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'"^1 ; *-<j: * :T v . . i .v.-."*;.ic**"TJT *"*T2SP -.**? . * *? "r* ?->? ?- ?* . ' 1 ^ , , ,,_ _ '^ ^' ^^ ., ^ , _ ^ ^ '' _ ^ ' " ' ^ ' ^^ Sk2 IPT^T? ANNTTM CHAINED TO NO PARTY'S I WE CLEAVE TO TRUTH, WHERE'ER T XT A TVtT A AT^T? ARBITRARY SWAY, | SHE LEADS THE WAY." lx\ AU V Al>VJl<* i NEUTRAL IN POLITICS?DEVOTED TO LITERARY, COMMERCIAL, AGRICULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC, GENERAL AND LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. VOLUME II. LANCASTER, C. H? SOUTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY MORNING,JANUARY 25,1351. NUMBER 50. ila (Drigir WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR TI ALMETTA J THE MAID OI OR CAPTMH Tm. ROBBER OF T A ROMANCE OF Tl RY WILLIAM CLP author of m sceli.aneou8 foi.ms un CHAPTER I. I i introductory reflections.? allusions 1 to the war ok 181*2 --a simmons to battle ? pangs of separation. I ?: Apart fiom tlie consideration of evils, which are entailed 0|H>n nations by a con- t tinual course of hostility, we aie led todeplore the calamities which befall families in their private relations. The tocsin ( of war may, for a moment, cause a nation to hesitate, as the lion at a breaking shrilli, while <n pursuit of his prey. Yet v the trumpet, sends to the family hearth a sound, that often bursts the cords of j youthful .hope, and lea* -h .1 blooming ( rose withering on the stalk, cheerless and f sad. J***- j The late struggle with Croat Britain, ? never, for an instant, impressed our sol diery with the least shade of a thought, I tlmt youthful America could ever forget, j there once lived a Washington, whose , patriotic soul, in the full spirit of self-tie* u itial, had bequeathed to them an unlimited * ' legacy of National Independence. Nevertheless, were wo to visit those abodes, 8 where refinement and the ease of wealth, since the Revolution induced a lethargic iuditference, we iiiight justly conjecture that the intelligence of a coming war ( would strike deep into the hearts of those, who, in the simplicity of love, were antiously awaiting the hour of holy consuminaliort. * 1 We might see the cheerful smiles of content pluying like zephyrs over the faces J of fair damsel", whose cheek had never i t felt the salty, scorching drop of inisfor- j tuc, wind its way al >ng the marhle sur- I ^ face?whose heart had never heaved like | j ocean billows, at hope deferred. Then the happy youth rejoicing in his manliness, thought of little else than his lady love, ^ in whose presence an earthly puradise rose full in view, w ith no ser|?ent to entice to sinfulness or error ; when like the voice of thunder, the alarm of war rang through ' the val'eys, and echo hurled it hack from the hill side, as if by repeating the sound, it signified a sanction. In this thoughtlessness of pence let us H| visit Washington County, in the South- $ west of the 44 Old Dominion," an-1 pay | j. our respect* to the wealthy and hospitn- |, hie M jor John El vane, wluwe pride whs nn only son, in whom he had always en- e dearcred to ir*p|re a deep veneration for ^ hi* country; thus far lie had been successful ; still >v?* an inspiration of another kind deeply rooted in his l>o?oin, and which, though growing vigorously, had not, as yet, met the father's observation. r In the same county, not far distant, dwelt a gentleman no less wealthy than tp. the courteous Major, yet he had not the same predilection for a republican govern ment, and could not believe a nation to be capable of self-contiol, and therefore chose to attach his opinions to the British Crown. Upon this difference of political o. sentiment, these otherwise friendly citizen* t! became enemies, and were hostile toward* l? each other in every act of social, as well ti as civil life. But Amelia, the beautiful a daughter of Theodore 8hipman, had en- |> grafted her image in the heart of Frank, nr and lie often sighed fir the happy .lay to t) hasten on, when they two, should become h one. si Having premised this far, lot us, for s it moment, commune with Frank and his d father, eeiled in the rerun,!ah of hi* a pond id abode. The former *? reading ir with interest aome important period o li m! iturij. IK " LANCASTER LEDGER. HE A DOWS, > WATAUGA. mm9 HE ROCK HOUSE. [IE BLUE-RIDGE. s TO\ CASTON. nPR TUT ulrv ? xi'tir ak ii - ? M listory, while tlio latter like nil intent lid tor, was surrounded by half a score o lewspipers, which had ju?t arrived l>y he evening mail. In glancing over tin (oluiuns of the National Intelligencer, a pa ?er, which, at that day, was claimed as tlit irgan of the Administration, his vigilan (ye met a p irugraplt that sensibly atl'ecto< he old patriot. Muttering through hi: eetli, half audibly, exclaimed : "They are for throwing lead again ill, ha ! Well I can send one hand?yes i full hand !" Then arising he approached Frank villi great composure presented the pa ?er, and pointing to the paragraph will lis linger, jocosely asked liim ; " \\ hat loes that say, my son I There will Lt lot work soon, oh I" Frank eagcrlj ;ra*ped the pajier, and road, v illi a fi-n tud unwavering tone, the following or ler: " V iuainiaxs to Yol'K Post.?Tin .'resident lias commanded the (iovemo f the Old Idomiiiioti, to raised ten thou* I ml soldiers in sixty days ; armed nn< quipped as the law directs, to meet a tichiiiotid. If they fail to volunteer, then eoiT.iuis ioners be appointed to draft, iti " "You see, Frank," exclaimed the Ma or, " Fuglaud does not yet believe she i: onquercd ! She thinks to drive us frotr lie sea ; but, my son, bear me : Scon o be a slave !' " Saying this, he retired to bis apart nent, and left Frank alone. He arose iid walked hurriedly from onu end of tin torch to the other, with his hand at on* ime 011 Ids heart, then instantly running apidly through in hair. In this mood is thoughts were by by no means Maturing. The charmer of his life, whom e had hoped in a few month* to have uade his wif , inust now he abandon.<1 til the fate of his country could he dcuriuined. "No'."said he, "I will nevei idler England to dictate for me, or mine; ever yield to the usurping policy which rompt* her minions to oppress Freedom, rlierever it may spring forth. " I'll let ly heart's blood bathe the sacred tomb, t Mount Vernon, ere England's lion shall lace hei paw upon my throat. lie n lave to monarchy ! (>h, accursed thought, till, Amelia, I am thino ; thy foud, doat>g slave. Yet, I must leave thee,?how >ng, I know not." Closing this bewildered effusion of angr, be sank upon a settee, lost in abstracon. CHAPTER II. hank's last vibit. the painful news. hi hpendb tiir moiit at mr. bhipman's. amelia in a delicate situation leaver home. birth of hek child clandestinely sends it away. As was observed, the residence of Theilore Shiftman, was not far distant from tat of Mr. Klvane. Their children had pen school mates in their primary cduoaon, and as no political excitement for long period, between the parents, had sen cherished, the juveniles were intiIStelv frieildlv. It i- nnl w i.I r!" ! limn mt the fair Amelia Bliipinen, attaining er maturity within the acope of KrankV irveillance.gifted with tboee shining quelies that elevate human nature ami adorn ?e circle in which tbey eaist, poeec*ainp graceful form end dignified air, dread ig neither the interference of parental so citude, nor the annoyance of rivalry. Ii is not wonderful, we repeat, that she cap tivateJ Frank, and that their hearts wen blending their shades and colors into on brilliant stream of lovely light. About a fortnight from the time we lei Frank in the reverie, Amelia and he brother, a youth of fourteen, had enjoy* the evening by a pleasure ride to the Sal Springs, not far from her father's man sion. As she rode up to the gate, sh recognized Frank, seated by a window ii the parlor, who instantly came out t wait on her while dismounting. When she saw him approaching hei she anticipated him by leaping hastil from the pony, and playfully ran up th steps ; looking over her shoulders, cried " Frank, you are ever slow ; I like a wail er to he all action ; not one of pour plod ding, lame, dull order." Iliscountenanc iiinmiiiii<r iirm, wiiii a sunlit tinge ot di> appointment he replies: " I am for action, under tlio banner r my country. Amelia, I must leave Vot f and perhaps, forever." ' " \N hat now, Mr. Nebulosity ?" spoi J the'y replied the confident girl; "hav yon got into a mystification I" ' " Nay, Amelia," added lie, ' Neptun 1 lia'li seen the lion grapple with the e.i 1 | U'le" *| "What,!" exclaimed she, with sui prise. His brow somewhat contractin ? he replied : u Congress has declared w ar. Tli President has called for men. Rea ' this," whereon he handed her a s ro containing the. list of volunteers, who ha 1 pledged thems dves to the cause of thei L ocuntry. Her eyes eagerly ran over tli 3 list, while she scarcely heard herself rea as follows : " We pledge ourselves, as the Ra Spring volunteers, to the service of ot < o.intry, during the war. i FRANK ELVANK, Capt." Then succeed tiie names of other ofl I cers and privates to the numlier of eighty t seven. When her eyes caught the sigl of his name, alio dropped the scroll, nn tottering towards him, hysterically sol hed : " Will von?can you leave tne ?" ' " My country calls. I must obey. I ' one month, I shall depart for Richmoiu ' to enlist in the United States'service." " How long i" faintly enquired site. "A soldier knows no time. For lil : or victory," responded the Captain. ? " Ah, then, I do not hold dominio over that heart. A plume and a glittei f ing sword can attract beyond Amelia , power." " Not so," sternly replied the youn i officer; 44 I am an humble lover of 111 ; c.unity, for my Amelia's sake. Can yo I love a traitor, or a coward ?" 44 Why leave me voluntarily, then? ' said she. 1 "'Tin not voluntarily," interrupted th i Captain ; 44 I curse the cause that induce , the necessity. But you, I will ad on though ion thousand lions, as fierce a , Cerberus, roar around me." I Animated somewhat by the enthusiasr \ of Frank's last speech, she became consci ous that she had not dofied her ridinj habit; hastily repairing to her own apart incut, we w ill leave her, no more to fim Iter, the light-hearted, sociable Amelis whose presence gave an iden of thepures contentment. Frank remained until m<>rn ing. Time fled swiftly ; the hour for hi departure was hastening on, hut it brough no qualms with it, beyond lite scparalioi from the idol of his* heart. How lie left her, time, the unerrinj chronicler, will develop. Ilia conduct 01 thin occasion, will, by a generous mind he overlooked, when we find at that day person* who were engaged, especially ii that section were regards! as man an< wife; and what in other persons wouh have been a gross violation of morah was in llictn an allowable privilege. An Captain of the Volunteer Corps, h was actively engaged in making prepara lions for the inarch to Richmond, to en list under General Jackson's division. Young, brave, and endowed with i good share of fortitude, he made but lit , tie ceremony in taking leave of his rela lives. In Jqe time he was on his marcl \ to the place of general rendezvous ; ther . to await the order of his Commander, i We do not design to follow this brav ; youth throughout the various oriva . lions and toils, incident to a soldier's life . yet, to bis honor, be it said, be wae in mi t oral severs battles, particularly at th " Chesapeake, where Sir Peter Parkei o learned to his sorrow, there was potency o in American lead. Frank's comrades fell one by one, a t round him, yet undaunted, he held hit r ! post until a fruant ball from an English j I man's musket, struck him in the breast t j rendering his removal from the field ne< !_ I cessary. lie was transferred to the llos 0 ' pital, at Baltimore, where he remained ? j until able to return home; for during tin 0 stay ho mado in the nursery of the woun j ded, the memorable battle of New Or ^ I leans decided the contest and peace wai ' | declared to the joy of many a grieving ' ' soul. e Passing over these events, as if bv * glance, and rapidly sketching thoti scenes, which are a preface, only, of whal ^ we intend to developc in this essay, were J turn to the time when Frank left Amelia IIo knew not how ho had quitted her A short time convinced her, it' Frank never returned, she must leave home or bt ' disgraced. Her father became alarmetl at her situation, and threatened t-> l.anisli r" her from his presence. Fearing l?v-t sb? 0 might sutler from her father's indignation she makes a confidant of her cousin; e plainly slated her case, and avowing her l" self free from wanton g-tile, she per?iude?l him, unhesitatingly, to assist her in what r" ever course she might require. Tliey S therefore, prepared themselves and soot were on the road to the 1 tint* liidgc, it ie Wilkes County, N. C., where resided at d elderly aunt of hers, who-c heart was ten 1 der and forgivmg. d She pitied the forlorn condition of hei ir niece, who so lately wore a cheerful smiic e hut who, at present, wus the personiticu(i<>i d of anguish and care. She proiuished to pro teci her until Frank could lie restored,w hei It she averred all would Isrwclf. This kiu-1 ir ness partly consoled her. hut it was no of a long duration. * it^Tews of Frank' death hud reached he4 iu this retreat 1- which fell upon her like the blow of i r- deadly missile. The coming circum it stance?the birth of an illegal child, l?or d upon her sensibilities Srith a tormentiiq >- weight. It drove her nearly to inailMV*-4 "Oh 1" often she would s-'crelly exclaim " that I had an intitnalf friend, like Mad n ame Russell of New Y^rk, whose freter I, ing charms, ba 1 stilled "many an embryt of love, ere light had shone upon its in nocent head ; yet it is a wicked wish." li e this unsettled state of mind she continue! until the birth of a lovely daughter, mark n ed visibly at the point of the neck betweet r- the shoulders, with a full grown raspl*>r 's ry, which served in after years as an un deniable identity, g Her situation for a few days was truli )' critical. Yet, slowly recovering, she a u length determined on a course, which although in the end did not prove as horrid " Was. ill niini-Hr:ini'? no Im-i Kainniu ?t,u. actual murder, e How could she bear to raise this in ? fant, however lovely, without a father S She was far troin any intimate acquain ts tancc, wive her bland tempered aunt, am might possibly have passed as a young n widow, but the prolwhiiity of discover) i- was worse than an open acknowledge g inent. She, therefore, in her delirium > resolved to put it away. She prepared t J basket with suitable clothes, ami placet i, a lot-kef, containing a loek of her liar t braided with a similar lock foil) Frank'; i- head, around the child's neck. On th< s lid were neatly engraved, A. S., the ini t tials <?f her natne. It was a present from a the chihl's father, and it, she thought war the proper person to wear it. g After carefully depositing the halm in a its basket, she calls a trusty old servant ol I, her aunt's, ami instructs him in his mis ', sion. Knowing he had to obey, and ah rj so to observe the greatest secrecy, he star il ted in the direction of Watauga Iiivcr, ant] J after travelling a distance of twenty inilei i, he deposited l.is teader charge, twelvt days old, near a spring path, ami leavei e it with the hope that some kind pro i* lector might find it, and preserve the lift i- of the future Maid ov Watauoa. ? . . . r>fTAT?n?n in - VU??I ??? ill* i- tflk death Of mr. 8iiipm ah. amelia*! il motiikr hbo alls iikr.? frank hk 6 TL'KNS and MARfUCA amelia. e Tub constitution of man, cannot buoj t- itself agninst every reverse, ami ride lik< ; a ship, through the dashing waves of an f- grj sea; it must sometime or other yie!< to the turbulence oftbe storm. Mr.Sbip fo r- jJjLx-r - I man though a hale and robust personage ] r bad been visited by such severe attacks ' upon his feelings, as to quite supplant his I health. lie could not bear to hear of I , the success ol our forces, but worse to him l . still, was the misfortune of his daughter; ' he had vainly hoped that Frank would ] return and although opposod to him in j parly views, he nevertheless would have , I given his consent to their marriage. But | , the intelligence of Frank's death, about < six months after his enrolment so deeply , affected the old gentleman that he rap- ] . idly and irrevocably sunk, lie died a f r melancholy death ; lingering on the verge | of the grave week after week, the weight ] t of grief that overhung biin, finally broke , , his heart. ] t This circumstance, though the ioss of \ a parent was to Amelia, the regaining of , that home which the wounded feelings of , her father some fifteen months previous, . had caused her to abandon. With her ] , widowed mother and her little brother | I ! she lived a seeiuuca me, rareiy going ne- , ! ' void the limits of the orchard. She felt , . I .1 one convicted of murder and yet she < i was not certain that her hahe was destroy- j , | ed; again she rejoiced, that she had sent ] j it away alive, as some guardian angel ? I j might hover over the spot, where it was left and shield it from danger, or send a i benevolent hand to move it, as was Moses , of old, to a congenial place of rest. , We now recur to the time, we left < ; Frank an invalid in the hospital at Haitimore. The victorious engagement at the , Crescent City released the volunteers of < r the Southern Division from their enlist- | ment, ami those who survived the war, | , hastened to their homes. The wound in | . t .'aptuin Kl vane's hi east was nearly healed; , , he was furnished with the necessary conveyances for the journey, and he arrived . at home,'among his friends, about the first , of February, 1815. lie J id not long rein tin still after his arrival; as soon as j practicable ho was by the side of the dis. consolate Miss Shipman, endeavoring to < 9 raise licr drooping spirits. She scarcely | j 'knew him; the ruddy face of the youth had lengthened to the austere visage of i the war-worn soldier, yet that love which . knows no control will soon recognize its own, though threo years of toil and suf- j j foring may intervene to estrange it. We i . need not recount the sorrows and alflic- 1 , tions of these two, now comparatively 1 j happy beings. Their separation was like i . unto death, their meeting was for life. In i 1 a few week's time the ceremony of their) i . marriage was solemnized. Amelia's health, 11 l?otli physically and mentally, was in a ' great degree restored, yet one painful . hauntingthouglitstill pursued her Frank's t sympathetic tenderness was an effective panacea in relieving her conscience from the sting inthctod l>y remorse, at the in- , , I human act of placing their hahe in the ( | wild valleys of the Blue Ridge. By their | . marriage, tlie odium which attached itself' j to Amelia, and which hastened the de. misc of her father, was partly removed; ] their days passed over with the full fond. ness of heart that characterizes new inart I riages. Heing thus restored to each other, . 1 we will leave them for a period of fifteeT) 1 years, during which time we will unfold k i the liistory of one, who was the delight of I ' all, and yet a mystery in her own feeble and imperfect conceptions of herself. ? i CHAPTER IV. ' I'llK INFANT IS FOUND. ? Ol.n DAME HOLI.OWAY8 NAMES TI1E CHILD. IN DIT* I SEASON SENDS IT TO SCHOOL. VALLEY F Clfl'CIS. In what condition of life, can poor de. |s>ndant humanity be placed to excite | inost intensely, a sympathetic glow from i the bosom of philanthropy. For the aged, ) the lame, the deaf, the blind, for all these, i wo may shed a tear; but for tho weak, . feeble and helpleaa babe, exposed to the ? fang* of ravenous wolves and wild cats, lying without a name?without a home ' far from the breast that should yield it ' nourishment in the flowery meadow, itself ( the sweetest?our hearts must bleed, i And where could an outcast, like this I . helpless infant And a friend?not amid the ' wealthy and those given to pleasure, but 1 in the lower walks of life where poverty , r has taught tho humble cottager that man i I was made to mourn. As if by the direct guidance of 1'rovii dence, the servant who left the child pla> - ocd it near the spring-path of aa old widow 1 Jflk* lady by the name of Margy Hollcways or "Hollers" (to use tlio pronunciation of the settlement,) who in passing to and from the spring, could not escape seeing the basket containing the sweet little gem. l'his old lady whom we will term " Dame Hollers " was of Swiss extraction, and had n her youth received a fair education for 3iie of that day. During the life of her tiusband, they owned a comfortable little jstate, but pecuniary embarrassment narlowcd it down to a very small limit. Her lusbatid having died, she with an only ion, selected the valley of the Watauga or her residence, where the little foundling had been placed. In going to the spring the morning after the servant bad left lr.s charge, the good daine discovered the basket; with a kind and feel injr heart Oic carries it to lier cottage, and prepares some warm milk for the little sufferer and after getting it to sleep, she examined the ocket and finding the locks of hair and ;he initials she concluded at once, it was if a different class from those who lived iround her. Believing that she was now lestined to raise this child, the idea of givng it an appropriate name occurred to Iter. After ruminating awhile she says, "I'll name you 4 Almctta,' (which in the Italian as near as I can translate it signifies 4I have nourished;') and since I found you, little cherub, among the grass and herbage of the hay-mow, your rirname shall be 4 Meadows.'" 44 Ah, sweet babe," she would often exclaim when tlio foundling would fret; "your eyes shine like dew-drops upon violets; your little fingers are as tender as asparagus buds. Do not cry, I'll be your mother; you shall live with nic. Ilush Jear, see the lambs! Do be quiet, the wolves, nor hawks cannot get you from my arms." Endearing terms of this kind were often heard from the lips of the good dame during the infancy of the dear little a Mettie." It grew as rapidly as could possibly be expected under such circumstances and throve daily. For seven years she continued under the immediate care of her foster-mother, when she was sent to a common school near six iniles distant at a place called Valley Cruris, which has since become a noted seat of instruction, by the enterprise of the once celebrated Bishop T?s, a gentleman highly esteemed as a learned divine. lie, however, has lately levered himself from the Episcopacy and united his earthly destiny w ith the Church of Rome, and left the United States. The son of Dame Hollers had married and settled near Valley Cruris, and Mettie the little maid of Watauga, was sent there to hoard w hile at school. She remained there for nearly five years, only visiting her adopted mother during vacation. Frequently, in term time, the warm-hearted old lady, would call on her and bring her fresh cheese, fruits and other like presents, indeed, she was never longer than three weeks absent from the sight of the donting Dame. She grew more and more attached to Mettie, as she grew older and as tier company became more interestinc. She was afraid that Absence and the acquaintance she formed at school, might estrange her affections; and that sho might refuse, or at least reluctantly return at the end of the school; yet her at tentions .vere appreciated by the gentle MetlU, who ofien declared that if her own mother were to come, she would not relinquish her co'tage home on the Watauga. Sho has iiisW passed her child liood, and is fast approaching the most in teresting period of life, her education was is fair as could be expected in that secLion, where literature and science had but few votaries?where Nature, alone, acted i chief part as tutoress. She returns to uer foster-parent, to repay by gratitude .hose privations which she had undergone or her sake, during her infancy and helpeesness. (TO BE COSTIBL'ED.) Fair Play. A nobleman, resident at a castle in Italy, was about to celebrate bis marriage feast. All tho elements were propitious except the ocean, which had been so boisterous *s to deny the very necesanry appendage of fl*h. On the very morning of ihe feast, however, a po<?r fisherman made his appearance with a turbot, so large, that seemed to have been created for the [>ccaMou. Joy pervaded the castle, and the fisherman was ushered with bis prize into the saloon, where the noulercan, in presence of his visitors, requested him to pat wh t price be thought proper on the fish, and it should be fostanUy paid him. M One hundred lushst" said the fisherman, uon my hurt buck, is the frit* uf mjr ? W jish, and 1 will not halt one strand of whip-cord on the bargain." The nobleman and his guests were not a little astonished, but our chapman was resolute, and remonstrance was in vain. At length the nobleman exclaimed, "Well, well, the fellow is a humorist, and the fish we must have, but lay on lightly, and let the price bo paid in our presence." After fifty lashes had been administered, "Ilold, hold," exclaimed the fisherman ; "I have a partner in the business, and it is fitting he should receive his si i are." " What! are there two such madcaps in the world ?" exclaimed the nobleman; " name him, and he shall be sent for instantly." "You need l.ot go far for him," said the fisherman, "you will find him at your gate, in the shape of your own porter, who would not let nic in until I promised that he should have the half of whatever I received for my turbol." " Oli, oh," sai>l the nobleman, 44 bring him lip instantly, bo slrdl receive his stipulated moiety with tlio strictest justice ! This ceremony being finished he discharged the porter, and amply rewarded the fisherman. Fifty Years Ago. Let us go back in our imagination fifty years, and we shall be surprised with the state of things at that period, contrasted with the present age. Half a century ago, steamboats were unknown; whilst at this time it is estimated that not less than three thousand arc afloat on American waters alone. In 1809, there was not a railroad in the world?now there are nearly twenty-six thousand miles in operation, and in course of construction in the United States, and about iiiueteen thousand in Europe. Fifty years ago, it required some weeks to convey news from Washington to New Orleans, now not so many minutes as it 1 hen did weeks. The numerous lines of telegraph in full operation, from a tut work over the length and Ltaalh <4'onr land, -to ike sxtoiH of at -least 25,000 miles of wire. Sixty-threo years ago the first Cotton Factory in the United States was established in Rhode Island ; now their number is almost countless, and throughout the land the busy whirl of the spindle, and the ceaseless hum of the loom may be heard at almost every step. , Fifty years ago the most rapid printing press was worked by hand power, now, by the application of steam, with the speed i of lightning, 20,000 papers are printed in a single hour. Even this estimate will all far short of what the press in a very short -time will be aide to accomplish, and we.mav reasonably expect that the number will l>e nearly f not quite doubled. When Franklin commenced printing, three or four newspapers were considered l?y the knowing ones enough for the demands of the reading public, now three thousand is a moderate estimate of the whole number of newspapers and periodicals in the United States, with an aggregate of about four hundred and twenty million copies printed annually, nn average of one publication for every 7000 free inhabitants in the States and Territories." We are emphatically in the age of Wondejs, and have the evidence daily before our eyes that there is scarce a limit to human progress. The time cunnot bd very distnn', judging from the past, when the tuo mighty worlds of waters shall be brought into close proximity, when railroads and telegraphs will become as coin- H inon as post roads, when the science of making two blades of grass grow where none irrcv/ before, will have reached the. ?n^iivob pujiii ui ptTiCVilUII? An Affecting- Scene. A few days ago, as Daniel Cullen was about to bo takent'leorn the jail,' in St. Louis, to tlie Slate penitentiary, to which he had been sentenced for 99 years for the murder of his wife, an affecting scene occurred, which is thus related : " Shortly before the arrival of the coach, a woman, bowed and decrepit! with years, and hearing an infant in her arras, entered the office, hesitatingly. Scanning the faces of the crowd, her eye fell finally upon Cullen, and with a shriek of recognition, pain, and half joy, it appeared, she ran to him and full weeping 011 his breast. It was his mother, come to bid bini farewell, and show him his own child, for the last ? time. Tin scene was a moving one. The man, at first, was ashamed to give way to. his feelings, and for awhile remonstrated gently with his old mother as she fondled' with him. At last, howover, nature covMy, contain itself no longer?he fell back upon his seat and cried like a child. The aha! and jailor, with all their with distress of the kind, found a dif&B^HB \ in mastering their own promptings. Whed/.-f b?> nmv?vnni<a J ~ >V ' ? tie exertion to pert the mother from ber eon." WMT A pood Dutchmen end hi**$?ifo had eat , up till gapping time, when the htter eftere full at re at eh in the above operation, enid ; " 1 vi*h I vault in hehon.' voed end relied: "I v iel. vnel^ j^KU" >u3f,in the ?UH Tho beet cough-drop* for young ledi?e? J ^ ie to drop the preotiee of dreeeing thto when *3?