Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE CAMDEN JOURNAL AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY PAPEB, PUBLISHED BT JOHN KERSHAW. SUBSCRIPTION RATES. One year, in advance $8 00 Six months...... 1 60 Three months 75 ADVERTISING RATES. Sraci. 1M. 2M. 8M. 6 M. IT. 1 square 8 00 6 00 8 00 12 00M600 2 squares 8 00 9 00 12 00 18 00 26 00 8 squares 9 00 18 00 16 00 2* 00 85 00 4 squares 12 00 16 00 20 00 80 00 48 00 4 column 15 00 19 00 24.00 84 00 60 00 * n/\ /w on nn in nn rr nn fin no * 001UmII 4U WJ uv Wi ?\? wvi ?V, ? v. f column 80 00| 50 001 6Q00l 90 00'160 00 All Transient Advertisements will be charged (hi Dollar per Square for the first and Skvkn tt-fitb Cents per Square for each subsequent insertion. Advertisements in the Local column will bo charged Twenty Cents per Line, ' ?QF Transient Advertisements must be paid fbr in advance. Selected Story. " SHAKES." . Everybody in and around Norway Flat Was acquainted with Shakes. Shakes was every one's favorite and every one's laughing stock. What his real name was no one on the Flat, except the postmaster, knew, or seemed at all anxious to ascertain. In outward appearance he was a specimen of debased humanity. Debauchery was indelibly stamped upon every feature. It was deemed a rare sight to see him with a clean face. Streaks of gray forced themselves through the accumulations that clung to his long matted locks and untrimmed beard. A coarse blue woollen overshirt, with tattered sleeves, covered his back, from whence many doubted whether it had been removed since the day he first put it on, in Griffin's store, twelve months aero. His duck pants had completely lost their original whiteness, and Were tucked in a well-worn, much-patched J |?ir of gum boots. The veritable felt hat worn by him in '52 still maintained its usual position on the side of his head. The only J change it had apparently undergone since ( then was that a piece of old coat now constituted the crown. Shakes' history Outside of the precincts of Norway Flat was wrapped in complete ! mystery. Even the time of his j "Occidental"?NorwayJ^'s principal hotel, drinking and^l>-?trtg8aloon?and also ons of thejjip-c^rs of the place, assert- j ?d, "ShaWbummed around here when I fust rived in 52." It was generally believed that he bailed from the temperance State of Maine- Shakes, however, was no temperance man himself; to the contrary he had earned the unenviable reputation of being an inveterate "whisky bummer." No one had ever known him to pass a single , night on the Flat "out of his cups." It is tni* that these constant imbibings had so j enfeebled bis system as to cause hiin to readily succumb to its influence. A lonely log-cabin stood on tho hillside. Shakes owned, and professed to be its occupant, but seldom, if ever, crossed its threshold. The bar-room of some one or other of the numerous drinking hells was his homo; the ioor, a bench or a faro-table, was his bed. Although a slave to his appctito for intoxicating drink, none of its vendors on Norway Flat were much the richer for hav. ing Shakes as their customer. It was seldom that a coin passed from his hands to the barkeeper's drawer; but drink he must have, and somehow or other he always managed to obtain it. The manner in which it was obtained was a secondary consideration to bim. Nothing was too humiliating or too degrading for him to do for it. When begging failed, strategy was immediately resorted to, and in this be was invariably successful. He wonld enter the saloon, go up to the bar with thnmb and forefinger inserted in his pofcket, and address the bar-keeper thus: "I say, bar-keep, hurry up; give me a brandy straight." The bar-keeper would first cast a glance at the position of the hand, and then tender the bottle to Shakes, who wonld unconcernedly drink "here's luck," and retire from the counter without paying. "Ho, Shakes." "Eh?" "Come and see me." "No, thankee; don't feel it now; jest had 'un." And the bar-keeper learned that he was duped once more, but dared not attempt to punish his deceiver. The indignation of the entire camp would most assuredly fall upon the individual who dared to abuse Snakes. He was Norway Flat's "privileged character/' "Likes his whisky, I know; ?ufc he's a harmless, good-natured old devil jfftr jfiI that," Was the sentiment universally srg-fryft by the members of that mining fy?ebri$e jbe was, Shakes was not indolent He w f^ays, in sunshine or rain, ^engaged ip ^hc^ping tford-wood or in driving ebakes?long shingles, from which latter ^ceupation hie receive^ nickname. The ;ab roae on Shakes entering tbe woods; it set on him making a "bee line" for the "Pony Saloon/' Fire wood was ymih $6 a por^, shakes $18 ? thousand, in these J days on Norway Flat. Shakes always chop, ped from two to three cords a day. 8yf. Lord he paid "Billy, the boatman," for^ul iog it, which of course coaaiaeraoiy /nauu-1 ished his earoiuge, still thers wu /a good Margin left. Bow it can^i to n^e that he should ahrays be poor eould sn<r be satisftetonly explained. His condition of being jfhat he termed "flat brpfcr was apparent to - - . ? j all, and was considered another of the mysI teries of the peculiar life that no ono cared to solve, and accepted nnqnestioned. Norway Flat, since the time of . its discovery in '52 had continned to be a prosperous mining camp. The fabulous yield of many of its mining claims had been reported in the columns of leading newspapers of the civilized world. Numerous opportunities had been offered Shakes to become the possessor of ground of a promising character, subsequently proving rich. ftin:ng, however, possessed no attractions for him.? There existed no affinity between his nature and the excitiment of the average goldminer's life. He never owned a foot of mining ground, "and didn't intend to," he was accustomed to say, "I go for the sure thing." Even when the Wake-up-Jake Company struck a two-ounces-to-tno-pan prospect, Shakes declined staking off the adioinin? crround. then vacant, and upon ??r o o ' . # which he was at the time chopping wood. That same piece of ground afterward proved the richest ground on the whole Flat, nearly twelve hundred ounces being obtained from it as the proceeds of one day's washing.? This lack of enterprise?this disinclination to venture?was supposed to be the morbid offspring of his dissipated career The only things for_whioh ho appeared to have any care were his axe, his cross-cut saw aud his frowcr. These constituted his entire stock in trade, and for them he cherished something bordering upon affection. Shakes was viewed as one of Norway's fixtures. It had been settled long ago in the minds of its inhabitants that his bones would decay in the little cemetery on the knoll overlooking the Flat. The idea of his removing was never for a moment entertained by any one in that secluded community. Shakes and Norway Flat had grown up with one another. Norway Flat was Shakes home. If he possessed a home elsewhere he had never been heard to speak of it. The winter of 'CO had set in. It was nkrvi.f ?l,a mi/tilla PnvomKpp TIia ornnnrl IIUUUU l/IIV UI1UUIV V4 A ViviMwvtt Q was covered with several inches of snow.-? tinkling of sleigh-bells was heard in the distance, and the little town on the Flat was instantly thrown nrto a commotion. It was all occasioned by the arrival of "Barnard's Monthly Express." The arrival of the Exprees was an important event in the otherwise monotonous routine of every day life of Norway Flat; for be it remembered that the era of wagon roads and railways had not been inaugurated, and communication between that mountain retreat and civilization was at best infrequent and uncertain.? Among the anxious faces waiting the openiM^f the little wicket of the post office and lie suddenly exclaimed, and as suddenly bid farewell to Norway Flat and its surround IllgO. That evening Shakes was missed from lii.s usual haunts, and it soon became generally known that he had left the Flat. This was an unprecedented episode in the history of Norway Flat. Nothing had ever occurred before to disturb its equanimity, excepting the shooting of Red Alick by Russian Bill iu & moment of frenzied excitement, produced in the heat of discussion as to the parties theu engaged in the Crimean War. Ilis departure was the universal topic of conversation arouud every fireside ana in every bar-room in the camp. The speculations as to the cause were as varied as they were improbable. The thermometer at Brown's that evening indicated fifteen degrees below zero ; but no fears were harbored in the minds of any one as to the safety of the one who had so unceremoniously left the camp, homeward bound. Weeks passed on, and nothiug had been seen or heard of Shakes since his departure. Norway Flat had ulmost forgotten him. Brown, the laudlord of the "Occidental," ot-nn/tSnor Jn hio rlnnrwnvfazinf? abstract -e?- _ v O o edly at the distant windings of the "down country" trail. It was only the previous day that a prospective party had passed along it from the Flat, bound for the desert* ed mining camp of Diggers' Delight, situated about ten miles distant. His thoughts naturally reourred to their departure and , prospects. Suddenly his quick eye de/ tccted in the distance a group of men slowjf trudging towards the Flat, and was souewhat astonished to recognize in them /he prospectors of Diggers' Delight, returning bearing with them a heavy burden. The news soon spread that Shakes ha? been found dead at Diggers's Delight. - It^j was evident that the night had overtaken him there, and that he had determined to spend it in one of the deserted shanties. The fire place had been filled with wood ready for the match, but it had remaine* unkindled. Why, no one could answer. Z'he verdict of all why heard the story was 'hat he had fallen a victim to the severity of the weather on the evening of the day,he left the Flat, or, as they expressed it, ,'friz dead." In an inside pocket c/ a vest worn under* death his ragged overjhirt a package of letters were found, all A which were written tl ,'nfr flnH nrlfirr>Kftfid to iu cue suuie uuuun/>*'"o ?? "James Wilkinso^ Esq., Norway Flat." Sundry photographs were also discovered in the same pocket?one of an aged lady, another of a weflian in the prime of lifo, and the rest of >nree beautiful girls of from ten to fifteen /oars of age. All the letters bore the same' post-mark, " , Me." Each envelop was endorsed in pencil "Rec'd, (date! J- W.\ One of them was endorsed, ?R/c d Nov. 17, 1859, S. W," That was tjie day Shakes left Norway Flat. Its consents explained the mystery of his life and pQggrty, and read thus: % Maine, August 30, 1859. Wt/m 1 '?Your last remittance /"J^^^^^duly received, and the has now been paid. ; you not impoverished yourseJt to keep us in comparative luxury ? i Mother is ailing and rapidly declining. Ltoc(tor says'she cannot possibly live through the j coming winter. She longs to , gSfiga James, beforo she dies. * * ma, Annie and Gertie are all 0, James do come home at ! shall sell the place next Spring aud-ftP* tc Norway Flat myself * *.'lj8Kp-]' Your affectionate wife, Ellen' The bright side of Shaken' cjflBtw which he had so carefully concealed sight of his fellow-men. was re veiled igaiTicI he Lad now gone to auotbpr home to^H^Ve Miscellany. 'ijf The Situation in New Ybrkjp^-: A gToat fraud has bgc^, ^r!ril^pi UIIAIIUOI UCpOl UUIVIIV IM JklUTV /yk v?? V/%UiCB is in part confessed (though the writtetfoojifession is not published) by CorapffiHer Connolly, who, it is said charges assofcfetes in the city, though no specific charge iiiy&et made public. Vouchers in regard to millions of cxroafc turcs have been abstracted from Mr. ly's office, without his knowledge; and JM* recently a large number hhve beeuseisenH burned, by what seemed a burglarious invJHg of the Comptroller's office, bat, as it out, by an underling, an inrnato of the.WM^ ing. Judge Barnard has issued and ifljpction to prevent further expenditures or&tbe creation of new debt. The police Jfffe arrested and hold in prison the robber ofBfca. vouchers. The public acoounts are hands of an honorable and intelligent gUiblic citiren, Mr. Andrew H. Green. Mr. Connolly confessing, the CourtC?se keeper in jail, the city government tjwer. injunction, and the accounts in the^hSids that are able to detect frauds and them,?no situation could be strougetj&r exposing and punishing municipal rqt?ry. and paralyzing the authors! Arid yet^Nroai have we ? The Committee of Seventy iijjiue an address to the people the purport ofwSfch. is'-be'virtuous and you will be hapjgrl" The appeal is especially directed to ?he rural districts. Assist us in being virtniusK is tho argument, and you will be happyh)This is all we get out of the critical si^ct. tinn. The mountain irives birth Tho earthquake utters a sentimental sigh. The public look for something uiore and dfijjj? than this.?Albany Aryut,. 5 '/ . jE| Mr. Adams. John Quincy Adams never wrote a IflHH iu tended for the pnblie eye which is Wtt worth reading. Here is an.extractfnngSm ^x\ow, as formerly)'J th calm and moderate'inetbods In dealing with questions of State, to adhere scrupaously to constitutional forms in en-forcing the will of the people, and to make haste slowly with revolutionary reforms. But I may bo pardoned if, in view of a hesitation which lingers here and there, I declare my especial satisfaction at the position adopted by die Convention in respect to the later amendments to the Constitution of the United States. I cun heartily glad to see good citizens who have disputed tho plan of adjustment required by the party in power, so lone as it was debatable, acquiesce cheer folly when ouce it has become irrevocable. "It seems to mo to bo the part of patriotism now to accept honestly and Without mental reservation those amendments as the final settlement and pacification of the civil wnr, and tl.en turn resolutely away from tho irritating and painful memoris of the past to the pressing duties of the futuro. That future, if we wisely improve it, may be mado to redeem, and more than redeem, all the sufferings and all the errors of the past. It may w*rn us to guard jealously the invaluable Aabit of local self-governments, while we yfeld to the irresistible instincts ef national unity. It may teach us to alleviate oppressive taxation by economy and skill in fisctl management, so that a tariff may . no lorger strangle trade Universal amuesty a*d equal rights may oneo again demonstrate t> the world that the people at their homes may be trusted to preserve the peace and maintain tho principles of liberty Without Roldicrs to make them afraid. And, above all, a kindly ahd considerate policy toward vanquished citizens may make Us again a prosperous and happy people, cordially united in a friendship based upon mutual esteem and cemented by identical interests " J : ? 1- ' A'! ' a curious world. Two months ago' one Benjamin F. Simmons eloped from St. Paul with a married lady, both of: them leaving families behind tbem. Both were in "good society." Both wer execrated The other davboth returned. The Woman Was mot with reproaches and epithets. Old friends cut her on the streets. A divorce was demanded by her aggrieved husband. But how about Simmons ? Simmons was a man, you see, and that makes a difference, you know. His wife and weening friends welcomed him back with embraces?the poor, misled prodigal. His cronies langbed with him, and joked him gaily, on his gallantry. That night he drove round, town with , his family, behind dappled grayj?, bowing and smiling patronizingly. no matter about the name, the other reprobate, is literally spurned and driven from her home by all who knew her, while her paramour, and the equal criminal, has not even for a moment lost his business footing, and is jusl as mnch the favorite in soeietyasever. For he was a man, you know. Hero is something sensible?something .1 . i.l -! : 1 L.I V i ! J tnat uraeriy ecnpuea unvy snows, par maw shows, and all that sort of thing. At the Cotton State Fair soon to be held in Georgia a special premium of twenty-five dollars wil! be given to the best lady performer on tlx piano. This is well} but wouldn't it be bet ter to give a premium for the best loaf ol bread, the neatest bit of embroidery, tht best specimen of jwurtrjr. 5 J^S3S3&^ ' #r-r &- *. ;.:. BY BBBT HASTE. | Tho subject of this article is at present leaning against a tree directly opposite^ my window. He wears his cap with the wrong side Wore, apparently for neither object than that which seems thetfmost obvious?of 3 showing more than the average quantity of a \ery dirty face. His clothes which axe worn cu with a certain button less ease and freedom, display, m thedifferent quality, of their fruit stains, a pleasing indication of the progress of the seasons. The nose of this vulgar little op at the end, -I have noticed jtkfcln ^everal ^other vulgar littie^bojs^uuk. belief that it is rather the result of early inqnistiveness?of furtive pressures against window panes and of kwking over fences, or ?^tfie habit of biting targe apple hastily? than an indication. of| scorn or juvenile sulity. It Winy experience of his predispotion fto this quality which has induced mo to ( write thifiiarticle. j My acquaintance with him began in a | moment of weakness. I have an unfortutcmte predilection to cultivate originality in people, even when accompanied % objectionable character. But as I have not the firmness and ekfllfulness which usually accomj<ames this taste in others, and enables unprofitable friends, among whom I count the vulgar little boy. The mariner inwhich. ho first, attracted my attention was purely accidental, He was playing in the street, and the driver of a passing vehicle cut at . him, sportively, with his whip. The vulgar little boy toeefrpni his feet and hurled after his tormentor a single sentence of invective. I refrara'from repeating it for I feel that I could not do justice to it here. If I remember, it conveyed in a very few words, a reflection on the legitimacy of the driver's birth; it h inted a suspicion af his fk^h^'s with repulsi^e freedom. He lingers about the gate of my dwelling to waylay me as I I issue forth to business. Distance he over- I comes by main strength of lungs, and he l??U flto HAft mtraat Iff. nin.t Ulfl at the theatre, the other evening, and demanded my check with the air of a young footpad. 1 foolishly gave it to him, but reontcring souio time after, and comfortably seating myself in the parquette, I was electrified by hearing my name called from the gallery with the addition of a playful adjective. It was the vulgar little boy. Daring the performance he projected spirally-twistea play bills in my direction, ana indulged in a running commentary on the supernumeraries as they entered. To-day has evidently been a dull one with him. I observe he whistles the popular airs of the period with less shrillness ana intensity. Povidence, however*, looks not unkindly on him, and delivers into his hands, as it were, two nice little boys who have at this moment innocently strayed into our street.? Thoy are pink and white children, and are dressed alike, and exhibit a certain air of neatness and refinement which is alone sufficient to awaken the antagonism of the vulgar little boy. A sigh of satisfaction breaks from his breast. What does he dof Am other boy would content himself with simply L-nnoirincr t.fc* off thoir respective heads and so vent his superfluous vitality in a single act, besides propitiating the flightof the enemy. But there are aesthetic considerations not to be overlooked; insult is to be added to the injury inflicted, aud in the struggles of the victims some justification is to be sought for extreme measures. The two nice boys perceive their danger and draw closer to each other. The vulgar little boy begins by irony. He affects to be overpowered by the magnificence of their wstwuies.' ' no addresses mc (across tho street and through closed window) and requests information if there haply be a circus in the vicinity.. He makes affectionate inquiries afler their parents. He expresses a fear of maternal anxiety in regard to their welfare. He offers to eondnct them home. One nice little boy retorts, but alas! bis correct pronunciation, his gramatical. exactitude, and his moderate epithet, only provoke a scream of derision from the vulgar little boy, who now rapidly changes his tactics. Staggering unapr the weight of his vituperation, they fall easy victims to his mawlev. A wail of lamentation goes up from our stroet. But as the subject of ; this article seems *o require a more vigorous handling than I had proposed to give it, I . nnd it necessary to abandon my present , dignified position, seize my hat, o~on the ; front door, and try a stronger method. ! Singular Practice.?The Yort (Penn.) . Democrat tells a tough story to explain . several accidents which it says have occurred recently on the Northern Central railway. It appears that the flagmen are re; quired to go akn? the road some distance i from any train which may be delayed in ori der to warn approaching trains. It is often i necessary to await some time, "and in order 1 to get some rest in this time it is said they i lay with their heads on the track and go to - sleep, watting Tor the noise and jar of the f approaching train to wake them up " ' One case of yellow fever is reported in Brooklyn. * t Mrs. Blobba at Long Eranoh. .In the middle of the season; the Rev, Mr, Blobba, who is theologically sound, sent his wife, whowas physiologically unsound, and their son Billy, to Long Branch. Billy, > who is a precious childj-and whose: lather had .cautioned him not to forget to write, to him, pinna! a letter a few days' after,* and! unread by Ins mother, sept it The Bame mail carried to. Mr.'Blobbe d letter from his wife. JIVe print both letters below. The tfrst (Billy's; read thus; Dear jjculdy?-It's awful niee here in the eoontrf, and me and ma are having such jolly times I I think the nicest place in the world is a watering-place, don't you daddy 1 At first, it felt awftu lonesome withoo? you, I and says I to dea^ma, "When is par eoming up frtm -the city, ma ?" "Never, J "hope, Billy," say she; "your father issuch a dry. old stick, and we are so much better off without him." * 0, daddy 1 you wouldn't know ma now if you hadn't seen her before?she's looking so well and yottng, She has taken to wearing* Such iots ofh&ir and fine t hi ngs; and our maid Sally says she doesn' tiooic older cnaa many a gal of seventeen. Ma's got a real splendid bean, too, with such mustaches ana whiskers 1 Ma oalls biln Charley. I call hiin brick, because he gives me such heaps of candy. Sally says he'sthe nicest gentleman she ever saw. The waiter fellows Here are bully boys pop, and I get no end of stale tarts, pie and pound cake,-besides bottled .ale and tobacco They are teaching me to play euchre, too, and I think it's a real nico game. Ma has no time to look after me; she's so taken op with dressing, dancing and dear Mr. Charley. 0, pa 11 want to see yon awful h^d; but don't come yet?it would make ma hopping mid. ' Please write soon, and don't forget' to send me plenty of pocket money. A fellow can't get along without "tin" here. Your affectionate son, Billy. . Mrs! 13 lob b's letter reads as-follows, the" only point of contrast being that it gives., a slightly different view of the same matter: My Dearest Husband? My health is a little better, thank the Lord, and 1 begin to enjoy the. Sabbath-like peace of this splendid gfoce. I miss you very much, my thoughts are often with you; but for the sake of your flock I will not ask you to join me at ..present Dear little Billy and the BUde are my usual companions, though when $*eek it, f And a good deal of religious society here.? Ate you lonely without m'e dear l&sbaud ? 1 hope not, tor the fresh, invigofijfiog afcr Ww i> dobgme pore of oar ohareh, and tell them 1 remember them in my prayers. I read your soul-stirring sermon in Monday's Inquirer. It filled my heart with great peace and comfort.? With love and many kisses I bid you adieu. Will write ydH again. Our Billy sends a note you will receive with this. Your loving wife, LucY. Mr. B. went after his family; he was so lonely withourthem: Touching Scene?A Dog's Affection For -His Dead Master. Many instances have been recorded of the affection and sagacity displayed by dogs when their masters have died or been injured in any manner. Perhaps as affecting an incident of this kind as was ever witnessed was tho action of the dog Pinch, owned by the late Hod .florae, who was shot Friday night) upon being shown the body of his dead master, as it lay upott a board Sunday morning, preparatory to being placed in a coffin. Everybody who knew Hod knew Pinch, for they wore inseparable. An iron gray dog of the Scotch terrier breed, he woe noted for his sagacity and fighting qualities. Sunday morning a friend of Hod's for the first time took the dog into the room where rhe remains were. A number of Morse's friends were present at the time and oan vouch for the accuracy of the Story. When led in tho room Pinch let his hcud fall to the floor, with slow steps walked directly across to where Hod's body was lying.?Stopping by the body he raised his head and began a low,' monotonous howl.?While uttering these howls, Pinch would from time to time look around at the different men prosent as if making a nntte appeal to be allowed to * ? ? ** V nfinmrr Vi lo Ann nave access w me wmj. iwuivn.rt vmo, Vnv of the men took a chair and placed by Hod's head.?As soon as it mis placod in position the dog jumped upon tne chair, and with his fore-paw pushed tho cloth from his master's face. Alter he had removed the cloth over Hod's breast, while he laid his face on that of his master, and rubbing it over a few times, commenced licking it as if desirous of awakeniDg him. Seeing that this did not have the desired effect, Pinch stopped, and looking into Hod's face for a moment, again commenced howling or ratherwhining in a pitiful manner. The whole scene, taking in the surroundings, was a most sorrowful one, and brought tears and sobs from tho meu whom the world regards as social Parialls, but in whom nsthis incidc >t proved, all the better feeling had not yet been deadened. Pinch continued his pantomine until seemingly convinced that he couta not arouse his master, when he jumped down, and, with low steps, left the room, never returning until after the body had been conveyto ita final resting place, in Elms-wood.? Mempkii Avalanche. The Carat.?The carat is nominal weight, that expresses the fineness of gold or the proportion of pure gold in thus a given weight divided into 24 parts carats fine consists of 2 parts of silver, The carat weight is the 24th parts, of the pouffct" troy, oc 140 grains troy, but it is not necessarj^^giVo it any fixed or absolute weight, aaii'monly used to determiue the proportions of pure metal f' * W alloy. TWVsighfc of 4g?In? mod by ..J jewellers for weigbingdi&mOtHieaad precious 1 stones ia called diamond weight, tad iso^utl " * contains 150 ^^mood^barata, The term catat dexW^B ite name from a bean, the fruit of an Abyssiuirm tree caBed leucatL, Thia hean, from the time of its being, .gathered, T*ri" ",7 jf"6 * ;** J? nave been, trom a very remote ponoo, nflMt Building seems to be ?U the ragb here juct |f now, and it taken an exj&rxehcbd^ril# to navigate through some of thai, street and ! tu w a|:;wn a 1 vnnidltr annm^rthinp rtf>mTliedon.- *_The "Work on. the ^ iTnited States Wldings is being There are severe) new store buildings in various degrees of completion; the~ fine building owned by Mr. being Taylor, on the same^W^' being abont half Wo. H. Seward has arrived in New York from his trip round the world. The big Bnssiaa, Alexis, is to be "torchlighted'' when he arrives at New York. * ' Four ipen were killed at Potfcsville, Pa., Monday.by an explosion of sotphur. . ^ in North Oar dina. . " There were seventyfatalcases of Oholerain :'9 Constantinople one day. last week. stomach-pump. ' ' ? The Triennial Convention of thff Ptt)te?t>-; ant Episcopal Church met in Baltimore. Wednesday. There were several foreign bishops on the floor, and ope colored one from Port-au-Prince. Intelligence from Tuezon, Arizona, says there i* lo safety for lift wr property on the Gil* River fane the Mexican bandits. Mexican and American residents areindiscriLiinately murderod. Cincinnati looking foV a municipal motto, the Ftiqui'rer wants "something from Ham'-' let." And the'Ghicago Post says: Hamlet, it be," and beneath it the tender" lino, "/* Hoc Siffno VtnccsP A Mrs. Conway has been awarded tlx* contract for building a railway in Maryland, I and already has her workmen busily engaged in digging, carting and track-laying: ; The Washington and Lee University Baft, jttst opened with two hundred students, which is the largest number ever present, at the beginning of a session eince the feet year of General R. B; Loe's Presidency. ! Lieutenant Button, united Statin army. lias invented a now ex pk?i_vff mixture which is so satisfactory that it. Blew the twelveinch sir hundred poundei[ at* Fortress Monroe into smithereens on tK8 first trial. r Another defalcation fms Been discovered in the Paymaster's Department of the army.The amount will almost reach the Hodgo figures. The whole Grant administration is honey-combed' with corruption and defalcations can be unearthed in all directions by a proper search/. ; As an illustration of the beauties of the franking privilege we have a .report of the arrival at the postoffice in Peoria, III., of eighteen bags of printed matter, weighing 3,GOO pounds, under tho frank of an exmember of Congress, and all directed to his own address. The matter consisted of bound volumes of public documents. Slightly sarcastic was the clergyman' who paused and addressed a man coming into ehurch after the sermon had begun, with the remark, "clad to see vou sir; come in; always glad to see those who can't come early " And decidedly self-possessed was the man thus addressed in the. presence o? an astonished congregation, .as he responded, "Thank you; would you fhvor me with the. text." The holdertl of the Confederate cotton bonds have suddenly - risen from the comparative obscurity in whicheventshad left, them, and recently made an appeal to. jEarf Granville to know whether their claims are included in the treaty. With reason somewhat modest atr such a time as this as trw committing'himself, he referred" them to the Government agent for British claims, then, asnowfat Washington. The bond-holders, encouraged possibly as much bv this silence asj5y any affirmative opinion Earl Granville . .might have giveu, have organized an active campaign for the recovery of their money, and influential committees are continually corresponding with the Foreign Office oq the subject. - !&h J