Frostburg mining journal. [volume], April 06, 1872, Image 1

About Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913

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11. WALKER & J. B. ODER,
VOLUME I.
lii the Firelight.
ItY AMELIA K. IIALIY.
Brown littlo Ben at the fireside stands.
Patiently warming his half-frozen hands.
Down tho brond chimney the cold wind in
sighing;
D|> the broad chimney the red sparks are flying.
Wanning the kitchen from ceiling to floor ;
Melting the black frost away from the door,
Brightly illuming the figure that stands.
Thoughtfully warming its little brown hands.
Standing there, lost in a half-waking dream,
H hat does Ben see in the firelight's gleam.
Why is that smile o’er his dimpled mouth going?
hy are his eyes in an instant so knowing ?
Why is the flush on his cheek doepened now?
Why so determined hissmooth, boyish brow ?
What does he think, as he silently stands.
There in the firelight warming his hands?
Many a poet has <1 roamed the same dream.
Thought the same thoughts in the firelight
gleam.
Many a scholar and leader of earth,
.Stood, when a child, on as humble a hearth.
Ben. tho poor farmer’s boy, reads in the flame :
Promise of knowledge and promise of famo;
Sees a great future, as silent ho stands.
Patiently warming his brown little hands.
THE STRANGE PERFUME.
Lounging t irelessly in an arm-chair,
liia eyes fixed on a lady beside him, with
an open letter in her hand, was a tall,
fair-haired young man.
“ What have you there, mother?”
he said, throwing his arm around her
in a caressing way. “ That smile makes
you positively young, I declare.”
Losing his father in India, when a
child, a small legacy from his god
mother had, with the most severe
economy, given George Roberts a liberal
education, while his mother had her
small pension alone to depend upon.
Long years had passed, her father was
dead, and her only brother, who in
hetited the estate, had ever refused any
overtures toward a reconciliation. Not
iv*n in her wildest day-dream had Mrs.
Roberts iioped to behold herchiidhood’s
home again.
No wonder, then, that her cheek
Hushed and her eye brightened over tho
letter in her hand, for it contained an
invitation for herself ami son to spend
the C nistmas week at Locksley Grange.
Though expressed in cold and formal
terms, it was courteous, and the buried
years of the past were not alluded to.
The young man took the letter, which
she gave him without comment, and,
glancing through it to the signature,—
“Paul Edward Ilollowes,” —looked up
at his mother.
“ Your uncle, my son,” she said.
A flush of indignant feeling passed
over the pleasant face. Was this cold
and haughty uncle, who had so long
ignored their existence, to summon
them to his presence by a wave of bis
hand? By hard study and perseverance
George had won a place at the bar, and
he was content to labor, trusting to
time. But it was with an inward strug
gle, as he looked at the eager expecta
tion on his mother’s face, and thought
of her lonely life, that he controlled his
re-eminent.
“ You would like to go, dear mother ?’’
he said, pleasantly.
“ Yes, my hoy ; it seems as if I could
die happier if 1 saw* the old place once
more.”
“ 'Then we shall go,” ho said. “ I will
make my arrangements for a holiday,
and we will leave town on Wednesday,”
and with a kiss he left her.
The master of Locksley Grange, a tall,
erect old man, ol most imposing pres
ence, with snowy hair and whiskers, and
brilliant, piercing, deepest black eyes,
shaded by shaggy eyebrows,—like fierce
fires overhung with jagged snow crags,—
greeted his sister and her son with
stately courtesy, although no light of
love beamed from his eye to the gentle
woman who had been Ids childhood’s
playfellow.
One sharp glance he shot at his
as lie made some comment on
tin* journey, and then bade a servant
usher them to their apartments.
W hen the dinner-hell sounded, George
conducted his mother—looking so lair
and gentle in her soft gray silk, still
with the delicate flush on her cheek—
into the state drawing-room, where they
were duly presented to the rector of
Locksley and his curate. Still they
waited, and in a few moments a young
gill entered tin* room, of such unusual
beauty that George Roberts stopped
short- in the middle of a sentence ad
dressed to the curate, and never com
pleted it.
She might have been about seventeen,
with a slight form, graceful as a deer,
hair of a pale gold, which deepened into
shadows ot a tawny sheen under the
mellow wax-light- 5 , and soft, brown eyes,
shaded by curling golden lashes. A
dark silk dress, without ornament, dis
played and heightened the delicately
tinted skin and perfect figure. She ap
proached the group timidly, and George,
glancing at his uncle, saw, to his as
tonishment, a scowl sweep over his face
as his eyes rested on the lair vision.
“Miss Kedar,” lie said, carelessly,
presenting the young girl to his sister
wilii a wave ot his jeweled hand, “a
penniless orphan whom 1 keep out of
charity, as her mother was an old friend
of mine. She made a love match,” he
added, with a sneer. “You can take
her into dinner, he said to his nephew,
with another wave of the white hand’
as he turned to his sister with formal
politeness.
George felt his indignation stir, as lie
saw the deep Hush rise on the young
girl’s face, and then lade to a marble
paleness. Hut she did not raise her
eyes to see the sympathy expressed in
his.
The dinner passed pleasantly. The
rector was ii fluent and graceful conver
sationalist, and the host excited young
Roberts to bring forth his knowledge of
men and things, in iiis manly, earnest
way, by the display of lus own versatile
powers to draw him out.
Tiie young man had almost forgotten
the silent beauty by his side, until a
glance from her soft brown eyes, lighted
with appreciative feeling, met his, and
revived the sympathy and wonder he
h id felt at his uncle's cruel nonchalance
in alluding to her dependent position.
When the ladies retired, and the po
litical questions of the day came up, the
young lawyer so startled tho older men
with his brilliant eloquence, with his
fresh and racy opinions so powerfully
put, that they felt themselves in the
presence ot a master-spirit, which would
soar tar upward when its wings were
Hedged.
Hong did George Roberts sit by his
flickering fire before he retired to rest,
wondering what might he the tie be
tween his uncle and the lovely girl—
what the cause of the singular hatred
evinced toward her in so many trifling
things.
His uncle’s morning greeting was
cordial and kindly, seeming to have lost
that disagreeable air of patronage which
had so grated oil his manhood the day
before.
Alter breakfast lie accompanied him
on a ride over tho estate, to view its im
provements, and as they went the old
man skillfully drew out the particulars
of his nephew’s life, his views and feel
ings, his plans and hopes.
In the afternoon George accompanied
his uncle into a little office adjoining
the library, aHd saw the tenants come in
with their yearly rents, where the bags
of silver and gold were deposited in an
iron chest, in this were secured the
most valuable papers, and the family
jewels. The little room was strongly
protected with bars and bolts, as it con
tained other articles of value.
The next day a grand dinner and ball
was to be given, to which all the gentry
of the country were hidden, and the
lower hall was also to be enlivened with
a dance for tho tenants and servants.
Considerable was the excitement,
therefore, oil this sudden opening of its
doors, and many a young belle prepared
to enter its gray, time-honored walls,
with a curiosity awakened by the tales
of a mother or aunt.
Virginia Kedar, simply dressed in a
delicate robe of white muslin, with a
wreath of scarlet berries on her silken
hair, was the beauty of tho whole as
setnblage, and many were tho whispers
as to her birth and patronage.
George Roberts had become moreand
more fascinated with her, and this
evening completed his enthrallment.
For the first time in his life he was in
love. Y'et he could not but notice how
his uncle scowled at him when lie
danced with her, and his mind was
filled with a dozen perjdexitiesconcern
ing her.
lie lay wide awake till he heard the
great hall clock strike three, his heart
too full of the blissful dreams which
come but once in a lifetime to wish for
slumber. Happy visions (lilted before
his eyes, in which he and Miss Kedar
played a prominent part.
Suddenly lie heard a faint grating
noise in the silence of the night, al
though he could not tell from what di
rection it came, and listening attentive
ly as it continued, he softly opened his
door. It sounded louder, and lie per
ceived that it came from the libraiy.
The chest and its valuable contents
Hashed before his mind, and, without
pausing an instant, be stole down the
stairs.
Tho noise had ceased by the time he
reached the foot of the staircase, but lie
hastened into the library as silently as
possible. The door into tho office was
a jar and a faint light perceptible. As
George looked through the crack lie
saw a dark figure bending over the
chest examining papers. A slight ox
clama ion escaped the robber as he
took up a packet of letters tied with a
broad blue ribbon and thrust it into his
breast.
Then lie arose from his kneeling pos
ture, put a bag of gold ill each pocket,
and as the light from the dark lantern
in his hand Hashed lor a moment in his
face, George saw a deep-red scar on his
cheek, where tho black mask had slip
ped one side. Tho young man sprang
toward the robber, calculating on the
suddenness of the attack to be able lo
knock him down, but tripping on the
unseen footstep, lie fell headlong into
the room, while the robber vaulted
through tho open window as lightly as
a cat.
When George picked himself up,
there was no sign of the thief, and while
he hesitated a moment whether 10 give
chase or not, his uncle, aroused with
the noiso of his fall, entered the room,
lie shivered when George described tile
robber, and still more when the young
man picked up a glove on tho floor —a
small gray glove—delicately yet singu
larly perfumed. Grasping it in his
hand, the old man groaned bitterly and
paced the floor irresolutely for a time,
while his nephew watched him in
amazement. Presently ho turned to
the window and refastened it, shaking
his head as he examined the bolts and
saw them all unbroken. The thief had
evidently had assistance from tho inside
of the mansion.
“ Don’t say any thing about it, George,"
he said, in anxious tones. “1 know
tho man ; no common thief,?’ and an
other groan escaped his lips. “ Now
go to bed. I’ll tell you more to-mor
row.”
With his mind full of this new mys
tery, the young man fell asleep. When
lie had breakfasted a message came from
bis uncle in the library, and George
hastened to obey.
A feverish flush burnt on the old
man’s cheek, and his manner was hur
ried and impatient, very unlike his
usual haughty serenity. Motioning his
nephew,to a seat, ho plunged into the
subject on his mind without further re
flection.
“Thoso papers taken last night,
George, from the iron chest, were of in
calculable value to me,” the old man
said, vehemently. “ Restore them to
me, and you command anything I own.
Renounco your profession for a time,
devote your life to the search if need
lie, and Locksloy Grange shall lie your
reward. 1 will make my will this very
day,” anal he roso from his chair, re
garding the young man with eager gaze.
George hesitated, overwhelmed with
the idea. Ambition was strong within
him, but life was before him, and the
reward great.
“But Miss Kedar?” he murmured.
“You love that girl?” said the old
man with a sneer. “Oh, fate, fate I”
“Yes, Uncle Paul, I do love her,”
said George, boldly. “Add her hand to
your otter and 1 will give myself up to
do your will.”
A great struggle seemed raging with
in the old man’s breast, and he naced
the floor rapidly.
“ Young man, you are honorable,” he
said, with a piercing glance at his
nephew ; “ promise me, on your honor,
I that you will not seek to marry Virginia
An Independent Paper—Devoted to Literature. Mining, Commercial, Agricultural, General and Local News.
[’BURG, ALLEGANY COUNTY, MARYLAND, SATURDAY, APRIL <>, 187*2.
FROSJ
Kedar until you Hud those papers and
restore them to me if I am alive, or, if
not, burn them unread.”
“I promise,” the young man answer
ed, solemnly.
“ Listen, then,” his uncle said, with
an air of relief; “ the robber was a wo
man. All your legal skill and sharpness
will be needed to trace her, but the
perfume of that glove is the strongest
clue. I will give you a written descrip
tion to aid you, and you must start at
once.”
When George Roberts left Locksley
it was as his uncle’s acknowledged heir,
and what was of infinitely more* mo
ment to him, the accepted lover of Vir
ginia Kedar. With the little gray
glove treasured carefully, he proceeded
to London, secured an accomplished
detective, and pursued his search. His
mother was to remain at the Grange.
First, they endeavored to find a name
for the singular scent, but no perfumer
in London or Paris could explain it.
Both cities were searched, and every
possible or impossible clue taken up, as
the days lengthened into weeks and
weeks into months.
When summer emptied the cities,
they sought the watering places—Baden-
Baden, Homburg. and so on, but all
seemed in vain.
One evening,as George sat in his bed
room in one of the strange little German
towns, pondering over a letter from his
mother, which described his uncle’s
failing health and growing irritability,
and almost cursing his own folly in thus
giving up everything to gratify an old
man’s insane whim, he was roused from
bis despondent gloom by the ntrance
of a fresh little maiden with his clean
linen. As she sorted out her snowy bur
den on the bed, a subtle strange odor
saluted bis senses.
“Good heavens I the perfume—the
glove!” Striving to conceal his excite
ment, he approached the girl, as if to
examine her work, and perceived a
small parcel lying on one side, from
which the odor came. Hedid not speak
German—how to obtain any clue from
it? With a sudden movement he man
aged to overturn a table covered with
books and papers, and while the girl
with great good nature assisted in re
placing them, he hud dexterously rolled
the parcel under the draperies of the
bed.
She went away without missing it,
and George instantly summoned his
ally to consult over this unlooked-for
good fortune. When she came hack in
a few hours in search of it, the detec
tive soon ascertained that the laces be
longed to a sick lady named A£adame
Bernastine.
Tho clue was rapidly followed up.
Pratt formed an acquaintance with the
invalid's maid, who was English, it
seemed; found from her sufficient proof
of her mistress’ identity with tho wo
man they sought, and, in a few weeks’
time, during which Madame Bernastine
failed rapidly, gained access to her pri
vate desk, and secured the package of
letters, still tied with the blue ribbon.
Next day the maid found herself heiress
to all her mistress’ effects, for tho ad
venturess lay dead, and there was no
one to claim her goods.
George Hew back to Locksley Grange,
to lind bis uncle dying. The old man,
roused from his apathy when he saw
the letters, bade his nephew burn them
before his eyes, and with his last re
maining strength drew a sealed paper
from under his pillow, placed it in his
m phew’s hand, and fell asleep never to
awaken.
George opened the paper. “That
woman was my wife—an artful liend.
Virginia Kedai Ilollowes is my lawful
daughter. I hated her mother, and l
hate her.”
Accompanying this was a marriage
and a birth certificate. That was ail.
A Second Rarcy.
A Mr. Magner, of Buffalo, N.Y., has re
cently been giving public exhibitions of
his skill in horse-taming. Taking a
blind horse named “ Billy,” Mr. M ign r
proceeded to show his audience to what
a high degree a horse might be trained.
The horse entered the ring and re
mained perfectly still until the tamer
commanded it to “ lie down and sque d
like a pig.” Curious to relate, “ Billy’s”
fore legs bent at the knee ; his h mnehes
settled down, and he was soon lying on
his hack. Having attained this position
he proceeded to obey the latter part of
the command by giving vent to a sound
which, if it did not quite equal the
squealing of a pig, certainly much re
sembled that noise. A fiery little stal
lion was next produced, and it was with
the greatest caution that Mr. Magner
approached it. By a certain coid ar
rangement which prevents any injury
to either man or beast, the animal was
soon fixed securely, when his first lesion
of docility commenced. At first the
horse exhibited an extremely unruly
temper, and the task of rendering him
tractable appeared an almost hopeless
task. By and by, however, he grew less
impetuous, and finally became so gentle
that the little beauty was allowed to
stand without bit or bridle in the center
of the arena.
improvement of Overflowed Lands.
In California there are tracts of land
along the rivers which are occasionally
submerged, the soil of which consists of
exceedingly rich alluvial deposits. They
are called “Tide” lands. A company
of capitalists are engaged in reclaiming
these lands and bringing them into
cultivation by means of a system of
dykes or embankments. When it is
remembered that this description of
lands all over the country is of almost
inexhaustible fertility, it is seen how
important it is that they should be
made useful, instead of remaining, as
they often are, liot-beds of disease.
When f feel inclined to read poetry I
take down my dictionary. The poetry
of words is quite as beautiful as that ot
sentences. Bring me the finest simile
from the whole range of imaginative
waiting, and I will show you a single
word which conveys a more profound, a
more accurate, a more eloquent analogy.
—O. W. Holme#.
Mrs. Partington says she is roused
every morning “by the still carrion of
the chandelier.”
Farm and Garden*
Oxen on the Farm. — A correspondent of
the <ierin.'tntown (Pa.) TeUgrayh says:
Sonic of the advantages in using oxen
arc these: They can he bought for half
the price horses can, and at most of the
work on a farm will do as much as
horses; they are less liable to disease;
they arc more quickly geared and un
geared than horses, and their fixtures
cost nothing, comparatively speaking,
and with care will last :ws long as the
farmer 1 Yokes and chains are endur
ing articles. Oxen will keep well on
good hay and good pasture, and these
are ali they need, except when worked
very hard.
A thrifty pair of 44 three-year-olds'’
will do a great deal of work, and grow
better and more valuable until they
are six or seven, and will do the work
until they are nine or ten. If fattened
they can be disposed of so as to pay
more than'the original cost, in addition
to the cost of hay and grain consumed,
thus making a elearprofit. to the farmer
of several dollars, besides furnishing
him with several loads of the best ma
nure.
I have owned at leapt twenty yoke of
oxen since I commenced farming, sev
eral of which were three-year old steers,
broken on the farm, and have never
lost one, nor never lost a dollar by deal
ing in them. During the same period,
by accident, mismanagement and dis
ease, 1 have lost five valuable horses,
worth from one to two hundred dollars
each.
Remedy for Chicken Miles. —A corre
spondent of the Rural Worl< / pronounces
the following an effectual remedy:
Take common leaf tobacco, as much as
the user may think necessary, and
make a strong tea, letting it boil some
time, so as to get all the strength from
the tobacco; then sprinkle the tea all
over and about the place where the
mites are, and if the first application is
not sufficient, use in same manner a
second time ; but the first time is al
most always effectual.
( 'hareoala Good Farm Medicine. —Nearly
all sick horses and cows are made so in
the first place by eating improper food
or too much of it. As soon as the
owner finds any of his animals sick, it
is tin* common custom to begin dosing
with medicine. 4i We musn’t leave the
animal to die; we must do something 1”
And so all manner of hurtful drugs and
poisons are thrust down its throat—
saltpetre, copperas, turpentine, etc.,
qui e sufficient to make any well ani
mal sick, or to kill a sick one. 44 You
didn’t give the poor thing enough—you
should give, it oftener—you can’t ex
pect your beast to get well if you don’t
do more for it.”
Our rule has always been to give
nothing unless we knew exactly what
to do; and in the meantime attend to
(‘very exterior comfort possible. If the
weather is cold place it in warm quar
ters, avoid all exposure, and attend to
pure air and strict cleanliness. Hut
there is one medi ine that can never
do harm, and is commonly beneficial.
'Phis is pulverized charcoal. As we have
just remarked, nearly all sick animals
become so in the first place 1 y improper
eating. In nine cases out of ten the
digestion is wrong. Charcoal is the
most efficient and rapid corrective. It
will cure in a majority of cases, if prop
erly administered. An example of its
use: The hired man came in with the
intelligence that one of the finest cows
was very sick, and a kind neighbor pro
posed the usual drugs and poisons. Tho
owner being ill and unable to examine
the cow, concluded that the trouble
came from over eating, and ordered a
teacupful of pulverized charcoal given
in water. It was mixed, placed in a
junk bottle, the head held up, and the
water with its charcoal poured down.
Ita five minutes improvement was visi
ble, and in a few hours the animal was
in the pasture quietly eating grass.
Another instance of equal success oc
curred with a young heifer which be
came badly bloated by eating green
apples after a hard wind. The bloat
was so severe that the sides were almost
as hard as a barrel. The old remedy,
saleratue, was tried for the purpose of
correcting tho acidity, but the attempts
to put it. down always caused coughing,
and it did little good. Haifa teacupful
of fresh powdered charcoal was next
given, ami in six hours all appearance
of bloat had gone,and the heifer was well.
We disapprove of quackery, whore,
without a precise knowledge of the dis
ease, powerful remedies are given at
random and indiscriminately. Wo can
only compare such a practice to that of
the teamster who, as soon as he finds
liis wagon is broken, immediately pro
cures a quantity of nails, spikes, screws,
etc., and immediately begins to drive
them into all parts of the vehicle, in
the hope of hitting the right place. The
scientific practitioner first ascertains
what the trouble is, and then goes at
once to apply the remedy to that par
ticular part. The objection of quackery
cannot extend to the use of charcoal,
for it can do no harm, never makes a
well animal sick, nor kills a sick one,
and goes directly to the scat of the
trouble in most sick animals, and if
timely applied effects a cure. What
are commonly termed 44 colds’* in do
mestic animals nearly always originate
in the first place from deranged diges
tion; and, in connection with cleanli
ness, pure air and warm quarters, char
coal will accomplish what is desired if
used in time. It may be prepared on
the spot by pounding up fresh burned
embers from a wood fire, in an non
kettle; this will make a better and
fresher article than old charcoal—
Country Gentleman .
The Iron Ore Business*
The editor of the Marquette Journal ,
writing from Cleveland, has the follow
ing relative to the prospects of the iron
business the coming season: 44 From
what I can learn, I should judge that
there would be a ready sale for 1,500,-
000 tons of our ores this year were it
within the power of the mining com
panies to raise and ship that amount.
The contracts have been made at an
advance of from 50 cents to $1 per ton
over last year’s prices, and furnace i
that failed to secure contracts are now
willing and anxious to pay more.”
The shipping of oysters to En land is
I proving very profitable.
Compulsory Education.
A Berlin correspondent of the Chicago
Tribune has the following upon the
school system of Prussia:
And now I come to the sunny Hide < f
the public schools of Prussia, —the
system of compulsory education : Let
me introduce the subject by stating
the fact that, in consequence of this
compulsion, Prussia can boast that only
54 per cent of its population cannot read
and write. This fact alone may convince
many opponents of tho system of the
error of their ways. Every child, is
according to the Prussian school-ordi
nances, compelled to visit school from
its 7th to its 14th year (both inclusive).
Parents may, however, educate their
children in private schools, or at home
through private teachers; but must, in
this event, satisfy the Government that
the plan and system of education are at
least equal to thoso of the public
schools. For every day’s absence from
school, from 2 to 124 cents penalty is
imposed, according to the merits of
each case. A frequent repetition of the
offenso is, of corn sc, visited with the
heaviest penalty. The Police Magis
trates, on receiving the reports of the
School Boards, collect the fines by exe
cution; and, in case of non-payment,
imprisonment of guardian or parents is
imposed by the proper officers of the
Government. In the country the Cir
cuit Council (Laadrath), in the cities
the Common Council, exercise this
jurisdiction. Leave of absence is only
very sparingly granted to the scholars.
In the course of a month, a teacher is
authorized to grant to the applicant
three whole or six half days of leave
(for cause) according to circumstances
and the teacher’s discretion. A longer
leave of absence can only be granted by
the Board, on written application. Ab
sence from school without leave is only
excused on tho ground of sickness, or
when caused by the acts of nature. A
scholar may be compelled to visit sciiool
two years longer, if, at the expiration of
his 14th year, the Superintendent is
of the opinion that the scholar has not
made the required progress in his stud
ies.
Many of these provisions may seem
oppressive and tyrannical to the re
publican reader; out, on looking below
the surface, I trust they will agree witli
me that all of them are compatible
with the liberty of tho citizen, —yes,
more, that it is the duty of every civil
ized Government to introduce compul
sory education. What is the object and
purpose of Government? To protect
and foster the liberty, happiness, pro
gress and culture of the people. If it
is the duty of Government to enact
laws to protect the health of tho citi
zens, is it not a more imperative legisla
tive duty to shield the citiz m from the
curse of ignorance? Or, is sickness of
body more deplorable than lack of all
mental culture, and a state of intellect
but little above the animal instinct?
Republican Governments as well as all
other Government', have tho same
criminal law for the educaftd and the
ignorant otfender. Does it not seem
unjust that the illiterate, ne/eoied,
ignorant outcast of society shou.d be
measured with the same standard of
responsibility which is applied to the
criminal of high culture and education,
who certainly has greater faculties, as
well to decide between right and wrong
as to curb his passions? And is
it not true that the Government indi
rectly causes much crime and immorali
ty by neglecting educational interests,
and that it seems somewhat inconsis
tent to punish an offender who, but for
the neglect of Government, might have
been an exemplary citizen? Except on
the plea of impracticability, and on the
principle that the safety of society must
be protected under all circumstances
and at all hazards, it is difficult to an
swer the argument that it is unjust and
inconsistent with the progressive spirit
of the age to make no discrimination,
as regards the i igor of penal laws, be
tween the ignorant and the intelligent
criminal. Compulsory education alone
can, in a great measure, remove this
well-founded objection.
Foxes as Sheep-Herders.
The Stockton (Cal.) Republican vouches
for the following story : 4 ‘ People often
wonder at the remarkable instinct dis
played by well trained shepherd dogs,
but what w 11 they say when we tell
them of a band of sheep that is guarded
by foxes alone. The story seems im
probable, but of its truth we have the
most undoubted proof. On Whisky
Hill, four miles from Milton, may be
seen, almost any day, a large Hock of
sheep herded by foxes. These guardians
of the lambs are three in number —one
a gray fox and the other two of the
species known as tho red fox. In point
of intelligence, these novel shepherds
are said to greatly surpass the best
trained shepherd dogs. They perform
their work well, and from morning till
night are ever on the alert. Tho gray
one seems to control, and in a great
measure direct, the actions of the other
two. A gentleman informs us that he
saw the gray fox pursue and attack a
hog that had seized a lamb and was
making off with it. Tho contest was
short and sharp, and resulted in the hog
dropping the lamb and beating a hasty
retreat. The fox picked up the ap
parently uninjured lamb and carried it
back to tbeflock.”
Courtship Defined*
A bewildering definition of tho word
44 courtship” was given by a witness in
an amusing breach of-prom iso case re
cently tried in London. Mr. Chambers,
counsel for tho plaintiff, remonstrated
with the witness for using the word.
44 I am an old bachelor,” said he, “and
don’t understand courtship. How is it
done? What is courtship?” The wit
ness, who being a married lady might
reasonably be expected to answer by
the light of her own experience,defined
it thus : 44 Looking at each other, taking
hold of each other’s hands, and all that
kind of thing.” 'Hie definition, though
puzzling to old bachelors, is good. Per
sons experienced in such matters will
have no difficulty in interpreting the
last clause to their own satisfaction; in
deed, “all that sort of thing” is quite as
exact an interpretation as is wanted for
the indescribable art of making love.
Tin? Srliool Days of Charles Dickens.
California, that haven of wanderers
from all parts of the globe, numbers
amongst its present naturalized citizens
a former schoolmate of Charles Dickens,
who, writing from Napa to the Sanoelito
Herald, has partially controverted the
lately popular idea of the great novel
ist’s ill treatment in childhood. Refer
ring to that excerpt from Foster’s biog
raphy which, under caption of “The
Terrible Secret in Dickens's History,”
has made the tour of American journal
ism, that new anil apparently competent
commentator remarks; “I see a story
going the rounds of the newspapers to
tile effect that Charles Dickens was the
prototype of his own David Copporfield,
who was starved and otherwise mal
treated in his youth. I have the best
of reasons for believing that this is all a
sentimental exaggeration, and from
these facts: Dickons and 1 were school
mates about the year 1830, in Hunter
street, Brunswick square, bondon, and
his family lived inCampton street. Ho
was a good student, and before leaving
attained the position of liSNt boy—a
high distinction, and by the inflexible
rules to be attained only through emi
nent merit. Bach branch of learning
with us had six classes, and over one
hundred and forty pupils were arranged
in the school according to grade, each
boy having a ‘ ledger account.’ There
fore, to be first boy a student hail to be
first in the first class in every branch
taught in tho school, comprising the
languages, mathematics, Euclid, and all
the ordinary studies of a full English
education. A lad in circumstances to
become such a scholar could not have
been very unfortunately situated in life.
Dickens was a robust youth, and his
brothers were at tho school afterward
with my brothers. The starvation busi
ness is all nonsense, or we must have
heard of it. After he had become fa
mous, he used to preside at our long
continued annual pupils’ dinner to our
old master, Dr. Dawson, whose sons, I
believe, still conduct the school.”
Workmen’s Homes in Europe.
In Denmark the building societies
form an important feature of social life.
In 1865, Messrs. Burmeister and Wain
(the latter gentleman is an English
man), the largest employers of labor in
the country, started a new cottage sys
tem. The plan was that every member
should pay one mark (4sd) a week and
a deposit of $1 (2s 2d). Tho houses,
when finished or unoccupied, were to
be drawn for by lot; tho member win
ning would have to pay a fair rent, and
the excess of rent over interest (six per
cent.) on the actual cost of the house is
credited to the occupant, who in twen
ty-eight years would thus repay the
capital, and be entitled to the convey
ance of tho house in freehold. Mem
bers who do not win are entitled to re
claim the entire amount of their de
posits after eighteen yearH. The society
lias built thirty-six two floored cottages
in rows, each having a small court and
garden, and with cither three or two
rooms besides a kitchen, sflording in all
accommodation for about 280 persons.
The rent of the first floor is about
£0 10s, of the ground floor about £6 10s.
For much worse accommodation other
artisans have to pay £B.
Throughout Prussia the homes of the
artisans are generally very poor. Of
late years rents have greatly risen.
Something is being done to improve
matters by the aid of building societies.
In Sweden, where timber is cheap and
land is plentiful, the traveler sees neat
little cottages each with its garden.
Many of the mine proprietors offer to
their workmen the privilege of buying
their houses by easy installments. In
Russia many of the mill owners have
built for their work-people large houses,
constructed on sanitary principles, and
divided in three classes—houses for
married couples, for unmarried men,
and for unmarried women.
The German Conscription.
The increased rate of conscription
coining into force in Oormany this year
adds 40,000 men anually to the strength
of the standing army. Thus, in ten
years the government will have, an ad
ditional army of 400,000 men at its
disposal. It is not proposed to form
these in’o new regiments, but in accor
dance with the principle adopted since
1866, to attach fourth and in certain
cases even fifth, battalions to existing
regiments. When battalions muster
1,000 and 2,000 strong, the idea of a five
battalion regiment conveys in i I sol f tho
impression of an army, and a brigade,
at all events, figures as a formidable
force. The only possible difficulty is to
find officers for the new force, it is be
lieved, however, that there will be a
sufficiency of letired officers of the line
in time of war to till the higher grades,
and as for tho lower grade the one year
volunteer system supplies ample materi
al for filling them. Then it is shown
to be one of the principal advantages of
the German compulsory system, that
besides providing men for the rank and
tile at comparatively small cost to the
state, it furnishes officers at almost no
cost at all, because most of tho educa
ted men in tho country, availing them
selves of tho privileges of one-year
service, are able to pas it he necessary
examination, and in a country where
men are valued according to their mili
tary rank, they are eager to seize tho
easy opportunity for obtaining the cov
eted porle epee.
An Accomplished Man.
In one of the eastern counties of
West Virginia there lived a little boy
who had a smart father. He knew this
was rtllier an uncommon circumstance,
and ho used sometimes to boast of it.
One day he was holding forth on this
subject to a crowd in the village store.
“ My father,” said he, “can doa’most
anything. He’s a notary public and
lie’s a ’potheeary and ho can pull teeth
and he’s a liorse-doctor and he can
mend chairs and wagons and things and
ho can play the fiddle and he's a regular
jackass at all trades.”
The new Church of the Messiah, at
Dexter, Me., is heated by steam from
tho boiler of one of the mills, through
pipes which are carried underground a
distance of 400 feet, four feet below the
I surface, in a box packed with waste.
Editors and Proprietors.
NUMBER 2S.
The Hidden Lake.
Lato traveling thro’ tho sleeping land.
Behind tho rushing iron steed.
I watched tho trees on either hand.
In changing circles swiffrecedc.
Wo passed the twinkling lights of town-
The lonely gleams of country fires.
And o’er the black and silcnt umvns.
We sped as fast as wild desires.
Tho rose still lingered in the sky.
The purple on the mountain's crest.
One trembling star hung poised on high
To light the glory in the West.
The Rwcct young moon, pale yet and mild,
Shone o’er tho solitary plain.
Whence, like achild that sleeping smiled
A sweeter moon shone back again.
And by that glimmer bright and fair.
Nestled among the clustering trees.
I knew nil unseen lake slept there.
Lost in a silent dream of peace.
Ah ! thus, sweetheart, within thine eyes
Than evening air more soft and elnar
I watch a tenderer light arise.
And know that love itself is near.
’Tis hid beneath the veil **f night,
Like tho still lake within tho woods .
Only that trembling dewy light.
Tolls where tho unseen wonder broods.
A Woman’s Pleading.
Como back, eoiuo hack, upon the track
By which you crossed the river:
Once more, once more, touch earthly show
And whisper "I forgive her.”
What if the stain on him a remain.
The sign and seal of going?
Theso flowing tears and wasted years
Repentance must be showing.
I loved you ? Yes. I scorned you ? Lcs
Than those who took tny smiling ;
Who stood amt bowed amid the crowd
My beauty was beguiling.
Until too late. I thought your hate
You showed in scornful fashion ;
When, like a star, you stood afar.
How could 1 know your passion ?
Too late? Too true, alas ! f<r you
Accepting such dismassa! !
In yonder land wherein you stand,
llow reads tho shining missal ?
If quiot breast betoken rest
Beyond tho rapid river.
Oh ! send some sign for heart of mine
To interpret. " l forgive her.”
Current Items.
Raiiky has a successor in New York,
who makes a horse lie down and squeal
like a pig.
A i.aroe colony from Cincinnati is
about to settle in Do Soto parish,
Louisiana.
An eyeless colt—not only blind, hut
without eye-sockets —was recently foaled
at Dubuque, lowa.
A man at Fond du Lac, Wis., lias been
lined SIOO by a Justice of the Peiute for
selling gift concert tickets.
The Czar of Russia is noted for his
simplo and unostentatious habits, and
is met daily walking in St. Petersburg.
Mrs. Chapman, of Booth Bay, Me.,
strangled her infant child on the 41li ol
March, while in a fit of religious in
sanity.
Tiie latest fish story is that of a min
now that was found solidly encrusted
witli ice, but swam away gaily upon
being thawed out.
Julia Johnson, an aged negress, and
her son have reached Detroit Irom
Richmond, Va., walking that dutaiicc.
and camping out nighl-t.
Florida is unable to feed her Stall
prison convicts, and the State Pardon
ing Board is turning them out into the
colil, unsympathizing world.
The Milwaukee Sentinel has found a
young lady in that village who has been
heiress all along, without knowing it, of
eighty acres of land inside the Chicago
city limits.
Mrs.Oiiamuehlain, of Schenectady, N
Y., being unwell, recently let her in
fant sleep in tiie cradle, and awoke to
find itH hands frozen to tiie wrist. It
has since died.
At a wedding at Oshkosh, Wis., where
chewing gum iH the only amusement,
the bride and groom to show their im
plicit faith in each other, put their arms
around each other’s waist, ami swapped
cuds.
A merchant of Louisville, who Ins
just paid the Courier Journal $12,000 for
advertising within the past four year ,
says he is going to spend $24,000 in the
same direction within the coming four
years.
The mortal remains of Aaron Burr lie
in the graveyard at Princeton, N. J ,
where, a few years ago, a monument of
marble was erected by stealth ami at
night, by whom it is unknown, hut
other unknown persons have mutilated
the shaft.
Gen. Du Bose, of tho Filth Connie
sional District of Georgia, is recognized
as the handsomest' man in Congress. It
is stated hy a correspondent of the At
lanla AWthut Vinnio Ream is engaged
on a model preparatory to a statue hi
the handsome Georgian.
Mr. Martin, of Lyons county, lowa,
has saved tho life of a man named
Abbott, whom ho found on the prairie
frozen from tho toe to the hips as still
as a board, hy keeping him in a barrel
of water for twenty-four hours, till all
the frost was extracted from his body.
The Japanese Government has en
gaged an American gardener and agri
culturist named Louis Bcelimer, ol
Rocliester, N. Y., who recently sailed
from San Francisco with a largo assort
mont of fruit and ornamental trees,
which lie will plant in that country.
A San Francisco paper of the slh
inst. says : “ Yesterday afternoon two
heavy trucks were loaded with bullion
from tho Nevada mines, in front of tho
banking-house of Davidson A Co., on
Montgomery street. Kach one con
tained in value about $60,000, the bricks
averaging abeut SI,OOO. They are now
shipped via Panama and Aspimvail, to
Europe, to tho house ot Rothschilds.”
A liAGCACE-SMASHERat the Union Depot
in Indianapolis, while slinging various
articles about in his usu 1 forcible and
vindictive style, suddenly reached the
conclusion that one particular valise
was filled with revolvers. As it struck
the floor after being tossed ten or fifteen
feet, an explosion occurred, and a hull
whistled in close proximity to the
smasher’s head. He now bundles II
packages that resemble this one iu any
particular with tiie greatest tenderness,
but wre ks his vengeance on Saratoga
trunks.