Mariposa Democrat. [volume], July 16, 1857, Image 1

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illaripoGa Democrat.
WARREN UAER, KilUor ami Pnblluher.
YOL. 1.
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.
6. A. MERRITT ALKX. DBKBINO.
JftERRtTT Sf DEEMUJTG,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW.
Office on Main street, between Fourth and Fifth,
MARIPOSA. altf
ALEX. PEERING, NOTARY PUBLIC.
Henry G. Worthington,
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW.
Office in Fremont's Adobe Hou.se, corner Main and Fifth sts.
altf MARIPOSA.
R . H. DALY,
COUNSELLOR AT LAW;
DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND NOTARY PUBLIC;
MARIPOSA.
Office in the Court House Building. nB-tf
SAMI. D ALISON D. U. HARRIS.
ALISON & HARRIS,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
MARIPOSA .
Office on Miin, between Fourth and Fifth Sts.
Alt'
B. B. Hall,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
■MERCED FALLS, MERCED COUNTY. altt
J. S. WATTS,
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOE TOWNSHIP No. 3
OHo. mi Mam atr«.t, two floor. Below the Poat Ofllec,
MARIPOSA. altt
ALFRED F. WASHBURN,
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOE TOWNSHIP No. 3,
OFFICE IN MARIPOSA. Alii
Hr. H. J. Paine,
DENTIST,
I.ATE OF THE FIRM OF PAINE 4 DFFJLS, DENTISTS,
SAN FRANCISCO,
Is now permanently located at
II O R N I T O S,
-\TriIERK HE WILL BE HAPPY TO ATTEND TOCATJ.S
yy in his profession. Having, during an extensive pne
tice of seventeen years, made many improvements in the
Dental Art, and assisted materially in bringing it toils pres
•nt high state of perfection, he feels warrant*- 1 in say in* to
all tho-*e wishing Dental operations performed, or Artificial
Teeth inserted, on fine gold plate, that his work cannot he
excelled in the United States. Terms moderate. Consulta
tions free.
N. B- Dr. P. will make, occasionally, professional visits
to the neighboring Towns, when he will attend persons at
their residences, upon application, either by letter or other
wise.
DR, W. S. KAVANAUGH.
OmCK-OK MAIN STREET, OPPOSITE DR. HDBBELL’B
DAGUERREAN GALLERY, MARIPOSA. nl tf
DR. JAMES L. CLARKE.
OFFICE “PINE TREE HOUSE,” CORNER FIFTH AND
MAIN STREETS, MARIPOSA. altf
DR. THOMAS PAYNE.
O^Offici —At Dr. A. D. Boyce's Drug Store, opposite
the Tosemlte Hotel, Mariposa,—where he may be consulted
at all hours. altf
J. B. I S BAI L,
DENTIST,
MAIN STREET, MARIPOSA,
Formerly of Philadelphia, (penn.) is perma
neotlr located in Mariposa, having a comfortable and
eeavea&eut Office, next door to the Pacific Express, with all
tke neceaaary Instruments and appliances. Will do any
kind of work that pertains to the profession of Dentistry, in
a manner which shall give entire satisfaction, or the money
refunded. Artificial Teeth inserted on Gold Plate or on
Pivot, as the case may require. Teeth Plugged with pure
Gold, or extracted. Children's Teeth regulated when neees
sary, and all Diseases of the Gums treated, the most of
which are called scurvy of the gums. Cure, or no pay.
Chloroform adiuinlsU-rcd, if desired. Terms reasonable.
Examination free. »Hf
C 0 0 K A KENN E R ,
COUNSELLORS AT LAW,
Paruuna Building, No. 140 Clay Street,
«29-tf SAN FRANCISCO.
JOHN A. LENT,
Attorney and Counsellor at Law,
No. 42 Montgomery Block, Montgomery street,
altf San Fra.icibco.
E. K. C AIIPKNTI Ell,
COUNSELLOR AT LAW AND NOTARY PUBLIC,
Corner Merchant and Montgomery streets,
altf Sax Francisco.
SIGN P AINTINGi
ORNAMENTAL SIGNS AND GENERAL LETTERING
in a superior manner, and according to the latest
styles, executed with neatness and dispatch, and at reason
able rates. CI.AVEAU.
Odd Fellows' Hall, Mariposa. April 7th, 1857. a 8 tf
N. Petty,
CONSTABLE, TOWNSHIP NO. 1.
Particular attention paid to the collection of
Aeconnta, Notes, Ac., j«ntf
J. W. HUEY,
CONSTABLE.
Will attend to the Collecting of Accounts, and
ell other buiincn Appertaining to hie office. ■
aa> Order* left it Jiwtire Waobbnnt'e off L-e. will
be promptly attended to.
HORNITOS, MARIPOSA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 16, 1857.
MARIPOSA BUSINESS HOUSES.
UNION HOUSE.
BY FRANK WILLIAMS,
((Formerly of the “Franklin House.”)
MARIPOSA.
THE PROPRIETOR INVITES FRIENDS,
Strangers and Old Customers to give him a cull at his
New House, near the head of Main street,
At the Liberty Pole;
Where Board and Lodging of a first class Hotel can
be obtained.
.... To hia House are also attached ....
LIVERY S T ABLE
. . .AND
BATHS / BATHSI BATHSI
Those who desire the comforts and benefits of u
clean, luxurious Bath, Hot, Cold, Temperate, or
Shower, can be accommodated, as the Proprietor
spares no pains in administering to the wants of the
outer as well as the inner man. Baths Fifty Cents
each. altf
MA R I ROS A 800 K STORE.
AND
NEWS DEPOT,
AT THE OFFICE OF WELLS, FARGO L CO.
Main street, Mariposa.
THE UNDERSIGNED WOULD RESPECTFULLY
inform the Public tha he will keep constantly on
hand a good selection of
BOOKS, STATIONERY,
FANCY ARTICLES,
MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS,
Which will he sold at Bates to suit the Times.
•
STEAMER PAPERS, for sending to the Atlantic
States or Europe, (in wrappers, postage paid.) will be
kept on the counter, at 25 cents per copy.
California Daily or Weekly Papers furnished ov the
single copy or by the week.
1 Orders for such Books or Articles as are not ou hand
, will be received and promptly attended to. JyHtf
I Mariposa, .Inly 8,1856. J. B. CONDON.
NEW TOUACC<), CIGAR,
AND
VARIETY STORE,
.... WHOLESALE AND RETAIL ....
OPPOSITE CASIIMAN’S NEW STOKE.
MARIPOSA.
By JXToal cb McGrrnnn.
tnr THE PROPRIETORS HAVE RECENTLY
received an addition of many Articles must common
in use. and will try to accommodate the wants and
taste of the Public, isj)ccially in
TOBACCO AND CIGARS.
Great pains have been taken to select a good variety of
FANCY ARTICLES,
That are su'e to suit our Customers. To enumerate
all our Articles, is useless: we will only mention
NUTS, BOOKS,
FRUITS, STATIONERY,
BUTTER, CUTLERY,
CHEESE, FANi V TOYS,
GARDEN SEEDS. CONFECTIONERY,
OIL, WALL PAPER,
ETC., ETC. altf
F URKME T URB
AND BEDDING.
MARI P O S A .
CHARLES BTURCKE
WTWOULD INFORM HIS FRIENDS AND THE
Public that he has Removed his Manufactory as above
of Furniture and Bedding, to a spacious place, nearly
opposite the Post Office, Mariposa, where he is now pre
pared tu sell and Manufacture to. order anv article In
uis line. He has now on hand, and will netl at as Ijw
a price as possible, a lot of Furniture, consisting of
CANE-SEAT CHAIRS;
OFFICE CHAIRS;
ROCKING CHAIRS;
NURSE CHAIRS;
BEDSTEADS;
BUREAUS;
WABHSTANDB;
TABLES, ETC., ETC.
With a great variety of other Articles in his line,
too numerous to mention.
AM Articles that leave his Store are warranted to he
what they are sold for, or no sale. altf
MACHINE SHOP
AND
FOUNUR Y,
BULLION STREET,
Immediately in the Rear of Cathman's New Store.
Mr. n. haskkij„ machinist, having his ma
chine Simp and Foundry now in complete working fa
der. would respectfully Inform his friend-* mid the public
generally, that he is now prepared to do all kinds of Cast
ing* to order, and will superintend in person the Makinaand
Repairing of every description of Machinery in general use
in the county. He is prepared to make Caslins/s ot 1600 lb*,
weight, and will warrant all of his work stron r and perfect.
If required, he will visit places requiring work done on Boil
ers or Engines. altf
HILLIARD BAI LS REPAIRED, and made perfectly
round and true. Also—Balls for Rondo turned.
,i. A. HENRY,
Butobor’s Sliop,
MARIPOSA,
AND WUOLBSALF. AND DETAIL HEALER IN
Groceries autl Provisions,
Superior Old Freneh Wines and Liquors,
Havana ami American Cigars,
French Clothing, direct from Paris.
Kf Miners and others are lequealed to . all and examine
for themselves before purchasing elsewhere. altf
MARIPOSA BAKERY,
BY O. 3VLBYEXI db OO
MAIN STREET, BETWEEN FIFTH AND SIXTH, MARIPOSA.
THE PROPRIETOR OF THE MARIPOSA
BAKERY ia always ready to anpplv Families with
good, wholeaome BREAD ; also, PIES and CAKES,
at LIVING PRICES.
UaamMU. July 5, i«>« altf
"THE UNION AND ITS GOVERNMENT
Wbripos:! Draurtnrf.
PUBLISHED EVERY TIU RSDA Y MORNING,
BY WARREN BAER,
RDITOU AND PUB LIS IIRR.
TERMS:
Per annum, in advance 15 00
For nix months, in advance 3 00
Single copies 26
Advertisement* inserted at liie lowest rates.
B#" Every description of Plain and Fancy Job Printing
neatly and promptly executed.
HUGGED nv A SERPENT.
BY A CANADIAN SETTLER.
I was brought up near the Canadian line in
Vermont My father owned a large farm,
though he was an iron-worker by trade. I
think he made some of the best rifles ever
used. Not far from his farm was quite a Lake;
we used to enjoy ourselves at fishing and
sailing, for we had one of the best sail boats
ever put into fresh water. We knew there
were plenty of snakes about the Lake—espe
cially one part of it—a wide piece of flats,
where the water lay the most part of the year,
and where the tall grass and reeds grew thick
ly. It was a sort of bay, making up into the
cove on the opposite side from the farm. We
had seen some large snakes in the water, and
I had tried to shoot them as they swam with
their heads up, though I never happened to
get one in that way. lam sure I hit one of
them, but they managed to get away into the
grass; and I had no desire to follow them, es
pecially into such a place. Most of those that
I saw were the common blar’k water snake,
but they were not all alike. Some of the largest
ones had a light colored ring around their
necks; and I was told by those who knew,
that these latter were by far the strongest
and most dangerous.
However, I was destined soon to have my
eyes opened. One afternoon I saw a flock of
black ducks fly over the house, and I was sure
they lighted on the lake ; sol seized my double
barreled gun and a munition, and started off.
When T reached the landing, I saw the ducks
away off by (he opposite shore. lat once cut
some green boughs with my knife ; and having
rigged up the bows of a small flat-bottomed
scull wc kept on purpose for such work. I
jumped in and started off There was a hole
in the stern through which wc could put the
oar, and thus scull the boat without sitting up
in sight, so from where the ducks were, ray
contrivance had the appearance of only a sim
ple mass of boughs floating along upon the
water.
I had got near enough for a shot, and had
draw n in the scull, and was in the act of taking
up my gun, when the ducks started up.
As quickly as possible I drew one hammer
and let drive. I hit two of them, but they
didn’t fall into the water. They fluttered along
until they fell among the tall grass up in the
cove. The water was low, and the place was
dry where they were. I pulled up as far as I
could, and then got out and waded up. I knew
very near where one of the ducks had fallen,
and very soon had my eye on it. As I ran up
to take it, I saw the head of a black snake pop
out and clutch it by the wing. I saw only the
head and neck of the reptile, and had no idea
how large a one it was; or, if I bad, probably
I should have done just as 1 did, for I bad no
idea of fearing such a thing. So I just runs up
and snatches the bird away. I had left my
gun in the boat, and had nothing to kill the
chap w ith ; but as 1 took the duck, I just put
my foot upon the thief’s neck. The ground
w'as moist and slimy, and as the snake had his
body braced among the roots, lie took bis head
out from under my fool about as quick as a
man could comfortably think. I thought I
would run back to my boat and get my gun,
and try to kill this fellow ; and I had just turn
ed for that purpose, when I felt something
strike my leg, ns though somebody had throw n
a rope around it.
I looked down and found that the snake
had taken a turn around my left leg with his
tail, and was in the act of clearing his body
from the grass. I dropped the duck and gave
a smart kick, hut that didn’t loosen him ; so 1
tried to put my right foot upon him, and thus
draw my left leg away ; but I might us well
have tried to put my foot on a streak of light
ning!
And hadn’t I been deceived ? I had forgot
ten the proportionate size of the head of this
species of black snake. I had expected to sec
a snake four or five feet long; but instead of
that, he was nearly eight feet and a half I 1
tell yc, I looked ten ways for Sunday about
that time. Still, I hadn’t any great fear, for
I supposed that when I put my hands on him,
I could easily take him oft’ for 1 was pretty
strong in the arms. In a few seconds he had
his body all clear, and it was then that the
first thrill shot through me. There he held
himself by the simple turn around my leg, and
with his back arched in and out, he brought
his head just on a level with mine. I made a
grab for him, hut missed him; ami then as
quick os you can snap your finger, ho swept
his head under my arm, clear around my body,
and then straightened up and looked me in
the face again. I gave another grab at him,
and another, as quick as I could, hut ho dodg
ed me, in spite of all I could do.
I next felt the snake’s body working its way
up. The turn of the tail was turned to my
thigh, find the coil around my stomach com
menced to tighten. About this time, I began
to think there might be sonic serious work,
and the quicker I took the snake off the bet
ter. So I just grasped him as near the head as
possible, by taking hold where he was around
me—for ho could not dodge that part you
know —and I tried to turn him otF. But this
only made it worse. The fellow had now
drawn himself up so high, and stretched so,
that he whipped another turn about me. His
tail was now about my left thigh, and the rest
of him turned twice around my body—one of
them being just at the pit of my stomach, and
the other one above it. All this had occupied
just about one half a minute from the time he
first got the turn around my leg.
The snake now had his head right around
in front of my face, and he tried to make his
way into my my mouth. What his intention
was, I cannot surely tell, though I have always
believed that he knew ho could strangle me in
that way. He struck me one blow in the
mouth that hurt me considerably; and after
that 1 got him by the neck, and there I meant
to hold him—at least, so that he should not
strike me again. But about this time another
difficulty arose. The moment I grasped the
snake by the neck, he commenced to tighten
his folds about my body I It wasn’t over a few
seconds before I discovered that he’d soon
squeeze the breath out of me in that way, and
1 determined to unwind him. He was in this
way; The turn around the thigh was from
left to right—then up between the logs to my
right side, and around the back to the 101 l side
—and so on with the second turn—thus bring
ing his head under my left arm. I had the
snake now with the left hand, and my idea
was to pass his head around my back until I
could reach it with my right, and so unwind
him. I could press the fellow’s head down
under my arm, but to got it around so as to
reach it with my right hand, I could not! I
tried—l put all my power into that one arm,
but I could not do it. T could get the head
just about under my arm-pit; but here my
strength was applied to a disadvantage, and I
could do no more.
Until this moment 1 had not been really
frightened. I had believed that I could un
wind the serpent when I tried. I never dream
ed what power he had. Why—only think—
ns strong ns I was then—and could not put
that snake's head around my back! I tried it
until I knew that I coukl not do it, and then I
gave it up. My next thought was of my jack
knife ; but the lower coil of the snake was di
rectly over my pocket, and I could not get in.
I now for the first time, called out for help.
I yelled with nil my might; and yet I knew
the trial was next to useless, for no one could
easily gain the place where I was without
a boat. Yet I called out, hoping against hope.
I grasped the snake by the body and pulled—
T tried to break its neck. This plan presented
itself with a gleam of promise; but it amounted
to nothing. I might as well have tried to
break a rope by bending forward or back
ward.
A full minute had now elapsed from the
time when first I tried to pass the snake’s
head around my back. His body bad become
as elongated by his gradual pressure around
my body, that ho bad room to carry his head
around in a free and symmetrical curve. He
had slipped from my grasp, and when I next
caught him I found that I was weaker Ilian
before. I could not bold him! The excite
ment had prevented me from noticing this
until now*. For a few minutes I was in a per
fect frenzy. 1 leaped up and down—cried out
as loud as I could—and grasped the snake
with all my might. But it availed me nothing.
He slipped his head from my weakened hand,
and made a blow’ at my face, striking me fair
ly upon my closed lips. This made mo mad,
and I gave the infernal thing another grasp
with both hands, trying once more to twist his
neck. The only result was, that I got anoth
er blow upon the mouth.
But the moment of need was at hand. I
felt the coils growing tighter and lighter around
my body, and my breath was getting weak. A
severe pain was beginning to result from the
the pressure and I saw that the snake would
soon have length enough for another turn. He
was drawn so tightly that the center of his
body was no bigger than his bend I The black
skin was drawn to a tension that seemed its
utmost and yet I could toil by the working of
the largo scales upon the belly that he was
drawing himself tighter still!
“For God’s sake! ” 1 gasped, stricken with
absolute terror, “what shall I do!” What
could Ido? The enemy for wdiora I had at
first held so little thought, was killing me—
killing me slowly, openly, surely—and I had
no help! I, a stout, strong man, was being
actually held at the deadly will of a black
snake I My breath was now* short, faint and
quick, and I knew that I was growing purple
in tiie face. My hands and arms were swollen
and my fingers were numbed.
1 had let go of the snake's neck, and ho now
carried the upper part of his body in a grace
ful curve, his head vibrating from side to side,
with an undulating motion of extreme grace
fulness.
At length I staggered. I was losing my
strength rapidly, and the pain of my body had
become excruciating. The snake’s skin where
it w*aa coiled about me was so tight that it
seemed almost transparent. He had found
T EIIMS : FIVE DOLLAES PEE ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.
me, or I had found him, in a slate of hunger,
his stomach free from food, and his muscular
force unimpaired. A second time I staggered
and objects began to swim around me.
A dizzy sensation was in my head, a faint
ness at my heart, and a pain the most agoniz
ing in my body. The snake had three feet of
body free, lie had drawn himself certainly
three feet longer than before. He had darted
his head under my right arm, and brought it
up over my shoulder, and pressing his under
jaw firmly down, there, he gave a sudden wind
that made me groan with pain. Each mo
ment was an age of agony—each second a step
nearer to death!
My knife 1 Oh I if I could but reach it!
Why not? Why not tear it out? My arms
were free. Mercy 1 Why had I not thought
of this before, when my hands had some
strength in them? Vet I would try it. I col
lected all my remaining power for the effort,
and made the attempt My trowsers were of
blue cotton stuff, and very strong —I could
not tear it! I thought of the stitches. They
might not be so tenacious. I grasped the
cloth upon the inside of my thigh, and gave
my last atom of strength to the effort The
stitches started —they gave away 1 This re
sult gave me hope, and hope gave me power.
Another pull—with both hands—and the
pocket was laid bare! With all the remain
ing force 1 could command—with hope of life
—of home—of everything I loved on earth in
the effort—l caught the pocket upon the in
side and bore down upon it. There was a
crackling of the threads— a sound of tearing
cloth—and —my knife was in my hands.
I had yet sense enough to know that the
smallest blade was the sharpest, and I opened
it With one quick, nervous movement, I
pressed the keen edge upon the tense skin, and
drew it across. With a dull, tearing snap, the
body parted, and the snake fell to the ground
in two pieces! I staggered to the boat—l
reached it—and there sunk down. I knew
nothing more until I heard a voice calling my
name. I opened my eyes, and looked up.
My father stood over me, with terror depicted
in his countenance. 1 told him my story as
best I could, fie went up and got the duck
I had taken from the snake—the other one he
could not find—and also brought along the
two pieces I had made of my enemy. Ho
told me he had heard me cry out, and at once
started off in the large boat after me, though
it was a long while ere ho saw my boat. I bad
lain there over half an hour when he found
me.
"When we reached home, the snake was
measured, and found to be eight feet and four
inches in length! It was a month before I
fully recovered from the effects of that hugging;
and to this day there is some thing in the
very name of snake that sends a chill of horror
to my heart!
Guano Finale. —The following magnificent
ly grandiloquent peroration was recently made
by a “ western orator,” and wc commend it to
the careful study of such of our readers as in
tend to figure on the political stage. How
sublimely the thought expands as it marches
onward until at last the climax is reached, and
the orator takes his seat amid tumultuous ap
plause, like the sound of many waters:
“ The time is critical! blood’s going to bo
poured out like soap suds outen a wash tub,
and every man that’s got a soul as big as the
white of a nigger’s eye ’ 11 bo ready to fight,
bleed, and die for his country!
“Them’s the times, the times you want
men in the councils of the nation that you can
depend on—that’s me! I’m not a goin’ to
make a ’lcctioneerin’ speech. I’d scorn the
act! You know me; I’ve been fetched up
among yc; already on the wings of toploftical
imagination, I fancy I see you marchin* to the
polls with a shout that makes the earth ring,
“hurrah for Jim Smith!” comes down on the
opposition like a thousand of brick on a rotten
pumpkin.”
A Real Tragedy.— The history of Sweden
records a very extraordinarj' incident, which
took place at. the representation of the Mystery
of the passion, under King John 11, in 1518.
The actor who performed the part of Longinus,
the soldier who was to pierce the Christ on
the cross in the side, was so transported with
the spirit of his action, that he really killed the
man who personated our Lord: who falling
suddenly, and with great violence, overthrew
the actress who represented the holy Mother.
King John, who was present at this spectacle,
was so enraged against Longinus, that ho
leaped on the stage and struck off his head
The spectators, who had been delighted with
the too violent actor, became infuriated against
their king, fell upon him in a throng and killed
him.
Hot.—A grammarian, last summer, conju
gated tho increasing heat in somewhat the fol
lowing style : —“ Hot, hotter, hottest; button
tot, hottentotter, hottentottest; hottentotis
simo, hottentotisimus, hot as an oven, hot as
two ovens, hot as four ovens, hot as seven
ovens hot.”
To Make a young lady six fathoms deep in
happiness, give her two canary birds, half a
dozen moonbeams, 20 yards of silk, a crinoline
skirt, an ice cream, several rose buds, a squeeze
of the hand, and the promise of a new bonnet.
If she don’t melt it will be because she can’t
NO. 15.
From the N. Y. Sunday Time*.
Sidewalk ami Corner Gllmpece.
AFTER MIDIfIOHT.
There arc two communities in new York, as
distinct from each other in habit, taste, man
ner, and condition as the Chinese and the
Choctaws. One of these communities is nev
er seen by daylight, nor docs it show itself in
bulk even by gaslight, until that light has
been shut off from reputable evening haunts.
It is after midnight. Let us take a stroll
through Broadway, which seems to have been
suddenly depopulated.
Passing the petty thieves, the garroters, the
homeless and hopeles inebriates, the young
men who have lewd liaison f, and others whose
hours for seeking business, pleasures, relief
from mental suffering, or exercise and free
dom in the open air are “ after midnight,” let
us go to the next corner, where the spectral fig
ure leans against the lamp-post.
It is the figure of a woman, and hark! the
bell of Trinity marks the hour of three. What
can she want in the street at this hour ? She
is not without shelter if she will go to it, for
her dress bespeaks the possession of pecuniary
means. But now that we approach her very
closely, and bring a critical eye on her, we per
ceive that her costly bonnet is awry, that her
fixed optics arc blood-sholtcn, that her fips are
black and frothy, and her cheek ghastly pale
—as pale as marble. What is she trying to
mutter? A prayer, for the tones of her voice
arc reverential, and we catch the name of the
Deity at intervals.
“ Woman, arc you ill ? ”
No answer. We take her by the arm, but
she heeds us not. We shake her roughly,
ay, rudely, and address her in a tone neither
complimentary nor respectful. That rouses
her.
“Leave me, and go about your business 1 ”
she says, with a hollow voice.
“ But,” we remonstrate, “ you appear to be
in distress.”
“ Pass on, and do not notice it. ”
Believing her to belong to an unfortunate
class the members of which frequently indulge
in strong drink in order to banish, temporarily,
the remembrance of the gnawings of “ the
worm that never dies, ” we arc about to go,
when with a gasp she sinks upon the pave
ment.
“What ho I Police I”
An old patrolman gets to bo as hardened to
human suffering as a dispensary physician.
He becomes so used to the “ after-midnight ”
phantasmagoria of the highways and byways,
that what appears mortally distressing to the
unsophisticated in such affairs have, to his eye
and heart, the semblance of matters-of-coursc.
What’s this woman up to now ? ” says the
policeman, twirling his club as if he would like
to belabor her prostrate form with it; “ she’s
tormented me for a month.”
“ What, and who is she? ”
“ Oh! she’s a respectable woman.”
" And out in this plight, and at this time ? ”
“ She’s got a husband.” Here the police
man raises her from the ground, and supports
her with his arm. He winks with a peculiar
expression when he says she is a wife. He
continues:
“ iTou sec that tall and bright-looking house
just in the middle of the block? Well, her
husband’s there.”
“ Why don’t she go to him ? ”
“Ah that’s exactly what she musn’t do. I
have to watch her closely to keep her from go
ing into that house. Her husband lodges there
altogether now; but he gives her plenty of
money, and is willing to let her go where she
pleases, and enjoy herself in her own way, and
I m sure that ought to satisfy any reasonable
woman.”
She rises and calls for Edward.
“ lie’s with the other one, madam, and you
will never pet him away from her. I’ve told
you so before. Why don’t you stay at home ?”
“Home!” Oh, the depth of misery and
meaning in that one short word, as with eyes
turned despairingly to heaven, this woman
utters it I
These events tell by no means an unfrequent
story —the principal actors in it arc an aban
doned and crazed wife; an infatuated, faith
less, and perjured husband; and a designing,
beautiful, marble-hearted W'anton.
“ If you come a botherin’ any more, I'll have
to take you to the station,” says the police
man, as the woman's pale features suddenly
become flushed, and she clutches desperately
at her chest. See, she tears her clothing to
ribbands. Now, her efforts cease—her limbs
relax—her face is no longer convulsed and dis
torted.
“My God! what’s the matter?” exclaims
the policeman, as ho feels her unreserved
weight upon his arm.
Let us look at her again. It is all over.—
She is dead!
A bottle labelled laudanum, found in her
pocket, sufficiently explains the cause of her
decease.
The policeman calls a hack, which stands at
the opposite side of the street waiting for
stragglers, the body is placed inside, he mounts
the box with the driver, and all that is mortal
of the abandoned wife is conveyed to the sta
tion-house. Are the Mormons the only ones
who practice polygamy in the United States?
City life! You know nothing about it,
reader, if you have never taken a stroll in the
street* after midnight.