Pike County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 46, Petersburg, Pike County, 26 March 1880 — Page 1

list Sixth and Ssraath. VOLUME X. PETERSBURG, INDIANA, NUMBER 46. mear k IiSTAR, KdiMri ul Proprietor*. OFFICIAL PAPER

« PIKE COUNTY DEMOCRAT. • PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY. TiatMS 0FSTJB9CKIFT10KI T For one year.Ul go For six months......i 7s For tliroe mouths...so ' rxvAEiABLr m abyakck. 1 SO BATES: One square (9 lines), one Insertion.$1 00 Each additionalinsertion...... 30 A liberal reduction made on advertisements xunttiu IflP' s three, six, and twelve months, landt paiditir in advance. transient advertisements innst be

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THE KING'S PETITION. An Ki« tern King, of ancient time. Those lineage is untold. Called both his sons about him when he vat glowing old. And sa id: “ Shayone, my youngest, and you, my bold Yalage, Give me yourj-onth and beauty, and take my I can not rule my people, I have no peace oi Joy, For Time's in linn distresses now all my time employ. I once could wave my scepter high, nor ruffled beibycare; But now the slightest burden Is more than 1 can bear." But he who was the eldest replied: "Not I, in truth, I know no radiant jewel so precious as my Youth. For, now the blue horizon stands beckoning ' before, The Joyous view entices. So do not me implore.” The'Ktr g looked sad and moody at such a stiff rejfly, And thought how like a whirlwind his own youth fleeted by. But wished him all lie hoped ior, though feeling very sore, To think the years behind him would come n(jt any more. Then fit r Shayone, the youngest, gold-haired and hazel-eyed, Beloved of all the household, drew gently to hi! side, And said to him: “ My father, I love yon Well, in truth. Here, tnke the gifts yon long for—my Beauty aud my Youth. “ I know the future glistens, I see its fields of bln e; Bnt all that shines before me I proffer now to you. Your wise career is more to mo than Time can - we ll unfold. So you shall be the young man, and X will be the old.” Then King Jajati thanked him, and wished him health and bliss. And printed on his forehead a father’s tender kiss; Bnt Death came on, and, dying^he said: “ My dear Shayone, I go where Youth Is endless, and leave o you my throne.” Oh! better far than riches, or kingly power, in sooth, Shines-fo rth the golden kingdom we enter on in Youth; For never ruled a monarch who would not give, with joy. His wealth and power and glory to be once more a boy! —Joel Benton, in the Independent. BETTY AT THE BABN-HOOB.

The cows are housed, the milking done, The sheep are in the fold; I hear the vespers of the birds Across the dewy wold. The mowers from the marsh come late. The sunset bells have tolled, ._ I see them loom, like silhouettes. Against the sunset gold. And flushing o’er their loosened sails, From some last lingering ray, A fleet of homeward fishing-boats Comes rippling up the bay. I hear the closing'of the forge That clinks across the way, And, as he doffs his frock, the strain Of George's roundalay. Another moment, with abound/ He will beside me be, While Asher John comes from the wharves, And Joseph from the lee. Myhes.rt is torn to choose betwixt. With all a-wooing me; I think—perhaps .’twill be as well— To try and love all three. - THE ItOBBEK OF ST. GERYAIS. One cold, blustering fawrning, late in the fall, a man who walked with a crutch and a short staff was on the road ... from Lodore to .St. Gervais, in the department of Heranlt, away in the southern part of. France. The traveler was an old man, perhaps five and fifty, with a face veiy dark.from long and constant exposure, and with a stone-grav beard and mustache. An old gray overcoat completely enveloped his person, but it was plainly to be seen that he had only one leg. The road was very muddy and a cold, drizzling mist was falling, and though it was well into the evening yet there was light enough to distinguish the way, for away beyond the clouds and the mist a bright moon was shining, and though even its whereabouts could not be made out, yet it served to make visible what must otherwise have been enveloped in utter darkness. The old man hobbles on, planting his crutch and staff carefully on the treacherous ground, and thus he passed out slowly on his way. It was near nine o’clock when he reached the little copse of swamp-wood that lay at the edge of the village of St. Gervais. Here it was somewhat darker, and he made his way more carefully. He had just reached the edge of the copse when his attention was attracted by a noise close by him, and in a moment more a human being stood in the road before him. The new comer was a slight-built person, as the old man could distinctly see, and most probably s. youth. He had surely come from the wood. “Ha!” uttered the traveler, “what

now, enr- “ Your money, or your life!” was the yeply, given abruptly but somewhat tremulously. “ You don’t mean it?” “ I do,” the youth said more firmly. “And be quick, too, for I’ve no time to waste. You see this pistol: It contains two balls. Give me money or they botk go through your head! ” “Ten thousand thunders, boy! you wouldn't kill me just for the sake of a little money—perhaps only the few sous that are n ecessary to pay for mf night’s lodgings?” 4 And why not kill you for that, as ell as die myself for the want of it? j, and worse, too. Come—quick!” There was a resoluteness in the youth’s tones which proved him to be in earnest, b.ut yet they had a cast of eagerness and pathos which proved him to he a new beginner at this kind of work. “ Die, did you say?” returned the old man, more in pity than in anger. “A boy like you talk of dying, and with such pluck, too ? You are crazy! ” 44 Will you give me money, or must I shoot yon?” , No sooner were these words out of the boy’s mouth than up came the old man’s staff, and the pistol went flying across the road into the mud. 44 There—you’ve got rid of a very uaiigerons weapon; and don’t you never use it again in such a fashion. Now, who are ye?” The youth stood for a lew moments as if undecided how to act. “ Hold on,” continued the old man, as the y oung stranger started as though he would turn away. 44 Don’t be afraid, for I may give yon that of my own free will which I would never give to any living man upon compulsion. But tell me—I have faced death a thousand times, and have killed many men, but I have done it for France—for my country. But why should you face death thus? ][n the night—on the highway— In your own home—and at the expense of a countryman? Why is it?” 44 Nothing—never mind. You said you would give me money. Give it to me, in Heaven's name.” “Hold,” answered the traveler. “ Your home is not far from here.” «»r was moved, for there in the tones of the not to be with

“ Wliat iis your name!” he asked. “Never mind.” “Bui; I won’t expose you.” # “Truly?” “I will not.” ‘‘Bit why should I tell yon? Ton hi.ve disarmed me, and I ain at yonr mercy. Yet, as Clod is my judge, had I known yon were an old soldier I would not have stopped you. I would have lain in the woods and starved first. Giver me money—a few sous.” “Tell me your name.” The youth hesitated, but finally he replied: “ If you are a true soldier I should take your word. My name is Pierre Ohollet.” “ And have you no parents ? ” “A mother.” “And she lives not far from here? ” “No'S far.” „ “And she is starving?” 1 “Aye.” ; “Then letups hasten and. find tier. I may help her, and, moreover, get lodging for myself and my t crutch. Come, it is cold here. Lead the way.” “You will help my mother if you go?” “ To be sure I will.” “And you won’t lisp a word of this?” “ Not without your consent .” “ Then follow me.” Thus speaking the youth horned and started on. “ Are you acquainted with Uiiis road ?” the old man asked. “ Every inch of it,” was the reply. “Then go ahead and pick out the best path, and I can get dong faster.” I At th 3 end of about twenty minutes they topped a little hill, and the lights could be seen in the village of; St. Gervais; but before they reached the village the guide turned off to the right into a narrow lane and finally came to a small hut which the youth said was his home. He opened the door and went in, and the old man followed him. There was only one room, and that had a floor of clay. In the fire place bbrned a few faggots, while close by were neaped a lot more—boughs, twigs and stuff such as might be dragged out of the swamp close by. In an old arm chair s it an elderly female with her hands folded in her lap, and dose by her was a cat. The woman’s face could be seen by the glimmer of the fire, audit was thin, haggard and pale. She looked up as her boy entered and in a feeble tune asked: “ Didiye find it, Pierre?” “I hope so mother. • A kind soldier has come home with me and. he will help ns.” The old lady started np and gazed around. She saw the stranger and a look of hope rested upon her “features. “ Haven’t ye a light?” asked the strange:-.

ooyr «, -c “ Then we’ll have a better one,” the soldier iiaid. “ I’ve a candle ih my haversack, and a bit of food, too.” As he spoke he sat down in a chair, the only other one in the room, and: having inslung his haversack he overhauled the contents until he came tc> the candle. This he gave to Pierre and bade him light it. An old wooden candlestick was found and the candle was: soon burning. The soldier coidd now sbe the faces of his hostess and her son more plainly. The former was a mild looking, full-browed woman, with a prayerful cast of countenance, a nd must have oiiee been extremely beautiful. She was certainly fifty years of age, for her hair was very gray and time had been busy with its indelible touches. Her son was not over nineteen, and was a handsome youth. He was pale and wan now; but His brow was I'ull, his eyes large, dark and brilliant. “ You suffer much?” said the soldier, Address: ng the hostess. “Very much,” she returned. “I have; beha very sick, but I am getting better r ow. Yet my sickness has eaten up ever? thing we had, and my noble boy has sacrificed all his earning; and!, worse than all else, he can’t find work now to do. The crops are all garnered and the barns closed. Yesterday he wentio the house of a rich man to beg, and he was kicked-” “No, no, mother—not kicked! ” exclaimed the youth, quickly. “ He did not dans to do that. He said he would kick me if I came there again. ” “ But are there not others who would help yo i? ” asked the old man. - “ They might, ” returned Pierre ; “but the sou-prefect of police swore that he would send me off if he caught I me begging again. What could 1 do, sir?”

“Bull the sou-prefect is a villain! What does he mean?” “He is angry with me. He wanted me in t ie harvest time to work for him for five sous a day, and I wouldn't, because li better man gave me fifteen sous. ” “ He is a perfect villain. But come— we’ll eat something. My old haversack has something else in it besides candles. I don’t travel without sometliing to guard against the danger of being Iranigh tet in the wood. ” As he spoke he pulled a loaf of bread and* piece of cold boiled beef from Ms old provision bag, and then made the mother and son eat. He assured them that he had eaten a hearty supper, and that he had jmoney to buy more, so wi thout further ceremony they began the meal—the first they had eaten since the morning of the day before, saws the little mill t which they were able to get from one old goat” which they yet retained. Tears stood in the old soldier’s eyes as he sat and saw the boy and his mother eat, and when they were done they turned and blessed him. The woman seemed much revived, and an her non pat some more faggots upon the fire, She turned and spoke to her guest. Her voice rembled as she spoke, and tears were in her eyes. “ You are a soldier? ” she mud. “Yes," the old man. replied, turning his gaae upon the fire instead of upon his questioner. “ Ht,ve you been long in the army?” “ Eighteen years. ” “Perhaps you have been in AfricaP” “I have." “ W hom did you serve under?” “Colonel Pelissier.” “ Ti en you may have known Francois Chollet?” And as the woman said thin she wiped her eyes with her apron. “Corporal Chollet? To be sure 1 knew him. Aye — and a fine fellow he was, too. Did you ever know him?” “ Y«e, sir. He—he—" and here a passionate flood of tears interrupted her; but finally she oonchded—“he rsUitf ^

tears ceased flowing and her lips were closed. “ Then he is dead ?” she whispered. “No—I gness not.” “ Not dead! Francois alive! Do you know this?” she cried. • ' “I am sure of it. He was sadly wounded, and lost a leg—as I hare done. He was taken prisoner and kept a long while too, and that is the reason why he did not come home with his regiment. But how long since yon have seen him?” “ Fifteen years, sir. He sailed from Marseilles with the first that went to Algiers. But where is he now?” Where did you see him last?” . “fie landed at Toulon with me.” “ O, Gdd bless yon sir! And he will come to me soon. Did yon leave him there?4’ “No. He started on with me.” “ Started on? But where—where did you leave him!” 44 The last I saw of him was in a small hat where he had called to pass the night. But, you see, 1 have come off with his crutch and staff, ? so I should nH wonder if he had to stop where he is for some time.” “ O—how could sir? But vou didn’t know that lie had a waiting, weeping wife to whom he would go.” “Yes, I did.” “ And you left him thi “But the crutch was “ Ah—you lent it to yon had only one crate] __ both, how did you come so “ Simply because we were and the same pmsons.” “ One—both—yon—” >th one

am Jfrancpis Choiiet.” The womeu'started to her feet, sad having gazed one moment into the soldier’s face, she sank on his bosom and wept. Pierre was npon his legs in an instant, and at the next was by his father’s side. He forgot for the moment his expedition npon the highway, and only realized that his father had returned. He remembered well when ,the father took him upon his knees fifteen years before, and kissed him; and he remembered, too, how the big tears had rolled down that father’s cheeks. But the hnsband and father was at home once more, and if he had returned with his body maimed, he had brought back an untarnished name. In addition to a goodly bidk of gold which he carried stitched up in his vest, he had a pension settled upon him, and the future looked bright and clear. The son of Corporal Chollet became an important personage among the good peasants, and the sou-prefect was among the first to solicit the friendship of the battle-scarred old soldier. The little cot smiled once more, and Pierre had never occasion to go upon the highwav again with any foul intent. The old soldier often refers to meeting with the the young robber of St. Gervais, and tht .mrciynstapces it rather pleases him,'and Bo thiuKs ho can see in it the proof of Pierre’s courage, and also of his true affection for his mother. A Marriage of Midgets. A wedding occurred in the parlors of the. Whitcomb House yesterday noon, which, of its nature, we think is unparalleled in the history- of Rochester. It was no less than the marriage of two 'members of the Liliputian Opera Company, which has just concluded a successful engagement of three nights at the Grand Opera-house. The fairy lady who deserted the ranks of spinsterhood to assume the cares and responsibilities of a wife, was Rebecca Ann Myers, the second soprano of the company, and who is by actual measurement just thirty-one inches in height. She is a decided blonde, has sparkling blue eyes, a perfect and symmetrical figure, and is, upon the whole, as Liliputians go, a decided beauty. She is repiarkably intelligent, has a good education, is a brilliant conversationalist, and since her engagement with the opera company has made rapid progress in music. "She was born near Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind., and will be twenty-seven years old the 3d of

April. The bridegroom, Reuben Allen Steete, was born in the village of Gloucester, R. I., Oct. 19, thirty-three years ago. He is thirty-five inches in height, and of slim build. He is the Only one of the Liliputians who has any beard, quite a “ killing ” mustache and goatee adorning his manly face. It is almost an impossibility to describe the toilets of the bride and maids, so ingenious were they in construction and style. The dresses of the bride and Miss Quigley were almost similar, and consisted of pale blue gros-grain silk and plaited pale pink satin, with tulle lace trimmings, and ornaments of diamonds, the former having under her tiny veil a profusion of orange blossoms. Both dresses were cut princesse. Miss Belton’s dress consisted of plum-colot ed silk and black velvet, with ornaments of diamonds. The groom wore an English cutaway walking coat, and his best men were in full evening dress. The husband and wife will continue with the opera company until the end of the season, when they goto Coney Island for the summer, probably rejoining the troop again next season.—Rochester (N. T.) Democrat. From Kitchen to Throne. We read of peculiar things happening in life, and a wise man should be su£ prised at nothing. In like manner a comely and modest woman has often a fortune in her face, if she knows how beauty should become her. To wit: During the troubles in the reign of Kirg Charles I., a countnr girl came up to London in search of a place as servantmaid, but not succeeding she applied herself to carrying out beer from a brew-house, and was one of those then called tub-women. The brewer, observing a well-looking girl in this low occupation, took her into his family as a servant, and after awhile, she behaving with so much prudence and decorum, he married her. He died when she was yet a young woman and left her a large fortune. The business of the brewery was dropped, and the young woman was reoommended to Mr. Hyde as a gentleman of skill in the law to settle her affairs. Hyde (who was afterward the great Earl of Clarendon), finding the widow’s fortune very considerable, married her. Of this marriage there was no other issue than a daughter, who was afterward the wife of James II., and mother of Mary and Anne, Queens of England.—Land and Water. An estimable young man in Lynchburg, Va., was recently taken with violent spasms while trying to solve the mystery of the 16 puzzle, and for several days life was despaired of. The New York Commercial Advertiser Bays that .six lunatics were recently received at the Utica Asylum from too much of the same puzzle.

FACTS AND FIG FEES. England paid $12)500,OOOfor foreign eggs in 1818. Reports from Cuba coincide that Dm sugar crop is about 40 per cent, smaller than last year. The importation of almonds to this country is on the decline, owing to the successful culture of the nut in California. LArCsE quantities of lemons from Southern California are now making their appearance In the Philadelphia market. Ok all the products of the soil ■ none are so prolific in seeds as weeds; 60,000 seeds have been counted on one mullein stalk. Thirty-eight silver mining companies have been organized in Maine, and are sinking shafts in Oxford, Androscoggin, and Penobscot Counties. James Wood, of Westchester County, N. Y., raised 3,000 bushels of turnips the past season on four acres of land, or at the rate of 800 bushels per acre. OttKGON farmers proposeto test the practicability of raising the sugar beet in that State. A premium has been offered of $100 for the best acre, and $50 for the second best. The average life of a paper-wheel under trucks of locomotive engines ranges from 800,000 to 1,641,880 miles, and under dining and palace cars from ?94,0db to 878,386 miles. Any of the cereals may be cut at the roots when the kernel is in the milk, and the seed will ripen jnst the same, showing that at that time all the elements for perfecting the grain are in tbs plant. It is said that corn in the rich bottoms along the principal streams of New Mexico, if well cultivated, may be made to yield over 80 bushels per acre; wheat on the uplands often yields over 50 bushels to the acre. At the Boston cat show there were nearly three hundred cats on exhibition, classified as short-haired, long-haired, curiosities, weight and size, Maltese, Manx, or tailless, tortoise shell, tabby,, brindle tiger, and cats of unusual species. The highest priced were valued at from $500 to $1,000. The engineer of a steam fire-engine in New Haven has invented an attachmeat for his engine-house alarm-clock which, at appointed hours, opens feedbins and lets the regular amount of food all prepared into the horses’ mangers. The principle can be applied to the feeding of barn stock. A valuable patented invention known as Hanson’s bntton machine has been got np at Bar Mills, Me., said to be a most ingenious device for saving labor. It can manufacture from 800 to 15,000 shapes a day at $15, which by .hand carving would cost $800. A for ‘working itj with i $50,000. — ' ’ M

On the 15th of Jnne last the total population of Bosnia and Herzegovina amounted to 1,142,147 persons, of whom 699,002 were males and 543,121 females. Of the total, 1,142,147—men, women and children—442,500 are Mohammedans, 487,022 belong to the Greek Church, 208,950 are Roman Catholics, 8,426 are Jews, and 249 belong to other religions persuasions. The total population of Greece is 1.679.000 souls, against 1,457,000 in 1870. The increase per annum has accordingly been 1.69 per cent. From 1860 to 1870 the annual increase was 1 per cent. The official report hence draws the conclusion that national prosperity is augmenting, but it is very probable that the later census was more thorough than its predecessor. That agriculture is the basis af all prosperity is generally conceded, and current statistics give emphasis to the fact. Thus, while the estimated yield of the American gold and silver mines during the 27 years from 1849 to 1875 was $1,617,000,000, the value of leading agricultural products of the single year 1877 was $1,594,000,000 in round numbers. In other words, the farmer in a single year extracted nearly as rnnch wealth from the soil as the miner obtained in 27 years of mining activity. According to the last statistics published by the French Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, the population of the Republic is 37,000,000, of whom 12.000. 000 live in cities and the remainder in the country. There are in France 210.000 individuals who have no special profession, 71,800 beggars and tramps, 1.581.000 professions men, 8,837,000 persons engaged in navigation and commerce, 9,2?4,000 tradesmen and workmen, 2,151,000 bondholders, and 18,968.000 persons engaged in agricultural pursuits. Of the latter, 10,000,000 are land-owners, about 6,000,000 tenants, while 2,000,000 are market gardeners, viticulturists and the like. Silk-culture is a much more widely diffused industry than most people suppose, and yet in all the continent of America, on which are some of the greatest silk wearing population of the world, it is entirely neglected. In 1876 the number of pounds of raw silk raised in America—probably in Mexico, Brazil and California—was but 16,000. The Chinese Empire, in the same year, furnished more than 20,000,000 pounds, India neatly 12,000,000, Italy about 7,500.000, Japan about 5,000,000, France 4.000. 000, and Asia Minor, Turkey, Persia, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Morocco, together, and in lessening qualities, according to the order in which they are named, raised over 4,600.000 pounds. Of the total production of the world, amounting to nearly 66.000. 000 pounds, America contributed but 16,600 pounds.

Some years ago a wealthy old bachelor in Hoboken, N. J., named Joseph L. Lewis, died., leaving his property, valued at $1,000,000, to the United States Government, for which he ap-, peared to cherish unusual respect. The singularity of the case excited- the cupidity of several sharpers, and a conspiracy was entered into for the purpose of producing a “widow” who would contest the will, secure the money, and divide handsomely. In due time some of the schemers,, including the woman, were arrested on suspicion, and, the case coming on for trial at Trenton, yesterday, the female turned state’s evidence, implicating the villains whose dupe-she had been, and detailing, Apparently without reservation, her own part in the matter. The confession has created a decided sensation. __ " A touno man who was pleasantly engaged in dealing out taffy to his girl over the telephone wire, was much disgusted at hearing a voice from the central office remark: “Please hurry up if you have any thing to say; there Is a business man waiting for the wire. ” A senses taker—'whisky. % V , ; k

CURRENT TOPICS. -—_- is eonrs os is tss toils. on ax, evidence has been taken, the Senate Exodus Committee. Holloway, Postmaster at Indian- . *“d Hon. John C. New, members of Mm Indiana Republican State Committee, testified that the Committee endeavored to diaCottrage the exodds as a political movement. George T. Rugby, Colored, editor erf the New Orleans 06ierter, testified that the exodus from l/miatanna originated among plantation laborers and was owing mainly to political persecution. Hon John B. Hawley has resigned the office of Assistant Secretary of the 'Treasury because, as a candidate for nom||aaon to the qffice of Governor of Illinois, he felt it due to himself and Mends to give more time to the canvass than he was able to do in office. Th* general election to be held throughout Great Britain on account of the dissolution of Parliament will be the first since 1874. The canvass will he a short one. The present Parliament will be dissolved March 24th; the writs ordering a new election will be issued next day; the elections will, take place some time in April, and the new Parliament will assemble in May.

The Ways and Means Committee, on the 13th, gave a hearing to several New .York; newspaper publishers, in regard to removing the duty of twenty per cent, imposed on wood pnlp. They claimed it was owing to the advance of from twenty-five to fifty per cent, in the price of pulps, and to the combinations of paper manufacturers, chiefly in the West, that the price of paper had advanced from five and a half to six cents per pound (the price last year) to nine and & half and ten cents, now charged. Secretary SHermaN has written * letter to a Chicago gentleman, Which the latter has given to the press, in which the writer says he has not withdrawn from the Presidential race, as has been reported, but regards himself as a candidate and shall do Co to the end. fie adds that he does not deem it necessary to befittfe the claims of other candidates, or to Ufee his official position to promote his candidacy. Gen. Ben. Harrison, offndiana fersTridically from recommendations of the majority, latter, .argue in favor of a general system of levees. The minority say that they are satisfied ' that levees are of very little benefit, if any, in improving low-water navigation. Bad navigation arises or is caused by excessive width of fow water in certain places, and it must be cored by contracting such places to a width not exceeding three thousand feet. This contraction must and can only be secured, they argue, by work in the channel of the stream itself, and not by building levees on the tops of the banks, far removed from contact with the low-water liver. Gens. Harrison and Comstock Unite in conceding the necessity of levees in protecting alluvial land from destruction by overflow, and to obtain this protection urge the closing of such gaps as now exist along the river. The result of Capt. Eads’s experiment at the jetties, they, claim, has exploded the idea of improving the river by the levee system. _ Judge McCrary in the United States Court at St. Louis recently rendered an important decision in the suit brought by the United States against the Missouri Pacific Railroad for $135,000 taxes, falling due between 1864 and 1871. He ruled that.as no assessment and demand had been made at the time or until 1877, when the property had passed into other hands, no lien could he established, and his decision was in favor of the railroad.

Gen. Miles, in an official telegram announcing the presence of Sitting Bull on United States Territory, states that he is reliably informed that while Sioux war parties have been depredating on the settlements their camps have been obtaining supplies from no less than four Government trading establishments between the Missouri River and the boundary line. P The House Committee on Railways and Canals have agreed to report favorably Mr. Upson's bill to authorize the Secretary of War to contract with the San Antonio and Mexican Border RaiL way Company for the immediate construction of a railroad from San Antonio to Laredo. The committee amended the bill by limiting the bondsSto be issued to $12,000 per mile instead of’ $15,000, as originally proposed. PERSONAL AND GENERAL. Dennis Kearney was arrested at San Francisco, on the 11th, on eharges of misdemeanor, based upon his remarks at a workingmen’s meeting. He was released on bail. A detachment of the Fifth Infantry recently overhauled a party of Sioux who had been committing depredations near Fort McKeogh and skilled three of them. Two Cheyenne scouts were killed in the fight. The Post-office Department has concluded contracts for the Star Mall Service for four years in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. The total amount of awards is about $885,000. Three negroes were hanged on the 13th: At Washington, Ark., Sydney McFadden, for the murder of hia wife; at Florence, Ala., John Mayfield, for the murder of Tobe Irvine, another colored man; and at Thomasrille, Ga., Day Brigherly, for an indecent assault upon a white woman. The Wisconsin Democratic State Convention, to choose delegates to the Cincinnati Convention, will be held at Madison, May 18. The Arkansas Republican StateCoo

vention, for the selection of delegates to the national Convention, will be held at Little Sock, April J The House Committee on Commerce have fas trotted Mr. Clardy to report a bil to the House providing for the appropriation of $40,000 for tha improvement of the harbor or landing of St. Charles, Mo.« by diverting the channel of the Missouri Kiver from the south to the north bank. The Ohio.Democratie State Convention, to select delegates to the National Convention, will he held at Columbus, May 16. The trial* of Virgil and Houston Gaily for the iUurder of John P. Gilmer, at DeKalb, Miss., has been postponed on account Of the failure to get a jury. The residence of Mr. Richard Johnson, a farmer living near Dennison, Crawford County, Iowa, was burned on the lath, and two daughters "perished in the flames. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and seven other children had a narrow escape. - The steamer Montana, from New VoTk, March 8, for Liverpool, struck on the rocks m Church Bay, four miles froth Holyhead, during a fog on the morning at the 19th, tad had her bottom stove in. All on hoard Were saved, but the vessel, It Was thought, would be a total loss. The President has nominated Jacob Kendrick Upton, of New Hampshire, Assistant Sectary of the Treasury; Arthur Edwards, Of Michigan, Agent for Indians, at the Omaha and Winnebago Agency, Nebraska; Edward H. Bowman, Illinois, Agent at the Pawnee Agency, Indian Territory. The Special Committee on the Freed£ men’s Bank will report that the institution Wis wrecked by the ill-management of its officers. The accompanying bill makes the Comptroller of the Currency sole Commissioner to wind up the bank, and appropriates $260,000 for the purchase by the Government of the bank building. The bill also directs the Solicitor qf the Treasury to investigate the management of the bank, and institute prosecutions if necessary. The Denver Tribune has received information, oonsidered reliable, of the nsasacre of a party of prospectors, by the Utes, in the Blue Mountains, in Southwestern Colorado, along about the first of Maseh. The names of five of the murdered men aTC given and there were several others of the

party. The Missouri Democratic State Convention, to select delegates to the National Convention, will be held on May 26th, at Mobeily. The Iowa Legislature has voted In favor of a Constitutional amendment prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, including wine and beer. The amendment has to be ratified by the next Legislature. A special from Borne ssts that the Pope has approved and named Bt. fiev. Michael Heiss, now Bishop of LaCtosse, Wis.j as Coadjutor; with the right of succeeding to the Archbishop of Milwaukee, approved and named Bev. John A. Mt. St. Mary’s tTtoBesefvation lands that their claims will not be recognized, the land having not as yet been restored to the public domains. A dIkoKitovs $20 United States' Treasury note has made its appearance in the West. It is of the series of 1875, letter C, and printed on imitation fiber paper. The shading under the words “ United States ’’ is darker than in the genuine note, but the general appearance of the bill is good. Dennis Kearney has been sentenced by a San Francisco police magistrate to six months* imprisonment in the Bouse of Correction and to pay a fine of $1,000. He gave bonds and appealed to the Superior Court. The President has renominated William B. Brown for Census Supervisor in the Eighth Illinois District. Mr. Brown was previously rejected by the Senate on account of political considerations. A party of about seventy-five disguised men visited the Jail at Winchester, Scott County, III., at an early hour on the morning of the 17th, and having obtained aceess to the building by overpowering the Jailer, wenttothecell occupiectby Joseph J Fields and riddled him with bullets. Fields had shot and killed James Padgett a few weeks previous. The President has confirmed the sentence passed upon Major Beno of dismissal from the Army. s lisLis reported that the recent cold spell killed the fruit and seriously injured the cotton and corn throughout many parts of the South. The Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, by a strict party vote, decided to report in favor of unseating Kellogg and admitting Spoftord. A telegram from Alexandria, Egypt, says that in consequence of unfavorable weather a large quantity of cotton must be resowii, and the crop will be late. The Southern Pacific Railroad was completed to Tucson, Arizona,.ogpthe 17th. At Chicago, on the, 17th, Martin Power, aged 46, shot and probably fatally wounded his wife; Bridget, aged 23, and then shot himself, producing death almost instantly. Jealousy was the cause. They had only be§u married five months. The Kansas City Commercial Indicator estimates the coming drive of Texas cattle to number 2Stt,200, principally young cattle, of which about one-third have been f disposed of in advance.

FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS. March 12.—Senate—Mr. Brace, from the Committee on Education and Labor, reported adversely on the bill to provide for the investment oi certain unclaimed pay and oounS moneys in the Treasury and to facilitate e education of the colored race. Indefinitely postponed. Mr. Gordon ashed unanimous consent for the present consideration of his resolution for a special committee on the Inter-oceanic Canal, and it was taken up. but altersome debate it was withdrawn and the resolution of Mr. Platt, requesting the President to oommnntcate to foreign Governments the desire of this Government to sccuto neutrality of any transit route across the Isthmus, was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Adjourned till Monday. ifoute—The morning hour was dispensed with, and Mr. McMahon (D..O) reported back the Deficiency Appropriation bill from the Appropriation Committee. The Committee recommend an amendment appropriating tcoo 000 for the payment ot fees and expenses of U. S. Marshals and their General Deputies for the present fiscal year, thus making the total amount appropriated by the bill $1,265, 530. The House immediately went Into Committee of the Whole to consider the bill. March 16.—iSenate—Mr. Davis, ol Illinois, presented a petition from the publishers of Chicago, asking for the removal of the duty on'all articles used in making paper, and made a speech in advocacy of the same. Messrs. Williams, Beck, Johnson and others presented similar petitions from their respective States. Senator Bayard, from the Committee on Judiciary, reported favorably the Senate bill prohibiting the arrest of election officers on election day. Placed on the calendar. The Republican members will present a minority report.House— A number of bills were introduced and referred, An effort was made to suspend the : rules and take up and pass the bill relating to publio lands, but the motion was defeated. Mr. Cox (D., N. Y.) was recognized by the Speaker to move to suspend the rules for the purpose of passing a bill for the relief of the suffering Irish, bat he was cut off by a motion to adjourn. He; however, obtained leave to have printed the report of the Committee on For

efgn Affairs upon the bfti. Mr. Suetner CD., Mo.) introduced a resolution tains May St as the day of adjournment. Referred. March 18.—Senate—Mr. Davis, of Illinois, presented a roe mortal of the leading merchants of Chicago praying the enactment of a uniform bankruptcy jaw, and spoke is favor thereof. Mr. Edmunds introduced a bill to ft* the Say fo- the meeting of the electors of Preside .it and Vice-President, an<l»to provide for and itfgnlate the counting of the votes for President aud ttae-Presideut and the decision of questions arising thereon. Referred to the select committee on the efibjeet.,. Scmte—Mr. Suwjrer (D., Mo.) called up the eontested election case of Bradley vs. Sleihons, from the second District- of Arkansas. Mi'. McMahon (D..O.) raised a question of consideration that the House refuse to consider the ease, and (the morning hour being dispensed Kith) the House went into Committee of^the Whole on the Deficiency Appropriation March It.—Senate—The Star Mail-route Deficiency bill passed, without the House prOaPthlti. The amount appropriated is $1,100,08® to oohttr.be Old service and 1100,009 to begin new. The bill removing the political disability of Roger A. Pryor poased.fham —The entire session was consumed !n consideration of the Deficiency Appropriation bill in Committee of the Whole. March 18.—Senate—After same miscellaneous business, consideration was resumed of the 1 louse bill for the establishment of titles in f-ot Springs, the question being on the substitute reported by tne Senate Committee on Public Lands. Ao serum was taken before adjournment...... House.—Tne morning hour Was dispensed with and the Special Deficiency bill was further considered in Committee of the Whole, the principal item under discussion being for the payment of Special Deputy Marshals, LATE NEWS ITEMS. At St. Louis on the morning of the iSth, Conrad Iliemann, while in a drunken erase, stabbed his wife and two-year-old cbitd, the latter while in its mother's arms. *The wife Was almost ihstahttl killed! the habe was probably fatally injured. ‘John Hiemann, a brother of the murdere^-also received a severe cut While trying to restrain the latter. The murderer tied, but Was arrested a few hours later, while wandering •bout in an apparently crazed condition. It is announced that the Central Branch Railroad has been consolidated with the Union Pacific, and will, on and after the 1st of April, cease to be a division of the Missouri Pacific, The road will resume its old name of the Central Branch Union Pacific, and its main line will be extended at an early day to a connection with the Union Pas

eihc BnlwtjF, Four train-loads of excursionists from Chattanooga and other Southern points arrived in Cincinnati on the 17th, to celebrate the opening of the Cincinnati Southern Road. The excursionists were entertained with most profuse hospitalities. At Aurora, 111., on ^he morning of the 17tb, Mrs. IT. Baldwin was found dead In bed with her jugular vein severed, and beside her lay her unconscious husband with several gashes in his throat, arms and abdomen. His wounds are not serious. Baldwin came from Vermont, and they had been married only three weeks. Cause of the tragedy unknown. The Louisiana Republican State Contention w dijmeet, atjjjfit? *T May OtmventidB nssft a?" Detroit on the' l7th and i elected delegates to the National Convention. The Eastern nail-mills, by agreement, have '■haUlo'vnjii! their works for while in order to prevent over-production? Homer Wellington, a well known business man of Boston, of high social standing, is under arrest, charged with poisoning his wife and little boy, and also of the minor crime of forgery. His wife will probably recover. The boy died with every symptom of poisoning. The Illinois Democratic State Convention, to select delegates to the National Convention, will be held at Springfield, June 30., The Rhode Island Republicans have nominated Alfred H. Littlefield for Governor and Henry H. Fay for Lieutenant-Gov-ernor. Clarence Davis, the bigamist, who appears to have had five or six wives in various parts of America (haying one or two in Canada), -has been held to bail by a Chicago Police justice in $8,000 to appear at the Criminal Court. Speech of Senator Davis, of Illinois, on the Repeal of the Paper Tax.

Washington, D. C., March 14. Senator David Davis presented a memorial signed by the principal newspaper publishers of Chicago, asking that the present dutv of 20 per .cent, on the valuation of foreign unsized paper be repealed. Senator Davis, in presenting this memorial, made the following remarks indorsing the petition of the memorialists: " ' >* . Mr. President; I am charged with the duty cf presentiuga memorial from the publishers of the principal newspapers of Chicago. respectfully asking that the present duty of 20 per cent, on the valuation of foreign unsized paper be repealed. This tax produces little revenue and serves only to enlarge the profits of manufacturers, who, enjoying a monopoly, are able to dictate their own terms to the consumers. These memorialists also ask that the dutv on soda-ash, principally made abroad, atul the duty on wood, straw, and all other pulp he abolished, so that the American manufacturer of paper will stand on an equal footing with his foreign competitor at the start, with the advantage of freight, insurance, a ready market, and the charges attending importation on this side, as against the pupermaker abroad; and, lastly, they ask that the duty on type, which is virtually prohibitory, be wiped out, because, like that on paper, it exclusively benetlts a combination and serv^as a pretext for unreasonable prices. / W These propositions seem to be so plain and so just as to require no argument in their behalf. What is true Of Chicago applies with equal force to the press of the whole United States, and especially to that portion of it familiarly known as the “ country papers.*’ The great metropolitan Journals can take eare of themselves under almost any condition of things, bnt that fact famishes no good reason why thev should he subjected to imposition or to wrong. The main harden of these taxes falls heaviest on the papers of the interior, dependent on local circulation and unable to compete »lth those of the large cities. After all. it Is struggling labor that has to carry the load of taxation, m w hatever form it may be imposed. The press is one ol the wonders attending the growth of our institutions. In the history of the human race there is nothing comparable to this developr.'ienf. It is not only the bulwark of liberty, but it is the mighty popular instructor, mere beneficent and wide-reach-ing tnan any ether agency but the Christian religion, of which it is one of the main props. Complaint is mad a that this power is sometimes abused, and that we in public life are too often censorioulsly criticised. It will be a sad day for the Republic when criticisms upon the acts and the speech of Senators and Representatives shall be curbed, and a still sadder day when those nets and that speech can not invite the sternest criticism. What food is to thebodv, the press is to the mind. It has become a daily necessity and nourishment, from the palace of the mouey king to the cabin of the pioneer on the plains, whose brain and muscle are integral parts of the Empire of the West. To make the press wholly independent and to widen its influence, every restrict!#! of unjust or unwise laws ought to be removed. The time has come, Mr. President, when the mass of incongruities and of huge monopolies commonly called the tariff should be revised and adapted to the spirit of a progressive age. A young people like ours becomes restive nn. der tile shackles of old leuislation pa-sett In the eonfasicn of civil strife, or under persuasion of selfish politics. It mav not be practicable at tills session to reform the revenue system; indeed, reputed action elsewhere forbids any hope of that kind; but there should be no difficulty in an exceptional case like that presented in this memorial. Only a few months ago Congress very properly swept away the obnoxious duty on quinine, that had long been maintained for the profit of a few manufacturers in a single city. That remedy had at best only a Socul application. In this instance the aewspaperof the entire country are oppressed by taxes which are 4 delusion and a snare. They bring nothing ol importance into the Treasury, and they only stand, as the duty on quinine ‘did. as *a excuse for increasing the dividffiedsi of what may be described as a close corporation of special interests.

_ 5 PUNGENT PARAGRAPHS. An exchange says widows and widow, ers ought to be repaired. Wouldn’t it be more coort-eous to say widows ought to bea-men-ded? A large number of eagles have been ‘ seen recently in Cheatham County, „ Tenn. One killed by IVm. Teasely measured nine feet from tip to tip. There is a woman in Wisconsin who has been married fifty-eight years, and who has never missed building the < kitchen fire. Her husband is probably the oldest fire-escape on record. “What is Heaven’s best rgift to man ? ” asked a yotmg lady on Snnday night, smiling sweetly on a pleasantlooking clerk. “A boss,” replied the yonng man with prudence. Edith and Mabel had just put their dollies in their little crib when Edith, with the expression of one who has had a great weight lifted from her shoulders, said: “There! I’m thankful we've got *. the children to bed! We shall have a little peace now! ” It is pointed out that in these bad times a hint how to provide a most acceptable and inexpensive present for the children may not be unwelcome:U was the practice of an eminent army surgeon to lock np his olive branch a week before the anniversary of his birthday. On that. day he solemnly opened his dungeon and released him, saying: “The most valuable boon which man can enjoy is liberty! Take it, my son, as a welcome present from your parents!” “Ant thing in the literary line to- , day, gents?” said the old book-nedlder, as he rested his bundle on a table in the boat’s cabin. “What hev yer got thar?” queried one of the passengers, who was dressed in a butternut suit. “Most any thing. Here’s Dickens,Thackeray, Sir E. -Bulwer Lytton, Emerson Bennett, Jfed. Buntline, and other distinguished anthers. Take a look.” “Got ther life of Davy Crockett?” “ Here it is, complete in one volume. ' Price 50 cents.” “ Wall, just do me up two of nm, Mister. I’m a powerful reader. I reckon they’ll do me till I get 5 ter Texas.” Of that sound like osculation, She replies, with hesitation. That it must have been the cat. When at midnight, sounds appi Like the noise of some one failii And a voice in anguish calling. Makes your heart go pit a-pat. You’re sure it’s burglars breaking In your door, and you lie quaking; And shivering and shaking, When it only is the cat. —Boston Post. “What will the spring bonnets be like?” asks Clara. Ton dons proud to ask us, Clara. They’ll be the prettiest yet invented, with great rnches of silk on top, ctlt en train, and fichus on the side, and passementerie flowers, and water-colored velvet, and ruffles, aryl rubber rings, and Jack roses, and grosgrain elastic, and they’ll be about a foot and half high, and there’ll be lots of other things on them,Clara. Ob! they’ll be scrumptuous this season, and the cost— well, dear, about $80. This is a good time to tell your husband ghost stories about how yomlove him, etc.—Chicago Tribune. .. a IT WAS THE CAT-- < ' L* When aroused from meditatb

' Eph Takes a Whirl with the Law. __ • ** I tole dat coon I’d fotch him,” said ' Eph, yesterday, as he came out of a Justice’s office, ? “What is the ruction, Eph?” asked the Beqister man. . ^ « Dar amn’t enny ruckshun, it am all “ Been having a law suit ?” “Yes, sah.”' “Why, I thought you were too much of a philosopher to go to law,” said the reporter. . , , ' “ Dars times,” replied Eph, “ when it amn’t sale to face a bull, an’ dars times agjn when you’se ’bleeged to. Is’e ’bleegbd fergo to law. De fae am dat I’se bin tryin’ foah tree yeahs to klect de six bits dat dat no account Julius Johnsing was owin’to me. _ I put up wid his promises and his lies, but •when he ’gin to gib me lip aft’ say I bet tah nuss de ’count up so it could stan’ awhile longah, I jis scratch round’ an’ hiah a lawyah.” “Well?” “ Well, de lawyah shy he take de case for five dollahs.” “Well?” . v “ I tole him he might Wad it for half de ’mount. I’d be powahful glad to ’spose ob it fer dat. He say, * yon doan’ understan’; I mean it will cost you five dollahs for me to take de case.’ I say de case am .bad nuff as it am, but 1 isn’t gwine to pay any body nuffin’ to take what I already have from me.” “ You didn’t pay him the five dollars, them?” ' “ Does I look like I was a fool ? Pay him, ’cousse I didn’t, I went to anudder lawyah, an’ he say I bettah han’ de account to de ’Squiah, an’ let him fight it troo.” “ You did so?”. “ Yes, sah, an’ de. coon kirn down, too, quick.” “ How did you beat him so easily?” “ De ’Squiah,” replied Eph, “ say it war as plain a case as de bp ob de ole woman. He say he take charge ob it on risks for ten dollahs; but ef I wanted to be insuahed ob winninV widout anv ifs or an’s, I could pay him a dollah an’ a quartah an’ he hab de money to- *

day," “Tou paid the money?” “ Sartain.” 5 “ And you got your sixbits to-day? ” “Sartain.” “ Can you figure, Eph? ” “Bin as far as multimiplikashin in de ’rithmetick.” “ Well, take seventy-five* from one, dollar and a quarter, and how much is Vleft? ” said the reporter. Eph figured a while on a shingle; then he put his hand up to his forehead and studied a while. Finally he arose and with a gloomy and depressed look started off. without veturing a word. , “Well,” called the reported after him, “ did you figure it out? ” “ I did, fer a fac\” “Now; what’s left?” “ Dar’s a blame ole brack fool lef’— badly lef’—dat’s what’s lef’,” replied Eph, thumping himself on the side of the head with his fist, “ an’ he’s gwine home to write in de family Bible, so all de Chilian kin read it, ‘Dar’s sum fule peepil who goes to law fast, an’ figgers up de results arterwards; but dis lambly is gwine to stick to ^rithmetick an’ let de law come in only when de figgers can’tfdimb it.’ Des Maim (Kwa) Register,