiling ipen me. Those trusting eye, that winning smile, My life from loneliness beguile ; I, love I am loved ; oh, doubly blest ! A boy's heart throbs in my happy breast, Till swift, in an instant, my joy is fled ; I am m a rung alone. " Sot dead ? Not dead 1" Since that dark hour I look on lif Through the distorting gloom c f rears, And happy faces, gentle forms, Seean wan and wasted through my tears. And have no joy for me. Still I ask Buy heart, u Is there truth & this ? Is the world as full of light and bin. By sorrow and suffering unsubdued ? Is it I alone who am sad of mood ?" (Sad, but, thank Heaven ! not bitter no ! I am not soured by the touch of wo. And mournful answer still is made, " Delight is in the summer days. And when the winter sunsets fade The Christ mai logs as br.;htly Uaz? : The change is but in thee." Let me depart, then, ti: scene, Lest a sigh be heard or a tear be een Lest one face yield up a happy glance, One step drag wearily in the dance ; Taught by suffering. sch s.l'd in woe. In silence and sadness let me go ; Sad. far the gnef rr.y face reveals ; Silent, because of choking tears. Yet wishing happiness to al'.. And love to light them through the years Dark evermore to a.-. OSLY A BABY'S GRAVE. Only a baby's grave ! Some foot or two at the most Of grassy sod ; yet I think that 0d Knows what that Uttle grave cost. Only a baby's grave ! strange ! how we moan an 1 fret For a Uttle face that was here such a space - O, more strange could we forget. Only a laby'? grave ! Did we measure grief bv this, Few tears were shed ou our baby dead ; I know how they fell on this. Only a baby's grave ! Will the little nfe be much Too small a gem lor iL Ladern, Whose kingdom is made of such ? Only a baby's grave '. Yet often we come and sit By the tittle stone, vnd thank Goi t j owa We are nearer heaven for it. -Erpomtrny. A CHRISTMAS PARTY. A friend of oars in Berkshire invited my sister and myself to share her Christmas festivities. We gladly accepted ; as our family could not all meet that year, we had concluded to give up our usual tree. We arrived at Mrs. Morton's hospitable home Christmas Eve. Her house was like an English country house. She lived with her t wo daughters, Mary and little Amy. Th y were seldom without companv, anc. now they had fathered a most charming circle of people to speed the holidays with them. At the depot, Mary's cousin, a dashing young officer, met as, and drove directly up the lawn to the house. Rows of colored lantwTns werehung on each side of the way, making the snowy covering of the lawn more brilliant even than the millious of stars that were giving us their light from above. We received a hearty welcome when we arrived. Even Carlo seemed to understand it was time to be merry, and dashed about in the snow aa if he were ma i. We went directly to our cosy little room, where we found a nice, blazing fire on the hearth, shedding its cheerful light over the fresh evergreens that decorated the walls emblems of that never-failing love which grows brighter when the snows of life's winter whiten our heads and chill the ardor of youth. We hail no regular tea-table ; but a nice little tray was sent to our room with smoking hot coffee and sandwiches. The large drawing-room was locked, and every one was busy dressing. We finished our toilet as quickly as possible, and when 'Mary's gentle tap was heard at the door were quite ready to accompany her to the sitting-room, where we found assembled some charming people. Fast the guests arrived ; merry greetings and shouts of laughter resounded throngh the house. As I raised the cur tain and gazed from the window, I, too, shouted with delight ; it looked like fairy-land. The dark evergreens, loaded with snow and icicles, seemed covered with sparkling diamonds and precious stones of all hues ; the colored lanterns cast a brilliant, varied light ; it was as if a rainbow had been scattered over them. I forgot everything for a time and stood entranced, until i ie band struck up " Hail Columbia." Mrs. Morton walked forward and took Juoge Dowley by the arm ; all followed in couples, doors of flourish. Black Sam tlirew open t ie the mysterious room with a At first, the gorgeor.s tree, of tight, dazzled ns ; it tow one ered up to the ceiling ; a light fence of green boughs prevented our going close to it, for some little one might have caught her drees on fire. We marched all around, and soon the band struck up a merry tone, and ail dar.ced round the tree in a ring. One old gentleman capered ao high I was thankful I was not nearjum ; -he entered into it heart and souTTiIs example was quite catching, amrwbon We grew almost too noisy. JtiAmmt avnddew the music stopped, and we heard the notes of abug'-hornat a distaaaav The sound can: a nearer and qeaafr, and in rushed six little girls, all dressed as fairies, in white, thin dresses covered with white silver stars, silver-spotted wuis, silver crowns,

nd silver wands ; they drew a car covered with white satin, on which was gilded throne, where, half reclining, sat the fairy queen. I never saw a more lovely object. Her dress was made of some light gossamer material, spangled with gold ; her wings were gilded ; her crown was gold, with a diamond star in front ; glittering bracelets were on her arms ; her tiny feet even had gilded shoes ; her hair, golden brown, hung in long, ringlets to her waist ; her dimpled cheeks and pouting tips tried to look demure and dignified, as she waved a long golden wand over her head ; but our happy, sunny little Amy's irrepressible smile betrayed her. All drew back as they approached, and slowly passed around the tree, singing some beautiful Christmas verses Mary had written for the occasion. (I left out one important person. Fred Dowley, dressed as Mercury, came in before them, sounding a silver bugle.) Every one stood entranced with delight ; such a tableau vivant is a rare sight ! All the fairies were lovely, and, what is still better, were not conscious of it, and were real children, not little old women. (Children, you know, my friends, are rare things now.) At a signal from the queen they stopped, then springing to the floor and bowing low, she exclaimed : " Ladies and gentlemen, we have sent old Santa Claus on a distant mission; therefore, we have come ourselves, with our maids of honor and our faithfr 1 messenger, to bestow our annual

I Christmas gifts as we shall see fit. " Then they drew back the car, and with their long wands took the presents from the tree and gave them to Fred to pass around as they were marked. Mary assisted him. Mrs. Morton, being generous as well as rich, gave to all handsome presents. The heavy ones were placed around the tree, just inside the green barricade. I had a beautiful writing-desk, and an elegant bracelet of Mary's hair. The tree was filled with all sorts of pretty little things. Mr. L. stood talking to me, and had been quite attentive all the evening; Amy, with a Kerry twinkle, Sassed over on the end of her wand a ttle teapot and some Berlin iron chairs, and with a mock bow said, "We give you these to commence housekeeping." She sent a large monkey to her cousin ; he wore a full beard, and she always called him "her dear pet monkey." One tittle boy, in the excess of his admiration, drew off a gold ring, and kneeling down, presented it to Amy. Her majesty drew herself up, and with great dignity exclaimed, " It is for us to give gifts to you mortals, not to receive." His crest-fallen look touched her heart, so she tossed him a horn of fresh flowers. The children all wished Christmas would come every day. Their gifts were legion ; little drums filled with candy, whistles, fifei, whips, horses, dolls, cradles, books, etc. The ladies received ornaments, beautiful vases, etc., knick-knacks of all kinds, besides books: the gentlemen had worked slippers, smoking-caps, books, etc. Every one was more than content. Mrs. Morton had a peculiar gift of reading character ; she could tell just what would suit each person. Supper for the children was soon announced. We elder ones all Helped serve them. Plain cakes, of all shapes and kinds, frosted with sugar-plums, to i make them attractive ; winter fruits, i bonbons, etc., were all, yet the table was bountiful. They, too, had a ring cake, and little Lily Harris, one of the silver fairies, won it. The motto on the ring was "Be ever watchful." Mrs. Morton was urged on all sides to explain it. She said "it was to teach them to consider the wants of others, and in thatwavthev would be unselfish." After supper they had a merry romp and a dance; then, with weary little feet and happy hearts, they wended their way home. We had supper between ten and eleven ; all kinds of game, oysters, salads, fruit, ices, cake, confectionery, and a large ring cake. An old bachelor won the ring ; he would not give it to any lady. After that, some of the elder ones retired to their homes ; the younger portion danced till twelve. After talking over the party awhile we all retired to our rooms. Visions of loveliness hovered over our pillows ; the fairies seemed to turn into angels, and appeared floating in the heavens on a 1 rainl)ow. We did not rise till near nine , o'clock the next morning. Mrs. Morton, ever mindful of the health of her guests, determined we should have a full allowance of sleep. We all gathered round I a bountiful breakfast, and, after a fer- ' vent thanksgiving from Mrs. Morton, ! we did full justice to her tempting 1 viands. As she arose from the table, she touched a silver bell to assemble her household together. Sam brought in a large pile of Bibles a?. ' handed them all around. She asked us to turn to the J account of the birth of our Savior, and I we each read two verses. After reading ! some beautiful prayers for the day, all ioined in the Lord's Praver. Then Marv nmetlv took her seat at a small houseorgan ana piayea "at. juartyn s, and we all join mi in singing that beautiful hymn, " While shepherds watched their flocks by night. It was a lovelv winter's dav. Mrs. Morton invited us to go to church, as she had two large sleighs ; and we were soon dressed and dashing along through the snow, with our minds at peace with all the world, and rightly tuned to enjoy I the exercises of the day. Even Mary's I gay cousin was thoughtful and attenlive. When we returned home, Amy proposed a frolic in the snow ; so in we , rushed to change our garments for 1 hoods, cloaks, mittens and india-rubber I boots. The snow-balls flew fast and j thick. We attacked Uncle John Morton ! and the dashing officer, and completely I covered them with snow. Finally we lost breath and they conquered and I rolled us in the snow. Off went hoods, ! and down came long masses of hair ; , hair-pins flew on all sides ; until, satisi fied with their victory, they left us, to ; run into the bouse and dress for dinner. After dinner the gentlemen smoked, and we looked over onr presents, and talked of the tree. In the evening several friends came in, and we played games, such as Proverbs, "Twenty Questions, " Capping Poetry, and Charades. ine nrst word given was Jtsondage. it J was capitally acted. For bond, Cousin ' Harry and Mr. L, took the part of An-1

tonio and Shy lock in the "Merchant of Venice," Harry, as Antonio, wore Mary's velvet talma, fastened in eavsJier style on one shoulder, and her bhuk riding hat with piumes on his head. He looked so handsome all eyes were on him. I watched pretty Lucy Dowley 's face as he entered. She blushed scarlet. I saw plainly Cnpid had shot an arrow at her. Mr. L. was Shylock. His dark eyes and long beard, with a red crape scarf wound around his head in Eastern style, gave him a Jewish look. He wore Mrs. Morton's old-fashioned long black silk cloak, with hanging sleeves ; a red scarf bouud about his waist with a carving-knife stuck in it. He came striding in with a savage scowl that made us all tremble. Antonio exclaimed : n I pray thee, hear me speak !" Shylock" 111 have my botul. I will not hear thee spe;.k ! Ill have my bond, and therefore speak no more. IU not be made a soft and diül-eyed fool, To shake the head, relent, and sigh, and yield To Christian intercessors. FoUow not ! Ill have no speaking. I will nave my bond." Mr. L. recited the latter splendidly. It made ns shudder and turn pale ; we even forgot to guess the word. Soon in came Harry, all transformed with a wig, an old-fashioned white overcoat, a large cane, and Carlo leading him ; for he had bold of a string fastened to the dog's neck. He seemed bored down with age. All exclaimed at once, " Age," and out he went. Then they acted the whole word. Harry's face was covered with black crape it gives the skin at a little distance the look of a black person his hands were colored with burnt cork, his head tied up with a red and yellow silk handkerchief, his hands were bound behind him with the dog-chain and fastened to one of his feet. Mr. L. was slave-driver. He had an empty candlebox carried into the drawing-room, on which the slave stood ; and he persuaded Judge Dowley and Uncle John to bid for the slave. He came in leading Harry, and made him mount the box. Mr. L. began then, with a Yankee drawl, to expatiate on the good qualities of his slave, and offered him for sale. Uncle John walked up and examined him closely, then made a bid. Judge Dowley did the same ; so on, till at last some one cried out "Bondage;" another, " Do stop." So they all departed. It was remarkably well acted. We had two other words. Charades, when well prepared, are a charming amusement ; but it requires wit and ingenuity to get them up. The next day Mrs. Morton gave us a splendid sleigh ride over to see the Shakers. They gave us a warm welcome, Mrs. M. being a great favorite with them. " Sister Martha " called Mary their "grent sister" (she had a commanding figure), and Amy, the " little sister."' They gave us some new cheese, delicious bread and butter, and large, red apples. We made them disappear rapidly, as the clear, cold air had given us an appetite. We returned home just in time for dinner. In the evening we attended a large party, about a mile off ; indeed, the whole wee was spent in merry-making. New Year's Day we received calls ; and even in that country place we had quite a number. Mrs. Morton's 3ister, Mrs. Tracy, gave a Twelfth Night party. Lucy Dowley and Harry got the rings. I believe they exchanged them ; at any rate, I know this, that two years after madcap Harry sobered down, and became the husband of pretty Lucy. As for the broken sixpences, one fell to my sister, and one to Mr. L. He offered to exchange, but she declined. There was a loved one far away, thoughts of whom shook her faith in the old saying. The next morning we bade our kind hostess and her daughters farewell, and with hearts full of gratitude returned to our homes. Oliver Optic' Magazine.

Who Introduced Railroads in America ? The Springfield Republif-an publishes the following letter from L. Q. C. Elmer, of Bridgeton, N. J. : " Beading the very interesting account of the Hoosac tunnel in your paper of Nov. 28, I find a new illustration of the difficulty of obtaining correct historical data. The writer states that in 1826 Dr. Phelps presented the first proposition ever made for a railroad before any legislative body in the United States. This is a mistake. About 1811 CoL John Stevens, of Hoboken, N. J. , presented a memorial to the Legislature to authorize a railroad in New Jersey, and in February, 1815, a law was passed incorporating 'The New Jersey Railroad Company.' authorizing a road from Trenton to New Brunswick. This road was not built. In 1820, I saw, at Hoboken, CoL Stevens' short railroad, laid as an experiment. Locomotive steam-engines had not been perfected, and the best engineer - did not suppose there would be sufficient traction in plain wheels to draw a heavy weight. The railway put up by Stevens was provided with a middle rail having teeth, for a drivingrack. This gentleman was father of the Messrs. Stevens who built the first railroad in New Jersey by virtue of the act of 1832. He entered into competition with Fulton to run the first steamboat on the waters of the Hudson, and thus obtain the monopoly g .anted by the law of New York, but falling a little behind in time, he sent his boat round to the Delaware, and I was carried by her in 1812. The family maintained a line of boats on the Delaware, individually or by the company, until their death." Congress having failed to renew Langstroth 's patent on the movable frame principle in bee hives, there is no longer any restriction upon its use, and this is the only feature of any real value : m the various hives which have been patented. A simple box hive, with movable frames, is as good a thing as a bee-keeper can get, unless he makes hit colonies strong and constructs his hives with "two stories." Langstroth, by his inventions, changed the entire system of bee management, but his patent was infringed upon very generally, and he spent such large sums of money in attempts to protect his interests that he is said never to have made lunch out of the invention. The old, old story of inventors ! Thbke hundred, and fifty millions worth of chTirch property in the United States escape taxation.

All Sorts. Thebk are 122 granges in California. Ik Russia, blonde women are considered frights. Cuba has virtually an area of 48,108 square miles. California sends 1,000 bales of cotton to market this year. California pays $1,000,000 a j.ar to Scotland for wheat bags. Iowa boasts of a woman who has been mother-in-lawed sixteen times. The greatest d pth of the Pacific ocean between Ca i forma and China is about two and one-half miles. The years have lining just as goblets do ; The old year is the lining of the new, Filled with the wine of precious memories, The golden iras doth line the silver is. Eleven hundred people own 15,000,000 acres of land in California, which is an average of nearly 13,000 acres for each person.

The English market is now supplied with pins made in Connecticut, and American needles are fast superseding those made in England. Jay Cooke and family are intending to give up their residence at Germantown, and propose boarding in Philadelphia during the winter. The faculty of Dartmouth College have decided that ale is hurtful to their students, and have secured the closing of every saloon in the village. The granges of Hinds county, Georgia, have employed a lawyer to attend every session of the Board of Supervisors, and watch the interests of taxpayers. " Yes, sir ; when a man in Louisiana finds a stranger in his hog-pen he has a right to shoot that stranger down," is the decision lately rendered by a Louisiana Judge. A Kentucky lass lately le it her shawl to an invalid gentleman v ho was a passenger with her in a stage, and wnen it was returned to her there was a $500 greenback pinned to it. Only a few years ago Uppev Egypt had an average of only five or six rainy days in a year ; the Pasha, however, planted millions of trees, and the average is now forty-six days to the year. One of the propositions for the new Constitution of New Jersey is : "No donation of land or appropriation of money shall be made by the State or any municipal corporation to any religious society or corporation." A discovery of some economic importance has just been made in Newfoundland in the shape of a hone-stone, which, in texture and quality, rivals the farfamed oil-stone of Turkey for sharpening the finer edged tools, and is of unlimited extent. Dr. BuRDON-SANDEBitON, in making some experiments on the electrical phenomena which accompany the contraction of the leaves of a sensitive plant, found the currents produced are subject in all respects to the same laws as those of muscles and nerves. The advocates of the superiority of woman are advised to introduce the rule that woman be weighed by Troy weight like other jewels and men by avoirdupois. This would give to young men of 20, 113 pounds each on the average, and to young women of 20 a'xrat 140 pounds each. A company has been incorporated at Denver, Col. , to construct a canal from Platte river canyon, in the Rocky mountains, to the eastern borders of Colorado, over 250 miles. It is to carry 300 feet of water, which is to be used to irrigate the plains. The enterprise will cost 810,000,000. THENew York Evening Post says the propensity of selecting Yankees for office-holding is illustrated by the Tact that there are about 20.000 persons in Canada who have emigrated from the United States, and this class have some half dozen Representatives in the Dominion Parliament, who are among the most influential nren in that body, An Indian's Experience with a BreechLoading Rifle. Max Adeler says : " When breechloading rifles were fiist introduced among the Kickapoo Indians, the principle upon which the weapons are con-, structed was not exactly understood. Jumping Bear got hold of one, the barrel of which opened at the rear with a spring and was attached to the stock wi th a hinge. The chief got it open and pi t the cartridge in . and then he was deeply perplexed to know how to get the barrel back in its place again. After making sundry futile efforts, he abandoned the attempt and carried the gun around with the stock hanging loose. He thought he would use it as a club, at any rate, even if it wouldn't shoot. One day, soon afterward, he became engaged in a discussion with an Arrapahoe Indian, probably on the subject of Cwsarism, or hired girls, or the price of mutton, or something of the sort and he attempted to convince the other gentleman of the unsoundness of his views by whanging him over the head with the demoralized gun. As the butt struck the noble savage, it shut on the end of the barrel with a slam, exploded the cartridge, and in less than a minute that exasperated leader of the Kickapoo section of the North American Indian race was browsing around in the happy hunting-grounds in a condition of unfeigned astonishment. His bereaved family neglected to load up that sacred relic of their departed head until they had taken a few lessons ; but now, when an Arrapahoe In diai. presents heretical opinions concerning mutton or such things, they perforate him properly." Prussian Finances. The financial statement of the .Prussian Government for 1872, which has recently been published, shews a very economical administration of the public funds. This surplus of income over expenditure for the year amounted to 28,000,000 thalert, while the public debt was reduced 80,000,000 thalers during the same time. The French indemnity money, of which Prussia received the largest part, sufficiently accounts for the reduction of the public debt ; but the handsome surplus over expenses shows a thrif tiness and economy which undoubtedly tie at the bottom of Prus

sia's power, and which will continue to give that country a predominance in Europe so long as these virtues are practiced. This saving is all the more remarkable when the enormous military expenses of the country are considered. The American Register savs that it is stated, on reliable authority, that the Government holds in gold 480,000,000 thalers, and about 700,000,600 thalers in bills on London. With this plethora of money on hand, Prussia can well afford to dictate in Europe. Polyandry in India. An officer of the Bengal army, in an essay just published in London, describes the practice of polyandry as it exists at this day in one of the hill tribes of India: "A husband and wife are betrothed, dowries being exchanged between the husband and the father of the bride. After marriage, without any rites or ceremonies, but with the approval of parents, and in full cognizance of the village community of relatives.

; the wife accompanies her husband to his I 1- Tl it a . m own uouse. n tne nusoand nas brother or very near relatives all living together, they may each, if she and he consent, Earticipate in the right to be considered er husband also, on making up a share of the dowry that has been paid. Younger brothers, as they grow up to maturity, and other brothers, as they become widowed, may each either take separate wives, or purchase shares in those already in the family. Any degree of complication in perfectly lawful wedded life may now be met with ; from the sample of the single man living with a single wife, to that of a family of relatives married to a group of wives. All their children are held to be brothers and sisters. In poor districts several men have to be content with one wife between them ; but, as women become more numerous, a greater proportion of men are able to procure a wife apiece." The Grizzly Bear. The grizzly stands at the head of the bear family, and is more feared and respected than all others. He is a treacherous, oullen, malicious, desperate, illmannered, uncouth, shaggy brute, one who stubbornly resists all advances toward frien lship, and is ready at any time to die tu the last ditch. Like the immortal "Old Guard" of Napoleon, your genuine grizzly never surrenders, but is game to the last. The grizzly has a lordly, independent bearing, and on his native-mountain-sides or in the forests will hardly deign .to make room for man himself. If you meet one in the road the chances are that he will not budge an inch, unless he happens to be in an accommodating mood, and then he" will trot out one side a few yards, rear himself upon his enormous haunches, and graciously wait for you to pass. No matter whether you are armed with a breech-loading Ballard, needle-gun, Winchester, or Sharp, never attack u grizzly alone or out in the open country. The only safe position is on the back of a good horse or in the limbs of a Cottonwood tree. Many persons, disregarding this advice, have paid for their temerity with their lives ; for no matter where you shoot a grizzly, whether through the heart or the brain-box, he never gives up the ghost without a struggle, and will fight as long as he can lift a paw. Denver Letter. How to Cook a Beefsteak. A beefsteak is always best broiled ; but the following method is recommended when broiling is not convenient: The frying p in being wiped dry, place it upon the stove to become hot. In the meantime pepper and salt the steak, then lay it on the hot dry pan and instantly cover as tightly as possible. When the raw flesh touches the heated pan, of course it seethes and adheres to it, but in a few seconds it becomes loosened and juicy. Every half minute turn the steak ; but be careful to keep it much as possible under cover. When nearly done lay a small piece of butter i upon it, and if you want much gravy add a tablespoonful of strong coffee. This makes the meat delicious, delicately broiled steak, full of juice, yet retaining all the healthy, beef flavor that any John Bull could require. The same method may be applied to mutton chops or ham, only they require more cooking to prevent them from being rare. An excellent gravy may be made by adding a little cream, thickened by a pinch of flour, into which, when off the fire and partially cool, stir the yolk of an egg, well beaten. Important Decision. The Supreme Court of the United States, in the appeal of the Union Pacific Railroad Company against the Treasurer of Lincoln county, Neb. , resisting a county tax levy on the property of the road, has decided that the taxing power of a State is independent of the Constitution of the United States, and that, aa an attribute of sovereignty, it may be exercised over all property and business within the boundaries of the State, except in so far as it may have been surrendered to the Federal Government. The couuty tax on the Union Pacific railroad is therefore valid. Justice Strong delivered the majority opinion of the court, but Justice Bradley filed a dissenting opinion, in which the tax of the Union Pacific road is held to be an unlawful interference with instrumentalities created in this case by the General Government. Recently, two young men living in Detroit, anxious to exhibit their nerve, laid a wager with a third person, which resulted in some rifle shooting of an extraordinary character. A dozen apples were procured, and one of the gentlemen stood 40 feet distant from the other, who shot with a rifle each of the dozen apples in succession from his friend's head, after the manner of the late William TelL Not satisfied with that, the apple holder procured a common paste-board match-box cover, and held it close to his head, between his finger and thumb, and in that position permitted his friend to fire three times at it, each going " plumb" center. Ibon-MoiiD in Linen.- Wash the spots in a strong solution of cream of tartar and water. Repeat if necessary and dry in the sun. Another methodRub the spots with a little powdered oxalic acid, or salts of lemon and warm water. Let it remain a few minutes, and then rinse well in clean water.

THE CHR1STMA IFT. Around the Christmas tree we stood, and watched the children face As they their little ajif U received with childish airs and graces. We grown folks had our share of fun in making wee ones merry, Ar-d laughed to see the juveniles kiss 'neath the "holly berry."' Beiide me -a: sweet Bessie Moore, a lovelj dark-eyed maiden. While near her stood our little Eve, her arms with love-gifts laden, Until around the room the went, the blue-eyed baby, shyly, And, bluhing red, into each lap her offerings dropped slyly. But when to me the darling came, all emptv-handed was she, And when I asked, Why slight me thus f she answered, " Oh ! betause we We dinna know yon tununing here !" and thee, with Mile eyvs liiuit:. To Bessie's side she went, her arms her sister's neck entwining. " But ssawttaaf I must have," said I, "my Christmas night to gladden." A shade of thought the baby face seemed presently to sadden, Till all at once, with gleeful laugh "Oh! I know what I do, sir ! I've only sister Bessie left, but IU div her to you. sir!" ' Amid the laugh that came from all I drew mv new gift to me, While with Mushed cheeks her eyes met mine, and sent a thrill all through me. " Oh ! blessed little Eve V cried I, "your gift I welcome gladly !" The litUe one looked up at me. nalf-wonderingly, half -sadly. Then to her father straight I turned, and humbly asked his blessing Upon my Christmas gift, the while my long-stored hopes confessing. And as his aged hands were raised above our heads, bowed lowly, t The blessed time" of Christmas ne'er had seemed to me so holv.

Humorous. A matter of course Racing. To be taken at any time a hint. Walking sticks Promenading swells. A cowardly assault To beat a retreat. Last words of the criminal " Forget me, knot." Some people have their thinking, tike their washing, done out. A Boston dry goods dealer advertises "financial crash towels." At a hotel table one boarder remarked to his neighbor : " This must be a healthy place for chickens." " Why f asked the other. " Because I never see any dead ones hereabouts." The wedding-cake of a couple recently married weighed forty pounds, and was in the form of a three-story house, with a sugar bride and bridegroom coming out of the front door ana, tike the re-il couple, too sweet to last. A lady of the shoddy aristocracy found, on returning from a drive, some visiting cards on her table. She called a servant in great haste, saying : "John! John! take these and run qfiick ! Them ladies is forgot their tickets !" " Well, Mr. , how do you feel ?" said a friend to a defeated candidate a fews days after election. " I feel, I suppose,' he replied, "as Lazarus did." "How was that?" "Why," said he, " Lazarus was licked by the dogs, and so am L" The man who advertised for an " epetarfe " for his wife, who had "dyed," was served with this couplet : " My dear wife Betsey Ann had a bad spell And the end of it is, she's now in hell." But the next mail brought a more appropriate and comforting response : " My wife Betsey Ann she colored her hair, And all that's left of her is buried ht re." A Detroit negro pi isoner, on his way to the penitentiary for larceny, was asked what he thought of his trial. He said : " When de lawyer that 'fended me made his speech, I made sure that I was going to take my ole hat and walk right out of dat co't room ; but when de odder lawyer got up and commenced talking, I knew I was the biggest rascal en top of the earf. " A Southern paper advertises as follows : Wanted at this office, an ablebodied, hard-featured, bad tempered, not to be put off and to be backed down, freckled-faced young man to collect for this paper ; must furnish his own horse, saddle bags, pistols, whisky, bowieknife, and cowhide. We will furnish the accounts. To such we promise constant and laborious employment. Tunneling from France to England. The tunnel under Dover Straits is again under consideration by the French Government. A public inquest has been ordered by the Minister of Public Works into the project of Messrs. L nr, De Gamond and others. A working model of their plan was on view at the grand exhibition of 1867. It received at that time the sanction of Napoleon III., who proposed to help it by a Government subsidy. The Prussian war prevented this plan from being carried out, but the company are now willing to build the tunnel at their own expense, provided the Government will make their grant a perpetual monopoly. This the Government will not accede to. It is probable, however, that a limited monopoly will be granted. Origin of the Prairies. Dr. Newberry, of Ohio, in an article in Applcton's Journal, expresses himself as of the opinion that prairies are the results of a diminished rainfall. In reply to this statement, Dr. Chase, of Kansas, says that, having resided four years in the heart of the minimum rainfall district, lying between the Missouri river and the Rocky Mountains, he has observed hundreds of magnificent oaks, from one to three feet in diameter, far from perennial streams, but protected from fires by rocky hill-sides ; second, groves of cotton -wood, a water-loving tree, which now are often found thirty feet high, and a foot in diameter ; third, groves of young trees, often covering an area of a hundred acres or more, r nd as thrifty as any amo.ig the Catskills ; fourth, thousands of acres covered with tall, long-jointed grasses, which ten years ago produced nothing but short, wiry, Buffalo grass. Edwin Booth is 39 years old ; Maggie Mitchell, 39 ; Lotta, 29 ; L. P. Barrett, 35 ; Frank Chanfrau, 51 ; John E. Owens, 54 ; J ohn Brougham, 55 ; Lester Wallack, 53 ; Bouoicanlt, 58 ; Mrs. Chanfran, 33 ; Miss Neilson, 30 ; Joe Jefferson, 45; Agnes Ethel, 31 ; Clara Morris, 30 ; Mrs. Bowers, 50 ; E. A. Sothern, 40; Janauschek, 40; W. J. Florence, 40. John Collins, 75; Ben Du Bar, 58.