Pittston Gazette and Susquehanna Anthracite Journal

              * u PITTSTON «0fei GAZETTE, ' *Hwr.' * * irar JE*-*- s %$$ v: v  AND SUSQUEH acite journal. % Itfetkltj JietD0}inptr- (JDeonfrh ta Jtafi. literator*, |5olitira, tjre fficrrnntilf, Alining, ffitrjjaniral, anil %iralutal Stttmsts nf tyt Conntrq, StaBtrnrtiim, flnmsmttit, 8r. )-Cnto Dolta |ir Stimtm. PITTSTON, PA., FRIDAY, MAY 6, Vm. VOLUME 3.--NUMBER 38. WHOLE NUMBER 142* THE PITTSTON GAZETTE, ♦ II is of Inestimable value to roe sir— indeed it is the only thing valuable! have,' answered the girl, and her cheeks slightly (lushed at the rude manner of his reply. not have let it gone Tor so small a sum, or else osked for near its value, 1 suspect she was ignorant of the cavity, which 1 detected by accident. Sho ; probably has stolen it, and will never ootnc lor it. Ah, ah, Abraham Brochard, thou hast made a good morning's work of it,' he said exultinclv to himself. ' Oh, it is my olasp-'-it is my clasp !' she cried, springing forward. ' Yes—it is the same,' answered Colonel McHenry. 1 And did you eVet1 see it before, sir ? demanded the justice sternly holding it in the direction of the goldsmith, who had seen it at first, and was appalled with fear (tnd consternation. Instead of replying, he uttered a wjld, hysterical laugh and fell his length upon the floor in convulsions.betwixt grating teeth, and it could hov„ bu, one answer. Farmer Mainland's Visit to Church. Plainland will be even with Ihem yet. He has got some idea into his head, 1 know, by that smile of his. lie never smiles like that exccpt when he is mad, and then look out for fun or thunder, that's all 1 can say." and # llniqitehiinii Autlirucitc Jonriinl Then the interest of the people deepened into a feeling too profound for clamorous speech. The field became silent as the forest at midnight. Men told in whispers what doar friends Linden and Nowtfcn had always been before ; how they had been seconds for each other in several deadly duels ; how they had fought side by side in many bloody affairs against Indians and robbers f how they had never previously bandied the least harsh word ; how they had scarcely a single vice or fault in their characters, except their fatal irascibility, and their tenacity in all matters touching the point of honor ; and finally, how tliev had ever refused, anterior to that day, to test their respective powers ill the sharp shooting match, as if conscious that peril and death lay ambushed in that ground of common pride. Such were the whispered speculations of the throng, as they gazed on the rapid .ar. rangenv-iits for the duel. 'Short space* however, was ollowed for converse of any description, Within ten minutes alter the occurrence ot the insult, the parlies had assumed their position on the field) and stood With rifles in hand, wailing for thai swift word which was to'Uuuch one, Or ft might pcrchance be both, into the depths of that dark sea, in which every human soul must swim or sink at last. BY C. MliioT WKNDALL. ' I don't know at whai you value it,' he answered with a oold laugh glancing at Colonel Mclienry, whom he thought lie saw severely observing him ; " I would not like to give you six shillings for it,' 'But, sir,' pleaded the girl unconscious of being overheard, 1 i must have seven dollars to day, and I have no other way of gelling it, and 1 was in hopes that you might let me have that sum on it; for f will certainly come back and take it ui again.' Fejr hav» forgotten the existence or a v«ry sjngu]ar laW) whJch was enforced some fifty years since. 1« was to prevent absence from ,j,e regU\ar piaces 0f public worship on the S»v,Uath. Like many other laws, it was more actively enforced in small country towns than in the city or its suburbs. The Justices in those days had scarcely Work enough to sustain the dignity of their profession, while the people, in some cases, attended more closely to their neighbors' affairs than to their own, and instead of attending closely to the sermons, were too oficn gazing about the house, in order to mark the vacant seat of some neighbor. After several addresses, the delinquent was sure to receive a summons to appear before the august Justice, and to pose through the solemn ordeal of a couutry court. PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY «. M. RICH ART 8 H. S. PHILLIPS. The next Sabbath morning most of the people remained on the steps or in the porch of the meeting house, contrary tc* their usual custom. The fact wan, they weie anxious to see if the late retribution of the law would cause the appearance of ttw long absent farmer Plainland. The fetnule portion of the outside assembly exprated their desire to see " if the family would dare t0 ],old up their heads after such a fi\«grace." But minute after minute, whhsli seemed almost like so many hours to the expectant crowd, continued to pajs away, stiH the farmer did not appear.The parties grew impatient, and began to fear that they wero destined to be disappointed. The clergyman had even arrived, and was deliberately walking up the steps with all the stiff dignity peculiar to the profession of those days, when an exclamation from the bystanders caused him to pause and look about him. " Shades of the Apostles!" what a profanation, what a view wns presented to his astonished vision. Upon the ascending road, which led to the church, Farmer Plainland was seen, with his family, in a rather novel mode of conveyance. A ponderous wagon, drawn by two pair of strong, sturdy oxen, driven by the farmer, who appeared in excellent humor, and in a blue frock, such as he wore about his farm. His wife and daughters were arrayed in their best silks and their happiest smiles. His son, a young city mer. chant, with a young man, his friend, who had arrived the day before, were also and considering the affair rare sport, had also donned short, light frocks, which but partially concealed their fashionable clothes. *UU« tfttl tidt of Main Slrrrt, irrml tlcil of tki "Long St0Tt" of Wisncr 4- tt vd. Xn» "OiirTT* t Is puMlubwl every I'1'1".', HI Two [loi.i.iKt per nnnum. Two Dollars und Hay Venn will be charged If noi paid wlthm tliejfaar. paper will bo discontinued until all arrearage* are paid. JUvkkti««*«kt» arc liwerted eontplcuounly at Oa« Uol- L4R i»«r Kiuare of fourteen line* for throe iimortloiis; mn-1 TwwTV-nvA additional for every Wh*»quent A liberal dod..«lo.. to tb«« who «av«rU» for tlx month* C»t the whole year. ..  Jos Work.—We havo con»eeti*l with our eatabllAhmrnt ■ well selootod aasortmout of Job Tvr«» which will ena bit u» lu execute, in Hie uentuil ulylo, every variety of Then looking nround among his boys, to see if he wan unobserved, lie carefully, yet willi a careless air, locked the clasp in his private drawer, and taking out the key, placed it in his pocket, lie had hardly done so, when Col4 Alclleniy re entered, and without speaking or even looking at him, cast his eyes upon the show case for the clasp, which he reoollected after going out, the young girl had laftl down, but hnd not taken up again, and no he turned back for it. Abraham Brochord was very busily engaged in Replacing the watches in their doe-skin cove/togs and preserved silence and ignorance. At length Col. Mc- Ilenry spoke— ile was, a few weeks afterwards, taken from prison, tried and condemned for perjury ; but instead of the gallows he is now raving in the mad house. Thus was avariclf and parsimony, and indifference to the sufferings of others punished in this life; the acis df this selfish man showing to all how that acquisitiveness wrongly directed ts fatal to its possessor. Whether Col. McIIenry was a bachclor ond married his young friend ol the clasp, or whethef he did better and adopted her, is not known to the writer, olhorwise it would eflbrd him gratification to communicate either of the pleading facts to the reader.Intlng. * 1 tell you,' answered Brocliard angrily, ' i keep no pawnbroker's shop. Go to ihe Jews.' POETRY. ' They won't give me but two dollar*, sir, and I want seven.' NOTHING 13 LOST. 'And so you think to [get it out of me V tl JOHN CUTCBtri Tlte young girl was about to speak again, but as if not knowmg*vhat further argument to urge, hesitated, and was turning slowly nway, when she checked herself, and again spoke to him. ' Sir,' she said in a low thrilling voice of earnest entreaty, ' my mother is lying very ill, and our rent is due at twelve o'. clock to-day, and the person we sew for having disappointed us in our pay, I have no resource but this. Oh, sir, will you take the clasp only for a few days, and then 1 will repay you.' Nothing is lost; the drop of Jew Which trembles on the leaf or flower Is but exhaled, to breathe anew In summer's thunder shower; Perchance to shine within the bow That fronts the sun nt full ol day ; J'trchancc to sparkle in the flow Ot fountains fur uwuy. ' That young person laid her closp on tho case, sir, which 1 neglected to take up. It were a pity she valued it so highly, it should be lost.' In ih« lowfi ol li , b few miles West of Worcester, dwelt a worthy furmct- and his happy family. He was the possessor of what in those days was considered 8 large fortune, viz: about ten thousand dollars, carefully invested in sate mortgages, besides more than one hundred acres of available land. ' The clasp, oh, I hare not seen it sir.— She took it up again.' ' Did you see her V ' Yes, oh, yC« ! 1 had my eye* on her, and said at same time that you'd never see your ten dollars or the clasp ras mm mm®. A TRUE STOHY OF LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. He had one grievous fault, for so his neighbors considered it, which was, that his attendance at church was by no means frequent. His hou»e was more than five miles distant from the meeting-house, and Nought lost, for even the tiniest seed By wild birds borne, or breezes blown, Finds something suited to its need Wherein 'tin sown and grown ; # Peit'hance And* sustenance and soil; In some remote and desert place, Or 'mid the crowded homes of Toil Sheds usefulness and grace. Jack Newton and Tom Newton were neighbors and devoted friend* in a beautiful little settlement, called Mulberry Valley. They had hunted and fought the Indians together, and yet each was madly jealous oI his reputation as a marksman. One day there bad been some target Tiring among the young men of the neighborhood, and both Linden and Newton happened to be near the ground. It was then that a a dispute arose among the party as to which of these two noted "dead shots," as they were termed, was the most expert as a marksman. The dispute waxing warm, one fellow, a wicked one of the neighborhood, offered to bet one hundred dollars on Linden. again.' The two mortal antagonists presented a striking contrast. Newton was tall and massive as a tower. His large comely features Were partially concealed by thick clusters of raven hair, but his dark eye shone nut like lightning so fearless and so full of indomitable will. The gentleman eyed him steadily an inslant, and then glanced around the show case, again, as if in search of it. he left the shop. lir, llrocliarc] felt that Col. McHenry's •yes were upon tiiin, waiting an answer, ind he wished him to think him a man of lusiness (which means io his notion a man without a heart,) he answered promptly and sternly, 'No! do you think we are simpletons hern, to throw away money in this place ? If you have nothing more to say, please to stand aside tor other customer*. Well, Colonel, what do you think of those watches? latest importation—full jewelled, and warranted in all points. 1 will sell you the one you just laid down for one hundred and ninety-five dollars.' he had imbibed the singular notion that the Sabbath wus intended for a day of rest, for both man and beast; consequently, he would uot allow his horses, who had faithfully performed their labors during the week, to be disturbed or used ; hence, the family were obliged to walk, if they went at all, which was not often the case. Several days had elapsed, and Col. Mc. Henry had quite forgotten the circumstance just narrated, whVn as he was passing down Arch St.-he felt his sleeve The little drift of common dust, By the March winds clisturlied and los»cd, Though scattered by the fitful gust, Is changed hut never lost j It yet m.-ty hear some "sturdy stem, .Some proud oak battling with tho blast, Or crown with verdurous diadem Some ruin of the past. Linden, on the Contrary) was of small fiame, slight and symmetrical as a woman, and his mild bearing And soft blue eyes gave no ovidenceof that wondl-ous courage which had already made him celeb-ated from Wisconsin to Texas { only his mouth had lips stern and motionless as if sculptured out of marble. slightly pulled by somd one he heard running behind Itirn, and looking round, he beheld, with a cheek glowing from the pursuit, the young girl ho had seen in Ihe goldsmith's. Now the farmer was by no means a skeptic upon the points of religion. On the contrary, his family were assembled upon each Sabbath morning, in their snug parlor, while he read to them portions of the Scriptures, and afterwards a sermon from the published writings of some popular clergyman. But the envy which the prosperous always experience raised up enemies against him. Nor was he much surprised one Monday morning, to receive a visit from a cansequenlial sheriff, with a summons to appear immediately before the Hon. Justice Bylaw, and the honorable court then and there assembled, at the grocery shop of 'Squire Bylaw. ' Oh. sir, I am so happy to have found you !' she said, at once addressing him, as he slopped, and with pleasure listened to her. ' 1 was at length enabled to get my pay, and by other work have earned enough to repay the ten dollars you so kindly gave me. You don't know the good you did, sir—the relieved—the evil your timely ilid averted. Here is the money. sir.' When near the steps of the church, the party were about leaving their rural cat1 * promiscuously, which Mr. Flainland would not allow. He was determined to have everything done decently and in order.— Hence, after sundry conversations, inter, spersed with gentle hints of his whip to his oxen, in a language which they readily understood, although perfectly unintelligible to us, the vehicle was duly backed up to the steps, upon which its valuable freight immediately landed. In those dsys it was also the custom to carry a collation to church, where they re* mained until after the afternoon service.—' The farmer, who was fond of good living, came amply prepared in this respect. The wogon was drawn beneath the spreading branches of several large oak trees, and a table formed ot boards was spread, which was covered by a neat white cloth, and a quantity of viands, sufficient for a moderate pic-nic party. The young men had procured green boughs, wtth which they ornamented the rough vehicle, while the fair girls made beautiful wreaths of oak leaves for the young men and themselves. Several of their neighbors were invited to join them, who eagerly accepted, "hnd the lime passed most pleasantly. The sermons of that day were entirely lost upon the congregation, who were too busy gafcing at the prominent pew of Far. mer Plainland and its singular inmates, to heed anything else. His triumph was complete, while his enemies were completely nonplussed and out-generaled. TJie furnnce quenched, the flame put out, Still cling to earth or soar in air, Transformed, diffused, and blown about, To burn aguin elsewhere ; ilnply, to make the beacon blaze, Which gleams athwart the briny waste, Or light the social lamp, whose rays Illume the home of taste. Ifcth their faccs were in the present instance as red as (lames—and well might ihey be so ; for the blood in every throbbing artery and vein was as hot as molten brass. The however, was not heeding him, but watching the young girl, whom he saw leaving the counter, and with a heavy, drooping step approach tho door. Her face had struck him for its sweet, intelligent loveliness, and her modesty hud for him an irrrsistable charm ; but her plea of poverty, and her eloquent appeal to the tradesman, deeply interested his feelings, and enlisted his sympathies in her behalf. He had silently observed llic progress of her interview with him, with emotions of contempt lor one and pity for I he other. "I'll stand you!" "And I!" ''And I!" exclaimed half a dozen voices, while an equal or perchance a greater number proffered stakes on the opposite side. The excitement spread, deepened, became a sort of madness. Nothing short of a trial of skill on iho part of the two mighty hunters could appease the crowd. Hut there were near that crowd two persons who became pale with fright at these demonstrations. Diana, the beautiful daughter of Jack Linden, separated from the throng ol spectators, flew with (he lightness of a bird to the side of her father, and whispered something in his ear that drove the bright blood from his cheeks, and caured him in8tautly, yet with many signs of profound reluctance, to forego the contest. Various opinions were formed at the time as to the probable victor. This difference, however, was known to exist in reference to their faculties for destruction, in the abstract. Linden was the quickest —but Newioa was the surest. Hence, it might be inferred hypothetical!}', that Lin. den would be certain to fall unless lie killed New'on before the latter should get time to pull trigger—an event by no means unlikely. The touching tones of minstrel art, The breathings of the mournful flute, Which we have heard with listening heart, .drc not cilinct when inute ; The language of some household song, The perfume of gome cherished (lower, Though gone from outward sense, belong To memory's after hour. ' Nay, my good girl, t do not want it.— I made you a present of it at the time, and did not expect you to return It. 1 am glad however, to find that you have the disposition to do so, and that I was not deceived in my estimation of you.' ' You must lake it, sir,' site said with ingenuous earnestness. ' 1 should be distressed to be longer under pecuniary obligations to an entire stranger. Besides, sir, 1 would like my clasp, if you please.' ' Did you not take it from the case where you laid it down T' he asked with surprise and justly directed suspicion.' ' No, sir—indeed, sir, 1 hope it is"nol lost, It is of countless value to me. It was given to me by—bv-—' ' By a sweet heart V he uddril, smiling. ' He is now—dead, sir,' jhe answered with overflowing eyes. C You do well to value it. I did not take it up. Are you sure you left it thore •' l'armer Plainland made no remonstrance, and after placing a well filled money pouch in his pocket, proceeded with the slierifF to the place where the honorable court had gravely assembled. Iler hand was upon the knob of the door, when advancing towards her— ' You ask for seven dollar.*, I believe J1 he said, with a general interest in his tone that at once awakened hope in her heart, and brought the light to her eyes and huo to her cheek, as she diffidently an-' s we red— But where were the lovers—ihnt son of Newton, and that daughter of Linden—the betrothed, who were to bo wended on the morrow—during this awful crisis T They hod turned their backs on the awful spectacle. Their hands were locked in a strong convulsive grasp. The maiden's droop in" head leant on the youth's shoulder. They spoke not; they did not seem to have the power to articulate even a whisper. Their cheeks were white as snow cloud.* ; their lips rigid as ice. Still the two duellists confronted their fate, looking lor the most part fixedly into each other's eyes. Once, and but once, as if urged by a simultaneous impulse, they both glanced around at the river, the wood*, the mountain, the blue sky, the great sun going down in the radiant west, painting earth and heaven with colors of crimson ontl gold. with our word*, or harsh, or kind, Vttered they lire not all forgot, Tkey l«a»e the influence on the uiiod, Pass on, but perish not; As they are spoken, so they fall Upon the spirit spoken to, * ■Seorrh it like drops of burning gail Or Boothe like honey-dew. The reader may question the propriety or using the word sheriff in this instance, but 1 would reply that in those days every constable either dubbed himself with the title which lie considered honorable, or was so called by his conciliatory towns- Ho was appealed to in vain, until the wicked one finally taunted him with cow. ardice as a reason for his refusal. This roused the hot blood of the hunter, and he declared his willingness to make ilia trial. • Yes, sir, I would not have been so bold and urgent, but—' A country court of the olden time 'was ■ curiosity which has not been preserved for us of the younger generation. It is only to be found occasionally in the wild# of the West, and even there in a modernized, improved stole. In the present instance, a number ot farmers were assembled, both witnesses and mischievous boys, who performed sleight of hand operations wi'.h the raisins, figs, and lumps of sugar in their vicinity. Hi* honor was sealed upon the head of a huge molasses cask, being the most elevated place he could oblainrwhile between his pendant keg was a small painted keg, re8tiiig upon the cask, which served '.he purpose of a writing desk, and bore on its rounded front not precisely the emblem of Justice, but the portentious word, Gill. The defendant was allowed to seat himself upon a vinegar barrel, directly oppo. site, while the spectators and witnesses ranged themselves upon ihe counters, boxes, bag*, 8c., which occupied the room.— Thus the court opei)cd. Although the case was one of the plain, est character, still many witnesses were summoned, all of whom were anxious to distinguish thrmselves 5 but they were destined to bo disappointed ; for when the Justice asked tho momentous question of "Cuilty or not guilty," Farmer Plainland answered : "Decidedly guilty." This plain avowal astonished the worthy Justice, and somewhat disconcerted him, for he did not much like the idea of having the cose decided so quickly ; it robbed him of hi* importance ; in short, it be. came a farce without a plot. He therefore coughed several times, and cleansing his throat, said— ' Air. Plainland, the important occasion upon which we have met is justice. Pain. . ful a8 the effort may be, ft becomes my painful duty to see the laws carried clean through as reg'lar as sealed balances. You are brought here as oflender, and if 1 found guilty, must suffer the penalty of the | law 5 but jest let me tsll you, no man is i obleeged to criminate himself. Nor is any man accountable for what he may say in C law, unless he be a witness ; and then, of course, it's a case of perjury if he don't i tell the .truth, the hull truth, and nothin' i but the truth. Now 1 shall ask the ques- | tion ag'in, and remember, 1 don't want i you to criminate yourself." I Notwithstanding this eloqent speech, I which electrified the audience, the farmer firmly adhered to his former assertion, I which left no other course for the disappointed Justice than to pronounce sentence I at one, which was one dollar and costs ; i which he immediately paid and departed. 1 But as he left the store, the people noticed i a meaning smile which played Upon hif seatures. men. So with ounlfciln, for good or ill, Tliey hiiTc their powers source understood, Then let us our fetter will ' None too much so. Tlierc is n ten dollar note—] have no smaller bills,' anil he placed it in her hand. ' Sir you are too kind'-— ' Not a word. 1 am happy to do you a service.' Poor Diana trembled at this determination on the partoflier father. She feared a quarrel would be the result. She was the betrothed of young Ilarry Newton, ar.d any difficulty between the two hunters would be iatul to their near approach- To make them rife wilh good ; Like circles on a Ink# they go, Ring within ring, and never stay | O, that our deeds were fashioned so ' Tukc this clasp sir ; though 1 am ashamed to offer it to you, since the gentleman says it it so worthless. Hut to rue it'ifi as valuable as life, and 1 foolishly thought it might be so to others.' ing union. "Lei's have the match ! the sport! the sport! Hurra for the dead shots yelled the crowd, who began to arrange their bets anew, as they beheld the adepts station themselves at the proper distance frgm the target. And again that great hearted girl flew to her father on of mercy ; but this time she returned ill tears. Linden was intoxicated) and repulsed her with brutal words. Thut they might bless nlwny ! • Yes, sir : hoping you would take it and keep it till I puid you.' ' Well my child I have ftot got it ; but t believe the'goldsmith has. Let us go to" him/ liui work beyond our poor control, Say, shall that suppliant for the sky, Then since the lesser things ne'r die, The greater human soul 1 Ah, no ! it still will spurn the past, ' I do not want it child,' answered Col. McIIenry feelingly, pulling the hund aside which urged it upon him. After services were ended, some of the eiders of the church and their pastor signified to him that he might remain at home as often as he pleased, and he would never again be subjected to a fine. They added that, his sentiments being of so peculiar a nature, perhaps, on the whole, it would be better for him to do as he hitherto had defne. And sc.irch tho future for its re at— Oh, joy ! if it be found at last On their arrival, Mr. Rrochard denied having seen it since she went out, and tlmt he saw her loke it wilh her and place it in her bosom as she left the shop. "Gentlemen, are you ready 1" The last question, ringing loud as a knell on the still air of evening, recalled them. And then followed the words-— 1 Indeed, sir, you must take it, for I shall feel in some degree less under obligations to a stranger, Resides, i wish to call and redeem it. Will you give me your address sir V and as she spoke, he still declining the jewel, she laid it on the show case. Among the pure and blest I THE GOLDEN CLASP. 4 Cone wilh me: I will find (he clasp •or you,' said Col. McHenry, offering her his arm, and leaving the goldsmith's with her. "Fire! One—two—three!" Newton fired first, and buried his ball in the Linden instantly followed, and his bullet covered the other. "All's ready !" proclaimed the judges, The closing sounds of the formula were unnecessary ; for at the word fire, Linden took aim and drew his trigger so quickly that the movement of his hand and the roar of his rifle seemed as one; and without firing, Newton fell like a hailstone dashed down to earth by the storm. A modest looking and exceedingly pretty young girl, plainly attired, entered one of the goldsmith's stores C0 street, and seeing that a gentleman was engaged with the proprietor, she timidly shrank aside near the door until he should be at leisure. The assistants were occupied with customers whose appearance showed them to belong to the class of the rioh, and so she was suffered for some time to remain standing there, before she could be attended to. The gentleman, who was a fine noble look, ing person, with a remarkably polished address, seeing her wailing, courteously stood aside, and said to the goldsmith— • I do hope I shall find it sir,' she said as she walked ; • it was Rupert's last dying gift. It was given him in Cuba by a rich lady whose life lie hail savtd by rescuing her from tho water, llo was a sailor, sir, and had but little to leavejpe but his mem€y and his poor clasp. Oh, sir, if it is it I shall never lorgive myself for offering lo pledge if. But, sir our extremity was very great.' " Or, in other words," said the farmer, smiling, as he took leave of them, " 1 can now be allowed to worship my Creator according to the dictates of my own consciencc.—-Dodge's Literary Museum. ' Oh, no matter—but it you insist—the United Stales Holel.' They increased the distance to eighty yards—but, after three rounds, the result was the same as before. It seemed impossible to decida the issue of pre-eminence.• Thank you, sir, ynu never can know the blessings lo other* that will follow your kindness to me to day.' Thus speaking, and looking upon him with an expression of gratitude in her tearful eyes, she left the shop, forgetting the golden clasp, which she had left upon tlie show case. » At the sharp explosion, the lovers turned round involuntarily. The maiden uttered a cry so wild, so piercing, so full of hopeless anguish, that it haunted the dreams of those who heard it for long years afterwards, nor will one of them ever forget it while a single tendril of memory remains green over the withered waste of departed rime. But Harry Newton flew'to the side of his father in vain. The fatal bullet had gone right thiou»h his heart, and the warm blood was gurgling out, purpling the emerald grass, and spoiling all the gold of the flowers, there where he lay, on nature's cold bed—a corpse. The son stared into the eyes of his father's murderer, and at he stared, his own face grew black as the faoe of a demon. 1'hen he mounted his horse *nd galloped away, and was heard of no more for two and forty months. At the end of that period, which he had spent in practising with rifle and pistol, he came back to Mulberry Valley, an* challenged Jaek JLinden. They met oh the same field that had witnessed the other combat ; and both died at the word 'fire !' —each received a bit of lead in his brain. The Lightning.—A Few Hints —It may be well to encourage timid people who are religiously or constitutionally alarmed at lightning, to state the doctrtne of chances. As a general thing, the light, ning does not strike within the space ot a square mile, more than once a year. If the person is a rod distant, he is seldom if ever-killed. Now there are 70,400Jsquare mite, and if the lightning struck rod after rod, it would take 190 years to go over it; but it smiles here and there, and that i: will smite any special rod, there is not than one chance to a hundred billion. ••i "Let us have a hundredyords!" Linden demanded, and his tone resembled the blast of a war trumpet. "Gogdl" responded Newton, and his black eyes sparkled strangely. There !—quick !—it was done like a thought. They tried the target again ; but this time, however, the centre was unbroken. Lfuden's ball out by the tenth of an inch to the right, and Newton's as far to the left. • Will you look at one of thnso watches now Col. McIIenry V superciliously asked the goldsmith, without lilting his condemned eyes. Col. McHenry stopped with her at a Justice's" office, «nd briefly and clearly made his complaint, apd in a very few minutes Mr. Abraham Brochard was brought by an officer into the presence ot the ma. gistrate. He appeared to be in-great tiep. idation, and was palo as ashes ; for he had been suddenly taken without warning from behind his counter, leaving his shop ill charge of his astonished assistants. Col. McHenry and the ladybping sworn, deposed that they both had last seen the c?a8p on the tjhow caw, when each went out and left it; the former further deposed that he had not gone three steps Irom the door be. fore he returned and found It missing* and no one in the vicinity but the defendant. .. .» 1 Do not occupy yourself with me, Mr. Brochard, I can examine these watches by ojysclf, while you see what this young person wants, who has been waiting so Jong and patiently to get an opportunity of addressing you.' And thus speaking, the gentleman stood nside the show case, on which he had been leaning, to give the iho young girl, an Opportunity of advancing. ' What do you wish Miss?' asked the goldsmith with a look which conveyed a reproof to her for interrupting him while engaged (fith a customer of more value to him. ' No, sir,' answered the gentleman sternly, and taking up his gloves and cane (coin the counter, he left the shop of the avaricious and unfeeling goldsmith, Who too olose to risk a trifle to relieve the wants of a poor family, probably lost a large amount by the purchase his wealthy customer might have made, as well as his own self respect, such as it was ! for avarice alweys sinks into its shell before the broad sun of bcnfcvolence. ' Now there goes a man who throws away'his money upon vagrants, and thinks me beneath him, because 1 keep mine to support Yny family,' said the goldsmith looking after him. 1 He thinks me a miser, and 1 find him ft fool. Oh here is that clasp after all { She left it for him on the show case, and he was too proud to take it ft way if he saw it. Seven dollars ! It is not worth more than five.' "By heavens, mine is the nearest I" exclaimed Linden, forgetting, in the excitement of the moment, both friendship and courtesy, and scowling fiercely at his competitor. "No, mine is the nearest!" answered Newton, kindled on his part by tho other's overbearing manner. "Do you dispute my word ?" asked Lin- Jen, with a look tlmt in itself conveyed the deadliest insult. Again, other things being equal, th» chance diminishes as it regards a low object, as the difference between the square of its height, and that of a lower ; so that with a person six feet, and a tree sixty feet, there is but one chance out of 2,564 of the person's being struck. If he will go close to a tree, or in a house without a rod, his danger is proportionately increased. The goldsmith was then called up to bis sworn as to his knowledge of the facts.— He approached the stand where the mogis. trate held the Bible, and laid his hands up. on it with a perceptible tremor of his whole frame ; but the love of money was stronger than the fear of law, and he look the oath. It appeared as if he would liava sunk through the floor, when he did it, but tho moment it was done he recovered his audacity. At litis moment an officer who, at the suggestion of Col. McHenry, had been privately despatched with a search warrant to the shop of the goldsmith, now entered and placed something in the magistrate's hand after whispering to him. "As you .please," replied Newton, grind, ing his teeth in the vain attempt to control the rising tempest of his rage. "You lie!" Again, objects non-conductors when, dry, become good conductors when wet.—. A dry silk umbrella, if not tipped with metallic substance, will ward off the lightning ; but if wet, not. Get lightning rods for your houses and see to it that the fastenings be much smaller than the rods—- that the rods enter the earth, and fear not the " red artillery." The girl hesitatingly approached the counter, and taking from her bosom a small gold clasp, bent over to him, and said, in a trembling voice— ' I wish, sir, you would be so kind as to .keep this lor a few days, and let me have seven dollars for it.' "Aiid you 1" The lovers—'the brave con and the beautiful daughter—heard it ull, and looked through each other's eyes deep down into either sou], reading litere alone the black blank of ineffable despair. Tho champions themselves were now frightfully calm. They indicated their seconds, and arranged the preliminaries of the mortal combat with the utmost despatch. No one even thought of interposing to attempt a compromise. The unpardonable word had passed—the word that no western duellist ever forgave. The foul monosyllable "lit" had been hissed iwtwutt grating teeth, and it could have but Thus ends our true story of the "Dead Shots of Arkansas." They died •• swsh men oommonly end their tempestous lives —for dead shots seldom breathe their last in their beds. Blood for blood is one of the stern natural laws of the social universe, as old as Man, and enduring as.the World. Me opened it as he spoke, and taking up « sharp instrument, tried the fineness of the gold Low as'she spoke, her soft, tremulous tones reaohed the ear of Col. McHenry, the gentleman who was present, and he tiirned to observe hor face, and hear the reply of the 'goldsmith to this timid and painfully uttered request. The goldsmith topk the clasp scornfully between his fint-eri, and then threw it down, said sharply to her— ' It is good Mexican gold. It might liove :ost twenty dollars. Ah, what a star of liamonds within it!' As in working about t with the point of tho steel, he discover. ,-d a cavily, 'Twelve large diamonds of .lie purest water. This is indeed valuaabtc. They are worth at least five hundred dollars. VVhata fortunate disoovery! The girl knew the vnlue to ask so much ? no, no, she could not either, for ilio would It is well for pcraoas who an naturally, timid to get electrified a number of times. It renders tlieni less electric, and  leas ill danger. Finally, a depth by lightning is the easiest of all dea'hs. An electric shock enters, we are ipstaptly filled, and life is gone without a pang, " Alt! but the heroaflcr 1" Well, live right here, and it will be all right with you there—if it muit bo so. A young man of our acquaintance caught, on Monday last, eighty mackerel in an hour. He resided over a store, and threw his hook out of a three story window. Whether this had anything to do with his good fortune the next grand jury will probably decide* ' Did you ever sec this gold ornnmem before V asked the magistrate, holding up the clasp before the young gtrl. ' This is no pawnbroker's shop, girl; and if it was, that thing is not worth more than two dollars,' D' Depend upon it," said one, "Farmer