Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 3, Number 23, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 7 December 1872 — Page 2

WHATOFTHATt

Tired! well, *nd what of that Didst fa

Kiev

life wan spent on bedsof ease,

Fluttering the rose-leaves scattered by tbe

CoroefronRe thee! work while It to called to-day Coward, arise, *o forth opon tby way!

Lonely! and what of that? Home mutt be lonely 'tis not given to all To feel a heart responsive ri«e anil fallTo blend another life Into It* own .... Work may be done In loneliness worken!

Dark! well, and what of that TH.i«t fondly dream the sun would never ft&t JXwt tear to lose tby way Take courage

Learn^ttoa to walk by faith and not by

Thy hiejw will guided be, and galded right. Hard well, and what ol that? Dlflt fancy life one Hammer holiday, With lemons none to learn, and naught but play' ,, «o, |et thee to thy task. Conquer or die! It must be learned, learn It, then, patiently.

Ko help! nay,'tis not sO Though human help be far, tby Uod

Well, naturally, I was lonesome enough, without child or chick to speak to, but I did very well until I somehow got it into my bpiid that burglars alwax chose just wticii nig'its todo their inlfcclilef in. After that I started at every sound, and as there were thumps »nd clatters on all sides, and in every direction, it isn't to be eupposed that I got much rest.

I didn't stop to reason that thoro was very liltln in my poor old houso to trni(» crll dvnra. I know Uul J'orl.y dollars and eighty cents laid away in my poor departou Jason's old wooden ehest. and I lolt that to lose that would be a torn bio thing to me.

Tho houso was cottnge, with hall running tho length of its two rooms-an "L" being built beyond. My room waa »t the back, opening into tho hall and the Iront room adjoining. So my eyes went llrst frotn one door lo the oihor, lingering, I must say with more dread upon the oue leading into the liall.

If I fchnuhl bo robbed oftbat forty dollars and eighty cents I said to myself. Just then a blind went whack and springing up In bod I beg in to say tbo prayer my mother taught me— "Now I lay me down to sleep." though I'm Buro it looked a great deal more like sitting up asleep than lyir.g down.

What an old fool you are, Polly Quimby," I began to say aloud, trying to get itiy courage up at the round ol my own voice.

At that moment I was sure I heard a step in the little hall, and before I had time to move from my place, the door latch lilted and tho door swung ottck, and thoro he stood, the very object I bad been dreading, Mr. Burglar himself. "Good ovenlng, ma'am," he said, In nucb a polite way that I found myself in the motion of bowing back, and saylug good ovenlng too. iio WAS a middle-aged msn with moustache and whiskers, and be bad the brightest eves I ever saw in a person's head. The hair on his temples was ijuito gray. All in all he looked tlkea respectable Christian gentleman, nud not a mldulght thief. yuite a windy evening, ma'aui," ho went on, as he stepped iuto tho r«oiu, "You must be lonely by yo\irsell."

Somehow this touched my temper. I forgot who was speaking, nod answered back as tart an could be

I prefer to chdbso my company, •Jr." He laughed and shrugged up his fcboulders.

You do, indeed! So do I. In this «aae 1 have my preference—not you Then he sat down leisurely in my rocking chair, and stretched out his feet as though he intended to stop a while.

Will you be so kind, sir, as to go about your business? What do vou think of yourself, sir, to be Intruding upon tbe privacy of my room at this hour of the night, sir?"

Ke leaned back his bead upon my bright worsted tidy r.^rt laughed fit to kill himself. ••No harm is intonUflto yon, my tsharmlng woman," he "I swear it—no harm is intended to you!"

And saying this be launched iottaer stv touger than ever. t».» you come into my house to sr«W game of me before my very 1 asked, my temper pretty rrred up. If you wore a gouilexw

Tx,.

waa too much for him.

*4 A »ontleman? Oh, aw—that's too good Tf 1 professed to be a gentleman, stand a good chance of getting your throat cut without so much as by your le.re, ma'am, to begin with! A gentleman? With all my faults, thank heaven that is not among them!"

Yon need not have gone on that way lo prove it," I said, tartly. Wall, you're a sharp old damsel, Aren't you," turning bis oig eyes upon me, and twisting his month in a eomisal way whieh I shall never forget. "I swear vou'd bo pretty good looking if yon didn't wear rucn a wide ruffle on your night cap. Joliv isn't it a lunker no or a a a

Sir," I said, looking savage.

Madam!" he answered, imitating my voice and tone to perfection. Oh, if I were only out of this bed, sir!" I began.

i8

Wlx lee'ds the ravens, bears His children's cry He's near tteo whereaoe'er tby footsteps roam, And he will guide thee, light thee, help tlieo home. .-eil*

Bur-

That Horrible glary.

AN O'ER TRUE TALE.'

Oh, my, but didn't the wind blow! Whon I went around the bouse that night, locking doom and windows be fore going to bud. there was just a breach of a brooze sixbing about—nothing more but by the time I bad my head fairly plumped upon tbe pillow, tbog ile wan going it like mad. W hen I 11 rat camo to this Western country, I used to bo surprised at the quick, unceremonious way storms bad ol coming upon people—half tho time, it seemed to mo, out of a clear, innocent-looking sky.

In toy old homo I prided myself upom reading tho signs ol tbe skies but here, goodness mi! when I thought it wonld snow, it was sure to rain, and when I coulu bavo taken a solemn oatb that tho clouds were going to pour, why, whisk they'd go, and the sun would shine out as though it was In high gloo nt having fooled me. So I gavo up being a weather prophet, and look it just as it camo.

That night everything out of doors *»omod to be in commotion. The loose ubingleson tho house clattered tip and down, and half tho time it soemod to me that the bed on which I lay would blow through tho sido of tho IIOUHU. I know I'm a toolish old woman, but at the thought I could't help setting my milled night-cap straight, and smoothing back my hair, bocause if I should go, why, there was Doiicon Albee's liouso right opposite, and—but, Lord blnss mo, what um I saying!

And pray, madam« what is there to hinder you from getting out, I'd like to know

Do you intend to insult me, JOH good-for-nothing creature? Oh, if the wind would only blow you away!" "Ifone goes tbe other is sure to go, too," he said stolidly. "If brother Joe would only waken," I said.

He cocked his eye knowingly. You want to make me believe that he is in this house, somewhere, eh My dear madam, you are as transparent as air. Had he been under this roof, you would have screamed blue murder long before this."

Ob, oh, you varmint!" I groaned in pure asony of spirit. "What do you want "Well, ma'am, since that is a fair, honest question, I will attempt to answer it. To begin with, my financial affairs are in a complicated condition. Money I have but little of—credit, none so I am forced to levy a trifling tax upon my friends in this and other neighborhoods, to extricate me from my disastrous condition. As soon as I collect a certain amount, I intend leaving this country for France or Italy, never, perhaps, to returs. Do not shed tears at this, dear madame, for wherever my footsteps tend, your image—ruffled night cap hnd all—will remain forever imprinted upon my heart."

You old jjoose!" I said. 1 Please do not interrupt me madame I have but a few moments longer to stay, and I must to business at once. have le irned tbat you have deposited in a trunk in an adjoining closet forty Uoii*rs and eit?bty cents. The forty dollars I would like to borrow of you fur fiii indefinite length of time. The eighty cents I do not care anythmg about. You can retain that as a trifling evidence of my generosity in this great emergency ol my life."

You area robber, a tliief, then said spitefully. Either, at your service, madame,' rising and making a bow for all the world liko a French dancing master "Now, the money, if you please."

He wasn't joking now. There was determined look in his eyes and about his mouth.

He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord," he said, spaakingjust like a preacher.

And ho that steals from the poor what of him?" My Bible does not dispose of his case, especially, madame."

Ana you came here to rob me—me, a poor woman!" I come to borrw of you for an indfinite length of time."

I saw it was useless to waste words with him, besides I didn't altogether like the look in his eyes I closed my lips tightly together, resolving that would not speak again. "Ifyou bavo no objection, ma'am, I'll look around a bit," ho said, taking up the lamp as he spoke. "If I hear any noise from you, my dear, or if I see that in any way vou are becoming nervous, I shall be obliged to quiet you by tbe use of—"

He held up a small vial. Chloroform!" I gasped. At your service, madame." "It would be the death of me,' moaned.

I should be sorry to bring such a luss to the world but, believe me, all that rest in your owu bands. This door leads into tho closet where the trunk i«, I b«Iinve," lie said, making straight for the closet where my forty dollars were put away for safe-keeping.

I didn't say a word. To teli tbe truth, the chloroform bad scared me nearly out of my wits. lie turned the key in the door (I had always kept it looked,) and glancod into the closet. It was largo, and the trunk was at the further end of it. Let me say here that this closet or store-room was in the "L" part of the bouse, full a foot lower than my room. Mr, Burglar was not acquainted with this fact. Glancing toward me with his sharp eyes, to see if I was qyiet, he took a step forward and went sprawling upon all fours. I do not know to this day how be managed to save the lamp as he did, but it was not broken in tlie fall, ana burned as brightly as ever. My wits came to mo here, sprang as lightly as a oat out ot bed, and before be could get upon his feet, I bad tbe door of tbe closet abut and locked upon him. He grew lamb-like in a moment.

You've done it now, haven't you, my charming creature? I swear I'm in love with you from this hour to the er«4 of my life. You've come a splendid dodge! You've go| me tight and fast. What's the use of money now? I'll tako the oightv cents, and you may have the iorty dollars, if you will let me out."

No, sir I'm going to call the neighbors," said I, resolutely. Qolng with that night cap on You'll make your fortune. But don't hurry, that's a dear. Let's have a little friendly talk. Say, I'll give you a hundred dollars if you'll let me out." "Yes, and leave you froe to scare some other woman nearly to death— no sir."

Well, tbon, I'll givo you two hundred." No, sir."

4

"Name the price then, dear girl, suppose every woman has her price— they say every man has."

Jfo.'lt wouldn't be right," I said, hesitatingly. I heard him chuckle:

First step towards it she begins to talk of what is right." I thought of mv poor girl out to work by the week, anu so anxious to get an education, and I am sure it isn't to be wondered at if I began to set a price. But I said not a word. "Look here! I'll put five hundred dollars in good sound gold under the door, and vou can count it as I push it through piece by piece, if you'll onlr 1st me out of this carsed hole. I'm •mothering."

Try some chloroform." 1 whisper Od through tho keyhole. Cur«% tbs chloroform! Witt you lo me out

I had alight by this time, and had dipped into a oalico wrapper, and my

got tbe money, bow oould I let

trim out of the cJoaet?" I wondered. "I-shouldn't dare to meet him he'd rob me again, and perhaps murder me. But I said, "I'll take his gold," resolv ing tbat I would try to get out of it someway, just for the sake ot poor Rebecca, who ao much wanted to go to school. "Your heart Is in tbe right place," be jid, and the next moment a bis round gold piece came through the wide crack under the door.

I couldn't withold an exclamation of delight. It's right enough now, hrot it?" be sneered. "There's nothing like gilding over our sins a Utlta. Iiabt all tbe world's alike 1 Here goes another, and another. Count fast, my pious damsel. I dare say there's bo confessional In your churcb."

Is there in yours?"

Well, if there was, gold gets into that sometimes, they say. Hold fast there you've got tbe last clunker now set me free."

Wait a minute." But I won't wait. I swear I won't." "Can you help yourself?" I said, cooly.

Well, no, not much, but I'm smothering in here. Csn't you take pity on a poor fellow."

Sit down flat on the floor," I said. I heard him plump down as obedient as a schoolboy. "What next?"

I turned to the kitchen-door to see if the lock was all right. Then I turned tbe key with a sharp click, which sounded to me like the report of a pistol.

There!" I cried, and sprang into the kitchen, locking the door behind oie.

He came out of his prison swearing a Sharp old Satan, she's locked herselt up somewhere," trying the kitchen door as he spoke. "Good night, Madame De'ila—good night! You've got the best of this. You have robbed me. Good night—get down and say your prayers."

And I did. What is more, I cried like a baby over my money, thinking what it would bring us.

I never saw the strange burglar again, and in a few weeks Rebecca was comfortably established in school. No one ever knew where the meney came from. An uncle died about tbat tim^, and some of my neighbors shrewdly suspected that he had left us something but I bad nothing to say upon tbe subject.

About six months after my adventure, .brother Joe came to me one day, and said that be had been stopped in the street by a strange man that morning, and that ho had begged him to say to Madame Quimby that the frill of her night cap was a little too wide I So saying, bo passed on. "What did it mean Joe asked. "Nothing, only that he was crazy," I answered, quickly but my face was aa red as a blaze. v1*:

TABLE-TIPPING.

How Prof. Faraday Game it Over the Tipsy Tables.

The Popular Scientific Monthly, in an articlo on "Epidemic Delusions," by Dr. Carpenter, says:

Take tho case of tcble turning. I dare say many of you remember that epidemic which preceded spiritualism in fact, tbe spiritualism, in some degrees, arose eut of table-turning. My friend Dr. Noble and I hunted in couples, a good many years ago, with a third friend, the late Sir John Forbes, and wo went a great deal into these inquiries and 1 very well remember Bitting at a table with him, I suppose twenty-five years, waiting in solemn expectation for the turning of the table, and the table went round. This was simply the result of one of the party, who was not influenced by the philosophical skepticism that we bad on the subject, having a strong belief that the phenomenon would occur and when he had sat for some time witb his hands pressed down upon the table, an involuntary muscular motion, of tbe kind I mentioned in my last lecture, took place, which sent the table turning, There was nothing to the physiologist at all difficult in tbe understanding of this. Professor Faraday was called on to examine tbe table turning, which many persons set down to electricity but he was perfectly satisfied tbat this was a most untrue account of it, and that the explanation was that the movements took place iu obedience to ideas. Movements of this class are what I call "idea-motor," or reflex aotions of the brain and the occurrence of those movements in obedience to the idea entertained is tho explanation of all the phenomena ot table-turning. Professor Faraday constructed a very simple testing apparatus, merely two boards, one over the other, and confined by elastic bands, but the upper board rolling readily upon a couple of pencils or small roll ers, and resting on the lower board was an index, so arranged that a very small motion of this upper board would manifest itself in tbe movement of the index through a large arc. He went about this investigation in a thoroughly scientific spirit. He first tied together the boaras so that they could not move one upon tbe other, the object being to test whether tbe mere interposition of the instrument would prevent the action. He had three or four of these indicators prepared, and ho put them down on tbe table so fixed tbat they wwuld not move. He then put the hands of tbe table-turners on these and it was found, as he fully expected, that tho interposition of this indicator under the bands did not all prevent the movement of the table. The hands were resting on the indicator, and when their unvoluntary pressure was exerted the friction of the hands upon the table carried round the table just as it bad done before. Now, it there had been anything in the construction of tbe instrument to prevent it, that would not have happened. Then be loosened the upper board and put the Index on, so that tbe smallest motion of tbe bauds upon tbe board would manifest itself, before it would act on the table, in the movement of the index and it was found tbat when tbe parties looked at the index and watchedits indications, they were pulled up, as it were, at the very first involuntary action of their hands, by the knowledge that they were exerting this power, and the table then ne@rer: went round.

OJTK OP TDK STRAXOEST PARTS of this popular delusion was that even after thi* complete exposure of it by Farday, there were a great many pearsous, including many who were eminently sensible and rational in tbe ordinary affairs of life, who said, "Oh, but this has nothing at all to do with it. It is all very well for jfrofessor Faraday to talk in this manner, bat it has noUiing at all to do with it. We know that we are not exerting any pressure. His explanation does not at all apply to our case." Bat then Pto-

Faraday's table turners were satisfied tbat they did not move

feasor

the table, until the infallible index proved tbat they did. And if any one of those persons who know tbat they did not move the table were to eft down in the same manner with those Indicators, it would have been at once shown that they did not move the table. Nothing was more curious than tbe of the minds of sensible men and women by this idea tbat tbe tables went round by an action quite indepentent of their own bands and not only that, but tbat really. like the people in tbe dancing mania, they most Ibllow the table. I havs seen sober and aensible people running round witb a table, and with their bands placed on it, and asserting tbat tbey could not help them*elve»-€hat they were oblif•4HSU«ii*U*!tt *»bie. Now, this ta worth a trial, an Just simply tne same kind of possession continued.

by a dominant idea that possessed tbe dancing maniacs of the middle ages. Then the

TABLK-TTLXIUO

came up. It was found that the table would tilt in obedience to the directions of some spirit, who waa in tho first instance (I speak now of about twenty years ago) alwaya believed to be an evil spirit. The table-tilting first developed itself in Bath, under the guidance of some clergymen there, who were quite satisfied tbat the tiltings of the table were due to the presence of evil spirits. And one of these clergymen went further, and said that It was Sstan himself. But it waa very curious that the answers obtained by the rappings and tiltings of the tables alwaya followed the notions of the persons who put the questions. These clergymen alwaya got these answers ss from evil spirits, or satisfied themselves that they were spirits by the answers they got. But, on the other hand, other persons got answers of a very different kind an innocent girl,for instance, asked the table 11 it loved her, and tbe table jumped up and kissed her. A gentleman who put a question to one of tbese tables got an extremely curious answer, which affords a very remarkable illustration of the principle I was developing to you in the last lecture—the unconscious action of the brain. He bad been studying the life of Edward Young, the poet, or at least had been thinking of writing it and the spirit of Edward Young announced himself one evening, as he was sitting with bis sister-in-law—the young lady who asked tbe table if it loveu her. Edward Young announces himself by the raps, spelling out the words in accordance with the directions that the table received. He asked: "Are you Young the poet?" "Yes." "The author of the 'Night Thoughts "Yes. "If yon are, repeat a line of his poetry." Ana the table spelled out, according to the system of telegraphy which had been agreed upon, this line: Man is not f&rmed to question, bat adore.

He said "Is this in tbe 'Night Thoughts?'" "No." "Where is it?" "J OB." He could not tell what this meant. He went home, bought a copy of Young's works, and found that in the volume containing Young's poems there was a poetical commentary on Job which ended with this line. He was extreme ly puzzled at this but two or three weeks afterward be found he had a copy of Young's works in his own library, and was satisfied from marks on it tbat be had read that poem beiore. I have no doubt whatever tbat line had remained in his mind—that is, in the lower stratum of it tbat it had been entirely forgotten by him, as even the possession of Young's poems had been forgotten but that it had been treasured up, as it were, in some dark corner of his memory, and bad come up in this manner, expressing itself in the action of the table, just as it might have come up in a dream.

TO

DRIVE RATS A WAY WITHOUT POISON. We kuow of three methods. First, tbe old French plan. This is followed chiefiy in Paris by men making it a special business. They take a deep tub rtith water on the bottom and a little elevation in tbe middle like an island, on which is only place for just one rat to sit. The top is covered, and bas a large balance valve, opening downward. On tbe middle of the valve apiece of fried pork or cheese is plaoed, and when tho rat walks on it to get the cbeese the valve goes down, drops the rat into the water and moves back into position. A road is made from tbe rut-bole to the top of the tub by means of pieces of board rubbed with cbeese, so as to make the walk attract ivo for tho rats. In tbe course of a night, some ten, twenty, or even more rats ii ay go down, and if tbe island was not there, they would bo found most all alive in the morning, quietly swimming around but tbe provision of the little island saves the trouble of killing them, because their egotistic instinct for preservation causes them to fight for the exclusive posession of tbe island, on which iu tbe morning tbe strongest rat is found in solitary possession, all the others being killed and drowned around him. Second, tbe New York plan, invented by oneofour friends. The floor near the rat hole is covered with a thin caustic potassa, When the rats walk on this it makes their feet sore these they lick with their tongues, which makes their mouths sore and the result is tbat tboy shun this locality—not alone but ap-

Eood

ear to toll all the rats in tho neighborabout it. and eventually the bouse is entirely abandoned by tbem, notwithstanding bhe houses around may be full of rats. Third, the Dutch method. This is said to be used successfully in Holland we have, however, never tried it. A number of rats are left to themselves in a very large trap or cage, with no food whatever their craving hunger will cause them to fight, and tbe weakest will be eaten by the strongest. After a short time tbe fight is renewed, and tbe next weakest is tho victim, and so it goes on till one strong rat is left. When this bas eaten tho last remains of any of the others, it is set loose the animal has now acquired such a taste for rat flesh tbat be is tbe terror of ratdoin, going around seeking what rat he may devour. In an incredibly short time the premises are abandoned by all other rats, which will not come oack before tbe cannibal rat bas left or died.

Hia WATCH.—It came to the knowledge of Frederick tbe Great. King of Prussia, tbat a corporal of bis body regiment, a fine young follow, wore a watch-chain suspended, from a wish to appear consequential. Frederick wishing to be convinced of tbe matter, accosted the corporal one day on tbe parade. "Corporal," said he, you must have been a prudent fellow to have saved a watch out of your pay." "I flatter myself that I am brave, sir," replied the man "the watch !s or little consequence." The King taking out a watch set with diamooda, said, "My watch points at five. How much is yours 8hame and confusion first appeared in tbe corporal's face at length be drew out bis Dullet, and answered with a firm voice: shows me neither five tells me that Iougbt to be ready, at every hour, to die for your Majesty." Tbe King replied: "In order tbat you ma^r daily

'My watch, air, re nor alx, but it A3 be ready, at evyour Majesty."

is IUDK (VPIIW ID order that you »y daily see one of those hours at sicb you are to die for me, take this ktjrth

watch.

Bow TO KEKF MCAT.—Meat is much better for family use when at least one week old in cold weather. The English method for keeping meat for some time bas great merit. Experts ssy hang np a quarter of meat with tbe cut end up (being tbe reverse of tbe usual way, by the Teg,) and tbe juice will remain In tbe meat, and not run to the cut and dry up by evaporation. It Is id when made will be

GAMBLING IN WASHING TON. Washington for many years had been a hot-bed for gamblers of high and low degree. There were a dozen faro-banks on the Avenue within a stone's throw of Gadaby'a, on the corner of Sixth street. Many of these establishments bad club-rooms attached, where mem. bers of Congress and others amused themselves with brag, vingt-et-un, and whiat. Draw-poker came into yogue at a later day. Gambling, and for large sums, was common, particularly among Southern and Western members. Scores of them from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the Gulif States squandered their modest per diem, then eight dollars only, at the gaming-table, and some impaired tbeir private fortunes by the same intelligence. S. S. Prentiss was reported to bave loet thirty thousand dollars the first winter he was in Congress.

The most notorious and dashing gambler of tbe day was Edward Pendleton. He came from Virginia, where he was well connected, his femily being of the best blood in the State, and he married a most respectable and. accomplished lady, whose fkther held a responsible office under the government. Pendleton gave aumptuous entertainments at his club-bouse, which were well attended by some of the most eminent public men in tbo district. Mr. Mangum, then President ot the Senate, John J. Crittenden, John M. Botta, John B. Thompson, of Kentucky, and Linn Boyd, afterward Speaker of the House, and others of lesser note, were frequently his guests. Congress had enacted stringent penal laws to prevent gambling, but they were a dead letter, unless some poor devil made a complaint ol foul play, or some fleeced blaokleg sought vengeauce through the aid of tbe Grand Jury and then the matter was usually compounded by the payment of inonev.

Whist was a favorite game with the foreign ministers and the elder states men. Mr. Clay, General Scott, Mr. Bodisco, and Mr. Fox—nephew of Charles James Fox—who represented William the Fourth and Queen Victoria, often played together, a hundred dollars being tbe usual stase. They generally played well, as Hoyle taught the game but many of tbe members of tbe fashionable clubs of New York play with more skill than was dreamed of forty years ago. Governor Marcy was a great lover ot whist, but he would never bet money on tbe game. There were always inveterate whisters in the Senate. A story was current at one time of a protracted sitting at the card-table, at which Governor Stokes, of North Carolina, and Mountjoy Bailey, sergeant-at-arms of tbe Senate, were two of the players. It ran in this wise: the Senateadiourned from Thursday over to Monday. The party sat down to cards after dinner Thursday

day over to Monday. The sat

evening. Tbey played all night and all the next day, only stopping occasionally for refreshments. The game was continued Friday night and"6aturday, through Saturday night and all day Sunday and Sunday night, the players resting for a snatch of sleep as naturo became exhausted. Monday morning the game was in full blast out at ten o'clock Bailey moved an adjournment, alleging that bis official duties required bis preseq/cein tbe Senatechamber. Stokes remonstrated, but tbe sergeant-at-arms persisted, and rose from tbe table. The Governor grumbled and scolded, but finally gave it up, swearing that if no bad suspected Bailey would break up the game thus prematurely, be would have seen him— any whero before he would have iuvlted blm to join the party.

Mr. Webster played whist, but indifferently only. Tho Virgiuiana were addictcd to that stupid game known as shoe maker loo. President Tyler was fond of loo, and on rainy day, when there was no great pressure of publlo businoss, be bas been known to make up a game at tho White House, and play all day, having dinner In bis chamber. His companions usually were William Selden, Treasurer of tbe United States, Cary Selden, his brother, storekeeper at the navy yard, and sometimes Governor Gilmer, or Virginia, with now and then another favorite. Tbo amount played for was always small, but Mr. Tyler was as much delighted at taking a pool as If ho had won hundreds.

Public opinion was not so averse to gaming in Washington aa in most of tbe Northern cities. Probably the tone of public morals is no moro elevated now than it was then, but there was then less pretense and ostentation of purity. At a large party given by tbe wife of a cabinet minister, Mrs. Clav, chaperoning a young lady from tbo North, passed through a room where gentlemen were playing cards, Mr. Clay among tbe number. "Is this a common practice?" inquired the young lady.

Yes," said Mrs. Clay "they alwaya play when tbey get together." Don't it distress you to have Mr. Clav gamble?" "*No, my dear," said tbe good old lady, composedly: "he 'most always wins."

In tbo winter of 1841 General Soott, Mr. Clay, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Bodisco played whist once a week for some time, the stake, as usual, being a hundred dollars. Thev played a match gamp. Scott and Bodisco against Clav and Fox, They were well matched, and for along time the game was pretty even. At length fortune favored Messrs. Clay and Fox, and tbey wero ten or twelve games ahead. "U men," aald the Russlan minister, risin

LEGISLATION IS IDAHO.—Some very amusing tbingsf writes a correspondent «kton, California) happened duhe session of the ldsho Legislature held in tbe winter of 1870-71. Among tbem this is worth preservation

A certain lady having become weary ol the companionship of a drunken husband thought she might obtain a divorce in a snorter and cheaper way than by applying to tbe courts. Some friends of hem, members of the Legislature, accordingly drafted a bill, and presented it to the consideration of the it met

THE SEVEN WHISTLERS.

Some Cttriotu English Superstitions.'

One evening a few years ago, when crossing oue of our Lancashire moors in company with an Intelligent old man, we were suddenly startled by the whistling overhead of a covey of plov-» ers. My companion remarked that when a boy the old people considered^ such a circumstance a bad omen, "asr the person who hoard the wandering Jew,'' as he called the plovers, "waste sure to be overtaken with some ill" luck." On questioning my friend onte the name given to the birds, he said

There is a tradition that they contain.the souls of those Jews who assisted at the crucifixion, and in consequence were doomed to float in the air forever." When we arrived at the toot of the moor, a coach, by which I had hoped to finish my journey, had already left the station, thereby oauslng me to traverse tbe remaining distance on foot* The old man reminded me of the omen. Another writer, "A. S.," in the "Notes and Queriea," October 21, 1871, says: "During a thunderstorm wbich pamed over this district (Kettering, in Yorkshire,) on the evening of September 6, on which occasion the lightning was very vivid, an unusual spectacle was witnessed Immense flocks of birds were flying atom uttoring doleful affrighted crics, as they passed over the locality, and for hours they kept up a continual whistling like that made by sea-birds. There must have been graat numbers of them, as they were also observed at tho same time, as we learn bv the public prints,: in the counties of Northampton, Leicestor and Lincoln. The next day, as my servant waa driving nie to a neighboiing village, this phenomenon of the flight of birds became the subject of conversation, and on asking him what birds he thought they were, he told mo they were what were called "The Seveii Whistlers," and tbat whenever they were heard it was considered a sign"of some grout calamity, and that tho lust timo ho heard tbem was the night iiofore

firatis

Jentle-

frorn tbe table, "the game bas q1 for tbe seaaon. Tbe appropriation is exhaust." And sore enough not another game would be play, much to the disgust and vexation of General Soott, who, of course, waa a considerable loser,—[From "Recollections of an Old Stager," in Harper's Magazino for December.

with favorable recep-

House." It met with favorable recep lion, and was put open its first, second, and third even the committee. One of tbe members, who was a little db«rnsted wlth this summary of usurping tbe proper duty of a court, and who had voted against tbe bill, arose and said ••Mr. Speaker, I rise to a point ot order. I am summoned to attend a meeting of one ot tbe committees of this honorable body, of which I am chairman. I have a wife at home, of whom I am very fond. 1 beg tbe House not to divorce me from her durina_ my abseaca"—[Editor's Drawer, In Harper's Magazine for December.

wssput upon its first, second, readings, and passed without formality of sending It to a

thj^rr:M

TTnrtley

colliery explion be nnrt uiau boon told by the soldiers that if they heard them they always expeoted a great slaughter would take place soon. Curiously enough, on taking up the newspaper the following morning, I saw headed in large letters—"Terrible Colliery Explosion at wigan," etc., etc.1 This 1 thought would confirm my man's belief in "Tbe Seven Whistlers." -["Folk-Lore," by Charles Hardwick.

THE AMERICAN SODOM.

How the Lightning Calculator Raised Thunder by Trying to Preach.

Hutcbings, the lightning calculator the pale, ghostly man who used to get on a platform at Barnum's and havo some one chalk a tremendous sum on a blackboard, after which be would give one glance and yell out, "7 and 0 are 31, and 8's 20, and O's 40, and 10's 52 total, 90,063—keno!" Tbat same Hutcbings haH been converted from arithmetical infidelity to tbo Methodist state of Christianity, and as a theological lecturer held forth in tbe Bowery theatro Sunday night. The lecture was ''free

for nothing," and tho boys nlled n. The building was packed, and tbo fun was Immense.

They booted and veiled, and sang "Down in tho Coal Mino," and when the elect came to take possession of the chairs on the stage, the din was terrific. Tbey called on one saint, for a song and dance, and, as they had printed hymns to sing from beiore tbe proceedings opened, they selected tones and sang them. One hym, "Now's Your Time to Come to God," tbe heathens sang with great effect, to the air of "Tommy Dodd?' The hymn. "There's aLight in the Window for You, Brother," they rendered "There's a Kerosene Candle for You, Brother" or thus: "A Campbene Hunter for You, Mary Ann." It Is beyond pen to describe the scene, and when Hutcbings finally appeared, they were so uproarious as to put un end to him very speedily. He spoke for fitteen minutes, during wbich a running accompaniment of gamin bandinago raised tho mischief with tho lecturer., and be incontinently fled. ,yr^

Wti PX*#, PIAZZAS. Tbo plainest furm-bouse should havo its broad piazza. To no olbor person Is the luxury so desirable as to a farmer and his family. When the heat of a Summor day bas passed, and tbe cool shades of evening begin to render "all out doors" an inviting place of resort, the mechanic sallies forth from bis close shop, tbe lawyer from bis musty office, the minister from his study, tho broker from bis counting room, to enJoy with their wives an evening call, or a walk, or drive, and to tbem, as to tbe weary seamstress, it seems like a glorious rest. While tbe farmer who has been bronzing and blistering all day in the sun, and to bis wife who has for a largo share of it been broiling over a hot cook stove, the thought would prove anything but refreshing and comforting.

To him, when ho would rest at will, and surrounded by tire lovely sights and sounds of nature, refresh bis mind with tbo news of tho day, or tbo pleasant chat of tbe assembled family, the' broad piazza becomes an Inexhaustible, almost an indlspensiblesouroeofpleasure and comfort. t)

LAHTIMO LOVKLUTEBS.—'Twenty years ago, when paint, pearl powder and enamel, were ruining the complexions and destroying the health of women of fashion, Hagan's Magnolia Balm was brought out ss a pure botanical cosmetic, guaranteed te restore bloom and beauty to tbe skin. From tbat time to tbe presesnt it has been continually rising in public estimation as tbe safest snd most unexceptionable preparation of its class. Instead of producing an Artificial, mctallc surface, like tbe deadly enamels, or wilting the cuticle like the poisonous fluids sold under various names as "beautifiers," it keeps tbe skin as soft as velvet, renders it as smooth and glossy as satin, and imparts to it that delicate, rosy tinge, which is the beau id«al of oomplexional loveliness. This exqulsito chromatic eflcct is not transient. By applying the Balm daily it may be prolonged from youth to age. A lady who purchased the first bottle of tbe article nineteen years ago, writes to ssy that her complexion at forty Is "purer, clearer and more brilliant than it bas ever been and she attributes its besuty solely to the daily use of Hagan's Magnolia Balm.

Never laugh at a child when it asks a foolish question." It is not foolish to tbe child. It a child Is

sensitive,

one

instance of laughter or ridicule, in such a case, might forever chill its aspiration after self-education. No matter bow trivial a child's question may seem to be, It Is entitled to a kind and prompt answer.