University of South Carolina Libraries
Stv VOL. IV. NO. 39 Under the Wagon. " Come, wife," says good old Farmer Gray, " Put on your things; 'tis market day; Let's be off to the nearest town? There and back ere the bud goes down. Spot! No, we'll leave old Spot behind." But Spot he barked and Spot he whined, And soon made up his doggie'1 mind ^ To steal away under the wagon. Away they went at a good round pace. And joy came into the farmer's faoe. "Poor Spot," said he, " did want to oome, Bat I'm very glad he's left at ?ome. He'll guard the barn and guard the cot, And keep the cattle out of the lot." # "I'm not so sure of tba*," growled Spot, The little deg under the wagon. The farmer all his produoe sold * And got his pay iu yellow gold, 1 hen started home, just after darkHome. through the lonely forest. Hark ! A robber springs from behind a tree; ' Your money or else your life!" said he. Tne moon was out, yet he didn't see The little dog under the wagon. Old Spot he barked, old Spot he whined, And Spot he grabbed the thief behind And dragged him dowu in mad and dirt, lie toro Ins coat and tore bis shirt; He held him with a whisk and bound, And he couldn't rise from the miry ground; While his legs and arms the farmer bound And tumbled him into the wagon. Old Spot he saved the farmer's life, The farmer's money, the farmer's wife; And now a hero, grand and gay, A silver oollar he wears to-day; And everywhere his mas;er goes, Among his frieucs, among his foes, IIa follows upon his horny toes, * The little dog wider the wagon! AFTER MANY DAYS. An old man lay in tlie little chamber off the best room of Abram Linmar's unpretentious farmhouse, listening half unconscious to the sound of voioes, now in stern demand, again in humble pleading and protestation. His long gray hair and beard swept the snowy linen of the pillows, against which his bronzed, sunken face seemed darker and more hollow; his bony fingers beat the coverlid in anger and sympathy, as his ear followed the words of the speakers, and a glitter sparkled in his eyes, which had, for five weary weeks, been glazed and dulled with fever. * 441 wish they'doome in," he muttered to himself; 441 want to know all about it; [ was asleep at the first and can't guess how it begun, bat it is evident the good people of this house are in deep trouble." lie had hardly ceased when the door of the apartment opened and Dame Linmar stepped in with the noiseless foot of the auxions nurse. Sdeing that her patient was awake aud was looking rag?rly and inquiringly at her, she approached the bedside and spoke to him ia a voice a* sad aud mournful as sorrow can train a woman's tones to be. 44 Awake, sir ? Has the talking in the oth.jr room disturbed you i" 44 It has not broken my rest, but what I have heard has disturbed my mind.. XTTl v *i ft T 1 1 it . . n nac is u i i omy Know tnat somebody gives you till next Monday morning to leave this comfortable home." " It is about a mortgage, sir. But here comes my poor, old husband; he will explain it better than I can." At the word the door opened again and Aoram Liumar entered with bowed head and firmly pressed lips. 44 He's gone, Janet, and taken the very last grain of hope I nurtured. Not even the memory of the servioe I rendered him two-and-twenty years ago iu saving his life when he was at the mercy oi the highwaymen availed anything, and we shall have to leave the roof that has sheltered us so long, doubly dear to me as the work of my own hands and the scene of genial associations." v 44 Farmer Linmar, excuse the imper' tincnce of my curiosity," said the low voice of the invalid, 441 know a little of your trouble. May I not know all 44 Alas, sir," replied the hopeless host, 44 the story is short as our future stay within these walls will be brief. Five years ago my son in New York, being embarrassed, I borrowed from my next neighbor, a very wealthy man, the sum of eight thousand dollars and gave him a mortgage on this?my farm of one hundred acres. Instead of gaining relief, my son became more embarrassed, failed utterly, and, from the grief of his disappointment, died. I have paid two thousaud of the principal and now tender a third thousand, and beg that my creditor will not proceed to extremities. But I plead to a stone. He acknowledges that for years he has ooveted my land, separating, as it does, two parcels of his own, aud, indeed, he has made me many offers for it; now that he has the power to compel a sale, he swears that he will force the matter and outbid any competitor, as he has the means at his command. He says that he offers me iu return all the money and interest I have paid to him in consideration of my quietly surrendering possession, and I suppose I must. There's no other way." 44 And I have be*m a oharirfi on von in such dire extremity," said the sick man, feebly; 44 it would have beeu better for you to have left me to die by the roadside, broken down and fever parched, where yon found me. Many a precious dollar you must have parted with in my long illness for physicians and their nostrums. I am too weak to even thank you properly." "gay not so. The little you have had in money or attendance will never help to impoverish us. It was bread cast upon the waters and it will return." The good faimer said this almost cheerfully, for he reflected how much better off at worst he aud his dame and daughter Marian were, than the homeless, friendless old man who lay in his care. 44 After many days; after maDy days," continued the sich man, finishing tin promise. " Bat I am afraid, farmer, that neither you nor I wili live till it comes back." " Why, don't talk so, sir," broke in Dame Linmar, "it's been a real comfort * for us to do the little we could for you. We arr only paying a debt we owe. Oar boy died away from home among Strang LNDA ers, and they were good and kind to him when things were so bad that he would not let us know, fearing our great distress; the kindness he got from strangers we are glad to pay back in in sfcallmente." " Would that I could aid you, as I have read of men apparently poor and helpless doing for those who have saccored or shown kindness to them, but my poverty is no disguise. I am poor, indeed; absolutely without a dollar or a friend in the world. Coming this way [ was only wandering in search of death to avoid the almshouse, and it grieves me that I should have fallen where I am so heavy and unfortunate a charge." 44 Say no more, sir, or you will take from our performance all the merit which attaches to it," said the farmer; 44 we would be in worse need than you if we would afford so little relief grudgingly or withhold it." " Yon speak like one who knows man's constant dependence, even in his highest fortune. But you have not yet told me who is this inexorable creditor. Tell me, that I may correct good report, if such a lie oomes to my cars." *4 lie is rich, respected and of exoolleut repute. His name is Asahel Pencost." No stimulant could have so strengthened the weak muscles of the invalid as the simple pronouncing of that name did. He rose to his elbow, his deep set eyes glowing with the fire ot excitement. 44 Asahel Penoost," he repeated; " do you know where he came from ?" ' Tes. He settled in these parts nearly forty years ago, coming from near old Glouoester in Massachusetts, I've heard say. though information on that point is not very definite." 44 How old a man is he ? Was he married when he came here." 44 He is about seventy years of age; he brought a wife and one son with him, but his wife died and he married again." It was the dame, true to her woman!} instincts, who was readiest when neighborly news were asked or asking. 44 Yes! yes1" eagerly continued the sick man, "auu the son?what became of him t" 44 He quarreled with his stern father, Asahel Pen cost, some say, and went away over twenty years ago, and has not been heard from since;" replied Mis. Liumar. 44 Ho was too gentle and true a lad, though, to have been born of such a father." 44 Triumph and defeat in a single breath," murmured the invalid, sinking back. Presently he revived and said to the farmer, slowly, yet with firm acoent: 4 4 You need not concern yourself further. What county is this V* 44 Wayne." 4 4 Then you have the ablest man in Wayae county to help you for your debtor. I said just now I was the poorest; I was mistaken. When Asahel Pen cost comes on Monday to seize your farm, tell him that Marcus Whitney is your security for farther disoharge of the mortgage end warn him to accept whatever terms are proposed." Monday morning came, and with it Asahel Pencosl, a deputy sheriff and a sex v lug man. Farmer Liumar and his wife h d spent an uneasy interval, notwithstanding the assurance of their involuntary guest; and every attempt they ha J made in their qniet, unobtrusive way to gain insight into the reason of the stranger's confidence had been met with evasion too patent to be further questioned. The first they knew of the old man's name was when he called himself Whitney; of his career, connection with the rich, arogant neighbor Peucost, or his intentions, they were as profoundly ignorant as before they took him into their troubled confidence. He had been rt moved from tne bed in tne nt-tie cnambor to the old haircloth sofa, which stood between the two windows that lighted the best room, and sat, propped np with pillows, his eyes closed and head thrown forward, while the preliminary demands were made by the creditor provious to taming the busi-' news over to the sheriff's officer. 44 Yon can't pay, and won't accede to my most liberal proposition ?" exclaimed the great man, with an unctuons aud sonorous voice, 44 then you'il havo to take the consequences." Turning to the officer, and waving his haud in a circle that seemed t > sweep already with a creditor's grasp the goods and lands of the unfortunate debtor, he said: 44 Mr. Bimbie, you will please to "? 44 Wait a minute," said the invalid, sharply, giving a termination not intended to Pencost's invocation. 44 Please to wait a little, Mr. Bimbie, till there is need of your interference." 44 And pray, sir, who arc yon ?" demanded Mr. Pencost. 44 Security for these good people's debts, aud their protection against the a\ arice, greed, and persecution of Asahel Pencost Whitney, formerly of Little Salem, Massachusetts, who is "? t4-Your only brother," interrupted the pale and terror stricken man; 44for H eaven's sake, forbear." 44 You didn't los^ your memory with your name," 8Le?red the invalid, 44 though your presence of mind forsakes you. You never expected to see me again ?" 441 knew yon would como some time, sure as death, but not so very soon." 44Soon! Call you eight-and-thirty years soon ? You have enjoyed the fruits of wrong doing, fraud?aye, theft ?longer than Heaven permits most men to do. I thought I was under its ban not to rise again, when I sunk fainting into the ditch a mile or so from here, six weeks ago ; but now I see I was simply subject to its wise, just, and fortunate decrees. See! Asahel Whitney?calling yourself Pencost?here is a paper bearing your debt in money to iue. You took everything I had in the world, aDd if I can strip you I'll do it. Here is the amount compounded annually at six per cent.; it amounts to two hundred and eighty-six thousand and forty dollars. Can you pay it?'' 44 Have you no mercy ? Will you not i hear me?" begged the now humbled man, in tears. 44 Farmer Linmar, plead you to him to listen to mo; he will grant you so much." 44 I'll say this much," retarned Mr. Linmar, 44 he that hath no mercy on ' his fellows will hardly get it in his direst! need." 44 You almost steel my purpose, while j PORr RD A BEAUFORT, S. you do dissuade me," said Marcus | Whitney. " I need mercy, and I'll show it, though I'm afraid it is misplaced. Thirty-eight years ago, my brother, standing there, was trustee for my portion of our father's estate. I was married and away at sea, my wife and child in his care, as well as the money that had been left to me. I had been gone for five years, during all of which time my letters to my wife were suppressed, and those to me were falsified. When I came back to Little Salem it was to find my family all gone. My wife had been persuaded of my death and married with my brother, who had sold out and gone no one knew where. From that day to this I have wandered up and down in the land seeking my own, till my footsteps were led hither. Another time will do then, traitor, to talk of money reparation. Tell me, now, where is my son ?" This demand was made in so earnest a tone that it told of no compromise; that debt, at least, was to be atoned in full. 44 I don't know," replied theshrinking man. He recognized that he might be forgiven many of the paltry dollars claimed, but this claim for flesh and blood would not be forgone a jot nor tittle." 41 You are telling me true ?" 44 It is no time to do otherwise now. When we quarreled I told him he was no son of mine, and he swore he would not bear my name; he left, and left no trace to track him by, though I tried hard at the time. Some ten years ago I heard that he had taken his mother's name and was calling himself Lambert Morrison; whethef the information was true or not I cannot say; but, true or false, that is the last I have ever heard." 44 Go you out into the world and seek my boy ti^l you find him; seek as I sought you, in poverty, hunger, dirt, sorrow and madness, for weary, weary years. Bring him to me only and I'll forgive you every penny that you wroaged me of." The father spoke, and, speaking, told the sole object of his life's secret. Money is nothing to a man going down to tho grave, but love and kin all. 44 Already the bread has returned," said the farmer, detaining Asahel Pencost, who was turning to leave the house. *4 Your son," he continued, ad dressing the invalid on tne sola, " is m New York, if Lambert Morrison and the handsome, bright boy Morris Pencost, I remember, be one and the same. Wife, get those letters. It was ho who nursed onr boy in his last illness and close! his eyes, I might have known it. They were playfellows, and he wonld not see his friend suffer uncared for, and he had too sorrowful remembrances to allow him to disclose his identity to us in Wayne." The farmer was right, and within ten days the missing son was clasped in hi3 father's arms and bore the third namo of his life, the right one, at last?Lambert Morrison Whitney. The fall of the proud squire was generally hailed in Wayne, for he was one | of those men whose temperament won few friends, and whose station repelled them. He received at his brother's hands enough to yield him a modest income, and busied himself in the indistinguishable throng of the great city. Marcus Whitney lived on in Wayne, and gladly bestowed his benediction on the marriage of his son and Farmer Linmar's only remaining child Marian; that is, she was 44 child " to the farmer and dame, though turned of twenty-six?and peace and happiness have crowned the sucoeeding days of the warm hearted people so strangely thrown together. Self-Sacrificing. This is a true story. The happy cii-1 cumstance occurred one Sunday even- I ing. He escorted her to and from church, and upon arriving at her home their discussion of the sermon and the extreme heat suggested an invitation, ; readily accepted by Charles, that they j step into the house and partake of a cooling glass of lemonade. She led bim j to the dining-room, and there found naughty brother Ben about to squeeze the last lemon in the house for his own individual benefit! Callinc him aside she induced Ben, by means of sundry threats and promises, to dissect the lemon and make Charles and herself a glass. A self-sacrificing thought struck her ! " No, Ben," said she, " put the juice of the whole lemon into Charlie's glass and bring me a glass of water. He j won't notice it?there is no light in the parlor I" Ben was making one good strong ! lemonade, as directed, when Charlie ! quietly slipped out and remarked: "I say, Ben 1 put the juice of the entire I lemon in your sister's glass and bring me some ice water?there is no light j in the parlor and she won't notice it 1" j Ben's forte is in obeying orders. With a merry twinkle in his eye. he ! drank the lemonade, then carried thorn J each a glass of water, which they drank with much apparent relish, aoking each other, between sips, "if it was sweet enough ?" And naughty brotner Ben, : with the taste of that lemonade in his !: mouth, stood out in the hall and laughed i; till his sides ached, to hear them assure | each other that it was "just right ! so palatable and so refreshing 1" ( Good Indian, Me. { The Indian chief Spotted Tail has his good points. He loved his daughter and j i cherishes her memory. She was the first ] born and the best beloved. She fell in ! i love with a young officer at Fort Lara- I mie, and died of a broken heart eight ! < years ago. Her influence over her father j < was so overmastering, that he vowed on ;' I 1 _ _ ii-1_ _ it * _ ! . ner aeamuca mar ne wouiu mase peace with the whites, since it was her wish, 1 and" would never again take up arms i against them. When the treaty was 1 made he asked to have the coffin con-11 tainiug her remains brought into the 5 council in order that her spirit might 1 witness the fulfillment of the vow. All < these years the old chief has yearned to 1 have her grave near his wigwam, and 1 his wish has recently been gratified. < The body was removed from Fort Lara- 1 inie to Spotted Tail agency, and placed ] in a box upon four posts, in accordance with the Indian custom. The burial ser- f vice of the Episcopal church was read, T a sermon iu iV "Dakota language was f preached by the chaplain, and the box i was lowered into a giave in the cerno ! i tor} near the agency. 11 ? r nolND ( r\ TTTTTTJ O TV A ~\T A JLJI u X , iv THE BIG HORN MOUNTAINS. A Sketch by a "Sun" Reporter with Gen. Crook's Prospecting Party. After the first ascent, which was very steep, our trail was not difficult, and meandered through beautiful pine groves and lovely little valleys, literally covered with flowers, whose delicious perfume made redolent the air. Plats of excellent grass and rippling trout brooks were frequently encountered, and after traveling about fifteen miles we bivouacked upon the main branch of Tongue river, here a swift running stream of about fourteen inches in depth and half as many yards in width, containing no fish. Numerous signs of large game had been observed, and several of us immediately started in pursuit while the remainder made fires and got ready our scant repast The pines had been badly barked by bears in search of their resinous sap, but no "bruins" were seen, and but a single blaoktailed deer repaid our hunting exertions. The mosquitoes were almost unendurable, their numbers being doubtless increased by the presence in our neighborhood of numerous lakes and lagoons, some perenni&l but most of them consisting exclusively of melied snow water. The only means, indeed, by which we oould rid ourselves of these troublesome pests, until the cool night air of the mountains drove Art aUaUaw a Kit aiftinrr i'n fKu t lllCiU IU HliCllti , WOO KfJ OAVVUi^ AAA VUV Rmoke of our camp fires about which we 8 now gathered. 8 This was always the most charming c hour of the day. Numerous stories of x adventure and romance were told over jour cups of hot, black coffee; and, * thoroughly tired and hungry, every one c seemed to enjoy his rations of bacon and * hard tack. A bit of nicely broiled veni- * son was, however, a very grateful addi- c tion; and the best and most expeditious 1 process for its preparation was shown us 8 by Gen. Crook, who is an adept in this * and all other frontier arts. He is, in- , deed, a thorough mountaineer, as our 1 experience has enabled us abundantly to j1 testify; and to those who know him, a J most kind and affable gentleman. 44 Don't go at this as though you were 8 at a clam bake," he said. And then cut- 8 ting a slender willow stick and remov- ^ ing the bark, and sharpening both ends, f he stuck thereon alternately a cross 11 section of fillet and slice of bacon, the whole being sui mounted by a large ' piece of the latter. One end was inserted in the earth, before the fire, the meat ? being upon the other and held in posi- ^ tion by a notch. When done, he thrust r the stick into the ground in front of c him, saying: "The bacon both salts c and flavors the venison, the stick is your 8 plate, and the fresh, green grass furnishes a seat, napkin and spread com- e bined; what more do you want ?" Some 1 one in the party made an impromptu sugar cake, by soaking a cracke. * in water, sprinkling moistened sugar upon it, and baking over live coals. * T1 ese are campaign expedients. As we were without tents, we wrapped a ourselves in blankets and slept under 8 the friendly shelter of fir trees. Be- * times in the morning we were stirring, j and after a hasty breakfast resumed our 1 march for the summit. In a little 1 while the Indian trail, which here di- 3 verged from its direct course and led nn f>ia / arirnn r\f T. inornn riCAr. hwamfl "f ?~ D > almost impassable. Everywhere the ground was moist from the innumerable little trickling rivulets proceeding from the melting snow above and having their confluence with this stream. N? un frequently $hey were subterranedf; and our route lay through a continuous bog. The ascent became very difficult and steep, and numerous crossings of the torrent were a necessity. Added to this, we passed tlirough burnt districts where the devouring element, aided by the wind, had destroyed the pines for miles, and leveled them with the ground in almost inextricable confusion. It was the exception, indeed, when our inules did not step over a log or bough, and our progress was consequently greatly impeded. Cascades innumerable boiled and seethed about us, the roar of their waters in such confined space deafening the ear to any other sound. Where fir/ had not interfered the canyon was "well wooded with pine, fir and cottonwood ; and many beautiful groves and romantic spots were traversed. Its walls were almost perpendicular and often of solid granite. Everywhere the scenery was most picturesque and beautiful. Emerging from tho forest the crest became visible, and our trail led over a bank of snow, evidently with a solidly frozen crust when crossed by the Indians, but which, when attempted by us, broke, and our mules, sinkiDg to their bellies, were only ex- 3 tricated by hatchets. 13 The ascent upon the side slope was ? difficult and somewhat dangerous; but * when accomplished the result more than & repaid our efforts. We were above tim- s ber line, which here is at an elevation d of nearly twelve thousand feet, and in a 8 * /\- J f region of perpetual snow. uu iwo Bides the view was magnificent and ex- d tensive, embracing the Wind river and Heart mountains, one hundred miles distant, and snow-capped like that upon which we stood, and the intermediate basin containing the Big Horn river, I whose waters were plainly visible. The h undulating surface of mountain and fi prairie presented an exceedingly pic- c turesque aspect. About us?above and tl below?were bald peaks, immense areas b covered with large bowlders almost ex- a slusively of granite and banks of snow, ii To the north, Tongue river forced its si way through a gorge of limestone, many a hundred feet thick. Below us, but on f< the very backbone of tho range, lay a d large and deep lake, covered with ice, a B reservoir to both slopes; its waters, in tl sig-zag streaks of foam, rushing along ii ;he bottoms of immense canyons, ra- ei bating from a common center, east and S west. On the latter side these constitute t< ihe headwaters of No-Wood creek, a sj ributary of the Big Horn river, in the d ricinity of which gold has been sup- ti posed to exist in large quantities. o: Abandoning the Indian trail which led ai icross the lake, now impassable to us, ^e pursued our way down the most f( ?outherly gorge, a distance of about five a< niles, Gen. Crook and Lieut. Schuyler p meanwhile going in pursuit of a flock of si mountain sheep, which had been seen n 3omm UGUST 31, 1876. grazing upon a neighboring point. Our iescent was difficult and almost im practicable ; and just here I must acmowledge and do j ustice to that much * ibused and vituperized animal, the mule. Mounted upon horses, our journey ? vould have been well nigh impossible ; 1 )ut with the sure and cautious tread of ? heir long-eared cousins, it was accom- * )lished in safety. We had not been ong in camp before Gen. Crook and his . ude-de camp joined us, having each ^ tilled a very fine specimen of mountain iheep. Both were bucks, and their ? 10ms very large. From the number of 1 hese animals in this vicinity, the region, nountain range and river derive their a tommon name?" Big Horn." ? The existing flora astonished me by 13 ts extent. On the very summit of the a nowy range I found eight or ten va- j: ieties of flowers, one of which, greatly esembling the ordinary forget-me-not, e ras very abundant, and' usually accom- _ >anied by a similar blossom, but red in * ine. * a h low to Keep Your Husband's Love, h Make up your mind, from the beginling, thai whatever happens, you. will c lever lose your individuality, nor give ? n one iota to his opinion; air your dif- " erences upon every possible occasion; t will teach him to respect you, and n urnish unlimited food for the gossips. ?1 After the honeymoon is passed, and n >efore, if you think it necessary, grow 8 lack in regard to your personal appearance, and, if he has any remarks to a nake, tell him "that you didn't know " rhen you married him that he was able ^ o drtss you like a queen, and you u ladn't discovered it yet, for the matter >f that; but, if he wishes you to set up 3< or a queen, you are ready and willing " o do it. As it is. as vou are obliged to lo the work of servants, you claim the e )rivilege of looking like them; if he has " ,ny objection, you shouldn't objeot to lis hiring a girl." ? If his love does not seem to be grow- ? ng under this management, become arele-s about your house, and inform ^ lim, if he remonstrates about it, that n your house is not a palace that you are 81 .ware; if you had a home such as you Iways imagined you should be mistress ^ >f, you should, probably, take some deight in keeping it looking nicely; as it J* 3, you can't see the use in it." " When at home be in the "blues" con- " inually; look on the dark side of every- * king; never give your husband a word >f encouragement from one year's end E o another, but prophesy his eternal c uin, financially, upon every available *> pportunity. In view cf which get every " ent you can from him to make a show ^ way from. home. Endeavor to get up a flirtation with rj very man you meet in society. The re- c narks he will hear concerning your con- n luct will certainly fill him with undying a ove. ? Snub him and tyrannize over him in ? he presence of his bachelor friends, beore whom he is solicitous of appearing b s the most enviable man in existence, ?! ,nd to whom he is particularly anxious " o rehearse the delights of benedicdom. The mortification he will feel at the 9 rustration of his laudable desire will M opst assuredly produce a reaction in a rour favor. o b The San, The extraordinary downpour of solar leat this summer has set the scientific roudermoDgers to guessing anew as to yhat burns to produce so much fire and ? Leep it up for thousands of years with- n >ut diminution. The difference of heat c rom one summer and another has di- ^ ectod attention of late to the earth's at- f nosphere as being responsible in certain J >f its states for great extremes of heat. ^ Che interior heat of the earth is also 8 >eing brought forward in a fanciful the- 8 >ry of interaction between it and the ^ jowerful ray8 of the sun. Physical phi- 8 osophy is at present at a loss as to the * lonrce of the sun's fire, but it can de- ? nonstrate that the heat generated in one * lour by the sun is equal to what would v low from a combustion of a layer of e olid coal ten feet thick entirely sur- ' ounding that mighty orb. The theory 1 hat the sun is a hot globe, gradually r jooling or burning out, is now going out ^ >f fa hion, since it can bo established f hat no heat generating substance, not ^ iven the most highly concentrated car- n )on, would be at all competent to main- ? ain the sun's combustion. the sun, J ehose mass and diameter are known to f is, were a solid block of coal and had a h lafficknt supply of oxygen to enable it r o burn at the rate necessary to produce v he effects wc see, it would be complete- ^ y consumed in less than 5,000 years. * Chore are several theories?that the " un's surface is fed by a stream of 8 ueteors, thick as suowflakes, such as oc- " asionally stray through our atmosphere, 8 Ind are set on fire by the friction, and " he spectroscope's revelation of magne- a ium burning, and the theory of tremen- v lous attraction of gravitation of the 8 nn'fl moss tnward its center, nroducincr ? he immense condensation, firo and ra- P liation?all well argued. Jj S( Growth in Certain Irishes. c Mr. Mitchell, in a communication to * Vature, presents some remarkable facts ? a regard to the rapidity of growth of 11 shes. Referring to a species of carp, n ailed by the natives katlab, he states liat this is a species which does not reed in fresh water, but that the natives re in the habit of introducing the fry lto ponds, etc., whero they thrive very itisfactorily. According to his account 01 tank of sixty-five feet long, fifty-eight iet broad, and thirteen feet deep, was d ug within the premises at Garden d' leach, in May, 1875, and a number of P le katlah fry, from half an inch to an ich in length, were introduced about the w nd of July. On the twenty-6econd of ? eptember the tank was swept with nets I > catch one or two fish of the pike " pecies that had been accidentally intro-1 ^ uced with the others. In the net were iken several dozens of carp referred to, C( ne of which weighed fourteen ounces ad was eleven inches in length. Others w ere only a few ounces lighter. The Ti x>d supplied to these fish consisted, in idition to the natural vegetartion of the j frond, of the refuse of rice and other J ibstances thrown into the ponds by the | atives. J S [ERCI $2.00 per l Prescott's Capture. The cruelties of the British Maj.Jac. Presoott, while in command on ihode Island, are even yet the theme ?f many a traditional story told among he old people down that way. His apture, however, is a matter of hisory, and its manner romantic enough or any novelist. The bold act was planned and carried ato successful execution by Lieut-Col. Jarton, of Providence, whose descend nts in that ever patriotic city yet glory a his heroism. Prescott, well guarded, with troops all round him, and almost within call, at he time had his headquarters at the ouse of a Quaker named Overton, bout five miles from New York, on the "erry road. The sound was full of Snghsh war vessels, which made the xpedition much more hazardous. Early on the night of July 10, 1777, Jol. Barton left Providenoe with four wift rowing whale boats, manned with select party of well tried men, and inded as near the house of Overton as e could. Creeping carefully toward the house, lose by the numerous camp fires of the nemy, at midnight Barton had the ouse surrounded. A sentinel at the door hailed and delanded the countersign, but Barton prung inside his guard, secured his lusket, and the sentinel was bound and agged before an alarm could be given. Barton, with four men, one a large nd powerful colored servant of his own, ow entered the house. They found Ir. Overton only of all the household p, reading the Bible. "Old man, where does Gen. Presoott >dge ? No harm to you if you speak i 1 i 11 Iff I-J ruiy, dui ieu or you ait) i onea xmrtuu. Mr. Overton did not speak bat, pointd to the ceiling overhead, indicating tiat his chamber was directly over them. Leaving one man there as a guard, tarton sprung up stairs and, followed j his servant, approached Preecott's oor and tried it. It was locked, and tie servant, drawing back across the hall, lade one rush at it with his head and nut it inward off its hinges. Prescott, just awakened, sprang to get is watch from the mantel, supposing tie intruders to be robbers; bat Barton lid his hand on bis shoulder, and, with is drawn sword at his breast, told him ot to speak a lond word or he would ill him instantly?he was his prisoner. Prescott begged for time to dress, but tarton knew that every second was preious, and throwing a cloak over the eneral, told him to march?he could ress while they crossed the sound in is boat. The general's chief-of-staff, Maj. Barington, hearing the noise, tried to esape, but fell into the hands of Barton's ieu, outside, and soon, with the sentinel nd general, bound and gagged, he was urried off past their own troops to the oats. Darkness and Providence favored the old exploit, and at sunrise Barton was, nth his prisoners, within the patriot nes. Prescott was forwarded to the headuarters of Gen. Washington, where he ras treated only too kindly, and soon fter exchanged for Gen. Lee. The moment he got into power in his Id command ajraki, Prescott resumed ia infftmnns fiftrnarities. Milk Poisoning in England. At a meeting of the sanitary board of It. Pan eras, Dr. Thomas Stevenson, ledical officer of health, made some dislosnres which have come tinder his noice in reference to the London milk apply, arising out of three cases of ensric fever, which had been reported as aving occurred in well appointed hones in the Regent's park. One circumtance was common to the whole of* liese houses?namely, that the milk apply was from the same source, aud ho mother of one of the patients had omplained that the milk was "dirty." le at once communicated with the milk ender, who declared that he had taken very care with his utensils and otherrise to prevent such a thing happening, laving stated that he had the milk diect from a country farm, Dr. Stevenson rroto to the medical officer of the district in which the farm is situated, and .ad received a reply to the effect that a lore likely place for mischief to proeed from it was difficult to imagine. Jntil the last few days the cows on the arm had had access to a pond containug crude sewage, a culvert opening dieetly into it. The house of the farm ras skirted with a sewage pit. There ras also a shallow fifteen-feet surface rell, containing only a few inches of ilthy water, and from either of these ources came the water supply. The airy of this "farm," so called, was imply an offset from the scullery of the ouse, badly ventilated. The farmer dmitted that he not only supplied the ender who had tho milk walk in Reent's park in question, but the medical fiicer had ascertained that he also suplied one of the largest refreshment oonractors in London. The members of lie sanitary board thanked Dr. Stevenon for his valuable report, which they JUtllUtUDU Ut IIUO lugucoii uujn/twuwi t was resolved to request the medical fficer of health to furtlier continue bis lvestigations and report again at the ext meeting. Things Worth Knowing. Professor Wilder, of Cornell Univerty, gives these short rules for action in i8e of accident: For dust in the eyes avoid rubbing; ash cold water in them; remove ciners, etc., with the round point of a lead encil. Remove insects from tho ear by tepid ! ater; never put a hard instrument into le ear. If an artery is cut compress it above ie wound; if a vein is cut compress it alow. If choked, go upon all fours and >ngli. For slight burns dip the part in cold ater; if the skin i3 destroyed cover with arniah. For apoplexy, raise the head and body; >r fainting, lay the person flat. Of the champagne drank in the United tatcs three quarters is bogus. ^ s I AL. " r? umiUD. Single Copy 5 Cents. Fashion Notes. Serge, especially white serge, is very popular. Scarf bandeaux on hats have suddenly come in vogue. Silver ornaments aro very fashionable this summer. Eoglish mohair makes a serviceable traveling drees. Polonaises increase in variety and complications. For dressy occasions fancy grenadines are in great demand. An effort is being made to revive the fancy straws of 1840. Batiste and silk are being mixed in one costume this season. Gold braid is more used for handsome dresses than was expected* Tunics, with sleeveless jackets, are worn longer than last year. . Floral fringes for trimming evening dresses have met with a success. Indian shawls and Persian shawls are cut up to make mantles for seaside wear. Strange ornaments are made of scales and claws, to be worn in velvet diadems and bows. Silver Byzantine chains of open pattern, with a large cross suspended on them, are much worn. A hat with pointed crown, made of ooarse straw and called the " Celadon," is a popular shape for oountry wear, Bathing dresses aro still made with blouse and trousers, cut in one, of blue flannel, with red or white trimmings. The fan of fans in Paris at the present time is painted on kid, and has the sticks quite plain on the right side and carved on the left. To be in style at present ladies are obliged to appear extremely thin. Embonpoint is altogether incompatible with fashion. The most serviceable dress for traveling is some kind of dost or brown colored bege of French manufacture; it wt ars and stands rain best. For carriage and evening wear in Paris red is much worn, also pale blue, but very little white; cream color abounds and is covered with gay em broidery. Simple traveling costumes are made of Scotch gingham; their trimmings consist of either plaitLngs of the same or Smyrna laoe, and the mode is a polonaise worn over a black silk skirt. The newest novelty in the jewelry department is a set for the ears and throat made of the very small feathers taken from the colibri. T iese ornaments are very brilliant and show lustrous flashes. The favorite fans of the season are Australian or Indian birds on navy blue silk, mounted on tortoise shell sticks; European birds, such as the nightingale, linnet, swallow or sparrow, on ecru silk; fishing sails, painted in the cream shades on pale bine; and chalk landscapes on gray faille. An Anecdote of Custer. Caster was a very severe discipline arian, and it was only by the most supernatural daring in the face of the enemy that he was able to maintain a place in the esteem of his men. In illustration this incident is related : When Rosser followed the rear guard of the army of the Shenandoah so pertinaciously down the valley, after the advance in 1864, Sheridan was finally irritated at Rosser's impudence, as he kept pounding away at onr pickets with his cavalry in front of Sfcrasburg, and finally ordered Caster's division out to drive him back. Rosser's cavalry were drawn up in plain sight of our hues. Caster formed his cavalry for the charge, and then rode out toward Rosser slowly, all alone. Rosser was an old friend at West Point. Custer was a very striking figure, with his long yellow hair floating over his shoulders, his red necktie, his dashing hussar jacket, and a wide brimmed bandit looking hat thrown * backward on his head. He rode slowly out, entirely clear of his command, toward Rosser, many yards to the front, then halted, and lifted his hat, and made a royal cavalier saluto to Rosser, drop 1 L-i lmiMfl'fl OIMA. Ha piHg 11IS UHk W Uio uutuv w then rode slowly back, placed himself at the head of his command, and ordered the charge. The charge was so sndden and impetuous that Roseer was swept before it like the wind, and he was followed at a ran to Rood's hill, miles distaLt, without ever having a chance to re'orm, and with only one pieoe of his artillery left. Sheridan used to say, laughingly, that that one piece of artillery went over Rood's hill so fast that only one wheel touched the ground. A Cat Crusade, Says the New York World: Mrs. Swisshelm expresses wonder that any song birds are found in the United States, since cats are so numerous here, and proceeds to show pretty conclusively that they have done more than man himself to extirpate Rome of our most valuable prairie fowls. This calls to mind the statement made some years ago by a patient observer of the habits of these beasts of prey; he declared that two cats upon his farm killed over three hundred young partridges in one season. And more recently the protest came from Kansas that these animals wero killing off the birds that ate the grasshoppers. This is a very bal report for pussy. Now the economist pertinently - * ? t r.t> aifcs li tuo iooa wuicu mu un ? ui thousand feline prowlers of our city consume were saved, whether there would not be more left to feed some of the starving children; and to put the finishing stroke upon the business, Mrs. Swisshelm intimates very strongly that the cat is in a measure responsible for the grasshopper plague. After this it will be diffioalt to find a modern Cowper to defend the sleek and bloated hypocrite that purs before the grate fire, and thftt is only waiting for night to come, to banish sleep. The spiritualist lecturer who noticed a lady in deep mourning taking her departure from the hall prophesied better tben he knew when he told her that the spirit of her husband desired to communicate with her. " I know it," said she ; 44 he's wdting at the door." 1m