Plymouth Democrat, Volume 15, Number 11, Plymouth, Marshall County, 18 November 1869 — Page 1

POETRY.

YOUTHS' DEPARTMENT

TUB BOXyii BROWN HAMB,

BT PAIT. H. HATJfE. Oh. drearily, how drearily, the sombre eve jomee down AndbkTril7' hW Wcarüy' the eeaward lbreezes mSmt IMM band h "-o dainty, yet FOrioihold hath wom wy ita rosy-tinted I fold It, wife, the nearer. -nd I feel, mr love, 'tis dearer Than all dur things of rartb, As I watc) the pensive gloaming, . And my wild thoughts cease from roaming. Ana hird-like rarl their pillions clone beside our peaceful hearth: Then rest ronr little hand in mine, while twilight dimmers UowitThat little hand, that fervent hand, that hand of bonny brown The hand that holds an honest heart, and rnle.- a lutppy hearth. TT. Oh, merrily, how merrily, onr chiMreu' voir -s rise ! And choerily. how cheerily, their tinv footstep? fall ! But. haad, you must not stir awhile, for there our neurit mr lie?. ia the cradle at your eide, the love li ?t far of all And looks o arrh and airv, So softly pure a fairy ha scarce wem bound to earth j And her dimpled month keeps smiling. As at (?ome child-fay V bejniiling, Who ttm from Ariel realms to light her slnmber on the hearth. Ha. little hand, yon yearn to move and smooth the bright locks down ! But little hand but. trembling hand but, hand ot bonny brown. Stay, stay with me !-ehe will not flee, our birdhna on the hearth. in. h?iInng,-T- how flUlm?'y the par, r-shadows thrill, A- wittingly, half wittingly, they seem to pnlse and pas : And solemn rounds art- on the wind that sweeps the haunted hill, And murmurs o a ghostly breath from out the graveyard gr' & l'A me feel your glowing fingers In a claup that warms anil liners With the full, fond love of earth. Till th joy of love's completeness In this fluh of fireside sweetness Shall brim our hearts with spirit-wine, outpoured beside the hearth. So steal yonr little hand in mine, while twill rilt falters down That little hand, that fervent hand, that hand of bonny brown Th- hand which points the path to heaven, yet makes a heaven of earth. Applet on' Journal. MISCELLANEOUS. SERVED OUT. , '.lie year 183 there lived at Bor--or one of the last of a lcu, the last I nsr line of scoundrels who had made thai part of Francainfainous(toour ideas) by a succession of cold-blooded murders, mmitted under the sanction of what people wen pleased to call the Code of llmor. This was a certain Comte de J , a man of great physical strength, imperturbable sangfroid, and relentless cruelty. Not a bad sort of companion, u some said, when the fit the dueling titwas not on him ; but this came on once in about every six months, and then he must hare blood, it mattered little whose. He had killed and maimed boys of sixteen, fathers of famlies, military officers, journalists, advocates, peaceful country gentlemen. The cause of a quarrel was of no importance; if ore did not present itself readily, he made one ; always contriving that, according to the code aforesaid, he should be the insulted party, thus having the choice of weapons ; and he was deadly "with the smallsword. It is difficult for 4is to realize a state of society in which suf h a wild beast could be permitted to to nt large ; but we know it to be historical Iv true that such creatures were endured in France : just as we are assured that there were at one time wolves in Yorkshire, only the less noisome vermin had a harder time of it as civilization progressed than was dealt out to the human brute. The latest exploit of the Comte de V previous to the story I am about to tell, was to goad a poor young stud nt into a challenge ; and when it was represented to him that the boy had never held a 1 1 rd in his life, so that it would be fairer to use pistols, he replied that "fools sometimes made mistakes with pistols," and the next morning ran him through the lungs. The evil fit was on him ; but the biood thus shed quieted him for another h.-.lf year, and rather more, for public opinion was unfavorable, and the air of Bordeaux became too warm for him. But the scandal blew over after a time, and he came back to his old haunts, one of which was a cafe by the river side, where many used to spend their Sundav. Into the littlejgardenof this establishment oar wolf swaggered one fine summer afternoon, with the heavy dark look and nervous twitching of tjje hands which those who were acquainted with him knew well meant mischief. The evil fit was on him ; consequently he found himself the cental of a circle which expanded as he went on. This did not displease hint He liked to be feared. He knew he could make a quarrel when he chose, so he looked around for a victim. At a table almost in the middle of the garden sat a man of about thirty years o age, of middle height, and an expression ot countenance which at first struck or U mild and good humored. He was en gaged reading a journal which seemed to interest him, and eating strawberries, an ' occupation which does not call forth any latent strength of character. Above all, he was profoundly unconscious of the presence of M. le Comte de V , and continued eating his strawberries and rr tding his paper as though no wolf were in that pleasant fold. As the Count approached this table, it become sufficiently well known whom he was about to honor with his insolence ; and the circle narrowed again to see the play. U is not bad sport, with some of us, to see a fellow-creature baited especially when wc are out ot danger ourselves. The strawberry -eaters' costume was not such as was ordinarily worn in France at that time, and he hadfa curious hat, which the weather being warm he had placed on the table by his side. ' lie is a foreigner," whispered some in the dress-circle. m Perhaps he does not know Monsieur le Comte. Monsieur le Comte seated himself at the table opposite the unconscious stranger, and called loudly, 41 Garcon." "Garcon," he said, when that functionary appeared, take away that nasty thing P pointing to the hat aforesaid. Now the stranger's elbow, as he read his j urnal, was on the brim of the M nasty thing," which was a very good hat, but of British form and make. The garcon was embarrassed. ".Do you hear me?" thundered the Count Take me that thing away f No one has a right to place his hat on the table." 44 1 beg your pardon," said the strawberry-eater, politely, placing the offending article on his head, and drawing his chair a little aside ; " I will make room for Monsieur. The garcon was about to retire well satisfied, when the bully called after him ' Have I not commanded yon to take that thing which annoys me away ?" " But Monsieur le Comte, the gentle man has covered himself." What does that matter to me ?" M But, Monsieur le Comte, it is impossible." " What is impossible ?" ' That I should take the gentleman's hat." " By no means," observed the stranger, uncovering again. 14 Be so good as to carry my hat to the lady at the counter, and ask her, on my behalf, to do me the favor to accept charge of it for the present." You speak French passably well for a foreigner,' said the bully, stretei ig his arms over the table, and looking his neighbor full in the face a titter of contempt going round the circle. " I am not a fort'.gner, Monsieur." " I am sorry for that." 8o am I." "May one, without indiscretion, inquire why ?" "Certainly. Because, if I were a foreigner, I should tie spared the pain of see in a compatriot behave himself very ruoely." "Meaning me?" " Meaning precisely you." M Do you know who I am?" asked the unt, half turning his back apon him,

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volume xv. and facing the lookers-on, as much as to say, " Now observe how I will crush this poor creature." "Monsieur," replied the strawberryeater, with perfect politeness In his tone, "I have the honor not to know you." Dent h of my life ! I am the Comte de The strawberry-eater looked up, and the easy good-natured face WSJ gone. In its place was one with two grav eyes which Hashed like fire, and a mouth that set itself very firmly. "The Comte de V ," he repeated in a low voice. Yes, Monsieur. And -what have you to sav against him?" " II O nothing." " That may be well for you." "But there are those who say he is a coward." " That is enough," said the bnllv, starting to his feet. "Monsieur will find me in two hours at this address," flinging him a card. " I shall not trouble myself to seek Monsieur le Comte," replied the strawberry-eater, calmly tearing the card in two. " Then I shall say of Monsieur what he, permitting himself to lie, said just now of me." " And that is ?" " That he is a coward." 44 You may say what you please, Monsieur le Comte. Those who know me would not believe you, and those who do not mv faith ! what care I what they think r "And thou thou art a Frenchman !" No one hut a Frenchman could have thrown so much disdain as he did into the "thou." The strawberry-eater made no reply, but turned his head anil called "Garcon H The poor trembling creature came up again, wondering what new dilemma was prepared for him, and stood quaking some ten yards off. " Garcon," said the stranger, 44 is there a room vacant in the hotel?" " Without doubt, Monsieur." 44 A large one?" " But certainly. They are all large own apartments." 44 Then engage the largest for me for today, and another no matter what for Monsieur le Comte." "Monsieur, I give my own orders when necessary,'' add the Count, loftily. 44 1 thought to snare you the trouble. Go, if you please, ' (this to the waiter,) " and prepare my rooms." Then the strawberry-cater returned to his strawberries. The bully gnawed his lip. He could not make 'head or tail of this phlegmatic opponent. The circle grew a little wider, for a horrid idea got abroad that the Count had not found one who was likely to suit him, and that he would have to seek elsewhere what he wanted. The murmur that went round roused the bully. "Monsieur," he hissed, "has presumed to make use of a word which among men of honor " " I beg your pardon f i: Which among men of honor" 44 But what can Monsieur le Comte possibly know what is felt among men of honor?" asked the other, with a shrug of incredulity. " Will yon fight yourself with me, or will 3rou not," roared the Count, goaded to fury. If Monsieur le Comte will give himself the trouble to accomoany me to the apartment which,no doubt, is now prepared for me," replied the stranger, rising, 44 I will satisfy him." " Good," said the other, kicking down his chaii ; 44 1 am with you. I waire the usual preliminaries. I only beg to observe that I am without arms ; but If you " "(), don't trouhle yourself on that score," said the stranger, with a grim smile. "If you are not afraid, follow me." This he said in a voice sufficiently loud for the nearest to hear, and the circle parted right and left, like startled sheep as the two walked towards the house. Was there no one to call "police," no one to try and prevent what to all seemed imminent ? Not a soul ! The dreaded duelist had his evil tit on, and every one breatlud freely now that he knew the victim was selected. Moreover, no one sunposet ;.t would end there. The com it and his friend (?) were ushered into the apartment prepared for the latter, who, as soon as the garcon had left, -ok off his coat and waistcoat, and prrded to move the furniture so as to :ave the room free for what was to fol- . :w the count standing with folded arms, glaring at him the while. The decks being cleared for action, the stranger locked the door, placed the key on the mantel piece behind him, and said : 44 1 think you might have helped a little ; but never mind. Will you give me your attention for five minutes ?" 44 Perfectly." 44 Thank yon. I am, as I have told you, a Frenchman, but I was educated in England, at one of her famous public schools. Had I been sent to one of our own Lycees, I should, perhaps, have gained more book Knowledge, but, as it ts, I have learned some things which we do not teach, and one ot them is, not to take a mean advantage of any man, but fco keep my own head with my own hands. Do you understand me, Monsieur le Comte '" " I cannot flatter myself that I do." 44 Ha ! Then I must be more explicit. I learned, then, that one who takes advantage of mere brute strength against the weak, or who, practiced in any art, compels one unpracticcd in it to contend with him, is a coward and a knave. Do you follow me now, Monsieur le Comte?" 44 I cams here, Monsieur " "Never mind for what you came, tie content with what you will get For example to follow what I was observing if a man skilled with the small sword, for the mere vicious love of quarreling, goads to madness a boy who has never fenced in his lite, and kills him, that man is a murderer ; and more a cowardly murderer, and a knavish." 44 1 think I' catch your meaning; but if you have pistols here " foamed the bully. " I do not come to eat strawberries with pistols in my pocket," replied the other, in tue same calm tone he had used throughout. 44 Allow me to continue. At that school of which I have spoken, and In the society of men who have grown out of it, and others where the same habit of thought prevails, it would be considered that a man who had been guilty of such cowardice and knavery as I have mentioned, would be justly punished if, some day, he should be paid in his own coin by meeting some one wh would take him at the same disadvantage as he placed that poor lKy at." " Our seconds shall fix your own weapons, Monsieur," said the Count; 44 let this farce end." 44 Presently. Those gentlemen whose opinions I now venture to express, not having that craze for blood which distinguishes snrnfi who have not had a similar enlightened education would probably think that such a coward and knave as we have been considering would best meet his deserts by receiving a humiliating cast igat ion befitting his knavery and hi- cowardice.'' "Ah! I see; I have a lawyer to deal with," sneered the Count. " Yes. I have studied a little law, but I regret to say I am aland to break one of its provisions." 44 You will fight me then ?" 44 Yea At the sthool we have been Soeakincr Of. I learned amonir fitlur tliinopa j the use of my hands; and if I mistake not, i

Plymouth Democrat.

am about to give you as sound a thrashing as any bully ever jot." 44 You would take advantage of your skill in the box?" said the Count, 'getting a little pale. " Exactly. Just as you took advantage of your skill in the small-sword with poor young B ." " But it is degrading brutal ! " 44 My dear Monsieur, just consder. You are four inches taller and some thirty to forty kilogrammes heavier than I am. I have seldom seen so fine an outside. If you were to hit me a good swinging blow, it would go hard with me. In the same way, if poor young B had got over your guard, it would have gone hard with you. But, then. I shall only black both your eyes, and perhaps deprive you of a tooth or so, unhappily in front; whereasyou killed him. 44 1 will not accept this barbarous encounter." 44 You must ; f have done talking. Would j-ou like a little brandy before we begin? No? Place yourself on guard, then, if you please. When I have done with you, and you are fit to appear, then you shall have your revenge even with the small-sword, if you please. At present, bullv coward knave, take that, and that, and that. ! " And the wiry little Anglo-Frank was as good as his word. In less time than it takes to write it the great braggart was rendered unpresentable for many a long day. Hurt number one caused him to see fifty suns beaming in the firmament with his right eye ; that number two produced a similar phenomenon with his left ; that number three obliged him to swallow a front tooth, and to observe the ceiling more attentively than he had hitherto done. And when one or two other thats had completely cowed him, and he threw open the window and called for help, the strawberry eater took him by the neck and breeches and Hung him out of it on to the flower-bed below. The strawberry eater remained a month at Bordeaux to fulfill his promise of giving the Count his revenge. But then, again, the bully met with more than his match. The strawberry-eater had had Angelo for a master as well as Owen Swift, and alter a few passes the Count, who was loo eager to kill his man, felt an unpleasant sensation in his right shoulder. The seconds interposed, and there was an end of the affair. It was his last duel. Some one produced a sketch of him as he appeared being thrown out of the hotel window, and ridicule so awful to a Frenchman rid the country of him. The strawberryeater was alive when the Battle of the Alma was fought, and is the only man to whom the above facts are known who never talks about them. 7emjAe Bur. Two Sides to a Story. I. OUR SIDE. "Wht, you naughty, ugly, vicious thing!" screamed nurse; "you've pulled the dishes all off the table. What will your mummer say? There take that! a shake ; and that! a slap. Now, go away! You are always Dp to some mischief, and not as high as the table yet. I'll teach you how to meddle. But come come. Don't cry so. Hush up or I'll tell your mummer. Here she comes. Sh " 4,Susan! what's the matter? Charlie, dear, what have you done ? Come to me. There, don't cry ; its all over now. Susan, how did he do it 44 Yes, mum, he did it ; he's always up to some mischief ; and it isn't my fault the best china is broke and the silver coffee pot banged in just like a bandbox that has been set on ; and the coffee all over the floor, with the salt and sugar too. See, mum, what he's done, and I a watchin' of him all the time, and never took my eyes off him, and then the minute my back was turned, up he goes and kitches the tablecloth, and off it comes, and all your nice set with it, and six pieces broke, and all done a purpose; and he's always a making of trouble when we don't know what he's about, nor can't guess, for he's as sly as a fox, and I i:new he would, f r I just took him away from there, and back he scrabbles again as last as he could go, for he don't know no better, and he ought to be whipped and ssj him something to cry for, for I've told him not to touch the tablam hundred times, and I'm glad of it, and I don't care if he is hurt, and" "Why, Susan ! Susan !" 44 And I dorit, mum ; and he might have been burned to death a minute ago, for I just took the chafing-dish off, and then what would have become of your new carpet? lie will have his hand in every thing that's a going, and if thore's nothing a going he'll set it a going, and he can't let it alone for the life of him, and he'sjust like his father, always trying experiments, and wondering how things would be if they was a little different from what they is, and trying of it on, and making a muss like his father has in the laboratory, what I don't like to see nor smell of nor any body else, and nothing but mischief comes of it, and I a picking up after him all day long like a chip of the old block as he is ; and it's a great pity, too, for thenis as buys the furniture and clothes and things, only it's none of my business, and I don't care, only my new dress is all greased with the cream; but never mind me while he's a crying, for he did it right afore my very face and eyes, quick as a flash the minute I told him to come away." " There, my dear Charlie, my dear hush : don't cry, my boy, any more. Wipe your tears. Let me wipe them, and let me look into your eyes and see how it was." " Look into Iiis eyes, mum fiddle-sticks ! look into your coffee-pot and your china and my dress and your carpet. Look into his eyes ! He did it a purpose, I know he did. Look the other way, and give him a spanking, say I !" "Susan, be quiet. You are angry. Go lM-ii ctnipo " 14' II .- Wll I 3. Exit Susan, purple with rage. II- THEIR 81DR. "Now, Charlie, look up. You have done some mischief." So Charlie's eyes looked up, half tearful, half funny inquisitive, but shy and sorrowful and this Is what his mother read in them : Yes, mamma, I did It. But did I do it? 1 tidn't know I covUl do turh AtSft. What a terrible crash ! I stood up by the chair, and I Walked as straight as I could over to that great, high table. I didn't tumble down once. The table was covered vith bright things shining in my eyes like stars. I could not pee what was on it because it is so high. Once I sat way upon top of a chair, and saw things and had some of them in my mouth with papa and you. And papa took my finger and wet it in my mouth, and touched it to something, and put my finger in my mouth again, and I ate my finger and it was sweet and good. So I wanted to see something ; but my eyes only come up to the edge of the table. I stood on tip-toe, and I took hold of the dress of the table, just as I bike hold of your dress when I want my dear mamma to take me up in her arms ; but the table didn't take me up. So I pulled, just as I pull on yours when you don't attend ; and the dress of the table liegan to grow longer, and come off. I thought that was funny, so 1 pulled again, and it came off some more; and then I saw the things all began to come toward me and look at me over the edge of the table. They did not fly away as the pigeoiiK do when we go near them, but they came right toward me. This is such a queer world. I don't understand it. So I pulled again, and the knives and forks came tumbling down on the floor, Just as you showed me how to make my blocks tumbledown with a crash. Then Susan

PLYMOUTH, INDIANA, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER

said, 44 There now von do that again, if you dare" So I pulled again, and down ! came the cups and saucers, and then Susan gave a great scream and frightened me, and the dress of the table came all off, and all the smell came out of the coffeepot, and I sat down backward into the butter dish. What makes things do so ? Moral. To hear both sides is essential to justice. But when children are the culprits we nevjr hear 44 the other side," unless Sympathy searches for it and interprets it ; and even then the half is not told Walking Erectly. Walking erectly not only adds to manliness of appearance, but develops the chest and promotes the general health in a high degree, because the lungs, being relieved of the pressure made by having the head downward and bending the chest in, admit the air freely and fully down to their very bottom. If an effort of the mind is made to throw the shoulders back, a feeling of tiredness and awkwardness is soon experienced, or is forgotten. The use of braces to hold up the body is necessarily pernicious, for there can bo no brace which does not press upon some part of the person more than is natural, hence cannot fail to impede injuriously the circulation of that part. But were there none cf thee objections, the brace would adf.pt itself to the bodily position, like a hat or a shoe, or new garment, and would cease to be a brace. To seek to maintain an erect position or to recover it when lost, in a manner which is at once natural, easy and efficient, it is only necessary to walk habitually with the eyes fixed on an object ahead, a little higher than your own, the eave of a house, the top of a man's hat, or simply keep your chin a little above a horizontal line, or, it will answer to walk with yqur hands behind you ; if either of these tilings is done, the necessary, easy and legitimate effect is to relieve the chest from pressure, the air gets in more easily, develops it more fully, causing a more perfect purification of the blood, imparting higher health, more color to the cheek, and compelling a throwing out of the toes. To derive the highest benefit from walking, hold up the head, keep the mouth closed, and move briskly. Journal of Commerce. Josh Billings Papers. TUDDIN AND MILK. Love is sed to be blind, but I know lots of phellows in love who kan see twice as much in their galls as I kan. The miser is a riddle. What he possesses he haint got, and what he leaves behind him he never had. Good phisick is like a fiddle it furnishes the tune, while nature cuts the pigeon-wing and cures the patient. Caution, though very often wasted, is a good risk to take. Pity iz about the meanest wash that one man can offer another. I had rather have a ten dollar greenback that had been torn in two twice and pasted together, than to have all the pity thare iz on the upper side of the earth pity iz nothing more than a quiet satisfacshun that I am a great deel better oph than you am, and that I intend to keep so. Fortune iz like a coquette, if you don't run after her she will run after you. Did you ever hear a very rich man sing? If I was going to paint a picktur of Faith, Affection and Honesty, I would paint mi dog looking up m my face and waggen his tail. The devil iz a mean kuss ; he never keeps his own promises, but alwus makes us keep ours. Truth iz az artless az a child and az purswasive. There iznothing in this life that men pay so hi a price for az they do for repentance. Laws are made, customs grow laws hav tew be executed, customs execute themselfs laws begin where customs end. Men who have a good deal to say use the fewest words. The road tew wealth iz a highway, but the road to knowledge iz a byeway. Shame iz the dicing embers of virtue. I don't know ov a better kure for sorrow lhan to pity somebody else. Experience is a grindstun, and it iz lucky for us if we kan get brightened by it, not ground. We snouldnt forgit one thing, that there is not a 6ingle fee simple on this fotstool ; even the best tooth in our head may fall to aking before sun set and have to be jerked out. Ignorance is the wet nnss of prejudice. Anticipation is constantly nibbling expekted pleasure until it consumes it ; iiss so the skoolboy who visits his basket during the forenoon too often has already diskounted his dinner. I never knu a man troubled with melankolly who had plenty to dew, and did it. Good breeding, az I understand it, iz giving every man his dew, without robbing yourself. Natur iz list az honest as a cow. Talk little, but listen out loud, young man. is the wav to make the eomDanv sus pekt you of knowing a grate deal more than you aktually do. If you should reduce the wants of the people ov Nu Yoik city down tew aktual necessitys, and plain comforts, yu wood have to double the perlice force tew keep them from committing suicide. People, when they find fault withtheirselfs, are generally more anxious to be consoled than forgiven, and, therefore, when a man begins to confess hiz sins to me, and scz, "there ain't no hope for him," I tell him he ought tew know awl about it, and I guess he is more than half right. What the world wants iz good examples, not so much advice ; advice may be wrong, but examples prove themselfs. Pi ide iz bogus. Adam at one time had a right tew be proud, but he let sin beat him out of hiz birthright. A crowing hen and a cackling ruester are very misfortunate poultry in a family. Az a ginral thing, a man who marrys a woman ov more uppercrust than himself will find the woman more anxious tew preserve the distance between them than tew bring him up tew her grade or go down to his level. Titles are valuable; they make us acquainted with menny persons who otherwise would be lost amung the rubbish. Peace iz the soft and holy shadder that virtew casta Habits are like the wrinkles on a man's brow, if you will smoothe out the one i will smoothc out the other. It is a darned sight easier tew find six men who kan tell exactly how a thing ought to be did than tew find one who will do it. Marrying for money is a meaner way tew git it than counterfiUing. Dispatch Is taking rime bi the ears. Hurry iz taking it by the end ov the tail. The miser who heaps up gains tew gloat over iz like a hog in a pen fatted for a show. New York Weekly. A New Theory of the Aurora Borealls. Dr. A. W. Hall read a paper before the Polytechnic branch of the American in stitute, st the Cooper institute, on the cause of auroral lights, in which he took ISSM with Professor Loomis and other scientists, who attribute theae phenomena to electrical action. Dr. Hairs theory h tliat the boreal display is produced by the rays of the sun, which a-- reflected from clouds surrounding the pOM to the ice and snow of the arctic regions, and thence

again reflected to the clouds, and so back and forth, until it comes within our range of vision. The glancing and flashing of the columns of light, he holds, are caused by the motion of the clouds, an exact correspondence being traceable, the doctor contends, between the movements of the light and those of the clouds. In confirmation of his theory the speaker cited the cases of similar displays of auroral light in the east just before sunrise, and in the west just alter sunset, when there are banks of clouds visible, from which the sun's rays are evidently reflected. The arches or bows often seen in the north are also easily explained according to this hypothesis, while by the electrical theory they are inexplicable. The deflection of the needle and other magnetic effects, sometimes observed during an auroral display, are attributed by Dr. Hall to the fact that the state of the atmosphere most favorable for these successive reflections of sunlight from the pole, is also favorable for the action of the electrical forces which produces the magnetic disturbances. A Rash Promise. Thb Portland Argu tells the following story of a young lady who is a pupil at one of the schools in that city, and who has already, it seems, beaten her father at mathematics : She modestly proposed that if her father would give her only one cent on one day, and double the amount on each successive day for just one month, she would pledge herself never to ask of him another cent of money as long as .die lived. Paterfamilias, not stopping to rua over the figures in his head, and not supposing it would amount to a large sum, was glad to accept the offer at once, thinking it also a favorable opportunity to include a possible marriage dowry in the future. At the twenty-firth day he became greatly alarmed, lest if he complied with his own acceptance be might be obliged to be 44 declared a bankrupt on his own petition." But at the thirtieth day the young girl demanded only the pretty sum of $5,368,709.12! The astonished merchant was only too happy to cancel the claim by advancing a handsome cash payment for his folly in allowing himself to give a bond or his word he considered as good as a bond without noticing the consideration therein expressed, and by promising to return to the old custom of advancing smaller sums daily until otherwise or dered. Our arithmetic reporter has been "figuring on to it," and says that if the old gentleman had fulfilled his promise, his gushing daughter would have had, upon the receipt of the thirtieth payment, the nug little sum of $10,737,418.-23. S i Mi The Squire and His Wife. The Squire had a friend to visit him on business, and was very much annoyed to be interrupted by his wife, who came to ask him what he wanted for dinner. 44 Go away ! let us alone !" impatiently said the Squire. Business detained the friend until after dinner lime, and the Squire urged him to remain. The Squire was a generous provider, proud of his table, and he complacently escorted his friend to a seat. A little to the surprise of both, they saw nothing on the board but a huge dish of salad, which the good wife began quietly to dish up. 44 My dear," said the Squire, 44 where are the meats f 4 There are none to day," said his lady. 44 No meats ! What in the name of poverty ! The vegetables then. Why don't you have them brought in V" 44 You didn't order any." 44 Order ! I didn't order anything," said the amazed Squiie. 44 You forget." coolly answered the housewife. 44 1 asked what we should have, and ysu said, 4 lettuce alone.' Here it is." The friend burst into a laugh, and the Squire, after looking lugubrious a moment, joined him. 44 Wife, I give it up. I owe you one. Here is the fifty dollars you wanted for that carpet which I denied you." The Squire forked over. 44 Now let us have peace, and some dinner." The good woman pocketed the paper, rang the bell, and l sumptuous repast of fish, poultry, and vegetables, was brought in. A few days afterward the Squire remained working in his garden sometime after the usual tea hour. His wife grew impatient of delay, and went to find him. His excuse, when asked what he was waiting for, threw her into a flutter of excitement. 4 Some one's to gome to supper," she exclaimed. 44 Why didn't you tell me ? I declare you are the provokingest man !" i And without asking which of his friends was expected, she hastened to change ber dress and slick up her hair for the occasion. This done, she came out and found the Squire seated at the table reading his newspaper. 44 Where's your company ?" 41 My company ! I haven't any company." 44 But you said you expected somebody to supper," exclaimed the indignant wife. " My dear, I said no such thing. You asked me what I was waiting for, and I said ftummona to come to supper that's what I was waiting for, my dear, and I came at once. 44 And you have made me go and change my dress. Oh, I'll pay you for this." 44 No matter about it, my (h ar, I owed you, you remember, for that lettuce." Faults in Buiblinir. The American Builder enumerates these faults in planning and erecting houses : 1. Cramping a house down to the smallest possible space, so as to make more 44 yard room," which will never be used. 2. Making no calculations as to the size of rooms or location of furniture. 3. Building chimneys by guess, so that one has to have a dozen lengths of useless stovepipe, or else place his stoves in the most inconvenient localities. 4. Arranging windows and doors so that one opens against th" other, or in the very spot to be occupied by a piece of fur niture, or so placing them that no fresh air can get through the house, even though the whole should be open. 5. Providing no means of ventilating rooms, save by open doors or windows ; hance all the impure air which is generated by breathing, cooking and fermenta tion, as it is rarified, rises to the top of the room, and there remains to breed discomfort, disease and death. 6. Nailing sluathing to the outside of the studding and claplioards (or siding) close to the outside ot that, leaving small or no air chamliers between them ; and, as in nine cases out of ten, green materials for each covering have neen used, thev shrii.k and rot, soon making a honey-comb of the shell, though plastered with paint and cement. 7. Laying the lower floor directly on ioists, or at best lining it with culls full of mots and shakes, which are little better than nothing, and, as a consequence, the floor is always cold and uncomfortable. H. In finishing, first laying the bases, pilasters and casings (perhaps of green lumber) and then lathing and plastering up to them, so that when they dry In' -orifices are left tolet in cold ami motel . 0. Letting his work out, as a v ieih. trusting to the honesty of the conti. t.. to do it, without having plans or speei. tions properly drawn, and without any one to oversee, criticise or direct it.

18, 1860.

Timely Hints on the Use of Coal. A common fault is to use too coarse wood for kindling, and too much of it. This, while it generally succeds in lighting the cost, leaves a bed of ashes below the coal which interferes with thedraft unless raked out; an operation which always retards the combustion of partially ignited coal. The wood should be of some rapidly burning variety which gives a quick and high heat, and should be split fine. It should be so placed that the coal will remain on the top of it and not fall through to the grate, leaving the kindling on the top of any part of the coal. A common mistake is to use too large sized coal. A good rule, where stoves or furnaces have a good draft, is to use coal as small as can be used without inconvenience lroni its sifting too freely through the grate. Grates should have their bars closely set for stoves that are cleaned out daily, and have fires lighted in them each morning, while those which are intended to have fire kept in them continuously for days or weeks will not admit ot fine grates, on account of the accumulation of ashes and small 44 clinkers." There is much difference in coal in regard to the formation of clinkers. These are nothing but vitrified, or partially vitrified earthy matters, and only can form when a high heat is maintained ; they are apt to be troublesome when there is too great draft. A coal stove or furnace should therefore be so constructed that its draft can be perfectly controlled. The bom draft should admit of being closed nr-tight, as nearly as is possible to make it, and there ought always to be provision made for a top draft. If, however, the draft of a chimney should be so strong that air in too great quantities is drawn in at the bottom when the dampers are closed, a damper in the pipe which will close it partially must be employed, though in sluggish chimneys such a damper is apt to force the gases of combustion into the room, and therefore it ought alwavs to be avoided when possible. The practice of putting ashes on the top of a fire to keep it is very productive of clinkers, although it answers very well in other respects. Damp coal screenings are better, and may be economically burned in this manner. If a coal fire gets very low, the quickest way to extinguish it is to rake it at the bottom. To preserve a fire under such circumstances, a little coal should be placed on the fire, and when it has caught more may be added, and the raking deferred until it has got well ignited. When the fire bricks have become burdened with clinkers which have fused and adhered, they may be cleaned by throwing oyster or clam shells into the tire box when the fire is very hot, and allowing the fire to gc out. The clinkers will generally cleave off without the use of much force the next morning. From two quarts to one-half a peck will be sufficient for most stoves, and the operation can be repeated if some of the clinkers still adhere. Scientific American. Mark Twain's Idea of a (wood Letter. TnE most useful and interesting letters we get here from home are from children seven or eight years old. This is a petrified truth. Ilappily they have got nothing else to talk about but home, and neighbors and family things their betters think unworthy of transmission thousands of miles. They write dimply and naturally, and without strain for effect. They tell all they know, and then stop. They seldom deal in abstractions or homilies. Consequently their epistles are brief; but, treating as they do of familiar scenes and persons, always entertaining. Now, therefore, it you would learn the art of letterwriting, let a child teach you. I have preserved a letter from a little girl eight years of age preserved it as a curiosity, because it was the only letter I ever got from the States that had any inftft-mation in it. It ran thus : 44 St. Louis, 1805. 44 Uncle Mark, if you was here I could tell you about Moses in the bulrushes again. I know it better now. Mr. Sowberry has got his leg broke off a horse. He was riding it on Sunday. Margaret that's the maid Margaret has taken all the spittoons, and slop buckets and old jugs out of your room, because she says she don't think you are coming back any more, you have been gone too long. Sissy McElroy's mother has got another little baby. She has them all the time. It has got little blue eyes, like Mr. Swimley that boards there, and looks just like him. I have got a new doll, but Johnny Anderson pulled one of the legs out. Miss Duseuberry was here yesterday ; I gave her your picture, but she said she didn't want it. My cat has got more kittens oh ! you can't think twice as many as Lottie Belden's. And there's one sucb-a sweet little buff one with a short tail and I named it for you. 44 All of them's got names now General Grant, and Halleck, and Moses, and Margaret, and Deuteronomy, and Captain Bemmss. and Exodus, and Leviticus, and Horace Greeley all named but one, and I am saving it because the one I named for you's been sick all the time since, and I reckon it'll die. It appears to be mighty rough on the short-tailed kitten for naming it for me. 1 wonder how the reserved victim will stand it. J Uncle Mark, I do believe Hattie Caldwell likes you, and I know she thinks you are pretty, because I heard her say nothing could hurt your good looks nothing at all she said, even K you were to have the small-pox ever so bad, you would be just as good-looking as you were before. And ma says she's ever so smart. I Very. So no more this time, because General Grant and Moses are fighting. Annib?' This child treads on my toes in every other sentence, with perfect looseness, but in the simplicity of her time of life sh doesn't know it. I consider that a model letter an eminently readable and entertaining letter, and, as I said before, it contains more matter of interest and real infcrmation than any letter I ever received from the East. I had rather hear about cats at home and their truly remarkable names, than listen to a lot ot stuff about people I am not acquainted with, or read 44 The Evil Effects of the Intoxicating Bowl," illustrated on the back with the picture of a ragged scallawag pelting away right and left in the midst of his family circle with a junk bottle. Feeding Children. Children, who, while growing, must form more tissue than they waste, consume more food in proportion to their weight, and possess more active digestions than adults. They should have their meals with shorter intervals, and care should be taken to avoid the influences that may disturb digestion. Prominent among these is a deficiency of clothing. The human Ixxiy, like any other thing of f;ruater warmth than the surrounding air, las a constant tendency to part with its excess of heat by radiation, and to check this cooling process we envelop ourselves iu non conducting fabrics. It stands to reason that the greater the surface exposed the more rapidlv will radiation occur ; and yet we frequently see children with chest, arms and legs bare 1 by fadiionintle coldest weather, without regard to the general depression of temperature, which must also involve lhat of the digestive organs. The diet of children should lie regulated 'iy a consideration of their fnneifonal capacities. In infancy, nature furnishes in the mother's milk all requisite elements in a condition requiring no mechanical treatment, but merely simple chemical action.

NUMBER 11.

A little later, as the first teeth begin to make their appearance, food easily separable may be allowed, and M the masticating apparatus advances towards perfection, articles requiring more tearing and grinding may be gradually added to the cata logue. The activity of the digestion secretions increases in proportion to dental development, so that many substances (such as potatoes) which are easy tomasti cate are not digestible in early childhood. The milks of different animals vary in constitution as regards the proportion of their constituents, human milk contain ing more water and sugar than that ot the cow. For this reason, when an infant is 4brought up by hand," or in the ptoessi of weaning, it is usual to dilute and sweeten cow's milk in order to bring it nearer the human standard. Goat's milk for the same purpose would require more dilution, but no sweetening its percentage of sugar exceeding even that of the cow. It is extremely doubtful, however, whether the addition of water to cow's milk serves any good purpose; and it is certain that far too much is usually added. Human milk contains about 89 parts of water in 100; cow's milk about 8 or three parts less in 100; yet to compensate for this slight difference, the latter is commonly diluted with double its bulk of water before giving it to a hungry baby. Be it always remembered that an infant's properest food is its own mother's milk, and that she who can suckle her child and does it not, is guilty of a serious offense against God's law. A. I j. Carroll, in Harper' Magazine for Note mber. FACTS AND FIGURES. Dexter is 11 years old. The coal fields of Alabama cover an area of 1,000 miles. There are G09,3G."5 children in Indiana, between the ages of G and 21. TnH population of Rochester, N. Y., is G0,208. The gain in four years is 18,268. A writer in the London &ocietf asserts that the wearing of corsets produces corpulence. At the late Mecca pilgrimage, 110,000 pilgrims assembled at Mount Ararat, an increase of 25,000 over 1868. The total value of all the horses in twenty-one Northern States in 180 ) was over f-100,000,000. There are 430 species of humming birds, and they are found only on the Western continent. The number of letters distributed at Indianapolis, in October, were 154,488 13,136 being drop letters. A writ Kit in Harpertf figures that only two Americans out of twelve carry watches, and only one woman out of forty. The Rev. Chas. Bescher, of Georgetown, Mass., is the possessor and skilled player of a violin over 200 years old ; and ilayden Brown, of West Newberry, owns one 100 years old. A year ago a resident of Greenland, N. IL, Wiis worth 2,000,000. He put it into copper and silver mining Hocks and lost it all. A max and his wife at Washington, who kept each a fruit and refreshment stand in the neighborhood oft wo or three of the departments, cleared 00,000 during the war. A reel boy at a Cincinnati hotel found a wallet in the hall containing $'$,000. He gave it to the clerk, who returned it to the owner. The man coolly put it in his pocket without saying a word, or even kicking the boy. Ax American official at Paris has found among the old book -stores a copy of Elliot's Indian Bible. It will be remwmben . that the last copy sold for $1,:00, and it is probahle that this newly-discovered one will bring at least 2,000. In Great Britain, with a population of 24,363,000, there are :;;,2(0 ministers, and 84,700 churches and chapels, or one for every 700 persons, and a minister to every 672 inhabitants. In this country, in I860, there were 54,000 churches, being au average of one church for every HEB persons of all ages. A female medical school for natives' has recently been established at Bareilly, India, under the charge of Dr. Gorbynand Baboo Gunga Pershad. The female students, it is asserted, have shown great quickness and aptitude for the art of medicine, and have made surprising progress. The founders of the school have made application for aid from the government, in order to carry on the institution on a larger scale. The Watchman and Reflector mentions the following long pastorates of Baptist ministers in Boston : 44 Dr. Btillman was pastor of one church in Boston 42 years ; Dr. Baldwin, of one church, nearly 36 years; Dr. Stowe,of two churches, nearly 36 years ; Dr. Neale has been pastor m( two churches in Boston more than H years; Dr. Hague, of four churches, 21 years. The united pastorate of these five men amounted to 167 years." A New Orleans baker having lost a mule, advertised for the recovery of his animal, which he described as 44 a gentle mule, valued at 150, and answering to the name of Fanny," offering at the same time a 44 heavy " reward to the finder. The animal was discovered on the levee, in the possession of a suspicious person, and taken to its owner, when the latter fulfilled his promise by counting out fifty old-fashioned copper pennies. A spKciMKN of the wonderful plant 44 the flower of the Holy Ghost,'' has been successfully raised in Norwich, Ct. The flower is a creamy white cup, nearly as large as half an egg, and extremely beautiful, and its wonder as a natural floral f growth is the fact that in this llower i ittle pure white dove, with pink bill and eyes, and its head turned as if looking over its back. Its wings, feet, bill, ftc are as absolutely perfect as those ot the living dove, whose counteriart this wonderful mimic vegetable bird is. 1 never saw any laxly do anything that I did not watch t hem and see how they did it, tor there is no telling but that some time 1 might have to do it myself. I was going across a prairie once ; my horse began to limp. Luckily 1 canie across a blacksmith's shop, but the smith was not at home. I asked the woman of the house if she would allow me to start fire and make the shoe. She said I might il I knew how ; so I started a fire, and heated the shoe red-hot, and turned it to fit my horse's foot, and sluxl the horse. At the next place 1 came to, I went straight to :i smith ami told him to put the hhoe tin properly. He looked at the horse's foot, and paid me the greatest compliment 1 ever received in my life. He told me if I put on that shoe I had lietter follow blacksmithing all my life. Beeeher. An accurate statement of the bequests of Mr. Peahody has never beeu published. The following is an approach to correctness: For Institutes at Dan vers and Peabody, 250,000 ; Peabody Museum at Salem, 150,000; Newburyport, for a library, 30,000; Memorial Church in Georgetown, Mass , to the memory of his mother, and free public library at same place, 100,000; Phillips Academy, Andv ver, :t0,0OO; Massachusetts Historical Society, 20,000; Harvard College, for Museum and Professorship of American Archaeology and Ethnology, 150,000; Yale College, for Museum of Natural His tory, 150,000; Peabody Institute at Bal timore, 1,000,000: Maryland Histories Society, 20,000; Kenvon College, 85, 000; Public Library at Post Mills, Thet ford, Vt., 10,000; Southern Kducational Fund, 3,000,000 ; London Poor, 1,750, 000; his kindred, 1,500,000, and many smaller donations.

MISCHIEF'

BY VS( I E FBAVK Who dally toddle all about. Tnrne topfy-tnrvr. Inslde-ont, All movables the houoe throiu:hout Mi-oblH. Who in the pancopaa dropped hi 'hoc, Thrn laughed to iv cook Hidiy t- w You HtUe rone. m-- know 'twas you .MipcliieL Who canrrht poor pu-y w W!io broki tin' cea of fii iy with a noon epiTf ot fitt mi: go Wbo wi i; turnt-d old Hilly loe' Whoww it let tbe chicken out 1'pon the rardeu jur-t laid out. Thou cheered the -?cratchen" with a thouif Miwhief. P Who nip- ma's " poci.' in tho bnd P Who blockt hi- sIhk with yellow mad? KWko made thj bath room all ot' flood? Mi -chief. Who if it. to explore the well. Oise otir.il.-l it with dinner-bell? How many more thin?-, who can t-ll? Misx-bierf Who now He pleopia? on the floor, With cherry lip and pinafore And face lw.-'incared with chcrrv pore? jirilff ! -Tltarlh anl Home. THE BAKERN STRATAGEM. Mr. Pert.ey wu uakcr in Menden. He had just started in business, und was encouraged that the good, light bread, hot from his capn ious ovens, and rakes sweetened, spiced and pi um med to fast , were fast getting into 44 everylxKly's mouth." But one thing puzzle 1 him. The large, round 44 molasses cakes," the plainest, most wholesome, and. to healthy appetite, relishable of his toothsome eatables, went ort' too fast for the numlier of pennies they brought in. It was a mystery to him. And what heightened it was this : lie w n his own clerk, but he noticed that if he steppel out for a half hour, the sto k of cakes would strangely lessen, though t'v store meanwhile was closed. So one day shutting up shop, he passed throueh the principal stmt with a business-like air, to return by a back way, in time to see his shop entered by two or three boys, who dexterously undid Ost fastening, helped themselves to the goodie, as deftly refastened the door .and then ran to a field, where several of their companions wero waiting to pic-rue with th'm, SST the spoils. CD .Now the successful luiximr and linking of douprh into bread in its various kinds, especially on a large scale, requires, as any housewife can testify, great good judgment. Do not suppose that the plundered baker was. from the nature of his business a dough face, with opinions and conduct moulded on the model of his neighbors. He had a way of his own, and did not 1 t his feelings get into ferment, and temper rüt, leading him to collar the thieves as some persons would have done, and then to flog them. No. Neither did he have them sent to jail, and disgraced without reforming them. He was a comparative stranger in the E IsoB, ami it was not for his interest needessly to irritate the friends of the your.r burglars, and not a few of the trespassers were from the best families." He determined, however, to protect his property, and at the Bias time to teach the rogues a salutary lesson. The way he accomplished this we commend to the study of reformers who believe in moral but not in Isgjsl suasion. At the opposite end of the town, lived the village doctor. Callim: at his oflicx the baker related the annoyances to which he had been subjected, and inquired if hi medical 'friend could not give him some thing to mix with his douirh that would make the lioys sick of their knavery. Tho ioetor had shrewd head, with a tongue in it that ossdd keep a secret, and. like many of his profession, he dearly loved a joke and plenty of practice. Bl I he needed no kick to make him take a hint, and, putting up a mammoth powder, said, 44 Put that in your flour and the scamps, will let your cakes alone P 44 It wont't be too stronir for them, w ill it, doctor ?" asked the bak r. 44 It's a pretty smart emetic and cathartic ; but," he added, with a knowing twinkle, 44 their mammas will be sure to send for me, and I'll see that their young hopefuls arc not too much depleted." With this assurance, the baker, conlident as to the issue, made up a larre batch of the coveted cakes, wholly for the lienwfit of his clandestine customer-. When taken from the oven they proved beautiful illustrations of the adage,44 Looks are deceitful," for they were unusually light and handsome, and the doctor, who dropped in to watch the progress of the experiment, declared that tor once he w as tempted to take his own medicine. The cakes were now conspicuously ranged in the front shop show-case, and the proprietor, closing his establishment, went away. He was scarcely out of sight, when the human mice for whom the trap was set, made a descent upon the cakes. Having secured them, and taking their usual precaution to rebolt the door, they hastened to their companions, who were seated behind piles of lumber, and proceeded to discuss their ill gotten repast. Nothing in smell or flavor lict rayed ibe presence of the potent powd r. and their ravenous eating anil jokes, at the baker's expense, were a 4' tirst -class entertainment" to the man of bread, who, concealed from sight , was a delighted spectator to their short tired fun. "My! how sick I feel!" suddenly exclaimed a lad, turning white as he spoke, and running from vi-w. ,4 So do I ! " echoed another, rap'dly retreating homeward, followed by a third at 44 double quick," until in a marvcloiisly short time, the group had vanished, snd with like expedition, messengers w re thing trom ditfereul dwellings for the doctor. .Never was the worthy man s- i t. It s SS. 44 Doctor, won't you plesse come right up to Mr. Pease's quick I Our Hal is awful sick !" 44 Doctor, won't you see onr Tom first f We can't stop his vomiting P Mothers am re in great trouble. What the nature of the disease was that had so suddenly settled down upon the community, seizing only the young, they were at a loss to decide. Dr. Doscni was calm amid the general flutter, and by his self possession won golden opinions ; but little light did bis lamp shed on the question, and small com fort did he offer to his patients. To the oft-repeated inquiries at the bed-side of the sick boys, 44 What is the matter, doctor ? Do you think the attack fliegt nw v" He would shake his oracular head and sav. I tnil not, madam. Your son has undoubted'y eaten something ho aught not I am sure the 44 irotHi Mini a ri tan" made at least two calls upon his convalescing patients, putting dollars in his purse, and 44 feathers in hi cap for. skilllul man, he did not lose a case. Indeed, a double cure was wrought the lads got well, ami they stole no more. Youth' ( hmpanion. The ingenuity of the American mechanic hss found an eccentric interpreter in W T. Traflon, of Manchester, N. Hampshire, SrlsO is making the smallest possible specimen of an engine. Every part of it is construct ed out of a silver half dollar. The eettsf is to hold ab ut eight drops of water ; but with four drops the engine can h weslued for several minutes. When. finished it i to !e placed under a glass case three miartrs of an inch in diameter and an inch ami oneeighth in height. Some of the parts will be so line and delicate that they cannot be made without the use of a magnifying glass. m s In an old house in Danbury, Ct , the other day, s weD-pressffVed eott wss found, issued under the act of Congress Feb 17, 1 776. It was for 44 one-sixth of a dollar." On one side, omong other t Iii tit: . was the MBtto, 44 Mind your busin. and on the r verse side a circle of thirteen link, ri presenting the thirteen States. i pi -Two brother of (Jen. St . le have a dairv s, nth ot n Francisco. i he own l.'KJÜ cows and 52,000 acrts. Four years ago, the Steeles made, from one day's milk of their cows a cheese weighing 4,000 pounds.