The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, May 27, 1885, Image 1

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i abbevijZe press and bannIS! gj BY HUGH WILSON. ABBEVILLE, S. C.. WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1885. NO. 48. VOLUME XXIX|Mfl ^ J A Song of Battle. \ Love with its sorrows and lovo with its joys, Lore is for delicate maidens nnd boys, Lovo is for women nnd lovo is frr men; When love is over, vrliat rests to us then? The joy ot'tho balt'.o. There's a time to make love, there's a time t? mako war; P\ When love is hopeless, tis better by far 3 To pat love aside with a sigh nnd a laugh, ^ To gird on the sword, and a bampor to quaff To the joy of the battle. B ? TV. H. Pollock, in Temple Bar. I DARK DAYS BT V HUGH CONWAY, Author of " Called Back." %' > ? CHAPTER XV.?THE BLACK CAI\ y1 v?- , r- ,u\ There is silence, or all but silence, In the court. The buzz of suppressed conversation sinks almost to nothing ? aosoiuteiyto notning as tne judge s! marshal rises, and after gabbling through the mysterious proclamation & which begins "Ovez! Oyez! Oyaz!" de Clares the court open. B "Fhilippa still closely veiled, sits like a statue. Her hand, which ever K grasps mine, scarcely responds to the b pressure by which again and again 1 I endeavor to bid her hope for the best. I would give much if even now I could V get her to consent to my leading her I away. I dare not suggest this. I S know that doing so would be waste of words. The court is open. The red judge E is perusing letters and papers which lie ft in front of him as calmly and uncon8 cernedly as if the life's happiness of, ft at least, one man and woman, did not B ? greatly depend upon the view he takes B of the case about to ba tried. He raises one of his bouquets and inhales the BB perfume of the llowers. How can one Hi In his position behave like an ordinary H mortal ? "Were we not here, he might S condemn an innocent man to a shameH 4..1 t T K/xf II luiutttnuj jl n uuaci 11, mm sutu jiuij rible responsibility resting on him, a j judge can ever really be a happy man ? I These thoughts seem trivial; but my k mind is by now in a strange state; it m is, indeed, so sensitive that every slight 9 incident, every small ceremonial, of toT day seems to be impressed forever upon it. , ! A bewigged gentleman?the clerk of assize, the man next me tells his neighi bor?rises and calls name after name, , until he has fixed upon the twentyi three gentlemen needed to form the [ grand jury. They stand up in their [ places, and, in batches' of four, are I rapidly sworn. The absurd proclama| lion against vice and immorality is I . read; much good may it do every one I present! Then tho clerk sits down I and the judge, forsaking his papers, j begins his work. ! He arranges bis robes to his satis' faction, leans forward, and, placing the tips of his long white fingers together, addresses?charges, I am told | & the right term?the grand jury in a nlaooanf nAllnn n i ol manner T ctrain ^/ivvtouuV) vvuv^uKu niuuuvt jl w?* m? >j every aural nerve to catch the purport of his glib words. He is sure to say something about this important murder case. I shall, perhaps, be able to learn how it was that the man fell under suspicion. Alas! the judge is one who by dint of years of practice has acquired the knack of using his voice only just so much as is absolutely necessary. The grand jury is close to him, and can, no doubt, hear him; but to those who, like ourselves, are far away in the background of the court, his remarks are inaudible. All I can catch is a closing caution to the grand jury, to bear in mind that it is not within its province to determine the innocence or E guilt of the prisoner, but to simply de cide whether there is or is not sufficient 9 evidence for the cases to go to trial. 9 The grand jury files out of court to 6 conduct its solemn deliberaH tioni in the place appointed. The judge addresses a few smiling words to the sheriff and other magnates who, by right or favor, occupy seats on the bench; then he returns to the purusal of his papers. For the first time since we entered the court Fhilippa speaks to me. "Aro they trying him now 7' she asks in a low awed whisper, yet in a voice so changed that I know what the suspense is costing her. Briefly I explain the procedure of the law,so far as I know it She sighs and says no more. More monotonous calling of many names, to which summons, however, another class of men respond. The common jurymen are now being called. Probably to save time, twelve men are sent into the box, where they sit, some appearing to enjoy the dignity of tho position, some with stolid indifference others with acute unhappinsss plainly manifested. I look at these men with scarcely less interest than I look at the judge. On them or on some of them, our fate rests as much, perhaps more, than it tests on him. Those men are trying us?not only the man who will by-and-by stand in that railtopped inclosure into which we Iook down. Twenty long weary minutes pass by. All eyes turn to a wooden gallery in the right-hand corner of the court. A door in the wall opens. The members of the grand jujry emerge and fill the gallery. The foreman arms himself with a gigantic fishing rod, to which he attaches a paper, which is conveyed by this clumsy method to ! that busy gentleman, the clerk of as- I size. "What idiotic foolery all this j seems 10 me: The clerk detaches the document, glances at It, and looks up at the gal"Gentlemen of the grand jury, you return a true bill against William Evans for murder?" ""We do," answered the foreman with shy solemenity. I grind my teeth. Fools! If men of culture and standing err like this, what can be expected from a common jury? It is well forme that I heard the caution just now given by the judge. I take such comfor as I can by thinking they have tried the evidence, not the man. What can the evidence be? Ah! we shall scon know. The clerk turns, and, addressing no j one In particular, says, "Bring up the | prisoner." Once more I set my teeth. I feel my wife's arm tremble; her hand grows cold. I hear a buzz, as of expectation. run through the crowded court. Every eye turns in one direction toward the empty dock. For a moment a species of dizziness comes over me; objects swim before mv eyes. Tfte sensation passes away. 1 recover myself. The dock is no longer unten- * anted. In the center with a stalwart policeman on eitnersiae or nira.sianus the accused! The man who if needs b?, must be saved by such a sacrifice! From my place, far back in the public gallery, I can, of course, see nothing more of the prisoner than his back.' I gaze at this with intense curiosity, endeavoring to determine the station of the man who is now about to be tried for his life. I can gather but this much: He is tall and slight. Ilis dress is of a semi-respectable uature, but seems to have seen much service. He might be anything from a broken down clerk to a gentleman's servant . out of elbows. I rejoice at his poverty stricken appearance. Judging from it money will be welcome to him. Let the jury but assert his innocence, and I feel certain that the liberal pecuniary compensation which it is my intention to mete out will repay him a hundred times for the ordeal which he is undergoing. Ordeal! Yes, it is the right word. It is easy to see it is a terrible ordeal to the poor fellow. No need to look at his faco to be told that much. Even as h9 emerged from the cells below he seemed to quake with fgar. ivow no absolutely falls forward In the dock, , supporting himself by grasping tho j iron railing which ruug round the top. j I notice that his finger^, as they cling to the iron bars, open and close con- | vulsively. Every movement of his j back and shoulders betrays fear and I anguish of mind. His state is pitiable, so pitiable that one of his custodi- i ans places his hand under the wretch- i ed man's arm, and give3 him the phys- j ical support which he s> sorely needs, j He bends his head as in shame, and I I know that could I see his face, it would be white as my o*vn or my wife's. In spite of the strain upon my mind, I was able to wonder at the prisoner's hopeless demeanor. Although I had, as it were, torn my very heart out by the roots to insure this man's safety in the event of thinzs going wrong with him; although I did not even now regrot the courso I ha I taken. I am bound to say that his cowardly be- i havior took away much of the svmpa- j thy which 1 should otherwise have felt | for him in his unmerited predicament, j It is, of course, very easy to say what { one would do if in another's place. I . ._i / u T ] certainly reit sure mai, ?nc i m umt . poor fellow's plight, that conciousness of my own innocence would give me ; strength enough to raie niv head, and j face boldly a'l the judges, juries and j prosecuting counsel in tho world. I was willing to make every allowance | for the nervousness natural to such a [ position; but I groaned inwardly as I gazed upon that miserable, limp, halfstanding, half-recliniucr form. "Why does he not stand upright? | Too well I know that another is watch- ' ing that abject wretch with interest | even more intense than mine. I knew that every attitude of shame or fear is ' understood by l'hilippa, and adds to tho scruple which sho feels at following my advice and awaiting the result of the" trial. Every agonized movement of the prisoner in the dock seems to be faintly reproduced by the hand within my own. Every* pang he suffers runs through the frame of the woman who knows that he is suffering for her deed. The clerk reads over the indictment: "That he, William Evans, did feloniously, willfully, and of malice aforethought kill and murder Sir Mervyn Ferrand, Baronet." As the reading proceeds Philippa draws me toward her. "Basil," she says in a low whisper, "this is more dreadful than I dreamed of. I can not bear it longer. Think of that poor man's anguish 1 j Basil, he may also have a wifo who j loves him; she may be in the court. Think of her! Oh! what can I do? What can I do?" "Nothing?nothing but wait and hope," I answer. "Could you not go down and speak to him, or send a message in some way ? Tell him not to be so wretched; that even at the last moment he will be saved; that the real murderer will con- | fess and free him. Basil, you must do this." "lean not, I dare not. It would ruin us. Ilush, dearest; becalm, and listen." The reading of the indictment is now ovet. The clerk turns to the ni-Ionnor ?? A TO Vflll fTllilK' Or Tint (Tllll- I (illovuv,.. J ~ 0 ty?" he a9ks in a clear voice. 1 Although every one in that court ' knows what the answer will be, there t is a silence so profound that a pin J might be heard drop. Every one 1 seemed desirous of hearing the prisoner's voice. Even I, myself, lean forward, and strain every nerve to hear J his plea. j There is a long, dead pause. It may ( be that the prisoner does not under- i stand that he is expected to reply. It may be that his collapsed state de- i J prives him of the power of speech. I j r notice that one of the policeman touch- * es him on the shoulder, and whispers ; to him. Still for a moment there i3 t silence. 5 It is broken, but not by the prisoner. Fhilippa gives a low, soft wail, heard only, I think, by me. , "I can bear it no longer," she whis pers. She snatches her hand from ' mine. She throws back her thick, [ dark veil, and stands erect in the body of the court. least one glance at her pale but determined looking lace, then v ?- ? Urtrvrl nnnn tianrla nnrl UOW III,)' llCrtU U|.<uu ill J uttuu^, ?..?? wish that death might at that moment ] smite us both. All Is over! I am conqueredl Even as I hide my face I see every eye in that that thronged court turning to the tall, majestic, d;?rk-robed figure which rises in the midst of that motley throng. Then, clear and loud, I hear her beloved voice ring out My lord," I hear her say. I raise my head at the sound. The eyes of | bench, bar, jury, and public are fixed! upon her. The very prisoner turns j in the dock and gazes straight at her. j She get9 no further than those two j words. "Order in the court! Order in the court!" is shouted so stcrnh and fiercely that she all but loses he presence of mind. She falters, she hesitates, and glances helplessly around. I seize the moment. By sheer force I drag her back to her seat. I pray her by the love she bears me to wait in silence. I draw the veil over her face, to hide it from the hundreds of curious eyes which are turned upon it. While so doing, I hear the sharp man late. "Turn that person out of court." Had any serious attempt been made to put the order in force, I believe that Philippa would have resisted, and once more attempted to assert the prisoner'3 innocense and her own guilt?if it was guilt. Fortunately the policeman who draws near us to carry out the order is my friend of the morning who had excepted my gold. It may be on this account he favors us. It may be, when a momentary disturbance sub- j sides, and the perpetrator does not seem bent upon repeating it, that the expulsion is not insisted upon. It * may be that Philippa's accosting the j judge was looked upon as a solecism brought about by the excitement of a weak woman who was in some way connected with the prisoner. I suppose such a scene does sometimes occur; and perhaps, if its repetition is guarded against, a humaaely-minded judge will not deny the offender the sorry comrort or seeing ner iriemis trial to the end. Perhaps the judge who this day presides is unusually good-natured and easy-going. Any way, our friendly policeman does not carry out liis instructions, and the court resumes its business. But many curious looks a cast at the veiled woman by my side. I notice that the hawk-laced Mrs. Wilson turns in her seat, and looks always at us; and. strange to say, I notice that the prisoner in the dock is still staring fixedly in our direction. The policemen take him by the arms; face him round toward the ber.c'i. Once more the solemn question. "Are you guilty, or not guilty?" is ask?d. A short excited pause. The prisoner answers. Well, I know what he says, although ho speaks *o faintly th-it I iln not lipur 1ii? voice. Stranire w""w "v **v% """ ' O' to say, his answer seems to create considerable agitation. 1'eoplo who are near to hitn lm>!< back and whisper to those in the rear. A barrister j turns in his seat, and stares in a i dumbfounded way at a gentleman behind him. This gentleman rises up fussily, and bustles r uind to the dock, where for a minute he seems to be engaged in earnest cmversation with the pris n t. The latter shakes his head sullenly and hopelesslly. In an apparently highly-?xcited state, the gentleman, whom I rightly judge to be solicitor for the defense, hurries back, whispers to the barrister, an I seems by his ge>ture t> bo'washing his hands of some res] onsibility. What does it all mean? Why do they not goon with tho trial? The suspense is growing more than I can bear. Ilush! the judge speaks. The excitement is spreading through the court. In spite of the warning looks of the authorities, people are whispering to each othqr. The judge is speaking earnestly to the prisoner. He seems to le explaining something, counseling : o nethlng. 3till the man shakes his head sullenly. What does it all mean ? Mean! The next solemn action, the ! next solemn words of the red-robed j judge, answer my question, and tell me ; that a thing has come to pass which ; never entered within the rango of prob- j ability. Or have I been asloep? Has the trial been gone through, and the worst, the very worst happened? Xoj five minutes ago I pulled Philippa | back to her seat, and forced her to j with-holil her damning words* Even | now my grasp is on hereto prevent her from rising. Ha! Look! The judge places a square of black silk upon his head. The pris oner cowers down. Ho would fall, I were it not for tho arms which support him on either side. A rustle of j intense feeliDg runs through the j court. Men catch their breath; wo-1 men's eyes are distended. The sensa- j Cion-seekers are rewarded. Ilark! the | judge speaks. I can hoar him plainly j now, although there is deep emotion | in his voice. "Prisoner at the bar, you are guilty j by your own confession, of an attro- | cious, cold-blooded murder, tho motive for which is known but to yourself j and your God. For me only the pain- I ful duty remains" Guilty! On his own confession! The man guilty! The m n to save whom I we have traveled night and day?he the criminal! Fhllippa, my peerless ' Philippa! my wifej my love! InnocentI j Innocent! This! This revultien of feel- I ing is more than human nature can bear! "Order in the court! Order in the court!" "What is it? Who is it? Only a woman in a dead faint. She is borne out tenderly, lovingly, proudly, by a man who clasps his prec - * * -T..11 ious ouraen 10 miearij iuu ui sul-u rapture as few of his fellow-creatures can ever have known. But let it also be hoped that few have ever endured such grief and anguish. [to be concluded. 1 THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. Topics of Interest fro:n the Various Departments. The Circular Issued by PostmasterGeneral Vilas. Following are a batch of interesting topics ( gleaned from the Washington dispatches: THE POSTAL CARD CONTRACT. The contract for supplying one-cent postal cards for four years has been awarded by the postmaster-general to the lowest bidder, Calvin C. Woodworth, New York. This firm's i bid was 47.71 cents per thousand. GARFIELD'S STATCE. The statue of the late President Garfield, contributed by the State of Ohio to Statuary hall in the capital, arrived a few days ago. It represents the late President in thy act of i ielivering a speech in the House of Represin- 1 natives. Ho stands with his right arm across 1 (lis breast and his ljft hand resting upan a 'i Jesk. SECRETARY MANNING'S POLICY. Secretary Manning denies the published reports that numerous discharges of chiofs of livisionsand other officers of the treasury iave been detennined upou. He says soma :hanges may naturally ami necessarily bo exacted, but it is not true that he has had a ist prepared of those who are and those who ' ire not to remain. There is scarcely a caso le asserts, in which a decision has yet been cached, and this is not the cas3 in regard to i single chief of division. A fow officials tave been given to understand that tiny aro lot likely to oe disturbed, and these aro about ho only indications the secretary has given j if his policy. POSTMASTER-GENERAL VILAS* CIRCULAR. ! The following circular, which explains it- , elf, has been issued by the postmaster-gen- , ?ral. It has been sent to the Democratic , nembers of Congress from the States of ] Jhio, Indiana and Virginia, and will bo sent o members of delegations from other Statos: j [Confidential.] i Post Okkice Departmknt, ) OvrrfE nr Postmaster GKNERAL. V 1 Washington*, D. C., April 2!i, lt>S5. ' ) Dear Sir: The continual illness of Mr. i [lay will delay Ins coming for some time yet j ,o the department, and I think it desiraltle 1 hat some action should bo taken In the way ] if removals, and am impatient to assist our ] jeople in securing relief, to which they are iustly entitled, from partisan postmasters. I 1 rnve had a conference with the Virginia deligation, and they will soon bring in their ! :ases, and I shall hope to make the earliest < emovals in that State. As sdou as they i thai I l>e ready, and I hope within a week, I lesire to appoint from three to ten in a coun;y in Virginia, amounting to several hundred iltogether. I ha 1 intended to invito yourself in 1 the Democratic delegation from Ohio to neet me this week and consider the plan ipon which we should proceed in making renovate in Ohio. But I understand it will b3 , nconveuient for some to travel hither now, md it has occurred to me that 1 >erhaps the same eud might bo ac- i :omplished by writing. I shall beg you, ] ;hcrefore, to consider the suggestions I nake as to the methods or proceuuro, ana it ,'ou can adopt thorn and get samo cases ready svithin the next two or three weeks I think i rvit hin the month of May I can give substan- | ;ial relief that will tak-j away the importunity ind discontent. I think that from tiftean to twenty-five per cent, of the fourth class postnasters in Ohio might bo removed within the lext two months, and great good accomplished thereby, if our people will adherejtj i projjosed plan. This is, in short, to pick out the most obloxious and offensive partisans in each :ounty, to the number of a sixth to a quarter )f all, and choose first-class men to take their ilaces. I will require no more proof of partisanship in theso selections than the affirmation of knowledge on the part of a Representative or Senator that tho postmaster has been an activo editor or proprietor of a Republican newspaper printing offensive articles, easily shown by slips ; or a stump speaker, or member of a political committee, or officer of a campaign club,or organizer of political meetings, or that his office has l?een made the headquarters of political work, or that his clerks have been put into tho performance of do iitical duties, rossimy otner a' ts 01 cquui force may be noted in somo cases. If the Representative does not know the fact, it should bo established by some affidavit of some person whom he can affirm to bo of unquestioned credibility, or by some documentary evidence. In rocommending for appointment, I beg th'.> Representatives will state the age, business, and what kind of business experience, and a description of the business, character of the applicant, and also of his habits and standing in tho community. It would bo well to lile evidence showing that he will be satisfactory to the community, and when there are various candidates, I shall 1 ? obliged by any explanation which tho Representative can give. This necessarily imposes a little trouble, and yet not very great; but it seems to mo reasonable to require very extraordinary caro and trouble euough to be taken to represent surely the facts. The earliest removals and apjKJintinents of this kind will challenge tho keenest scrutiny. The former must bo justifiable and the latter beyond criticism. Some mistakes have i>erbaps occurred, and our adversaries are keenly interested to make the most or everv fault. 1)'cnu?o th'yhavo perceived a strong current of genoral approbation of the purposes of the administration. In rendering this justice to onr people, which consists of tho removal of opponents and substitution of our friends, I feci that it is very desirable to proceed with extreme care, and that I am correctly representing the President's wishes and purposes in earnestly soliciting that every step may be taken . irp.irflintrlv f ma v aild that. as ilift rniniiinii coo I is iniinit.'ly b-yond tlio welfare of nny one person, however groat hi? place, so appointments. to further <i m<-re jn-rsonnl end, should l>c absolutely forbidden, mwl recommendations upon tint basis may well expect disfavor. I shall very willingly take up the case of any district or of any county, whenever they arc ready, and I shall In glad if the Representative can perswilly att Mi l and go over them. Papers should be sent in as soon as possib'e, and will be then carefully briefed in the department; and when so 111 ado roady, appointments can bo made with great rapi lity. Should you think it desirable to have a personal conference before this is begun, I shall be very glad to meet the delegation. But as I have felt it desirable to relieve them of wnnecmsary journeying and expense, I have written a similar letter to each representative from Ohio.and respectfully solicited responsive action in accordance with the spirit of it. Very truly yours, Wm. F. Vilas, 1 'ostmastor-General Tiierc arc 3,9(53. railway postoftice clerks in the service. & A'- -vv ' AN ASIAN CAMPAIGN. How Russia Would Attempt to Conquer England. A. Plan of Operations Drawn by a Ku3sian General. A special dispatch from St. Petersburg to tho Now York Herald says that the Russians bftvo at tho present moment 120,000 men be" twecn tho Caspian sea and Herat Accord ing to the best military estimate, Russia's position is practically unassailable, and it would be madness for an Anglo-Indian army f less than 250,000 men to attempt oporating in Central Asia against Russia The following plan of operations in Centraj Asia has been drawn up by General Gourko, and would have been put into execution in the event of war: First?Tho principles of the campaign would be those of tho Moscow campaign of 1812 against Napoleon. Second?Tho Russian commander would strictly avoid any general engagement until the Anglo-Indian army was drawn into tho interior at least six nunureu nines ueyonu Candahar. Third?Three Russian corps d'armee, each 30,000 strong, would await tho Anglo-Indian advance in strongly defensive positions echeloned along tho Kushk and tho Murghab rivers. Fourth?Twenty-five thousand Cossacks at tho first sign of a British advance would swarm through Afghanistan, arouse tho whole country, proclaim Ayoub Khan as Ameer and harass British communications, burning supplies, raiding round tho British army, stami>eding camp followers, etc , but avoiding any serious engagement. Fifth?A corps of observation of 25,000 men and 15,00.) Cossacks to be stationed at Chickishlar, on the Caspian, ready to march straight to Teheran tho instant the shah of Persia should show the slightest sign of aiding th) English. Sixth?When tho Anglo-Indian army has been drawn far into tho interior, worn out by tho difficult country and worried night and day by tho Cossacks, it would be attacked simultaneously hy the 00,000 men forming tho threo Russian corps d'armie. Seventh?In case of a British defeat tho Russian advance would be followed by tho immediate construction o? railways, and nade very slowly but very surely. Gladstone's Second Victory* In the British house of commons tho motion of Sir Edward Masscy Lopes, liberal con >ervauve, iu liiserii a vmuw ju vuoiv|j?wu- I tion act charging the expenses of registry on the general" treasury, being called up, Mr. Gladstone strongly opjwsed it. Tho motion was finally rejected by a vote of 28J to 258, a loss of t.*n votes by the government from tho previous night's tally and of but two for the opposition. Forty Irish home rulers voted against the government. Tho government's majority on Sir Massey Lopes' motion was obtained through the preslure of a throat that tho ministry would resign if defeated. A number of liberals who desired to abstain from voting were compelled to vote on tho appeal of tho other liberals, who pointed out that a defeat would mean the placing of tho government in tho hands of tho conservatives. ENGLAND'S TROUBLES. riic Son dan War Ended?Rnmla Conciliated?Gladstone Sustained. In the British house of commons Mr. Glad. 3tone said that an arrangement had beon effected between Earl Granville, foreign secretary, the Earl of Kimborly, secretary for India, Baron de Staal, tho Russian minister to England, and M. Lessar, the special Russian agent in London, in regard to tho Afghan frontier. Tho arrangement wag satisfactory to tho British govorn. ment and to the Earl of Dufferin, viceroy of India. Ho hoped the arrangement would be made the subject of a convention with Russia. He said the government was acting in concord with the Ameor's wishes. He hoped to present papers by the end of the week in support of the arrangement. A similar statement was mado by Earl Granville in tho house of lords. Lord Hartington, secretary for war, said in the house of commons that tho decision reached by the government in regard to the Soudan practically involved the abandon inent or the aavnnco to iviiartoum. mo guvermnent had resolved to mako Wady Haifa the most advanced position as a permanent dofenso of Egypt. Tho British troops would Be withdrawn as soon as the Nile rises. It is expected that tho rising will occur about the end of May. This statement was received with cheers from the government benches. Mr. Gladstone then moved for a second reading of tho consolidated fund bill (the $55,:W0,CKW credit). He urged his motion in a speech in which ho declared that he was unable to understand tho difference which existed on this subject between the opposition ind tho government Ho urged tho lionse to ivoid every unnecessary issue just now, as it would be the duty of the house to pass judgment on the conduct of the government No sooner had Mr. Gladstone done spoaking than tho conservatives opened upon him mil his government the bitterest attack within their power to make. This was led by tho Right Honorable Lord Georgo Francis Hamilton, conservative member for Middlesex, who moved for consideration of in amendment refusing to assent to the voto of $55,01) J,000 until tho liouse had been informed of tho government's present policy and of the purposes to which tho money granted was to lie applied. The debato lasted until 2 a. m., when Lord Hamilton's motion was defeated by a vote of ?'0 to 200. Tho majority consisted entirely of liberals. Tho Parnellites voted with the minority. GENERAL KOMABOFF. Tlorc Particular* o. His Fight With tho AIglian?. General KomaroCCs latest dispatches regarding the collision between tho Itu ssians ind Afghans near Penjdch reiterate with . .. 1!? ,.r ?t.? of LUIier UL'lUllS 1115 euniCi iawuiita kjl I'UU **?. fair. Ho says tbo Afghans sent a taunting message to tbo Russians, declaring that "they would thrash tlio Russians as they had thrashed the English." The-Afghans, General KomarofT again insists, fired the first shots and so wero responsible for bringing on tlio 'engagement. General KomirofT says ho learned from prisoners who were captured in the battle that tbo Afghan loaders had ordered tbo Sariks to furnish a contingent of 0110 thousand men to the Afghan army. Tbo time which had been allowed the Sariks to determine whether they would comply with this order expired on the very day tbo battle occuired, and an answer from them was expected by the Afghans on that day. The effect produced Ty tho Russian success on tho minds of tho neighboring peoplo was si great that directly aftor tho battle tho Rank and Ersarik Turcomans offered their allegianco to Russia A few days after the battle?namely, on tho 7th of April?General KomarofT says ho wrote to Taib Salar, tho Afghan commander at Penjdeh, that ho had no further animosity against tho Afghans. TllElJATIONALGAME. JFIooan, of tho Cleveland club, is a flm tenor singer. All tho Southern league clubs have adopted "ladies' days." " Wafted" and "churned the ethereal" is tho latest slang for struck out. The Western Pennsylvania Baseball assoointinn irae nrfnnizpd roceiltlv. The Chattanooga chib is said to bo the unluckiest elub in tho Southern league. Harry Garfield, son of tho murdered President, is manager of tho Williams college nine. President Cleveland is frequently called upon by members of tho baseball clubs visiting Washington. It is estimated that not less than 1,000 men will make a regular business of playing base ball professionally this summer. Josiah Jkwrtt, tho president o? the Buffalo league club, is vico-prosident of the Bank of Buffalo. Ho came near being elected mayor a couplo of years ago. Secretary Dkadimck has issued a notice to the managers of the Southern league clubs ! that heroalter any club that shall leave | the field, during n game, shall l>o liable to a i fine of from ?100 t ? ?r>lK). Tho fine will be | paid to the team remaining 011 tho field. A game of ball was played recently at | Albany, for the benefit of tiio Bartnoldi pedestal fund, between picked nines of the [ Democratic and Hepublican members of the New York legislature. Tho Democrats won by r>(> to "JO. They mado 28 runs in one inning. Whether or not ono could catch a ball thrown from tho top of Washington monument led the catcher of a local baseball club to make a similar trial recently from the top of tli'j water works standpipo in Erie, Penn. The height was -4S feet, and u|>on tho seventh attempt tho deed was accomplished, but the catcher declared tbo sphere weighed a ton. Tlio difficulty is not in tlio ball veering to either side, but in its accelerated velocity. The following is the base ball record up to recout date: NATIONAL LEAOL'B. H'on. Lost. Ton. Loit. Chicajo 3 l Providence 2 'i Detroit 3 o St. Loiii* 1 :: New York 3 1 Philadelphia...1 3 IJofl on 2 2 I Buffalo 0 3 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. Baltlmaro T 5 1 Athletic 6 T St. Lotil* 8 5 Pittsburgh....6 8 Cincinnati 8 6 | Louisville 0 7 Brooklyn.....-....6 6 | Metropolitan..G S EASTERN 1JIAOUE. National 4 1 I I.nnCasler 1 3 Virginia 4 0 | Norfolk 1 3 Newark 4 0 I Jersey City.... 0 . 4 Trenton.... 3 11 Wilmington...0 5 -:.-v: L'- ' .* ... NEWS SUMMARY Fnnfera nnd middle state** H. M. Muxskll, one of the jury who acr quitted Short of stabbing Captain Phelan in New York, was arrested. He was charged with having visitid Short in the tombs before the trial, and also of having called on O'Donovan Kosso, in whoso oflico the assault occurred. A couple in New York named Lehman, both over seventy years old, rendered desperate by poverty, committed suicide. Mrs. Guvenal and child, and August Rose were drowned by tho upsetting of a skiff in which they, accompanied by Mr. Guvenal and three others, were being rowed across the Monongaholft river, near Hays station, Penn. Tiie New York assembly passed by a large majority a bill exempting the soldiers of the late war from the provisions of the civil service law. Ex-Governor Gilbert C. Walker, of Virginia, died tho other day in New York, agea fifty-two years. Ho was a native of Bmghamton, N. Y., served from 1870 to 1874 as governor of \ irginia, and was subsequently elected to Congress twice. Toe Massachusetts assembly passod a bil^ restricting tho manufacture and salo of dy* namite. The Pennsylvania assembly passed oyer the governor's veto tho bill ordering counties to bury all bodies of destitute soldiers aud mark their graves with headstones. Mrs. Hiram Peautz, living near Litiz, Penn., in a fit of insanity drowned herself and her youngest two children. A large body of water in tho abandoned iijipar level workings at North Ashland colliery, Columbia Co.. Penn., broke through tho weakened pillar below, and washing out n largo quantity of earth and coal, killed a contractor, two miners, and a driver, and fatally injured a sub-boss. At tho annual meeting of tho American Tract society, held in Now York, it was reported that the society issued during the year ending March last 213,115 volumes and 6,309,804 tracts, wall rolls, card packages, etc. IVhen tho lato Wendell Phillips died, i' was supposed ho left an estate worth fully f200,00U. Investigation, however, has shown that tho total value of hi* property is only $8,361.05. Sonth and Wojt? A spark from a locomotive caused a fire in the Chicago lunibor district which burned up 45,000/ 00 feet of lumber and several planing mills, entailing a total loss of |~00,(KX). At one timo much alarm was felt lest the lire should assume proportions approaching those of the groat conflagration of 1871, which came from the same direction,and accordingly the entire fire department was tabled out Moses Caton was hanged at Morganfield, Ky., for the slow torture and murder of a widow whom he had married to get posses sionofher property. A female accomplice of Caton has been sentonced to imprisonment for life, mid his two sons are yet to be tried as accomplices. The militia who fired with such fatal effect when Ihe striking quarrymen at Lemont, 111., were censured by the jury of inquest. As Josiah Hoskins, jailer of Bell county, Kentucky, was returning from church, accompanied by several of his children and Thomas Napier, the whole party was fired upon by Andrew Johuson, who wa3 lying in wait behind a building in tlio town of Fineville. Hoskins, his little daughter, ten years old, and Napier were instantly killed. This assassination was the result of a difficulty between Napier and Johnson on the day of the last presidential election, when Napier was wounded by Johnson, who has killod fiva persons in tho past three years. Two miners were fatally and four others seriously injured by a gas explosion in a mine at Bridgeport, W. Va. William S. Roberts, president of the defunct tmnk of Augusta, Ga., for whom a requisition was made by Governor Hill, of New York, cut his throat with a razor, inflicting a wound which tho doctors said was not necessarily fatal. Washington* President Cleveland will hereafter receive no callers on Haturdav. Ho finds ik necessary to do vote at least ono working day of each wcok to the transaction of public business without interruption. The President has appointed George V. N Lothrop, of Michigan, to bo envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Russia; Boyd Winchester, of Kentucky, to bo minister resident and consul-general to Switzerland; Dr. John E. W. Thompson, of New York, to be minister resident and consul-general to Hayti. Mr. Lothrop is a prominent Detroit lawyer. Boyd Winchester was first appointed consul to Nice, but declined on account of the inadequate salary. Dr. Thompson is a young colored man, and a graduate of tho medical department of Yale college. E. o. Graves, assistant United States treasurer and for twenty two years a treasury department employe, has been promoted to be chief of tho bureau of engraving and printing in place of Captain Burrill, whose resignation was requested by Secretary Manning. Mr. Sparks, tho new land commissioner, had an altercation the other day in his office with Colonei Do Alina, a land agent at Carson City, Nev., who had called and insisted ; on having his accounts settled. Finally Mr. j , Sparks forcibly ejected tho land agent, who I sworo out a warrant against tho coinmis- j doner, charging him with assault. AnnmnxAr. appointments by tho Presi- ' dent: William A. !*'eav, of Louisiana, to be minister resident and consul-general to Bolivia; Ephraim B. Ewing, of Missouri, to be consul-gcncral at Mexico; H. Clay ArmStrong. of Alabama, to bo consul-general at Kio do Janeiro, and tho following consuls: Gustavus Luckc, of New Hampshire, at Sherbrooke, Canada; Peter Staub, of Ten- | (lessee, at St. Galle; Henry M. Jveim, of Pennsylvania, at Charlotte town, Frinco U<uward island; John M. Strong, of New York, at Belleville, Canada; Alexander Bertram!, of New York, ut St. Johns, (Quebec; Louis N. Minnie, of Michigan, at Port Sarnie. I.ewis C. Bartlett, of New York, was appointed second deputy commissioner of poti sions; Arthur D. Bissell, collector of custom for the district of Buffalo crook, N. Y.; A. M. Kulin, surveyor of customs at Indianapolis; Hamilton C\ Jonas,United States district altorney for the western district of North Carolina, and John H. Oberly, of Illinois, Indian school superintendent. Postmasters appointed by the President: Maurice Litseh, at Mahauoy City, Pen'i. John Slack, at Bristol, Tennr. Mary H. Edwards, at Cleveland, Tenn.; Mrs. II. A. Hastings, at Port (Jib-on, MUs.; J. L. Moaie, at Hazelhurst, Miss.; Harvey C. Moore, at Broadhead, AVis. Chari.es M. Shem.ey, of Alabama, has been appointed fourth auditor of the treasury, vice Charles Beardsley, resigned. Di'Rinc; April six hundred new postmasters \vero appointed. Henry B. James, chief of tho customs division, treasury department, has resigned, to take effect Juno 1. The count of the moneys and securities in the United States treasury has been completed, and everything was found in a satisfactory condition. Further appointments by tho President: To be collectors of internal revenue?Geo. L. Spear for the district of Vermont, Charle3 E. Iiasbrook for the sixth district of Missouri, Edmund M. Bigler for tho twenty-third district of Pennsylvania, Edward C. Wall for uie urst uistnct 01 Wisconsin, nugn ivmnaru for the fifth district of New Jersey. William A. Vincent, of New Mexico, to bo justice of tho supremo court of the Territory of New Mexico; Loroy F. Yonmans, of South Carolina, to be attorney of tho United States for the district of Houth Carolina. Postmasters? Samuol A.Ashe, of Raleigh, N. C.; James F. Vogt, at lie Mars, Iowa; John McWilliams at Coatesville, Penn. The commissioner of agriculture has issued a directory of departments, boards, societies, colleges and other organizations in the interest of agriculture, horticulture, stock raising, dairying, bee keeping, iish culture and kindred industries in the United States. It contains the names of more than five thousand organizations. The charge of assault made by Colonel Do Ahna, a land agent, against Commissioner Sparks was dismissed by the judge. Professor C. V. Rii.ey, tho entomologist of tho agricultural department, says that the country will soon bo visited by two great broods of locusts, of tho seventeen and thirteen-year varieties, and that this will bo tho first time in 221 years that they have appeared in conjunction. Tho in jury thov will inflict Will probably be confined to fruit trees. The Prosident has appointed Colonel John M. Wilson, of tho corps of engineers, to be commissioner of public buildings and grounds, relieving Colonel A. F. Rockwell. Secretary Endicott left Washinrrf ayi nthni* ilo V fnr Vnr f, 4r'bw" -? - ? - -- | enwortli, Kan., to inspect tho military prison at that place. Tho secretary has been selected by tho President to preside over a j board appointed to report where fortifications and defences of the United States am ' most urgently needed. Foreign* Emma, at one time queen of the Sandwich t Islands, Is dear]. Sho was the daughter of a | high native chief and an English woman,anrj | i received an excellent education by American i j tutors. War talk was again revived in England j ! by tho report that Russia had refused to enj tor into any agreement not to advance on i Herat, Afghanistan. j spain wants China to pay for tho Josses ! sustained by Spanish missionaries during tho | Franco-Chinese war. A Halifax dispatch says that tho White Cross Line Belgian steamer Helvetia, 1,101 ! tons, from Antwerp, bound for Montreal j was sunk ofT Scntterio, Cape Breton. AH on board were saved. The cargo was valued at ! $400,000. A copy of Lcfevre's "Rocuyell of Histo? ?? "f TV/itm ' thn hrjfc hrvnk nrinted in Entr ! iish, lias just been sold in London for iM,8'J0 j (about $!), 100). Tho saino copy was sold in i 1750 for eight guineas. A long dispatch 1ms been published in St. i Petersburg from General Komaroff, ii which | ho reiterates everything he said in his former dispatches regarding the unexpected progressive movements of tho Atgifcuis, and claims that the latter were the aggressors at Penjdeh. The Pope has selected Mgr. Moran, ney, Now South Wales, to bo archbishop or Dublin. The German reichstag has increased the duties on wheat, oats and barloy. This is done to restrict importation of the cereals from other countries. An avalanche in Iceland swopt fifteen dwellings with their inmates into tho sea. Twenty-four persons were drowned and fifty fishing boats destroyed. A meeting of 1,000 workmen in Trafalgar Square, London, held to protest against a proposed increase of tho tax on spirits and beer, resulting in a riot which the police were for a long tiino unnblo to control The American residents of Paris have presented tho municipality of that city a reduced copy of Hartholdi's statue of " Liberty Enlightening the World," destined for Now York harbor. Advices from Tirpul state that tho people of Afghanistan expect England to avenge tho defeat of tho Arghans by the Russians or indemnify the ameer for his lossta LATER NEWS, an explosion at the chemical works near Somerset, Feun., completely wrecked nine buildings. W. T. Beach, one of the proprietors, was blown to atoms. Where the building in which tho explosion occurred ?tood there is a liolo largo enough to bury tho structure in. Miss Jane Holmes, who died recently at Pittsburg, Ponn., out of an estate amounting to about $1,000,00!) bequeathed $700,009 for charitable purposes. Michael Aldekfer, aged eighty-two years, a bank president and wealthy banker while temporarily insane committed suicide by hanging at Norristown, Penn. Fifteen examiners and clerks in the United States appraiser's office at New York have been removed. Colonel Morrison's namo was withdrawn on the 14th as a candidate for United States Senator before tho Illinois legislature. The aew member (Weavor) received his certificate of election from the governor. The President has made the following ap. pointments: Collectors of internal revenueThomas H. Simms, for the district of Arkan" sas; Charles B- Staples, for the Twelfth dis. trict of Pennsylvania. Collectors of customs?Richard F; Dodge, for tho district of Salem and Beverly, Mass.; Richard T. Rundlett, for tho district of Wiscassot, Mo. Post, masters?John C. Sceva, at Mechanicsburg, Ohio ; Cary T. Pope, at Hillsborough, Ohio ; Norval Blackburn, at Decatur, Ind. Consul? George C: Tanner, of South Carolina, at Chemnitz. After General Middloton's victory over Riol at Batoucho many of the rebel leader's half-breed followers surrendered to the Canadian troops. A banquet in Iionor of M?. Morton, the retiring United States minister to France, was given at Paris, among the 200 guests being Mr. Morton's successor, ox-Governor McLnnc. General Merritt, the retiring consul" general to London, also gave a farewell dinner and welcome to his successor, ex-Governor Waller. ____ WAGES OFFABM LA.E0R Interesting Statistics from the Agricultural Department. The monthly statistical publication of tho agricultural department for May contains a comprehensive statement of wages paid to farm laborers in- all parts of tho country, based upon what Mr. Dodge, the statistician of the department, believes to be entirely trustworthy data. It was found in 18G6 that the average for while labor was $28 _ per month without board aud $ 15.."*) witn Doara. An accepieu estimate of thirty years before made {9 per month, with board, the average cost of farm labor. In 1S09 the rate for labor paid fully in cash was $25.13, a reduction having occurred in tho West, sonio decline in the East, while in tho South an advance had resulted from increasing efficiency in labor ond rising confidence in its reliability. In 1875 a further decline had occurred, tho reduction in six years being from $32.08 to $2fl.l!6 in the East, from $28.02 to 20.02 in tho Middle States and from $27.01 to $23.00 in tho West In tho following periods of cumulative effect of tho depression, culminating in 18711, thero was much labor unemployed, an excels of rural laborers, an abnormal reduction of wages, from which a gradual recovery resulted, which, in 1882, had raised tho rate to tho level of 1879?quite up to it in tho Western States. Tbe following statoment shows by sections the cash rates where board is not furnished, showing tho gradual decline of inflated values of tho speculative period, the undue depression of tho era of panic and the ultimate lecoveryin 1882, with the changes indicated by tho present returns of the 1st of May, 1s85: Siction. 1885. 1882. 1879. 1806. Eastern States...$25 30 $20 01 $20 21 $33 30 Middlo States.... 23 19 22 24 19 09 30 07 Southern f tates.. 14 27 1530 13 31 16 CO Western Hites... 22 20 23 03 20:38 28 91 California 38 75 38 25 41 03 35 75 Tho mnnnnfc of labor seekine employment in agriculture at tho present time is unusually lurge, yet therf aro many localities in almost every section of tho country in which thero is more or less complaint of scarcity. A majority of the reports received, however, indicate zceptional abundance of labor in the rural districts rather than the opposite condition. Among the causes assigned tho most important is the curtailment of operations in mnnuEacturing, mining, iron working, railroad building, lumbering and other industries, tho low price of produce and in some localities,a failure of tho crops, by which the ability of farmers to employ labor has been diminished coincidentally, with ail increase in tho amount of labor offering. As regards colored labor in the South the reports are, in many cases, favorable, notwithstanding tho complaints as to tho unwillingness of colored men to work, their disposition to hang around towns depending on occasional jobs, and other faults enumerated by many correspondents. Homo correspondents testify to increased industry on the part of tho colored people, but attribute it to hard times and a more urgent necessity for industry as the alternative to starvation. The report closes with the practical suggestion that in the manufacturing towns and cities offices be opened either by the labor unions or by benevolent citizens, through which communication may be opened between unemployed city workmen and farmers needing help, so that a reputable and worthy city laborer may havo tlio moans of making known his true character, instead of starting out on foot at a venture, subject to the risk of beingmistaken for a professional tramp. KIEL'S REBELLION, A Stubborn Battle that Continued 1'ntil Mglitfail. Details of a bifctlo bitwoen General Middloton's Canadian troops and Riel's half-breed rebels, near Batouche, are as follow?: The forces left tho camp at 6 o'clock on Saturday morning, leaving all supplios and tents behind. Aftor marching several miles without seeing or hearing anything of tho enemy, suddenly the whistle of tho steamor Northcoto, which had boon converted into a gunboat, was heard blowing continuously. As the troops drew nearer, they heard tho sound of heavy firing in tho direction of tho river. A signal was fired, an 1 the guns on the steamer replied. Scouts and a Gatling gun were ilion pushed rapidly ahead, and camo upon two houses near the bank of the river, which hore is very precipitous. They mot an advanced party of rebels, who fired, and then retreated behind tho house. Tho Gatling gun was brought to bear on them, when thoy ran into a house near the church of St. Laurent This was also fired on by tho Gatling, when tho robals ran out into tho bushes. A bat- | tery by this time camo up with a rush and i got into position, sending several Shells after | the rebels. Tho ltoyal Urenadiers tncu | deployed, continuing to advance in skirmishing order until they reachod the church, when a priosfc came out of the hot's3 waving a white flag. General Middleton and staff advanced and shook hands with the priest. Then three other priests and fl ve Sisters of Charity came out. A number of half breed children were inside tho building in charge of tho Sisters. The grenadiers still advanced, skirmishing through the bush on the right of tho trail,tho Gatling being pushed forward down tho doclivity toward Batouche, now plainly visible in the valley below. Here A Battery unlimbered on tho top of the ridge, sending shells into the rebels, and while doing so were almost surprised by a number of tho onemy. When they wore discovered they made a wild charge for the guns, firing and yelling as they ran. At this point Captain Howard, of tho Second regiment, Connecticut national guards, who is with tho Canadians in charge of tho Gatling battery, saw tho danger, and promptly took measures which saved tho Canadian troop3 groat loss of life, if not utter rout. \V ith cool daring ho ran a Catling gun in front of tho battery and opening a rapid, skillful flro ho sent a shower of bullets into tho rebels wuicn mm ninny of them on tho ground, and sent tho others scurrying back under shelter of the bush. Here, under safo cover, chagrinM at their unexpected repulse, they retaliated by opening lire on Howard. Tho young officer's escape from injury was almost miraculous, but ho gallantly stood his ground and iinnlly drove the rebels, who found it impossible to hold out against tho terrible fire, to a pit constructed- for purposes j of safety in a deep ravine running up from j tho river. Howard's bravery is especially j commended. The engagement continued until the troops J had completely routed the rebels and took ! possession of Batouche, whero they now are. Gunner Phillips, of A battery, was tho only one killed, and six only were injured. The enemy's los3 is very large. >' 'y.' - . THE WAR I MANIT0B1 General Middleton's Troops Cap. ture Kiel's Stronghold. The Rebels Driven from Their Rifle Pits by a Bayonet Charge. A dispatch from Winnipeg,Manitoba,give the following particulars of the sovero flght ing which resulted in tho capture by General Middleton's troops of Hiel's stronghold, Batouche: The climax of General Middleton's campaign against the robel half breeds was the capture of Batouche yesterday, after four days' fighting, and the complote route of the rebels. Lato on Saturday night, after the advanced skirmishers had been called in, the rebels opened fire on tho loyal troops, who took refuge in a corral, from whicu position Captain Howard used a Gatling gun most effectively. Tho rebel fire ? u3 iiiuiuiaiueu, i?vru uuui o, uuu uw&iiom gathered so rapidly that little harm was done, and flnaflv, about 10 o'clock, they drew off, and Middleton held a council of war, in which the work of tho day was reviewed and plans for the following day laid. The men availed themselves of cover wherever it could be found, so the loss was but slight, there being only throo killed and eight wounded It was resolved to resume fighting early on Sunday morning upon the same tactics, by which it was hoped the ammunition of the rebels would soon be exhausted. Accordingly after a sleepless night, the troops remaining under arms till daylight to prevent a surprise, fighting was resumed at 0 o'clock. The rebels did not respond with their firo very promptly, and General Middleton ordered his troops to advance a little closer. No sooner had they got wiifrin ran~o than a heavy Are from tho rebels began. It took effect principally upon the Royal Grenadiers and tho Ninetieth battalian, who were well in advance,being deployed as skirmishers. The troops then drew back and the artillery advanced and for three hours continued to pour shot and shell into the village to th* right and into a ravine to the lefr, where the rilie pits from which it had been found impossible to drive the rebels the previous day were still held by the half-breeds. The range was long, and, although the artillery charged into the ravine again, they were driven back without accomplishing anything save the destruction of half a dozen rebels, while a number of their own men wore badly wounded. At 8 o'clock a detachment of rebels was observed on the opposite side of tho river engaged in burying their dead. A few shells were sent over by the "Winnipeg battery and the rebels were dispersed. Many of them were afterward shot by the Martini-Henry sharpshooters of the Ninetieth regiment, who had crept close up to the bank, and at a given signal sent a well directed volley into their midst. iticharu ttardisty, a bravo member of the Ninetieth, just returned from the Egyptian campaign, while taking aim at a prominent rebel leader received a bullet in his mouth and died in a' few minutes. Corporal Gillis, of the Ninetieth, a Wimbledon man, who did great service during the engagement, advanced too near and was shot in ifca lung. By noon the firing had become desultory and partially ceased. General Middleton occupied the afternoon in strengthening his position by building earthworks. Traps wore also laid to catch the rebels. A dozen rifle pits in advance of the intrenchments were made and a company of sharpshooters was placed in them. The skirmishers suddenly retreated toward the intreuchment, hoping to drat/ the rebels on and bring them within range of the men in the pits. The rebels were not caught by the ruse and did not advance. Shortly before noon Boulton's cavalry made a reconnoissauce northward skirting Batouche, and although passing within a short distance of the rebels wero unperceived. On their return they captured eighty head of cattle and some ponies. This closed the fighting for the day. The casualties were three killed and five wounded. Monday morning broke clear and brighti The troope were cheerful but tired after a long night, for but littlo rest had been secured on the two previous nights. "Betouche must be taken to-day,men," said Middleton after breakfast was over. "We can't afford to waste any more time on the rascals." By seven o'clock the troops had got to work and were pouring vclloy after volley on the position held by the rebels. The insurgents clung to their stronghold tenaciously, and as tbo day wore away responded in much better form than was thought they could do. Noon came, and still no sign of weakening; but as the afternoon advanced the riflo pits, which had been held for nearly eighty hours, were deserted by the rebels, who joined the main force on a well protected bluff near tho village. General Middleton knew they were weakening, and he ordered a detachment of troops to advance. Captain French, who commanded a corps of scouts, and who displayed almost revKieaa i ia?cijr imuu^uum; >uo . .6.., . was shot dead while leading on the charge. When the troops were about to advance Riel sent out ono of his prisoners, named Ashley, carrying a white flag, with the following message to Middleton: ' It you do not cease firing on houses, thereby injuring our families, we will massacre tho prisoners, commencing with Indian Agent Lasp." Middleton answered: "Let mo know where your women and children are and we will not fire on them." Riel replied,thanking him for his courtesy, but subsequently, when a corps of troops rushed forward to tho attack, he penciled on an envelope: "As I don't like war,! conclude to massacre tho prisoners all the same." The threat canto too )a!e, and, with a gallant dash and a great cheer, the troops rusued upon tho enemy, driviug them before them like frightened sheep, not, however, without considerable loss to our troops, as when brought to bay they fought desperately and did much injury. The village was finally reached and tho houses captured. The rebels fled across the plains like hunted buffaloes, with our troops in pursuit firing volleys after them. Isine prisoners were found in the house supposed to have been used as Kiel's headquarters. Thfv were promptly released. The troops' losses during the day were five killed and fifteen.wounded At one point twelve half-breads were found lying dead, among them being two of Riel's counci'ors. Previous to the charge General Middleton sent tha steamer Northcoto tJ Prince Albert to bring tho mounted police and another steamer in order to cutoff tne retreat of the rebels if the attack was made. FEVER'S FATAL WORK Origin and Progreaa of the DIaeaa* at Plymouth, Penn* Dispatches from Plymouth, Penn., give tho following details of the fever epidemic prevailing in and about that stricken place: Tho town of Plymouth has a population of perhaps 10,000. It is on tho Susquehanna river in Luzerne county, not for from Wilkesbarro. Theplnguo began about tho 1st of April In forty-six families known to be in destitute circumstances, with no money to buy medicine or ordinary food, there are 118 sick. The physicians say that the epidemic lias spent its force, but that of tho 730 sick fifty or seventy-five. will die. Sixty families have left tho place within, tho last ten days. There are no smiling faces on the streets. Everybody looks solemn. Undertakers' wagons, hearses, and doctors' carriages are on the streets at all hours of the day and night. Drug stores do not closo their doors, and the march of death has caused many houses to bo tightly closed. Crape hanging on thirteen doors on Thursday told the story of what this plague had done within. , The miners have worked about'one-third time only since the fli-st of the year, and their pay has been barely sufficient to keep body andsoul together. When diseusostalked into their homes, and they were strickon down, the family purse was empty. This state of affairs boenmo apparent the second week of tho epidemic. Chief Burgess Loderick and the town council did nothing toward helping tho poor, and destitution developed in every quarter of the town. The cry for help reached tho ears of some of the merchants, and on Tuesday night last a meeting was hold and a relief committee organized, with sub committees in each of the eight wards of tlio borough. The best i>eoplo that could tie got to act wore apfiointed on the sub-committees, to canvass their wards and find out how many were sick and the number of families | that were destitute or on the verge of destitution. A committee of three Wilkesbarro doctors after examination reported that the disease was typhoid fever, and that it was caused by contamination of the town's water supply, A hospital for the reception of patients was opened, nurses were sent from New York, and measures were taken to relievo the destitute. OVER A GAME_0F CARDS, Four Ncgroe* Killnl and SI* Othrra >cr)ounlf Wounded. Eight or ten negroes wero playing a gambling game with cards on n side-tracked carat I " w?i(in.. when I rapoi/s mm, nciii M uuuvtu..... . ?, ono of the number accused another of cheating. Both had been drinking, and each sprang to his feot. As his accuser was drawing a knife the other shot him doad, tho corpse falling on tho cards and stakes between tho gamesters. Tho friends of the dead man ami those of his opponents took sides in the fight that followed. The number of the combatants was greatly augmented by the participation of other negroes, who rushed np and became involved in tho fray. When tho battle ended, the number of (lie dead had been increased to four, and half a dozen were more or less seriously wounded. The leaders of tho faction which had precipitated tho trouble fled to the woods, and their enemies formed a [wsso and started in pursuit, determined to kill them. Tho affair at one time assumed the proportions of a riot, and great oxciteincnt prevailed among tho whito residents of the settlement. _______ FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD. The Feeding Valne off Cora stalka. At a recent State Dairymen's convention held in Wisconsin, Professor Henry, of the State Agricultural college, said: "We are now undertaking experiments to determine the value of corn-stalks as fodder. On the college farm, we got on four acres, beside fifty bushels to the acre of shelled corn, 14,000 pounds of corn-stalks. We fed two calves on cornstalks and two on hay, each couple for three weeks; then we reversed and fed them three weeks longer, so as to minimize the possible differences in the cows themselves. The result of that experiment was that we estimated one pound of bay as worth two pounds of cornstalks. Our yield of corn-stalks being one and three-quarter tons to the acre, was consequently neariy equal to one ton of hay, and, in addition, we got fifty bushels of shelled corn. We fed the stalks in this case uncut, and I estimate the waste as about forty per cent. We are about to make an experiment, cutting the corn-stalks. We noticed little or no dif ference in the milk and butter yields of those cows, whether fed on hay or stalks; they all averaged one pound of butter per day. The quality of the pro-duct from stalk-fed cows was equally as good as the hay-fed. (In answer of an inquiry regarding the grinding of com in the cob), Professor banborn's experiment show the grinding of corn and cob together to be advantageous. The cob gives a bulk which assists the easy digestion of the corn. While on the subject of cattle feed, let me say a good word for corn grown for fodder, to be used in the fall when your postures begin to run short. You can raise not far from 30,000 of green stalks to the acre. On this matter of corn stalks, I should say that it is no exaggeration to say that there are enough corn-stalks wasted in Wisconsin every year to keep all the fourfooted animals in the State.' I should sav that for fodder I am opposed to large southern corn. I prefer a variety of small corn. (Inquiry as to the relative value of eastern and western corn), Easterngrown corn has a greater percentage of nutriment than our western, but if you keep on growing that corn in the West, it soon becomes western. It would be well enough to try the eastern or southern. For fodder, you must plant early and cut early." Farm and Garden Notes. A Massachusetts poultry fancier recommends - knit hoods for covering the combs ana wittles of black Spanish fowls. It is not necessary to keep cocks unless the eges are intended for sitting hens. The hens will lay just ns well, perhaps better, and the eggs will keep a longer time. Bats have a, great aversion to the odor of the chloride of lime, and, when mixed with water and poured into the holes through which the rats pass, they usually vacate their haunts. This mixture is harmless, docs not kill the rats, but drives them nway. A solution of India rubber in benzine, has been used for years as a coating for steel, iron, and l?ad, has been found a simple means of keeping them from oxidizing. It can be easily applied with a brush, and is as easily rubbed off. It should be made about the consistency of cream. TTprn ia n. now F.nfrlish rnmedv for crib biting. Nail a strip of sheep skin, about eight inches in width, the entire length of the crib; select a skin covered with long wool, t;nd sprinkle it freely with Cayenne pepper, lienew it occasionally, and the worst cribber can be persuaded to desist from his habit. The small streams which often flow through farms are almost invaluable sources of fertility, if the mud which accumulates in them every year cleaned out and spread upon the land. All the leaves, together with the fine mold from cultivated fields, find a lodgment in the beds of these streams. Several loads of manure as valuable as that made in stables may thus be secured every year. A farmer whose neighbor's stock has been driven to his well all the last winter made a calculation that the loss of time in driving stock, to say nothing of the loss from insufficient supply of water is enough to pay the interest on fifty dollars easily. Yet a good well could be put in the barnyard with wooden pump for less than half this sum. The loss of manure from driving stock far for water in winter is a serious item. The old practice of putting ashes in leach to make soap is less common than formerly among farmers. The ashes are worth more as a fertilizer to crops than for soap. Good potash can bo bought more cheaply than in the form of ashes, and it is not in as good shape for applying to crops. However, there is still much virtue in leached ashes, and where they can bo got cheaply they will well pay for hauling on sandy land. , The milk from heifers is noither so large in quantity nor so rich as that from the same cow as she becomes older. The old rule which reckoned a heifer with her first calf as equal to half a cow was not far from right. The growth of the heifer is so much deducted from what would otherwise go to milk production, but with young cows capable of eating and digesting an unusual quautity of food a larger proportion may go to the milk pail. In answer to the question, what is the best season of the year for pruning a young orchard? the Country OentUman says: Late in winter, or early In spring Vinrtn RWpll. if YOU wish to UClViV kuw ?** ? ? - y ? w maintain the vigor of the trees. If they are so thrifty as to give annual shoots three feet long, you may prune late in spring or early in summer. If the pruning is to be very light and with small shoots, the time will not be very important; but if the trimming is heavy, the above rule is to be carefully observed. The value of the bean crop is not in its foliage but in its grain. An excessive amount of nitrogen in fertilizers makes straw, but without a proportionate amount of pods. This is more especially true in course stablo manure, which heats in the soil, causing increased warmth. Finely rotted manures, or nitrates in their concentrated form, are often apparently as helpful to grain production as mineral fertilizers. They undoubtedly make available some mineral plant food in the soil that would otherwise be unavailable. In like manner caustic potash or soda, as ashes or salt, will ofteu change inert nitrogen in the soil to forms in which plants can use it. Au old rccipe for making grafting wax, and a good one, is four parts resin, two parts beeswax, and one part tallow. Melt all together in a kettle, over a moderate lire, and when well mixed, pour into a vessel of cold water to haiden. "When stiff enough to handle grease the hands, and then pull and work the wax until it is white, or amber colored, and of even quality throughout. Apply the wax to the grafts in such a way that the airshall be entirely excluded from all raw sur-; faces on scion and stock. In cold weather the wax may need warming by workiug it in the hands, or it may be melted and applied with a brush. For small trees in nurseries, we have used the wax on strips of cloth prepared by simply dipping the strips in melted wax. These, wound around the stock, keep the scion j firmly in place. Household Hints and Iteclpe* I Breakfast Puffs.?Sift half a pint j of flour and a saltspoonful of salt together; stir into it gradually a gill of milk. Beat up separately the yolk and white of one egg; add the yolk to a gill of milk, stir this into the flour; now add the white of egg previously whipped to a foam, pour into individual tins and bake in a quick oven. To Test Eons.?Dissolve an ounce of salt in ten ounces of water. Add the eggs?fjood ones will sink, indifferent eggs will swim, and bad eggs will float, even in pure water. Fresh eggs are more transparent in the center. Old eggs are transparent at the top. Eggs may be kept for a very long time by covering them with beeswax dissolved in warm olive or cottonseed oil; use onethird beeswax to two-thirds oil. Vegetable Pie. ? For a small pie take three or four potatoes, an onion and r three hard-boiled eggs. Slice the pttft* ' toes and onions, season and boil in a pint of water. When done, line a pie-plate : with crust, put in the potatoes, water and all, and slice the eggs ovgr. If the " WeM water has boiled away, add more and season accordingly, as plenty of juice is required. Cover with top crast and bake quickly. This is an old Maryland. - ? recipe and is excellent. ^ To Keep Beep Fbesh ra Weather.?For every one hundred pounds of beef take four quarts of fine Liverpool salt, four ounces of saltpeter, and four pounds of brown sugar, 'mixed, ^-^1 5 intimately together, and when the meat is packed, which'should be elbeely, sprinkle the mixture evenly over the lay- . ers of meat; keep closely packed togeth- IggMf? er by the use of good weight. The sugar and salt, with the juice of the meat, will make all the brine that is necessary. 3$|g The above ia simple enough, end no ? doubt good. Remember it when the hotyraf^ "::4 days come and you have fresh meats Want to save. Care op Oil Cloths.?If house* ' ^0 wives will nse a dry mop composed oI soft flannel?knit underwear is good? for cleaning floor cloths, they will find their goods will not .only wear tottd?, ...V/'lfa'}-fM but will retain their new look very much . r -'IIm longer. Go over the oil cloth with the r; $S dry mop the same as if it was wet, and,: ';*j when it becomes soiled shake it out ofdoors until it looks clear again. It is > surprising how long such a mop can be SJfl used without washing ojit, if onlyit is thoroughly shaken erery time it is used. - >#& :M A good way to renew an oil cloth that has been washed frequently, till it looks' dim, is to heat sweet oil?chicken orturkey oil will do about as well?dip |a flannel into the hot oil and go over the carpet, rubbing the surface hard, so the oil will penetrate and make the good* y^tjgmsM soft and pliable. Try it, ladies* andJ?'/-^J|S' 'M convinced of the merits of such a course. ?Tribune and Farmer. r r? SELECT SIFTINGS. The President has the appointment of / :i| ten cad^s at West Point. . ^ There la a life-sized female statue, cut "?<j fprim RAlt Hi \'flw Orleani. '\t Ok, Oz, Ai and Po are four postofficea in the United States whose names con- ; tain only two letters. ?|jjsf Wet and dry seasons affect the wing* ' of butterflies in India so differently as to causo broods of the same insect to bo - ;d3| :.M taken for distinct species. ^ The word measles originally signified leprosy, although in modern times used | '^l'| for a far diffeent disorder. Its derivation <-3 is from the old French word meseau, or ' >' ^39 A French physician has written along ' . letter on the advantages of groaning ana, crjing. Ho tells of a man who reduced . ^ his pulse from 126 to sixty in the course ;$ /< of a few hours by giving vent to his In Teheran, Persia, the teahouses are 3 all open to the public, and even the schools are exposed alike, the shops often ; having shops on each side. The bova : ^ sit on their neels in rows and repeat tna lesson after the master, apparently undis- '^^ffi turbed at the continual hubbub going on During the Spanish invasion of Hoiland several victories were won by the ~?JM xSjjs native soldiers who, on skates, suddenly moved on tne forces 01 Aiva, ana ar "jxg* quietly retired to their own camp. For . "'I a period of more than four hundred '"tyB years the aoldicre have been trained to $g perform evolutions on skates. ; Jj In old times the turquoise was sup- " ^ posed to lose its color entirely at tne ; ' death of its owner, but to recover it when placed upon the finger of ? new , and healthy possessor. It was sud that. whoever wore a turauoise so that either it or its setting touched the skin, might fall from any height, the stone attract- ' jSag rp ing to itself the whole force of the blow. The cook in an uptown club7 New York, was bothered by a number of ngs, until he hit upon a novel dish for them. : ,;|g He collected a small pan of wine-bottle corks, and chopped them up. Then ha ^ '-^WS fried the pieces in lard and breaded them.;. Kfeajgij The rats ate them at night, and drank HiflH from a dish of water conveniently placed. Iu a few days the rats were all found dead, and the cook was very happy over ' his experiment. The last reported novelty in London HsHB is a burglars' company, which conducts f IK3BM1 I business in a most careful and STStsnnuiw~^jy^^gj manner. It has a number of inspectois, who travel over Europe inquest of open- ffiflN inga for "work," and mechanics who HjamMH can open tbe most elaborate safe. Pi- K|j|?gHH nail v, there is a solicitor who negotiates jaj| H the restitution of bonds for a commis- ? H sion of thirty-flye per cent. All the |s 9B managers have received a prison educaHEALTH HINTS. ^M|H| * ' * ^53 It is now e:mn out that too much >3 coffee dries up the liver. '*0 Raw oysters are highly recommended ,-*v3 as a cure for hoarseness. 'v| To cure and heal a running sore apply v alum water twice a day. ' For nose bleed, get plenty of powdered alum up into the nostrils. . ' A simple remedy for neuralgia- is to . "Itym apply grated horseradish, prepared the same as for table use, to the temple when jfl i the face or head is affected, or to the . ~ wrist when the pain Is in the arm or There is nothing better for a cut than ; ja powdered resin. Pound it until fine, v and put it in an empty, clean pepper-box - .JgBM with perforated top, then you can easily . si/tit out on the cut; put a soft cloth . 38 around the injured member, and wet it T<. _ with cola water once m a wimc. x? prevent inflammation and soreness. Wm Maple Sngar and Maple Trees. y9 ?9 The cleanest and neatest of trees; tho^a ."xajnj one whose foliage stands out iu the fall|^H^rai as the mos? brilliant and varied in color 9 j$sSMI among all the leaves that delight tho ;|^9n i painter; the tree whose wood is next to B, i black walnut in beauty, the maple, is dearest to Americans for its life's blood, | whose distillation yields the sweetest of 1 | sugars and most savory of the natural | There is hardly any one of healthy and natural appetite whoso palate is not 1 ! pleased by the brown crystals which ;l | melt in the mouth and leave a delightI ful sensation to the taste, and suggest in their very odor that they condense the jt very spirit of spring in the woods, the ' I spicy breezes, the soft melting snows of fl i spring, the budding leaves and delicate , flowers. j L Nearly every one likes maple sugar, igS I and it is no wonder to learn that each . i year sees an increase in tho yield, until " i now it has reached the enormqus sum of I : nearly fifty-one million pounds, or equal ' to one-fifth of the amount of cane sugar I produced in this country. Nor does this amount include the coarse stuff that is made by boiling cheap I brown sugar and stirring it with a stick. I It is the real ariiclc, as pure as improved .31 processes can make it. wrx In the old days, "before the war," aa they date down South, Vermont alone "took the cake " of maple sugar making. 3 Now the industry Is spread all over the % country. The Green Mountain State still leads and makes over thirty pounds apiece for each of the inhabitants, many of whom never taste any other sugar. . *38 New York, Ohio and Michigan are great maple sugar States, and in Ohio, according to the New York Independent, in one ^ town, within a circle of three miles, there *>: are 111 sugar camps, containing 80,380 j trees. I In whatever way we may loot at it tne j maple is a most valuable tree. None exI cocds it as a shade tree, and Lafayette, . I j Brissot, de Warville and other travelers <1 have put on record that one of the most " beautiful sights they saw in this country, J was a long street in Middletown, Con- I necticut, with a row of maples on either ' I side. Maples are of rapid growth and I make the best of fuel and charcoal. I "Curled" and "bird's eye" mapl& are in I great demaud as cabinet woods. In all I ! its many uses it comes as near as any tree I ; to beincr to the temperate zone what the I j eocoanut or bamboo is to the tropics, I while in its sugar-producing quality it is I j dearer to Americans than any other treo I in our forests, for old and young who 1 have tasted its sweets unite in the I praise of maplo sugar. I