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tii* -H41i Iwi »<S
XL.
U.i^ in
r o K M E & SON,
j.^T0R 5 AND PROPRIETORS.
MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA, TUESDAY, MAY 81, 1859.
NUMBER 22.
jublished weekly, at the low
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| if n" 1
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o KC 0RDER is p . , .
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in received tor less than six
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kSTS ..mspicnously inserted at $1 00
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if- 1 r . lent iosertinn. Those.sent without a
" 1 ' ."Vie mnnbei of insertions, will be pub-
,i mt, and charged accordingly.
, ! and Negroes,by Administrators. Exec-
■’ |' v 'are required by iaw to be held on
.... r " 11 ,’j • , . ,e month, bet ween the hoars often
t I ■ ' ' i ,',, r ,.e in the afternoon, at the Court
: ' . oanty in which tile property is situate. No
POETRY.
i j e „ ^,,,.1 be given in a public gazelle
- »' l ' lss Vv*ious to the day of sale.
r ' ' , , e * i!e of Personal Property must be giv-
VdaYS previous to heday ofsale.
St T r in.
,nd Creditors of an Estate inuetbe
ill be made to the Court of
„ e in sell Land or Negroes, must be
' FORTY OATS.
•X , application w
far le»ve to sen >
! "'L-'L.-eeklv for TWO MONTHS. _
if >' r f.e;-->f Administration must be pub-
, Dismission from Administration,
' ; r' ' ' ’;,’ s Dismission from Guardianship.
,-ire of Mortgage must be publish-
: ' ' r _ ,.,_f,,r establishing lost papers.
»”: trs« months— for compelling titles
l ! ' dr AdinViiistrators, where a bond has
: v " .■ ■ ieased , the f nil space of three months.
•-•'""'V’’ ’ . i‘ alv.-avs be continued according to
‘ 1 ' ' 1 , j .. i iirements. unless otherwise ordered.
V"She line of PRINTING will meet with
’ ‘oenthm atthe R ecordEB Office.
liTGROCEEIES. 1859. j
^ffff&GARAKBR, |
T q.t VlvFL'L for the increased patronage of the .
‘ vear , be"' leave to inform their friends ;
■ ‘.“mniers thatthey are still at their old stand, j
: ,;X the Post Office, where they would he ;
TX} jo wait upon them with a full assortment
1',,;.t es usually kept in their line of busi-
"V liicli they will sell as low for cash, or on
J: " ,'L t)X market will allow,) consisting in part
0 f;be following articles:
STEIVAKTS A. B. &. C. SUGARS.
Crush’d, Powder’d and Loaf do.
■ v v, COSTA RICA and RIO COFFEE.
i : ;;V MOLASSES and N. O. SYRUPS.
liiCON'—Hams, Shoulders A Sides—LARD,
j,, , r ; a i t Young Hyson and Oolong Teas.
■ Tobacco, 1 Starch, Iron, Nails,
Soap, i Cast & Plow Steel,
\V, r ling and Garden Hoc?. Axes.
Twe and Log Chains.
Loi . - an d Short Handle Shovels and Spades.
M ai'ire Forks. Wooden and Hollow Ware.
Hardware and Cutlery.
Lh , Plaster and Cement.
].-j IK Wines, Brandies, Whiskeys,Gin and Rum.
p 1 j ];ts (jil s A Varnish, and various other articles.
GALL AND SEE!!
Mii’.edgeville, May 10,1S59 19 tf
Wool Manufactory.
tyijt; Miiledgeville Manuiacturing Company
t ,'outimies the Manufacture of their ASaXi
Fi&hXSSG KSS.SS’SrS, and
resN, c hilly soiicites the future patronage ol the
M-idiauts and Planters ol Georgia.
”\Vc -di as heretofore pay particular attention
to w'T’ding- Wool Halls, and Weaving
into Sfsrseys or Jeans. j
ii.-iujl recently purchased the wool ractory j
i :L vXwned by Mr. D. A Jewell we hive in
i',• Ifud'.ities, to attend promptly to all orders j
ut the above description. ... >
Wool forwarded to us, as well as orders tor oth- ;
er kinds of goods of our manufacture, should be j
’..1 to the Miiledgeville Manufacturing Com- '
pane, Miiledgeville, Ga. 1
' if ,3. Wool constantly bought at full market >
F. WAITZFELDER, President, i
Hav 17, 1-59 20 3t
TOSL SAIiS.
* CHOICE lot of BACON, cheap for;
-L cadi or approved credit.
’ COMPTON-& CALLOWAY, i
U0 tf i
THE PRIATEK S EPITAPH.
Here lies his form in pi.
Beneath tins bank, w : iih briars overgrown;
How many cases, far unworthier, lie
’Neath some imposing stone.
No column points our loss—
No sculptured caps liis history declare.
Although he lived a follower of the cross,
A member of the bar.
The golden rule lie prized,
And left it as a token of his love;
And all his deeds corrected and revised,
Are registered above.
Tlie copy of his wrongs—
I he proofs of ail his pi-ety are there;
And the fair t itle which to truth belongs
Wili prove Lis title fair.
Though now in death’s em brack,
A mouldering heap our luckless brother lies,
He’ll re-ajipear on Gabriel's rotal chase,
And frisk-it to the skies.
THEY TELL ME.
They tell me that this world of ours,
That seems so bright and fair,
Is lull of woe anjjoitterness,
Sorrow, and blighting care;
And that this cup of life is tilled,
With many a bitter draught.
That mingles with each sip of joy
That weary mortals quaff.
Tliev tell me that a smiling face
Oft hides a troubled soul,
O'er which tlie floods of sorrow
In angry billo ws roll;
The}' tell me that this heart of mine,
That heats so gaily now.
May break with grief and shadows fall
Upon my sunny brow.
But oh! I will not heed, their tales,
I will be gay and free;
And then if sorrow ever comes.
If it must come to me,
I will bear it very bravely.
And put my trust in God,
And though lie smite me sorely,
I’ll kiss (he chastening rod.
For there is much that’s lovely,
lu this fair world of ours;
The sunshine, birds, the running streams,
The trees, tiie grass, and flowers;
And if there was no woe or grief,
To mar life’s happy hours,
We might forget to seek a home
In Heaven's immortal bowers.
;v 17, 1.359
AGRICULTURAL
Machinery and Implements.
GRAIN CRADLES.
owl and Wire braced. 5 and 6 lingers. Price 3^
to 5 dollars.
SCYTHE BLADES,
English Patent, American Silver Steel. Price 73c.
to $1 15.
SICKLES’ REAP HOOKS,
Lba.-s blades, Scythe Stoues and Rifles.
WHEAT FANS,
Grant s Patent, Excelsior, Ac. Price 13 to 40
dollars.
THRESHING MACHINES,
'own’s Virginia, Wheeler’s and Georgia made,
l’rice 33 to 59 dollars.
HORSE POWERS,
Sinclair’s and Whitman's Lever Powers, one and
I* 1 horse idril Road Powers. Price $100 to $ 140.
STRA W CUTTERS,
■'W-k and Fodder Cutters. Price 5 to 30 dollars.
CORN SHELTERS,
-nous sizes and Patterns Price GV to 15 dollars.
WEEDING HOES,
‘ v: ; s C.dlins', Weed's Brades' Patent, Clement’s
■j," 11 and \V ood Straw Rakes, Cultivators, Harrows,
P us (;. i n Mills, Clmrnes, Wheelbarrows,&c.,
■ sale at tlie lowest nrices, by
i\AI Ii.i.¥ WEED, Macon Ga.
20 2in
AUf
iJ ay 17, !c59
meeting, floor oil cloths
t _ UPHOLSTERY GOODS.
j’J!- subscriber has constantly on hr
t i '"^"rtment of the followings goods,
and a full
to which
>n of purchasers is invited.
H 3TESTS—English Velvet Medal-
jj'X’ k^gh-li 1'ape.stty Velvet, English Tapestry
: Wire Brussels, English and America)!
f superfine two l*!ys—all wool; and Cut-
‘ UU;, ‘ ,; ' 1 Carpets—Hemp. Wool, Dutch, &e.
v 5®AI3. GAEL’S’ETd—Velvet, Brussels,
, “ l ' ll:ln and Cotton—yi ail w idths.
^ ® »iT —Wool a ad Linen, from J to
J in width. Bordered Cruiab Cloths
01 -'-n sizes.
^ *-'V3ja OIL Ci02?SS T English and
, v ' ' * lean, varying in width, from J of a yard to
W'' ^and of all qualities.
v^soz.ssaa'sr goods —Satin and
t ‘.'"''-G clatnasks, Cotton and wool do.—Broca-
Sens. L
ace and Muslin Curtains.
of a
vHyVOUS, COS.&ISE3 and fixtures
•t-t kinds.
i,,' "" a ”'-‘ check Matting of all widths, always
“® tore -_ Rugs, door Mat.-" Ac.
di ( ‘•‘•nensions of entries and rooms being giv-
• “ curbs and carpets wili be cut to fit, without
• tra cuarge
All A *
for ti ® x l J ® n ‘‘ n ced Upholsterer will cut, and prepare
t; vvlI| uow, Damask, Lace and Muslin Cur-
*' D. LATHKOP.
v.„, , „ HOUongress st.57 lit Julian st.
umah, Ga., May 10, IS59 19 12m
[From the Home Journal.]
TALES 0 F T IIE SOUTH.
BY A SOUTHERN MAN.
The Seminole war in Florida was the
longest, if not the bloodiest and most ro
mantic contest, waged with the Indians
in the South. Some of our best generals,
as Scott, Taylor, and Twiggs, and other
officers of lesser note, figured in its cam
paigns, and won, if not laurels for them
selves, at least experience to benefit the
country on other and wider fields.
Those who blamed our commanders
for the tardiness of the war, and the inde
cisive issue of its battles, betray ignorance
of tlie geography of tlie country where
they were fought, and also with the meth
od and resources of Indian warfare.
Florida, almost a peninsula, and w ashed
by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and
the Gulf of Mexico, along a line of coast
extensive enough to give it very consider
able commercial and maritime advanta
ges, has been redeemed, say naturalists,
from tlie basin of the gulf by the labors of
those insignificant marine insects, known
as’ tiie coral reef builders of tiio deep.—
These little artificers—laboring through
tlfe long lapse of centuries, and. in count
less numbers, beginning their net-work of
cells on the bottom of the gulf, and con
structing layer above layer until the ag
gregate mass rose above the surface of the
waters, ami, repeating their process until
the successive lateral laminae of cells had
advanced as far out into the basin of the
Gulf as the building capacity of the coral
insect would permit it to go—have literal-
ly founded a state by the diligent masonry
of infusorial instinct. Horizontal sections
even of the surface soil, betray the cellular
origin of the strata, and develop the cause
which produces the geographical peculiar
ity of the State. The coral laminae lying on
ly a small depth below the top earth form an
impermeable floor, above which the vege
table deposit lias produced the soil adapt
ed to agricultural purposes, and below
which the waters cannot penetrate; and
thus the drainage by percolation being ar
rested, they stagnate into marsh and give
rise to the everglades—the most striking
physical feature of Florida. These are
tracts of land covered with grass and oc
cupy a considerable portion of the superfi
cial area of the State-
Within the vegetable and watery fast
nesses of the everglades the Seminoles re
treated, and long baffled tlie strategy of
the generals, and tlie powers of the soldi
ery sent to dislodge them. For what
could skill or courage accomplish in a
combat with enemies gliding and biding
like snakes under a covert, whose founda
tions quivered beneath the footstep of the
soldier, and whose dense vegetable growth
bid the foe from the most diligent search?
When the full details of tlie Florida war
come to be recorded and known—the
hiccuuc in the mud and the battle in the
grass, with invisible foes—the tedious
march, and the more painful delay—the
double assault of fever in the blood and
marasmus in the brain, produced by the
miasm of foetid exhalations—famine of-
times, and pressing want frequently in the
camp; caused by tlie delinquency or delay
of the commissary department of the ser
vice—above all, the unjust and ungrateful
criticism of officials, at ease upon fat sala
ries, and of tlie public press, whose conduc
tors were out of the reach of both bullets
and the miasm of the everglades, when
these, and more than these details come
out- as at no distant future they must, it
will he seen what crying injustice lias been
done to the bravo generals and valiant sol-
diers—citizen and regular, who embarked
in the Florida war; that theme for the yet-
uuwritten Iliad of our Indian wars.
Tiie writer felt constrained to say this
much by way of vindicating tiie skill of
the generals and the efficiency of the sol
diery who went to tiie Florida war, against
the flippant crudities of those military
sciolists and martinets of the quill and the
hustings, who, however valorous with
tongue or pen, were all of them, to a man,
sohlier" during the jjcace, and c.itizuis dur
ing the tear with tlie Seminoles. This
grateful task briefly performed, he passes
on to relate a thrilling little adventure
which occurred in Florida during the pro
gress of the war.
James Smiley, a brave athletic man,
lived near the iine of an extensive ever
glade, in a belt of hammock lands, as the
Floridians call them, that is, rich uplands,
the most productive soil of the State.—
Needing some rails to repair bis fences, be
went into tbe’woods, lying on the margin
of the swamp, to split them. Ho carried
bis gun with him, as was the custom with
all living in the neighborhood of tiie local
ities infested by the savages, when they
went abroad. Finding timber to suit liis
purpose, he leaned Ills gun, within conve
nient reach, against a large tree which
stood midway between tlie spot where lie
was to labor and the edge of the everglade.
He had felled a tree; severed the butt por
lion of it and was engaged in a stooping
posture, and with bis back to the swamp,
in splitting it into rails with liis maul and
wedge. A sound like the click of gun-
lock, made in springing the trigger, caught
bis ear. liaising liis body to an erect pos
ture, and turning bis eyes in the direction
from which t.lie sound seemed to come, he
saw two powerful Seminole warriors stand
ing one on each side of the tree against
which he had leaned his gun. They were
dressed in the ragged warrior costume of
tlie tribe, and held each a rifle in his hand
levelled at the person of Air. Smiley.
Escape, under such circumstances, was,
of course, utterly impossible. Even to
move was perilous. The savages, con
struing the slightest motion into an at
tempt to escape, would have slain him -up
on the spot. To stiyul perfectly motion
less, therefore, and return the exulting
glance of his assailants with a look in
which more of despair at the hopelessness
of resistance than of fear at the imininency
of his peril was expressed, was all that lie
could do.
Still, the warriors delayed to fire.—
Knowing the delight of tiie Indian in the
torture of his victim, Air. S. felt that the
pause before his execution was but tlie re
spite, as brief in time; and as certain an
issue, which tbo cat gives to the captive
mouse, when she fondles it with lier paw
before she strikes it with her fang. And
yet, so sustaining is true courage, the fear
less man stood, calm and unmoved, look
ing in the muzzles of the gnus levelled to
destroy him.
From some signs and guttural sounds
exchanged between the warriors, which
long residence among tlie Seminoles ena
bled Mr. Smiley to comprehend, lie leani-
en that it was their purpose to capture and
extort from him, doubtless by torture, to
be followed by lingering death, such infor
mation as be might possess in relation to
the numbers and movements of the Amer
ican forces, then beginning to concentrate,
with a view to a combined attack uppn tlie
everglade Indians concealed in the marsh
from which the warriors had just emerged.
He was not then to be murdered, in cold
blood, upon the spot where lie stood. This
respite, however it might expose him to
pain and death in the end, was at least a
momentary reprieve, and might enable
him, ultimately, to accomplish an escape.
At all events it was preferable to instant
death, and whether the captors were to
profit by it in the way they proposed’, was
a matter yet to be determined. Tint reso
lute man felt, indeed, that he had strength
of nerve and fidelity of soul sufficient to
save his honor from any impeachment and
the cause of his country from any detri
ment, by unwarrantable disclosures of tlie
affairs of liis friends, even if they should be
solicited by all the horrid barbarities of In
dian torture.
Perceiving that Mr. S. understood their
dialect enough to comprehend their mean
ing when expressed in its rude gutturals,
tlie warriors signified to him, that it was
their intention to take him with them to a
council to be held that night in the ever
glade, to deliberate upon tiie now almost
desperate state of their affairs. He had
no alternative but death or submission, for
tlie present to their wishes, and so follow
ing the direction to which they pointed he
started, with slow and reluctant step to
wards the swamp. The still ieveded guns
were turned and held in the hands ot the
warriors, so as to keep the person of the
captive within point blank range of the
muzzles.
At this moment the warriors caught si :
muUaneously, a sight of the glitterin
wedge which had been driven two-thirds
of its length into the tough and adhesive
timber. Attracted either by the novelty
of the instrument itself or which it perhaps,
the more probable supposition, deeming it
useful for warlike purposes, they determin
ed to secure and carry it with them. He
calling Mr. S., and pointing to tlie weilge,
they gave him to understand they wished
him to draw it out and be the bearer of' it
to their retreat in the everglade.
The Floridian, as quick witted as he
was stout hearted, comprehending the
wisli of the warriors, devised, at once, a
plan to turn tlie tables upon them. Go
ing to the end of the log in which the
wedge was driven, he made repeated fail
ures to draw it out with his hand. Eacl
of the warriors came up in turn, while the
other stood sentinel with his still levelled
gun, and struggled to withdraw it. The
smooth surface, polished, by long use,
to brightness and regularity, slipped al
most uurestingly through the tightest,
grasp. The maul lay upon the ground,
near the end of the log, where Mr. S. had
dropped it when first surprised by the In
dians ; but tlicy did not understand the
mode or the necessity of using it to accom
plish their purpose.
Irritated at the protracted failure to
extricate tlio wedge, but losing none of
their desire to possess it, the warriors grew
restive and menacing in their words and
gestures towards their prisoner, Ho saw
that their patience was well nigh exhaust
ed, and well knew that, maddened by de
lay and failure, they would avenge them
selves by taking his life. It was full time,
therefore, to carry into execution the plan
which he hail devised. Fortunately, the
position of tiie parties was favorable to im
mediate action. Mr. Smiley stood at the
end of the severed portion of the prostrate
free, close to the maul and wedge; the In
dians occupied a position near the middle
of it—one on each side of the log—and
still kept vigil, with levelled guns, over
their captive.
With signs and with such words of their
language as lie could command for the
purpose, he made the warriors understand
that by trusting their hands into the gap
ing timber, and pulling with all their
might, each towards himself, it could be
opened sufficiently to permit the withdraw
al of the wedge. They comprehended and
acted upon the suggestion at once, relaxing
their vigil under the powerful solicitation
of the temptation to possess the wedge.—
Leaving their guns beside them on the log,
they bent down, thrust their bands into the
fissure of the scarcely half split timber,
and pulled with all their might. Tlio alert
Floridian seized the maul, and striking the
wedge a quick and powerful blow, detach
ed it from its hold. The recoil of the un
severed parts ftf the log was instantaneous
and strong.* The Jiawdar of the Indians
were caught and held securely as in a vice
of steel. In vain they strove to detach (
them, almost rending their arms and bands
asunder, by rapid and alternate jerks and
pulls. The powerful grasp of the tough
timber relaxed not in tlie least. The
bands were becure in the wooden clamp,
and the owners effectually captured by the
ingenious stratagem.
Convinced of their inability to release
their bands, and writhing with pain, the
Indians broke out into hideous and pro
longed yells for help. The captor, seizing
a gun, by dint of threats and menacing
acts, soon enforced silence, which was quite
necessary to be maintained in liis present
situation, to prevent a rescue by the com
rades of the prisoners, lurking not far off
in the everglade.
Having placed the guns out of reach.
Air. Smiley stripped the Indians of their
clothes, which he cut up into strong bands
and slips. With these he tied their legs
and arms together so effectually, that they
could use neither hand nor foot in its prop
er office. Then diiving the wedge into
the rent fissure or the log, he released the
hands of his captives. They stood help
less and disarmed before him ; unable ei
ther to resist or escape. He drew the
hands of each close together, and fastened
them securely. Then relaxing the ban
dage on their legs enough to permit walk
ing without the power to run, lie made them
stand side by side, until the right arm of
one was firmly tied to the left arm of the
other. Thus pinioned, he made them walk
before him to a neighboring station of
American troops, to the commandant of
which he delivered Iris captives, to be held
and treated as prisoners of war.
The feat was, of course highly lauded by
all who heard of it, lived its little day of
notoriety in tlie section or Florida where
Air. Smiley resided, and is rescued now
from fast coming oblivion, by the circum
stance of the writer of these talcs having
heard .it related ; to a company in a stage
coach, by a man who had been a volunteer
in the Florida war, and learned the inci
dents in the neighborhood where they
transpired.
Mr. Brown’s Mishaps.
Mr. Eliphalet Brown was a bachelor of
thirty-five or thereabout; one of those men
who seem to be born to pass through the
world alone. Save this pccularity, there
was nothing to distinguish Mr. Brown from
the multitude of other Browns who are
born, grow tip and (Tie in this world of ours.
It chanced that Mr. Brown had occasion
to visit a town some fifty miles distant, on
matters of business. It was liis first visit
to the place, and he proposed stopping for
a day in order to give himself an opportuni
ty to look about.
Walking leisurely along the street, be
was all at once accosted by a child of five,
who ran up to him, “exclaiming :
“Father !” Was *it possible that he, a
bachelor, was addressed by that title ?—
He could not believe it!
“Who were you speaking to, my dear?”
lie inquired of the little girl.
“I spoke to you, father,” said the little
one, surprised.
Iieally, thought Air. Brown, this is em
barrassing.
“I am not your .father, my dear,” be
said ; “what is your name?”
The child laughed heartily, evidently
thinking it a good joke.
“What a funny father you arc,” she
said ; “but are you going to buy me some
candy !”
“Yes, yes, I’ll buy you a pound if you
won’t call me father any more,” said
Brown, nervously. The little girl clapped
her hand with delight.
The promise was all she remembered.
Mr. Brown proceeded to a confectionary
store, and actually bought a pound of can
dy, which be placed into the bands of the
little girl.
“In coming out of tlie store they encoun
tered the child’s mother.
“Oh, mother !\ said the little girl, “just
sec how much candy father has bought for
me.”
“You shouldn’t have bought her so much
at a time, Mr. Jones,” said the lady, “I'm
afraid she will make herself sick. But how
did you happen to get home so quick? I did
not expect you till night.”
“Jones—I—madam,” said the embarras
sed Mr. Brown, “it’s all a mistake ; I ain’t
Jones at all. It isn’t my name, I am Elip
halet Brown, of W , and this is the first
time I ever came into this city.”
“Good Heavens! Mr. Jones, what has
put this silly tale into your head? You have
concluded to change your name, have you?
Perhaps it’s your intention to change your
wife?”
Mrs. Jones’ tone was now defiant and
this tended to increase Air. Brown’s embar
rassment.
“I haven’t any wife, madam; I never had
any. On my word as a gentleman, I never
was married.”
“And do you intend to palm this talc
off upon me?” said Airs. Jones with excite
ment.
“If you are not married, I’d like to know
who I atn?”
“I have no doubt yon are a most respec
table lady,” said Mr. Brown. “I conjecture
from what you have said that your name is
Jones ; but mine is Brown, madam, and al
ways was.”
“Alelinda,” said her mother, suddenly ta
king her child by the arm and leading her
up to Air. Brown ; “Alelinda, who is that
gentleman?”
“AYhv, that’s father!” wa3 the child’s im
mediate reply, as she confidingly placed
lier bauds in his.
“You hear that, Air. Jones, do you? You
hear what the innocent child says, and yet
you have the unblushing impudence tode
liy that you are my husband! The voice
of nature speaking through the child should
overwhelm you. I’d like to know if you
are not her father, why you are buying
candy for her? I'd like to have vou answer
that.
But I presume you never saw her before
in your life?”
“I never did. On my honor I never did,
I tobl her I would give, her the candy if she
would not call me father any m‘ore.”
“You did, did you? Bribed your child
not to call yon Father! Oh, Mr. Jones,
that is infamous ! Do you intend to desert
me, sir, and leave me to the cold charities
of the World 1 And is this your first step?”
Sirs. Jones was so overcome that, with
out any warning, she fell back upon the
along with a large val-
snid lie
sidewalk in a fainting fit.
Instantly a number of peisons ran to her
assistance.
“Is yonr wife subject to fainting in this
way ? asked the first comer of Brown.
“I don’t know,” said Air. Brown. “She
is not my wife. I don’t know anything a-
bout her.”
“Why, it’s Mrs. Jones, ain’t it!”
“Yes, but I’m not Air. Jones.”
“Sir,” said the first speaker, sternly,
“this is no jest. 1 trust that you are not the
cause of the excitement which must have
caused your wife’s fainting lit. You had
better call a coach aud carry her home di
rectly.”
Poor Brown was dumfounded.
I wonder, thought he, whether it is pos
sible that I’m Air. Jones without knowing
it. Perhaps I’m really Air. Jones, and
have gone crazy, and fancy that my name
is Bfowii. And yet I don’t think I’m
Jones.' In spite of all, I will insist that my
name is Brown.”
“Well, sir, what are you waiting for! It
is necessary that your wife should be remov
ed at once. Will you order a carriage?”
Brown saw that there was no use to pro
tract the discussion by a denial. He,
therefore, without contesting the point, or
dered a hackney coacli to the spot.
Air. Brown accordingly lent an arm to
Airs. Jones, who had somewhat recovered,
and was about to close the door upon her.
“Why, are you not going yourselt?”
“Why, no, why should I ?”
“Yonr wife should not go alone ; she has
hardly recovered.”
Brown gave a desparing glance at the
crowd around him, and deeming it useless
to make opposition where so many seemed
thoroughly convinced that lie was Air.
Jones followed the lady in.
“Where shall I drive?” said the whip.
“I—I—I—don’t know,” said Mr. Brown.
“Where would you wish to be carried?”
“Home, of course,” murmured Airs.
Jones.
“I do not know,” said Brown.
“No. 19 H street,” said tlie gentle
man already introduced, glancing con
temptuously at Brown.
“Will you help me out. Air. Jones?” said
the lady. “I am not fully recovered from
the fainting fit into which your cruelty
drove me.”
“Are you quite sure that I am Mr. Jones? ’
asked Brown with anxiety.
“Of course,” said Airs. Jones.
“Then,” said he, resignedly, “I suppose
I am. But, if you believe me, I was firmly
convinced this morning that my name was
Brown, and to tell the truth I liavu’t any
recollection of this house.”
Brown helped Airs, Jones into the par
lor, but, good heavens, conceive the aston
ishment of all when a man was discovered
seated in an arm chair, who was the ver}*
fac simile of Air. Brown, in form, feature,
and every other respect!
“Gracious!” exclaimed the lady, “which
—which is my husband?”
An explanation wa-s given, the mystery
cleared up; and Mr. Brown’s pardon sought j
for the embarrassing mistake. It was
freely accorded by Air. Brown, wlio was
quite delighted to think that after all be !
was not Air. Jones, with a wife and child to i
boot.
Air. Brown lias not since visited the place :
where this “Comedy of Errors” happened,
He is afraid of losing his identity.
Tiie Mysterious Gambler.
BY AN OLD STAGER.
I have made several passages up the
Alississippi and Ohio rivers, and never
without seeing on hoard the steamers more
or less professional gamblers. It is a
thriving business on the boats where time
hangs heavily on the bands of tlie passen
gers, and the black-legs carry off" large
sums of iffoney. They usually remain on
board but a day or two—long enough to
have their true character exposed.
These gentry had become such an intol
erable nuisance the captains of the boats
do not knowingly permit one to come, on
board, and not unfrequently a brace of
black legs was landed in the woods when
tlieiv profession was discovered.
During one of my trips the boat put in at
the mouth of the Arkansas river, and as
usual, I took a stroll on the shore. I
heard the bell for tlie departure of the '
steamer, and hastened back to the land
ing. As I was on my way, I was over
taken by a gentleman with a broad brim
med bat, green goggles, and a white
neck cloth, tuggir
ise.
“I am rather late, am I not ?”
as lie- joined me.
“True enough, sir,” I replied, respect
fully, for the gentleman was a clergyman,
a Aiethodist itinerant I supposed.
“AIv valise is rather heavy, and I fear
ed I should lose the boat.”
“ Let me help you carry it sir.”
He accepted my civil offer, and I took :
hold of the valise, which was certainly j
loaded very heavily for a Aiethodist par I
son. In a few moments we reached the .
steamer and I passed on board, but my j
new acquaintance had accomplished but
half the distance when the plunk canted,
and he .was thrown into the river. For- }
tumtely for him, I was prompt in my j
efforts to rescue, and he was immediately !
drawn on board, with no other detriment !
than a thorough ducking.
Aly friend, whom, as I never learned
bis name, I shall have to call tlie Rev. Mr.
Goggles, retired to a vacant state-room.—
It was neaily dark, and I did not see him
again that night.
As usual, in the evening there was a
table in the cabin devoted to cards ; in a
word, there was gambling without stiut.—
No one objected to the practice, so long as
it was done not by professional black-legs
I never played, but I often stood bv the
table to observe tlie progress of the game,
and study the looks of the players, as
they were agitated by the fickle changes
of a moment.
While I sat watching them I observed
on the opposite side of the table a well
dressed gentleman, who was regarding
with eager interest the plays of the gam
biers. He manifested a desire to engage
in the place of one who bad been cleaned
out.
It was soon apparant that the new
comer was a skillful player, and time af
ter time" be swept the board of all that
had been staked. In a short time his com
panions had enough of it and withdrew.—
He had won a large suin of money, and
was evidently satisfied with bis evening’s
work.
He smoked on the boiler deck until all
the passengers bad retired, aud then left.
Much curiosity bad been manifested to
know who and what be* was. Nobody
bad seen him before, andvnobody remem
bered when be came on board, and what
seemed most singular of all, bo was not
seen next clay, though the boat bad not
stopped during the night.
The next day was Sunday, and at break
fast time my Methodist friend made bis
appearance.
“Ary good friend, I have to thank you
for the good services you did me last even
ing. I am poor. I have none of this
world’s goods. I trust that all my treasu
res are laid up in heaven. But the Lord
will reward you if I cannot.”
“Don’t mention it, my- dear sir, I am
happy to have been the means of saving
you.” 0
We conversed a while upon the matter,
ami my friend then spoke of having ser
vice on board, if agreeable to the passen
gers. Of course it was agreeable and the
parson prayed and exhorted with a zeal
that would have done lioner to the most
celebrated of the revivalists.
The impression produced by the service.
I am sorry to say, w as not so permanent
for when evening came, the gaming table
was spread out as usual, and the games
commenced. The mysterious gambler ap
peared again, and much to tlie surprise of
all, for it was believed fhat he bad landed,
or been lost overboard. He played aud
swept the board as before. Some of the
weaker ones thought lie was tbo devil in
disguise, and their belief was almost con
firmed, when the next day nothing could
be found of him.
The passengers made him the subject
of their conversation, and quite an excite
ment was kindled. The captain swore
that if he appeared again, he would throw
him into the river. A thorough search was
made lor him, but vain. Aly Aiethodist
friend was especially indignant, and
believed it would be- a good plan to
bang every gambler, as soon as Iris true
character was discovered, I agreed with
liiin entirely.
One young man from Cincinnati was
particularly distressed in the sudden dis
appearance oftlie black-leg, for be Lad,
under tlie influence of an overdose of bran
dy, staked and lost a half-eagle which Jris
mother had given him just before her death.
It was not the loss of the money that 3is-
tressed him, for he had plenty of that, but
it was the associations connected w ith the
coin itself. There was a history con
nected with it, lie said, and be would
give double the value of it if* lie would re
turn it with the little ring attached to it.
That evening to the disappointment of
all onboard, who w ere prepared to deal with
him in a summary manner, the Llack-Ieg
did not appear. Alan or devil, lie bad the
means of knowing oftlie indignation liis acts
had caused. There was a strange mystery
about him. Every part of the steamer was
again searched in vain for him ; and it seem
ed certain that he could not have gone a-
sliore.
The next dny I was talking with the
Rev. Air. Goggles, not about the gam
bier, but on general topics. Of course,
liis life, as a%itinerant, was full of inter
est to me. He tobl bow cheaply be lived
and traveled from place to place, that he
was often hungry, and never had more
than one dollar at the time.
“I have only five now,” he said ; and
to verify his statement, he took from his
pocket a half-eagle.
I glanced at it. There was a hole in
it with a ring attached ! It w as certainly
the property of the young man from Ciu-
cinnati.
“What is the ring for ?” I asked.
“This was given to me by a woman in
Arkansas, who was converted under my
preaching.”
The liar, I bad already made up my
mind that he was an impostor, in short,
that he was the mysterious gambler. Be
fore dinner time I had an opportunity to
whisper my views to the captain, aud while
we were at dinner, his state room was
searched. A large sum of money was
found there and many of the gambler’
tools as well as the dress the “unkown.”
had worn.
“Parson can you swim ?” asked the
captain as the Reverend Mr. Goggles came
upon the boiler deck.
“A little,” be replied with a demure
smile.
A ou will have a chance to try, I ain go
ing to throw' you over board.”
The captain took him by the collar,
and explained the matter to the aston
islied passengers who were quite ready to
assist in emptying his pockets and then
throwing him overboard. The money
taken from him was paid over to bis vic
tims.
The last we saw of him, he w’as swim-
ing vigorously towards the shore, cursing
the captain with quite as much zeal as he
had used in praying and exhorting.
The young man trom Cincinnati got his
cherished coin, and I trust, learned a useful
lesson.
Wuadets of the Mississippi.
The difference of level between high
and low water mark at Cairo is fifty
feet; at New Orleans, the difference is btit
twelve feet. The width and depth of the
river from Cairo and Alemphis to New Or
leans is not materially increased yet im
mense additions are made to the quantify
of w ater in the channel by large streams
from both the eastern and western sides of
the Alississippi. The question naturally
arises : What becomes of this vast added
volume of water 1 It certainly never
reaches New Orleans and certainly does
not evaporate ; and of course.it is not con
fined to the channel of the liver, for it
would rise far above the entire region
south of us.
If a well is sunk anywhere in the Ar
kansas bottom, water is ferand as soon as
the water level of the Alississippi is reach
ed. When the Alississippi goes down, the
water sinks accordingly in the well.—
The owner of a saw mill, some twenty
miles from the Alississippi, in Arkansas,
dug a well to supply the boilers of liis en
engine, during the late flood. When the
waters receded his well went down, liis
hose would no longer reach the water, and
finally bis well was dry. He dug a ditch
to an adjacent lake to let water into b;s
well ; tbo lake was drained and the well
was dry again-*—having literally drank ten
acres of water in less than a w r eck. The
inference is, that the whole valley of the
Mississippi, from its banks to the highlands
on either side, rests on a porous, snbstratnm
which absorbs the redundant waters, and
thus prevents that degree of aecnniolatioH
which would long since have ewept New
Orleans into the Golf, but for |h»s P* 0 *!
sion of nature, to which alone her safety is
attributable.
It fact, if the alluvial bottoms of the Aiis-
sisippi, were like the shore of Ohio, the
vast plain from Cairo to New Orleans
would to-day be part and parcel of the
Gulf of Mexico, and this whole valley a
vast fresh water arm of the sea. Were the
geological character of the valley differ
ent, the construction of levees, confining
the water of tlie Alississippi to its channel,
would cause the rise in the river to
be come so great at tlie-riSouth, that there
no sufficient levee couI.fCkbe built. The
current would bo stronger ind the accu
mulation ol water greater as the levees are
extended north of ns.
Such results were reasonably enough
anticipated ; hut the water, instead of
breaking the levees, permeates the po
rous soil, and the overflow is really be
neath the surface of the swamps. Such
it seems to ns, are the wise provisions of
natural laws for the safety and ultimate
reclamation of the rich country south of U3.
[Mcrbplih AccdamTie.
Smoking a OaIiseof Iksanitt.— 1 The ter
rible ravages which tobacco is making on
the minds and bodies of the young seems
to bo attracting the attention of medical
men in various parts of the world. In a
pamphlet inst issued by Di. Seymour, of
London, on Private Lunatic Asylums, and
the causes of insanity of late years, tho
Doctor denounces with emphasis as one of
the producing causes the practice of im
moderate smoking indulged in by boys and
young men at the universities and “larger
schools, now called colleges.” The Doc
tor’s remarks are as applicable to the youths
of this country ns those of Europe. No one-
conversant with disease can doubt that
excessive smoking, especially in the case of
young people, must be highly injurious to
both mind and body. Its effects to de
press tlie circulation—the heart becomes
weak, irregular in its action; and the pulse
is scarcely to be felt. The victim becomes
irresolute and nervous, his appetite fails,
and his mind fills with imaginary evils.
This may continue for years, but at length
the smoker dies often suddenly ; then ex
amination has shown that the muscular
structure of the heart is imperfect in its ac
tion ; the left side i3 thin, and in some cas
es, in which sudden death has occurred,
there has been found little more than a
strip of muscular fibre left on that side.
The question of restraining boys from
smoking is rather a difficult one to deal
with, but the grave interests at stake seem
to demand that some action should be tak
en iu the premises.
Cancer Cure.—The Alilwankie Demo
crat recently noticed the case of Mr. Alat-
son, proprietor of a musie- store in this city
(brother to Lowell Alatson,) who was cured
ot a cancer upon his face, al ter the removal
by knife and reappearance of the disease.
He was treated by a Cincinnati physician
after the process of Dr. Fell, cl' London,
described asiollows :
A piece of sticking plaster was put over
the cancer, with a circular piece cut out
of the centre, a little larger than the cancer
so that the cancer had a small circular
rim of healthy skin next to it where expo
sed. Then a plaster made of chloride of
zinc, blood root and v. beat flour, was
spread on a piece of this circular opening
aud applied to the cancer for twenty four
hours. On removing it, the cancer was found
burnt into, and appeared of the color and
harduess of an old shoe sole, and the cir
cular rim outside of it appeared white
parboiled, as if scalded lty a hot steam.—
The wound was now dfessed, and the can
cer came ont in a hard lump, and the
place healed up. The plaster kills tbo
cancer, so that it sloughs ont like dead
flesh, and never grows in again. The
remedy lias been used in this city success
fully. We h ave seen a cancer which wns
removed entire from the face of aruesteem-
cd lady of this city by Dr. Dolly. The
afflicted should know that there is a reme
dy which is near infallible.—Rochester
Democrat.
An Unexpected Finish.—Speaking of
the tendency of temperance orators to set
forward themselves as previous examples
of the blighting effects of drink, the Lon
don correspondent oftlie Liverpool Ad err-
iiset says : “This predilection was smartly
satirized the other evening at a temperance
meeting. A person in the hall got up and
said : “Aly friends, three months ago I
signed the pledge. (Clapping of bands
and approving cheers.) In a month after
wards, my friends, 1 had a sovereign iu
my poeket—a tiling I never bad before.—
(Clapping and lontl cheering ) In another
mouth, my friends, I had a good coat on
my back—a thing I have never bad before.
(Cheers and clapping much louder.) A
fortnight after that, my friends, I bought a
coffin.” The audience' was going to cheer
here, but stopped and looked serious.—
“You wonder,” continued the lecture, “whv
I bought a coffin.” Well, my friends, I
bought a coffin because I felt pretty certain
that if I kept the pledge another fortnigbt,
I should want one. \
Loud John Russell on Wasiiinoton.—
The first volume of “The Life and Times
ol Charles James Fox,” by Lord John Rus
sell, has just appeared in England. The
Loudon papers say his lordship has dealt
writh his subject in a fragmentary, almost
incoherent manner. Ilis first volume is a
commentary, and little more. As a com
mentary, however it is characteristic, and
tlie conclnding passage is, perhaps, the
most characteristic of all:
“Before taking leave of the American
war, a few words may be allowed on a top
ic where there can be little difference of
opinion. George Washington, withont tlie
genius of Julius Cresar or Napoleon Bona
parte, has a far purer fame, as his ambition
was of a higher and holier nature. Instead
of seeking to raise his own name or seize
supreme power, he devoted his whole tal
ents, military and civil, to the establish
ment of the independence and perpetuity
of the liberties of bis own country. In mod
ern history no man has done such great
things withont the soil of selfishness or the
stain of a grovelling ambition. Caesar,
Cromwell, Napoleon, attained a higher ele
vation ; but the love of dominion was the
spur that drove them on. John Hampden,
William Russell, Algernon Sydney may
have had motives aa-puro and an ambi
tion as unstained - hit they fell. To
George Washington, nearly alone in mod
ern times, ham it been given to accomplish
a wonderful rdvolarioa, and yet to remain
to all fiatnie time theme of a people’s grat
itude and an example of virtuous end ben
eficent of power-’*