Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1877 — Page 2

The Rensselaer Union. RENSSELAER, - « INDIANA.

EPITOME OF THE WEEK.

CORItEHT PARAGRAPHS. Famine ta threatened in many districts of Bosnia.... - ... ... .. The Ctar has issued an Imperial decree forbidding the granting of letters of marque. Roumania has appropriated for the use of her army the 900,000 francs tribute usually paid to Turkey. Several of the Softas and officials concerned in the recentemeute at Constantinople have been expatriated. Ex-Gov. Warmoth, of Louisiana, and Miss Bailie Durand were married ut Newark, N. J., a few days ago. A call has been issued for a State Republican Convention to meet at Harrisburg, Pa, on the 29th of August The horse Tenßroeck recently ran a mile in 1:39%, in Louiaville, Ky. This is two seconds faster than the same distance had been previously made. Gov. Cullom, of Illinois, has vetoed the bill passed by the last Legislature, to make silver coins a legal-tender for the payment of debts in the State of Illinois. Fletcher Harper, the sole surviving member of the original New York publishing house of Harper A Brothers, died in that city on the 29th. He was seventy-two years old. _ The little schooner New Bedford, only twenty feet long, sailed from New Bedford, Mass., on the 29th, having on board Capt Crapo and his wife. She is bound for London, England. _____ On the night of the 36th, the dwelling of Henry Tower, of North Clarendon, Mass., was burned and two of his children, aged niue and eleven years respectively, perished in the flames. J. Lothrop Motley, the American historian, formerly United States Minister to the Court of St. James, diedin London, England, on the 30th ult, of paralysis. He was sixtythree yean old. The Circuit Court of Dearborn County, Ind., has lately decided that the law courts of Utah have no jurisdiction in divorce cases over residents of other States, and that such divorces are illegal and void. The Turkish Commander has notified the inhabitants of Rustchuk, Varna, Bhumla and Silestria that all persons who have not provisions for at least six months must leave within twelve days from May 28. The mystery surrounding the disap* pearance of Willie Dean, of Chicago, was solved on the 29th, by the finding of the body of the boy between the railroad tracks and the breakwater at the foot of Twenty-first street in that city. Secretary Thompson, of the Navy Department, has transmitted orders to United States Naval Commanders in foreign waters to show suitable attention to ex-Pres-Ident Grant and facilitate in all regards his tour of observation. Simms, the fugitive slave, who was captured by Atty-Gen. Devens when ha was United States Marshal, at Boston, during Filmore’s administration, and turned over to the Savannah authorities, under the Fugitive Slave law, has been appointed messenger In Gen. Devens’ Department At Hartford, Conn., on the 35th, two self-confessed guilty officers of the Farmers’ and Mechanics’ National Bank of Hartford— Jaa. L. Chapman. Cashier, and John C. Tracy, President—were sentenced to several years hard labor in the State Prison. The crimes were embezzlement and perjury, and the amount embezzled *598,000. A recent letter frotfl Sweetwater, Tex., states that the town of Double Mountain, in the Panhandle of Texas, had been captured by Apache Indians, and all the stock In the town run oft Severe fighting between sixty huntersand twine that number of Indians is also reported, the Indians being virtually defeated with considerable loss on their side. The Chicago Common Council has passed an ordinance requiring that all fresh fruits and berries sold in that city shall be sold in aliquot parts of a bushel, according to the table of dry measures, and that all fruit or berries, fresh or dried, shall be of equal goodness in every part of the package. The penalty for a violation of the ordinance la a fine of not less than *5 nor more than *25. ‘ - May 30 was generally observed as Decoration Day throughout the country. The ceremonies at Arlington Were participated in by the President and Mrs. Hayes and the Cabinet, the President and his wife, with flowers brought by themselves, decorating the graves of dead soldiers, and especially the monument to the unknown. Allthq Government offices in Washington were closed on that day. At the recent session of the Grand Lodge of the Good Templars of the World, at Portland, Me., the following we* elected officers fur the ensuing year: Theodore D. Kanouse, of Wisconsin, G. W. C. T.; Rev. Stephen Todd, of England, l ß. W. G. C.; Mrs. A. H Brookbank, R. W. G. V. T.; W. 8. Williams, of Naponee, Ont, R. W. G. A; R. 8. Scott, of St Louis, Mo., R. W. G. T.; Mrs. M. B. O’Donnell, of Lowville, N. Y., Chief Superintendent of Juvenile Templars. The report of the Grand Secretary shows a membership of 450,000. _____ On the 25th, in an interview with a reporter of the Memphis Avalanche, Gov. Stone, of Mississippi, stated that he had requested Judge Haoom, Circuit Judge, to call an extra session of his court for the purpose of bringing the guilty parties in the Kemper County tragedy to trial, and that as Governor he had exhausted his authority. He had visited DeKalb as soon as he had heard of the riot, but found nothing to do aa the rioters hud dispersed. He thought it exceedingly

• r v• - T . • * doubtful if a jury io Kemper County would convict the rioter*, ail of whom realded there and were well known.

CONDENSED TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

In consequence of the Sofia demonstration of the preceding day, martial law waa proclaimed In Constantinople on the 28th. An order waa simultaneously issued, forbidding the carrying of arms, authorizing domiciliary visits, the banishment of suspected persons, etc., etc. In Government circles the Soft* demonstration was regarded In the light of another revolution. The Sultan fled, on their approach, to the Asiatic shore of the Bosphorus, and only returned after the proclamation of martial aw. According to an Associated Press dispatch of the 25th, a secret meeting was held in Washington the night before to organize a National party in the Interest of Senator Blaine. About 150 persons from different States were present Those from the North expressed themselves as strongly opposed to the course of the President and Cabinet *1 be representatives from the South declared that the States which elected him had been discarded by the President and the offices given to the enemies of the party. Resolutions were adopted organizing the meeting into a National joint body. Permanent officers were elected, with power to institute branches throughout the country, with headquarters at Washington. * On the 36th, two Russian officers exploded torpedoes under the bow of a Turkish monitor, causing her to sink, with all on board. According to a Vienua telegram of the 27th, the commander of the Turkish forces at Erzeroum had notified the Porte that he would have to abandon that position, as the Russians had appeared on his flanks and were likely to capture his army if he remained. - A Constantinople dispatch of the 28lh reports the recapture of Ardahan by the Turks. A council of war bad asked Mukhtar Pasha what his plans were. He replied that a scheme was in progress which was certain to insure success, and begged to be let alone. The Ministerial crisis continued, and -the abdication of the Sultan was expected. Gen. Grant and party arrived safely at Liverpool, Eng., on the 28th. The American Consul-General at London, and other prominent citizens of the United States, gave him a suitable reception. While a lighter laden with oil was be - Ing unloaded in the North River, in New York, on the afternoon of the 28th, a terrible explosion occurred, and in an instant the whole body of oil was in flames. When the flames were extinguished it was found that three men had been burned to death and another fatally injured. News was received at Bismarck, D. T., on the 28th that, on the afternoon of the 7th. Gen. Miles with four companies of mounted men had attacked an Indian village on Little Muddy Creek, ninety miles from the mouth of Tongue River. The Indians abandoned their village and took to the bills, where a brief stand was made and where Gen. Miles attacked them. Fourteen dead Indians were found on the field and many others were known to have been killed. A herd of 450 ponies was captured and an abundance of agency goods. The band belonged to the Minneconjous, and ware led by the Chiefs Lame Deer and Iron Star, of whom the former was killed. The troops lost four killed and eight wounded. Notice was given, on the 28th, by Secretary Sherman, that the principal and accrued interest of 110,000,000 additional coupon bonds of 1865 ($4,000,000 registered) will be paid on the 28th of August next, interest to cease on that day. The Secretary also gave instructions that- on the close of the month (May) an amount of greenbacks should be added to the special fund, under the jointrresolution for the issue of silver coin, which, with the $6,000,000 already set apart, would bring the fund up to the amount called for at this time—about $7,600,000 — that being the legal tenders received in exchange for the silver held for the redemption of fractional currency. A Constantinople telegram of the 29th says the Russians had evacuated the whole coast line of Abasia. The Cabinet of King Otho, of Greece, resigned on the 29th. There was great excitement in Crete on the 29th, and at a meeting of the notables it was decided to give the Turkish Government twenty days in which to redress their grievances, failing which an appeal Would be made to the Great Powers, asking for the appointment of Gladstone, under the title of the Prince of Crete. The Cabinet at Washington decided, on the 29th ult., that a letter should be addressed to the Mexican Government by the Secretary of State, notifying that Government that it must take immediate steps to prevent raids across the Rio Grande, into Texas, otherwise our military commander in Texas would be instructed to follow marauders into Mexico and punish them upon that territory. A Berlin dispatch of the 30th ult. states that it was believed there that an armistice had been signed by Turkey and Russia, and that peace was about to be concluded, through the mediation of Germany. The Turkish positions at Batoum were again attacked by the Russians, on the 30th ult The result was a Russian defeat, after ten hours’ fighting. Ex-President Grant was received 1# the authorities and citizens, of Manchester, England, on the 30th ult., with very great enthusiasm. At the corporation dinner, Gen. Grant made a graceful and appropriate acknowledgement of the attentions shown him. After a twelve days’ session in Chicago, the Genetai Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America closed its labors on the 30th ult. —“The great American novel is in the far future. It cannot be written until the railroads are all laid. When the house is built, then you can furnish it. Dickens found character ready for his hand. He did not create it. In America there are no fixed characters. The people are constantly changing. To-day you see a grand man tn the field, his hair blown back by the Wind and his breast bared to the sun. Tomorrow he has sold his farm, his family fortunes are in a covered wagon, and he is climbing the Rocky Mountains. The next year yon find him a Congressman—or a filibuster. He will not sit still long enough to be photographed. There are, therefore, no American novels of character. Only the Indians never change, * fixed cussedness-’

SENSE AND NONSENSE.

The regulation sizes for ladies* umbrellas to twenty and twenty-eight inches. A novelty in ladles* breakfast caps is made of striped Madras gauze, and imitatc the half handkctchiefs worn formerly by the mulatto women of the South. —Chicago Tribune. A New Bedford teacher asked his class to explain the difference lietween “dear” and “deer.” One bright little fellow exclaimed, “one is a biped and the other is a quadruped.” The World says: “Some wondrously smart fellow has Just determined the difference between an editor and his wife. He says one writes articles to set and the other sets articles to rights.” “ He is a man after my own heart, pa,” said Julia, reverting to her Augustus. “Nonsense,” replied old Practical, “he is a man after the money your uncle left you.” And then all was quiet. The new dress goods called “bunting” is said to combine every good quality; it is light, cool, durable, inexpensive, will not crease, and is not affected by dampness or salt water. Long may it wave. The Roumanians have been working Incessantly at the Kalafat fortifications and have mounted some forty new guns. If the Turks capture this fort they will have what one might Kalafat thing.— Worcester Preu. Two young brothers may be as devotedly attached to each other as were Damon and Pythias, but you will never hear of one snatching the scuttle from the hands of the other and insisting upon going down cellar to bring up the coal. Jones has discovered the respective natures of a distinction and a difference. He says that “ a little difference” frequently makes many enemies, while “ a Irttle distinction” attracts hosts of friends to the one on whom it is conferred. There is something indescribably grand in the indomitable perseverance w’ith which our court-house architects, year after year, attempt to perch 170,000 tons of dome qn about 256 pounds of foundation — Burlington Hawk-Eye. The Boston Pott thinks that when Cossack meets Bashi-Bazouk then comes the tug of war. On the other hand, then comes a tug at each other’s canteen, and the solemn agreement to go and shoot some unarmed person.—2F. F. Graphic. “Susan,” says the madame of a board-ing-school, “you say your young mistress wishes to absent herself from the classroom this afternoon; is the reason for her staying away very urgent?” “ Yes, mum, it is ’ergent.”— New Orleans Republican. Anyone would suppose that the employment of sewing was the most peaceful and quiet occupation in the world; and yet it is absolutely horrifying to hear ladies talk of stilettoes, bodkins, gatherings, surgings, hemmings, gergings, cuttings, whippings, lacings, cuffings and bastings. What a list of abominables! The paint brush is now wafted over the hotels at Niagara Falls, the resident Irishmen are practicing upon tlieir Indian dialect, the hackmen are robbing and murdering each other for practice, and all nature bears the unmistakable indications that the annual summer victim is approachimc.—Rochester D tmocral. A Russian engineer has invented c bombshell tower, which is moved about by steam, and in which artillerists sit and pelt the enemy with destruction. By the time the next war breaks out the warrior will sit in a rocking-chair in the front parlor of a hotel and talk his enemies to death with a revolving telephone. A Hartford lover of the sport declared lately that he never knew a good troutfisherman “that he wasn’t a poor, miserable cuss.” The common opinion of New. England seems to be to this effect. The shy inhabitants of the brooks have almost an affinity for the vagabonds with ragged trousers, crownless hats and still more dilapidated morals. Spring is here. Every morning the painter who agreed to have your house all painted by the 30th of May comes round and sits in the front yard and holds a paint-pot between his knees and stirs paint till three o’clock in the afternoon, and then says he believes he will go down to the shop and get a brush and see if there is a ladder there.— Burlington HawkEye. The industry of railroading has developed some thrifty characters, among whom a former workman of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Road deserves high rank. He was 'at one time at work in the Springfield depot, and while taking a trunk out of a baggage-car from Boston he was thrown over ard hurt, the baggagesmashing art being for the time reversed. The injured workman suffered terribly and crawled around on crutches until the Boston & Albany and the New Haven Roads united and gave him $6,600. He was cured the next day. Shortly after a’ man on the Boston & Albany Road was killed and the company gave his widow $3,000. The former cripple, who had sepred $6,000 already, soon married her, and thus counted $9,000. He recovered his health so completely that he was able to work again on the railroad, but finally, not being hurt again within a reasonable time, he retired to a farm which he had bought with a part of the proceeds of his former calamities. — Hartford Courant.

Perhaps there is no one way in which more money is spent to less purpose than upon funerals. So long as it was believed that a future hope was involved in the preservation of the outward form, it was natural that to the precious spices and the embalmer’s art should be added the protection of massy structures, that the tomb should be graven in the abiding rock, and that the dust should not be suffered to mingle with meaner elements. Science and Christianity alike have tried to-teach a letter lesson, and yet the power of the old superstition is not quelled. It would seem incredible, were we not so used to it, that a large and profitable ti aonsists in taking costly woods, in drying and polishing them with care, decorating them with silk and silver, and then putting them where they will be forgotten ana perish as speedily as possible. We do not like to look at these things in the undertaker’s shop, and we like them so little, that whatever reminds us of undertakers’ work is distasteful. — Lippincott's Magazine.

Variety of Life in New York.

Howe, the great Tombs lawyer, waa supposed to be doing one of the most profitable law businesses in the city. He defended nearly all the rogues in New York, and his fees were supposed to be large; yet be has been adjudged bankrupt. All the men of this class go under. The divorce lawyers, who are reported to have immense fees, seldom last long. Nine out of ten of the liquor men fail, though the common idea is that the profits are simply immense. I was in a leading restaurant yesterday, and waa told that the checks showed that $450 were taken at the bar the day before, let

every man who has kept that hotel has failed except the present proprietor, who has not been there long enough to give the Ching a fair trial. It is the same with the politicians who hang around the City Hall. It is feast or famine with those fellows. One of them waa distinguished for bis heavy drinks of brandy and for buying two dollars’ worth of cigars daily to give to his followers. He could not buy an oyster stow to-day. A city official told me that his office cost him $50,000 in clear cash, and he holds ii only for two years. I met a man the ether day whom I have known as a buyer for a leading stock house on the street. He was dressed in rough clothing and looked like a builder who goes out to days* work. “How is this?” I said. “I am in another business,” was the reply. “ I get S7OO a year. I have a quiet home. I sleep well nights, and have enough to eat day by day. On the street I made money one day and lost it the next. I had to watch my customers nights at the hotels. I had to eat as others ate, and drank aa they drank, or T could not get any business. It cost me all I could make to keep my p’ace. I’d rather be a scullion to scour the pantry than to do the drudgery of the itreet.”— N. Y. Cor. Boston Journal.

Drugs and Enterprise.

It is a solemn fact that the average drug§ist is a solemn man, and that the average rugstore is so arranged as to make itself form the happy medium between an undertaker’s office and a fortune-teller’s back room. Solemn old signs of “ poison ” are pasted on bottles and drawers, sad-look-ing sponges hang in strings, and the boy who calls for five cents’ worth of paregoric, gets five dollars’ worth of awe and odors. An old newspaper man from Ohio started in the drug business in this city, a few days ago, ana from the innovations he is making, there can be no doubt that he will either be a millionaire during the next three years or “bust” in less than six months. His store is very cheerful. Skulls, crutches, forceps, chromos, bones, false teeth, almanacs, parrots and sticks of licorice are scattered around in delight, ful profusion, and there isn’t a drawer or bottle without an original label. On one draw’er he lias: “ Glue —She sticks right by you, no matter what the weather.” On another: “Copperas—Eat slowly and chew fine.” On another: “ Paris green —Sure in its operation—lasting in its effects.” The label on one of the bottles reads: “Buy some of me and stop that blamed cough.” On another: “I’m salt petre—who are you?” On another: “ Prussic acid—Don’t fool around with a revolver.” Hanging against the wall is a beautiful sign, which reads: “If you don’t want to ask for a fine comb, just point your finger at me!” At the back end of the store is a still larger sign, and it bears the tender sentiment : “ There is no flock without its missing lamb. Sometimes you And him in the bedstead. I keep the stuff to make him weary of life. Don’t ask for bed-bug poison, but call it ‘ The Lost Lamb Restorative.’ I shall know what you mean.” The front of the store bears several happy thoughts. Among them is one reading: “Walk right in here if you had buckwheat for breakfast last winter.” Another says: “I can cure that red nose in just fourteen days.” A third reads: “ You man with the catarrh—please step this way.” As hinted at the outset, the thing is an experiment as yet, but from the way the arsenic, sulphur, fine combs and pimple cures have gone off during the past week the ex-journalist believes there is a healthy reward in store for him. He hasn’t finished his designs yet, but was yesterday planning the largest sign of all, which will read; “Walk inhere for vour nice spruce Sm, clean, tidy strychnine, magnificent ttles of Croton oil, superbly-decorated cod-liver oil, and all the various other dainties usually kept in a foundry of this sort."—Detroit Free Press.

A Novel Bat Hunt.

The large double building on the north side of M street, between Third and Fourth, owned by E. Torrey, and occupied as a boarding-house, has of late appeared to be the headquarters of a vast number of bats, which managed to get in between the ceiling and roof through small apertures alongside the water spout. They became a great nuisance, and Mr. Torrey concluded to make an effort to get rid of them. With this end in view he procured a five-gallon coal oil can, and arranged it something like a rat trap, so that the bats might enter it readily, but could not get out. A number of small holes were also punched in the can to admit light. The trap was on Thursday placed in such a position as to completely cover the opening through which the ani mats passed in and out of the building. The result was that a short time after dark it was filled with the little pests, who made a great scratching and squealing. The remainder of the bats, finding their usual place of exit stopped up, looked about for another, and discovered a small hole in the plastering of the ceiling. Through this they made their way in great numbers, and found themselves prisoners in the sleeping apartment of two young women. The latter, aroused from-their slumbers by a mysterious noise, and feeling their faces fanned by invisible wings, became alarmed and sprang from the bed, but their feet came down upon a mass of squirming, scratching and biting somethings, while other somethings struck them in the face and on the head and body, chattered viciously, and having a disagreeably cold and damp feeling. The girls opened the door and hastened into the hall, calling for assistance, Ind close: ly followed by~ their tormentors. Other occupants of the house, alarmed at the noisfe, opened their doors to see what the trouble was, but were glad to close them again to keep out the bats and to gain opportunity to put on a little substantial raiment. Some of the boarders desired to go down-stairs, but every»step was a batroost, and they had to get out upon the balconies. After much hard work, which lasted nearly until daylight, the animals were driven or swept from the upper story down into the basement, where they they were gathered into a heap so far as possible and killed by the application of boiling water. Those thus killed numbered by actual count 760, ana the - girls subsequently killed four more in their rooms. The trap was placed in a washtub filled with water and its occupants drowned. There being considerable curiosity to ascertain the number of bats a five-gallon measure could hold, they were counted and amounted to 228! The slain, all told, filled four buckets, and their remains can now be seen in the street new- the house. —Bactamento Record and Union. The bell-punch is going out of use on the Philadelphia street-car lines. f

A Confederate Scout’s Adventure.

The second adventure which I have promised to relate occurred when the Federal Army occupied Culpepper CourtHouse, and the Confederate Army lay in Orange County, Virginia. Gen. Lee desired certain information which it seemed could best be obtained by an individual scout, and Stringfellow was. selected for the service? It was necessary that he should penetrate the enemy’s camps, remain concealed as long as possible, and return when he had collected the desired information. His operations were to lie conducted mostly at night He wished to be accompanied by two men, one of whom, Farrish by name, had his home in the immediate vicinity of the enemy’s camps, and, being intimately acquainted with all the country, could accurately guide him from place to place in the night as by daylight. The expedition was undertaken on foot, as the distance was not great, and concealment was of prime importance. The men were clad in their own uniform as scouts, not spies. The country was a difficult one for the operations of a scout. From the long and frequent occupation by both the contending armies the land baa been almost entirely denuded of its timber, and only here and there a few thin clusters of trees remained standing. One day had passed since they had entered the enemy’s lines, and with nightfall they commenced tbeir wanderings among the hostile camps, mainly with the purpose of locating the different corps, and of ascertaining whether any troops had been detached from the Army of the Potomac. The night had been nearly consumed iu this way. when, reaching one of the clusters of trees, of which 1 have spoken, they laid themselves down to catch a few moments’ rest. A single blanket covered the three men. Treacherous, fatal sleep! Their fatigue was greater and the night was further spent than they had supposed, and the sun was shining bright in their eyes, when a party of six Federal soldiers, with their muskets in their hands, pulled away the blanket which covered them, and saluted them with a humorous “Goodmorning, Johnny Reb! wakeup!” Stringfellow, lying upon his back, was the first to arouse and to comprehend the situation. Knowing that an open attempt to seize his arms would draw upon himself instant death, he feigned to be only half awakened, and, much to the amusement of his tormentors, turned upon his side, muttering and grumbling at being awakened, telling them to go away and let him alone. But, by turning upon his side, he gave to himself the opportunity of placing his hand, unobserved, upon the handle of his pistol, and in another second he sprang upon his feet and opened fire. His companions joined in the attack, and for a few minutes the firing was rapid and fatal. The Federal soldiers stood their ground, but at such close quarters the musket was no match for the revolver. There was no time to reload under the quick eye of Stringfellow, and, once discharged, the muskets were useless. A few seconds terminated the encounter, in which Stringfellow found himself the sole survivor of his party. Farrish was k illed; his other comrade had disappeared, he knew not how, four of the Federal soldiers lay dead at his feet, and the -two others, having thrown down their empty guns, were running for their lives.

But, though victor in this fight, perils multiplied themselves around him. The trees among which he stood were surrounded on every side by open fields dotted thick with the enemy’s tents, some at a distance, some close at hand. Concealment was impossible, and he must run tor his life; but run in what direction he might, enemies would be sure to intercept Ins course, for the adjacent camps had been aroused by the firing, and the soldiers who had escaped would be sure to return with others to avenge the death of their comrades. At a distance of a few hundred yards, a little stream made its way through the open fields toward the river. Its banks were fringed with bushes, and, while it only offered an utterly forlorn hope, Stringfellow turned toward it and ran. He was seen by those who had already started for his capture; seen to cross the open fields; seen to enter the brush on the bank of the stream. And now vindictive shouts announced that the enemy felt secure of their prey. But not so! Entering the bed of the stream, a kind Providence guided him to a spot where the waters had hollowed out for him a hiding-place, behind the roots of an old stump. Underneath the bank and behind these roots he forced his body, having hastily collected what driftwood was within reach still further to conceal his person; and there he lay, half covered by the water and the mud, and awaited the result.

From every direction men were hurrying to the spot with the perfect assurance that the daring enemy would soon be within their power. For long, long hours did scores of searchers continue to examine every foot of the brush that lined the stream. Many times did hostile feet pass directly over Stringfellow’s body, and once a man, more inquisitive than others, stopped, while walking in the bed of the stream, to examine the very spot where he lay. But the driftwood, which he had skillfully arranged for his concealment, deceived the man, and he passed on without making the discovery. Toward afternoon the search slackened, and by nightfall it was abandoned. But not until the noise of the camps was hushed in slumber did Stringfellow dare to leave his retreat. Then, following for some time the course of the little stream, he passed in safety out of the enemy’s line, swam the Rapidan between the pickets, and, thankful to God for his deliverance, found himself once more among his friends. — Philadelphia Weekly Press.

Oriental Idea of Gifts.

Among Orientals, as appears in all these instances, presents are pot made to persons of rank and wealth for their intrinsic value; but either as a means of gaining admittance to the great man’s presence, in order to sue for favors, or as a concession to his rank. So little are such presents valued by the wealthy Monarchs of the East, that in the majority of cases only a catalogue of their names and value is read before the King, while the presents themselves never meet the royal eyes, but are distributed in the harem or among the subordinates of the palace., The only exceptions are in favor of any foreign or very curious article, which, in such cases, he commands to be brought into his presence, and the questions and remarks thus elicited are odd enough-to Western ears; for, sated as are Oriental* Monarchs with pomp and magnificence, I have seen more than one of them thrown into ecstasies at the sight of some simple piece of mechanism, solely because it was foreign and had come from a great distance. The old usurper who sat on the Siamese throne, previous to the last reign, evinced such eagerness to inspect (he first pair of foreign eye-glasses he had ever seen, as to prove that ladies are not the sole monopo-

lists of the article of curiosity; and when American ladies first began to attend his levees, he showed as great anxiety to ex-, amine their drees ana ornaments as does a child to obtain possession of the last new toy. When one of the King’s fair visitors pnsented “ Ilia Serene Majesty” with a silver fruit-knife, the stout old man of seventy forgot alike his pomposity and his infirmities, and clapped his hands with as much of juvenile emprettement as ever did boyish knight on gaining possession of his first riding horse or miniature spurs; and this, too, while whole sets of gold and silver plate of every possible form thronged his gorgeous palace tails a manger. But such Instances are the exceptions; as a general rule, royal presents seldom meet the royal eyes. The requirements of courtly etiquette having been satisfied by their presentation, the Monarch feels ho further interest in the matter, not even enough to inquire what has been their ultimate destination. When a friendly visit is paid to a King by invitation, it is considered indecorous to offer anything in the form of a present. It is then the Monarch’s turn to bestow gifts on bis guesti, which he sometimes does in munificent fashion, especially on his favorites. I have among the souvenirs of my eastern tour many dainty gifts received from royal hands, on pleasantlyremembered occasions of regal hospitality. Yet even those who are thus familiarly received, and “whom the King delighteth to honor,” when invited by himself, are expected, when seeking an audience for their own purposes, to come not empty-handed into the presence of royalty. If the visitor have a boon to crave, the present must be in proportion to the dignity or valus of the favor sought; not to purchase the Monarch’s good-will, but to evince the petitioner’s appreciation of the power and position of him at the foot of whose throne the request is laid, as well as to atone for the liberty of appearing uninvited before the royal presence. This is but a modification of the old Persian law, that made it death for any to enter into the presence of the Monarch unbidden, unless the golden scepter was held out, to bid the suppliant approach, as in the case of Queen Esther. Ambassadors who have treaties pending, or rather Government matters to arrange with Oriental Courts, are expected to bring a fresh present every time they seek an interview with the Monarch in person; nor can they secure the interview without sending in the offering that is to prepare the way.— National Repository.

Schoolboys' Cruelty.

Edward Joseph Gombers, aged thirteen, a delicate lad, the youngest sou of Mrs. Susan Gombers, a widow, of 308 South Second street, Williamsburg, died on Thursday of typhoid fever, which was incurred by a drenching in cold water, given to him by his classmates in Public School No. 19. In returning from school about six weeks ago, on a cold, rainy day, Herbert Peck, Charles Conklin and Frederick Woodworth took his umbrella from him, and pulled him under a stream of water which was flowing through the gutter of the wooden awning of a grocery. They held him while the water poured down his back. A crowd of idlers laughed at the grimaces the boy’s sufferings caused.* Edward Gombers went home drenched to his skin. He was seized with a fever a day or two afterward, from which he did not rally. Mr. Valentine, Principal of the school, publicly reproved the boys engaged in the cruelty, and spoke of young Conklin and Woodworth as “murderel’s.” He subsequently retracted the epithet at the demand of Conklin’s father, and apologized for using hasty language. Mr. Woodworth visited the lad with his son, and offered all the sympathy and aid possible, and Mr. Conklin directed his son to apologize to young Gombers and to visit him daily. The son, however, did not obey. For some days before his death Gombers was delirious, and piteously cried out, mentioning his playmates’ names, and asking them not to hurt him. He said frequently, “ Don’t let the water run on my shoulders; 1 don’t feel well." —N. Y. Bun. —lt takes six loads of brick, one thousand feet of boards, three wagon-loads of soil and a week’s work to make such a flower lied in the front yard as the average woman sighs for. — Detroit Free Press. —The sewing-machine agent, since the patent run out, has to talk just as much and just as fast, and tell just as manjlies for S2B as he used to tell for $135. Burlington Hawk-Eye. —M. Mangin, the celebrated French billiard player, recently made a run of four hundred and five noints in the threeball game, of which all but twenty-one were cushion shots. —Any citizen who so desires can now sign himself “Many Taxpayers” in his communications to the newspapers. The law forbidding it has been repealed.—Detroit Free Press. Is it a mere coincidence that a man in the habit of getting corned always looks seedy ?

THE MARKETS.

NEW YORK. May 80, 1877. LIVE STOCK—Cattle *10.50 @*12.00 Sheep 4.50 @ 6.50 Hoes.... ... 5.70 @ 5.80 FLOUR—Good to Choice.... 6.90 @ 7.00 WHEAT—No. 2 Chicago.... 1.74 @ 1.75 CORN—Western Mixed 63 @ .63& OATS—Western and State... .42 @ .64 RYE—Western -80 @ JW PORK— M. 60 @ LARD—Steam 9.60 @ WOOL—Domestic Fleece 30 @ .57 CHICAGO. BEEVES—Extra *5.75 @ •«•<» Choice 5.50 @ 5.65 Good 5.20 @ 5.50 Medium 4.75 @ 5.10 Butchers’Stock.. 8.25 @ 4.50 Stock Cattle 3.50 @ 4.60 HOGS—Live—Good to Ch’c. 4.75 @ 5.30 SHEEP—Live.... 8.75 @ 5.00 BUTTER—Choice Yellow... .18 @ .22 Fresh ••••«• ••• • • .lu zj (tiQ • * FL00 “-gs^.^ t s ® '?■.» ‘:«x| Oats, No. 2 37 @ .37% Rye, No. 2........ .70 @ .71 Barley, No. 2..... .69%@ PORK .• • 13.68 @ 13.70 LARD 9.25 @ 9.30 LUMBER—Ist and 2d Clear.. 82.50 @ 33.00 Common Boards. 10.00 @ 10.50 Fencing. “A” Shingles... 2.80 @ 2.40 Lath 1.50 @ 1.60 EAST LIBERTY. CATTLE-8e5t...... *5.00 @ *5.75 Medium 4.75 @ 5.00 HOGS—Yorkers..... 8.20 @ 5.40 Philadelphia. 5.40 @ 5.60