Newspaper Page Text
CHRISTMAS CAROL. CHRISTMAS CAROL. BY J. G. HOLLAND. CHRISTMAS CAROL. BY J. G. HOLLAND. I. Thereto MB In the air ! Thara'a a star In taw aky I And hhrh In ml And the -r relne lla are wkile ax Beautiful tinf, Tortae janrarsa1 BWhWrfi stadaw a Kinf, 1 II. Teretu3Jtof lov, O'er the WMxWrai blrta. Forth VtrgO boy Je tha Lord of tbeearta, Av! the r ralne it Ore ud tbe Beeotrfa nnc, For ts mui of Bethlehem eradlee linf III. Ib the light af that star Lie tb ee hnpearted ; And that anis; from anw Ba mp( o 'er the world. Vary hearth n aflame, aad tbe Beautiful tmg lo th scenes of Um Banana that jesos la Else. III. IV. W rrjy ta tbe b-tat. And w? aebe tbe sons; That m down through the night From the heavenly throng. Ay I we fljoot to th lovely vnrJ they bHne. And wagraot in his cradle oar Harlow and Xing. III. IV.-Scribner's for January. TIMOTHY'S TEA PARTY. " Christmas Eve, to be tare YouH tome, wont yen ? ' Muffins And All first rate i IVe-lightfal t " sighed Timothy cxwtatically; " the nioest little tea-party 1 ever natt 1 " ; - Da ma Charmberry dropped her knit ting And pricked up her ears ; but her spouse, woo nad been dosing comforta bly in the great corner settle, gave only sound snore, and made no farther re- mur ' "Tea-party, indeed I " quoth Dame CJharmberry. "What's he np to nowf" Who's he after t That horrid smart bar-maid at the BlueCow' Til bet shilling! But 111 spoil his tea-parties - xer mm, ill go osull Hera, Timothy I hoo-oo-oo, man! to bwl, and don t ruer snoring there, iiAe tb 1 raging lion a-going a Don to aewonr." -And, by dint of thumps, scratches, pi acnes, and puanes, supplemented b, a Terr vigorous shaking, she Arouse tha poor little man, and hunted him off to his dormitory. Timothy Chumberry was the small est and snonest man in the rambling pariah 01 Hnctlebroom, and, as such tiny specimens do, (from some myster ious influence I leave to more scientific folks to explain) had married one of the biggest women for miles round; for his wife was six feet high, and sh was stout in proportion. Now. much no doubt, as Timothy had admired this oologsal stature in his bride in earlier days, , it had its disadvantages, for she was most emphatically his better-half. in every sense of the word; in fact, to speak accurately, his three-quarters. Poor Timothy, moreover, labored under an affliction, which practically dimin- tsned nis chances 01 ruiersaip, lor he was as deaf as Dame Eleanor Spearing: "Pee to verba and ad their aumuuuudtage, Adleoove, noon and adverb, and partioJe. iw r even toe aeanne 1 Kow unfortunatel.-'. Dame Charm- berry had also a fail ing, an absurd one, common, alas! to her sex she most unreasonably jealous. Poor little meek . Timothy, who could never have screwed up courage enough to say "Bo I n to a mouse, much less to a goose, wss far too modest to give her any cause or reason for her disease, and being, moreover, of a small sice, was liable to be sverlooked by most of the blooming maids and buxom widows eyes were not a pair, albeit both goose berry green; and the fringe of this lank hair that adorned his half-bald skull was'inore of the color of unravel ed string than anything else ; and over and above that, one bony shoulder was higher than the other, and he had a club foot. Now, the veriest old maid in TTncklnbronm nonld hordlv risve onn- jared him into an Adonis; but Dame Charmberry doubtless imagined that the charms which hed eaught her large heart, might prove dangerous to others: and thus, although good, kind-hearted woman in the main, she worried both him and herself to death. On ac count of his deafness, she could not curtain-lecture him, for Mrs. Caudle herself oould not have made him hear a syllable, and "though a series of signs did tolerably well for the usual mode of communication, they were not suffi cient to relieve her overcharged bosom. Consequently her rage, diverted from this safety-valve, fell to other modes cf punishment. -wShe " was too tender hearted to inflict personal chastise ment on him ; and therefore, when her him in an original fashion, by placing all articles of f oodhis favorite dainties especially, on such a very high shelf that he could not get them without walking half a mile to borrow Sandy Sawpit's ladder and then she went out totsal j - On the present occasion, Mrs. Charm berry, having heard these few mutter-1 ed words fall from poor Timothy's sleeping lips, felt convinced that he meditated some amorous appointment shortly, and in the secret rage of her heart resolved to discover the whole. So she dissembled her wrath, and the next day announced her intention of going to drink tea with her mother on j Christmas Eve. "Yes, my dear," replied Timothy, "to be sure, so you shall, and as early as you like, too. It's the blessed Christ mas time, and everybody ought to enjoy themselves." - And Timothy rubbed his skinny hands, and winked his- goggle-eyes through his greet horn spectacles, like an owl in daylight, and stitched away faster than ever, for he was a tailor, and was putting a patch on the parish clerk's best black indispensables against next Sunday, which was also Christmas Day. '"Enjoy themselves, indeed!" said Dame Charmberry, indignantly, shak ing her head, . and poking the broom stick at him. " Ah, you faithless vil lain ! you think jrw will, I dare navy, you false, deceiving monster! . But I'll circumvent your tea-party, or my name isnt Buth Charmberry ! " - '. " Tea, my dear, to be sure you shall !" replied the nnconscions Timothy, com placently, who heard and saw nothing, but went stitching on with his face to the window, which so exasperated the wife of his bosom that she gave the board such a violent shake that down went Timothy, thimble and alL Quite unconscious, however, of the cause of the accident, he picked himself meekly up, with the rest of his belongings, and resumed his seat, with all the calm of a Mohammedan, while Dame Charmberry vented the rest of her wrath on the dog, who fled, howling dismally. Christmas Eve came, and after their frugal meal, Dame Charmberry, first setting her house in tne strictest order, d parted, first giving a last glance at the hifrh shelf, on which she had put the tea-pot and loaf. Timothy saw her to the gate, and there stood, rubbing his hands as usual, to the ghost of a whistle, and watched her on her way down the long village street, past the butchers, past the "Blue Cow," be yond the general shop, past Sandy Saw pit's, and at last vanishing in the dim distance up Mill Lane. - "ITl have a holiday, too," says Tim- it am -.. m . . 1 " , Til uui;; lv B uiinsMnao-waue, iwiiit ku os the spree ! Oh, law, if Buth only heard me ! She's a dear, good soul, but awful strict She would'nt trust me with a sixpence, Tm sure, if I was to ask her for fear Td, spend it at the 'Blue Cow;" but, law! I shouldn't And here's the young Squire's half- crown, asH provide for my tea-party handsome." And Timothy chuckled so that his spectacles fell off, only, luckily, they dropped on the flat box-bush by the door, unharmed; but he was so sobered down by the fright thai he left off talk ing to hj"""df, and went quietly in to at a of the the In by At I of ed hs' vol.; v. noag: f : M'CONNELSVILLE,- OHIO, n QNSERVATI FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1870. 11 4 WHOLE ftO. 224. finish his work, as if Buth herself had been there. When he had completed his work, he put all tidily away, and his next proceeding might have arous ed Dame Charmberry 's suspicions more than ever, for he took down his old hat from behind the door, and then, after a long search, perched her ewn market basket . on his arm, and, fastening tha door, set off jauntily "down street" with a sprig of holly he had' picked on the way, in hie -button-hole. We will follow him. and by so doing, we are brought to the threshold of the general shop, where he marched in boldly up to toe counter. Law, Mr. Charmberry! what can we do for von t It's an age since TVe seen you," shouted Mrs. Dubbits, at the top of her voice. " I've some prime Christ- tea, just in Hykey Pekoo, just such as Missis would Eke." I want some tea, if you please," replied Timothy, in his thin, reedy voice; "but please, to write down the price of it On the slate, for I'm harder of hearing nor ever." Mrs. .Dubbits. complied, and then took Timothy's order for a quarter of tea, a pound of sugar, ' best raw, three penn'orth of fresh crumpets, and some golden syrup, tending him a little jar for the last, and then he wound up his extravaganoe. actually by selecting a bis Sally Lunn such -a plump, well- browned. . fat-looking pincushion of a tea-cake., that Timothy smacked his lips in anticipation. He completed his enormities by packing all these care fully in his wife's market-basket, and carrying tnem on, in spite 01 Jura. Dubbits' offer to send them for him. I s'pose yon - and your good lady's going to have A treat! " roared Mrs. Dubbits. 'Tm sure I wish yon a manr Christmas-" N-no. stammered Timothy, ner vously catching the first part of her speech. : "not -exactly. Please don't mention it, . TaanXee. , uood mgni I " " Old Tim's sroinj to have a treat on the sly ! " said Mrs. Dubbits to her shop-bey. " I seed her A-poetia' down this arter noon," responded th latter; "so hew seed her off, I s'pose, and then gone in forwittles." We must now leave Timothy on cer tain further rambles, and follow Mrs. Charmberry. whom we shall find, not her mother's, but sitting in gloomy stste in the small parlor of the Bev. Ebenezer Seratohit, the minister of her own partaoular denomination, to whom she has come for counsel and advice in her sore disquiet- He has just propos ed to Accompany her to her home, in order to convict the culprit and bring him to a sense of his wickedness. It is bitter cold night, and the pastor in sists on his visitor partaking of some spioed elder wine, which his helpmate, Mrs. Scratchit, serves grimly on the testimonial salver, with some fossil bis euits of antediluvian . bakery, of so flinty a nature are they. This modest refection conoluded, . the minister and Mrs. Charmberry set oil, - and after a brisk walk, soon reached the cottage, which they approached silently, and with some caution. Some hours had elapsed, and the cold white moonlight was already painting the shadows of the yew and box-bushes os the path way; but inside no doubt there was no lack of light and warmth, to judge from the bright fire-light that glimmered under the crack of the door The checked blue curtains were so closely drawn over the windows that the watch ers could find no chink for observation. I wonder what vile hussey is in there, now," muttered Mrs. Charmberry grinding her teeth at the thought " rlusn I " replied lier companion ; he's singing, and it isnt a hymn ! " "It's what he used to sing when he came a-courting of me," said . Buth, between a sigh and a groan. And verily Timothy's weak voice was heard heartily carolling ; . - . . - " Tha heppfeet aonr. that e'er I rjxmi Were (pent among the avjeee, oh I " "Oh, sinful flesh, sinful flesh!" groaned the Bev. Ebeneser. "He's a talking," whispered Buth, pinching him to enforce silence ; "let's open the door s crack he cant hear, nor they cant see, 'cause tne settle s between us and the door." "Here, Lucy, here's some stunning tea for you, and I hope youH enjoy it, And here's my love to you, and a merry Christmas, ' and many of 'em ! Cheer old girl ! yonVe looking quite young and lively.I can tell you I (" Brute r muttered Mrs. C, outside). " Such tea this will warm up the cockles ol your heart! And such sugar, too! sparkling like the boughs in a frost And, Nancy, my dear, here's such a Sally Lunn for you 1 I fell in love with it on Mrs. Dubbits1 counter, so thick and well-baked, and here's plenty butter to baste it well with." ("The heathen!," muttered Buth; "there's two on 'em then ! ") "Hetty, my lass ! Pre -not forgotten you: do try these crumpets ; and this golden syrup is for young W" "He's a regular Mormon," growled Bev. Ebenezer.' - - t But Buth could bear it no longer. she rushed, ' dashing open the door, 1 and coming like a whirlwind, followed the minister, upon poor Timothy, who was peacefully seated alone by the fire, sharing his meagre meal of taand bread with the eat! "This be a unexpected honor, sir," said Timothy, recovering his senses first, and getting up. "Ruth, why don't yon dust a chair for the gentle man I " . . The preacher and Mrs. Charmberry looked very foolishly one at the other. last the Bev. Ebenezer spoke, by shouting in Timothy's ear : "We heard yos talking out loud, Mr. Charmberry : we thought you had company-" .... "Company!" said old Tim, "com pany! Yes, I were in company with own thoughts. It's a bad habit as Pve got, sir, all along of my infirmity, s'pose of talking to myself. -And this here blessed ChristmAs'l sat a-thinking all the poor souls about here, and a wishing of .'em a merry Christmas all round in a cup of tea, as I do you, sir, likewise, hoping I takes no liberty." "Timothy! " screamed his wife. "What have yon' done with Lucy and riettv i " "thev aint a-told. have thevl " ask- Timothy, looking sheepish. "Well, then, X setose 1 must make a clean breast of it all ; but, Buth, my dear, dont 'ee be angered. The young squire gi'ed I half a crown for a Christmas box, and, thinks I, tis a windfall over and Above trade, and should fall to them as has no regular crops. So I called it like, to myself, my tea party, to-night I spent it at the shop, taking old bedrid Lucy Grove a little matter of tea and sugar, lame Nanny Bird a cake or two, and blind Hetty some crumpets and traycle. - I were so main comfortable myself, I wanted to take some o' they a bit o' cheer ; put ; don't 'ee be angered, Buth : I ought to I told 'ee, but you've been took up again me lately, and I were afeard of ! j i of a in of of in at as in to in in of ' all 16 vexing thee. - But I were . wrong ; I ought to ha' told 'ee, and I ax thy par' don, lass, for't. You see, sir, I were only 'musing myself wi' saying over all I'd. said to the poor souls to-night : and so I were, as I said afore, keeping my tea party." "Mrs. Charmberry,'' said the Bcv. Ebeneser, with a curious sort of choke his throat "your husband s been keeping the season like -a Christiaiv wnicn is more than can be said of yos and me. J am sure you won't be jeal- ems' of the blind, halt" and lame that Timothy's been entertaining, like an - gels unawares. We have both had a lesson, rm sure. God bless you both, with au the blessings of the season! Good nightl" , .- : the wicked, suspicious, mean wretch as I vas I " sobbed Mrs. Charmberry. as she fcufreed her husband, vigorously oil his little legs, in the . height cf her penitence. "IH never put the vittles out of reach again, nor suspect yon, neither, aa long as my name's Buth Charmberry!" ..-. And she kept her word. FRANCES F. BRODERIP. A Wonderful Fish. If anybody is fearful that all the wonderful things os earth will be dis covered and pswed over by scientific gentlemen; and classified and stuck up in cabinets, before he can get a chance at them, let him take heart, and hook and line, and a palace car to San Fran cisco, and try the angler's art on the Pacific coast . As the land anywhere thereabouts is full of extraordinary things, both above and below the sur face, so also is the water. - If he has luck, he may come back with not only the most extraordinary of fish stories, but the queerest of queer fish. Only two or three weeks ago, there were presented to the San Francisco Acade my of Science two specimens of a finny genus new . to the - sa vans of California. . One had been eaught near by, the other off - the mouth of Chetts Biver, Oregon. The animal ia a sort of cross between cat-fish, a dog-fish, a dolphin and a sea-deviL It has teeth, m horn, fins, and legs capable of being doubled up and concealed when it is necessary. One of the two was a savage fellow, and when captured blew a cloud of spray from two holes in its snout, and when a stick was placed in its mouth, would sieze it and hold on with sufficient te nacity to be raised from the ground. A gentleman present at the meeting un dertook to declare that such an animal was not unknown in European waters and was called the "king hemng." Unfortunately for his assertion, those who viewed the curiosities were rather inclined to say that they ware "neither fish, flesh, nor good red hemng. Jut that's what it is to have an Academy of bcienoes; with such an institution on hand, the most extraordinary curiosi ties are bound to turn up. Yankee Pluck. All the Western countrymen of "Our Fritz" do not attain the valorous fame of that chieftain. California is still traversed in the wildest parts by that primitive locomotive the stage, and journeying thereon is attended with auite as much dancer, as discomfort Becently as the Marysville coach was pursuing its accustomed way, burdened with three inmates, a Yankee and two Germans, a cloud of "Boad Agents" dawned on its peaceful horizon, and called At once for the spoils war. The - trembling Teutons awoke to the situation, . and su- oematurallv keen in caring for the treasures, threw, the results of their year's mining operations in the bushes snd tumbled out, abjectly begging for hie at the point of the robbers pistols. The third passenger in the coach seems have slept through this preliminary scene, for he suddenly leaped rrom nis seat with picturesque forms of speech, and ehannnftT at once upon the snsus- doc tine bandits, by a well directed fire and a Bhrewd simulation of a heavy force to aid. put them to flight while the good Teutons yet did imploring penitence on tlje cold ground, ine stage escaped further molestation, and large amount of treasure belonging to Wells, Fargo k Co., wss thus saved by the emphatic courage of an indomitable Yankee. The Germans waited until daylight and found their scattered gold. The Scoab Cbop. The New Orlean papers state that notwithstanding the interruptions caused by the election ex citements, the progress of the planters, gathering heir sugar harvests, has been considerable, the only drawback being the lack of water to supply the mills. . Many of the planters, it is stated, have run their pipes out into the river, and employed pumps, both on land and on tug-boats, to force the water into their ponds. . The grinding the cane, however, is going on very rapidly, aad the yield of sugar and mo lasses, it is estimated, will exceed that last year by 20,000 to 25,000 hogs heads. Previous to the war there were Louisiana 1,261 sugar houses, pro ducing 459,410 hogBbeads, averaging 1,500 pounds ' each and valued 125,096,271. After the war the plantations which had been idle were again placed under cultivation, and in 1869 the yield frem 817 1 sugar mills wss 87,000 hogsheads ' of sugar, worth $12,000,000. . This year there are 1,117 sugar houses is operation, which, estimated above, will produce 112, 000 hogsheads. It is stated that if the Elanters had had good and reliable ands to cultivate the sugar-cane early the season, the crops would have been larger. The increase is due to the season, which has been unusually favorable. Labarers are very, difficult obtain, even at the high rates of $30 and $40. and even $60 a month. Sev era! planters have secured gangs of Chinese laborers, and are preparing to begin work early next year. PzBsoKSwho prefer oysters cooked their own liquor may be interested knowing what the fluid contains. The Journal of Microseopy says: "Open an oyster, retain the liquor in the lower or deep shell, and, if viewed nrOTgl . microscope, it will be found TO,!TnJr In a ?y" r8' coveted witn sue lis and swimming nimbly about one nundred and twen ty of which extend but one inch. Be sides these young oysters, the liquor contains a variety of animolcuhc and myriads of three distinct species of worms. " Sometimes their light re presents a bluish star about the center the shell, which will be beautifully luminous in a dark room." Is an essay before the Woodford county (Hi) Farmers' Club, W. W. Eg bert gave his idea of what a horse for work, especially for the farm, should Among other things he gives : Weight, 1,100 to 1,250 pounds ; color, dark bay or chestnut ; height, 15 or hands. Portrait of King William by Mark Twain. From the Galaxy for January. I never can look at those periodical portraits in The Galaxy magazine with out feeling a wild, tempestuous ambi tion to be an artist I have seen thona suds and thousands of pictures in my time acres of them here and leagues ! f them in the galleries of Europe but UOTtr any uuu movea me ma wo vjauuy J portraits do. ! There is-a portrait of Monsignore 1 Capel in the November Galaxy; now "" anything be sweeter than that f nti mere was uismarcx s, in tne ucto- numoer, wno cab loo ai uai witn- I ? being purer and stronger and no- tnl m the September number; I would n have died vrithout seeing that, no, not for anything this world can give. But look back still further and recall my own likeness ss printed in the Au gust Galaxy; if I had been in my grave a thousand years when that appeared, I would have got up and visited the ar tist I sleep with all these portraits under my pillow every night so that I can go on studying them ss soon as the day dawns in the morning. I know them all as thoroughly as if I had made them myself ; I know every line and mark about them. Sometimes, when compa ny are present, I shuffle the portraits all up together, and then pick them out one by one and call their names, with out referring to the printing at tne bot tom. I seldom make a mistake never, when I am calm. I have had the portraits framed for a long tune, waiting till my aunt gets everything ready for hanging them up in the parlor. - But first one thing and then another interferes, and so the thing is delayed. Once she said they would have more of the peculiar kind of light they needed is the Attic. The old simpleton ! it is as dark as a tomb up there. But she does not know any thing about art, and so she has no rev erence for it When I showed her my "Map of the Fortifications of Paris," she said it was rubbish. WelL from nursing those Galaxy por traits so long, I have come at last to have a perfect infatuation for art I have a teacher now, and my enthusi asm continually and tumultuously grows, as I learn to use with more and more facility the pencil, brush, and graver. I am studying under De Mell ville, the house and portrait painter. His name was Smith when he lived West He does any kind of artist work a body wants, having a genius that is universal, like Michael Angelo. Resembles that great artist, is fact The back of his head is like his, and he wears his hat-brim tilted down on his nose to expose it 1 have been studying under -De jueii ville several months now. The first month I painted fences, and gave gen eral satisfaction. The next month I whitewashed a barn. The third, I was doing tin roofs; the fourth, oommos signs ; the fifth, statuary to stand be fore cigar shops. This present month is only the sixth, and I am already on portraits! . The humble offering which accom panies these remarks the portrait of his Majesty William EH, King of Prus sia is my fifth attempt in portraits, and my greatest success. It has re ceived unbounded praise from all class es of the community, but that which gratifies me most is the frequent and cordial verdict that it resembles the Galaxy portraits. Those were my first love, my first admiration, the original source and method of my art-ambition. Whatever I am is art to-day, I owe to the Galaxy portraits. I ask no credit for myself I deserve none. And I never take any, either. Many strangers have come to my exhibition (for I have had my portrait of King William on exhibition at one dollar a ticket), and would have gone away blessing me if I had let them, but I never did. I always stated where I got the idea. King William wears large bushy side whiskers, and some critics have thought that this portrait would be more com plete if they were added. But it was not possible. There was not room fer side whiskers a:id epaulettes both, and so I let the whiskers gj, and put in the epaulettes, for the sake of style. That thing on his hat is an eagle. The Prussian eagle it is a national em blem. When I say hat I mean helmet; but it seems impossible to make a pic ture of a helmet that a body can have confidence in. I wish kind friends everywhere would aid me in my endeavor to attract a little attention to the Galaxy portraits. I feel persuaded it can be accomplished, if the course to be pursued be chosen with judgment I write for that maga zine all the time, and so do many abler men, and if I can get the Galaxy por traits into universal favor, it is all I ask ; the reading matter will take care of itself. COMMENDATIONS OF THE PORTRAIT. There is nothing like it in the Vati can. Pits IX. It has none of the vagueness, that dreamy spirituality, about it, which many of the first critics of Arkansas have objected to in the Murrilo school of art Buskin. - The expression is very interesting. J. W. Titian. ' (Keeps a macaroni store in Venice, at the old family stand.) It is the neatest thing in still life I have seen for years. Boba Bonhetjb. The smile may almost be called unique. ittBhtARCK. I never saw sueh character portrayed in a picture face before. 1K AlXIXVUiUt. There is a benignant simplicity about the execution of this work which warms the heart towards it full as much as it fascinates the eye. Laxssxer. One cannot see it without longing to i contemplate the artist . j JfRBDRICK Wtt.t.tam. Send me the entire edition, together with the plate and original portrait and name your own price. And, would you like to come over and stay awhile with Napoleon at Wilhelmshohef it shall not cost you a cent William ILL A Library; nr Oxb Voauhz Among the mountains of Virginia, sometime Binoe, the writer of this, met a man on horseback, behind him, and attached to his saddle, was a large package, which he seemed to guard with pecu liar care. " You appear to have a great treasure attached to your saddle," we remarked. " Yet, sir," was the re sponse" Yes, sir, I have been over to Richmond and bought myself a library. " " An entire library on horseback f " " Yes, sir, I have Webstbb's Unabridg ed Dictionary in this package, and it it a whole library in ittelf. I always Set the best ! "Iowa Tribune. A sensation was created at Spring field, Mass., the other evening, by the explosion of a quantity of "non-explosive oiL" Summary of Late News. MISCELLANEOUS. j XhBCX inches of SHOW fell at Mem- I phis Thursday night and four at Little Bock. Tr.rr A Co. 's paper mill, at Albany, was burned Friday. Loss $40,000; in sured for $19,000. F. J. KxxhtPLR. a Pittsburg real es tate agent, has been arrested, charged with passing a number ol bogus cneoxs. Hon. Lbvi HubbbxXi was,. on Thurs day, nominated and confirmed as Dis trict Attorney for the eastern distiot of Wisconsin. y Tax loss ir fires is St Louis the first half of December was $168,454; in surance $391,800; probable loss to in surance companies, $133,554. Tius following nominations were sent to b-- Senate Friday. " James E. Cal- W-t . vf Flinois, to be Secretary of jJTokU&a- territory: Alexander H. Con- nor, ol Indiana, uovernor . ol Idano Territory. There was much excitement in Wall street, Friday, over rumors that the credit of the well known Joint Stock Trust Company was jeopardized by un authorized loans to speculators on ques tionable securities. Xjeading stock holders and depositors have resolved to appeal to the Courts, and astounding revelations are expected. Thx Atlantio and Pacific Railroad Company closed a contract Friday with the St Louis, Arkansas and Texas Transportatisn Company for running a fast freight line to the terminus of their road. Thence the Transportation will run mule teams to all parts of Western Arkansas, the Indian Territory and Northern Texas, issuing and guar anteeing through bills of lading from St Louis. Tha Baltimore and Ohio Railroad authorities have declined to send a rep resentative to the proposed Railroad Convention at Erie. The announce ment is causing much comment among railroad authorities, and the opinion prevails that the defection of the Balti more and Ohio would render pacifio arrangements between existing rival roads impossible, and accordingly the proposed negotiations would be broken off. The refusal of the authorities of the B. and O. B. B. is made on the ground that leading lines, after having mutually agreed to maintain rates, have in reality been paying large drawbacks. CASUALTIES. Jakes M. Ebbhrt, a druggist of Pitts burg, died Thursday night from an overdose of narcotic poison adminis tered by himself as a remedy for illness. A hbsiocs accident occurred at Bav Draw, on the New Jereey Central Bail road of New Jersey, at midnight, Fri day. From some unexplained reason the engine of the 11 o'clock train from Elizabeth to New York ran off the track on the draw, breaking the trusses and letting down the last span of the draw. The engineer and fireman went down with the engine. The former got out safely. The latter, named Hy Parker, was caught in the wreck and drowned. No other persons were injured, the cars remaining on the track.. CRIME. Const able Batlxt, of El Derado oounty, California, Thursday shot a horse thief whom he was trying to arrest- at Spanish Camp, mortally wounding him. Thx North Berwick National Bank at Dover, N. H., was broken open Thurs day night The robbers took from the bank everything that could be of value to them. They also stole a horse and carriage. A reward of $500 is offered for the arrest of the robbers. The loss is about $8,000. Gold, bills, stamps, etc., to that amount were taken. Bail road bonds amounting to $2,400, and two packages of United States bonds, one containing $4,000 and the other $16,000, all belonging to private indi viduals, were also taken. The bank was in a small wooden building, ' away from any other house. FOREIGN. Bismarck is to be made a Duke. It ib said that Victor Emmanuel will enter Borne the 8th of January, Rumors of a scheme for the restora tion of the Empire in France continue to be received. Sixty per cent of the wounded Ger mans have rejoined their regiments or joined the reserve. A great meeting of sympathizers with the Pope was held in London on Thursday evening. It ts said that one of the first sets of King Amadeus will be to give one-half of the apanage of the Crown, amount ing to some $20,000,000, to the treasury. Ktno William of Holland has tele graphed to the Government of Luxem bourg that he will defend the treaty of 1867, and he also approves the acts of the Government of Luxembourg. Thx English papers announce the death of George Anson Byron, eighth Baron Byron of Bochdale, county Lan caster, which took place on Monday last, after a lingering illness. The de ceased peer was the eldest son of George, seventh Baron (who succeeded his cousin, the celebrated poet, in 1824,) bv his wife Elizabeth Mary, daughter of Mr. Sacheverell Charles Chandos Pole, of Red bourne, Derbyshire. He was born on the 26th of June, 1818. Tax silk trade of Lyons, says a French paper, is sending immense quantities of goods abroad under the apprehension of a visit from the Prussians ; the railways are constantly conveying innumerable bales. The station at Geneva is ob structed by them. At Maiseilles, one commissionaire is mentioned as having sent off Lyons silks amounting to 10, 000,000 francs in value during the last few weeks; another has dispatched silks to the value of 40,000,000 francs. These goods are generally forwarded to Eng lisn warenouses. Thx German poet, Adolphe Boettoher, has just died at Leipsic, his native city. He was borne on the 21st of May, 1815, and at the age of twenty-one entered the University of Leipsic, devoting himself to philological pursuits, and to the study of German and English poets. Among his numerous poetical produc tions, his translations of the English poets occupy a conspicuous place. In addition to the works of Shakespeare and Byron, he translated the poems of Goldsmith, Pope, Milton and Ossian. Thx new union depot at New Haven will be one of the finest structures in New England, 800 feet long by 200 wide, with room for twelve tracks, and will probably be situated south of Long Wharf. The whole property there is owned by the Derby road, whose severe terms are the chief obstacles to the completion of the arrangements. Norwich, Conn., has on exhibition a silver shekel, said to have once been in one of the vaults of King Solomon's temple. FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD. A ooxMTTTAB Appointed by th Bran dywine, Chester Co., Pa, Farmers' Club, report that they measured an acre of land in a field of corn raised by H. H. Branson, and husked and weighed the com. It was found to weigh 8,923 pounds, or 127 bushels, 83 1-5 pounds, allowing 70 pounds to the bushel. The committee s report ia not dAted. but a (letter from Mr. Branson, in which he speaks of the award having been made. is dated October 29. This would indi cate that the corn oould not have been thoroughly dried at date of weighing. A oobrxsponpknt of the Rural New Yorker gives the following plan for weaning a colt : Ha confines tha man in a stable' where the colt cannot hear her neigh, feeds her dry hsy, and gives her very little water for a few days. He lets the colt nurse twice the first day, onos the second, and about half the, milk the third day. Then he milks a little on the ground a few times as needed. He thinks oats preferable as grain feed for the mare. He begins feeding one pint of oats and two qusrts of sweet Apples for tne eoit per dav. When he brings the colt to the stable he gives one pint of oats twice a day with sweet apples, if he has not ap ples he feeds one handrail of oil meal with the oats. Irrigating Meadows. Some people appear to think that the chief object in irrigating grass land is to furnish water during the dry, hot weather of summer. In some arid cli mates this is the case; but as a general rule the benefits of irrigation are de rived from water flowing on the land during the late fall, winter and early soring months. And there are many places where side hill meadows might be easily irrigated from streams which run only at these seasons of tne year. We have seen a rude dam that, thrown across sues a stream, directed the water over several acres ' of poor grass land and caused it to produce heavy crops of hay. Now is the time to attend to this matter. Jiuild a dam high enough to cause the water to overflow the banks and then plough out or dig a channel for the water at right angles from the stream. Dam up this channel and let the water overflow, running in a thin sheet over the land. This is a rude method of irrigation, and a very inadequate description of it but still may induce some of our read ers to avail themselves of the water which now runs uselessly down their hillsides at this season of the year and is the spring. About Food. Dio Lewis says: To make the best bread that can be made of wheat, obtain good wheat and grind it without boiling; mix it with cold water until it is as thick as can be well beaten with a spoon; after it is thoroughly beaten down, put it into a large iron pan, composed of many little onesp which must be first made hot; put it then quickly into a hot oven and bake it as rapidly as possible. Indian corn maxea excellent nounsn- ment It contains a large amount of oil; has remarkable fattening qualities, and is likewise remarkable as a heat produoer. Bice keeps its consumers fat, but it lacks the elements which feed the muscles and brain. Potatoes, both Irish and sweet are very poor for brain and muscle. Of meats, the best for heat and fat are pork, mutton, lamb, beef and veal; for muscle, beef, veal, mutton, lamb and pork ; for brains and nerve, beef, veal, mutton, lamb and pork. In cold weather, fat meat, butter, and the like, will keep the body warm; and in warm weather, milk, eggs, bran bread, and summer vegetables will keep it cooL There is no difficulty in a poor man s having meat for his family every day, Take, for example, what is called a shank of beef. The very best can be bought for a fraction of what the dear est parts cost A single pound cooked in a stew with dry bits of bread will make a meal for an entire family. The Greek and Roman armies ate but once a day. Pies and cakes are poisonous. Cheese Making in Wisconsin. W. G. Roberts, of Racine, Wis., writes to the Journal of that city as follows : I have learned a few things during my short experience this past season, snd which may be of some value to other new beginners, as well as those that may have something to do in the future with milk and cheese making, for it is evident that cheese making is to be the chief branch of Wisconsin agriculture hereafter. There is danger, however, that this busineee, like many other new paying operations, will be overdone. At present we stand well, and that is a great measure is owing to the superior ity of our cheese over any other cheese in the wide world, and hence we reap the benefit of the English market In a recent agricultural meeting in Lin colnshire, England, the chairman made this observation with regard to our cheese: "The American cheese is now so much improved through the instrumen tality of the cheese factory system, that their cheese has become as much superior to our cheese in England, as theirs used to be inferior to ours," and, said he, " if the Americans were able to make such improvements, I ask, is it not worth our while to try the same experiment-" And the result was, they nave sent to this country for factory implemeAts and cheese-makers. The character of our butter stands low in England, and is bound te keep so, unless we organize similar systems to that of our cheese-making. We all make some butter, but very few under stand making it So it was with our cheese-making some years ago. It is true we hsve some good butter is this country, such as the Orange Co., and the Welch butter of Oneida Co., in York State, and they command a high price for it But the bulk of the Amer ican butter is poor, and the prices are low. One of the chief things I have learn ed in cheese-making, is the absolute necessity of taking care of the milk, first to keep it from the dirt or rather, to keep the dirt from the milk. Next in order is to keep it sweet You might as well undertake to make a good-fla vored cup of tea from the waters of the I Dead bea in raiesune, as to ay to make a good-flavored cheese from dirty, aour milk. We cannot client nature. I would therefore recommend the following points to be observed in re lation to milk, 1st Take care of your milk. 2d. Tale care of your milk. 3d. Take care cf our milk. And if vou do it the ohetot will take care of you and your indebtedness. In Florida they are making "orange brandy." Summary of Congressional Proceedings. ' Sbaats, Sen. 13th Bills ware tatrodu.-, to provide a relief fond for ampiovaa ia the executive departments of the government; allowing the President whenever, in his judg ment, pnblio interest nay require, to iaene a proclamation expending . in respect to M exico and the British North American provinces and territories, the operation of all laws and regu lations whereby the right : of bonded trans portation ia allowed foreim tranaDortaiion ooapaniea, also suspending the laws whereby Canadian , veawela are permittee1 ta enter AmerioaB waters ; to aid certain ocean navi gation companies ; to protect the lives and property of crews and passengers on see-going vessels Several resolutions were introduced, among which was one, by 8chars, declaring that a due regard for the fundamental princi ples of the government aa well as sound statesmanship, demand the removal of the (baa bili ties imposed upon the late rebels ; and another, by Morton, providing for the appoint ment of a commission to proceed to Baa Do mingo ana report upon tne oonaitua ana re sources or tne uiana ana tne wisnes or tne oeoole with resnect to the United States. Some routine business was performed, after wtuca aa executive eesrew of an nour was id, when the Senate adjourned. Hocsa James H. Bainey, the colored neo ber from 8onth Carolina, was sworn in. Near ly twenty bills were introduced, among which the more important were these: To repeal the income tax; to ertabhsa ocean steamship com panies between tl-e united States and Europe; to authorize the Secretary of the Interior te nerease the compensation of assistant mar shals for talcing the census; to extend the pro visions of .the 25th section of the army appro priation bin of tM 5th of July, 1HT0, to rela tives of deceased officers and roldiera. Tha bill for the repeal of the civil tenure act was passed, by a vote of ayes 167, nays 25. Banks presented a reeomtino" authorizing the Presi dent to appoint a committee, consisting of five persons, to inquire into the expediency of ne gotiating a treaty with the authorities of San Domingo for its acquisition referred. A joint resolution was adopted for an adjournment from December 22d to January 4th. After a bitter discussion the bin abolishing the office of Admiral and Vice Admiral of the navy was passed. A resolution, offered by Kelly, de claring that the system of internal revenue should be abolished as soon as the revenues of the government can be otherwise provided for, was adopted by 164 to 6. After some further business of minor importance the House ad journed. Binatb. Dee. 13th. Among the bills intro duced was one by Carpenter, granting lands to the State of 'Wisconsin to aid in the construc tion of a railroad from Milwaukee to Lake Superior, via Green Bay, Wisconsin UcCreery asked leave to introduce a resolution rjroposine an investigation with the view to the restora tion of the Arlington estate to the widow of uen. n. E. xee, tne removal ol the grave yard on the premises, and a general restitution for any encumbrance placed there in the inter est of the Government. A sharp debate en sued, at the close of which McCreery ' request for leave to introduce the resolution was re fused; yeas 4, nays 54 The House resolutions of respect for the memory of Hon. Albert Bidgeway, late Representative from Virginia, after eulogistic remarks by several Senators. were adopted Resolutions calling for infor mation m regard to tne arrest or one Movt and the censure of Bvron Suraa-ue and Wdl H. Reynokla for trading with the rebels during the war were offered by bprague and adopted. Adjourned. Hocsa. The consideration of the bQl to consolidate the postal lawa was resumed, the Question being on the amendment offered to repeal the franking privilege, which, after be ing so modified as to permit weekly and semi weekly papers to be sent free to actual sub scribers within the counties where published, and tha free exchange of papers and maga zines between publishers of the same, was adopted and the bill passed Bills were passed removing political disabilities from several persons, and also amending the 25th section of the act of the 15th of July, 18T0, providing homesteads for officers, soldiers and mariners who served during the rebellion The consid eration of the motion to reconsider the vote whereby the bin extending the time to con struct tne railroad from the Bt. Croix river or lake to the west end of Lake Superior was postponed until the second Tuesday in Jan nary. Some other business of minor import ance was transacted, when the House ad journed. BESaTB. Deo. 14th Memorials were pre sented representing that many veterans of the war of 1812 are now inmates of the poor houses and objects of eharitv, and praying for pensions in their behalf. The House" resolu tion for a recess over the holidays, from the 22d of December to January 4th, was con curred in. A resolution was adopted ordering an investigation into the cost of collecting the customs revenues at the principal sea porta of the country, and what sums have been received at the various ports from fines, seizures, Ae. Some time was spent in discussing a bin providing relief for the employes of the ex ecutive department A bill to provide for the Sayment of i5,000 to J. M. Bestoff, of Pa ucah, Ky., a Union surgeon, for the destruc tion of his dwelling house in 1864, by order of the Union oommander. during the rebel attack upon the place, was discussed during the re mainder ol tne session witnoat ceing disposed of. After an executive session, the Senate ad- loumed. Hocsa. Morren, of Pennsylvania, from the Committee on Manufactures, reported a bill to provide for celebrating the 100th anniver sary ox American independence try noiotng an international exhibition of arts, manufactures and products of the soil and mines, in the city of Philadelphia, in the year 1876. It was dis cussed at some length, but went over without final action Most of the remainder of the session was occupied in discussing a general amnesty bill, covering all acta of rebels except those of the principal officers of the Confed eracy, the members of the Confederate Con gress, governors of seceded states, members of secession conventions, and the graduates of the military and naval academies who joined the rebellion, i ne Din went over wunoui nnai action. Adjourned. Senats, Deo. 15th. A bin was passed al lowing supernumerary army officers to be de tailed aa instructors in colleges. Another bill was also paused amending the act for reducing the army by substituting the 1st of July, 1871, instead of the 1st January, as the time for mustering out supernumerary officers Several bills were introduced and referred, when Sen ator Schura, of Missouri, proceeded to ad dress the Senate at length in favor of his res olution, declaring that political dWmaJiff ca nons should oease, as the necessity which dic tated them no longer exists. At the conclu sion of the speech the Senate adjourned. Houas. Several bills were introduced and appropriately referred, after which the House renamed consideration of the amnesty bill. Barry, Morgan, McKenxie, Farnsworth, and Winans argued in favor of amnesty, Sypher, Lawrence, and Maynard were opposed to the bUl and opposed to general and unlimited am nesty. The bul finally went over to Tuesdav. Bills were reported appropriating (30,000,000 for pensions and amending the internal reve nue mil where it relates to sugars, so that an grades of sugar win be aliased according to color. Adjourned. Sbnats. Deo. 16. Senator Drake's resigna tion of his seat was announced, to take effect on the 16th met. Sumner presented a memo rial from Boston merchants against the an nexation of San Domingo. Sherman, from the Finance Committee, reported back ad versely various bills for the abolition of the income tax. A hul incorporating the Southern Express Company, was passed. A resolution was adopted calling upon the President for information in regard to the North Carolina troubles. Schurx's general amnesty reao1 ra tion was taken np, and Drake replied at length to the speech of Schurs of yesterday. His concluding remarks embraced a formal fare well to the Senate. Schura briefly responded, defending himself from the charge that he had gone over to the Democratic party, or that he i tended to do so. Alter an executive session the Senate adjourned. Hocsb. Several bills were introduced, and two passed, one a bill removing political disa bilities from a number of persons in Tennes see, and the bill relating to the duties on su gar, which was under consideration yesterday. Adjourned to Monday. Sksatb, Dee. 19. A resolution reported from the Printing Committee, was passed af ter a lengthy discussion, providing forprint ing condensed weekly reports of the Patent Oince, and sending one hundred copies to each state capital snd the clerks office of each ju dicial district. Among the bills introdiced was one providing for the admission of Neva da. The bul to reimburse J. M. Best, of Pa ducah, Ky., for property destroyed during the war, was taken up and diaeuased until the close of the day's session, without a vote being taken. Hocsa. Among the bills introduced was one authorizing the Postmaster General to is sue one cent correspondence postal cards. The Post Office Appropriation bill was report ed from the oommittee. It appropriates ezG, 161,698. A resolution was offered by Jones of Kentuckv.recoguizing the right of secession as debatable, and calling for full pardon and am nesty for all political offenders dunng the late war. Bejeeted yeas, 14. aava, ' Hi Bills were passed, appropriating fao.or'. w enable the President to collect the Apaou Indian tribes in Arizona and New Mexico on reserva- . ! tions; to provide for subaistesos, and promote peace and civilization among them; ajtheris j mg soldiers of the war of 1311 and the Mexi- ; I can war, to enter under uie homestead law - one hundred and sixty -acres, on alternate re served sections,' along raitroads wcios- have received land grants; appropriating 430,000, 000 for Pensions. Ths House then took up the legieislive- rTrorapriaiioo bill, pending wmon an adjournment was tacsn. r ; I I - arvN TW en, t-wMvtew tt,el.TtaMnrfi4 i front committee was one authorizing the issue of aa additional three hundred million 5 per cent, bonds authorised by the funding law of ' the last aeasion Morton's resolution for the appointment of a commuejion to investigate the resources of San Doaiingo; and tiis doire of the people respecting annexation In the United States, was taken up aad disensei un til a quarter past four o'clock, when the Sen ate adjourned. Hocsa. Two Wis were mtrodueeel an4 re- ' f erred, one of which waa for an appropriation for the improvement of the harbors of She boygan and Port Washington. At one o'clock ' ' the House proceeded to the consideration of , the amnesty biU. After a lengthy a?d general debate, Butler moved the previous question on Bingham's amendment, which was seconded by 91 yeas and 84 nays, and pending the clos ing speech of Gen. Butler the House ad journed. " Twenty-Eight Good Dollar Books for a Dollar and a Half. We call particular attention to an ad vertisement Tinder this head on another page. Perhaps no finer or -more vain able Journals are anywhere to be found . than Hearth and Home and the Ameri can Agricnltnrist. ' They are most beantifntly illustrated, and are filled 1 with choice, carefully prepared, reliable information, anch as is needed and will be highly useful in svexy-family, and by every penes,- youuy and old. The Household and Children's Departments are exceedingly interesting and instxno- . tive. Orange Jndd & Co., are veteran publishers, and their Journals and books have long enjoyed an vnsnrpass- . ed reputation for reliability . and ster ling value. In the advertisement re ferred to, the publishers take occasion . to show that a single volume of either of these Journals contains illustrations equivalent to what would be found in good books costing twenty to thirty times as muoh money. Miscellaneous Items. It is said that the whey from cheese factories is now made into butter. A CowsBcriouT farmer has just fin ished a $2,000 hog pen, which is grain ed and papered. TisaiiIA, Cal., has no calaboose, and confines its prisoners by chaining,them by the leg to a tree in the open square, . rain or shine. Ths official report of the surrender of Phalsburg states that 12 officers snd 1,839 men, and 63 guns, were captured " with the fortress. Owtno to the mildness of the wea ther, the middle and eastern divisions of the Erie Canal will not be closed for. ' traffic until the 15th instant. Two policemen in arresting a man in Boston recently, clubbed him severely. He sued them for an aggravated assault and they were fined $30 each. Thk Pall Mall Gazette says more lives are lost weekly by scarlatina in London, than the French are losing by their weekly sorties, from Paris, Ax editor in the west, whose journal "went up" some years since, has been selling his exchanges to a paper mill ever since, realizing a considerable in come. A 'WASHrxoTOit meoivuric is construct ing a four-horse-power steam engine, weighing only nine pounds, to be used -in propelling an experimental balloon. Nora thousand pairs of wooden heels ' are made weekly for one factory, in ' Lynn, and these will soon, it is expect ed, entirely supersede leather ones. - Ths Center Market, on Pennsylvania " avenue, Washington, was burned, Sun-. day morning with all its contents, and two men were suffocated. It is rumored that La Fere has been retaken by the French troops with S60 prisoners, and supplies, ammunition and provisions for large masses of troops. Thk census of Salt Lake City, just completed, shows the population to be 13,545 against 8,236 ten years ago. The ' great bulk of this population is Mor mon. Tha Common Council of San Fran- -' oisoo are debating the question of com- pelling all buildings hereafter erected in that city to be made earthquake proof, after a plan patented by a Cali fornia builder. A BAGGASx-atASTEB on the Central Ohio Bailroad was recently caught in the act of selling a diamond ring, worth 14,500, for 10. He had stolen the jewel from the trunk of a passenger, and had no idea of its real value. , Font whales were caught in Mon terey Bay, a few days ago, and the Ga zette hopes it will not happen again, as the captors were so elated with their success that they did not let a soul in town get a wink of "sleep the whole night. . . In Edinburg, the stone-masons have ' struck against an attempt by their em ployers to reduce their wages from six and a half pence to sixpence an hour. Phalsbtjbg, the strongheld in the Vosges, the siege of which , was com menced soon after the battle of Worth, . has surrendered unconditionally. The Prussian troops marched into the place -on the 13th. Bcbltnoaicb, Tfantum, is to have a new woolen factory. A public spirited citizen has agreed to supply $40,000 worth of machinery, on condition that a building 100 feet long, 30 feet wide, and two stories high, be erected from the proceeds of city bonds. Baxo BstrsTrow, the Bussian Envoy, had Prince GortchakoflTs famous circu lar in his pocket in London on the 9th of November, but amiably withheld it, for fear of disturbing the harmony of the'Lord Mayor's feast at GoilohalL Th3 architect of the Strasbourg ca thedral estimates the damage it has sustained at 1,500,000 francs, a sum which seems enormous, although the fabric is far more injured than might be concluded from a superficial exam ination. Thb Bishop of Manchester, speaking st an education meeting lately, said if Englishmen were willing to recognize the power of the policemen over the school attendance of their children, no doubt in the future they might be as well educated as Prussian or Saxon boI diers; otherwise, he looked forward with little faith to what could be done in the way of compulsion. The new postal cards in England suggest expedients for making them secret. Invisible mk is advertised, systems of cipher are brought out, nnd inscrutable languages are adopted. Hebrew, Arabic and Bussian have already defied the supervision of poet men and their assistants. Doctors rely upon Latin; bishops and archdeacons also correspond in Latin. The following is the correct list of the bridesmaids chosen for the mar riage of the Princess Louise; Lndy Constance Seymour, daughter of the Marquis of Hertford; Lady -Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of the Duke of Ar gyll; Lady Florence Lennox, daughter of the Duke of Richmond; Lady Mary Butler, daughter of the Marchioness of Ormonde; Lady Alice Fitzgerald, daughter of the Marquis of Kiidare; Lady Grace Gordon, daughter of the Dowager Marchioness of Huntley; La dy Florence Montagu, daughter of the Earl of Sandwich; and Lady Agatha Russell, daughter of Earl Russell.