Plymouth Democrat, Volume 15, Number 25, Plymouth, Marshall County, 24 February 1870 — Page 1

V POETRY. YOUTHS' COLUMN.

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SUN AND RAIN.

A Yorxo wife rtood at the Itttlce-pane. In a study ssl and " brown," Watching the dreary, ceaseless rain. Steadily pouring down Drip. drip. drip. Tt kept on Its tireless play : And the poor little woman sighed, '-Ah me' What a wretched, weary day ." An SMBf hand at the door, A step a- of one in haste. A kl- on h-:r lips orce more. And an arm around her wakt : ... . , Throb, throb, throb. Went her little heart, grateful and gay, A she thonght,with a smile, -Well, ufter all, It isn t so anil a day !" Konrot va the plashing rain. Audthe lowering kie ahore. 'or the sombre room was lighted again By the blesd nn of love : Love. lore. loTe !" Rin the little wife's murmur'd lav; Without it may threaten and frown if it w'li; Within, wh.it a golden day 1" BL USB NOT, HONEST TOILER. u blush not. honest toiler! No canse for shame hast thou ! Though horny skin be on thy hands. And sweat-drops on thy brow; Although thy face mir bo begrimed With coal-dust or with soil. Ti .a nohle in irk of unafulncs ; Then blnh not. son of toil, U i blii"h not. honet tier ! rhe time w eo.au ere long : W.Vn ri'ht will triumph over mlirht, And ju-ti " over wrong, sspea thy worth, disgrace it not Hy .my action Tile ; Thar wort', srll !o icfenowkdgcd yot. Then blush not, son of toil. MISCELLANEOUS. Al'MRVLUNA. I n v F. it et. What? Why. the first coin I ever earned in public. It is a sixpence ; old, battered, thin, dilapidated, but with not only a cross on it, but a hole in it. That's the reason why I kept itthe hole in it. It was a lucky coin. I wondel if the kind hearted gentleman who gvn it dm netted I w isn't an every -day street musician? I think he did, for he stepped sp t DM so kindly, and handed it to me ao gently, that I was certain he had his thoughts on me more than on my satUsf There was a young lady with him, on his arm his iaüghter, I think, for I fmcicd that I heard her say " papa" to him. Though, tor the matter of that, she might have been hit wife, repeating her children! name for her husband. Ahme! children, and wife, and home ! They had a nice house and nice furniture, no doubt, and plenty to eat and to drink, and where w i thai to be decently and elegantly clothed . They had all their household gods enshrined in comfort, and they were happy, leonld see that they were; while the player wii 1 stood before their door, and tried to minister more pleasure still to them, was far otherw ise. Sme day I intend writing the history of that fearful time of expectation and daerr; but here I pass over it to that dread day when I knew I had not the pr; : of another week's lodging for my pool darling There were the horse and rig, to be sure, which Smith, with whom I Iged, assured me would only bring ia about eight aa ten pounds in Melbourne. Bat I did not dare to think about parting with them any more than with my clothing : aaeing that if I got a situation anywhere out of Melbourne, I should have no other mean3 of getting my wite and mv chickens t our new home. It was He iven's own mercy then, I am sure, that the day lor paying my insurance premium WM not near at hand. My life was inBared for nearly a thousand pounds all lefi by my will" to them. Often have I thought since, how many men must die 'accidentally on purpose. ' Ever since my marriage I had managed to keep up the payment of my premiums; and I feel sure that in my despairing state of mind at this rriaia, it would have been too much for mv reason : the thought of losing the only provision I had made for my treasures through inability to pay the premium, or through living up to the time tin iast was due. Ah. my !' ar reader, pray God that you aa y Beret be brought to understand the tu 1 in-aning of the words, " In order to live I must do toniethinn:'' I feel astonished that that "something" is not often re unlawful than it reallv is. I often, too, think with trembling what, at that time, I should have done tor mv wife and children if I hadn't thought of trying my ioraino as a street musician. It occurred to me at first that I ought to try tor an engagement in some concerthall or musical tavern as a negro minstrel I li ln t seek an engagement among the -rroes however, for fear I should be i cognized, even through the lampblack o ; I made up mv mind to trv mv for tune all alone, seeking the darkest places only. Should I Uagtuae myself? Yes, if nwcianary. Hut "low ? that was the rab. I thought at Drat of merely blacking my Ptce, then of turning it of a tawny hue only. Then I determined to make a clean nave oC all say face-hair; then of playing all manner of changes by means of the mustache and beard. Finally, howe . er, I didn't do anything to my face, Inasmuch as I was not living in a house of nary own. and I didn't want to attract the attention of my kind-hearted but timid landlady. She might take the alarm, and l urn aa 11 out of her house, and then what could be done ! 8 Os yean beatae I met an old friend a lady too; and we know how observant tii v are -in Sydney, and positively she di In't recognize ma because I had on one ot the new fashioned helmet nats tujs Incky recollection made me feel sure that a head dress might be made a sufficient dUguise for me, and I attempted no other, except the putting on of an old la e coat. My poor wife, when I got home, saw in my face that I had been unsuccessful that day in getting a place I had fondly expected. It was hall past six o'clock this gloomy autumnal day, and she had heard mv horse coming along the stony road in the dusk, and had run out with the candle in her hand to learn the news from me whilat I unharnessed the horse and stabled him. The light held up to my face, though the fare smiled, told her all ; but she bore it bravely, and made no sign. It had been dr Baling rain all that day, and by the time I sot home, although it had tuen cleared up at least, into a sad wintry fog I was wet to the skin. To tell the truth, indeed, I hadn't taken the smallest trouble in the world to keep myself dry, or warm, or OÜM am i-e comfortable. Aly wife saw the expression of my face, and knew the worst. And then, while she began telling me in her most cheerful voice how my favorite pudding was waiting for me, and the dinner-tea was smoaing hot on the table, the good little woman put the candle on the stable floor and set to work with her trembling hands to unfasten the harness of the horse. She kept talking all the time, with only a quaver here and there in hor sweet voice, and actually forced a laugh, too, at her awkwardness in groom's work. It was only incidentally, as it were, that 44 I suppose you didn't get that beggarly place? and it's just as well, dear, indeed,'' came out And she handed me the horse's fowl, which she had, in the daytime, laid by ready ;n a cloth, and led the horse up to his manger, while I carried in his harness, sad rags by this time ! "Now come and take your nice hot dinner, and we'll have such a pleasant talk afterwards. I have got something particular to tell you." And she took me by the arm. " My poor fellow ! How cruel of me not to have noticed it before ! Why, you are dripping wet! Why didn't you analsnrf Come along and change your things immediately." And I did change my things immediately ; for her loving forethought had prodad warm on the fender everything, from socks to eoaU Then I set to work at the eatables with what appetite I might ; and the extent of that may be guessed at. The children had already thoughtfully been washed and put to their beds, to be out of papa's way; and then after our meal while Mrs. Tom Smith, with whom lodged, put the tea things away my wife an! I went out to the garden and began talking together over ur poor -fortunes. I uld her of the events of the day, and of mynew plan for earning a living for her. The poor thing was surprised. I felt her hand trembie in my own, aa well

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VOLUME XV it might, at the idea of her husband bccomieg a street beggar. 44 Was there nothing else I could do? no other way at all of earning a few pounds until I got some proper employment?" " What else was there for a non-laborer like me?" 44 Couldn't I wite and ak Robert Franks f r the loan of a little money ? He would be sure to lend it. He was always such a kind-hearted fellow." " What would be the use of five or ten pounds? I couldn't ask him for more when that was gone. And wh does my little comforter fear ?" And the little comforter cried on my shoulder, and told me she was afraid yes, afraid that the degradation would be too much for a proud spirit, and that if my heart didn't break I should perhaps destr oy myself. Then I turned comforter, and told her how there was no degradation to be undeigone. I should be honestly earning my bread ; honestly working for money ; and under no more suspicion of mendicancy than Charles Kean was in acting for money on the stage. My stage was to be the street ; that was the only difference. I weat further, took a higher stand, and, indeed, soared off the ground altoget her by the tine I got ahead a bit. "Yes ; it was a mere question of work and wages. Wasn't it more spirited than living on one's relatives, even supposing I could exist until I heard from England ? Yes ; there could be nothing more honorable ; nothing more becoming a gentleman of spirit, barring the one fact of his living upon his lawfully acquired means !" I soared, as you see, and my little woman, from crying turned to smiling, and wing and wing we flew off together." Ami I, darling, with my voice can help you. In a few weeks, when you have made twenty or thirty pounds ver expenses, we can hire rooms, and give concerts ; and, perhaps, you know, I may take nearly as well as you. And then we can go on the stage ; and, with your fine appearance (!) we shall be sure to make a tortune ! If I really succeed in taking only half as well as you, we shall" Who can blame me for finishing the sentence with " We shall be safe to make an independence, at least, in two or three years !" Ur else go home to J-zagland as prima donna and tenore." It was a pity that it was too late anil too wet, and that the horse was too tired for me to begin that very evening. Tne next morning! was still enthusi astic enough not to take the trouble of making my usual daily visit to the hote; to see the advertisements in my lin in the Aryw, at least, I didn't trouble to go until after two o'clock. But the time went on, and the dusk ar rivedwith the fog too. I had made up my mind to set out about six o'clock, drive into Melbourne, and there deter mine on where I was to make my debut whether in city or suburb. Somehow, I fancied that the fashionable Saint Kilda would be my best ground. If I struck my first chord at between seven and eight o'clock, it would be ' ark enough in all conscience; and my audience, having dined, would be at comfortable leisure to attend to me. Well, at about six o'clock, then, I quietly put the horse to, slipped my sack alpaca coat and my afsnflrurg into the gig, and then went in-doors for my guitar." and half a crown from the saclfaced woikcr. 44 Are you going out for long, sir ! " Mrs. Tom Smith asks. " Yes, Mrs. Smith, I am going to the play. I may leave early, and be home about ten o'clock." And then, turning to mv wife, I said significant!', "Adeline, I'm taking in the guitar for some new strings ;" for I had perceived that Mrs. Smith had observed me putting the instrument into the gig. Then Adeline, after what I thought a very curious silence, gathered up her work in her aims, and unceremoniously ran out ino the veranda ; whereupon Mrs. Tom 8mith looked to me for an explanation of all this. I laughed, and said, "She is angry with me, perhaps, for not taking li r to the theatre; but I understood all along that she didn't care for going." m Ask her now, sir. I'll take care of the children, and welcome." "That I will, Mrs. Smith. I suppose she wanted to go, but didn't like to leave the youngsters to trouble you." Arrived in the veranda, and going to its darkest corner among the clematis, where a 'ady was weeping bitterly, not to say hysterically, I say, gayly, 4weil, niauann', so wo nave lost our courage at last; and that stage -fortune that we were to have is not to be ours after all r " O, William, dear, do forgive me ! I" " A comforting sort of thing, this ! is it not, for this cold evening !" " O, it is cruel, William, dear so cruel in me. But I could't help it I couldn't, indeed : and you know I am not so strong now as as I might be !" Poor little woman ! I knew that well enough ; for the thought ot it was helping to break my heart as well as hers. What else could I do ? I stayed to comfort her ; and the effect was so great that in a few minutes the bonnet and shawl were run :n for, and both of us were scat ed in the gig and on our way for a drive ! As then and there agreed upon, it was a drive of remn naiance ffu um. to see whereabouts would be likely to pay me. I declare we drove around the western suburbs that night until ten o'clock ; actually picking out the groups of houses where I was likely to secure an audience, and debating on the matter as professionally as if I were a regular old hand at the business. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning in town, going through the old unhappy routine of place seeking Hut all without effect. Is it any wonder that I became more and more eager to try my scheme? And what is more, I was determined not to be balked this time by any lad' at the gate. I knew she was in good hands. 80 on Friday afternoon I drove back from town ; told my old story of non-success; gave my horse his feed of chaff (alas ! he, poor fellow, felt the master's poverty in his short allowance of corn); and, putting my guitar and my clothes for disguise into the gig, waited for a favorable opportunity, when no too loving eyes were looking on, and drove off in an undignified canter away on my fortune-hunting expedition. While I am doing t tils let me say a few words about my antecedents. I am half a foreigner that is, my mother, like her of many another Englishman, was an alien. This fact goes a good way to account for my being a player on that unBritish instiument the guitar. I am exceedingly dark, as was my mother, and altogether have not a thorough British look. 80 this being half a foreigner was now rather in my favor. It enabled me to pass for a whole one, and by good fortune also to sing in other languages besides my native Er glish. Everybody knows the kind of weather autumn brings grod suicidal weather all the world over, as well in Australia as in Europe. As I plodded through the avenues I felt unutterably miserable. Oh, that evening. I am si re you would have said, "God help him," if you could have known how wretched I was. Coil did help ine, too, I am sure, or I never should have successfully passed through those days. The first time I stopped -a, I recollect, in front of a large detached house, whose lower windows were all lighted up, and in which I could plainly hear laughing voices. I had just untied the usual green

Plymouth Democrat.

baize wrapper in which I carried my guitar, and already sounded a gentle trial cord, which almost frightened me off my project it was so dreadful actually to hear one's self playing as a mendicant all this was going on, and so, too, was my heart, and my lips and nc trils, even dilating for breath, when a group of young men and girls coming up the street stopped behind me attracted, no doubt, by the feeble trial chords my trembling fingers had struck. I was standing inside the front garden -gate, which I had unlatched, and the people were, of course, outside; BO that I had really nothing to fear on the score of being recognized. Hut will it be believed? even before such a small audience as had gathered I couldn't go on. I felt I could not. And not, mind you, because I had never before played "and sang before people. Quite the contrary ; for I had frequently performed as an amateur, not only at parties and balls, but even in the concert-room. No ; I had none of the orthodox debutant' weak ness. I simply felt powerless to make the terrible plunge, and actually begin to perform as a mendicant musician ! What, then, did I do f for another horror, and a worse one, came over me at that moment. What if I should be arrested a3 a vagrant, now I was in a gentleman's grounds ? I would have given twenty pounds at the moment to have been able to turn and run away away anywhere. Hut if I had gone past the now increased group at the gate had I gone oft without playing, or in some way making my presence known to the inmates of the house might I not be suspected of being a spy for burglars, or a thief myself under the guise of a musician, and followed and arrested ? Hut Necessity has a mother Invention. I pretended that my instrument was out of order at the peg3 ; gave a muttered "Cospetto !" or two ; and, kneeling on one knee to support my guitar well on the other, I fidgeted long with it to weary out my watchers. So away they went, slowly enough, as I thought. And I ? why I followed them quickly enough, I can tell you, and never stopped until I had reached the lonely sea beach, where I sat down on a heap of gravel, and what? well, then, cried gasped, or sobbed, or whatever else you like to call it! I was going to say nothing about this part of the business; but recollecting that in the history of such a narrative as mine, it is best to say exactly what occurred no more, anil certainly no less I confess that I fairly broke down why, I cannot say. I must have sat on that heap of gravel for more than half an hour reasoning with myself, and a hard battle I had in that reasoning. At one time I fairly "jibbed," and would have " given the world," as they say, if it had in earnest rained, as it I had all the evening been threatening to do. Hut it did n t rain and before I got up I was glad it did not. And having got stronger-hearted, I determined to see my adventure out that night,come what might. Met racing my steps, I got to one of th terraces lacing the sea. This, however, would not suit, because of the long gardens in front. Besides, I had sense enough to know that if I chose a spot where several houses stood together unsenarated by fencing, I could play to them all at once, and should thus have an equal claim on the inmates of each. By-and by for I aiay as wen coniess 11, my neari Degan dancing about again, and my fingers, too, I trembled, and I loitered dreadfully I cime in front of three houses in one block, and without front gardens. There was a light in the drawing-room windows of the middle one, and this I determined would be the very place for me. I stood (, did n't that shaking of the legs come on then ! pulled out ray guitar, drew my iembrw well over my brow, ' lifted my coat-collar high on my neck, looked furtively up and down the street to see whether anybody was coming, and then up at the lighted windows, and then, my instrument having been tuned while I sat on the beach, gave a retrfaA on the strings to see that all was right. My song was to be a Neapolitan air, well enough known to travelers "fote vglio hen aai." But will it be credited? after I had played the prelude, and had actually taken the usual preliminary full inspiration, I found to my dismay that I could not recollect so much as the first line of my song. "Wait," I thought. " Courage ! and in 1 minute or two, when this horrible dancing of the heart ceases somewhat, all will lie right " Ho I waited a bit and thought hard. But all remained wrong Instead of coming right, for before half a minute had passed my down-turned eyes saw the pathway suddenly darken, and looking up, I found the lights in the windows were gone away. I folk weil them. Here vas panic number two. The third is the charm, they say, and so it was in my case. Now, the last panic wasn't nearly so bai as the first, and in one respect, it did much good, inasmuch as it taught me by defeat how-to conquer. It showed me, what I had not until then suspected, that I was not certain to-night of being able to recollect the words of my songs. I have since those days often thought that if I had not learned this when I really did make my debut I should have fatally collapsed during my search for missing words, and fled in dismay, never to appear more in public. Well, as I walked slowly towards another street, the terrible words, 44 I must do something in order to live," kept, thank Heaven, repeating themselves in my mind ; they strengthened my resolves, ana' fixed my vacillating courage. By and by I had to give up in despair all hope of recalling the words of my Italian aria, so I pitched upon anil began repeating to myself the words of that short and delightful song of N'orma's, " Deh ! con tc," which I should have imagined I could sing in my sleep, so familiar was I with it. But alas ! I could not get a word farther than M Ad'ügim " What Adalgisa was to do, or why the name was mentioned at all, I could not for the life ot me recall. 80 there was an end of that. Well, I should be sure to know an English song, and as the most commonplace one I could pitch upon, one which my organs of speech ought almost of themselves be able to repeat, I settled on " Annie Laura." By all the gods, such was my state of mind, that even that I couldn't recollect. I assure you I actually perspired with intensity of thought concerning these words, plu intensity of vexation too; but all to no purpose. And now I had arrived at the best stand of the evening : a terrace of six houses, up steps, the houses all in one imparted block. What was I to do? Sing I could not. However, a little happy forethought had provided for this emergenoy, fore thought, or rather accident. Before lcav ; 1 f 1 1 r ; i 1 .... ing nome 1 nau lancicu mere might De a break -down somehow, most probably connected with the guitar strings, so I had put my r. leert flute into the pocket of my alpaoa sack, and now, lol here it was to hand, just in the moment of despair. Hing I couldn't ; play I might, and thereupon I screwed my flute together, saw that all was right, and having chosen " The Power of Love," I put the instrument to my lips, and ran up and down the scale. It was well I didn't ruoh in media re at the moment, for I discovered that I was nearly as untrustworthy in recollecting my tunes as I had been in recalling their words. Kven this " Power, of Iiove" had to be hummed over twice internally before I could venture to be sure of it. And now the end was at hand; that horrid dancing of the heart I ad rOOom menced even before the music. There were lights in all the houses but one, but fortunately I had no bystanders to trouble me. And now for the trial ; now tor the

PLYMOUTH. INDIANA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY

bread of the dear ones weeping, perhaps, at home for me ! And as usual with flautists, I felt the embouchure of my flute with the tip of my tongue. At last I was tolerably satisfied, and there remained now nothing in the world to hinder my making a beginning. O, wasn't there though? How about the fiercely beating heart, and the unsteady legs, and the trembling fingers, that would hirdly obey me when I tried to give the chromatic scale? There I was, with the flute to my lips. It must have been something akin to a man's standing on the scaffold, with the rope round his neck. Even at the last moment a cowardly demon urged me to turn and flee. But I thought, " My wife, my children !" fixed my heart steadily on them, and blew! Ah, heaving chest and trembling fingers! steady, steady, my friends, for their dear sake ! " May He who gave me those precious treasures to watch over and guard, now enable me to get through this hard, hard trial, for their daily bread !" Yes, I actually said a little prayer of this sort, and it comforted me too. Some prayers are answered in a moment. This was, I am sure. For I did get calmer, my heart ceased palpitating so furiously, and my hands trembed less, and I sent out waves and streams of melody sent them out on the night air. I was surprised at myself. I fairly wondered how well I got on ; and thus I reached the roulades at the ead of the air. Hut here something apparently like trials came ; though, indeed, after the first shock, they rather inspirited me. First a few people stopped in the street below the terrace ; then, in the middle house, a drawing-room blind was pulled aside, and a lady looked down at the player. Presently she returned with two other ladies ; then a gentleman joined them ; and finally they opened the window. I don't want to flatter myself; but I know very well that mv performance of - The Power of Love," " Di Provenza," and the " First Love Waltzes," must have had more attraction than the music of the usual street flautist, playing "O Susanna!" on his one-keyed, varnished pine flute. On my right hand I noticed windows in one house after another showing lookerson behind them. Presently the people from the street came up and over to me ; and I could hear that several others had taken their vacated stations. I rested awhile, then began liDi Pracenza " and here the young ladies from the middle house fairly turned out, some with their hats on, some, with a handkerchief thrown over the head turned out this gloomy evening, though, however, it wasn't raining at the time and promenaded the terrace with their male companion. Next, the lady and gentleman whom I mentioned in my first paragraph came out ; several others followed their example, and a few more listeners were attracted up from the Street. Nearly in every house at least one window showed on-lookers. By this time I had finished "Di JrVassnaa " and another air, and had concluded with 44 La mia lAtizia " from M Lombirdi" I stood still a moment, My heart agnin began to beat painfully ; but I comforted myself by reflecting that if I were going to be offered any money I at least had fairly earned it. Should I ask for any ? O, no, certainly not ; at all events so far as words went ; for in the first place I hadn't any idea of vvhat to say ; and secondly, even if I had, I wa- so nervous that I couldn't articulate 1 stood still, then; but it was only for a moment. The gentleman 'with the lady on his arm came gently up to me and gave me that crossed sixpence. He did it so kindly too! There was a world of pity, I thought, in his simple action. I really believe he made me a bow; I know I made him one. Then he and the lady, who had, I felt, never ceased scanning me, vent away. Most of the other parties one by one advanced and gave me silver, and they did it so kindly, I was sure! Finally, a gentleman, who was sitting alone at his window, came out hatless and handed me a shilling. Why didn't he cry " halloo !" and beckon me over to him, or else throw the money out to me ? I cannot say. I only relate things exactly as they happened. I played one more tune to show I was gratef ul, and with a bursting and a thankful heart I went away. I had received four shillings and sixpence for a few min utes flute playing. If it had been a nice summer's evening, among a crowd of wclldressed people, and I han played my guitar and sung, how much more might not my earnings have been? But I was grateful for what I had received. O, my wife! my poor children ! I had fought the hard battle for your dear sakes and won. I continued a street minstrel for just fifteen days excluding Sundays and earned altogether no less for my evenings' work than six pounds four shillings. My takings were rapidly increasing, notwithstanding the cold season, for I was, in fact, becoming rather a kind of rage. I was the only man of the species in the colony, and after I retired I don't think any one appeared in my stead, at least, none who aimed higher than the conventional negro with his banjo. I used to sing fashionable operatic Italian anas, Spanish ballads, and French chansons, with now and then a favorite English song. 1 began drawing very well indeed, and soon had no fears about my weekly bills. But just when I least expected a suitable engagement oflered, and I retired from my stage. But I went through a good deal in that fortnight, a lifetime of adventure indeed. Casdl' Magazine. Eyes. TnERE is a wonderful diversity among animals in respect to the number of their eyes. In mammals, birds, reptiles, and fishes they are limited to two, and are always placed on the head. The greater part of the surface of the head of the housefly is covered by an aggregation of about 10,000 eyes ; and in the dragon fly they number about 50,000, and may be easily seen by the use of a magnifying lens even of ver' small power. They are not always confined to the head alone. In spiders and scorpious there are generally eight or ten of them in one or more clusters, on the dorsal aspect of that part of the body which is formed by the union of the head and thorax. The star-fish or five-fingers, familiar to every one who has spent any time on our seacoast, has an eye on the tip of each ray or arm. In the sea-urchin, which is homologically nothing but a star fish with the ends off its rays drawn close together, the five eyes are gathered in a circle around what is considered the finder portion of the body. The scallop has numerous eyes on the edge of his mantle, extending from one end of the animal to the other, and forming a semi circle. Some marine worms have them in clusters, not only on the head, but also along each side of the body, Ten to the tip of the tail, and they are connected individually and directly with the medium nervous cord. If wedescend to the lowest forms, we find many infusoria which have neither eyes nor nerves, and yet it is easy to see that they are sensitive to light, for they cither seek or avoid it. Dr. dark, in Hour at Home. Hartford county, Conn., has a temperance reformer known as the He v. Francis Williams, who, 10 years ago, asserted that the mortality record of all the towns In that county, except Hartford, showed that every fifth man dying above the age of U was a drunkard. He now repeats the statement in the form that the death records of the towns in which he has passed his 28 years of pastoral labor, show that the ratio of 1 years ago till holds good.

Punctuality. The words punctuality and punctuation both come from the Latin word punctum, a point, and the value of both may be said to consist in placing points exactly in their proper locality. We all know how necessary it is, in order to understand the printed or written page, that the comma, semi-colon and period should mark the proper divisions, and also the unfortunate mistakes which the want of these little points, or their careless misplacement, may produce. Much more .;ssential is it, both lor our well-being md that of others, that we learn correctly and exactly to punctuate our time. The evils of finishing an important letter too late for the post, of arriving at the depot just after the train has started, of failing to meet an urgent engagement, or to see a valued friend, or to obtain the physician on whose presence a life may depend, are so obvious that their frequency may well be a matter of astonishment. The evils that are the most manifest are not the only injuries that result from unpunctuality. Money is but the representative of labor, and all labor demands time, therefore he who wastes the time of others by his tardiness is guilty of positive dishonesty. He has detracted by so much from another's power of labor, thus depriving the community of the good that might have been rendered, and the individual of the returns he might have received. It may be said that the amount of good thns squandered is so small as to be unworthy of notice ; but the fact is we can never know how great it is. If a number f persons, as in a committee or a family, are delayed five minutes by the tardiness of one member, each one "loses that amount of time, and a whole hour is frequently thus consumed. As none can tell what might have been effected by some of the party in that wasted time, so there can be no estimate of the amount of the loss. Punctuality is then a moral duty, and its violation may in no wise be regarded as a

light matter, only involving inconvenience to a few, but must be looked upon as a breach of honesty. A press of duties i often pleaded as an excuse for unpunctuality. But we usually find that the punctual man is he who accomplishes the largest amount of business in the best manner, while it is chiefly the idlers of society who are addicted to this fault. There is, indeed, a elass of busy idler, who, perhaps more than any others, fail in this virtue of punctuality. They look at their work in the aggregate, and are frightened at its bulk ; but, having no system, though they may begin it with fervor, they suffer one part to overrun the time of another, and eoon get into confusion. Nervously busy, and exhausted with unnecessary friction, they yet accomplish far less than others, who, by system and regularity, pursue their avocations with comparative ease. System is, indeed, the soul of punctuality. As the arrangement of the author's thoughts, ideas and words into th'ir natural divisions is the foundation and cause of his punctuation, so the systematic arrangement of time lies at the root and is the chief source of punctuality. Life is long enough for all the proper purposes off life, if they are only arranged with forethought. Time is not the only thing in which punctuality is requisite. In the matter of payments that may not be legally enforced, though justly due, the lack of this virtue is ever producing grievous injuries. If the anguish of disappointment that is frequently experienced by the poor when their rightful dues are withheld pr delayed by thoughtlessness or neglect, could be opened to the view, it would reveal a picture of injury and wrong that would sadden every heart. And into every duty this element ot punctuality enters. Every known duty faithfully and punctually performed, is a means of elevation to the individual and of benefit to the community, while one who suffers himself to procrastinate duty and put off what is hard or unpleasant, will gradually lose both his self respect and the esteem of others. rhiladrfyhia Udger. Thrilling Adventure. One of our oldest merchants, who is so soon to pass away, and who formerly carried on business in Beaver street, residing as it was the custom in olden times over his store, tells the following thrilling narrative, which he occasionally relates with wonderful effect : A party had been collected at his house to give eclat to one of those little family festivals which brighten the dark trace of life, and cheer the human heart in every clime. It was his daughter's wedding day ; crowds of her young acquaintances circled round her, and as the father gazed proudly on the face of the young bride, he wished as bright a progpect might open for his other children who were gamboling merrily among the crowd. Passing through the passage connecting the lower rooms he met the servant maid, an ignorant country girl, who was carrying a lighted tallow candle in her hand without a candlestick. He blamed her for this dirty conduct, and went on into the kitchen to make some arrangements with his wife about the supner table ; the eirl shortly returned with her arms full of ale bottles, but without the candle. The merchant immediately recol lected thatseveral barrels of gunpowderhad been placed In his cellar during the day, and that his foreman had opened one of t he barrels to select a sample for a customer. 44 Where is your candle ?" he inquired in the utmost agitation. M I couldn't bring it up with me, for mv hands were tnll, said the girl. 44 Where did you leave it ?" 44 Well, I'd no candlestick, so I stuck it into some black sand that's there in one of the tubs." The merchant dashed down the cellar steps; the passage was long and dark, and as he groped his way on, his knees threatened to give way under him; hit breath waschoked, and his flesh seemed suddenly to become dry and parched, as if he had already felt the suffocating blast of death. At the extremity off the passage, in the front cellar, under the very room where his children and their friends were reveling in felicity, he discerned the open powder barrel, full almost to the top the candle stuck lightly in the loose grains, with a long red snuff of burnt-out wick topping the small and giooim name. This sight seemed to wither all bis powers, and the merry laugh of the youngsters above struck upon his heart like the knell of death. He stood for some moments, gazing upon that light, unable to advance. The fiddler commenced a lively jig, ad the feet of dancers responded with increased vivacity; the floor ahooh with their exertions, and the loose bottles in the cellar jingled with the motion. He fancied the candle was moved was falling! With desperate energy he dashed forward ; but how was he to remove it? The slightest touch would cause the small live coal of wick to tall into the loose powder. With unequaled presence of mind he placed a hand each side of the candle, with the open palms upward, and the distended fingers pointed toward the object of his care, which as his hands gradual! met, was secured in the clasping or locking of his fingers, and safely removed from the head of the bar rel. When he reached the head of the stairs, the excitement was over ; he smiled at the danger he had conqueied; but the reaction was t.o powerful, he fell into fits of most violent and dreadful laughter He was conveyed senseless to IkmI, and many weeks elapsed ere hin nerves h' covered sufficient tone to allow him to u sume his habits of every day life." A York Commercial Ada rti r. Thrhr are 250,000 negroes in Maryland, including 50,000 children.

24, 1870,

A Story the (ireat Showman Doesn't Tell P. T. Barncm tells, in his autobiography, a great many stories illustrative of his own sharpness, but oinitg as many more in which the laugh happens to beat his own expense. One of these omitted incidents occurred in the spring of is Jfl, when Barnum was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives. It was the second week of the session, and David Clark, of Hartford, being in town the Legislature met in New Haven that year give a very elegant dinner at the Savin Rock House, in honor of Gov. Hawley, who had just been inaugurated. Twenty or thirty gentlemen were invited, among them P. T. Barnum, and Ike Bromley, now of the Hartford Pott, then editor of the Norwich Bidlelin, and Representative from Norwich. Barnum, as usual, was very conspicuous, doing most of the talking, and making himself as conspicuous as possible. Brom., who had never met the showman before except once, casually, at the beginning of the session, was a good deal disgusted with him. By and by, after the dinner had been disposed of, Mr. Clark proposed the health of Gov. Hawley, and the Governor responded in a little speech. One or two other distinguished gentlemen were toasted and responded, and then Barnum's health was proposed. The great showman rose with the manner of a man who was to say the funniest things of the evening, and was confident he could fill the bill, and with an air of mock embarrassment began : 44 Mr. Chairman You know I am not in the habit of making speeches " Here he commenced examining his pockets, as if looking for his manuscripts ; not finding any, he turned to the gentleman near him and inquired : 44 Who's got my notes? " The question had not left his lips before Brom., sitting away at the ether end of the table, without lifting bis eyes from the nuts on his plate, shouted in answer : 4 Chauncey Jerome ! " The entire crowd happened to know that story of the Barnum-Jerome failure how each accused the other of dishonesty, and how Barnum had come out of it rich, while Jerome, an old broken down man, was left without a dollar in the world. The effect was electrical. The crowd stamped and yelled until the dishes danced, and Barnum for the first time in his life was really embarrassed. He had not anything to say. After a while, when the uproar had sufficiently subsided to give him a chance, he managed to say, he 44 owed the gentleman from Norwich one," and with a few words sat down. But he was extinguished for the evening, and gave up for once the position of head centre. Norwich, C'-un., Bulletin. The Wedding King Fingei This is the fourth finger on the left hand. Why this particular digit should have received such a token of honor and trust beyond all its congeners, both in pagan and Christian times, has been variously interpreted. The most common explanation is, according to Sir Thomas Browne, 44 presuming therein that a particular vessel, nerve, vein or artery, is conferred thereto from the heart ;" which direct vascular communication Browne shows to be anatomically incor rect. Macrobius gives another reason, which may perhaps satisfy those anatomists who are not satisfied with the above. 44 Pollex," he says, -4 or thumb, (whose office and general usefulness are sufficiently indicated from its Latin derivative poello, and from its Greek equivalent antichitr, which means, 4 as good as a hand'), is too busy to be set apart for any such special employment ; the next finger to the thumb, being but half protected on that side, beside having other work to do, is also ineligible ; the opprobrium attaching to the middle linger, called mcdicu, puts it entirely out of the question ; and as the little finger stands exposed, and is, moreover, too puny to enter the lists in such a contest, the sjjousal honors devolve naturally on pronobus, the wedding finger." In the Britith Apollo, 1788, it is urged that the fourth finger was chosen from its being not only less used than either of the rest, but more capable of preserving a ring from bruises; having this one quality peculiar to itself, that it cannot be exextended but in company with some other finger, whereas the rest may be stretched out to their full length and straightness. Poisoned Candies. A lady in Akron, 0., was dangerously poisoned, a few days since, by eating a small piece of candy which had been colored with some poisonous substance. The New York Herald has recently been exposing the poisonous and unwholesome substances used in the manufacture of candy. It says The largest ingredient in the adulterous process is terra albo, a species of of chalky earth imported from Kentucky, thousands of hogsheads of which are used in New York every year. Its cost is a cent and a quarter per pound, and it is used in place of sugar at fifteen cents a pound. Like gypsum, it dries up very quick. It has a sweet taste, and in this regard is a very good substitute fer sugar, but its effect upon the system is very disastrous, destroying the digestive organs and otherwise injuring the health. Other candies are adulterated with starch, glue, glucure and fecule. Verdigris is used for coloring green, and red is produced by the sublimate off mercury. In place of licorice, lampblack is employed, and the Tonka bean almost as bad as opium is substituted for vanilla. To produce flavors of pineapple, raspberry, banana and other fruits, chemically prepared extracts are used, into which not a particle of the juice of these fruits enters, and by which are so many poisons introduced into'the human stomach. si I m Model Composition. Dkbr Par. I am now being teched to nlav billyuds, which my techer say I lerne with great tasilty! it be all the stile now, and the pupils is practisin with much energy, we is wery attentive to it, much more so thun we is to our uther lessuns, but oh ! par, you kent imagine how I've improved in my english sints we been here. My compositions is the admira shun of all, and I have the hiest prise, we studies the French, parlec voos francais, and germin, nix ver stay, and span esh, and hebrew, and gm k and nushin, end latan all to once. We are bavin such bailee times. My tec her says that I shal be a grate boy one of theis days, that my intellex is immense and likely to astonish the world, I thinks he nows sum. It I can get a en gaigeraent on the prts my idee is that a edditur would just sute me. Wen you hear of a chans just let me kno it my deer par. but I must leve you now to pracktis on the tsbil my love to muther and all inkwiren frends and our famile, ami all the familcs, and beleve me par, Your deerest sun, Ja k. As we say in french so longe ! A nrwi.v m rkikd lady hi Chics go complained to her ma that on her reception day her card basket was overrun with .nilars from lawyers, announcing U rms t.r divorce. 41 So absurd, you know, ina, I lore our honeymoon is over." 44 True, dear," replied ma, who had been twice divorced, 44 but, I'd put them in a nate place ; you may find them very useful in a year or two."

NUMBER 25s

FACTS AM) FIGURES. Ohio has oil portraits of its sixteen Governors. Nnw Jkusf.y $2.59 per dog. has put the dg tax at Fifty out of one hundred students in the Minnesota .State University are women. A one-cent workingman's paper is to be started in Brooklyn on the 1st of March. Jancary last, it is said, averaged eight degrees warmer than any previous January for forty-six years. The Khedive is coloring a meerschaum said to be worth, with diamond trimmings, $40,000. H Baltimore nearly 5,000 women find steady employment throughout the season in packing oysters. The latest census taken in Vienna shows that there are &SM persons in all attached to the imperial palace. The Tract Society of the M. E. Church has distributed four million pages of tracts in Germany, during the past year. TnE total amount of coal consumed in this country in 1S09 was 20,8:19,014 tons In England, in 1888,108,141,157 tons were used. In a recent breach of promise suit at Bloomington, 111., the jury rendered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, Mis Lee. for $5,000. The sons of Maine in Lowell, Mass., will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the admission of Maine into the Union, March 1Ö. A rich Mussulman at Smyrna has just died, leaving no s-at-law, and $500,000 thus drops intj te Turkish Treasury, where it is very much needed. The first coin made in the Philadelphia mint, was the copper cent in 170i. The first silver dollar was made in 1791, and the first gold eagle in 1795. TnE selectmen of Douglas, Mass., have decreed compulsory vaccination for all the inhabitants of the town, on account of the occurrence of a case of small pox. The Paris workmen who went out to bury Xoir lost $150,000 in wages, and the whole loss to trade by the demonstration is put at $400,000. A woman recently fell out of a fifthstory window in Paris, upon the head of afoot passenger. They both had a roll in the mud, but neither was badly injured. TnE Lord Mayor of London, at a re cent meeting to promote emigration, esti mated the number of skilled workmen out of employment in England as between 70,000 anil 80,000. Milton Paob, of Alexandria, N. EL, is the champion egg-eater of New England. On the 88th ult., he stretched himself outside of eighty-five of the largest eggs that could be selected. Whittier, being asked for an autograph, the other day, at once complied by penning the following couplet under his signature : The earns is feel tio afeaiav, which wo And Too often larger than the man behind." The production of petroleum in 1869 was 19 per cent, more than in any other year siuce the lucky pioneer first 44 struck oil." The producMon of Pennsylvania since 1859 has been 27,853,100 barrels. Hotktoi rt, Va., ran boast that she has not had a prisoner 111 her jail lor nearly twelve months, nor has any crime been committed in the county for which it would be necessary to imprison one. The Coin, try QmUleman makes a good point when it says, in answer to a request for the address of a stock breeder, that, as he never advertises it is fair to suppose he has nothing to sell. Pkokessor Johnson, of Yale College, Daring recently examined sixteen different kinds of fertilizers, some of which are sold as high as $05 a ton, finds that a very large proportion of them are worthless. Pm ssiA decides that horst flesh is wholesome food, also that it is cheap, mueh cheaper than beef or mutton. Perhaps on the average, it is. liut it would be dear feeding to masticate steaks cut from such animals as Dexter and Mountain Boy. Onk of New Hampshire's' Governor made it a rule to take into consideratien no petition for the pardon of a convict in the State Prison until he had served out at least half the term for which he was committed. Brooklyn claims to be the " City of Churches, having no less than two hundred and hree places of worship, being an increase of eighty-eight In the last fifteen years, some ot them surpassingly elegant. Pebthuset, the lion-killer, a giant in form and strength, is one of the curiosities of Paris. He has a chamber carpeted with the skins of lions slain in Algeria, and gives recherche dinners therein. His gun can hardly be lifted by an ordinary man. BaantOP Bumon said, in a recent lecture, that while in Europe he never traveled with a (Jerman student without being told that he was saving money to go to America, nor rode with an Irishman that did not ask him if he knew his cousin ! Boston gives its poor on Monday and Thursday, mutton soup with rice ; on Tuesday and Friday, fish chowder ; on Wednesday, beef soup with vegetables ; on Saturday, beef soup with ship bread, and on Sunday, beef soup with dump lings. TnE Michigan State Treasury, on February I, had a cash balance on hand of $:H12,Ö00, and, during January, the reduction on the State debt was $;UO,500, leaving a total unpaid debt at that date of about $2,578,000, of which over $150,000 bears no interest. The Hartford and New Haven llailroad Company have a loooeaottre which, during the past twelve and a half months, has run upwards of 40,000 miles, without the loss of a single trip, and without live minutes detention at any time, and has never needed repair. Phimc Hkrharo, of Quidneck, Rhode Island, is at the head of a weighty lioüse hold. Be weighs 818 pounds, and his wife 190. Fifteen children have been the result of the marriage, the youngest being 11 years of age and weiging 100 pounds, and the oldest 29 years of age, weighing 237 pounds. Near Fort Montgomery, on the Hudson, there lives I man named Storms, who pea born with a malformed spine, and has never been able to move about except on " all fours," using his hands equally with his feet. He has a wife and six children, and earns a living by cutting cord wood. The late Prof. Faraday, who was of humble origin, said that when bread- was very dear his mother, at the beginning of the week, gave him a loaf for himself that he might have the management of it cn tirely. He immediately marked it out carefully into fourteen portions, one of which he ate each "morning and evening, thus learning his first lesson in fmgai economy. Rkv. Noah BCUHCK, l 1) , rector of St. Ann's, Brooklyn, advises people to sleep an hour or two later on Sunday than any other day in the week, and thus be the better prepared tor the services and the duties of the Sabbath. Then let the Sunday School meet at 10 o'clock, giving pa rents, as well as children, the opportunity of attending, followed hy public preaching at 12. The afternoon to be devoted to re ligious instruction in the family ; and the churches and pews thrown open to all in the evening, tor the dispensation of the word.

A Story with a Moral. Oncb upon a time there was a king who had three sons. They were all three exactly alike, and they all three loved the same princess. When the elder brothers heard of the younger brother's love, they seized upon every opportunity of ridiculing him, and putting him down, just as the haughty sister did Cinderella. The Princess Anna was young and simple-hearted, and fell in love with all three of the brothers. When the three princes went to ask for the hand of the fair Anna, the worthy old kine, her father, could not tell what to do. So he asked for three days to consider, and ran off that very evening to his aunt, the Fairy of the Forest. Her word was law. The three princes were ordered to ar pear the next day, as the clock struf k one ; they were to present their suit ;n writing. This was very annoying to the two elder brothers, who could neither read nor write. So they each Hed in an artist to write the letter and 1 ue formal suit in colors, and ornament them with gold and fiourishet. The youngest on wrote his letter with his own hand, without ornament or flourish, but with warmth and feeling iut as the outpourings of his heart. This letter was as beautiful a one as you c uld imagine. But outwardly the three letters were all to be alike, one like the other, just as the brothers were. This the fairy and the old king had determined. At the appointed time the two haughty brothers each galloped off by himself to the Princess Anna, both mounted on splendid gray horses ; they paraded their letters proudly before them in velvet cases. The youngest son went on 'foot, and kept his letter carefully in his pocket. On the way to the castle there was a deep fish pond, surrounded by rushes. A poor woman sat in a boat there, fisbiag. She leaned forward, overbalanced herseif, and fell into the water just as the eldest prince passed along the road. She cried our piteously for help; he miiht have saved her with little trouble, but he rode on his way. When the second brother passed along the road, an incautious old woman was again fishing in the little lake. She M into the water, and cried piteously for help, but the prince rode past. The youngest son also came to the lake. There sat the old woman aeain, and fished, and fell into the water. Tne young prince saw her stagger and fall ; he forgot his letter, the fair Anna, and the danger too, plunged into the water, and brought the old woman out safely. He was horrified at the sight of his dripping, muddy clothes. However, there was no time to lose. The old eastle bell was booming in the distance ; the appointed hour had arrived. So he ran, and, strange to tell, the more he ran the more his clothes glistened. The mud all seemed to turn to gold, and the drops of water hung like trems about him. By the time he reached the cattle his face was lit up with rosy smiles. The old king and the eonrtlen and the Princess Anna could not turn their Bfm away from him. As for the two brothers, they irrew pale with envy. ' Then the old king gave the signal The Princess Anna's baby-sister was to choose from anion e the three letters. 80 it had been decided by the king's aunt, the Fairy of the Forest. The one whoee hdter she rhooses is the right husband, she hud said. The PiinceM Anna would rather have taken the youngest son at once, but as that could not be, she sat looking sad. The princess' little sister was cameu into the nail. The thrte princes passed before her according to their agen, The two tlder brothers presented their letter in the splendid cases of velvet. When the youngest brother produced his Utter, it ti soaked with pond water and covered with mud. He stood abashed, while h:s brothers laughed The young prince gave up all hope, and looked very' sad as he held out the dirty letter with downcast eyes. The baby princess looked and looked, but did not seem to gee anything very remarkable about the two snow white let tcrs. But directly she anghl siuht of the letter with the greai blotches upon it, she stretched out her little hand to take it. This was her decision. At the same moment all the doors or the castle Hew open, it seemed of their

iwn accord, and the oM nherwomau stepped in, she whom the young prince had saved. She walked straieht up to him, the rags fell from her body and there stood before them all the Fairy of the For, it 44Thi- is the rieht prince, Anna, aid the fairv, and when she pointed with her finger towards nim, all Ihe sparkling drops on his clothes began to glisten like eun shine, and became diamonds, or stones of pure watsr. So they have kept their brilliancy down to this very day, and will never lose it. I Worked, and Earned 1U A few weeks atro, a gentleman living in an Eastern town was called out ot his bed one morning by several vigorous rape upon his frontdoor. Hastily drcss.ntr himself, he responded to the call, and found standing upon the step an uncouth, rouehly-clad boy, with an axe on his moulder, who, hastily thrusting his hand into his pantaloons peket. drew out a small roll, and handing it to Judge II , " There' seventv five dollars, which I want vou to put in the savings bank." and hastily turned on his heel and started The Judge, slightly disconcerted at the curious proceeding, scarcely knew what to say, till at length, recovering his wite, he cried out after the boy : " top ! come back In re. ll-w did you eeane hj this money ' I WORKED, M EARNF.P IT, Sir. My time was out last night, and I got mv money. I've got a job chopping, which I began on this morning, ami 1 thought I'd leave the monev with vou as I wri t to work, and then it wouldn't take up my v & n . 1.. ' ' time this evening when l warn to sium " Wht is your name. mv ). r asked the Judge. "1 w-.ie it on the paper that I wrap ped the money up in," shouted the little wood chopper as he pasaed on to his work. , , That boy's note for a thousand dollars due ten years hence would be a good ae old. If he has his health, he will be worth double that then. He is beginning in the right way. The verv day his time was out for the summer. nntfrii1 noon anotner ton, anu uumr I ,i;.tiv rdacl ihc monev he had work, d v r a S for wju r,. that would work for him ; and with an economy of time which is more to he praised than his wis, forethoutrht with regard to monev. he could not endure to have a moment devoted to any thing but his hooks when the long evenings came. Kivrvc.irs trom today, with a good education, with good hahita, with a few hundred dollars, which he has earned by work, his chances tor place in the busi n. and political world will be far greater than those of the spendthrift loy who, born with fortune, begins without know ing the worth of money, and instead of going up, goes down Hearth and Home. The Newark Adtvrtiw suggests nrw business for the blind. It says that in Newark two or three of them unfortunates sell teas from house to house, having ap parently been directed to take that par tieular article bv their keen sense of smell and taste. One of them is escorted by a lad from the Foeter Home . the other ha borrowed a boy fn in the Orphan Asylum to make change and act as guide. Their teas are procured at the lowest wholesale prices through the aid of a gentleman w h nets as capitalist lor the concern. They have thus raised tlirmsclvcs above- the level of raiendicancv. do not claim tobe objects of chnriiy, and only ask for a tan? share of business. The Wü-'olhe- Wif is the name of new London Comic paper.