Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 November 1881 — Page 4

SOONER OR LATER. ' Sooner or later the storm shall beat Over my alum her from head to feet; Hooner or later the wind ahall rave In the long'araaaea above my grave. I shall not heed them where they He— Nothing their sounds shall signify: Nothing the headstone's fret of rain; Nothing to me the dark day’s pain. Sooner or later the sun shall shine With tender war mtn on that monnd of mine; ‘ Sooner or later in Summer's air Clover and violets blossom there. I shall not feel in that deep laid rest The sheeted light fall over rny breast; Nor even nd'e In those hidden lioAfh The wind-blown breath of the tossing flowers?* ' Sooner or later the stain lea* snows Shall add their hush to my mute repose; ■ Sooner or later shall slant and shift And head.my bed with their dazzling drift. Chill though that frozen pall shall stem, - It’s touch no colder can make the dream That recks not the sacred dread, . Shrouding the city of the dead. Hooner or later the bee shall come And All the noon with its golden bum; Sooner or later on half-poised wing; The bluebird above my grave shall sing. King and chirp and whistle with glee; Nothing his music can mean to me: None of those beautiful things shall know How soundly their lover sleeps below. Hooner or later, far out in the night, , . The stars snail over me wing tiieir flight; Hooner or later the darkling dews ' . Catch the white spark in their silent, ooze. Never a ray shall part tne gloom That wraps me round in tire silent tomb; Peace shall come to lip and brow Sooner or later, oh, why not now*

BREAD ON THE "WATERS.

It is now many years ago since I, Mary Rivers, performed the one eccentric act of my life. I was old enough at.thattime to have grown prim and “governessy,” and years spent in preaching propriety to young ladies had had their effect upon me, aud J knew, that it’would never do in my pcsition’to be spoken of as 'peculiar. And yet—. But you shall hear. I had at that time an engagement in Mrs. family to finish the education of an only daughter. The house was a large double building, and the study, or schoolroom, was in a wing across the hall. Next it was a handsome, well furnished apartment, which had been given to me as a bedroom. It was removed - from all the . other bedrooms of the house, and at night I wa« entirely alone. However, J had no fears of tlie supernatural, and no terrors of any sort, and the room suited me. On this nigh’. I had retired as usual, , and the phole household slumbered, included, when I was aroused by something— I hardly knew what — a sound, a movement, perhaus merely an impresslen. Whatever it was. it induced me to rise and open my door a little. Instantly a draught of cold air struck me, ami. I thought that the hall door was opt n. “Who is there?” I cried, aloud, but all was dark and utterly silent, save for such a little velvety pet ara*at would, make, in crossing a marble floor. However, Jhe draught Lad no business to be there, and I stepp- <1 baok to my-room and Tit a wax candle which stood on my stand, and came out again with my dressing gown wrapped ’about me. » The door was not open, but a window—one of two on either side of the hall—had been lifted, and I heard a heavy clatter as of the dropping of articles of iron or steel in a heap, Somethin; - was wrong. With a sort of ' tremor, rattier of excitement than fear, creeping over me, I ran up stairs amt knocked at Mr. Pemberton’s door, crying:

“Thieves are in the house.” In a moment more my employer and.his brother were both in the lower hall, armed with pistols, ami a search was made of every room pn tir.it Hour but my own. As. I had been there, there was nd thought of finding any one in the aphrtmtut. The police Were sent ft r, ami some Burglars’ tools x were discovered outside the open window.

They explained that the window must have been opened in order to admit some small boy who could open -the door for them. A'small boy indeed he must have been to get in at those long, narrow slip.-; but nothing had yet been done, and after a while all returned to their own apartments, tH sleep, if possible. “But shan’t you be timid in your lonely room? Won’t you go up stairs aud sleep with Florence?” asked Mrs: Pemberton. “I’m sure it’s dreadful for you to be down here alone, Miss Rivera.” How glad I am to-day that my nervee were steady enough to allow me to decline the offer, and laugh at any idea of fear On my part: but a governess cannot yield to fine-lady terrors, and I> as I have said, bad occupied that position all my life. I retired to bed again, knowing the house safe for the night at least.and was

jiist about dropping off to sleep when I -felt, rather than heard, some one creep from under my bed. My deor was locked. Whoever it was, I was alone with him—one never thinks of * her”in such circumstances, and the darkness was the worst of all. I struck"a light at once. Someone tried to blow it out aud failed. I clutched at the dark object near me, and found it to be the wrist of a small boy; and now we stood face to face, and I held him tight and looked at him. A child of ten rears

—not more—a little, slender, dark creature dressed in a dark blue shirt aud pantaloons, and with list slippers on his feet- His bead was almost shaven < it w'as cropped so closely, and he looked rather like a little gnome than a child. I knew at Once that he was the S»->y the burglars Ihad* slipped through the window —a tight squeeze for even this* slim thing fluttering iu my gra<p. > “Be quit 6, child,”. I said; “I am not going to hurt you. I suppose you are only a tool of thoee wicked men. Sit down there and let me look at you/’ He sat down, looking at me iu terror.

‘•You must tell me i he truth,” I said, “I here with the burglars?’’ He nodded. . “They put you through the window to open our door?” “Yes,” he said. “Did your mother know ofit?’,l asked. • “I never had any mother,” he answered. “And your father?” - ‘“Daddy. Daddy was hung for killeg a man,” said the child. “Do you like this sort of life,” I asked. • He looked at me “I d’no,” he answered. • '.'•l mean going out with these men to rob houses?” I asked. “No,” replied the boy; “I’m afraid of the dark. Once they shooted me, and it bled. I like to go to bed and sleep nights. I wish they’d let me.” ' >u Poor little wretch!” I sighed to myself. When I had called fur help again he would be sent to a police station, and thence to some prison school or reformatory. better than the life he now led; but, after all, what a miserable fate. lam one of the women who really love children, and it struck me that the child wag pretty, and had a good he. d. Wnat a pleasant task it would be to reform him. To educate,him; to save him from all that lay before him. Had I been a rich woman, I should have seen my way clear to the attempt, but a spinster governess—yet after all—- “ Child,” I said, “what is your name?” “ Ben,” he answered. ~. “Wen, Ben,” I said, “arc they good* w these people ycu live with? Do you like you happv, or would you like to live t'yfferently?” * “I’d like,” said poor little Ben, “Io pave plenty to eat, and go to esbuol

with other fellers. I get whippings, and am hungry sometimes. I don’t belong to no one, and nobody cares for me. I don’t live anywhere regular.” “You’d like to go to school, eh?” I ssked. r “Yes, like fellers,” replied Ben. “I went to school once to get in, but the lady said to go away. I had dirty feet. Jim said you could sneak lots of things in school if you was smart He did, but he had shoes.” • It seemed a hopelees case. However, even yet I could not bring myself to hand the boy over to Mr. Pemberton, who assuredly would glvp him to the police. There was a way iu which I could help him If he were not really fond of bis companioas, and older in crime than he seemed, but to do so I, must be very bautious. The character* of a female Don Quixote would not be a good one for a governess. “Ben,” I said, “I want to help you, to keep you from going* back to those people, and to put you to school,” He looked at me wouderingly. “If anyone else In the house knows that you are here, you will be given to the police,” I said. “It will now soon be day. You must let me lock you up in this room until dark, and you must make no noise. I will give you plenty to eat. Remember, it is for your good.” f He nodded. The experience of his life bad taught him to understand the necessity of concealment as other children do not.

“I’ll be mum,” he said. “Don’t fear me; 111 lI 1 1l be mum.” Aud from that time until dawn I sat and.looked at him without saying any more. It was easy enough to provide him y> jth food tbat day, but my conscience was heavy. Glad enough ‘was I when night came, an<T in the darkness I smuggled the little creatutp out of the bouse, aud holding his hand, went straight to the clergyman of the church I regularly attended. He was a good man, devoted to bis calling, and I knew him to take a great interest in the redemption of such waifs as Ben, and that he was secretary of an association for such objects. Mr. Dale received me in his study, and I left little Ben In the hall, and not feellug quite sure of the safety of the hats and coats upon the stand, whispered to the servant to watch him.

Once within the study, I told a truthful story to Mr. Dale. “He is already a little thief, I suppose,” I added; “but he is very young. Will you help me to save him? Will you send him to your firm school, keeping the secret of his antecedents? I will pay you for bis outfit; his Clothes, trunk, etc., and for his journey “That will be the duty of the society.” replied tne reverend ge i tieman, “I will report the case. If lam permitted to send him he shall go. Meanwhile—wait a moment—” He arose and left the room, and soon returned. “Meanwhile,” he continued, “my Housekeeper will take charge of him. He can stay here.” A mouth from that day iilt’e Den Gray was sent away to the Jefferson farm school. He wore a stout cloth suit and cap, and had a small trunk full of clothing. He was proud aud happy, and though he did not know the words of gratitude, I could see that he was thankful. I gave him a lecture on good behavior, and kissed him as we parted. No one had ever kissed him before, I believe.

He started, looked at me, aud his chin quivered; but the guard was crying, “fake you seats, please,” the five other little hoys and their guardian, who were his companions, grew impatient, and so we parted. I was not insane enough to tell of my v-capade—it might Jiave lost mo my place; out soon I heard from Mr. Dale that my waif bad > reached his d’-dinaiion, behaved well, aud was happy. A year later he wrote me a l.' tttr thanking me for my goodness. 1 fancied it was dictated to him, and thought little of it, save as a proof that my til rts to help him were successful.

Years glided bv —fifteen years. They hud not been happy ones for me. I lost my friends. I was lonely. My eyes failed me, and I could no longer teach fine embroidery-—-and flower painting,*whioii were my specialties. At last I fell ill. In paying doctors and nurses all my small savings melted, and when I had recovered my health so as to look into my affairs, 1 fdlind myself an elderly woman, with only a few pounds in the world, and no prospect for a position. The lodging-house keeper with whom I lived, though not a cruel woman, felt anxious to be rid of one who soon might b“ unable to pay her way, and my advertisements brought no answers. People wanted yomiger and more fashionable governesses. I was seeking a place in a shop, and finding there also they desired only pretty young girls, when, one day, returning weary and footsore, I was told that a gentleman wished to see me, and, hoping for a new employer, hurried up-stairs to my room. Some one advanced to meet me. A slender young man, dark eyed and dark haired, who held out his hand and said, “Miss Rivers, I knew you at once, but I scarcely think you can remember little Ben Gray.” Little Ben Gray! I was astonished lieyoyd expression. This was a gentleman. if ever one spoke. “Yon were so good to me, so angel- ; ;c,” proceeded this gentleman. “I did not know how good you were then, I was such a little brute; but every year , I learnt better to understand what you had done for me. I have been very fortunate. An old doctor took me into his surgery when I left school. lam a surgeon in decent practice myself now, and lam married. I told my wife my story, and she knows all yo’u, did for me. My mission to London was to find you. We saw your advertisement in the paper, and* knew you were still earning your own bread. Madam, if you will come with me to my home a wawn welcome will be yours. The motner I never knew will seem to have been given me. My wife longs for your presence. Do not reflise us the privilege of making you.hrfppy.” Refuse! Ah, he little knew towhat a pass 1 had come! 1 I thanked him with tears, and I went with him. His home bas been my home ever since, and his children call me Aunt Mary.

A Wedding in Wyoming.

Oil City Derrick. Camping near the town, we secured our stock and then went in. Entering the leading store, I introduced myself to Mr. Stiles, one of the proprietors and tile postmaster. • It is now 12:30, and at 3 there’s to be a wedding down the street at Jonas Burton’s. Old Jonas is a rough old c ;on that we elected justice of the peace abouta month ago, and, as this will be his first attempt at marriage, I think we will see some fun. Come and go down with me.”

We went to the old ’Squire’s cabin. We found him pouring over a large of the statutes of .Wyoming, sweating like a horse and looking terribly anxious. After greeting ,us he said: • . :

“Stiles, the durned galoots thetgot up these yer laws hadn’t gumption enough to last ’em over night. I’ve run through the blamed book a half a dozen times, and can’t find a dod blasted word about metrimony, or how the hitehin’ process is proceeded with. J’ve just got ter put the clamps on this couple hit or miss, an’ es I don’t yoke ’em up legal I can’t help it.” “Oh,” said Stiles, “just do tbe best you can. Any kind of ceremony will do in this country, for people’ll never question the legality of the thing. I’ll poet you as well as I can.” Stiles then explained to him about how be should proceed, and the old man finally thought he could worry Mirnwfr *"

the couple appeared, followed by a crowd of the citizens of the camp. The candidates stood up before the ’squire, who began: “Feller citizens, this ’yar man an’ this ’yar woman have appeared before the coart to be hitched in the legal bands of wedlock. If any galoot in the mob knows of anything that mout block the game es tuk to a higher court, let him now toot his bazoo or. else keep his jaw to himself now apd forevermore. All in favor ’o me preceediu’ as authorized by the law, say‘L’ ” Everybody said “I.” “Contrary ‘no.’ ” Nobody said “no.” •‘The motion’s carried unanimously, an’ the court rules tbat thar hain’t nutbin’ to prevent the tryin’ of the case. Grip yer fins.” The candidates joined bands. “Amos Peabody, do you solemnly swa’ar that ye’ll freeze to ’Mandy furever an’ ever? Tbet you’ll love ’er, an’ pervide fur ’er, an’ treat ’er equar an’ white, accordin’ to the rules an’ regulations sot down to govern sich cases in the laws o’ the United States, so help yer God?” “Yaas, sir; I do, sir.” "That fixes your end o’ the bargain. ‘Mandy Thomas, do you solemnly swa’ar thet you’ll bang on to Amos for all cornin’ time; that you’ll nuss h«m in sickness an’ be squar’ to him in wellness: that ye’ll always be to him a good, true, honest, up-an’-up wife under the penalties prescribed by the laws sot the punishment of sich offenses; do you swa’ar this, so help yer God?” “I swa’ar I will.”

“Then by the power in me vested as justice o’ the peace, in an’ fur this precinct, I pronrunce you, Amos Peabody, husband, an’ you, ’Mandy Thomas, wife, and legalize ye to remain as sich now an’ forevermore, an’ ye’ll stand committed till the fees An’ costs in the case be paid in full, an’ may God have mercy on your soul an’ bless this union with the heftiest blessin’s.” The fees and costs were adjusted, and, after receiving the congratulations of the assembly, the newly-made husband and wife departed for their cabin up the creek.

A Fight Between Sea Monsters.

St. John Cor. Tronto Globe. On a lovely afteroon in July I stood upon the bank of a lofty cliff on that part ofcoast between Placentl and StMary’s Bays. As I stood like everything about me, mute under the influence of the afternoon, a sound as of innumerable and gentle tappings came up from the still sea, and looking I saw that myriads of Ashes, cod and the lesaer creatures on which the former preyed, and risen to the surface and were “breaching.” The tapping sound was made by beating the water with their tails and fins. Such a scene is not uncomou ;but almost simultaneously with this 1 heard a hollow,', whistling sound, and saw a column of spray rise like a geyser, abqdt fourteen feet from the water. I saw then that a whale had risen among the fishes, and with his monster, gaping jawfc, in a fourth of the time it takes to write it, had engulfed several hundreds of the breaching fishes, aud was about to plunge under the waves again to swallow his prey piecemeal, when two other creaturei appeared upon the scene. They were the united and implacable foes of the whale, the sword-fish and the thrasher, 'the sword-fish, Xiphias gladius, is a long, lithe creature, armed with a long, hard substance protruding from its snout, resembling a sword, from which it derives its name; the thrasher is a species of sea shark 'dr fox-. Lark, scientifically known as Carrhaigas vulpes. It was evident that they had c iine for the double purpose of making war upon the whale and getting some of the feast tor themstlves. Iu the space it takes the eye to wink' the offensive apd defensive were assumed. The sword fish attacked the whale under water, the thrasl er attacked him above. As the whale made an effort to dive* be impelled himself against the armed head of Ids lithe foe, and it he remained where he was the thrasher brought its ungainly body with the precision of machinery down upon the unfortunate monster’s back. Such a “thrashing’’ I had never conceived of even in my I used to go to the hills and ron'turds' nests, and saw tbe teacher, morel terrible than a dragon, witlfa cowhide to expiate my gi.i.r. The sounds were dull thuds when the thrasher struck his antagonist, and sharper and louder when he misled his aim aud struck tbe water; The waves were beaten about in foam and spray, the whale trying to ply his tail upon his enemies, but before-he could gel his ungainly bodj* into position his enemies were out of harm’s way, and making a new attack upon an unexpected quarter. The contest continued, broken only by short intervals, when the whale went below the surface for about ten minutes. Then the sword-ffsb, as if satisfied with the part he had played, dived down into the clear, blue water, and the thrasher followed his example. The whale, too, disappeared, and. as he was the only one of tbe three tbat had to rise and breathe at stated intervals, I watched with much interest to see where he would rise and “blow,” or if he rose at all. Beyond the point,’a half mile distant, I caw the spout, and then a vigorous plunge, and knew the whale had survived his thrashing. Numbers of boatmen bad rowed up to see tbe affray, and gazed at the contest between these monsters of the unknown deep with a pleaure deeply mingled with awe.

Bill Nye’s Advice to the President

Laraminc Boomerang. Probably the first break you make, Chester, will be to get married. Vsu will feel, no doubt, as though/you wanted some one to go to in your moments of weariness and heart-sickness, and so you will get a wife who will assist you in governing the country. There is no rest like the blessed rest that comes to the weary President who, after a prolonged cabinet session, in which the Secretary of the Interior tells the latest moral anecdote, and tbe Secretiry of (he Navy advances his theory of crossing the saw buck with the iron-clad ram, in order to get a style of war vessel that will stand the short climate, goes to his room in the solemn bush of midnight and falls over a glove-fitting corset and steps on a deformed hair-pin. f , You need the gentle voice of a wife to lead you on toward undying fame. She will tell you how to govern the country, and won’t charge you a cent for it. * Bhb will readily see where you have erred in your official capacity, and will show you how you can improve upon it next time. She will gladly tell you what changes to make in your cabinet, and select some one as Secretary of State whose complexion will match the furniture of his office.

The chances are, Chester, that you will revel In more kind and thoughtful advice, and choice, ripe suggestions from everybody than you will need. This little note is uot intended so much for you to cut out and stick up over your wash-stafad for reference as to kind of put you on your guard and make you self-reliant.

A Product of the Morgue.

New York Telegram. . Last week the babitues of the Paris morgue were greatly puzzled by a curious India-rubber leg that lay exposed for recognition on one of the slabs. It appears that tbe body of an elegantly-dressed woman, apparently aged about fifty, had bebn found in the Seine above the bridge of Bt.Cloud, but the body was so decomposed that| it could not be kept. It was remarked, however, that the left leg, amputated at the thjgh, had been replaced by an ingeniously-constructed India-rubber leg, which was exhibited in the hope that, it might lead to the Identification

TIME. In the great square of a city, dreamily, a fiynfe stands. With the water dimly flowing through its eyes and llpe and hands. And the throngs that pass and ponder that weird masterpiece sulblme. Little think it is the picture.ot the solemn lapse of Time; Of the thoughtless lapse of Time, With its melancholy rauslo and its sad, heart-broken rhyme, Oozing, trickling, bubbling, gleaming, Laughing, weeping, sobbing, streaming, Walling, murmuring, sigbing, dreaming, Flowing, flowing on. 80, stand we that fountalned statue, God’s great masterpiece of art. And the lapse of time is flowing on through each oblivious heart: Seconds, minutes, meeting, fleeting into days and months and years. Swell the rapids of the ages till at last Time disappears With its flood of hopes and fears, Through life’s dimly-lighted valley, through the valley of our tears, Tinkling, plashing, rippling, sleeping, Bounding, sparkling, dancing, leaping. Foaming, billowing, tumbling, sweeping, Gliding, gliding on. —{a. Princetonlan.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Unpublished Chapters of His Public Life —A Talk wit £ His Friend and Biographer, Ward B. Lamon. The Denver Tribune of a recent date contains a letter from Boulder, Col., giving the substance of an interview with Ward B. Lamon, the former Jaw Sanner and biographer of Lincoln, ome of the facts, now for the first time published, are of an intensely interesting nature. The correspondent

says: I gather from Col. Lamon some facts regarding the appointment of Edwjn M. Stanton to the office of the secretary of war by Mr. Lincoln, which has never been published. In order to make the histoiy of this appointment complete in all its meanings and bearings it will b 6 necessary to go back to 1858,when Abraham Lincoln was practicing law in Springfield, 111., and Edwin M. Stanton was at the head of his profession in Cincinnati. The celebrated McCormick’s reaper and mower case was before the United States court in Cincinnati. Stanton was retained as the counsel-in-chief in the case for McCormick, with T. D. Lincoln, of Cincinnati, and Aoraham Lincoln, of Illinois—Lincoln having been McCormick’s attorney in Chicago. When Lincoln arrived in’Cineinnati the trial, he called upon Stanton, who treated him iff so rude and so impolite a manner, that he went to McCormick and informed him that he should have to withdraw as his counsel in the case, stating hi? reasons therefor. McCormick begged him to remain, and went to Stanton to talk about the matter. Lincoln was in an adjoining room where their conversation occurred, and with his own ears heard Stanton say that the “could not associate with such a damned gawky, long-armed ape as tbat; if he could not have a man who was a gentleman in appearance he would himself abandon the case;” When McCormick returned to Lincoln the latter refunded him his SSOO retainer’s fee, peremptorily declining to keep itp and returned to Urbana, 111., where court was then in session, and related tbe facts and his mortification to his friend Lamon and others, as an excuse for his unexpected return. After this event Mr. Lincoln never met Stanton till the events which will now be related brought them together, though it is certain that Mr. Lincoln never forgot the gratuitous insifit. When Mason and Slidell, as Commissioners of the confederacy to England, were captured (Bth of November, 1881) on the English mail vessel Trent, there was, it will be remembered, great exultation among loyal people all over the country, in which Lincoln, Chase, Blair, Sumner and the rest shared. But Mr. Seward, Lincoln’s secretary of State, shook his head and expressed fears of grave complications with England. All remember the signal danger that the government escaped through Mr. Seward’s diplomacy. By December Mr. Lincoln aud his cabinet were in a state of alarm because of the danger of a war with England. Mr. Chase one day came to the President and told him that Edwin M. Stanton, who had been attorney general under Buchanan, had talked with him on the subject of the troubles with Great Britain, and had expressed the opinion that the action of the American government in arresting Mason and Slidell was right and could be sustained by international law. The president told Mr. Chase that Mr. Stanton did not like him and had treated him rudely on one occasion, but that if Mr. Chase thought Mr. Stanton would meet him he would be glad to have him so so, and give his views on the subject. In au hpur Mr. Chase had Mr. Stanton in Mr. Lincoln’s presence. Mr. Lincoln expressed his gratification of hearing of Mr. Stantpn’s views, and isked him to repeat them to hitaself. Mr. Stanton proceeded to a discussion of the case and the laws bearing thereon, Mr. Lincoln listening attentively. Mr. Lincoln expressed his thanks, and asked Mr. Stanton to put his opinions in writing, which he promised to do by 10 o’clock next morning. The opinion was brought at the appointed time. Mr. Lincoln read it and filed it, and then said: “Mr. Stanton, this a time of war, and you are as much interested in sustaining the government as myself or any other man. This is no time to consider party issues. The life of the nation is in danger. I need tbe best counselors around me. I have every confidence in your judgment, and have concluded to ask you to become one of my counselors. The office of secretary of war will be vacant, and I want you to accept the portfolio. Will you do it?” Stanton was amazed, and said: “Why, Mr. President, you take me by surprise! This is an embarrassing auestion. But if you will give me a ay or two to consider I will give you an answer.” The next day nut one he called on the president and signified his intention to accapt. On the 13th day of January, 1862, the portfolio of secretary of war was placed in his bands.

Joshua F.Speed was one of Lincoln’s oldest and most confidential friends in his youncer days, and their friendship continued through all trials. After the capitulation of General Lee.’s army Speed came from his home in Louisville, Ky., to visit Mr. Lincoln, and while in Washington was invited to an informal meeting of the cabinet. The question of the disposition of Jefferson Davis and other prominent confederates after they should be captured was discussed, each member of the cabinet giving his opinion, most of them for banging the traitors or some severe punishment. Lincoln said nothing. Finally Mr. Speed, addressing the president, said: “now, Mr. Lincoln, you have invited me here, and this seems to be a free fight. I have heard, the opinion of your ministers and would like to hear yours.” “Well, Josh,” replied Lincoln, “that reminds me of a story. When I was a boy in Indiana, I went to a neighbor’s house one morning and found a boy of my own size holding a coon by the string. I asked him what he had and what he

was doing. He says: “It’s a coon. Dad cotebed six and killed all but this poor little cuss. Dad told me to hold him until he came back, and I'm afraid be’s going to kill this one, too. And,. oh, Abe, I do wish he’< get away. ‘Well, why don’t you let him get away?’ That would not be right, and if I let him go dad would give me hell. But if he would get away himself it would be all right.’ Now,” said Mr. Lincoln, “if Jeff Davis and those other fellows will only gel away it will be all right. But if we should catch them and I should let them go, dad would give me helL.” At one time Lincoln penned a message to congress recommending the appropriation of a very large sum for

would lay down their arms and acquiesce in the abolition of slavery. It was illy received by the cabinet, only one member favoring it, and the president chucked it into a pigeon-hole, where it ever remained. While Gen. Grant was besieging Richmond, Gen. Sherman sent the following curious message to Lincoln: "I am informed, if the thing is pressed, Gen. Grant can capture Richmond.” Lincoln immediately sent the following by wire to Grant: “I am informed by Gen. Sherman that if the thing is pressed you can capture Richmond. Let the thing be pressed.” While the slow and apparently unsuccessful seige of Vicksburg was being conducted by General Grant a great hue and cry was raised about his incompetency, and a pressure, almost irresistible, was brought to bear upon Mr. Lincoln to remove him and substitute another general iu his place. Everybody around Lincoln even Washburne. Grant’s best friend, concluded that Grant would have to be removed to satisfy the general desire. Lincoln was about to yield to the pressure, but at this juncture T. Lyle Dickey, now chief justice of Illinois, who was on General Grant’s staff, came to Washin g ton and called upon the president. Lincoln mentioned to Dickey the universal dissatisfaction about Grant, and asked Dickey for his opinion of him. Dickey related to him the circumstances of the battle of Pittsburg Land-

ing, and Grant’s maneuvers and splendid generalship on that memorable occasion. He told how little confidence he felt in Grant previous to that time, and expressed the admiration that his achievements there had aroused for General Grant as a commander, and advised Mr. Lincoln not to remove him from command of the army in front of Vicksbug. Grant had sromised Lincoln to capture Vicksjurg by the 4th of July, and Dickey said it would surely be done, and further expressed his belief that Grant was the greatest general of the age. After this Ben Wade and the others continued to press for Grant’s removal. But he told them of Dickey’s opinion and of his own faith in Dickey, to whom he had himself always looked as his model of a lawyer, and that on Dickey’s assurance he should continue Grant in command.' On the 4th of July, 1863, Gen. Grant planted the victorous banner of the Union over the forts at Vickburg.

Graveyard Insurance.

Phllladelphla Times. General Pfeiffer and Adolph Fleisher, of Pittston, we. e arrested to-day at the instance of Christian Pfeiffer, of this cityf on a charge of forgery and conspiracy, and were held in a thousand dollars each for their appearance at court. The prosecution is based upon a forged application fora policy on the life of Eva Pfeiffer in the Good Hope Graveyard Insurance Company, of Bloomsburg. One of the accused is the son of the subject whose life was insured and brother of the prosecutor.' Upon the strength of the forged application policies were issued on the life of Mrs. Pfeiffer in various companies to the amount of $50,000. Mrs. Pfeiffer was 75 years old and in a dying condition wheu the insurance was effected, and hearing that her son was a party to. the transaction, it so preyed upon her mind that she sank rapidly and died. Her last request to her son Christian was that he should prosecute all that had a hand in the insurance business, and he says he will do it un j til he places every one of them in the penitentiary. Fred. Pfeiffer, husband of the deceased, testified that his son George, accompanied by Fleischer and Dr. Mulholland, visited their house last August. His wi r e was then in bed and quite sick. George said, “I have brought the doctor to see how poor mother is,” but nothing was said about insurance. Mulholland then felt the natient’s pulse, but did not prescribe. Witness said he thought the proceeding a queer one at the time. The forged application was produced in evidence. It bore Dr. Mulholland’s name, but the Doctor says his signature was written by a student who generally fills out graveyard applications. It is thought other prosecutions will follow shortly, as the fleeced policy-holders are growing desperate, a id have some tragic stories to tell of the traffic in human life.

How the Courts Encourage Criminals.

San Francisco Call. A couple of cattle thieves at San Jose were convicted in 1876 and sentenced to five years’ in San Quentin. In writing out the verdict a juryman improperly spelled the word defendants. The document read; "We find the defendances guilty.” On this quibble the case of one of the thieves was appealed to the Supreme Court. After a long pondering on the weighty subject, that august tribunal has just decided in thief’s favor. The case is one of no striking importance, save that It illustrates what is constantly occurring in our courts. The law no longer inquires: '‘ls the man a thief? Is he a swindler? Is he a murderer? Did he actually commit the crime he is charged with?” On the eontrary it turns its large magnifying glass on the case and practically says: “Is there any p issible technicality by means of which this worthless scoundrel can be shielded from punishment? L there is, we want to find it.” The law seeks to exclude from the jury-box men who read the daily papers and are wide awake and intelligent, and, in the case uuder discussion, nullifies a verdict because, naturally enough, a juryman is too ignorant to spell correctly. A thitf is turned loose, not because he is innocent, but because a juryman proves to be ignorant. The juryman was really on trial, at great expense to the public, instead of the thief. The investigation was one concerning orthography and not cattle-stealing, as was erroneously supposed. And this is what they call law in California —an article that costs taxpayersand litigants vast suras of money annually. Our courts have become arenas in which technical esthetes assemble to split hairs, strain at legal gnats and save the guilty from punishment.

Seeking Hid Treasure.

Somewhat less than a century ago the Prince de Broglie ..happened to be cruising around the entrance to Delaware bay, when along came a British fleet. The French officers made all haste for the shore,landing near Lewes. So hotly pursued were the valiant Frenchmen that they threw half their money overboard, thus keeping the British from the substantial fruits of the capture. In that way 1,200,000 livres went to the bottom in the neighborhood of “The Shears.” Some twenty-five years ago a ship loaded with pig-iron went down on “The Shears.” The other day a schooner furnished with electric lights, outfits for divers, etc., went down the bay for the alleged purpose of finding the pigiron. It is suggested that the searehers for sunken treasure are really more interested in the livres than the iron.

“Our Esteemed Contemporary.

Bill Nye’s Boomerang. We have nothing more to say of the editor of the Sweetwater Gazette. Aside from the fact that he is asquinteyed, consumptive liar, with a breath like a buzzard and a record like, a convict, we don’t know anything against him. He means well enough, and if -frfe can evade the penitentiary and the vigilance committee a few yean, there is a chance for him to end his life in a natural way. If he don’t tell the truth a little more plenty, however, the Green River people will rise a* one man and churn him till there won’t be

NANTUCKET WHALERS.

Upencott's Magazine. » Walter J- , the only son of a widow of Nantucket, set sail when 12 years old with the captain of a whaler. One dark and rainy night, when they were sailing on the Chinese seas, it began to blow very hard, and all hands were ordered aloft to shorten sail. In the darkness and rain the boy fell from the mast. Had he fallen upon the deck he would in all probability have killed; but he struck the back-stay—a rope drawn tight like the string of a violin—and rebounded into the water. Soon the cry came: “A man overboard!” The captain felt very sad when he learned that it was Walter J • He put the ship about and tacked back and forth, but nothing could be seen of the boy. Before giving np the search, however, he called the men aft and asked them whether anything else could be done, “for I don’t want to go back to Nantucket and say il something else had been done Walter! could have been saved.” No man, however, offered a suggestion, and, although the time had been long—half an hour—since the lad had fallen overboard, the

captain made a few turns more and called on the men for a, final decision whether anything could be done. He finally concluded to hold on his course when he heard one of the men say that he heard a cry. They listened, and soon heard a call. “Keep her away or you’ll soon run over me.” Half a dozen different, ropes «vere thrown by as many difierent persons, when the boy said: “Make a bowline, I’m too weak to hold on.” A bowline is a rope with a large loop firmly tied to it. It was thrown out, the lad put it over one leg, held on by his hands, and was drawn on ooard. He had fallen into the water with a suit of clothes, tarpaulin overalls and shoes

on. He was drawn out as naked as when he first appeared in the world, having managed, in spite of the great exertion of swimming, to divest himself of all his clothes, in order that they might not impede his movements. When asked how he had been able to endure so long, he answered that; he was on the point of giving up from fatigue, and was letting his feet go down, preparatory to sinking, when he thought of his mother and kept on. He is still living in Nantucket. Laban M was the oldest son of

quaker parents in Nantucket. His father had been successful in business, and the son, who was an excellent seaman, and. although very yeung, was already first mate, and was" going on a voyage for the sake of his parents. The ship went for whales into the North Atlantic ocean. One day a whale was seen spouting at some distance. The boats were immediately lowered, and as soon as they came near enough, a harpoon was thrown from the first mate’s boat, which struck the animal; In such cases the huge creature’s frantic plunge into deep water often caused the rope to which the harpoon is fastened to go out over the boat so fast that the water had to be thrown upon it to prevent its taking fire. As the rope ran out, by some terrible mischance the young man’s feet became entangled in it, and in an instaut he was drawn over the side of the boat and into deep water. He rose once, called out “Take care of the whale!” and with these self-forgetful words on his lips, sank forever from human sight. He was to have been captain on the next voyage. Job C was a whaling captain. His wife, tired of the monotony of life on the island, went with him upon one of his long voyages, and amused herself by learning navigation. Her husband was taken sick when the vessel was still in the Pacific ocean. As neither of the mates understood how to steer the ship, the plucky woman performed thisduty herself,and brought the vessel safely around Cape Horifiand home. Her hue band died while still far out at sea, but his wife is now living in Providence, R. I As may be imagined the whaling captains and men were not always anxious to leave the quiet of home and the society of their wives and children and go again to encounter \the perils and discomforts of voyages: that were often from three to seven y'ears in length. *4t is told of one Captain that when his wife found the flour getting low in the barrel she said to him: “Simeon, either thee or I has got to go around Cape Horn.” Simeon went Cromwell B was a Quaker captain bringing oils and candles' from Nantucket to Philadelphia. naate, however, was not a Friend. TJr> vessel was lying one Sunday manning at Chestnut street wharf when alargeship came up. The mate of tue incoming ship seemed determined to usurp the place of Cromwell B ’s vessel. «His quiet remonstrance having no effect, he went the cabin gang-way and called to his first officer, who was shaving below for Sunday: “Mate, I think thee will have to come up here and use some of thy language.” The mates soon appeared, half-shaved, and pourd forth a volley of oaths. The officer of the incoming ship said: “I guess we’ll have to move; they’ve got some one else on board besides that old Quaker.”

A FAIR SHEPHERDESS.

From a Home of Luxury in Philadelphia to the Hardships of Texas Farm Life. San Antonia Express. A reporter of the Express learned from a Mr. James Holt, of Concho, the particulars of a history that properly aandled would make the web and woof of as romantic a novel as was ever written. It is the story of a beautiful girl who voluntarily leaves all the luxuries and elegances of a beautiful home in Philadelphia, to follow a lover to the wilds of Texas. Blanche Thomas was the only daughter of wealthy and fond parents, who lavished upon her all that wealth could purchase. A graduate of a celebrated seminary, naturally bright and vivacious, and with a beauty matchless in its loveliness, she became without an effort a society belle. Her dresses from Worth, her equipages, her brownstone house on Chestnut street, were the envy of many and the admiration of not a few. Her father took her with him to Pari?, where she soon became

the rage in the American colony there*' and her toilets were described at length in La Minerva and Figaro. Many admirers had inspired to her hand—many wealthy nobleman had offered themselves in marriage, but all in vain. She was the the theme of conversation alike in the salon and the case, and while all admired her many charms, she was considered cold and heartless, Her parents*at last became vexed at her continued refusal of such splendid offers, and did all in their power to make her marry a wealthy English Baronet, but without avail. When pressed by her father for an explanation of her strange conduct, she reluctantly acknowledged she was in love and'had been since her childhood,with the son of the manager of her father’s coal mines in Pittsburg. This so enraged her father that he forbade her even to mention the young man’s name again, and unthinkingly told her she must select some eligible parti within six months, or cease to be his daughter. Thinking him to be in earnest, and knowing him to be a man of his word, the poor girl packed up a a few clothes, and, taking what money she had in her purse at the time, took passage on an outward bound steamer for New York. Arriving there she telegraphed to her lover in Pittsburg, who did not even stop to change ids mining clothes, so afraid was he that be would miss the fast express that was

There was a quiet little marriage at Grace Church the next day, ana the spoiled child of fortune was the wife of a brawny, muscular miner. But the question now arose, w I were they to do, for she had no money and what little he had would not last long, as he had sacrificed his position in the mines when marrying her. After much thought and a great amount of planning, it was decided to come to Texas, and here build for themselves a home. He pre-empted and purchased land and sheep in Taylor county, built a house of two small

rooms, and while she cooked, washed and attended to the humble avocation of household drudgery, he looked after the sheep and cultivated a few acres of land. No thoughts of past splen lor came to disturb her calm tranquility and perfect happiness, but every day seemed to be fuller of pleasure thdn the last, and their happiness was as deep and eternal as the occult skies above. Their very isolation them closer together,and strengthened a love that was eternal.

A year of quiet but perfect happiness passed by, when the husband broke his leg, and the work of watching the sheep devolved upon bis wife. Nursing her sick husband and looking after the outdoor department took up most of her time. . But oue afternoon, as. she was walking toward the house in her simple country dress, a party of gentlemen rode up, and one of them was her father, who had been searching for his daughter since her departure from Paris. Hearing of her marriage in New York.be bitterly repented his hasty words, and had followed her to Texas. Calm reflection had taught him that hers bad, after all, been the better choice, and he was only too glad to reoegnize in her husband a son-in-law. He persuaded them to give up their home in Texas for a time, and return with him to Philadelphia.

Garfield and Bliss.

New York special. The New York evening Post contains the following interview with Steward Crump, who nursed ths president Crump paid that be bad all the time .the strongest faith in General Garfield’s recovery. He then spoke of the characteristics of the dead president. “He was always so cheerful,” said Mr. Crump, and had so much nerve. Why he used to astonish me with his jokes, even while he was suffering horribly. Suffer? I should say he did. The first week or ten days it was his feet. He kept saying, “Oh,my God, my. feet feel as though millions of needles were run through them.” I used to squeeze his feet and toes in my hands as bard as I possibly could, and that seemed the only relref he could get. The day he was shot, and on Sunday, he kept talking all the time, but on Monday he was more quiet,and then on Tuesday morning, the doctors shut down on his talking. Bunday morning, just after the big - crowd of doctors had cleared out, I was alone with the President and Dr. Bliss. The doctor eat on one side of the bed, and I was on the other. President Garfield had hold of Dr. Bliss’s hand and turned his head and asked me if I knew where he first saw Dr. Bliss. I told him I did not. He said that he |would tell me. He said that when he was a youngster and started for the college at Hiram he had just sls—a ten-dollar bill which was in the breast pocket of his coat and a five in his trousers pocket. He said 1 e was footing it up the road, and as the day was hot he took off his coat and carried it on his arm, taking good care to feel every moment or two for the pocket-book, for the hard earned fifteen dollars was to pay his entrance fee at the college. After awhile he got to thinking what college life would be like and forgot all about the pocket nook for some time, and when he looked again it way gone. He went back mournfully along the road, hunting on both sides for the book. After awhile he came to a house where a young man leaning over a gate asked him as he came up what he was hunting for. Young Garfield explained his loss and described the property, when the young man handed it over. The president by this time was laughing, and iu conclusion said that the young man was Bliss. “Wasn’t it, doctor?” The doctor laughed and said. “Yes;” and when General Garfield said: “You saved me for college,” the doctor answered “Yes, and may be if I had not found your ten dollars you would not have been president of the United States.” The president laughed at that and said that if he got well, and made any mistakes in his administration, Dr. would have to take all the blame.

Barred by the Statute.

Madison Courier. , Jesse D. Bright has a candid and out-spoken, but at the same time,faithful and honest biographer, in the person of HoiE\W. W. Woollen. The referenceyto Mr. Bright’s physicial prowess has recalled to the memory of numerous “oldest inhabitants” his encounter with the venerable and widely known Methodtst clergyman, Rev. S. E. Gillette, D. D. In the early day at which this incident occured Mr. Gillette was a young naval officer, at home in Madison on a leave of absence. Somehow he was present with Bright and others of the elite of the town, at a cock fight in the neighborhood of the present Star mills. The young officer and the rising young politician got into an altercation in the course of the fray between the game cocks, and without ado clenched and were at it in a second. Bright was large and burly, Gillette slender, but quick, wiry and tough. The combatants seemed unexually matched—and we beg our venerable friend’s pardon for publishing it but the navy soon got the embryontic Vice President down in a muddy gmter, and administered to him a most unmerciful pounding before he was dragged off. This was the only time, as we are informed,that Mr. Bright was ever whipped after growing to man’s estate, which causes us to think that a genial trilobite within a stone’s throw of our sanctum, was not far wrong when he remarked this morning with emphasis: “Oh, little Trum Gillette was lightning, I tell you.”

Political Love Story.

The son of an old Jackson Democrat living near the Maryland in Pennsylvania, having been successful injiis suit for the affections of a young lady, asked his sire one day after dinner for permission to marry. The old gentleman loweied his spectacles, and glancing over them for a moment or two, quietly asked: “What is her father? Is he a FreeTrader or a Protectionist?” “I don’t know what he is now,” rejoined theprofpective son-in-law, “but when I first visited Mary he was both.” “Both! Nonsense!” “Yes both. He protected her every time we tried to sneak off, and he was the freest-trader with his boots that I ver came across.” _

Gen. Grant and Gen. Hancock.

Report of Meeting of Aztee Club. At the meeting of the club the death of its first president was spoken of in a feeling and appropiiate manner, and the members were invited to proceed to a new choice. Gen. Hancock, vicepresident of the club, being absent, Gen. Grant, whom several of the mem* bers had manifested a disposition to press as a candidate for the presidency, rose and in a brief but delicate ana

tasteful speech urged the election of Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock. A ballot was demanded and resulted in the unanimous election of General Hancock, who now becomes president for life of the Aztec Club. The graceful manner in which this was done by

JOCOSITIES.

Some niggers’ honesty 1s reggerlated mos’ly by de spunk ob de yard dorg. Make an oat of this, said the hen to her brood, as they gathered in their lit--tie crops. “Excuse the liberty I taket” as the convict said when he escaped from the State prison. One hair in the hash will cause more hard feeling than seven mottoes on the wall can overcome. The new style in fall bonnets may be photographed by slamming a ripe tomato against a board fence. He was from the mountain side, and was buying hi? first glass of soda. “1 wish you’d skim off that skum, boss; 1 ain’t "paying for no froth, you bet.” Some men are born great, some achieve greatness,and some sell whisky at ten cents a glass that would make charcoal of the inside of a stone statue.

There is more heat In ten cents worth of mustard, than there is in a dollar’s worth of coal. But you must put the mustard on your bosom, not in the stove. “Aesthetic Maiden:” What is bric-a-brac? Well, it is anything in the crockery line that is absolutely useless, set upon the mantle where it will be in the way. * ’ . Stocking is the name of a Presbyterian minister at Grand Rapids, but some of the ladies of the congregation .are so modest that they always address him as Mr. Hose. A four-year old child, who, while visiting saw bellows used to blow an open fire, informed her mother that “they shovel wind into the fire down to Aunt Augusta’s.” An Irish gentleman having a small picture room, several persons desired o see it at the same time. “Faith, gentlemen,” said he “if you all go iu it will not hold you.” < Economy is wealth. A Philadelphia lady who found a baby in a basket on her door-step took the infant to the Station House, but saved the basket to carry horns her marketing.

“What a splendid speaker Elder Longphiz is,” remarked Mrs. Pringle. “Don’t you think he is a very pious man, Mr. Fogg?” “Yes,” replied Fogg, “very pious—copious, in fact.’’ A Georgia woman is losing the power of speech through indulgence in canned fruits. Now you know .what to think of a man who is going home with a lot of canned fruit under his arm. < y Terribly sarcastic father: “Now. I must bid you good night, Mr. John, for I have an engagement. ,But, say, why don’t you stop and take breakfast with us some morning? You always go away an hour or two before it is ready.” “I’ll go If I see fit!” was the exclamation of Mrs. Tweezers, as her husband demurred at her attending a ball; “I’ll go if I see fit” “Very well, then, you’ll see fits if you go!’ r was the crusty reply. A Buffalo paper lately gave a pathetic description of the suicide of a woman, in which it is told that “she eqded her virtuous life in the cool retreat afforded by a convenient and umbrageous well.”

For and About Women.

The turban and the Derby will rival each other in popularity. Diadem wreaths for the hair will certainly be worn with ball toilets. Red and green are again used in combination in fashionable toilets. Moire brocade in rippled stripes- is the high novelty of this season. Mitts will remain in favor until the weather is decidedly cooler. The Mosquetaire or Bernhardt glove takes precedence o's all others. It is now allowable for women to part their hair in the middle. Mob caps, made of black sural i and gold lace, are much worn by elderly ladies. Newly imported silk stockings show contrasting colors, such as yellow on biack, Indian red on pale green, and scarlet on either light or indigo blue. Millinery note: As usual some bold and daring newspaper man rises to remark that, “The prettiest thing in autumn bonnets are the faces.” Give us the faces and anybody can have the bonnets | who wants to pay for them. Consolatioq: Mme. Z. (Paris, course) lost her husband and would not be comforted. For days and days after the funeral she wept floods of teaps. Suddenly a thought struck her. “I have one little consolation,” she said, “I will know where he is at night.”

“Blaze, ma’am, wudye oblige a poor bye wid a light? Bhure, ye’ve only to give one glance of yer purty eye at me pipe, and it’ll shine like the shtars.” He got the light and a good dinner besides. Moral: Always speak the truth in the presence of the fair sex. Mr. Gerorge I Beney of Brooklyn, has given $5,000 toward the erection of a chapel to the Lucy Cobb Institute, Athens, Ga., on the condition that the t residents of that city will raise $4,000 more. He was prompted to the act by an appealing letter from Miss Nellie Stovall, a graduate of the Institute, who lives in Athens. I A number of bverprudish young ladies in New "York recently complained that the Jpollecemen squeezed their arms when assisting them to cross the crowded streets. 80, now, that it is against the law for an afficer to touch them in any way, they have to scurry through carriages and wagons the best way they can, while the officer simply walk by her side. A gentleman with his wife and lady friend are at a social gathering, discussing the appearance of the several guests. Wife: “Who’s that funnylooking man with sandy hair and long ears?” Lady friend: “That’s Mr. H ; he’s a perfect-donkey.” Wife (turning to her hfisband): “Why, Alfred, why havn’t you Introduced me? He must be my brother-in-law.” Mrs. Julia Ward Howe was quite disconcerted while lecturing lately at Marblehead. She had adduced the tarring and feathering of Floyd Ireson, by the women of that town, as narrated by Whittier, as a noble act. There was hissing, and a man said he was de- s scended from Ireson, and that the story of his deserting the starving crew had been proved a lie, and the women had repented their deed.

The Reindeer.

John Habberton in Harpers’ Magazine. The reindeer, which in one way or another manages to be almost the entire support of the Lapps who have herds, is a large heavy animal, with remarkable independence of character. He will not accept shelter under cover, no matter how inclement the weather may be. Neither will he eat any food that is offered him: he preferra toseek his own, sustenance, which consists

principally of a peculiar moss, and as this grows very slowly,requiring about seven years to reach maturity, the Lapp must shift his home from time to time to meet the necessities of his herd. In midwinter, the moss”may be covered by several feet of snow, but the deer digs a hole with his feet, and disappears from the surface, burrowing his way through the snow as he follows his nose from one tuft of moss to another. The flesh of the reindeer is quite palatable and nutritious, his skin makes very warm garments as well as durable harness, and cheese made of the reindeer’s milk is very rich, although the quantity of the milk ! yielded per day seems scarcely worth the taking, as it amounts to a mere teacupful. z 1 a i The residence of Mr. J. C. Hines, of Thorntown, was broken into the other,