Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 3, Number 2, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 13 July 1872 — Page 6

BSti

fei

.A «BWWhtl 3

vi j^uvcr.

Were collected and Inspected, They would make a wondrous throng. Oh! the babble of the Babel!

Oh! the flatter of the fuss! To begin with Cain and Abel, 'And to finish up with us!

-. VhinK of all the men and women j- Who are now and who have been, Every nation since creation

That this world of ours lias seen And of all of them, not any But iRras once a baby small, «w WMleo! «hJldren, oU, luw many

Have never^rown-up at all! Some have never laughed or spoken, Never used their rosy feet Borne have even Hewn to heaven,

Btethey knew that eafrth was sweet And Indeed,,! wonder whether, », If we reckon eyTy birth, And bring snch,a flack together, fl &

There is room for them on earth, i, -r.

Who will pack them

.w

Who will wash their smiling faccst?! Who titeitaaittey ears will box Who will dress thfepi and caress them 1

WhowjH darn their little socks Where ore Arm# enough to hold them Hand* to pat each shining head Who Will praise them? who will scold them

off

to bed

Little happy 'Christ fim children, ej Little

savagfe

children,

In

too,

nlljstages, of all ages,. That dur plaint ever knew Little princess and princesses.\

Little beggars, waii and faint, Some in very handeome dresses, sS ir»k(j(l8ome, bedaubed with paint.t

Ir* Itn^l Only think of the confusion Such a motley crowd would make

And the clatter of their chatter, And the things thatthey would break Oh! the babble of the Babel,

Oh the flutter of the fuss! To begin with Gain and Abel, And to finish off with us I

H.

[From the London Society.]

The Letter of my Dead

TTT fl »17i

Wife.

My young wife died on the 9th of January, 186—, giving birth to a daughter, which followed her to the grave immediately after.

JIow I survived that period and that whirl-wind of grief, surprises me. I had won my wife against odds. I was

Eoorfather

and proud, hnd when taunted by er with the words "fortune hunter," I swore I would earn an independence and then claim her. I kept my word. For five long years I labored as only a man urged on to his labor by one absorbing passion, can work. For Ave long years I scarcely saw her, but when long work was ended we were Uiarried, and she made my life happy indeed.

Bat soon oh, how much too soon -camo the great trduble, and I lost her! I resolved upon travel my medical man advised change ot climate, of scene, of people, and of associations. Mechanically I took my seat one lovely Summer morning (the 19th of June) in a first class carriage enroute for Paris, and where afterwards I cared not.

I bribed the guard to lock tfoe door that I might indulge in my own sad musings without fear of intrusiop, and had wrapped myself up in a fanciful security, when just as the train was about to start, a small valise was pitched in through the window, followed by a hat box, and while we were actually in motion the door was unlocked, and a man jumping lightly over the luggago which strewed the floor of the carriage, subsided into a seat exactly opposito mine.

One feels almost an aversion toward a now comer in a railway carriage. With what ill-will the passenger of a wayside station is received by the occupants ot a well lighted and well-heat-ed compartment, when the door opens to admit the rush of a piercing wind, a dash of rain and probably a damp body.

I was almost savage with the faithless official, and disgusted with the intruder. I felt irritated to a degree that I could hardly account for, and rolling myself into'a oorner, I gazed steadfastly out in the country, as though an agent for the telegraph company, employed to count the poles.

The stranger cooly collected his luggage and divesting himself of a courier bag which hung across bis shoulder, proceeded with the nonchalance of a quoen's messenger, to prepare to smoke: and, having selected a cigar, and biting off the end, languidly observed, "No objection'to smoking."

This is not a smoking carriage," I replied. Really iv ,T

I object!" AMfiK..,

44

Really?",

*.

There was a cool impertinence in the tone that aroused my anger, audi turned round and gazed at hina.

He was a well-built, handsome man, apparently about tive-and-thirty. His eyes were*small and glittering as those of a rat. His moustache very bushy and carefully pointed. He waadressod in a grey "tweed traveling suit his cloves were yellow, and in one hand le held a very handsomo leather cigarcase, with the initials C. B. engraved thereon, in tho other the unlighted cigar and fuseo.

The state of nervous eieefterttent tinder which I labored would have led me to attempt anything and, although I felt that at any other time I should be physically unequal to au eucounter, with me that temporarily gav$ me a superhuman strength. "I object," I again repeated, the words oozing lrotn between my clenohcd teeth.

Your objection shall not effect my resolve in the least, and I shall smoke/' So saying ho lilted his right foot, laid it delicately across his left knee, and adjusting the fusee, rubbed it deliberately against tho dry leather sole. The combustible portion of the match fell off. "Confound it, tho only one I had I must wait till we get to Canterbury."

I was so eager for a contest with this man that this was a souroe of intense disappointment-. If I had a light about me indeed I should hare presented it to him for the purpose of bringing the question to an issue. "1 imagine if you tried you would flud one, sir," I sheered. "Can you give me a light?'* ho asked.

441cannot." 44

Wait till we get to Canterbury, and I'll smoko you drv #s an Egyptian mummy." "I shall."

1

illBt

A"

This closed the conversation. I loaned back into the corner of the carriage, an uuacoountable hatred against this mail envenoming everj* thought. I did not stay to reasou with myself. I did not ask, is this trifle of lighting a cigar worth so much of bad and bitter emotion I di* not admit a ray of

hopo

that, ere we reached Canterbury, that the vengeful feeling would pass awav No, I longed with the craving of a gambler for the moment when the cranio was to bo renewed and no piltrrim over desired to ga*e u|xn the creen stone of Mecca, with a greater fever than I did to behold the spires of the grand old cathedral.

The shadow was upon me. The black cloud was looming overhead.

ri»* .ii r»»

Onward dashed and shrieked the train, through the meadows laden with the perfume of the summer detv, past rivulet sparkling in the golden sunlight, by villages, toward which, bjrand~by the mowers would wend -their jouyous way when the sun would be red in the west. Everything looked bright and beautiful, yet I could not share the brightness or the beauty for grief and rage were warjring in- my breast, and nay heart, which ah hour before bad been steeped in tears, was now bathed in a glow ot anger. Onward dashed the train. For a moment I was mysell again we were approaching the village of r, where I first met her who was lost to me forever. There stood the Old church with its ivied tower, the rooks whirling round and about it as of yore, unmindful of the time when I need, with bated breath and throbbing heart, to watch her as she wended her way to offer her pure prayers within its sacred walls. On the right lay hall, where I first bathed in inexhaustive glories of love's young dieain. There the copse where I dared breathe my burning hopes I could gaze no longer, and, burying my lace in my hands, I gaye myself up to one of those reveries during which, the hour, the place, the circumstances of my surroundings, were forgotten, and I wandered by her side as in olden time, and all was light, and joy, and lofce. How long this daydream may have lasted and why 1 awoke from it until the train stopped, I cannot tell, but when I looked up, my companion was engaged in reading a letter—an ordinary letter, written upon pink paper. Suddenly my attention became riveted—closer—closer—every nerve in my body began to tingle, my heart gave one mighty bound, for the handwriting was that of my dead wtfe.

An icy sickness crept over me. That small portion that I could read showed me words that should be explained, words of—to me—unfathomable mystery. I felt as if I should swoon, my brain began to throb, and for a moment I was almost insensible. Then in a voice that startled me from its very liollowness, 1 said,—

When did you receive that letter He looked up, smiled, and resumed his reading of it.

When did you receive that letter Excuse me if I refuse to comply with your request."

You must tell me." You're a cool hand, 'pon my soul!" he exclaimed.

441

beg of you to answer my question." "I don't understand it."

My question is"—and I was as cold as ice, though my brain was on fire— when did you receive that letter that you are now engaged in reading."

14

What if I refuse to answer your question, which I consider grossly impertinent?" he replyed, angrily.

44

You must tell it to me. You have no right to it!" I shouted.

44

You are either mad or drunk, but whichever it is you shall neither know when I received this letter, nor shall you become possessor ot it as long as I can control my tongue or mako use of my arms."

He was preparing to replace it in his pocket.

We were trayellagat the rate of forty miles an hour. Houses, trees, hedges and telegraph posts flashed

pa9t.

The letter must be mine. It must be regained. Houses, trees, hedgos and telegraph posts flashed past.

The. one absorbing idea rushed through my mind, I did, not hesitate the tenth part of a second.

I threw open the door and stood upon tho step. Houses, trees, hedges and telegraph posts flashed past.

My companion seized my arm. Houses, trees, hedges and telegraph posts flasned past.

I

sprang forward.

,4

God save mo I said. A horrible crash! A million of lights!

When I recovered consciousness I found mvself in a roclining position, and surrounded by a number of strange faces. I could not realize tho situation for some moments and when at length my reason began to assert itself the whole truth flashed upon me. I endeavored to rise, l^ut lound so much pain iu moving that I desistod.

44

I)o not stir, sir." said and elderly man, who was engaged in bathing my temples. "We've sent for a doctor, and w^ expect him every moment.

As he was speaking the medical man arrived. Ho made a careful examination, and pronounced,as far as his high judgment went, that the bones were unbroken, that a contused cut ou the temple might prove troublesome, and that immediate and careful removal and rest •would bo essential.

I listened to all this, and more, as the doctor gave his directions to the man who was engaged in repairing the line at the place where I had alighted, lie described uie as bounding along like a hugo ball, and that my escape .was nothing short of a miracle.

Here, sir. is his watch and keys, and pocket book," added the foreman, handing the articles mentioned to the

d°Isat

riage right-hand window from Ixmdon, about halt minute before I fell out. The workmen looked ftt each other, then at u.o, lastly at the doctor, evidently under the impression that I was rising.

41

Five pounds, men What are you staring at Now then, men, stir yourselves Don't you want to earn a five pound note handy Cried the fore-

ln an instant off they started, tearing along the line in the direction indicate*!.

44

Do not excite yourself, sir, it is sure to bo found," said the doctor, his finger on my wrist. "Had you hue weather in town

This was said to distract my attention: but the good man little knew that inv whole life was concentrated on the discovery of that tiny piece of

IkTnotstir, sir pray do not. I insist on it," cried the doctor, endeavorins to restrain uie Ironi rising. shook him off, and stW upon mv feet, very sick, very giddy, but stlfl able to stand.

It appeared an age.

44

1

Mine it should be. Without a moment's hesitation I made a snatch at it.

He was too quick for me, but, in throwing back his hand to avoid my grasp, his lingers relaxed their hold and the letter Hew out of the open window.

*1 7 irS fWiV'uj ii'.r 'V ftfT *J

"TT^ntT]-lT]rUTE':^TP*RPAY*^E!VENI?l?tj MAlirj^ii^jrTgT^

Did any train pass up the line, either way s$np© T" ii sir

44

Then the letter must be sfcfe. I feared that the wheels of the up-train might have caught and annihilated it."

At this moment there was a shout, and one of the men came running toward us, waving something in his hands.

He has it, sir," said the foreman. The man approached nearer—nearer that for which I haa ventured my life, aye, and would again, WTIS mine, I held out my hands- mechanically », with a last effort I clutched the letter—which the breathless navvy tendered to me, tbruBt it into my bosom and fainted awav.

At what hour does the train start for Canterbury

4•

Four o'clock, sir."'

44

What delay shall I have at Canterbur£, so as to bo able, if necessary, to catch the tidal train

44

Thirty-two minutes, sir."

44Can

I telegraph?"

44

No, sir. Lord bless you, sir, it's enough lor us to see the wires. A telegram here would set us crazy."

These questions were addressed by me to the station master at the station, to which I had been carried by the navvies on improvised litter during my second period of unconsciouness.

My head had been dressed, brandy and water administered and, although against the strongest remonstrances of Dr. Flethurst, the kind and accomplished physician who attended me, I resolved to push on—to track and follow, if necessary, to the utermost limits of the earth, my companion of the morning, and compel' him, with a sword at his throat, or a revolver at his breast., to explain the purport of the letter of my dead wife.

It was undated. _. These are the words THURSDAY.

44

Dearest .-—Why have you not written I cannot understand it. You have no idea how perplexed I have beon by your silence. I am compelled, as you are aware, to be very careful, lest our letters should be discovered but I have taken every precaution. Come at once. 1 think our lucky star is in the ascendendant. FANNIE."

This was the letter. T" The paper was fresh and glossy, but it wore the unmistakable signs of much folding and unfolding. The manufacturer's natpe was stamped on one corner. In vain I turned it over and over in the hope as to a faint clue as to the date not a scratch—not a blot. Would it have beon Fannie's letter were it blotted No!

How dame mv wife to write to other than her husband in such endearing terms Could she have deceived—

I caught, myself by the throat to choke back the vile thought ere it became a word.

Could it possibly be some old letter written to myself in those days when we were surrounded by enemies to our true love, which had by some remote chance fallen into this person's hands No! 1 could now repeat, line lor line,word for word, her letters to me, from her first, simple fluttering invitation to a dinner party at her father's, to the last fond "Take care of yourself, Freddy, darling for the sake of your Wife and baby," written during Christmas week when I was compelled to proceed to York to look after my uncle's legacy.

Could I be mistaken in the writing No! The letters clear, well defined, large as her bountiful heart.

The signature the same. The same odd habit of leaving a margin on the left hand of the page, as is the practice ot government officials.

Tho more I thought it over the greater my perplexity, the sterner my resolve. cost what it might, to unravel thread bv thread the mystery which surrounded the letter of my dead wife, like unto a shroud.

And here I repeat, for I write the occurrence according to the order of the event, that never, oh, not for the one thousandth part of a second did I cast the shadow of a doubt as to the motives of my dead wife.in writing this letter.

To doubt her would have been to rend the white robe of the angel of puritv. With burning eagerness I scrambled out of a train at Canterbury, for I was in ngony of pain, and nothing but the intense pressure oi my mind could have enabled me to move.

Of the porter who assisted me to alight I asked "Did you attend the mail from London this morning?"

Xr 11

44

\es,sir."

"Did you see a tall gentleman in a gray suit, pointed moustache and yellow glover?" "I'm sure I cannot say, sir then turning to a brother official, shouted:

141

say, 'Awkins, did you see a mail gentleman, yellow gloves, 1-40 uV?"

44

The mail always wears yellow gloves," responded the other. "Yes, I see a tall gentleman a talking to the station master."

44

Whero is tho station-master? I must see him directly."

44

This way, sir. Beg pardon, you're werry lame lean on me sir," said the first porter, good naturedly, as I limpod in the direction of tho station-mas-ter's office.

The station-master was absent, but a person acting for him was seated, engaged in writing.

Did a tall gentleman, wearing a gray suit, yellow .gloves, pointed moustache alight here?" I asked.

44

Yes," without looking up.

44

up and fervently retumod thanks

ho Him whose nattto tho last on nvv lips ere springing from the carriage. Five Wounds reward to any man who will Wing me a letter written on pink paper. It dropped

Did he go by the next train

44

Yes."

44

Ironi

the car­

44

Pray be sealed." I sat down.

44

44and

1

with apprehensions lest it should not be found.

44How

long have I been unoonsciouer

I asked the foreman, who stood |espcctfully by. About twenty minutes, sir,

14

441cannot.

14

44

51

Did he mention anything about a gentleman lalling from the carriage?"

14

He did then looking up—44I lej your pardon, sir, are you th3 ate.dent?" 'ws -f "I am.". .. .fif? '».«\ ,-tt*

Yes,sir,he alighted and gave those, pointing to my rug, umbrella, and traveling case, which I had in the carriage with me at the time of the oocur-

44

Did he give you no particulars?

44

He did." Here he referred to some written memoranda, and read rapidly. •4He said your manner was very strange —that you objected to his smoking, and wai very insolent. He said he waa reading a letter—you asked him for it— you made a grab at it—that it fell out of the witdow—that j^ou jumped out after it—that he tried to prevent you atod thn*, be considers you are insane. Good GOd, sir, ft Was a frightful thing to jump from a mall train. How you are alive to tell the tale fe miraculous, aud—" here the official broke forth—

remeo*6er, sir,that for any injury jrou have received the company is not in any way liable.'*

44

What was (he gentleman's name?"

441don't

{®K

know sir."

And how in the name of Heaven could you allow him to go without ascertaining his name? fou shall be held responsible for this gross stupidity and neglect of duty. By Heavens you sk*11

So brutally rude was I that I have

MT"T

since stopped at Canterbury to apolooffice*

Be that as it may, he dashed out of this office to jump into the train." Then he went on?" "Yes sir." •"•"if, .«.4.

14

Can yon teHime wh«re he was going to?"

Perhaps the examiner of

the tickets might." ,H

Can I see him ?'j

iS :.h»

You can." The functionary in question having been summoned and interrogated:

He did remember the party who sained his carriage as be was locking the door. He examined his ticket while the train was moving. It was a

4throHgh'

to Paris."

To detail my sensations, whilst waiting for the train, and during the subsequent journey were to enter into a psychological analysis for which the reader would scarcely thank me suffice to say, I reaohed Paris in a state pi fever, with a gloomy fear bgating at ucy heart that I should be forced to yield to its tightening grasp, ere the newly created object of my life could be at-? tained. ,,

What cared I for the sunlight of the glorious summer morning

44

What cared I lor tho beauty of the boulovards? The letter of my dead wife was lying against my bounding heart. The shade of my dead wife was calling upon me to have the clouds dispelled. My whole being was concentrated in the One fixed idea, and I was as dead to outward influence, as the stalest mummy in the pyramids of the Ptolemys.

On arrival at Paris. I made inquiries of the most respectable looking official on the platform relative to the passenger I was in search of. The official in question called a sort of council of war of sous officers, which resulted in my being informed that the party in question had alighted from the English mail train of the previous evening, and had driven to the Hotel du Louvre,Rue RiyolL

If I desired further information I should apply to the Prefect of the Police.

In a whirlwind of triumphant feelings I entered a coach and directed the driver to the hotel in question. I entered.

There was no one to wait upon me I crawled up the steps leading to the salon.

I stopped a waiter who was hurrying past me.

44

Did a tall gentleman in a gray suit, pointed moustache, and yellow gloves arrive here last night?"

44

Yaas, Monsieur." moil

44

His name. His name?"

44

Beneson, Monsieur,"

44Show

me to his room, quick!

quick!" I almost screamed.

44

Monsieur cannot see him. He am gone out d'une grand vi esse. He for-

get

dis." The waiter produced from is pocket a Russian leather cigar-case, In burnished letters the initials C. B.' shone like light.

It was his. And I was on the right track.

44

Show me to his room Quick quick!"

44

Monsieur cannot see him. He am gone out."

44Where

44

has he gone? Tell me.

Here is a sovereign. Where has he gone.(o

He leave direction wis Gustave, me tink. I vill see," and the waiter left me in search ,of Gustave.

In a moment he returned carrying a slip of paper upon which was-writ-ten

44

If Monsieur de Crut calls upon Mr. Charles Benson before 10 o'clock say that Mr. Benson has gone to 13 Rue—, where he will remain until Monsieur de C. returns."

Snatching the paper from the hands of the astoislied waiter, and forgetful of mv aching fr£une,I hurried down the staircase—into the court-yard—re-en-tered the coach, which was still waiting, and shouted to the driver:

Numero trieze.Rue Vite! Vite!" The agony I endured of mind and body during the journey from the Hotel Lodvre to the'Rue will never be effaced from my memory. While I write this the recollection Of my sufferings is causing every nerve to quiver, every nerve to ache. I could not conceive that physical agony could reach so high a pitch without, killing that upon which it fed.

Arrived at the Rue-—, the coachman experienced little difficulty in finding No. 13. I alighted, and having inquired at the porter's lod^e for the object of my search, was informed that I should ring at the first door on my right as the gentleman I had described was visiting the family who resided au premier. ,!,ut I

I rang tha bell as directed.,, .,

44

Monsierr Benson?"

41

Oui, Monsieur." whs UP

44

Peut on voir ii fl h'*

44

Oui, Monsieur." I brushed past her, tried the handle of door opposite me. It yielded, the door opened, and I saw—my traveling companion, in the same grey suit, standing at a window. BesTdo him a young girl, his right arm encircling her waist.

I had entered softly, and neither of them were aware of my presence. Tiger-like I lay waiting for a spring.

Tiger-like I glared at my prey ere I burst upon it. He was talking about mfe. '4 He must have been smashed into mummy."

The girl Bhuddered. Little did he imagine that I stood in three paces of him.

44

Why did you not seize' him, Charles?" They were conversing in English.

441

14

A'TlVlf f,T UTf

41

tried to do so, but he seemed possessed of the strength of three ordinary men. He knocked me into a oorner of the carriage like a racket ball.

Poor creature, you should have given him the letter," said the girl compassionately.

Not if he was going to jump again. Poor devel,! it's not giving him much tronble now."

44

More, perhaps, than you think," said I. He turned rapidly round. So did the girl.

He blanched. She screamed.

44

Good God be said, and threw his arms around her as if to protect her. I glanced at myself in the opposite mirror.

I was a ghastly sight. My hair clotted with blood blood upon my livid face, and where the dark red stain did not show, broad streaks of caked grime, and dust my eyes sunken ana fiery, as those of a ferrett my right hand in my breast pocket grasping the letter of my dead wife.

I glared at my own image.

44Good

44

God!" said he, "what is the

meaning of all this?"

141

want to have an explanation with you, sir," I replied. I saw that he was preparing for a spring.

You said I was possessed of the strength of three ordinary men. Don't try it now. I am armed.

For Heaven's sake, sobbed the girl, throwing herself between Benson and

*rc

me, "don't harm him. He has done you no wrong. He will give you money. Take anything you like—ey•ything." "Hush!" said B§nson to the girl "there is no dagger. I have only to Shout, and halt a dozen gendarmes will spring into this room.''

This was brag. "I have no desire to frighten this young lady and I apologise for entering thus unexpectedly, into her presence. My business is with

you,

sir and

He was coming towards the door. I placed my back against it.

4,You

you tell me how you came by this." And as I spoke I drew the letter from mv vest pocket. Thinking it was a weapon, the girl with a daring bravery caught my arm, while Benson jumped aside. ....

He did not recognize it. •4 Tell me

how

He seemed intensely astonished, bewildered.

441received

44

44

it by post the morning I

left London," he replied.

It's a lie," said I. ft, I state the truth," he replied. ,,.

44

When was it written?"

44

The day before I received it."

It is a lie. The letter must have beeu written before £he 19th of last January, and it was written by the hand of my dead wife."

44

You are mad," he said. That letter was written in fhis-house on tho day before yesterday, and was written by this lady," turning as he spoke, to the the young girl. "This ready call on yonr imagination will not serve-your purpose. I know the. writing too well and by Heaven I am not to bo trifled with. There is that contained in it which demands an Explanation, and I will tear it from your tongue."

44

Oh! sir," oiied the girl. "This is indeed my letter. As I hope for salvation, that letter in your baud was writsen ty me."

Truth shone* from out her eyes. I felt as if I had received a blow. I seized her hand, drew her toward an open Davenport, and in a husky voice cried "Copy that letter."

Sho opened the* desk, drew out a sheet of pink paper, and prepared to write*

I watched her as she dipped the pen into the ink. I watched her as she wrote the first word. I watched her with unerring unfaltering exactitude. She copied the letter, copied it as if it were done by a machine. The same large letters, the samo official looking margin, the same word "Fannie." She looked up at me. Truth in her eyes.

I saw my error. I saw that on account of the strange similarity in the writing, I had mistaken her letter to her lover for a letter written by my dead

During the' fever which ensued, I found Samaritanism in the hearts of Charles Benson and of the young girl, whose handwriting bore such a latal resemblance to that of my dead wife.

HANGING MATERIAL. Either Lizx'.e Garrabrant is a very shrewd girl, and posesses a native tact whereby she can baffle interviewers, or else she is so extremely simple that she can have no realizing sense of the crime sho has committed, the doom she has escaped, or even the hardly less terrible one she has to &ce in (She future. If she is the latter, the death penalty hardlv seenis the thing, even though it is what the law provides in such cases. When her counsel carried her the news of the commutation of her sentence, the only effect it had upon her was to bring up a slight tinge of color, such as anv young girl might show under the1 tra'nsient excitement of being told that she might spend the afternoon in driving instead of ironing. When asked if she was not glad at the success of the effort, she replied that sho was, but remained wholly stolid when any attempt to aiouso her emotions was made. In reply to the question whoth-

er the thought of death did not trouble

her, she gigled and said sho had never thought about it very much, and al

ways tried to forget it. She did speak 60inewhat affectionately of her father and mother said they were the best parents in Patterson, and had she taken their advice and staid with them, she would not have been where she was. In the same jail is Van Winkle Bogcrt, the young man who was her accomplice, who is to be tried in Septemper. He is a gabby fellow, not more than eighteen, apparently, but full of confidence that the future has nothing very serious for him.—[Boston Post.] rJ »i-s „r.t *1

ACCIDENT TO A FEMALE GYMNAST IN BOSTON. At the Howard Theater last nigkt, in a trapeze performance by Mille. Geraldine and Mons. Leopold—the hazardous nature of whioh riveted the attention of all beholders—tho former was precipitated a distance ol twenty-eight feet to the stage beneath. The accident occurred in performing a feat in which Geraldine was suspended headforemost from the toe of Leopold, on which her toe was caught ana slipped off. It is said that the accident was owing to the fact of Geraldine having on her feet a pair of new morocco boots not suitnble for the performance. In falling through the air her body assumed a horizontal position, striking at full length upon the floor. Mr. Stetson and several others rushed to her assistance, and conveyed her to the green-room. While the quiet of the stage rendered ominous whisperings rife, and a chill begap stealing over the audienco, great applause was suddenly produced by the appearance of Mile. Geraldine on the stage, who bowed to the delighted audience and withdrew.* She was conveyed to the New England House, where she is boarding, and the attendance of a physician secured. Hia investigation shows that no bones were fractured, though fears are entertained that she may nave sustained internal injuries. —Boston Advertiser. June 25.]

FRIED mice were once considered a specific for small-pox, and it was believed in respect to wbooping-cougb, that if you asked a person riding on a piebald horse what to do for it, his rec-

'jjjj' J**'"*-*

tas

to your bravado, it's too absurd.' I had brought him to bay. What do yiu require of mI do not know you. You have no claim on me. You are laboring under some terrible delusion. My name is Benson. I am a barrister, living, in the Middle Temple, London. If ^on think to frighten me by yotir threats yon are mistaken in your man. I am willing to make every allowance,on account of the terrible accident you have met with and—"

TWO YOUNG .MEN AND THEIR SWEETHEARTS GO A BATHING.

The tornado that swept over the vicinity of New York on Friday evening last week, was the severest known in New York for many years. The Passaic river rose suddenly and overflowedits bank. Tne shipping was greatly endangered, boats were driven from their moorings, trees were blown dowu, houses unroofed and cellars flooded. Two young men and their sweethearts were out on the river boating. The girls had not found it convenient to tell their ma into whose company they were going, as the lovers would not have been received with the best possible grace at tho house. The party sought a secluded shady spot, and taking off their outer garments, and like

44Bryan

do not leave this room until

O'Lynn, his wife

the

you came by Uns let­

ter." &.£

44

What letter?" •*4This is the letter I risked hly lite to gain. This is ttfe letter you refused to part with. You see I am not a uian to be turned aside from a purpose. Tell me how you came by it.

44

l9

omraendation would be successful if attended to.

and

mother,

his wife's

Ail went into tlie river together."...... The girls sported like mermaids in the water, ana enjoyed hugely the glcv rious fun, little dreaming of the terrific storm that was coming on. The waves ^ported gently with their snowy robes, half disclosing the charms which they blushingly tried to hide. Suddenly

sky darkened, and the boat which had been fastened to a bush on tho bank, by the chain, was struck violently by a puff of wind—the prelude to th6 tempest—and two men's straw hats, two ladies bonnets, four pairs of boots, inale and female, .half and half two pairs of ladies' hose, No. 4 two pairs of gents' do. two men's flannel suits two pieoes of ladies' uudorgarments. a snowy array of ruffles, tucks, flouuces, etc.—name not known by the porter—and some wise contrivances sembling bird-cages, with a second stc ry added by tacking on copies of a per—all Of these contents of the bo were gathered up by the gale and toi ed into the river.

The girls gave a scream as tho elotln drifted away. They declared, how er, they could swim like seals struck out boldly for their duds, the gentleman tried to right the This nautical expedition of the nym after their treasures was a l'ailij though theif long yellow tresses 11 ed.like a beautiful sea weed upon water, and there was a more gra display o! limbs in the poetry of mi than ever appeared fettered by and pads in the Black Crook, they ed to keep up with the clothes. A! while a few big drops fell from inky clouds, ana in ft moment a uous sheet of water seemed to fall] the sky. The girls struck for the which the youths managod to the shore.

standing sentinel to hail any lent looking individual whom nish him with some dry c.lo which he might go to the citv cure raiment for the others, might easily bo taken for stat bowered in the evergreen There each one stood all drip sans every thiug but chemisct

The sentinel, after waitin di

to

On the east bank of the around the Kearney mansion thick grove of evergreens. Hoi half nude and dripping party themselves, one of the youn

tho ted

men i«vo-

couplo j|M—he a "solialong 'gjgn best towhich procured? ipleofwnyoung latho darkpg of tho loads into sleeping iu

hours, to his inexpressible wanted inexpressibles—bcho slowly

tary horseman" wending the river road, and giving understood by the fraternit both happened to belong, 1: tho necessary articles. A ter-proof cloaks enabled thi dies to steal quietly home ness, and the first pale moon stealing through tb their chamber found thai their little bed.

flay. Tlioir A cold, but iSois a stout own, niul in black and

They didn't go out onS soreness may bo owing their mama knows best, female with a tember of she often makes her mar bluo.

A CIIEERFVL ESTABLISHMENT. Some time ago, a gentfBinnn

Messrs. Willitf Butoan (fc Co,"— they adopt this sBle—havo liere beon actively carryingi®n basiness as niannalady makers. PorcSHdren of tender )ir legs twisted, and rise dealt with in tho "draw" from th* benevolont. Tho

glers and sham sons brought th years to have t' their bodies oth manner most the pockets tariff varied Thus, a child have its little, ed for the mo lars—while for ono six by a gradu were charge of tender ye manner sat of gain for a charge ments wer during tho it soJucra" doubt the tory cha the com was thn

Kicolarlv as to ago. jder a year old could jflmalleablo leg twistiniesuui of seven doldollars was tho chargo libs older, and so on, icale. Other injuries pro rata, but a child could le twisted in a

try to the most greedy dollars exclusive—of .oard. What arrangclewhen the child died

Which was to mako is not stated, but no .? we're Of an equally satisfac*t. The other branch of iy's benevolent operations

... ,-ing out

adult

*1

Boeing

a

most extraordinary map of deformity wriggling about in tho|rtreets of London, accosted it and asted liow

it

man­

aged to get a living. "JVby,

sirt

I nets

run over by the carriafa-ofthe

nobili­

ty and gentry aud the! gives mo compensation aiul I does velty well." Rccent experience Aesto provo that a less hazardous court® is now adopted, with the aim aud enwbf obtaining tho valuable stock in trfceofn deformed figure. In an old hawse situated in a socluded alley of Hifbgate, a northern suburb of London ported to have dis ment for which th done here" would priate placard.

the police are re.weaan cstablishhmiliar "mangling the ir.ost appro-

persons to

gain theififblg^for the day with sores, deformitm blindness, and, whero ladies wcrfmnoerned, putting them into an appaAtly"interesting state." Tho existen#*KWs most ingenious trade is surely another marvellous proof of nineteej^h taotury progress* Athens and ItopM.ev«n in their palmiest days, could mt bare produced its like. But perhaps Jffr. Sumner's extensive reading could set tig right on this point. -New York Times.

A TBrnwPoai.norj.-A gentlemanly eonduttor collecting tickets from his paaaengen. All handed over their ticket* promptly except one fat old lady who «at

nextto

tho door, and who

seemed to be reaching down to get somfllHiif the bad dropped on tho .floor. Wita her time to pay came sho raised ber head and thus addressed tho conductor: "I allurs, when I travel", carry my money in my stockin', for -ve!i3? ®ibin can get at it thar, and and Id jufthank ye, young man, just to tVachtt me, as I'm so jammed in

I cant get at it. I forgot to get a "Cf# at' the depot." The conductor the other

passengers,

W9re

some

laughing at his plight

one Or two young ladies among th®m Washed scarlet, and he beat a sudden, mattering something about not ^fing for old ladies, etc. His cash ®'Hrt that trip the fare of one pas-