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Vol XXXVI —Whole Xo. 1 899, Rates of Advertising. One square, 18 lines, 1 time 50 " 2 times 75 3 44 1.00 1 mo. 1.25 3 " 2.50 6 " 4.00 " 1 year 6.00 2 squares, 3 times 2.U0 " 3 mos. 3.50 Communications recommending persons for office, must be paid in advance at the rate of 25 cents per square. iSoetrw, LIFE IS SWEET. '• <)b, life is sweet!" said a merrv child . '• And 1 love, 1 love to roam In the meadows green, 'neath the sky serene—• Oh ! the world is a fairy home. There are trees hung thick with blossoms fair, And flowers gay and bright ; There's the moon's clear ray, and the sun-lit day, Oh, the world is a world of light!" Oh, life is sweet !" said a gallant youth, As he conn'd the storied page ; And he ponder'd on the days bv-gone, And the fame of a former age. There was hope in his bright and beaming eye, And he longed for riper years ; lie clung to life—he dared its strife— lie felt no dread nor fear. 44 Oh, life is sweet!" came merrily From the lips of a fair young bride ; And a happy smile she gave the while To the dear one by her side. 41 Oh, life is sweet! for we shall live Our constancy to prove ; Thy sorrows mine, my trials thine, Our solace in our love !" " Oh, life is sweet!" said a mother fond, As she gazed on her helpless child ; And she closer pressed to her gladdened breast Her babe, who unconscious, smiled. 44 My life shall be for thee, my child, Pure, guiltless, as thou art; And who shall dare my soul to tear From the tie that forms a part:" " Oh, life is sweet!" said an aged sire, Whose eye was sunk and dim ; His form was bent, his strength was spent— Could life be sweet to him ? Oh, yes ; for round the old man's chair His children's children clung ; And each dear face and warm embrace Made life seem ever young Thus life is sweet, from early^outh To weak, enfeebled age ; Love twines with life, through care and strife, In every varied stage. Though rough, perchance, the path we tread, And dark the sky above. In every state there's something yet To live for and to love. "k Select Calc. THE Ci t HOLER'S REV EKE. RECOLLECTIONS OF A POLICE OFFICER. A little more than a year after the peri od when adverse circumstances—chief! y the result of my own reckless follies— compelled me to enter the ranks of the me tropolitan police, as the sole means left me of procuring food and raiment, the atten tion of one of the principal chiefs of the force was attracted towards me by the in genuity and boldness which I was sup posed to have manifested in hitting upon and unravelling a clue which ultimately led to the conviction and punishment of the perpetrators of an artistically-contrived fraud upon an eminent tradesman of the AV est End of London. The chief sent for me ; and after a somewhat lengthened conversation, not only expressed approba tion of mv conduct in the particular mat ter under discussion, but hinted that he might shortly need my services in other affairs requiring intelligence and resolution. " I think I have met you before," he remarked with a meaning smile on dis missing me, 44 when you occupied a differ ent position from your present one ? Do not alarm yourself; I have no wish to pry unnecessarily into other men's secrets. "Waters is a name common enough in all ranks of society, and I may, you know —here the cold smile deepened in ironical expression— 44 be mistaken. At all events the testimony of the gentleman whose re commendation obtained you admission to the force—l have looked into the matter rince 1 heard of yonr behaviour in the late business—is a sufficient guarantee thai nothing more setious than imprudence and folly can he laid to your charge. I have neither right nor inclination to inquire fur ther. To-morrow, in all probability, I shall send for you." 1 came to the conclusion, as 1 walked homewards, that the chiefs intimation ol having previously met me in another sphere of life was a random and unfound ed one, as 1 had seldom visited London in my prosperous days, and still more rarely mingled in ip> society. My wife, how ever, to whom I of course related the sub stance of the conversation, reminded ine that lie had once been at Doncaster during tlte races; and suggested that he might possibly have seen and noticed mc there, fhis was a sufficiently probable ex plana "otj of the hint, but whether the correct one or not, I cannot decide, as he never afterwards alluded to the subject, and I h'tl nut the slightest wish to renew it. Three days elapsed before I received '!"• expected summons. On waiting on bin, 1 was agreeably startled to lind that ! was to he at once employed on a mission Licit the most sagacious and experienced 'I detectjve officers would have felt lioii ' • undertake. 2 squares, G mos. $5.00 " 1 year 8.00 A column, 3 mos. 6.00 6 44 10.00 " 1 year 15.00 1 column, 3 mos. 10.00 " 6 " 15.00 44 1 year 25.00 Notices before mar riages, &c. sl2. I was about to reply—fur I was sillv enough to feel somewhat nettled at ihe no ble lady's haughtiness of manner—that 1 was engaged in the puhlic service of extir pating a gang of swindlers with whom her son had involved himself, and was there to procure front her ladyship any information she might be- possessed of, likdy to fur ward so desirable a result; but fortunately the remembrance of my actual position, spite of my gentleman's attire, flashed viv idly upon nty mind; and instead of permitting my glib tongue to wag irrever ently in the presence of a right honorable, I bowed with deferential acquiescence. Her ladyship proceeded, and 1 in sub stance obtained the following information : Mr. Charles Merton during the few months which had elapsed since the at tainment of his majority, had very literal ly 44 fallen amongst thieves." A passion tor gambling seemed to have taken entire possession of his mind, and by far the greater part of his haggard and feverish life was passed at play. A run of ill luck, according to his own belief-—but in very truth a run of downright robbery—had set in against him, and he had not only dissipated all the ready money which he had inher ited, and the large sums which the foolish indulgence of his lady mother had sup plied him with, hut had involved himself in bonds, lulls, and other obligations to a frightful amount. The principal agent in effecting this ruin was one Sandford—a man of fashionable and dashing exterior, and the presiding spirit of the knot of desperadoes whom 1 was commissioned to hunt out. Strange to say, Mr. Merton had the blindest reliance upon this man's honor ; and even now—tricked, despoiled as he had been by him and his gang—re lied upon his counsel and assistance for escape from the. desperate position in which he was involved. The Everton estates had passed, in default of male is sue, to a distant relative of the late lord ; so that ruin, absolute and irremediable, stared both the wretched dupe and his rel ative in the face. Lady Everton's joint ure was not a very large one, and her son had been permitted to squander sums which should have been devoted to the discharge of claims which were now pressed harshly against her. I listened with the deepest interest to Lady Everton's narrative. Repeatedly, during the course of it, as she incidentally j alluded to the manners and appearance of j Sandford, who h:id been introduced by Mr. Merton to his mother and sister, a suspi- > eion, which the police papers had first awakened, that the gentleman in question was an old acquaintance of my own, and one, moreover, whoso favors I was ex tremely desirous to return in kind, Hashed ; with increased conviction across my mind, j This surmise I of course kept to myself; and after emphatically cautioning the la dies to keep our proceedings a profound secret front Mr, Merton, I took my leave, •The name* mentioned in this narrative are, for obvious reasons, fictitious iPiEnsjoPHiis) " Here is a written description of the persons of this gang of blacklegs, swind lers and forgers," commenced the commis sioner, summing up his instructions. "It will he your object to discover their pri vate haunts, and secure legal evidence of their nefarious practices. We have been hitherto baffled, principally, I think, through the too hasty zeal of the officers employed ; you must especially avoid that error. They are practiced scoundrels; and it will require considerable patience, as well as acumen, to unkennel and bring them to justice. One of their more re cent victims is young Mr. Morton, son, bv a former marriage, of the Dowager Lady Everton.* llcr ladyship has applied to us for assistance in extricating him from the toils in which he is meshed. Vou will call on her at five o'clock this afternoon— in plain clothes Gf course—and obtain whatever information she may be able to afford. Remember to eommuuieate di rectly with me ; and any assistance you require shall be promptly rendered."— With these and a few other minor direc tions, needless to recapitulate, 1 was dis missed to a task which, difficult and pos sibly perilous as it might prove, 1 hailed as a delightful relief from the wearing monotony and dull routine of ordinary duty. 1 hastened home ; and after dressing with great care—the best part of mv ward robe had been fortunately saved by Emilv from the wreck of my fortunes, I proceed ed to Lady Everton's mansion. I was immediately marshalled to the drawing room, where I found her ladyship and her daughter—a beautiful, fairy-looking girl— awaiting my arrival. Lady Everton ap peared greatly surprised at my appearance, differing, as I dare say it altogether did, from her abstract idea of a policeman, however attired or disguised ; and it was not till she had perused the note of which I was the bearer, that haughty and incred ulous stare became mitigated to a glance ol lofty condescending civility. 44 Be seated, Mr. Waters," said her la dyship, waving to a chair. 44 This note informs me that you have been selected for the duty of endeavoring to extricate my son from the perilous entanglements in which he has unhappily involved him self." FRIDAY EVEXIXCJ, AtCIST 30, 1850, amply provided with the resources requi site for carrying into effect the scheme which 1 had resolved upon. I also ar ranged that, instead of waiting personally on her ladyship, which might excite ob servation and suspicion, I should report progress by letter through the post. " If it should be he !" thought I, as 1 emerged into the street. The bare suspi cion had sent the blood through my veins with furious violence. "If this Sandford be, as I suspect, that villain Cardon, suc cess will indeed be a triumph—victory ! Lady Everton need not in that ease seek to animate my zeal by promises of money recompense. A blighted existence, a voting and gentle wife by his means cast down lrom opulence to sordid penury, would stimulate the dullest craven that ever crawled the earth to energy and action. Pray heaven my suspicion prove correct ; and then, oh mine enemy, look well to yourself, for the avenger is at your heels ?" Sandford, I had been instructed, was usually present at the Italian Opera during the ballet ; the box lie generally occupied was designated in the memoranda of the police ; and as I saw by the bills that a very successful piece was to be performed that evening, I determined on beintf pre sent. I entered the house a few minutes past ten o'clock, just after tlte commencement ol the balle', and looked eagerly round. The box in which I was instructed to seek my ruan was empty. 'l'he momentary disappointment was soon repaid. Five minutes had not elapsed when Cardon, looking more insolently triumphant than ever, entered arm in arm with a pale aris tocratic looking young man, whom 1 had no difficulty, from his striking resemblance to a portrait in Lady Everton's drawing room, in deciding to be Mr. Merton. My course of action was at once determined on. Pausing only to master the emotion which the sight of the glittering reptile in whose poisonous fuhls I had been involved and crushed inspired, 1 passed to the op posite side of the house, and boldly en tered the box. ('anion's bark was to wards me. and I tapped him lightly on the shoulder. Ho turned quickly routid ; and if a basilisk had confronted him, he could scarcely have exhibited greater terror and surprise. My aspect, nevertheless, was studiously bland and conciliating, and my outstretched hand seemed to invite a re newal of our old friendship. 44 Waters!" he at last stammered, fee bly accepting my proffered grasp— *• who would have thought of meeting you here ?" 44 Not you, certainly, since you stare at an old Iriend as if he were some frightful goblin about to swallow yon. Really—" " Hush ? Let us speak together iu the lobby. An old friend, he added in answer to Mr. Merton's surprised stare. 44 We will return in an instant." 44 V hy, what is all this, Waters ?" said Cardon, recovering his wonted sang fruid the instant we were alone, 44 I understood you had retired from amongst us ; were in fact—what sliail 1 say ?" 44 Ruined—done up ! Nobody should know that better than you." 44 My good fellow, you do not imagine"— 44 I imagine nothing, inv dear Cardon. 1 was very thoroughly done—done brown, as it is written in the vulgar tone. But fortunately my kind old uncle" Tassgrove is dead !" replied my old acquaintance, eagerly jumping to a con clusion, 44 and you are his heir ! 1 con gratulate you, my dear fellow. This is indeed a charming reverse of circuuistan- 44 Acs, but mind, I have given tip the old game. No more dice deviltry for me. 1 have promised Emily never even to touch a card again." flic cold, hard eye of an incarnate fiend —lie was little else—gleamed mockingly as these 44 good intentions" of a practised garr.cstcr fell upon his ear; but he only replied, 44 Very good ; quite right, my dear boy. But come let me introduce you to Mr. Merton, a highly connected person age, I assure you. By the by, Waters," he added in a caressing, confidential tone, my name, for family and other reasons 44 which I will hereafter explain to you, is for the present Sandford." 44 Sandford !" 44 Acs: do not forget. But allons or the ballet will be over." 1 was introduced in due form to Mr. Merton as an old and esteemed friend, whom he-—Sandford—had not seen for many months. At the conclusion of the ballet, Sandford proposed that we should adjourn to the European Coffee house, nearly opposite. This was agreed to, and out we sallied. At the top of the stair case, we jostled against the commissioner, who, like us, was leaving the house, lie bowed slightly to Mr. Merton's apology, and his eye wandered briefly aud coldly over our persons ; but not the faintest sign of interest or recognition escaped him. 1 thought it possible he did not know me in my changed apparel; but looking back after descending a few steps, 1 was quick ly undeceived. A sharp, swift glance, ex pressive both of encouragement and sur prise, shot out from under his penthouse brows, and as swiftly vanished. He did not know how little I needed spurring to lite goal we had both in view ! We discussed two or three bottles of wine with much gaiety and relish. Sand ford especially was in exuberant spirits ; brimming over with brilliant anecdote and sparkling badinage. lie saw in me a t fresh, rich prey, and his eager spirit revelled I by anticipation in the victory which he ! nothing doubted to obtain over my 44 ex cellent intentions and wife pledged virtue." About halt past twelve o'clock he proposed to adjourn. llt is was eagerly assented to i hy Mr. Merlon, who had fur some time exhibited unmistakable symptoms of im patience and unrest, 44 Aou will accompany us. Waters ?" said Sandford, as we rose to depart. ■ 4 I here is, I suppose, no vow registered in the matrimonial archives against looking on at a game played by others ?" 44 Oh no ; but don't ask me to play." 44 Certainly notand a devilish"sneer curled his lip. 44 Your virtue shall suffer no temptation, he assured." We soon arrived before the door of a quiet, respectable looking house, in one of the streets leading from the Strand ; a low, peculiar knock, given by Sandford, was promptly answered ; then a password which I did not catch, was whispered by hint through the key-hole, and we passed in. We proceeded up stairs to the first floor, the shutters of which were carefully closed, so that no intimation of what was going on could possibly reach the street. The apart ment was brilliantly lighted ; a roulette table and dice and cards were in full ac tivity ; wine and liquors of all varieties were profusely paraded. There wore about hall a dozen persons present, I soon discovered, besides the gang, and that com prised eleven or twelve well dressed des peradoes, whose sinister aspects induced a momentary qualm lest one or more of the pleasant party might suspect or recog nize my vocation. This, however, I re jected, was scarcely possible. My beat, during tite short period I had been in the lorce, was far distant from the usual haunts of such gentry, and I was otherwise un known in London. Still questioning "lances were eagerly directed towards mv intro ducer; and one big burlv fellow, a foreigner —the rascals were lite scum of various countries—was very unpleasantly inquisi torial. " J'en repouds," 1 heard Sandford say in answer to his iterated queries ; and he added something in a whisper which brought a sardonic smile to the fellow's lips, aud indueed a total change in his de meanor towards myself. This was reas suring ; for though provided with pistols, I should, 1 felt, have little chance with such utterly reckless ruffians as thoe bv whom I was surrounded. Play was proposed : and though at first stoutly refusing, I feigned to be gradually overcome bv irresistible temptation, and sat down to blind hazard with my foreign Iriend for moderate slakes. 1 was graciously allowed to win ; and in the end found myself richer in devil's money by about ten pounds. Mr. Merton was soon absorbed in the chances of the dice, and lost large sums, for which, when the money he had brought with hint was exhausted, lie ga\e written acknowledge ments. Ihe cheating practised upon him was rt ally audacious : and any one but a tyro must have repeatedly detected it. He, however, appeared not to entertain the slightest suspicion of the 44 fair-play" of his opponents, guiding himself entirely bv the advice of his iriend and counsellor, Sandford, who did not himself play. The amiable assemblage broke up about six in the morning, each person retiring singly by the back way, receiving, as he departed, a new password for the next evening. A few hours afterward 1 waited on the commissioner to report the state of affairs. He was dt lighted with the fortunate debut I had made, but still strictly enjoined pa tience and caution. It would have been easy, as I was in possession of the pass word, to have surprised tlte confederacy in the act ol gaming that very evening; but litis would only have accomplished a part of the object aimed at. Several of the fraternity—Sandford tyrtong the number— were suspected of offering forged foreign bank notes, and it was essential to watch narrowly tor legal evidence to insure their conviction. It was also desirable to restore, ii possible, the property and securities of which Mr. Merton had been pillaged. Nothing of especial importance occurred for seven or eight days. (.Liming went on as usual every evening, and Mr. Merton became, of course, more and more involved: even his sister's jewels—which lie had surreptitiously obtained, to such a depth of degradation will this frightful vice plunge men otherwise honorable—had been staked and lost, and he was, by tlte advice of Sandford, about to conclude a heavy mort gage on his estate, in order not only to clear off his enormous 44 debt of honor," but to acquire fresh means of 44 winning back"— the ignis fatuus of all gamblers—his tre mendous losses! A new preliminary 44 dodge" was, 1 observed, now brought into action. Mr. Merton esteemed himself a knowing hand at 44 ecarteit was in troduced ; and he was permitted to win every game he played, much to the appa rent annoyance and discomfiture of tlte losers. As this was precisely the snare into which I had myself talleti, I of course the more readily detected it, and felt quite satisfied that a 44 grand coup" was medita ted. In the moan time 1 had not been idle. Saudlord was 44 confidential!\ " informed that I was only waiting in London to re ceive between four and live thousand pounds —part of uncle Passgrove's legacy—<tnd then intended immediately to hasten back to canny Yorkshire. To have seen lite villain's eyes as 1 incidentally, as it were, announced my errand and intention ! They fairly flashed with infernal glee! Ah, Sandford, Sandford ! you were, with all your cunning, hut a sand-blind idiot to be lieve the man you had wronged and ruined could so easily forget the debt he owed you! The crisis came swiftly on. Mr. Mer ton's mortgage money was to be paid on the morrow ; and on that day, too, I an nounced the fabulous thousand's receivable by me were to be handed over. Mr, Mor ton, elated by his repeated triumphs at ecarte, and prompted by his friend Sand lord, resolved, instead of cancelling the bonds and obligations held by th.e conspir ators, to redeem his losses by staking on tiiat game his ready money against those liabilities. This was at lirst demurred to with much apparent earnestness by the winners ; hut Mr. Merton, warmly sec onded by Sandford, insisting upon the con cession, as he deemed it, it was linallv agreed that ecarte should be the game by which he might hope to regain the fortune and peace of mind he had so rashly squan dered ; the last time, should he be success ful—and was ho not sure of success ?—he assured Sandford he would never again handle cards or dice. lie should have heard the mocking merriment with which the gang heard Sandford repeat this reso lution to amend his ways— when he should have recovered back his wealth ! The day so eagerly longed for by Mer ton and the confederates—bv the spoilers and their prey—arrived, aud I awaited with feverish anxiety the coming on of night. Only the chief conspirators—eight in number—were to be present; and no stranger except myself—a privilegel owed to the moonshine legacy I had just received —was to be admitted to this crowning tri umph of successful fraud. One only hint I had ventured to give Mr. Morton, and that only under a promise, 44 on his honor as a gentleman," of inviolable secrecy. It was this :— 44 Be sure before commencing play to-morrow night, that the bonds and obligations you have signed, the jewels you have lost, with a sum in notes or gold to make up an equal amount to that which you mean to risk is actually on the table." He promised to insist on this condition. It involved much more than he dreamt of. My arrangements were at length thor ougltiy complete ; and a few minutes past twelve o'clock the whispered password ad mitted me into the house. An angry alter cation was going on. Mr. Merton was insisting, as 1 had advised, upon the exhi bition of a sum equal to that which he had brought with him—for, confident of win ning, he was determined to recover his losses to the last farthing ; and although his bonds, bills and obligations, his sister's jewels, and a large amount in gold and genuine notes was produced, there was siiil a heavy sum deficient. 44 Ah, by the by," exclaimed Sandford, as I entered, 44 Waters can lend you the sum for an hour or two—fur a 4 consideration.' " he added in a whisper, 4> it will soon be returned." 44 No, thank you," 1 answered coldly. •' 1 never part with rav money till I have lost it." A malignant scowl passed over the scoun drel s features, but he made no reply. Ulti mately it was decided that one of the fra ternity should be despatched in search of the required amount. He was gone about hall an hour and returned with a bundle ol notes. They were, as I hoped and ex pected. forgeries on foreign hanks. Mr. Merlon looked at and counted them, and play commenced. As it went on, so vividly did the scenes recall the evening that had witnessed my own ruin, that 1 grew dizzy with excite ment, and drained tumbler after tumbler of water to allay the fevered throbbing of my veins. The gamblers were fortunately too much absorbed to heed inv agitation.— Merton lost continuously, without pause or intermission. The stakes were doubled, trebled, quadrupled ! His brain was on fire ; and he played or rather lost with the recklessness of a madman. 44 Hark ! what's that ?" suddenly ex claimed Sandford. from whose satanic fea tures the mask he had so long worn before Merton hail been gradually slipping. 44 Did you not hear a noise below My ear had caught the sound, and 1 could better interpret it than he. It ceased. *' Touch the signal bell. Adolphe," add ed Sandford. IV ot only the play but the very breathing of the villains was suspended as they lis tened for the reply. It cante. The answering tinkle sounded once—twice—thrice. 44 All right!" shout- j ed Sand ford, 44 proceed ! The farce is nearly played out." I had instructed the officers that two of them, in plain clothes, should present them selves at the front door, obtain admission by means of the password 1 had given them, and immediately seize and gag the doorkeeper. I had also acquainted them with the proper answer to the signal ring —three distinct pulls at the bell handle communicating with the first tloor, Their comrades were then to be admitted, and : lhr\ w 're all to silently ascend the stairs, j Sen Series Vol. t—Xo. !♦?. and wait on the landing till summoned by me to enter and seize the gamesters. The hark entrance to the house was also secure ly hut unobtrusively watched. One only fear disturbed me ; it was lest the scoundrels should take alarm in suffi cient time to extinguish the lights, destroy the forged papers, and possibly eseape by some private passage which might, un known to me, exist. Housing myself, as soon as the play was resumed, from the trance of memory bv which 1 had been in some sort absorbed, and first ascertaining that the handles of my pistols were within easy reach—for 1 knew I was playing a desperate game with desperate men—l rose, stepped carelessly to the door, partially opened it, and bent forward, as if listening for a repetition of the sound which had so alarmed the com pany. To my great delight the landing up stairs was filled with police officers—silent and stern as death. 1 drew back, and walked towards the table at which Mr. Merton was seated The last stake—an enormous one—was being played for.— Merton lost, lie sprang upon his feet, death-pale, despairing, overwhelmed, and a hoarse execration surged through his clenched teeth. Sandford and his associ ates coolly raked their plunder together, their features lighted up with fiendish glee. " Villain < —traitor!—miscreant!" shriek ed Mr. Merton, as if smitten with sudden frenzy, and darting at Sandford's throat : " you, devil that you are, have undone, destroyed me !" " -No doubt of it," calmly replied Sand ford, shaking oil his victim's grasp ; " and I think it has been very artistically and effectually done, too. Sniveling, inv line fellow, will scarcely help you much." Mr. Merton glared upon the taunting villain in speechless agony and rage. " Not quite so fast, Cardon, if you please," I exclaimed, at the same time taking up a bundle of forged notes. "It does not ap pear to me that Mr. Merlon has played against equal stakes, for unquestionable this paper is not genuine," ,4 Dog !" roared Sandford, " do you hold your life so cheap ?" and he rushed to words me, as if to seize the forged notes. I was as quick as he, and the levelled tube of a pistol sharply arrested his eager onslaught. The entire gang gathered near us, ilaming with excitement. Mr. Merton looked bewikleredly from one to another, apparently scarcely conscious of what was passing around him. " Wrench the papers from him!" screamed Sandford, recovering his energy. " Seize him—stab, strangle him !" " Look to yourself, scoundrel !" I shout ed with equal vehemence. " Your liour is come ! Officers, enter and do your duty !" In an instant the room was filled with police ; and surprised, panic-stricken, par alyzed by the suddenness of the catastrophe, the gang were all secured without the slight est resistance, though most of them were armed, and marched off in custody. Three—Sandford. or Cardon, (but he had half a dozen aliases,) one of them— were transported tor life; the rest were sen tenced to various terms of imprisonment. My task was effectually accomplished. M v superiors were pleased to express very warm commendation of the manner in which I had acquitted myself; ami the first step in the promotion which ultimately led to mv present position in another branch of the public service was soon afterwards conferred upon me. Mr. Merton had his bonds, obligations, jewels, and money re stored to him ; and, taught wisdom by ter rible experience, never again entered a gaming-house. Neither he nor his lady mother was ungrateful for the service I had boon fortunate enough to render them. PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENT. —•• .Mo ther," asked a six foot gawky, after two hours of brown study, •• what did you and dad used to do when he came a Yourtin you ?" " Good airtli and seas ! what do von mean Jededia V "Why f went a courtin* last Sunday night—l went to Deacon Doolittle's to see Peggy, and she told me I didn't know how to court. 1 asked her to show me how, and says she. *• Ax your inarm." So now 1 want to know what you and father did." "La ! suz ! Whv. Jed, we used to set by the fire and eat roast turkey and min -e pics, and drink cider, and watch the crick ets running round the hearth." " Good gracious i times ain't as ucsd to was, mother, that's sarlain ; I was all slicked up to kill and looking tariu" sertimpslms, and the only thing Peg gin me was a raw pickle." Lvrtc.r FISH.—A salmon weighing nine pounds, was captured a short distance above town by a young man named .Mil ler, in the following singular manner: The lish made a leap after a finnv strag gler of a " smaller fry," and found him self lodged in a rifllc or shallow place, * where he was discovered and struck by a stone from the hands of Miller, (who ap pears to be a good shot,) and while floun dering about, stunned, was easily captured. The young man disposed of hispriae at a shilling a pound, which yielded him sum of $1 08 ets. for his trouble, 1 uis. we think, comes near to * 4 shooting shad with a rail !" — Has iabur* 7;i/ 7/g. ,i<\;