Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 4, Number 27, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 3 January 1874 — Page 6

HerT^aist, O, Jtirin'* Ciewr.t I'd give tbe la*t red cent 1 had Kor. privilege to tqnetdse hex* Her Hmile was Mtee a riob boqurt

•WW"

[From the Indl&aapbl Ij Nev? ,' THAT KISS.

fc:i

She was busy at the wash-tali, The dirty clothes was washing Slathering sof't-soap with her hands.

And 1q tbe watef sloshing. Hhe robbed, and Uiroed, aod twisted them, And got them in amsddje Then, lightning Wee. bobb*i up and down.

Like a lame duck in a paddle.y,,. .. Then turned them over, inside oat— In her face the oo'or heightening Blathered mow *oap. then np and down

Again she bobbed like lightning. Shoalder high her AfWs wirlfUrS, Her dress pini»v*l up «rpand h^r sach a hea^l ef arlz&&i teairj hen» wast When-1 .otfnd rt Her nHrlraarf^l^)^f'^r^,^j',

And An

Wbf-u fcentleKephyrKfanned It, And whim she glancvd her this way, Dod durned it I could stand it. Her rippling laugh, lifee 'Iectrie shtntk,

To pteee» nearly

'Twas then I took her by the ear. And strong ber'ruand bwfere 'pw. Her cheery lips were pu^ker up.

Like for someth Dm tluy wfere thirsting They looked like a busted cherry pie, Or like ripe rpse bursting, ..

O, billions Job whata scene it was! Sach a landscape ne'er wan painted— I threw my arm* around her nt-ck

And kissed herj-tiien I fainted^

|From the Overland Monthly.]

It Happened in '56.

It was nearly midnight. A dark star less sky and thill 1 impair betokened approaching rain. Tue dwuu dry leaves matted themselves together, as thmoisture penetrated their crispnes,s,and lay in little mounds of mold and decay under the pine-tree overshadowing a lonely cabin, standing isolated beside a huge rock which jutted out behind it. Tba clefts of this were filled with torn moss and fallen pine burs, and the whole aspect of the surroundings was dreary and desolate in the extreme. A well-worn but narrow trail led to a shed beyond, wbree a brindled cow. lonely and sombre as the scene about ber, was securely tied. A tin pail and a few other kitchen utensils bung out aide the door, showing the place was in habited and a rode board supported on piles of stone served for a bench On this a huge dog slept, waking occa sionally, and seeming to listen in the darkness for tbe sound of an approach ing footstep. Presently, went round to a back entrance, and sniffed at the threshold, wagging his tail and giving a low bark. From within came: 'All right, good Trusty lie down and watch and apparently satisfied, tbe shaggy watchman again sought his hard bed and slept. •When will he come?' muttered the apparently young girl within—apparently young at the first glance, but withered like a fallen autumn leaf, by some inward agony. A baby slept in a square champagne-basket at her feet, nestling comfortably in its uncouth ooucb in innocent unconsciousness or grief orjoy. The girl, or woman, lilted fier heavy eyes wearily to a cheap clock fastened against the woodou wall. •Nearly twelve—and he leaves me here alone and unprotected, weary and heart-broken.' Jftjr a moment a pathetic expression stole over her countenance, and the eyes seemed lull ot unshed tears but they were forced back to their fountain, as with clenched hand and desperate gesture she said, *1 hate him!'

Nor did she stop here hot words leaped from her lips like flame from the heart of a torn volcano. Words ofscoru and contempt, wordsof wrath aud bitterness. 'To bring mo to this! What did I eare for his boast of great mines, of his acres and cattle of the clear blue skies and balmv airs of California, of his mountain home lor our summering, and his Queen City of the Golden Gate for our winter home-what did I oarefor it all? I might have had all and more than he so deceitfully promised my dear deluded father. But I loved bim loved him madly, wicked ly. Earth had no light where he was not. Heaven would have been hades without him. And I married him so gaily so gladly. To what mad career of passion and of crime he has committed uie me and she stamped ber foot, and glared at the ubild in the eradle like a tigress. 'His,'she said, •his, but mine also and taking the babe In her arms, sbe added: *so help tne God, I will save her yet. She shall not live here, a witness and inheritor of nature thoroughly base, without one trace ot manhood or truth iu its iaueful composition.'

Shaken and exhausted by this burst of passion, which seemed to have torn her, ss some wild upheaval of nature

totfig trmn tbe pin® twee, made tbe earth »olt and cluoiwy to the feet. She shrunk from the unkltidly atmosphere. and calling the dog Tor comfort and company, closed lhedcKr.Trust erWt up to the bot aabee. Tw shall be warmed, at all ©vents,' ahe said, patMag his head and soon a bright biaae sprung up, throwing flickering, tantaetic shadows on the wall, and seeming to change the mood of the desperate

^lt*were better 16 die by a pistol shot, here beside tits aparklSng flame, that would drink up onG'a blood, and crisp and blacken these white arms of mine in kindly oblivion. But the baby! I mn not—can not do murder on Ler,

poor

innocent fctnfef No I will bide mv time. Bat two years of companionship with Sdwart iM^ter hae comnletelv demoralised wfe that scarcely know what 1 sa^r have been worse than an Idiot to have endured them. I loathe the cruelty which scarcely hidm itself, the sinister mask which is worse than open wickedThere is not mi animal about »h* pi«« ha h*a not tortured nearly out ©I existence, save Trosir and Bri ndle.and shut tor the knowledge that Briadle kept me from

he Is cowardly enough to fear tbe dog. Bfcmrk 1 What thrtt* fki honour up, and the woman, w!tft*a Wanehed listened to the ao«nd of rapidly approaching fboistepa. A hard, qolok run. a pant for hrwub, a HHtd, terroe-etrickeo face,and Edward

«4»

1 hKKfc-

Lester stood before his wife. O God, Grace save me? Tbe_yigil O God, Grace: save ui«i ibbt igu- »y. ants are after me. Anvwbere-bide me ate love for this man came thronginc in any hole—qotefc! They will hang— auarter me. O, have some mercy on citement and pleasure folkming tbelr Ijuaii^i imv. .marriage

The wretch needed no urging. With hasty, uncerfain steps, be stumbled o.ut into the darkness, slipping and falling in his abject fear, as thesound of shout and halloo came nearer,but never atop pine a moment to bait, as he regained footing. It was a blind, race for life. The blood of bis young victim—a mere !»oy, lured to tbe gambling table, rob bed, and murdered in drunken heatwas yet upon his stained hand. But he was sober now the fiend that liquor madd him had given place to the cowardly instincts of his nature, and he ran with his tongue lapping out liko that of a mad dog. One di op of water! if be could only stop to drink but they would be upon him, and he must reach the dense brush and cuaparral skirting tbe ravine. There was safety, lor its intricate and tortuous ways were known to be infested by rattlesnakes, and they had been left untrodden alike by hunter and prospector. Lester feared the reptiles a thousand-fold less than the throng of organized men behind him for it was during that fearful time of excitement and peril, when courts and judges, failing in their duty, bad allowed crime to go unpunished, and the license and disorganization ruling the hour induced good men and true to step forward to the relief of society taking justice for their basis,and exorcising its functions under an organization known as a 'Vigilance Committee.' The main body in San Francisco was in correspoudence with subor dinate organizations throughout tbe State, and notwithstanding grave opposition from many quarters, tbe character of the men engaged in this illegal administration of the law (ifsuch a contradictory phrase may be used) secured lor tbem the co-operation and assistance of many of the best and purest citizens. That tbe records of tbe society may not have been altogether divested ot personal -anlmositUs is possible but it is not with these our story has to do. Suffice it to say, tbatrulfianisui and murder received a check which satisfied, even if it did not convince most, that it was perhaps the best and wisest action, on tbe part ot the people, which could have been devised to control a dangerous element, and meet the exigencies of the hour.

Lester knew the unerring certainty of tbe death penalty awaiting the com mission of the crime of murder. Not more secret and sure were the operations of the Holy Vebme in tbe fourteenth, than those of the Vigilante in the nineteenth century. But he had one ray of hope. He knew his pursuers would use no measures in wrestling the secret of bis flight from his wife, incompatible with respect and honor however much he felt in that hour that he had slighted, abused, and insulted her, he was certain she would never betray him. If he could but reach the thick cover of young pines and stunted manzanita-busbes, so overgrown and undergrown with the uncleared tangle of wild vines, he was safe and he might by some possibility yet escape and find his way into tbe thickly popu lated city, since telegraph wire anfl Iron rail were not in requisition in those early days to arrest the flight of fugi lives from justice.

Grace Lester closed the door after her retreating husband, and with a daring, haughty expression iu her dark eyes, combining scorn and a sense of freedom, wailed. Sbe knew the pursuers would come at once to the cabin. She knew every corner and nook of the rickety old place would be searched, and that sbe would stand there, the only woman, in the midst of those exasperated and it might be half-drunk-en men. She took down a derringer from a small shelf over the fire-place, and carefully examined It. She bad loaded it the day before—for she wan too much alone to be without such a irotector against tramps ^«d vagabonds. 'If they attempt to intimidate me, I ill use this,' she said, resolutely. IBut no—they will not. If there la any sen-

tears, and separates, and crushes, she sunk again Into the low chair, and wranned a heavy blanket-shawl round no—vuvj v*** her shivering form for the einbers had timent of honor or manliness among fttllen apart, and the smoldering coals, them, my helplessness will anneal to rapidly turning to ashes, were nearly extinct. She reached out her hand to throw unon them same fresh pine inilSts but withheld It. 'No-tbe of the lines in her face she was not yet craven may do without warmth, or nineteen as rapidly those outside nearllKht or me. I will go—I care not "A i^fnro rh« lnnr. whither. Rid of bis wife, he can soon nnnaole himself with one of tbe lewd iw um .V. ~L"~iV Sealurts who so often'losult me by oome out or we 11 bring yon a halfth»tr oreseuce 1 have sworn it. To- hour will serve to try, convict, and $Jht5Tm leave him forever, and God bang you, with tbe proofs of your guilt

openedth^door looked out Owe opened the door, holding the tntn tha naloable darknes*. Not a sign .dog in leasb with one hand, and with Jf Jstar^athe heaveus. A thick fog, the other raising to her face a lantern, almiSt likVa

drilling raiu, and drip- that met and reflected twenty other

lanterns as tbev glimmered like huge fire-flies through the fog and drizzling rain. Her voice was steady and firmnot a nerve quivered, net a muscle yielded. Her long black hair, thrown back from her face, seemed like a sombre mourning veil* and her eyes retaining their expression of hauteur, kindled and flashed likedtaeters, striking the men who looked upon them with sudden awe.

Edward Lestei is not here,' she said anietly. «He ha* been, certainly, Mrs. Leeter,' twid one who seemed to be in command, respectfully raising tbe broad brimmed felt bat which shielded bim like an umbrella from the rain. 'We aaw him run this way. We are sorrr fbr you, madam, but von must not deny us. Leater bas committed a wanton and dastardly murder. We have too often let him off because be baa been intoxicated but to night seals his fate. I will spare you the details of the crime, but if he does not appear in five minutes we shall be oblltra to come in and take him. Counsel him to yield at once.'

Murmurs of disapprobation were heard at the five-minute* respite offered by the lMd«rf but the sight of the pate, proud woman soon hushed tbem.

Five minutes* gala w«e worth muob then. Notwithstanding Grace Lester'* feelings toward her hoaband, she would have thrown herself In the path ef his pursuers, rather than have seen him condemned to an ignominious death. Five minutest They held within their

small eompas^ the agonies of on eternity. All the dreams of her first passion-

before ber—tbe few short mo&thH of ex-

na»riuT0

your guilty husband!' A glimme of lanterns in the distance a sound of hoofs, tbe shouts of men sound or noois, inesoouui 01 u«u, •on vineed Mr that for once tbe craven humiliation to which he had subjected »M.«tk buv ur.H hia AnA rpHMminff Chftr2iCt6ra bad been forced into uttering tbe truth But one faet waa before ben they would send bim unsbriven into eternity. With dilated eyes, but with the speed of a machine driven by invisible force, she Kwept .down from the wall where it hnngablack dress of ber own, tossed it over her his shoulders, bung upon them tbe sbawl, and crushing ber sunhat upon his bead, whispered, hoarseIv 'Go! and never let me see you again! Butstay' Withaswilt move inent she snatched the child. 'Onft kiss, and may it burn into your heart its mother's undying hate. Here, take this purse it is all mine—-mine—do you bear ?—bestowed upon me in charity, by one of the gambling borde who surround you, to keep me from starving. Go!'

tho firrarinal infticht into hlB

tbe grndual insight into bis

real character tbe stormy year preceding this dreadful time tbe soorn and

her and his one redeeming characteristic of intense love for his child, when be chanced to be sober.

And what bad developed in bim tbe traits never suspected to exist when she first knew bim The demon of intemperance held him in dreadful thrall, Tbe madness that dwelt in tbe winecup had blighted life and made it a perpet ual misery. The bite of tbe serpent tbe sting of the adder—how fearfully sbe bad experienced these! And who bad tempted bim beyond control, and urged him into vice, profanity, aud wantonness? Wbo but these very men who came now to demand his life in expiation of his crime. For the first time in her lite, tbe strenirth of the temptation seemed revealed to her. For the first time Sbe felt some stirrings, faint indeed, yet vital, of pity and coin miser, ation for the uunted, doomed father ot her child.

Again sbe spoke—this time with stern bitter condemnation. She reminded tbe Vigilants of the temptation thrown in bis way, and denounced them as bis tempters. She argued that although they could imbibe intoxicating stimulants without feeling their eflects, they were nonej tbe less culpable than he. She pictured the glowing hopes of her own youth, the wreck and ruin of her womanhood, tbe shame resting upon the innocent head of her cbild. Sbe implored them, not for mercy to the criminal, but for compassion on the weak who were powerless to resist those poisosous stimulants. She spoke of tbe hopeless degradation, the mental imbecility, and moral baseness ot the druukard's life, and finally shear raigned them before high heaven, as creating tbe very crimes they sought to punish.

It was a strange sight to look upon, this beating, restless crowd, surging up to that small clearing, like a great storm-beaten wave, and hushed and chained there by the voice of a womau, which might have seemed like the still, small voice of an accusing conscience.

The restraint gave way at last. She had commanded their attention by the impreBsiveness of ber words, but the set purpose was not averted.

Where was Lester all this time And as the question rung from lip to lip, one and another entered thesmall doorway one of the men carefully lifting the basket containing the child upon the only tabie the room held. All in vain—Lester had escaped them and it might perhaps be truth to assert that not a few of them were glad to escape also the responsibility of hangman to the husband of Grace Lester. As for her— sbe was iron, -steel, stone—anything without seem'ng sense or feeling, during this dreadful hour. She had burled upon them the sense of guilt, and left it as a burden they could not elude. They did not speak of it- to each other—it had stricken too surely home.

Thev went away quietly—wet, draggled, foot-sore, in the now heavy rain, and buried the poor murdered boy, the gambling fraternity following him to bis last resting-place.

•Sbe hadn't ought to starve, if she did giV9 us h—11,' were the words uttered in the 'Big Saloon' the following evening, as tbe crowd gathered in after their late sopper. The man who spoke was a big broad-shouldered, devil may-care, sort of a fellow, and it was felt to be a relief that some one had been bold enough to give utterance to the thought which was uppermost with them all for tbe Lonely woman in the cabin bad been tbe source of some anxiety to the men sbe had so boldly reproved, and the uneasiness was visibly relieved when Bowen spoke.

Let's get up a subscrlp' for her, then,' said the mau—one of the better class— who had been leader of the Vigilants, and whose presence in the saloon was no sign that it was the inonte-table which had lured him thither. 'I sup pose she'll want to leave these dlggln's anyhow.

Hands were at once inserted into shabby vest-pockets, and the tens and twenties, and old-time fifty-dollar slugs,' which would perchance have been risked In the game, were briskly deposited upon tbe table.

Now, let go right off with it,' said Bowen. 'If we ain't more vigilant tban we were t'other night, she'U be off some-

I) ere loo Don't go in a mob, like.' said one more considerate tban the others. 'Ap point a committee, an' l^t 'em take it no use to scare her agen.1

Guess you're afeared of another lecture,' said Bowen 'but that's my mind too—draw lots who goex.'

Tbe lots fell to Bowen and Bob Smith the man who had proposed the subscription. •'Taint a job I like much, this,' said the former. 'I kind o' bate to faoe that woman an' as to drink, why I'm blamed if I can someho*' git my courage up to take a drop. Tell you what. Smith, that, was the severest thing I ever beard. With murder behind us, an' klllin' afore us, ai.* them great eyes o' hern flasbin' out like a—like a—' ''4

Banner,' skid Bob Smith. Banner be banged—like a conviction of sin. Tell vou what, Smith, I'm goin' to jtne the cold water and tea fellows henceforth that's my stripe.'

Drinking ia this place won't be as lively, I guess,' said Smitb, somewhat Stunned "by Bo won'8 announcement, as he was known to be one of the most reckless topers In the village. 'Whisky's at the bottom of all oussednesa. No whisky, no fitrbtin' no figbtin', no murder no murder, no Vigilance Com-

Beguiling the way with, snob talk, they reached Lester's. But no sign of life greeted them no smoke from the chimney no light in the window the dog was gone, toe house deserted. •Well—I swan !'said Bowen, 'not a thing to eat, either,' peering Into tbe cupboard. Tell yon what, that woman's gone to Iook altyer Mm. Gracioua goodness women Is contrary, after alL But what*s to be done?'

Follow, and bring ber back, for she will never come dp with Ned Leeter— he will make tracks quicker tban lightning, if I know bins.'

Winding In and out, clambering over the trunks of fallen trees, slipping ever &n<t anon Into the motet tlitny pltf&lls covered wUh rank verdure, they painfully penetrated deeper and deeper into the receaaea of the dangerous by-palbs. Broken branches here and there convinced tbein that aome one had beaten a rough, irregular way before them, and in one vielding pla«?e could be distinctly traced the mark of a dog's paw. Leaving them slowly progressing, we re to a

After the crowd left ber, which they did respectfully If not quietly, abe seemed long in reoovering bowelC. She t»*d by •ohm* fiaaden inspiration, *w*d them with the earnestness of her words.

wepssr.- W^4»4p»--.- .-• -.T^"" c-^p^wp-

V.l* •..*:• S.i ^V, "T'.y .tf'Sfcsifc.. '.' to. a: k*

ifcO MMU' jANtARY 3.1874.

But she bad felt also under the influim* of a new revelation herself. She t»at long dumbly conscious that some great revolution was taking place in her heart, and at last tbe smothered emotions fonnd vent iu copious healing tears. 'Unto those wbo forgive mucb, much shall be forgiven.' Dared she ask forgiveness for her mad frenzy of hatred and soorn

The man she once loved bore with him the remembrance of her last words, sealed with ber innocent baby's kisa. No—Bhe wonld seek bim with food she would aid bim in his disgraceful flight he should once more see bis child, and parting thus, learn from human pardon and pity the diviner compassion which transmutes the scarlet of sin iuto tbe whiieuess of purity.

Sh» hastily fed tbe dog, filled a basket with ueedful food, aud taking her baby, the three went out into thu dreary gray of earliest dawn. No terror could take possession of her now. Tue rude shock of the previous night bad steeled ber against aiiuor fears yet the wouianly seuse of dependence still clung about her, for Trusty pressed close to her side, and she laid the baby now aud then on bi jsbagxy back, where ue bore her as though he felt the responsibility of the burden.

They found him at last, with all the youth stricken out of his face, his hair olauched to tbe whiteness of SBOW trembling,, feeble, cowering with terror abject iu his bitter degraualion. He had wandered, running wildly with the horror of a violent death behind hiui, or crawling slowly on, in utter despair, to the damp edge of a slimy morass. He muttered as one in delirium. Suddenly be raised his eyes—all their sinister light was gone—dull aud hopeless with hunger and weariness. He saw her,and shrieked with dreadful apprehension. Had she coiue to betray him D.d she bate him so, after all, as to pursue him with vengeance, and give bim up to the avenging Vigilants?

Do not look so, Edward. Do not suspect me of baseness like that. But take this food it will revive you.' And then with rapid motion she gathered a few pine cones, lighted and placed upon them a small tin kettle of strong coffee. She put it, heated, to his lips. Sbe wrapped the heavy shawl round him, aud laid the child in his arms. Trusty, at his feet, put his shaggy head iu the baby's lap.

Take oack the kiss,' she said, 'as I take batk the words I uttered. I have come to help you—comfort and sustain you with a less bitter parting.'

Great heavy sobs—a sort of dumb agony—wrung the man prostrated there. He looked at her with glazed, tearless eyes he seemed uncomprehending at first, and then reaching out his ieeble band, would have touched her. Sbe saw tbe stain upon it, and involunta rily shrunk.

The strained, sensitive nerves of She murderer gave way. With a moan of wretchedness and pain, his lips clung for one moment to those of the child, and with a sudaen, searching glance at bis wife, his eyes closed in merciful oblivion.

It was at this moment that the two men searching for her discovered the sad group.

Hush she said, raising her hand, pity and pardon he is beyond the pale oi human judgment. Edward Lester is dead l' .,

Through a long, dreary illness, the Vigilants of were the tried and trusty friends and supporters of Grace Luster. Nor did the skillful physician or kind nurse suspect the souree of the lavish supply of delicaoies which always found their way into her neat and comfortable room. From some letters found in the cabin they ascertained the name and residence of her father, and learned the fact that she had carefully concealed from him all knowledge of the unworthiness of her husband, and the miseries of her unhappy wedded life. The baby was their especial idol, and even

after

tbe disbanding of tbe or

ganization, the little Grace was made the recipient of so many rare 'specimens' and rich 'nuggets,' that now, as sbe and her mother were about to return to the welcoming kindness of the rather wbo unwillingly mourned for the bereavement ef his darling Grace, soma thousands of dollars deposited with the small but ambitious banking establishment were molded Into 'bricks' for the uncor-sclous little one.

The 24th of December—Christmas eve and beside a cheerful anthracite fire in a pleasant house of Philadelphia an elderly gentleman sat, evidently expectant, for be rose occasionally to go to the window and look out. The lamplighter was going his rounds, and little jets of flame sprung up here and there along the block as he ignited the liberated gas.

Tbe ship must be in,' he said to the rather stately, middle-aged sister, who presided as housekeeper over his comfortable establishment 'I should have gone myself to meet darling Grace, but this gouty foot said, nav. How sbe lingers! And my grandchild !—I long to see her cherub face. A rare Christmas we shall have, sister. I never before appreciated the meaning of 'returned Cal ifornians .:

The fatted calf is killed,' said the lady, pleasantly and taking her brother's place at tbe window, she ouietly watched a carriage which had driven up unperceived amid the throng of noisy vehicles without. Asshe caught a glimpse Of a lady In deep mourning alighting, followed by a nurse, baby, and last a shaggy dog, Bhe turned toward him a face radiant wltb welcome, and exclaimed 'Thank God! tbey have come at last!' v: if

OA BE FOB DA UQSTESS. Would you sbow yeuraelt really good to your daughters? Then be generous to them in a truer sense than that of heaping trinkets on their necks. Twin them for independence first, and then labor to give it to them. Let them, as goon as ever they are grown up, have some little inoney, or means of making money, to be theirown, and teacb tbem boa to deal with it, without newling avery moment somebody to h«lp tbem* Calculate what you give them, or will bequeath to them, not, as is usually done, on tbe chances of their making a rich marriage, but on tb^ probability Of their remaining single, and according to the scale oi living to which voo have accustomed them. Suppress their luxuries now, if need be, but do not leave them with scarcely bare necessaries hereafter,in strikingcontrast to their present borne. Above all, help tbem to help themselves. Fit them to be able to add to their own names rather than to be forever pinching and economy in* till their minds ate narrowed and their hearts are stek. Give all the culture yon can to every power which they may ptwsniaa. If they shonld marry after all.thev wlllbe the happier and better for It. If tbey should remain among the million of the unmarried, they will bless you in your grave, and cay of yon what cannot be said of many a dotting parent by his surviving child, "My father caredtbat I should be happy after his death as well as while I was his pet and his toy."

jam

CONNUBIALITIE8.,v

:s'ii.

T. M. C. A. are tbe initials of a young lady in New Hampshire. Several young men are anxious to join her." "Kissing (by request") is the "heading of an article in a country exchange. Some people do not require an invitation.

Tbe sitting room of an Indianapolis couple is adorned with four divorces, handsomely framed, whioh tell sad tales of old-time love.

Sir Samuel tells us that the value of a girl in East Africa is two coWy. The American girl, on the contrary, sometimes gives herself up to a calf.- tilt costs an ultra-fashionable New Yorker $8 000 per year to belong to a fashionable club, and even then bis wife jaws around if he is out after midnight. "The evidence shows that be sot up with her nigbt after night, and they squose bands and talked soft, and I think she ought to have about §23 damages," was the charge of a Kansas judge to a jury in a breach-of-promise case.

The friends of a wit expressing some surprise that with his age and loudness of the bottle, be should have thought it worth while to marry. "A wife was necessary," be said "Th€\y began to say of me that I drank too much tor a single man."

A Green Bay woman, whose husband kicks ber down stairs every second night, says she likes to look over his old letters commencing with: "My dearest, darling little angel Minuie, heaven alone knows the depth of my or

A fair young cVefttuire, with a penchant for cards, thus addresses an epis tie to ber masculine friend "Come aud play youcur with me this evening." Ana he got mad, and said a "graduate" who had such spells as that was no right bower for htm.

Eighty-eight young ladies in Minnesota have banded together and agreed not to inarry any man who uses tobaccoin any form. The same number of men have banded together and agreed not to marry any female who uses paste, enamel, false hair, bustles and corsets.

A lady inSullivan, Ills., was recently granted a divorce from her husbahd with forty acres of land as Rlimotiy. Tbe same afternoon her former husband applied for a marriage license, and in the evening was married in the street, on horseback, to the lady of his second choice.

An inquisitive young man said to bis mother's brother, "Uncle James, bow is it that you and Aunt S trab never agree?" "Because, my boy, we are both of us of one mind, and have been so eversince We were married." "How is that, uncle? I don't understand you." "Why, my boy, you see she always wants to be master and so do I."

SITTING UP WITH. HER. "M. Quad," In Detroit Free Press! She was expecing him Sunday night the parlor curtains were down, the Old folks notified that it was healthy to go to bed at 8 o'clock, and Johnny bribed with a cent to permit himself to be tucked away at sundown. He sneaked up the path, one eye on tbe dog and the other watching for the "old man," who didn't like him any too well, gave a faint knock at tbe door and it was opened and he was escorted iuto tbe parlor. He sai4 he couldn't stay but a minute, though be didn't mean to go home for hours. She wanted to know how his mother was if his father had returned from rk State if his bro'Iter Bill's rheumatism was any better and be went overhand sat on the sofa ko as not to strain his voice. The conversation flagged, and be played with his hat and sbe nibbled at tbe sofa-tidy. He finally said it was a beautiful evenintf, and she replied that her grandfather predicted a snow storm. He said he guessed it wouldn't snow, as the moon wasn't crooked enough to bang a powder born on the end sbe said she didn't believe it would either.

Tbls mutual understanding seemed to give each other courage, and he wanted to know if she had seen Bill Jones lately. She had not, sbe said, and sbe didn't want to. Then she went to talking about tbe donation visit whioh was to be given Elder Berrv, aud be carelessly dropped his hand on hers—bis ght hand—while his left sneaked along Hie sofa to get behind her shoulders. She pretended not to notice it, and he looked down at his boots and wanted to know if she thought mutton tallow rotted out boots faster tban lard or lampblack. She couldn't say, but she had an idea that it did. He had )uat commenced to lock fingers with ber when she discovered something ailed the lamp. Sbe rose up abd turned the light down a half, making the room look dim. It took bim five minutes to get bold of ber fingers again sbe pretended to want to draw, her hand away all tbe

After a long pausA he lowered his voice to a whisper, and he said he didn't see what made folks love each other. Sbe bit her handkerchief and admitted her ignorance. He said that he could name a dozen young men that were going to get married rlgbt away, and bis left arm fell down and gave ber a bug. Then be went over and looked out of the window to make sure that it was or was oot going to snow, and, coming back, be turned the light dewn a little more, and then sat down and wanted to know it sbe didn't want to rest herself by leaning her bead on bis shoulder.

Ah, me! we bave all been there, and who of as cared cent when tbe old clock struck twelve, and wo five miles from home? The old man was fast asleep, the watch dog gone a visiting and the handsomest girl in the country didn't see why we need to be in a hqrry.

Perhaps I shouldn*t have written of this, but as I was going by Saunders' the other day thinking of the night 1 beard bim whisper in her ear at spelling school, that he'd love her very shadow as long as he lived, be raised the window and called to her, as she was picking up chips In the road:

Sue Saunders, come in here and find the bar's grease for my sore heel, or I'll break every bone in your body s*

THUSbciustabtOFWAA'S SiwWIVI.' —A Washington correspondent mentions the fact of Secretary Belknap bavio? taken a new wife, and adds the following, whioh is of interest to all tbe ladles: "The former lint. Belknap was pretty, btft too slender and delicate for tbe rMlly arduous duties of ber poSittera. Faying visits every day, "receiving" and dining every tight, wore upon her dreadfully, and sh» died, literally of society. Mrs. Bowers Belknap hi large and strong, and bandeone. If this description looka too mncb like materialism, it is,' nevertheless, the truth, and will carry Its owner through a lift that was fttai to her sister. Ft takes a deal of strength to tnrnish the vivacity and brilliancy of tbe successful society queen, youBg ladies so pnt on thick shoes, ride and walk, eat beef, and drink beef tea (ae$be ladles do here,) that you may be queens."

T?WPW*MP*!^®!5W!.-.av

FLASHES

[Ffom theSanbaiy News, Dee. 27.) The mud is thicker than cousins. theorist is a man who Visit*the sick in new boots, ma

The furore for dlarlf$~l8~nptfnTus again. Tbe man who will make a dtary that is "warranted to keep," wias a future.

Just as soon as a man becomes unfortunate in money matters, natorsbombards bim with boils. We don't understand it.

A family on Pine street had an oyster supper, Saturday evening, and borrowed a very handsome Bible to set off their centre table.

An unusul number of

Encouraged by the extraordinary uncoess which has attended the publication or The SATURDAY EVENINU MAIL, the publisher has perfected arrangements by whioh it will henceforth be one of the mo&t popular papers in tbe West. Commencing on

October 1st, 1873,

Until further notice, each new subscriber, and all old subscribers who renew tbeir 8ub«crlpUonii, will be U1VEN a oopy of our Chromo "GOOD MORNING," Such a picture cannot be purchased of the retail dealers for less than POUR DOLLARS.

Tho 8ATURDA EVENl NO MAIL t» an independent Weekly Newspaper, elegantly printed on eight pages of book paper, and aims to be, in every sense, a Family Paper. With this aim in view, nothing will appear In its column* that cantfot be read aloud in the most refined fireside circle.

ILCSBINQ WITH OTHER PERI* OOI«ALS. We are enabled to offer extraordinary Inducements In the way ot clubbing with other periodicals. We will furnish theSATURDAY EVENING MAIL, PRICE 12.00 PER YEAR, and Chromo, "GOOD MORNING," with any of the periodicals enumerated below at greatly reduced rates. These periodicals will be sent direct from the ofllcm of publication. Here is tbe llxt: 8EMI-WEEKLY. Semi-Weekly New York Trlfenne, price, 18.00, The Marti and ^Chromo 80 ri-fui .••• -^fSBKLT PAPERS. Indianapolis Journal, price 12.00,

The Man aud Chromo— Indianapolis Sentinel, price 1240, Tbe Mall and Chromo ft. Y. Tribune, price 18.00, The Mail and Cbrouio— Toledo Blade, price $2.00, The Mall and Chromo ST. T. World, price &00, Tbe Mail and Chromo nr. T. San. The Mail and Chromo Prairie Farmer, price t2.G0, Tbe

Mail and Chromo....

a-*^J

Ip$opl0'siye

car

rying their bands in their pockets^ there being nothing^ in their pockets to interfere with the indulgence.

The skunk is no respector of persons. He is just as friendly to tbe owner of one suit of clothes as to the owner of a dozen, and, if anything, a trifle more so.

The Norwich Bulletin says "they have a new dance in Mystic which they call Ekuriiokojakokohatchekatcbeekudon jako." We should like to bear them call it.

Two hearts that beat as one are singularly obvious to mud. We never knew a man in love to circulate a petition for a new pavement or an additional lamp post.

A unique device in holiday calls is small cut-glass bottles ot castor oil, each bottle containing a half-dozen doses, and prettily trimmed with bril-liantly-colored ribbons.

THE

SATURDAY EVMDf«

MAIL,

Fer the Tear 1873-74.

TERMS:

One year, (with chromo) 12.0# Six mouths, (without chromo) $1.00 Three months, (without chromo) GO ots.

Mall and otllca Subscriptions will. Invariably, be discontinued at expiration of time paid for.

t8 60

860 8 SO 8 SO 8 60 8 CO 860

Mail and Chromo....... Western Rural, price *2.50, Tho Mail and Chromo Ctoleaico Advance, price $3.00, Tbe

860 4 60 4(0 835 6(0 4 36 4 26

Mall and Chromo......... Cbleairo Interior, price I2JS0, The Mali and Chromo— ......... Chicago I»i«H»ff«n, price S1.G0,

TheMall and Chromo Annleten's Journal, price N.00r Tne Mail and Chromo Rural New Yorker, price f&M,

Tbe Mail and Chromo Hearth and Home, prioe *8.00,• The Mail and Chromo...... —. Metbodlst, price tLBO, The Mail and

Chromo Harper** Weekly, price RW, Tbe Mail and Chroruo.... Harper's Rasar, price $4.00, The

8 60

660 666

MONTHLIES.

Peterson's Mnsrastne price 12.W,The Mall and Chromo........ American Afrrlenltnrlst, price fLfiO, The Mail and Chromo.... Demore*i's Monthly, price 13,00,

I year, TheMall and Chromo..

,-Hh 13 60 3 00 4 2&

yd Lady's Book, prioe ftw, The Mail and Chromo Little Corporal, priee $US0, Tbe

4 60

Mail aud Chromo.... gcrfbner'e Monthly, price, t4A0, The Mail and CThromo.. Atlantle Monthly, price $4.00, The

SCO 5(0 860 S«0

Mall and Chromo.. Onr Yonnsr Polks, pr'.re The Mail and Cbromo —.. OM and Hew, prioe |4A, Tbe Mai) and Chrsmo .... Overland Hesthly, price, KMt

The Mall and Cisromo. ..-j. Harper's Magraslne, price Hw, Tbe Mail and Chromo,.. Youns Polks Rural, The MaU and

Chromo.

6 0 6 0

•t Hisholaa. (Scribner A Co new Magazine 'or Boys and Girls,} price fSJtoTThe Mall and Chromo..-.—^ 4®

OLCBBIXfl WITH COtTNTT PAPER® We bave made arrangements to furnisb tbe Mail, wltb Chromo, "Good Morning" and any one of the Newspapers in the ualghborfcoed ef Terfe-Ksnte *1J /or t&M,

JUST LOOK AT IT! *r

Tbe Mail,

All these ffltifWT worth)—for$8-60. A4dress P. ft. WESTPAUL*^, Pmbltaher Saturday Evening Mai),

TKRRB-HAUTS, IKCD.