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tit DEVOTED TO POLITIS, MORALITY, EDU&ATION AND TO THE SU6ERAL NEST 0F TEE 'OUETRY. By D. F. BRADLEY & 00. PICKENS, S. C., THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1881. VOL. X. NO. 38. YEARS AGO. SBe was seated close beside me, On a May day, years ago; Heart of mine, you must not chide me, I was but a boy, you know 'Tin no secret, I'll revealit, Heart of mine, 'twas long - This lock of hair, if I did e l I was but a boy, you know. Was she pretty ? Did I love her? Heart of mine, 'twas years ago; And that pang of bliss is over, I was but a boy, you know. " Was she rich 7"-now that is funny, Heart of mine, 'twas long ago; What cared I for lands or money? I was bin a boy, you know. "And you parted-how you missed her " Heart of mine, 'twas years ago; "And you pressed her hand and kissed her," I was but a boy, you know. Do Ilovo her yet?-O olden, Precious past, thou heart of mine; See, this lock of hair is golden, And the head that wore it--thine. THE LOVE LETTER. "Well, whoever heard the like," cried Fanny Harper, as she entered the parlor and throw herself on the sofa. " Guess, mamma, if you can, what has just hap pened." " I'm sure I don't know. Perhapa Sam and Tom have boon quarreling. Dear me, what torments those children are!" " No; they are both at school. Guess again, mamma." " Well, then, I dare say that odious Mrs. Sharp has been hinting that I wear false hair. False hair, indeed! then, why-" " No such thing," interrupted Fanny; "ten times worso!" " Ten times worse!" cried Mrs. Harper, turning pale. "Oh Fanny, tell me." " Well," said Fanny, sobbing, "Julia Somers is engaged." " Engaged? Well I wonder what peo ple will come to next!" " Yes, really engaged. If there was a girl in whom I thought I could place perfect confidence, it was Julia Somers. Only a month ago she joined our anti matrimonial society. Oh, mamma, how can girls be so foolish! Poor Julia!" " Why, what can you mean, Fanny?" asked a laly who happened to be present. "Is it possible that Julia is about to marry a man unworthy of her? Who is the dreadful creature to whom she is engaged?" " His name is George somthing Thornton, I believe." "Is ho intemperate?" " Mercy, no! How could you think of such a thing? His morals are good enough." "Perhaps he is an ignoramus, then, or-" "No, no, no; lie is a very fine young man, as rich as Crosus, Yery sensible, and so handsome! Half the girls in town are doing for him." "Indeed! Tho why is Julia so much to be pitied?" "Why, because she is to bo married," said Fanny, impatiently (sl% had turned an old maid's corner). "I confess I cannot see the great hard ship, after all," suggested Mrs. Harper. "But there's the dinner bell." Fanny declared, however, that she hadr no appetite for dinner, so to her own room she went to write a long letter to Julia, in which she pointed out the trials of married life, and warned her against the fatal step). What did Mrs. Somers do with this letter? She read it to Georg'e, and George twisted it into twenty lamp-lighters, and the twenty lamp-lighters wvere in requisition on a certain evening of the next steek, when Julia ceased to be Julia Somers. Months passed away and Fanny, at Julia's earnest desire, came to spend a few days with the youthful bride. The bright color and the playful smile still dwelt upon her check and lip as of yore, and Fanny might have forgotten that this was not the Julia Suaers of her early love had not the apparition of a man's hat and coat in the hall recalled her to her senses. "Well," thought Fanny, "I'm deter mined to have as little to do with her husband as possible. Not a word will I speak except when he asks a question, for I am determined to hate him with all my heart." To hate George Thornton-the man who adored her Julia, who was so hand some, so sensible, so brimful of love and kindness for every living thing! Rash resolve! In the space of one hour Fanny d had opened out her heart to theoinfluence of his thousand-and-one good qualities, and he understood her. The week passed pleasantly, and Fanny went home and wrote verses. It was very odd, she thought, and my reader, you must think as she did that certain persons of the masculine gender were constantly interfering with her private reflections. -[f she walked she feare meeting some among the num ber; if she remained at home she was sure they would be there to torment her; if she read, the hero of the novelist or historian would take the shape of the Mr. Thompsons, the Mr. Smiths and the Mr. Jones of her acquaintance; if she visited, what if Mr. So-and-so should be there? Poor Fanny! * The years of the life of Fanny Harper were many. Her younger brothers and sisters wondered that she had never had an offer, and Fanny herself wondered, and rejoiced-at least she said so. One morning Mrs. Harper and her five daughters were seated together in the parlor, when a violent ring was heard at the door. It was not time for papa's re turn, but that was not papa's ring, they were all sure. Great, therefore, was their surprise when Mr. Harper, puffing and panting, rolled1 into the room, b~earing b gh above his head a letter with a great nnalsman soal. "A letter from a gentleman, as I know by the flourish he has made on that great M," cried Kate, standing on tip-toe and trying to read the address written on the letter. "A love letter, did you say?" cried Matilda. "Oh, its for me then," said Fanny, decidedly. "For me, you mean," cried Lucy, who, bore the only pretty face of the family. "Isn't it for me?" asked Ann, as she re membered that 1k. Gustavus Thorp had walked home with her the last time she was-caught in a shower. The matter was speedily settled, how. ever, by Kate, who had contrived to gain possession of the letter, and was reading "Miss Francis Harper" in no gentle voice. "Give it to me directly, and don't tease me so, Kate," cried Fanny. "Wait a minute till I've found out who it's from," said Kate, peeping under the seal. "Let me see-Thom-Thomas! There, do take it." My dear reader did you ever write, re ceivo or read a love letter? "Not I, thank fortune," growls the cross old bachelor. "Nor I," sighs poor Aunt Nabby. "That's a secret," whispers pretty El len. Well, then to you who know nothing of such matters, an explanation or even a sight of Fanny's letter would be unin telligible; and as for you who have al ready dozens of your own, you can, of course, feel little curiosity respecting this one. Besides, what right have I to read you Fanny's secret? Fanny came down to dinner with an air of dignity quite unusual to her. "Do tell us who the letter was from?" asked Lucy. "Shall you say yes?" called Sam, from the end of the table. "Of course she will, and wo will be uncles and aunts," roared Tom. 'Th omwiias, leave the table, directly," cried Mrs. Harper. "Yes, mamma," said Tom, encouraged b)y the blushes and titters of the four sisters; "but.is it for saying that Fanny would say yes, or that we should be uncles and aunts?" "Go away, you naughty boy!" and Tom was gone. When dinner was over, Fanny took her mother aside and begged her to read the letter. "Well," said Mrs. Harper, after a si [once of thirty-five minutes, "a very pretty letter, I must say-but who is this Thomas Somerby?" "Why. mamma." replied Fanny, "I ion't exactly remember ever seeing him, but-" "Ah, well, that's of no consequence. You shall answer this letter directly just the situation for you. Let me see lives in the country during the summer months. La, we can take the children aind spend at least four out of the year with you every season." "Dear mamma, you forget that I am at the head of the Anti-Matrimonial So ciety." ''But that's of no consequence. Only think of y'our friend Juilia--such a nice house--such elegant furniture such a sweet baby as she bas!" "eJulia seems very happy; and, oyuknowv, mamma, shio has really urged me of late to be more charitablo in my opilnions of gentlemen. After all, I have p)ossibly becen to severe." Fanny retired to her own room to meditate upon Mr. Somerby. A tap at her door aroused her from the reverie into which she had fallen, and Kate, with an air of great importance, made her appearance. "And so, Fanny, you are really going to take this Mr. What's-his-name? You needn't blush, for mamma has told us all about it, and we have planned out about theo dresses and everything; and after you are married you know I shall have your room, for papa says I may. And there's another thing which I must tell you. Oh, Fanny, I hope I shall have a love letter some of these days." -Fanny hardly knew whether to laugh or cry, but in spifle of the grave face which she found it expedient to put on, several little smiles t'vinkled in her eyes, smiles that said: "Kate, you are a dar ling, but I musn't let you know I think so." "Well," continued Kate, "have you written the answer? Lot me see it, do. Come now, I shan't tell the ,girls what pretty things you say to him." "Katy," said Fanny, solemnly "you must not talk any more about the mat'ter. I confess that it is very hard to disap point you all and to distress him, but it must be done." Now, if there was anything that Kate particularly disliked it was to see tears shed by anybody for any reason; there fore, as she began to suspect that Fanny meditated some such act, she lost no time in retreating. When Fanny came to tea she was as sailed by a host of questions, congratu lations, and kisses from papa, mamma, her four sisters and three brothers. "How d'ye do, Mrs. Somnerby?" asked one. "Now for the wedding cake," shouted Tom. "You'll let me be bridesmaid, won't you?" urged Ann. "And if Mr. S. gives you a gold watch won't you give me your old one?" asked Matilda. After tea no one seemed inclined to set about any regular employment. Papa held his newspaper before his eyes as usual, but it was at last discovered by Kate that it had been upside down for an hopr. Mamia's knitting work lay quietly in her lap, while her thoughts wandlered off to a certain fine house in the country, where several childreri ran about, bearing a decided resemblance to her daughter Fanny. Matilda, Ann and Lucy withdrawn into a snug corner, debated the questions whether he were handsome or otherwise; if he had dark hair or light, if he had not several broth ers, etc. Dreams, such as had never visited them before, came this night to the members of the Harper faml y. A tall, melancholy man, with black whiskers and black coat, disturbed the slumbers of the gentle Fanny; mamma talked in her sleep of "fine establishment-just the thing for Fan; don't you think so, pa?" And Mr. H. answered without waking: "Yes, my dear, he'll put his name on my notes, I dare say." Pretty little young men, brothers of Mr. Som erby, flitted around the apartments of Lucy and of Ann, while visions of plum cake danced temptingly before the eye of Tom and Sam. Poor Fanny was in sad perplexity. Her mamma had expressed it as her opinion that the match was a desirable one, she had even hinted that her daughter might never have "another chance," and that for her part she could depart in peace should she see hor fam ily comfortably settled for life. And Fanny's filial affection conquered all her scrupples, and she resolved to see, to accept Mr. Somerby. "Yes," said she to herself, as she again dwelt upon the tenderness of the preo ious letters, "the sacrifice must be made. I must gratify my dear mother, even though it be at the expense of my own happiness. I will be Mrs. Somerby." Fanny looked out upon the quiet sky, the moon and stars, and thought, "How fine a tale could be made from this-a daughter sacrificing herself for the sake of her mother!" It was time to write her answer to the letter; but how should she begin? Must it be with "Mr. Somerby, sir?" Oh, no, that was too formal. With "My dear sir?" That was too affectionate. And when the matter had been settled and the letter fairly written, the equally im portant question remained how she should subscribe herself. Was she to be "Yours, respectfully," or "truly," or "sincerely," or "affectionately?" A diffi cult problem! But all things have an end, and the letter was sent. Then it was that Fanny's heart begau to quake. What if Mr. S. should not fancy her handwriting? Perhaps her note was too cold, maybe too hot; lie might not expect an answer so soon and would be shocked at her haste. But all these heart-quakings were in vain-the letter was gone. To pass away the time, which now hung heavily upon her hands, Fanny called to tell Julia the whole story. The kind friend was in raptures. "Just the man for you, my dear," she cried. "So he says lie has met you in your walks and at church. Well, I can imagine how lie looks; he's the very image of my himsband, I've no doubt." Fanny next called upon the second di rectress of the Anti-Matrimonial Society, a young lady of an uncertain agn, and informed her that for private Leasons she must resign her own office, begging her friend to make this resolution known to the society at their next meeting. Meanwhile the four sisters ran to tell the news. Each one had her own par ticular friend who must not be forgotten, and in the course of two days, it was known to all Fanny's acquaintances that the fair damsel had been wooed and won. The third day passed, and there had come no 'letter frcom the. impatient lover. Fanny resolved not to sleep a wink that night. "What will become of me," thought she; "I nlAunt be in love!" In the midst of her despair she fell asleep. The next morning a little note, sealed with "Forgive and forget!" was brought from the office. Fanny ran to her own room to read it at her ease, pressing it to her lips all the way up stairs. Behold the note oj>ened: "DEAR FANNY"--('Why, how bold!' thought sho)-"We have been amusing ourselves at your expense by writing you a letter signed 'Thomas Somerby.' We are afraid that we have carried the mat ter too far, and must now beg you tc think of this imaginary person no longer. Now don't be angry, Fanny dear, for we are both quite sorry, and are ready te hunt up for you ab real Mr. S., who will write better letters than the pretended one. Affectionately, "JUnIA AND GEoORE." Fanny sat like one petrified. At lasi she slowly rose, looked in the glass to know if she were pale, tried to faini away, and called her mamma. Mrs. Harper's indignation knew no bounds. "And so we shall have no wedding, after all," said Ann. "And we shan't have our new dresses,' sighed Matilda. "And there'll be no wedding cake,' screamed Tom. "It was that horrid George Thomp son," suggested Fanny. "What an impertinent fellow," cried Kate. And everybody, vexed and disap. pointed, turned away to fret, to wander and to scold. Ann and Lucyvran to burr up the verses which they "had written about wedded bliss; Kate descended tc the kitchen to tell the stor there, and Sam. and Tom, having vonte their dis appointment in bestowing upon Mr. George Thompson the name of "weak~ sister," departed for school. "I thought it was a hoax all the time," said Fanny, the next time she met Julla. ,"Oh, did you? Well, I am glad of it. Wewere afraid that you did not suspect "La, as if I should ever marry!" re turned Fanny.r NEWS GLEANINGS, Twelve hundred cars of lumber and shingles were shipped from Beaumont, Texas, during April. Fishermen recently from the gulf stream report having seen schools of Spanish mackerel which were unprece dented in number. Maine capitalists have formed a com pany, with stock fixed at $200,000, bought property opposite the City Hall at Hot Springs, Ark., and will erect a mammoth hotel. Haynesville (Ala.) Examiner: We notice the millions of locusts all over this section of the county. They eat the leaves of trees, grass, etc., but have not bothered the crops as yet. Tile late Dr. Henry Hull, who was born in Wilkes county, Ga., in 1798, and died May 10, 1881, was professor of mathematics and astronomy in the State University at Athens, Ga., 1829-1846. He was associated v ith General Andrew Jackson in concluding the treaty with the Cherokee Indians. Certain colored military companies have applied for admission into the State militia of Louisiana. These or ganization will be mustered in when properly perfected and uniformed, if they pass inspection. The New Orleans States says that one of these companies, the Attacks Guarde, called after the first colored man killed on the battle field during the civil war, has existed, in an independent condition, for some time, and bears a fair character for instruc tion and dicipline. Dr. W. C. Capeheart, who owns two fi sheries on Albemarle sound, in North Carolina, told a Herald reporter that he thought the spawning ground of the striped bass or rock fish has been found. If it can be defiinitely located he thinks that the results will be beyond conpu. tation, and the rock will rapidly become the most important fish in Southern waters. Anderson (S. C.) Intellizencer: There is some talk-in fact, a strong probabil ity-that an effort will be made in An derson this summer to elect a (Iry ticket, and in view of this movement we are informed that the wholesale liquor deal ers residing outside of the State have, by their salesmen, promised to contri bute from two to six barrels of whisky towards controlling tne vote in favor of a continuance of license. * * * W will not submit to outside interference in our municipal elections, and those engaged in the liquor business, either with in or without the town, had better not undertake to control those elections by contributions of free whisky by parties outside of the State. Hlawkinsville (Ga.) Dispat ch : In Dcdge county last week the editor of th is paper talked with the tax receiver of that county. He gave us figures showing that the taxable property of that county had increased in 1889 over 1879 to the amount of over $118,000, or ab~out twenty pecr cent. On Saturday last the late tax receiver of Pulaski county informed us that the taxable property of this county had increased during tihe last four years nearly a half million dollars, or from $1,125,000 to $1,160,00'). In Telfair county the in crease in one year was about $150.000, and in Coifl'e county the increase was about $135,000. Minden, La., correspond ence New Or leans Democrat: Webster parish is notedl for an abundance of fish and game. Hundreds, we might say thous ands of persons, make it convenient to spend a few (days during the spring or summer on the banks of the Dorchete catching fish. The bayou isl at these seasons literally filled with cat, buffalo, trout, black and stripedl bass, white .or speckled perch, redl perch and goggle eye, pike, gar, tumrtle, etc. D~eer, wild turkey, etc. are so numerous in the flats west of the D)orchete, as to seriously annoy farmner4. In the winter season an immense number of wild fowl are found in Lake Briteneau-the various kinds of duck, brant, geese and occa sionally a swan. The parish is indeedi a hunter's parad ise. Duty and Inclination. You never see the struggle between duty and inclination more strongly marked than in the respectful attitude of a dog sitting on the sidewalk, head bent; back ,and one foot aimed at the back of his ear, undecided whether to spring up and answer the imperative whis tie of his master, or sit still and shoot the flea he hal just got the exact range and elevation on. Effect of Dynamite In a Boston Man's Stomach. Mr. Meatmarket deserved sympathy. The assassination of the Ozar caused much discussion of the power of dyna mite, and in a beer saloon one day Mr. M. expressed the belief that if a dog were to swalow a teaspoonful of the stuff and then be thrown from a fourth-story win dow he would blow up with a concussion that would loosen all the plastering within a quarter of a mile. The proposi tion seemed absurb to Mr. Gallagher. He resolved to test the sincerity of Meatmarket's belief. Going behind the bar he mixed a drink and after the lat ter had swallowed tie drink Gallaher informed him that there was something like five spoonfuls of dynamite in it. The horror that took possession of Meat market was indescribable. He evidently was sincere. He drew a pistol to shoot Gallagher, but didn't dare to fire for fear the concussion would cause him to ex plode. And the crowd wanted him to be careful. And he begged them to move lightly, and took off his boots so as not to jar, and the streets were crowded and every body seemed to jostle him. He had a horrible time getting home, and arrived there in a cold sweat and nearly exhausted. Just as he entered the house his wife rushed to embrace him. He warned her off. Then his son upset the rtove and gave him a terrible scare. He retired to his chamber and lay on a feather bed, and gave orders that nobody should walk, except on tiptoe, and without shoes, in the house. He didn't dare to take an emetic to remove the stuff, for fear it would be exploded in coming up. And the) agonies of terror he suffered were awful. There was danger of his going mad. But the worst was to come. Some how his house got afire. It had got great headway when discovered, and his only escape was to jump from a second story window. Whether to die by burn ing or explosion was a terrible question to decide. His distress of mind was dreadful; but the hot flames drove him to the leap. He expected on alighting to blow himself and all the bystanders into eternity, and he yelled to them to stand away; but they didn't, and he had to leap among them. To his amazement lie didn't fly into a thousand fragments. He only skinned his hands and knees. He rose up the happiest man in Boston. But when he began to tell of his marvel ous escape they informed him he was the victim of a joke. He hadn't swallowed any dynamite. Then his wrath was greater than his terror, and it took four men to hold him till he calmed down n little. And he is only waiting to meel Gallagher to cut that gent's throat. Boston Post. A Poet's Sttudy. A correspondent of the Louisvill Couricr-Journal, who has been visiting Mr. Longfellow's home, writes: "If th( influence of surroundings can be felt it conversation it surely might in thai delightful apartment; the room wher most of Mr. Longfellow's poems have been written, and where many of hii souvenirs are gathered from abroad and distant parts of this country. It ii large and squre and has several win dows in it. There are carved book-casei (one of which is filled with his owr works), portraits of his literary friendi in their youth, and two of himself-one taken at the age of twenty, the other re cently--some venerable cabinets, plent; of easy-chairs, etc. In one corner, bo tween two windows, each having a wid< and varied prospect, is his writing-desk heaped with papers. I paused there i moment and looked out on the hills ani the trees, as if to catch some moment< of the inspiration that has come to thi poet in that particular place. In the center of the room is a large square table laden with many objects. The inkstant u'ed by Wordsworth (I think),'om rare books, notably a copy of the firsi edition of Bryant's poems, some Vene tian vases, filled with newly cut flowers, etc., ete. As Mr. Longfellow talked with me of Hawthorn and Emerson, h( .pointedl to their portraits-and of many other authors and authoresses, English, German, Italian, and American-it was delightful to find that he expressed himself so kindly of all. Of course, J was eager to hear him talk, and sug gested topics, if he paused with infinite courtesy for me to express an opinion. In speaking of Dante, he went to i carved oak box and unlocked it, fromr which he brought forth a little glass case, in which are some bits of the greal Italian's coffin. After a while ho showed me the 'lower part of his house, the drawing-room, with its objects of art, and the stair-case, where a tall Dutcla clock rests on the landing-not 'The Clock on the Stair-case,' but a mor< fanciful one that has taken the old clock's place. It is a quaint house, noi elegant, but more than that, it is charm ing, homelike, and telling, as everything in it gives one an idea of its unusual oc cupation. One would hardly believe il could be one hundred and fifty years old Washington lived in it rfine months His office was the room used by Mr Longfellow as his study. Most of th< rooms are as Washington left them ir shape, although some trifling alterationi have been made. On the east side o the house is a broad piazza, where th< poet loves to walk. He still writes an< works as though he was a young man He is vigorous, and bids fair for man years to come to enjoy the honors whici his talents and industry have created fo him. A GERMAN paper says that Car Schurz speaks better English than an~ American does. We would reply to thi foolish and prejudiced person in th languag of Goetke: "Auchderchowder dowzen nichts m' zwei lager und de pretzel. Das ist ein campaign 11 giedamt."-New York Comr-MaL GEMS OF THOUGHT. ON every night there lies repose. IMAGINATION is the greatest despot. THERE is no real life but cheerful life. WANT Of good sense is the worst kind of poverty. IMPATIENCE dries the blood soonr than age or Borrow. LOVE without return is like a question without an answer. LovE, faith, patience-the three essen tials to a happy life. PRIDE hath two seasos-a forward spring and a early fall. IT is best not to dispute where thero is no plossibility of convincing. As a fire is discovered by its own light, so is virtue by its own excellence. Ideas are like beards; men do not have them till they grow up- Voltaire. PRE'rY women are like sovereigns; one flatters them only through interest. THERE are three classes of men; the rot rograde, the stationary, the progressive. GREAT souls by instinct to each other turn Demand alliance, and In friendship burn. -Addion. Suspicions among thoughts are like bats among birds; they ever fly by twi light. ALWAYS there is a black spot in our sunshine; it is the shadow of oursolves. -Carlylc. Tim wise man as well as tho fool makes blinders. The wise mian, however, never makes the same blunder twice. APPEAUNCEs are nothing, if you are in the right, but if you are in the wrong you must pay especial attention to them. No man knows what a ministering angel his wife is until ho has gone with her through the fiery trials of this world. TiER's not a heart, however rude, But liath sone little ilower, To brighten up its solitude, *And scent thle evening hiour. P.EAsURE is seldom found where it is sought. Our highest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks. THE best way to apologize is to do such a kindness to the offended one that he will forget that you ever attempted to injure hun. As man is the wiser for his learning, it may administer matter to work in, ( objects to work upon; but wit and wijelv are born with a man. WELL, well the world must turn upon its nr., And all mankind turn with it heads or tauiI4, And live nm die, make love anA pay our in w, And as the veering mind shifts, sh lt our si.. TnE way to produco a smile On tl face of nature is to plant it with seeds o-f flowers. Tickle nature in that way und she will laugh with blossoms. THE foundation of every good govern ment is the family. Tho best and most prosperous country is that which has tho greatest number of happy firesides. MANY a splendid genius was the despair of a good father when young. But all of a sudden he awoke and went into ac tion like a soldier into battle, and made a name that will live forever. Tme two most precious things on this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that Ithe most contemptible whisper may de prive us of one, and the weakest weapon of the other. 3LovE ! what is it, and whence comes it? How much has been wvritten about it, and how idly! Neither statement, comparison, nor analysis avails. Love is 3 love, a thing like nothing else in the world-as real as a second sight. It alone bestows the power of seeing a hundred new truths otherwise invisible. -Mfichzclet. . - A Very Funny Criticism. The pass to which foreigners may be led by mistaking so-called Amnericanisms for the normal and habitual speech of the country is well shown in the follow ing edifying paragraph from Kar! Fanil mann's Illustririn Cultur- Geschich Ic, volume 1, page 134. The column hieaddc~ "Amerikanisch" is given in all earnest ness as a specimen of the Englishaspoken in America, while under it is placed what the author considers the correct English equivalent. The italics are ours: AMERIK ANISH. I haf! von funny leedle poy Vot gones schust to my knee, Der queereat schmap, der createst rogue, As efer you dlit see; He ruans and schumps and schmaschesadings In all barts off'der hause But Tot ofl dot? he vas my son, Mine leedle Yawcob~ Strauss. E.NGLIBCH. I have one funny little boy Whtgamnes juist to my knee, The queerest shsape, the greatest rogue, As ever you did seo; He runs and jumps and smashes things In all parts of the house, But what of that? he was my son, My little Jacob Strauss. A woNDERFUnnIY gigantic scheme has been brought to the attention of the New York General Assembly, in the shape of a water route from New York to Chicago. It is proposed to util ize the Erie Canal by lining it through out its entire longth (352 miles) with a thick layer of hydraulic cement, at a cost of $10,000 a mile, or $3,500,000 for the entire length. The western part of the plan contemplates a canal of equal ca >~acity with the Erie across .Southern I ichigan, by which it is estimated 1,000 miles of lake navigation can be saved. The capital is to be furnished by the Western capitalists, who will ask no ro r muneration from New York for the provement to the Erie Canal un+' ot whole canal debt is paid off, ? ..u are Iwilling to trust their reimbnirsoment then to the honor of the people, who a must amend the State Constitution be a fore a dollar can be paid for aniy such - purpose. The canal will afford naviga r tion for steam propellers of moderate e size, which will average a speed of lif teen miles an hour.