.k"
’ hm...» .
‘ A. H. BYINGTON 8t 00.,
AT TWO OLLARS PER ANNUM, IN ADVr f C
AZETTE.
.1
-m:
g gamilg amount, gainful in final ”guns and gamma, drawn! Quantum“. fluorine, guise, gamut”, arthritic, «tun-Qirmltlirlua in 1800.
NUMBEl 737--NEW SERIES,
.._,..n_4..__
N ORWA LK, CONN ., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18,
1862.
VOLUME XLV--NUMB ER 7
4
_-_A_.. . .; Vt...
.. L M... _ “£-
NORWLK GAZETTE.
OFFICE If GAZETTE BUILDING.
A. HIYINGTON 8430..
A. H. Brixc'rv, J. B. ELLs, G. N. ELLS.
SIscriptior. Rates.
All Subscribers! Carrier, Mail, Post Riders and
Wagoners. po’cur $2 00
Those living 0101‘ any Carrier’s District, if
paid one yeml advance,
'flubs of six onerc sent to one address, to be
paid in adva'e,
Single copies £1105.
150
.dvertising Rates.
One Square7 re insertion,
“ twinsertions,
s'l.‘
“ the insertions,
“ oumonth,
“ tumonths,
“ the mouths,
“ simonths,
“ onyear—witl. paper
'l‘wo S uares,~neyear—wit 11 paper,
Each a ditioul E'quare, per year,
One half coluin one year,
One Column, (0 year, .
Fifteen lines, g 100 ifordsnnake a square. Fraction-
al arts of aqunre charged for as a whole.
Year y adverters have the privilege of changing
their adverlcmeuts once per month. Advertise-
ments chantd otteucr charged as transient.
Yearly amusements payable 1st of January & July.
Yearly adversers restricted to the business contem-
plated at 0 time of contract.
(Yards, Reactions, Funeral and all other Special NOv
(ices, 25 1)- cent. additional on the above.
W’l‘hcscn’ms will be intlexibly adhered to. “a
Lib—l
(Loud-Euwwv-n-t
c as quire
gcgccgmcac
A
OIC
C
98
Busrnss nintcronv.
' moan. ran onité'f‘ ‘
West 7.3 A. M.—2.30 P. M.
East 8.3(A. M.—5.00 P. M.
Danburufis N orwalk Railroad 8.50 A. M
WestonIledding and Bedding Ridge, I ucs.
(lays, ’hursdays and Saturdays, at 12 M.
MAILS _ DUE.
West 9.0 A. M.-—-6.00 P.-M.
East 8.9 A. Ill—3.30 P. M.
Danbur db N orwalk Railroad 8.00 A. M.
POST OFFICE HOURS.
From ’30 A. M. to 8.00 P. M.
CHARLES OLMSTEAD, P. M.
S'IEDHEN RAYMOND,
, Collector. '
(dice at the Store of S. 8.7 L. Curtis,
Norwalk, Conn.
IOOFING SLATE,
I‘rom Vermont,
VERY CHEAP,
AxSouth Norwalk by
H. E. WING.
THE: ALLIS HOUSE,
(formerly Union House,)
ngosite N. Y. (is N. H. Depot, in Union-st,
New Haven, Conn.
L. P. ALLIS, Pnornrn'ron.
N. A. MOSMAN, M. D.,
Iomeopathic Physician Gt Surgeon.
Cffice over 0. T. Cornwall’s Store, first buil-
ding eust of Norwalk Hotel,
NORWALK, CONN.
References .'
lrof. J. Beaklcy,‘ Dean of the Faculty,
l’rof. S. R. Kirby, Homeopathic Medical 001-
‘ lege, New York city, or
i. IV. Swnzey. M. D., Springfield, Mass. 21
JAMES e. 311336113,
SURGICAL AND MECHANICAL
D E N T I S '1',
Office at Residence, East Avenue, Norwalk,
Connecticut.
Architecture.
SIDNEY M. STONE,
ARCHITECT, -
Will furnish Plans, Specifications, Detail
Drawings, and superintend the erection of
public and private buildings. Office in Mar-
ble Block, Chapel—st, New Haven, Ct. tf52
I E0. F. BELDEN, Norwulk, Conn.,Mau—
ufacturer of Tin, Copper, and Sheet
Iron Ware; and dealer in Stoves, Ranges,
Furnaces, Cutlery, Brittannia, \Vooden and
Willow \Vare, Crockery; and a. full assort—
ment of House Keeping articles generally.
V E. 'BISSELL, Auctioneer, will give
0 particular attention to sales by Auc-
tion, of Real Estate, Personal Property and
Household Furniture : terms low.
VVNL‘LIyPBIflyr &LCO”
Importers; wholesale and retail dealers in
HARDWARE, IRON,
Steel Cutlery, Guns, Agricultural Imple-
meats, Oils, Paints, Window Glass, &c.
O. S. EOGRWOOD,
Fashionable Draper 81 Tailor,
and
GENTLEMEN’S FURNISHING
EMF OB IUM I
N o. 3 Skiddy’s Block, Main-st, Norwalk, Ct.
S. E. OEMSTEAD 0.00.,
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
Groceries. Flour, Feed, &c.,
14 and 16 Main-st, Norwalk, Conn.
ETNA INSURANCE COMPANY,
Of Hartford.
Incorporated in 1819, Charter Perpetual.
Cash Capital $1,000,000
Insure against loss and damage by Fire,
on 'I‘erma adapted to the buzurd,hud
consistent with the laws of
compensation.
GEORGE R. COWLES, Sole Agent
1y3 For Norwalk and vicinity.
New Meat Market.
THE Subscriber would respectfully inform
the public that he has ‘
REMO VED HIS STAND
to Curtis’ Building, Main Street, and
tends keeping constantly on hand the choi-
cest of Beef, Pork, Mutton, Poultry, &c., &c.
Having had long experience in the business
he is confident of his ability to please. A
share of the public patrons-re is respectfully
solicited. JAths BYXBEE.
Norwalk, Nov 5th, 1861. tf5
ROOFING.
VI‘HE subscriber is prepared to furnish par-
, ties, building, with VVarren’s superior
F1171}! 4ND CEMENT ROOFING.
This article of Roofing is in use upon the
Norwalk Lock Company’s Building, and at
Lounsbury, Bissell & Co‘s, where it gives en-
tire satisfaction, and is believrd to be the
cheapest as well as the best to ing in use.—
All, orders will receive prompt ttention.
0.1‘ LOOMIS.
Skates ! Skates!
BEAUTIFUL article of AMERICAN
SKATES, with or without straps, new
tterus, including fine and low priced LI-
-To give him aid.
THE POOR.
BY VICTOR HUGO.
“ ’Tis night: within the close-shut cabin door.
The room is wrapped in gloom,save where there fall
Some twilight rays that creep along the floor,
And show the flsher's nets upon the wall.
In the dim corner, from the oaken chest
A few white dishes glimmer; through the shade
Stands :1 tall bed with dusky curtains dressed,
And a rough mattress at its side is laid.
Five children on that long low mattress lie-—
A nest of little souls, it heaves with dreams ;
In the high chimney the lust embers die,
And reddeu the dark roof with crimson gleums.
The mother kneels and thinks, and pale with fear,
She prays alone, hearing the billows shout;
While to wild Winds, to rocks, to midnight drear,
The ominous old ocean Iobs without.
Poor wives of fishers! Ah! ’tis sad to say,
Our sons, our husbands, all that we love best.
Our hearts, our souls, are on those waves away,
Those raven'ing wolves that know nor ruth than rest
Think how they sport with those beloved forms ;
And how the clarion-blowing wind untios
Above their heads the tresscs of the storms ;
l’erchnnce even now the child, the husband dies.
For we can never tell where they may be,
Who, to make head against the tide and gale,
Between them and the Itarless, soundleII Ieu
IIave but one bit of plank, with one poor sail.
Terrible fear! We seek the pebbly shore,
Cry to the rising billows ; “Bring them home.”
Alas 1 what answer gives their troubled roar
To the dark thought that haunts us as we roam.
Janet is sad: her husband is alone,
Wrapped in the black shroud of this bitter night:
His children are so little. there is none
‘Were they but old they might.’
Ah! mother, when they too are on the main,
How will: thou weep: ‘Would they were young
again.’
She takes her lantern—’tis his hour at last;
She will go forth, and secif the day breaks,
And if his signal-fire be at the mast;
Ah! no, not yet—no breath of morning wakes.
No line of light o’er the dark waters lies;
It rains, it rains, how black is rain at morn :
The day comes trembling,und the young dawn cries.
Cries like a baby fearing to be born.
Sudden her human eyes that peer and watch
Through the deep shade, I moldering dwelling find,
No light within—the thin door shakeI—the thatch
O’er the green walls is twisted of the wind.
Yellow and dirty, as a swollen rill.
‘Ah me!‘ she saith, ‘Here doth that widow dwell ;
Few days ago my good man left her ill ;
I willgo in and see if all be well.’
She strikes the door, she listens, none replies,
And Janet shudders. ‘Husbandless, alone,
And with two children—they have scant supplies.
Good neighbor! She sleeps heavy as a Itone.’
She calls again, she knocks, ’tis silence still;
No sound, no answer—suddenly the door,
As if the senseless creature felt some thrill
0f pity, turned and open lay before.
She entered, and her lantern lighted all
The house so silent; by the rude waves’ din,
Through the thin roof the plashing rain-drops fall.
But something terrible is couched within.
Half-clothed, dark-featured, motionless lay she,
The once strong mother, now devoid of life;
Dishevcled specter of dead misery,
All that the poor leaves after his long strife.
The cold and livid arm, already stifl‘,
Hung o’er the soaked straw of her wretched bed.
The mouth lay open horribly, as if .
The parting soul with a great cry had fled.
That cry of death that startles the dim ear
0f vast eternity. And all the while,
Two little children in one cradle near,
Slept face to face, on each sweet face a smile.
The dying mother o’er them, as they lay,
11nd cast her gown, and wrapped her mautle‘s fold;
Feeling chill death creep up, she willed that they V
Should yet be warm while she was lying cold.
Rocked by their own weight,sweetly sleep the twain
With even breath, and foreheads calm and clear ;
So sound that the last trump might call in vain ;
For being innocent, they have no fear.
Still howls the wind, and even). drop slides
Through the old rafters, where the thatch is weak,
On the dead woman’s fIce it falls, and glides
Like living tears along her hollow cheek.
And the dull wave sounds ever like a bell,
The dead lies still. and listens to the strain;
For when the radiant spirit leaves its shell,
The poor corpse Seems to call it back again. d
It seeks the soul through the air’s dim expanse:
And the pale lip saith to the sunken eye :
Where is the beauty of thy kindling glance ?
And where thy balmy breath ? It makes reply:
Alas! live. love, find primroses in spring,
Fate hath one end for festival and tear;
Bid your heart's vibrate, let your glasses ring;
But as dark ocean drinks each streamlct clear,
So, for the kisses that delight the flesh,
For mother’s Worship, and for children’s bloom,
For song, for smile, for love, so fair and fresh,
Forlaugh, for dance, there is one goal, the tomb.
And why does Janet pass so fast away?
What hath she done within that house of dread 7
What foldeth she beneath her mantle gray?
And hurries home and hides it in her bed:
With half averted face, and nervous tread,
What hath she stolen from the awful dead?
The down was whitening over the son's verge
As she sat pensive, touching broken chords
or half remorseful thought, while the hoarse surge
Howled a sad concert to her broken words.
Ah l my poor husband! we had five before,
Already so much care, so much to find,
For he must work for all. I give him more.
What was that noise? His step l Ah 1 no, the winch
That I should be afraid of him I love i
I have done ill. If he should beat me now,
I would not blame him. Did not the door move ?
Not yet, poor man! She sits with careful brow
. Wrapped in her inward grief ; nor been the roar
0! winds and waves that 6th against his prow,
Nor the black cor-morant shrieking on the shore.
Suddenly the door flies open wide, and lets
Noisily in the dawn-light scarcely clear,
And the good fisher dragging his dump nets,
Stands on the threshold with a joyous cheer.
"Tis thou,‘ she cries, and eager as clover,
Leaps up and holds her husband to her breast ;
Her greeting kisses all his veIture cover ;
‘ ‘Tis 1, good wife I’ and his broad face expressed
How gay his heart that J nnet’s love made light;
‘What weather was it ?’ ‘Hurd.’ ‘Your fishing i’
‘Bad.
The sea was like a nest of thieves to-night;
But I embrace thee, and my heart iI glad.‘
There was a devil in the wind that bleyv;
I tore my not, caughtuothiug. broke my line,
And once I thought the bark was broken too.
What did you all the night long, Janet mine?
She, trembling in the darkness, answered: ‘I?
out nought—I sewed, I watched, I was afraid,
The waves were loud as thunders from the sky ;
But it is over.’ Shyly then, she said:
‘Our neighbor died last night; it must have been
When you were gone. She left two little ones,
So Small, so frail, William and Madeline;
The one just lisps, the other Icarcely runs.‘
The man looked grave, and in the corner cast
His old for bonnet, wet with rain and sea;
Muttered awhile. and scratched his head—git but,
‘We have five children, this makes seven,‘ said he.
‘Alrcady in bad weather we must sleep
Sometimes without our supper. Now. Ah! well—
"I‘is not my fault. These accidents are deep;
It was the good God’s will. Icauuot tell.
Why did He take the mother from those scraps,
No bigger than my list ? "I‘iI hard to read:
A learned mun might understand perhaps—-
So little, they can neither work nor need.
dies’ Skates, for sale by
WM. 0. STREET at 00.
. whole countenanca
That was the mother knocking at our door,
And we must take the children home to us.
Brother and sister shall they be to ours,
And they will learn to climb my knee at even :
When He shall see these strangers in our bowers,
More fish, more food, will give the God of Heaven.
I will work harder; I will drink no wine——
Go fetch them. Wherefore dost thou linger. dear?
Not thus were wont to move thosé feet of thine.’
She drew the curtain, saying: ‘ They are here.’ "
J
_......._..<~..--.+——
From the New York Le er.
BUYING A WEDDIN -CAKE.
I
BY AMY RANDOLPH.
“ Letters, sir, from de Pos’ Office l”
“Very well, Sumbo, put ’em down and
take yourself off l”
Ihad just finished my breakfast, and
the tiny silver clwcalatzere, with the
bachelor service of transparent chine, still
stood on the damask draped round table.
It was a bright little room, with its white
and gold paper, and high-heaped grate, on
the gray light of this chill December morn-
ing when the air was thick with noiseless-
ly falling snow-flakes. And this contract
between the bitter atmosphere without,
and the tropical warmth of 'my own spec-
ial nook, gave me an additional consci-
ousness of satisfaction, as I leaned back
in my chair and proceeded to examine my
correspondence. ’
Lcc Worcester—wants to know if I
can come there to ten this evening. Of
course, I can; Lee’s wife is irperfect little
rOSebud, and one, besides, who don’t be-
lieve in coshicring all her husband’s bach-
elor friends. And then I rathei'iike that
brown eyed sister-in-law of his. Yes, I’ll
go, certainly. Halloo—here’s a letter
from my brother in Glenficldl”
I unfolded the document eagerly,scarcco
ly able, at first, to credit the tidings it
revealed.
“Well, here is a pretty state of things!
Going to be married, claims my congrat-
ulations, says that Mary (who the dick-
eus is ‘Mury?’) is in great tribulation
about the wedding-cake; affair to come‘ofi‘
on Wednesday and no cake to be had for
love or money ! Will I be the best fellow
in the world, and send down one from
D’Artier’s?”
I glanced at the date of the letter, it
had been delayed several days on the
road, and there was not a'miuute to be
lost. I rose, mechanically, and put on
my hat and clock, giving more heed'ful
gaze at the various directions about icing,
weight and decoration, which accompa-
nied Tom’s closely written epistle, before
I sallied forth into the street on my novel
errand.
It was just about one o’clock, the snow
had ceased falling, the sun shone brilliant.
ly. D’Artier’s was full, of course ; there
Were at least a dozen ladies that I knew
sitting at the tiny marble tables. I tried
to assume an air of easy impudence, as if
I had only come in for a pound of choco-
late almonds, but itwus of no use. I could
not disguise the latent sheepishness of my
aspect as I sauntcred up to the counter.
“How can I serve you, sir?” demanded
the trim damsel who presided over the
saccharine treasures.
I muttered something under my mous-
tache, feeling a bot blush snfi‘use my
Why wouldn‘t those
inquisitive women-kind attend to their: ice-
creum ? '
“Cake, sir? certainly. For a party,
sir? Pound cake, lemon, almon,—-”
“No, no,” I bowled; “I want a wed-
(ling-cake!”
“O, I beg your pardon, sir,” tittered
the atrocious shopwomnu. Was it reali-
ty, or did I Only fuucy that the titter was
echoed among the bonnels and furs be-
yond? However‘thnt might have been,
the mere apprehension was sufficient to
throw me into a cold perspiration.
The next moment, however,the counter
was heaped with various temples of glis-
tening white sugar, some wreathed with
make believe roses, some surmounted with
candy Cupids, others pure white masses
of icing. I surveyed them in a state of
hopeless bewidermeut.
“Perhaps, sir, it would be better if the
lady could come with you to select,” haz.
arded my enemy behind the counter.
I could endure this budgeting no longer
but pounced upon a gigantic pyramid of
sugar lilies, from which peeped up a tiny.
alabaster Cupid.
“I will take this; what is the price?”
“Fifteen dollars, sir!”
I laid down the money, and never ex-
perienced so delicious a sensation of relief
as at the moment when I thrust the Cu-
pid, packed in a 1'00! (1 wooden box, un-
der my arm, and rushed out of the catch.
lisbment. How gladly I delivered it
into the hands of the express agent, who
tossed it on one side, as carelessly as if
the transmission of wedding cake were a
matter of everyday occurrence!
“llow d’yc do, Golde? When is it to
come ofi‘ ?”
“When is what to come off ?” queried I
considerably puzzled at my friend Ather-
ton’s address.
“Your wedding to be sure! All, you’re
a sly dog to keep us all in the dark so
long!”
“You can’t have been much more in
the dark than I cm at this moment,
Athertou. What on earth do you mean?”
But Atherton only wagged his head
knowingly, and rushed off in pursuit of a.
stage, saying something of which I only
caught the disconnuected fragments “my
Go fetch them, wife; they will be frightened sore,
If with the dead alone they woken thus,
wife” and “D’Artier’s.”
“Hung the wedding-cake!" was my in-
ternal ejaculation.
As I pursued my speculative way a
tiny gloved hand was held out from a
passing carriage.
“Ah, Mrs. Evelcigh, excuse me for not
seeing you before I”
“We all know thatlove is blind,” said
the lady, smiling. “Now I see why you
haven’t been to see me in such an age!
All, you nccd’nt look so unconscious.—
My neicc was at D’Artier’s this morning,
and saw how particular you were in the
selection of a certain article!” '
. Before I could explain this piece of cir-
cumItnutiul evidence, there was it move-
ment in the “lock” of carriages which had
caused the temporary detention of my fair
friend, and her equipnge rolled away. with
a. wave of the pretly hand within and
archest smiles.
I stood looking after her, with an odd
sort of impression that I should wake up
presently to find myself married to some-
body, whether or no: indeed, I was not
altogether certain whether Mrs. Goldc
was not waiting for me at home!
How brilliantly the firclight and gas-
ligbt illumed that cosy little room at Lee
Worcester’s, with its pink-tinted walls,
and tho crimson carpet, sprinkled with
small white buds. The piano was open,
strewn with sheets of music, just as it had
been left, its pearl keys glimmering softly
in the subdued radiance of the one jet of
light that glowed through a frosted glass
shade above. The tea-table was all set
-—I had often dreamed of a. home of my
own that should be something like Lee
Worcester’s in its snug evening comfort,
and somehow that tea-table always form-
ed part of the ptantasm. There was
something so bright and cheerful in the
snowy damask, and the sparkling glass,
and glittering china. Old bachelor as I
was, the golden blocks of cake and tiny
white muflins, breaking into crisp flakes
that molted in one’s mouth, and amber
jellies, quivering like gigantic jewels
through their crystal prison walls, pro-
duced a wonderfully agreeable effect in
my epicureau sight. And I could imag-
ine no prettier vision to crown it all, than
Mary Worcester in her crimson merino-
dress, edged round the throat with deli.
cute lace, presiding at the silver tea-urn.
Except, perhaps—but that’s neither here
nor there l
I was a little disappointed, on entering,
not to see Lee’s sistenin-luw, a trim little
beauty, brown rippled hair and velvety
eyes, somewhere between hazel and black
but I did not like to ask any questions,
and consequently remained in ignoranCe
until Mary casually remarked :
“Nettie is very low-spirited this even-
iug,perhnps she will come down stairs by
and by.”
How I longed to ask what the matter
was. Perhaps she has received ill news ;_
perhaps she was not well. I would have
given my two cars to know, but I didn’t
dare to inquire.
“So you’re going to be married, eh,
.Tracy my boy,” said Lee. as he sat in
front of the bright fire. “Well, you can’t
do better. ' A bachelor, at best, is a mere
fraction of society!”
I started up, annoyed beyond all endu-
rancc.
“For mercy’s sake, dear Lee, do tell me
where you picked up that ridiculous re-
port!”
“Ridiculous report! that’s pretty cool,
upon my honor,” exclaimed Worcester.
“Now, Mr. Golde,” said Mary, laugh-
ing, “don’t deny the soft impeachment.—
I am sure you would enjoy it quiet home
of your own much better than that noisy
hotel. There is no charm against a sad
heart like domestic bliss!”
There was a. radiant softness in her
own tender eyes, as she spoke that pene-
trated me with the sudden conviction that
I had been exceedingly foolish to remain
single all these years.
“Do confess,” she added gsily.
“But I have no thing on earth to con-
fess !”
“Nonsense,” said Mary, holding up I
warning finger. “What were you buying
at D’Artier’s this morning?”
I turned scarlet, here was that everlast-
ing Wedding~cake again!
Fortunately my inquisitiou was termin-
ated for u moment by the entrance of
Lee’s sister-in-law, looking lovelier than
I had ever seen her before, a little pale
perhaps however, and her silky eye-lashes
heavy with what I could almost have
fancied recent tears, were it not that she
seemed in cxtravngantly gay spirits. The
soft flushes of color came and went like
pink shadows across her cheeks, and her
coral lips were dimpled with the brightest
of smiles, yet all the time I could not di-
vest myself of the odd impression that she
was ready to melt into an April shower
of tears at any moment!
She lightly tendered me her congratu-
lations upon the approaching “happy
’ event,” holding out a small snowy band
loaded with sparkling rings, as she did so.
‘ “You speak in riddles, Miss N ettié.”
“Don’t pretend that you have not the
key to them,” she said, a little tremo-
louslv.
I cannot comprehend what you mean,”
answered I, sturdily.
She said no more, but sat quietly down
shading her eyes with her hand, as though
the fire dazzled them. Mrs. Worcester,
”Then how do you explain the wed-
ding-cake ut D’Artier’s?”
“Is that the only testimony upon which
I am tried and convicted of a wilful inten-
tion of matrimony!”
“That is all; we are ready to hear your
defence.
“Well, that unlucky mess of white su-
gar and dyspepsia was for my brother’s
wedding ceremonies, a hundred miles
away. I assure you it had not the least
connection with my matrimonial fortunes!
Nettie looked up with a rare brilliance
under her long lashes, and an almost in-
voluntary smile wrcathing her lips; I took
heart of hope and went bravely on, cheer-
ed by a sudden inspiration. -
' “But I will purchase a bride-cake
twice as large, for my own wedding, if
Nettie will consent to be the bride!
There—I had done it, and in less than
five minutes was an accepted lover, look-
ing boldly into the wondrous liquid depths
of those brown beautifuly eyes. A new
sensation—but agreeable very!
"And now, Tracy,” said Mary mis-
chievously, “I’ll tell you a secret; the rea-
son N ettic cried half the afternoon, and
became so low-spirited this evening, was
that ”
“Mary 1” remonstrcted Nettie, with
checks ablaze.
“n she heard you were buying a
wed cake ! pursued Mary, putting
away the white fingers with which Nettie
vainly strove to fetter her tell-tale lips.
“I’ll order another one to-morrow,” re-
plied I immediately. “ Ah, I shouldn’t
have repined so much at Tom’s commis-
sion had I known what a sweet little wife
it would win me!”
"Don’t, Tracy!” said Nettie,hiding her
face on my shoulder.
And when Tom wrote to know why on
earth I didn’t come to his bymenia‘i‘ cere-
monies, I wrote back that I was obliged
to stay to attend a. wedding of my own!
And suck a wedding-cake as graced
the centre of our banqueting board! 'It’s
no use trying to describe its frosted splen-
dors, but if any of my readers seriously
contemplate getting married, I’ll send
them the recipe
«<0»
THE THREE TRAVELLING
BAGS.
There were three of them, all of shin-
ing black leather ; one on the top of the
pile of trucks ; one on the ground ; one
in the owner’s hand ;——all going to Phil-
adelphia ; all waiting to be checked.
The last bell rang. The baggageman
hustled, fuming, from one pile of bag-
gage to another, dispensing chalk to the
trunks, checks to the passengers, and
curses to the porters, in approved railway
style.
“Mine l—Philadelphia !” cried a stout,
military looking man, with enormous
whiskers and a red face, crowding for-
ward, as the baggugcmun laid his hand
on the first bag. _
"‘Won’t you please to give me a check
for this, now?” entreated a pale, slender,
carefully-dressed young man, for the ninth
time, holding out bag No. 2. “I have a.
lady to look after.”
“Say! be you agoin’ to give me a
check for that’ure or not ?” growled the
prOprietor of bag No. 3, a short, pock-
marked fellow, in a shabby overcoat.
“All right, gen’l’men. Here you
are,” says the functionary, rapidly dis-
tributing the checks. “Philadelfy, this ?
Yes, sir,—1092—l’l40.ll—1020. All
right.”
“All aboard,” shouted the conductor.
“Whoo-whew l” responded the locomo-
tive ; and the train moved slowly out of
the station-house.
The baggage-man meditatively watch-
ed it, as it sped away in the dis-
tance, and then, as if a thought- suddenly
struck him, slapping his thigh, be ex-
claimed, “Blast if I don’t believe—-”
“What,” inquired the switcbman,
“That I’ve gone and guv them three
last fellers the wrong checks 1 The cus-
sed little black thing 8 was all alike, and
they bothered me.”
“Telegraph 1” suggested the switch-
man
“Never you mind," replied the bag-
gagemnn. “They was all going to Phil-
adelfy. They’ll find out when they get
there.”
They did.
The scene shifts to the Continental
Hotel, Philadelphia. Front parlor up.
stairs. Occupants, the young gentleman
alluded to in chapter I, and a young In-
dy. In accordance with the fast usages
of the times, they had been made one in
holy matrimony at 7.40 A. M. ; duly
aboard the express train at 8.45, and de-
posited at the Continental, bag and bag-
gage, by 12.58.
They were seated on the sofa, the
block broadcloth coutsleeve encircling
the slender waist of the guy travelling
dress, and the jetty moustache in equally
affectionate proximity to the glossy
curls.
“Are you tired, dearest?”
“No, love, nut much. But you are,
arn’t you."
“No, darling.”
Kiss, and a. pause.
“Don’t it seem funny 1’” said the lady.
“What, love 1?”
“That we should be married.”
“Yes, darling.”
“Won’t they be glad to see us at
however, still pursued the obnoxious topic.
George’s?”
kissed and congratulated till 8.15; put .
“Of course they will.”
“.I’m sure I shall enjoy it so much.—
Shall we get there to-night ?”
“Yes, love, if—”
Rap~rap-rap at the door.
A busty separation took place between
man and wife—to opposite ends of the
sofa; and then——
“Come in.”
“Av ye plaze, zur‘ it’s an M. P. is
waiting to see yez.”
“To see me .’ A policeman ?”
“Yis, sir.”
“There must be some mistake.”
“N o, zur, it’s yourself ; and he’s wait-
ing in the hall, bcyuut.”
“Well, I’ll go to—— No, tell him to
come here.”
“Sorry to disturb you, sir,” said the
M. P., with a. huge brass star on his
breast, appearing with great alucrity at
the waiter’s elbow. “B’lieve this is your
black vulise?”
“Yes, that is ours, certainly. It has
J ulin’s—tbe lady’s things in it,”
“Suspicious circumstances about that
’erc valisc. Telegraph came this morn-
ing that a burglar started on the 8.45
Philadelphia train with u lot of stolen
spoons, in a black valisc. Spoons mark-
ed T. B. Watchcd at the ferry. Saw
the black valise. Followed it up here.
Took a peek inside. Sure enough,
there were the spoons. Marked 'I'. B.,
too. Said it was yours. Shall have to
take you in charge.”
“Take me in charge ?” echoed the dis-
mayed bridegroom. . But I aware you,
my dear sir, there is some mistake. It’s
all a mistake.”
“S’pose you’ll be able to account for
the spoons being in your valise, then ?”
“Why, I—I—it ain’t mine. It must
be somebody else’s. Somebody's put
them there. It is some villainous con-
spiracy.”
“Hope you’ll be able to tellnstruight-
er story before the magistrate, young
man; cause if you don’t you stand a
smart chance of being sent up for six
months.”
“0h, Charles, this is horrid. Do send
him away. Oh dear! I wish I was at
home,” sobbed the little bride.
“Itellyou, sir,” said the bridegroom,
bristling up with indignation, “this is all
a vile plot. What would I be doing
with your paltry spoons? I was mar-
ried this morning in Fifth avenue, and
I am on my wedding tour. I have high
connections in New York. You’ll re-
pent it, air, if you dare to arrest me.”
“Oh, come now,” said the incredulous
official, “I’ve hearn stories like that be-
fore. This ain’t the first time swindlers
has travelled in couples. Do you ’sposc
I don’t know nothin’ ? ’Taint no use ;
you’ve just got to come along to the sta-
tion-house. Might as well go peaceably
’cause you’ll have to.”
“Charles, this is perfectly dreadful.—
Our wedding night in the station-house.
Do send for somebody. Send for the
landlord to explain it.”
The landlord was sent for, and came,
the porters were sent for and came, the
waiters, and chambermaids, and the bar-
room loungers come without being sent
for, and filled the room and the adjoining
bulb—some to laugh, some to say they
wouldn’t have believed it, but nearly all
to exalt that the unhappy pair had been
found out. No explanation could be
given ; and the upshot was, that in spite
of his prayers and entreaties, rage and
expostulutions, the unfortunate newly-
married pair were taken in charge by
the relentless policeman, and marched
down stairs, en route for the police office.
And here let the curtain drop on the
melancholy scene, while we follow the
fortunes of black valisc N o. 2.
When the train stopped at Camden,
four gentlemen got off, and walked arm-
in-arm, rapidly and silently, up one of
the hy-streets, and struck pff into a foot-
path leading to a secluded grove outside
the town. Of the first two, one was our
military friend il a blue coat, apparently
the leader of the party. Of the second
two, one wt a smiling, rosy little man,
carrying a black vclise. Their respective
companions walked With hasty, irregular
strides, were abstracted, and apparently
ill at ease.
The party stopped. .
“This is the place,” said Captain
Jones,
“Yes,” said Dr. Smith
The captain and the doctor conferred
together. The other two kept apart.
“Very well. I’ll measure the ground,
and do you place your man ”
It was done.
‘N ow for the pistols,’ whispered the
captain to his fellow second.
"They are all ready, in the valise,’ re-
plied the doctor.
The principals were placed ten paces
apart, and wearing that decidedly un-
comfortable air a man has who is in mo-
mentary expectation of being shot.
‘You will fire, gentlemen, simultane-
ously, when I give the word,’ said the
eaptaln. Then, in an undertone, to the
doctor, ‘Quick, the pistols.’
The doctor, stooping over and fum-
bllng at the valise, appeared to find
something thatsurprised him.
‘Why, what the devil—’
‘tht’s the matter ?’ asked the cap-
min, striding up. ‘Cun’t you find the
cups ?’
‘Deuce a pistol or cap but this !’
He held up—a lady’s night cap l
‘Look here—and hero—and here !’—~
holding up successively a hair brush, a
long white night-gown. a cologne bottle,
and a comb.
They were greeted with a long whistle
by the captain, and a blank store by the
two principn!s.
‘Confound the luck !’ ejaculated the
captain, ‘if we haven’t . made a mistake
and brought the wrong valisc !’
The principlalslooked at the seconds.
The seconds looked at the principals.—
No—body volunteerd a suggestion. At
last the doctor inquired.
“Well, what’s to be done?”
“D—d unluckyl” again ejaculated the
captain. “The duel can’t go on.”
“Evidently not,” responded the doctor,
“unless they brain each other with the hair
brush, or take a. pop at each other with
the cologne bottle.”
“You are quite sure there are no pistols
in the valise?” said one of the principals,
with suppressed eagerness, and drawing a
long breath of evident relief.
We must go over to the city and get
pistols,” proposed the captain.
“And by that time it will be dark, said
the doctor.
“D—d unlucky, said the captain again.
“We shall be the laughing stock of the
town," consoliugly remarked the doctor,
if this gets wind.”
“One word with you, doctor,” here in-
terposed his principal. '9!
They conferred.
At the end of the conference with his
principal, the doctor, uduuciug to the cap-
tain, conferred with him. The captain
conferred with his principal. Then the
seconds conferred with each other. Fin-
ally, it was formally agreed between the
contending parties that a. statement
should be drawn up in writing, whereby
principal No. l tendered the assurance
that the offensive words ‘You are a liar’
were not used by him in any personal sense
but solely as an abstract proposition, in a
general way, in regard “to the matter of
fact under diSpnte. To which principal
No. 2 append ed his statement of his high
gratification of this candid and honorable
explanation, and unqualifiedly withdrew
the offensive words ‘You are a scouudrel,”
they having been used by him under a
misapprehension of the intent and purpose
of the remark which preceded them.
"There being no longer a cause for
quarrel, the duel was of course ended.—
Tbe principals shook hands, first with
each other and next with the seconds,
and were evidently very glad to get out'
of it.
“And now that it is so in uppily settled,
said the doctor, chuckling and rubbing his
hands, “it proves to have been a lucky.
mistake after all, that we brought the
wrong valisc. Wonder what the lady
that owns it will say when she opens ours
and finds the pistols.
“Very well for you to laugh about,”
growled the captain; “but it’s no joke
for me {to lose my pistols. Hair tiggers
—-best English make, and gold mounted,
There arn’t a finer pair in America.”
Ob, we’ll find ’em. We’ll go on a pil-
grimage from house to house, asking if
ony lady there has lost a night-cap and
found a pair of duclling pistols.
In very good spirits the party crossed
the river, and inquired at the baggage-
room in reference to each and all black
leather traveling-bags arrived that day,
took notes of where they were sent, and
set out to follow them up. In due time
they reached the Continental, audas luck
would have it, met the unhappy bridal
pair just coming down stairs in charge of
the policeman.
”What’s all this?” inquired the captain.
“Oh. a. couple of burglars, caught with
a vulise full of stolen property.”
“A volisel—what kind of a valisc?”
“A black leather valise. . That’s it,
there.
“ Herel—Stopl—Hallol—Policemanl
——Landlord! It’s all right. You’re all
wrong. That’s my valise. It’s all a
mistake. They got changed at the depot.
This lady and gentleman are innocent.
Here’s their vnlise, with her night cap in
it.’ "
Great was the laughter, multifarious
the comments, and deep the interest of
the crowd in all this dialogue, which they
appeared to regard as a. delightful enter-
tainment, got up expressly for their
amusement
"l‘hen you say this ’ere is yourn?’ said
the policeman, relaxing his hold on the
bridegroom and confronting the captain.
‘Yes, it’s miuc.’ -
‘Aud how did you come by the spoons?’
‘Spoons, you jacknapcsl’ said the cap-
tain. ‘Pistolsl—duelliug pistols!’
‘Do you call these pistols?’ said the po-
liceman, holding up one of the silver
spoons marked ‘T. B.’
The captain astounded, gasped, ‘It’s
the wrong valise again, after all!’
‘S'op! Not so fast!’ said the police
functionury, now invested with great dig-
nity by the importance of the affair he
found himself engaged in. ‘If so be as
how 'ou’de. got this ’ere lady’s valise,
she’s _l'rigbt,rand can go. But, in that
case, th’is'fi'sfiyourn, and it comes on you to
account foii’t’hem ’ure stolen spoons. Have
to take q/ou'in charge, all four of ye.’
‘Why, you impudcnt scoundrel !’ roared
the captain; ‘I see you in ~—-. I wish I
had my pistols here; I’d teach you how
to insult gentlemeul’——shukiug his fist.
\
The dispute waxed fast and furious.—
The outsiders began to take hill} in it,
and there is no telling how it would have
ended, had not an explosion, followed by
a heavy fall and a scream’of pain, been
heard in an adjoining room.
The crowd rushed to the SCCile of the
new attraction.
The door was fast. It wasmcou burst
open and the mystery explained The
thief, who had carried off the captain’s
valise by mistake for his own l‘ld ta-
ken it up to his room and Opel‘-“(I it to
gloat over the booty he supposd it to
contain, thrusting his hand in after the
spoons. In so doing he had touched one
of the hair triggers, and the pistol had
gone off, the bullet making a. round hole
through the side of the velise, and a cor-
responding round hole in the calf of his
leg.
The wounded rascal was to ten in
charge, first by the policeman, as! then
by the doctor; and the duelists aid the
wedded pair struck up a fricml:':lip on
the score of their mutual mishaps, which
culminated in a supper, where the fun was
abundant, and where it would be lard to
say which was in the best spirits,—the
captain for recovering his pistolsfillrz bride
for getting her night-cap, the bridegroom
for escaping the station-house, or the du~
elists for escaping each other. All re-
solved to ‘mark that day with a white
stone,’ and henceforth to mark their
names on their black traveling bags, in
white letters—Continental Mom/£131.
-<.>.
wAnother subject that requires refor-
mation is that of dress. Fashion in this
respect seems to laugh at all propriety
and common sense ; comfort, health, and
even life itsef, are often sacrificed at her
shrine, “That can be more absurd than
for us in this northern climate to copy
the fashions of the south of Europe ?-—
Even in the most inclement season our
ladies will be at one time wrapped in the
furs of Siberia, and at another shivering
in a gossamer dress fit only for a tropical
climate. How often are we pained in
seeing children with low dress and bare
arms when flannel would be much more
comfortable ? The seeds of disease and
premature death are thus often implanted
during childhood by the fond but incon-
siderate parent.
Another pernicious custom of recent
date is that of daily ablution over the
whole body, with cold water, during the
cold weather of winter. The Creator
has wisely provided that the body should
be covered by an unctuous substance to
protect it from the effect of sudden
changes. By this foolish custom we de-
feat this wise provision for our safety,
and endanger our heal tb. Bathing once
a week is all that is necessary for clean-
liness in the winter season, and than tep-
id water should be used, and immediately
before going to bed. Persons in sound
and vigorous health may bear the expo-
sure with impunity, but for the feeble,
and particularly for those predisposed to
consumption, it is a most hazardous ex-
perimeut.
Another reform that is much needed,
is a reform in our system of education.—
Hitherto, whilst every appliance has
been resorted to, to force the mind into
premature development, the cure of the
physical health has been totally neglect-
ed. Lct us learn of the poor idiot. In
the experiments which have been so suc-
cessful in improving the intellect and con-
dition of idiots, it is found the first and
indispensable step was to improve the
health and general vigor of the constitu-
tiou. 'l‘lll) should be the principle. adopt-
ed in all systems of education. It is
vain to expect a healthy mental develop-
ment in a feeble and sickly pupil.
I have somewhere seen a. recipe for
producing yellow fever. Permit me to
give one for producing consumption.—
Take a. girl between the age of twelve
and eighteen, who is growing rapidly, of
delicate constitution, more than ordinary .
ability, and considerable ambition; con-
fine her six hours a. day in a crowded
school-room, let her have her lessons to
get out of school which will require from
two to three hours study, in addition to
two hours’ practice on the piano-forte;
stimulate her to extra exertion by hope
of a prize at the end of the term, or of
excelling her class-mates; let her sleep
in a dark, close and small bed-room, with
one or more persons ; supply her ’plcnti-
fully with candy and sweet-meats, so as
to destroy any little appetite she may
have for wholesome and nourishing food ;
when out of school confine her to a heat-
ed room, except occasionally going to
church or parties in thin stockings and
shoes, and low dress, so as to expose the
chest and neck to the cold—and you
have all the requisttes to produce the
disease. Should you not produce con-
sumption, you Will be likely to have dis-
ease of the brain, equally but more quick-
ly fatal. The nervous system is over-
taxcd and stimulated to unnatural exer-
tion, the muscles are enfeeblcd and re-
laxud for want of exercise, the blood is
poisoned by breathing an air unfit for
respiration twelppliours out of the twen-
ty-t‘our, the appetite destroyed and the.
system imperfectly nourished, and the
whole system relaxed by the heated
apartments. The sudden transition to
cold without adequate protection from
clothing, drives the blood on the internal
organs, which being weakened for want
of proper nourishment, are unable to re-
lieve themselves by re-actiou, and con-
gestiou, lullmouary apoplexy and he-
morrage follow as a natural consequence.
Another lesson which community must
learn is, that systematic exerciseof every
organ, especially in the young, is abso-
lutely essential to health, and that over-
taxing the brain, with little or no exer-
cise of the muscular system, is sure to
entail disease if not death. The pernic—
ious custom of overjtaxiug the mental
faculties, under the plea. of edumtion,
with a total disregard of all the laws of
health, is a fruitful cause of consumption
in young persons. The permeious habit
of tight-lacing which prevailed. a. few
years since, and interfered so Injurrously
with the functions and development of
the lungs, is fortunately becouung obso,
lete, proving that the intelligence and
good Sense of the ladies wdl correct any
custom if they become satisfied of its in-
jurious effects. _ ' ,,
Transactions N. I. Sta/c filed. Soc-y.
E.
Q
Norwalk Chronicler