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About The Corvallis gazette. (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 1885)
FOB HIS SAKE. (fold closer still my hand, dear love. Nor fear its touch will soil thine own; No palm is cleaner now than this, So free from earth stain has it grown Since last you held it clasped so close, And with it held my life and heart; l?or my heart beats but in your smile. And "lite were death, we two apart. X loved you so. And you? Ah, well! I have no word or thought of blame; And even now my voice grows low And tender, whispering your name. Vou gauged my love,by yours that's all, I do not think you understood; There is appoint you men can't reach, Up the white height of womanhood. Von love us so at least you say, With many a tender smile and word; You kiss us both on mouth and brow Till all our heart within is stirred; And having, unlike you, .you see, No other interests at stake, We give our best, and count that death Is blessed, when suffered for your sake. NORTON BLAKE'S DILEMMA. "Is it true, Norton? Is your uncle really dying?" The speaker's eyes were sparkling, her cheeks flushed, her lingers toying with the white robes of . baby upon tier knee, her intonation that of elated .triumph . Words and manner struck Norton Blake sharply. He threw down the telegram with a short "Yes." "Are you sorry?" Mrs. Blake asked in tart surprise. "Why, you've wish-, ed, a thousand times, I were mistress of The Court, and now there's baby. Shan't Ifell proud when I see him in velvet knickerbockers riding about that beautiful park on a white pony!" Norton regarded her with amaze ment her speech sounded so utterly heartless. '"Sorry!" he repeated slowly. "Sure 'ly, Myra, you forget that my uncle has filled a father's place to me from my childhood." "Oh no, I don't," she retorted with i disagreable laugh: "nor the filial re--spect you have always shown him. Also, I remember your many aspira tions that Providence would allow the same a calamity to end this (miserable concealment. Really, Nor ton, you have neither courage to face the consequences of your own actions, nor to grip the deliverance Fortune .sends you." With a muttered imprecation, Nor ton Blake left the room. Experience had taught him the futility of arguing withhis wife; but through the ensuing Itxng journey he had leisure in which 4 ponder over and debate the truth -of her words. The sudden shock of (-his relative's danger had acted upon '4iis .-moral consciousness like a douche of cold water on the physi- cal organization of a drunkard, recall ing him to himself, but stinging him with a sense of his own degradation. Treated by his uncle with an indul gence shown by few parents, he had idled at school and scraped through college. He was no profligate neither gamed nor drank; yet his fatal propen- sity of snatching the moment's pleas ure, leaving'care for the morrow, bad biighted the sunny prospects of a fife whose crowning folly he was too cow hardly to avow. During -a long vacation supposed I by his uncle to be passed with a tutorr in acotiana he met, at a fashionable watering-place, a girl woman, rather whose blue-yed, golden-haired harms and practiced graces had be wildered and captivated his youthful fancy. His superior hi years and knowledge of the world, but be t neath him in birth and education, - he was too keenly alive to the social . advantages derivable from an alliance with the heir of an old and wealthy . county family to let him slip through I herfibgers. By artifice, cajolery, and i threats; of appealing to the elder Mr. Blaice the best-thing which could have I happened to him, had he but known :ifc she accomplished her purpose, and he married her. His college life had tended, and, fearing lest his rash act should be discovered, he persuaded his uncle that a continental tour was the fitting interlude between it and settling down to the active duties of Jife. . The couple were at Heidelberg when the news of Mr. Blake's illness ar rived. It betokened some latent good in Nortn'sdharacter that, although these tidings might havebeen supposed to solve his-difficulties, they awakened finifcis breast but a feeling of sorrow ( ful remorse, leavened, perhaps, bysat i isfaction that, owing to theseason be : ing winter, and the tender age of her . child, his wife was debarred from ac- .companying him to England. As the first misery lessened came the cemembraneeof a forgotten complica tion in his affairs. Mr. Blake's ho use fiold numbered another besides his nephew. This was the orphan daugh ter of an old fellow-officer, to whom Mr. Blake had given the shelter of his home and t2e affection of a father. " That Norton and Helen Venne should be united o sharing equally the wealth and station he must in time resiim was his dearest wish. A tacit 'iinderstandina to that effect had ex listed for some time. No definite Mronises had been exchanged, but "TSbrton knew what was expected of Ihim nn his return. illso that were his uncle alive when he reached The Court, the disclosure of his marriage would be certainly fol lowed by disinheritance; were he dead, it would deprive Helen of home and fortune. Whichever way he looked ha saw nothing but trouble ahead. How he cursed his weak, infatuated Jolly as the train whirled him through the dark night, the howling wind and dreary, up-piled snow! n. Uight's silence brooded over The Court as Norton drew up to the famil iar door. Only a watch-dog's baying broke the stillness. Brilliant moon beams silvered the sharp snow-crystals covering lawn and flower-beds; ruddy firelight from within touched with iri descent tints those clustered on window-sill and pane. So had he seen the old house wrapped in its snow mantle on many a winter night. Its unchanged beauty awakened a yearning pain as for something unvalued before, whose toss brought shame, remorse, misgiv ing. The warmth rushed out to meet him as the heavy door opened. More red ly fell the firelight on the oaken pan elled hall than on the snow without. It flickered softly on Helen's burnished head as she greeted him with out stretched hands, tender, shining, wel coming eyes, cheeks carmined with pleasure. Her loveliness struck him like a rev elation. The touch of herhandsmade him shiver. Imagination placed be side her the figure of the woman whom he had made his wife. He turned aside with a gesture of dismay an inward groan. "He is alive he is, indeed!" Helen said eagerly, mistaking his movement, thinking Norton feared her uttering the grim 'Too late!' "He heard the wheels; you must go to him without delay. He has watched for your com ing, oh. so anxiously!" The doctor came out of the sick room as Norton approached it. He had known Norton from boyhood, so understood somewhat of the anxiety he had caused Mr. Blake. "Your uncle longs to see you," he said, laying his hand impressively up on the young man's arm; "but I can not allow you to enter hisroom unless you are sure you can control your feelings. Remember the least excite ment may nay must be fatal. Gain say him in nothing. Let him die in peace." A choking sensation rose in Norton's throat as he passed to the bedside. The gray head lay motionless upon the pillow, but thedimming eyes flood ed with affection, fastened on his face the feeble lingers enclosed his lovingly. "You have come at last!" he mur mured, trying to lay his hand on Nor ton's bowed head, as he knelt beside the bed. "What has kept you from me so long r.iy boy, my son?" Norton muttered something unin telligible, the realization of his deceit bowing his head vet lower. With a sudden gathering together of his ener gies, Mr. Blake roused himself, and un heeding any reply, continued: "You are my heir, Norton. I have left everything to you everything! Even Helen have I trusted to you. But now. lying here, I misdoubt if I have acted wisely by her. Promise, by all you hold most sacred, that you will make Helen and her in terest the first and chief consideration of your life." A warning pressure fromthedoctor's fingers and Norton promised. Sincer ely, too; indeed he felt a sense of relief that the pledge exacted was one he could accept. He would make-Helen's well-being the study of his life. "It can be done but in one way," re sumed the old man with dangerous ex citement, "t ittt is by making hesyour wife- You will fulfil the wish c my heart ratify the tacit bond between you? Oh, Norton, say you will do not deny me the only thing I askf"" Again the warning pressure as the doctor vainly tried to soothe his pa tient. jJforton hesitated. What ceroid he say what de? The color mount ed to his brow, M lips trembled. "Say something for heaven's sake!?'' whispered) the- doctor with Energy'.. "Pacify hint' in some- way any way or I cannefc answer few the consequences." Once more'Nortsn'f fhtal weakness paralyzed Ms-will. Through his home ward journey he Trad pwranaded him self that nothing siouid iiidnce himtjj fet his unci" dieisi ignorance of his--imie position1. -his offenwaotforgiven as-1 unknown. DisinheBrtanea;. pain, igno miiny, were bstter faced than thatK So'he had toifcllhimself ameE now? 'Promise, Bfortora-promise!" The shrill voice raae oie-soinElviirairjeTative the-dying eyeslcoxeaiup-wutha xieaa-5 ingagony, the-thim sands- starched at his as if they wouifii ring- from hint more than life-- itself,, and Norton, promised. 'Hring Helen! vnnere- .a uetenr Mr. Blake cried!in'f&verislaijii,patience- 'Left me hear her prism ise-BO. Only, then' can I resinn peaoa:. Helen came crile- drew near to th-J bed with an expression of tali repose: J ul Li ! III! BtMnenh. tjmmur beautitm face. Ouicklyrtliis-e2taigoiito one oft shrinking awstrnek reser-. as shoe) glanied from ahe era?.-imperious feat ures of the d-yung muuiito. tdtose 01 hs3 as she believed-r-4(jwar; set in a whita- look of pain iaid'feau:. Leo-king won- deringly frorai one too the- other, tla-poor-girl faltered out the -gw-omise quired'Ot herMri.-.tHa44e-nol.umg in has a hand of ea3ias.thvoi.-diwerespck- en. It was to Helen bat-ths- sealing Cfciat vow unuttened, indeed Hat long sx istertt. No doubt of ' JSmrton's trarth or honor assailed Ber: Yet, looking; up into his '.jale. dsawn 3ee, a vague panic struck- coldly- to her heart,, so 30yaess, so caBspairragj. mare the ayes that met har own. 'ISunc dimittis!"thesick man mtrr muoaed, an, sank 'sack upon his pilbaws faist and exhausted. HI To the amazement alike of dtoetor andjfriencfe.Mr. Biak rallied t'wmthe stupor into- which, h fell after his in terview with Norton, drasJc the draught prescribed fee him. sank into a eajm Mmnbat-, audi awoke so much improved that hope whispered anew that recovery was possibfe. Time proved hope right. After many fluct uations between life and death, dan ger gradually retreated; health dawn ed once more. Through the week of convalescence the same imperious mandate wield ed its iron sway. No excitement, no thwarting was on any account to be permitted. Mornirig by morning Norton Blake rose fronvhis bed, vowing that, at all risks, he would before night dbclose the fact of his marriage to Helen and his uncle. Evening always iound him forsworu. Uradually the stined con science yielded to the fascination of the hour allowed himself to drift aim lessly down the stream of circum stances . Alas! the seductions of the moment were all too sweet, the flowery path only too alluring. Vainly honor spoke, and duty called, he was deaf and blind to aught but fear. Only when a letter from his wife arrived coaxing, plead ing, threatening did his cheek pale, and terror gnaw his breast. Helen's clear brow wore, sometimes, a furrow of perplexity as she saw the strange handwriting on the missive lying by his plate at breakfast-time, and noted his futile efforts to conceal the effects of its unwelcome appearance. "Guileless by nature, and singularly unversed in the world's deceits, Helen trusted Norton with the whole-heart-edness of one who, estimating others by herself, scorned to see spot or blem ish in those she loved. Norton saw, too late, what he hael thrown away so recklessly what infinite capacities of lifelonghappiness he had blotted out forever. Yet no thought of sparing her cross ed his mind. If any remembrance of the anguish surely awaiting Helen momentarily disturbed him, he quiet ed it by reflecting that chance often solves time's riddles in a manner equally unexpected and pleasant, and. unfortunately for all, chance was his fetish. So the year budded into spring, and the charmed dream n eared its end. Letters from Heidelberg became more imperative in tone, demands for money more urgent. Nor were threats for following Norton to England, and dis covering for herself the cause of her husband's detention, lacking on the part of Sirs. Blake. The master of The Court was intent upon accomplishing his nephew's mar riage. Helen was busy making her bridal preparations the wedding day itself all but fixed. Norton alone was listless, preoccupied, depressed. A horrible fear, a terrible foreboding of calamity, had taken possession of him. The bright sunshine, the singing of birds, the scent of violets, the up turned, placid primrose stars, made him faint and sick. Night and day he pondered over a way of escape, but none presented itself as feasible. He literally dared not encounter his un cle's wrath or Helen's scorn. Noth ing remained to him but flight flight from a danger he was too cowardly to face. IV. But two days remained before that fixed for the wedding. The court was thronged with guests, and gay with merry voices, badinage and jest. In the ivy-draped windows lights were beginning to twinkle a Norton Blake walked homewards, wrapped in bitter almost frenzied musings. So ab stracted was he, that he scarcely no ticed a station fly which, entering through the lodge-gates, si owly passed him in tfw dnsk. Neither did he ie mark a face- which, peering through the glass, swiftly recognized him',, and as quickly disappeared into t?ue recesses of the vehici-. As he wearilymounted the last step to the door hs- became aware of a strange hubbub of arrival in the hall. Hfeceyeafell on a Mue-eyed, blonde-haired ilgnre he knew to well his ears 'were poreed by a highi pitched voice only too femiliar. Thwe-;- too, stood Gretchea). the maid even her stolid German ghlegm stirred tointer est as she presented her whit9robed handle to the as-onihed visitors- and servants whost- progress across- the haQ, or chatting- By its wide fireplace, had been arres-ted to ascertain the eause of the tin nit. 35orton saw it asili as m a viv3?pho togiraph. He bsard his wife's- shrill YOKe exclaiming,., with a toss afi her flaxen head, and the sarcastic latugh which jarred his jcves so acuteiy' : "Oh, there's nomistale nonewhat ever, I assure yonS I .-turn Mrs. Norton Blake, and this s our little sass I have every proof of what I assart;. I passed my hnsbatd in-theavenuee . In ai few minutes he vill btt here torn cor nborate my statemesit. Grevrchen, raise baby's veil, tnd! let Mr. Bla-kesee how closely he resembles his father. The old man hals tdrtttered im.-Othe haiH to see what treoii3ijsion meant. Norton saw his fats hwrden intO"ter rile sternness of disbieBef as hcou feroroted the intrwier.. He savr the whitening of Heleiiis- lips and tite de fiant anguish in hen-eyes. The great door pfctl l.sfcood open . . The fly waited, with its- pUted up lrgage, below the terrace s-'aaps Norton press ed; yet closer into-tfliff-shadow -oH tile pewtico, and caugi His breath hftfaear. his-wife's next wends. --My husband's.-continued Essence was so unac-ount.-jbla-,"'she consumed, witih again the harshiliaiinaih she -fended so iascirjating, fifafel determined to a&rertaua for mysalfc' the causes of his Eecentioai. I hope it advent is not nUterlv inconvenient, but Norton- tear, easy fellow! will be driighted with the pleasazfc suargtrise I hewe plan Bid forhim." Norton waitaeU to hear uo more.. He slunk noiselessly down the steps,. srced swittlv tui'ougtb the gardens an fled away in the- darkness d comhug," night. Hidden away, stanong the glades-ioff the park lay- a piacid, hazel-rringad mere. Featftery- larches waived oyer;, lilies spread tiieir broad leaves andi silver cups iponi,xs still vaaters. Jt the morrow s sunocams, arc ing tne tragrant laren-piumes waicn sleuder, shining fingers, fell on some thing whjcllith spreading liiy-iBavss tried pityingly to conceal. From the yellow hazel catkins th dew dropped ISie tears upon the dead face of arnan whose bedty drifted uader the-shelter of the honk, and tbaS dead matt was Norton Blake.' Out oft his dilemma he had! found a t9sm; but wnetner tnat road was the coward's one of sui cide, or that, in his bewilder ment he had wandered nnwittingly to the mere, missed his footing in the darkness, and slipped into its treach erous depths, it was an impossibility to determine. Agamekeeper, going his early rounds, found him in the pool. He was carried hack to The Court, and "Death by misadventure" was the verdict at the inquest. "Death through selfish weak ness" would have been a truer one. Mr. Blake never recovered the shock and disappointment of his nephew's death. He sank into dotage, and for many tedious years Helen a sad-eyed, prematurely-aged woman was his de voted guardian. The only bright thing in her life was Norton's little son, whom humiliated, frightened and subdued by the dread ful result of her manoeuvre Mrs. Blake had consented to relinquish and leave in Mr. Blake's charge, on the condition that his future should be provided for. - On an allowance, also supplied by Mr. Blake, she returned to the asso ciates of her early life, and soon re married to the no little satisfaction of others besides poor stricken Mr. Blake and his dear adopted daughter. General Forrest's Stake. From the Nashville American. I was sitting in a room in the Max well House with General N. B. Forrest, several years before his death. "General Forrest," I asked, "it has often been said that previous to the war you were a terror at the poker table. How much did you ever win on one hand?" "He replied: "I have played a few heavy games and many a light one. In New Orleans on one hand I won $47,000." "And what did you hold?" "Three kings and two nine3." I have always regretted I didn't ask him what his opponent held, but I did not. He told the following story, his eyes filling with tears during its recital: "When my wife and I went to Mem phis after the close of hostilities we had $7.20, not a cent more or less. We spent one entire afternoon ran sacking an old portfolio hoping to find some old uncollected account 'I. O. U.' which I might realize. There wasn't a thing. I said to my wife: 'Rhoda, you have always been against me and poker; I never played a game since I first knew you that your ab sent face was not a haunting rebuke over one shoulder. Now I have been invited to Sneed's to dinner to-night and I know there'll be cards. If you'll give me your blessing this once, my dear, I teel mighty sure 1 can come home a richer man. "Said she: 'Forrest, we've got along without that, so far as I have known, and by the Lord's help we'll still.go on without it.' " 'Yes said I. 'but the Lord has been slow of late, and seems to be git tin slower, what d'ye say to this one time'?' She- never consented, but she didn't oppose it very strong and I wouldn't ga' over She $7.20. It was just as I expected. Four tables were running at heed's sond: I won- enough' at fifty-cent ante to go-it at a higher table later em.. We3 sir; I won and I won right along froa the -Hirst Ijust droppeel tbs money into- any hat orr the floor, and' when- we- broke up at daylight I jpit my Bat oi with the money in it. without aountiog it over,, and went hsine. AsI canrw near t my house I caught a gimpefrom the autside of my- wife's white figure wait ing right where-she had- waited alii night, pale and- anxiotts,- and! when I went in I jus took off. my fiat and emptied $l,500Hn her lap. I felt sor ry for her. He- couldn't bless that night's doings;: but, air, lit was a goeat relief to- me." i Bill Arn His Children and ' Grandchildren. Our grandchildren are having a good time now. They have finished break ing the bull calf and are very busy making flutter mills under the fishpond dam. The fall is about five feet and they keep the water busy and the wheel, too, and are talking about a little saw-mill attachment. I just let them go along and use my tools and dull my handsaw and gap my ax and waste my nails and leave everything where they didn't find it, for they are on a big frolic now, and will have to go back to school in a few days. I overheard them talking about school, and one said: "I wish there wasn't such a thing as school!" And another said: "Well, I don't, for the school is all right, and I don't want to grow up a dunce, but I wish my school days were all over that's what I wish." But Jessie, our Jessie, my Jessie, has left us. She hasgoneto town to school, and we will not see her but one day in a week. It is mighty hard on us, for she is the light of the house and the comfort of my age. One by one they have to leave us. Ralph has gone to Florida to live and work, and we aregett ing lonesome and homesick. We miss them at night and in the morning anel at the table. Even the dog looks sad and watches the road for their coming. Bnt all's well that ends well, and we are thankful for the ?ood that is left us. Carl is here yet and a lot of grandchildren. They car ry their sling-shots with as much impu dence as a town boy rarries his pistol in his hip pocket. Two of them made a target of some fine pears in the top of a favorite tree and left the little rocks in the pears. I promised them a whipping but somehow or somehow else they didn't get it. There is always somebody around to interfere with my or i arrangements. So they wanted to go to the baseball again this- evening and I just put my foot down' and said no. I determined to punish them and now my opportunity has come. When I take a notion I am boss: at my own house, and nov I've taken a notion and I'll show the little rascals how to shoot my pears. I'll teachithem a les son. Later They have gone tiothe base ball with their maternal ancestor, and that's the kind of a man I am. At lanta Constitution. The Aurora Boreal!" From the Literary World. What is the Aurora Boreails? many men have asked and asked in vain. Scientific personages hav& been much interested in the matiter. It wa as a participator in thejwork of the international Polar Research Ex pedition that Herr Trombolt" visited the meet distant parts of tHe- Euro pean etinent. His task was4;o take observations of the remarkable phe nomenon known as the Aurara Bo-realis,- ec- Northern Light s, andJgrinci pally ih) conjnnction with the -Norwegian-station at Bossekop.in Fiinnark en,andiHe Finnish one at SodankUv.in the very heart f the wilds of Finland, to effect measurements tor determin ing the Height of the phenomenon above tSie- earth's crust. Science? he ownsj is- still at fault; but in . answer to popnlau hypotheses, it cam de clare tHafc the Aurora Borealis is not sunshine- reflected from the ice fields ofi'the-Arctic regions, nor the re- n . . ' . i,. e AiMOther StT" of tfio BatUe of necuon o simsmine on me sunaaw a Stiilnh the sea, nor the reflection of sun rays in ice crjwtafe suspended in the upper 3. was at the-home dS the- late W.J strata, of; the air. Further, scieace H. Cherry, at Savannaiij. Tennessee, I'tells us that the Aurora Borealis-i of that General Grant madfehis quarters Hecri.natre, and closely related While our aiinftbor was at his jwie-t every night th Aurora Borealis- ap- just before t he-battle ofShilol- "The Federal chieftain," say s-the -Nashville American, "wa- sitting at the- break- peared,' at any rate, thera was not a fas table of MrvCherryv when the first i n8le oeyeMngwhen it was absent r iL i. x j. Some times it Sited the wliole sk of- caataon of thafc eventful contast was fcen its-display were confined to ias-firadt- The 'Shmeral w an little-i nificant and! faint phenomena, late-in leaving bis apartment that i low in the north, just like t&ose morning and jpesented his- apologies;' observed' in Southern Soandinavjtia; UUU lHGl.iiasircjo ' n v nr v ...... magnificence- which defied desenp- tharaior to Mia. Cherry remaking thatr. he Bad not retired as early ao usual! tbowgbt before and consequently had. the-headache.. Though an battle was--known to be-imminen'i;. neither the? General nor h staff exqgpetedlit to be thafc day and diey sat dou-jii calmlyi-ter-a breakfcafc which, was- destined; n-w to be completed.. Mr Cherry;, a lady of gref retinem'at-andculture?. was extending the couirtesie of her. kenoe in a misaner which: by, its unit feminity, seer.wd to hanawoninponthe raspe-t of t foemais ohieitain. He, orsenpied a senat imnieuiateljr to h ye light, his st;i9f .-urangedi accand him. Mirs. Cherry poured oxt'.aavjp ofcoffae wfcieh the G moeral receihodl and placed in front of itini wttla a 'tjSank yon, madam.' ile was in tile aet of rrjs ih it to hitsHps, whemtha boom of a ;annon w.r heard ihi the distance. !The cup was for a mamett poised in jair, while the General! half turningrhis head and elaimin7. 'Waat's that?' i seemed tobe listening- iittently. The words wese hardly utiiersd before; the ominous sound vm iwpeated. The General sprang to hi feet. 'Gentle man the-ball has apened. We- must be goingj.'' he exclaimed. Audits five minute he, his staH and orderlies I were aboard the- small steamer an chored at the fob of the hill, and steamistg up theTeonessee." Oliic-M- WendeiUHolmes celelteated hi 76th birthday at Marblehaad, Mass. In a pleasant ceversation -with a news papwr corresjjondent relative to the evwt, he said: "I do not think tlier is much to bsaid about the occasion, for I am only 76. Now,, when a man jets to be SO he is a public benefactor, ior then he is an encouragement to men of 70 or 75. A long row of men 80 years of age form a sort of tail-board fence separating younger men from the chilly blast. Yes, 1 consider living to a great age the cheapest and easiest benefaction a man can make. Glad stone is, I believe, within four moutlft of my age, and Bamum quite near it. When men get over 75 all differences are set aside,'''' tion. He Gaums to theeonclusioa-tnat the great mousy different forms might certainly, be reduced to a few simple ones. Hi itwast instances the --Aurora forms belts, era: zones, which strHch across the-earth in theelirectioiiiof the magnetic eaist-west, which zqijss are formediby a conglomeration i thin sheets oi luicDinous mat ter, ranged one behintJlfche ether, their-directien being parallel with the iucBpation needle. The litmioxBims mattes in thesa-sheets is even,, oar diffuse, . or divide- into Btreamecs The red solor in tile lower edge efc ares and bands ofteit) roaider goes renuwrkablechaisges, andibecomes crimsam, sr purple, . or pink,, or red ochra or -"riolet. Tte light, iiowever, is waator ihan was.to be exgscted. A.raeHeains Ruslkins: to tile Cities. Frcmitte-Philadelplia Press. PojjwaSation seeaas to seeii its kind, and: such inducements as aiur cities af fondi prove too aJstractivc-fOirthe rural penialaiion. Ini 1880 oajy one-ninth oft the population of Mianasota lived im eities. If tha-statecensus, just pub 5ished,may be eredited. ano-fifth of her gresent popuSation liVes in cities.. Speaking rouwdly, it may besaidthafe, mi 1790, one-thirtieth oi the populat tiion of the i'aited Stfje& was foundiin eities of nicethan 80 population; in 1800, OBW-twentyiath; in 1810 and also 1820 one-twentieth; in 1830. ssne sixteentlv; in 1840; one-twelfth; in 1850, on-eighth; iia 1860, one-sixth; in 1870 ore thau one-fifth, aad in 1880, hatf-way between one-fifth and one-quarter . The tendency of modern civilization is to mass population. The strong lights and shadows of our cities, the love l society, the satisfac tion of better shelter, better roads, stronger institutions, lead men to crowd together, even when unable to be anything but dependents in the sys tem to which they unite themselves. Sidewalk venders in Chicago pay 100,000 a year to property owners. ! Steps are to be taken to compel the payment of these revenues to the city Lincoln on the Battlefield. Mrs. General Cuter in theC'hieagoTribune. Our Minister to the Argentine Re pnblie has been telling me of a scene which lias as yet been unpublished. Being thepersonal friend of the late President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, he asked the official to tell himthe truth regarding an accusation against the President during the dark days of our war. A newspaper para graph went the rounds attributing to Mr. Lincoln a want of solemnity in singing a frivoloms song at the very out posts of our advance pickets. Mr. Garrett, who accompanied Mr. Lin coln on many a journey to the front, gave the true version of the story from which the garbled account had been first evolved. General Mc Clellan sent for the President in a critical hour, and he responded by starting at once. They had no soon er alichted from the cor on naphinn headquarters than Secretary Stanton approached General McClellan and brusquely addressed hirs- by saying: "Why are you delaying an advance? What keeps you from hurling this army on to the foe?" "I have asked the President and you to come per sonally," said the General,, "that you might see for yourself the neces sity of reinforcements, the- depleted ranks of our army, the broken condition to which the last engage meist has reduced us." Meanwhile t Be dead ar.d wounded were being car ried from the battlefield. The -lantern of the-men as they moved among the slain shone out lilce fireflies as they progressed. As one stretcher' was passing Mr. Lincoln he heard the-voice of a lad calling to his mother in agoniz ing tomes. His great heart filled. He forgot the crisis of the hour. Hisvery being concentrated itself m the cries of the dying boy. Stopping the carriers he kneltr and bending over him asked: "What ean I do for you, my poor child?" "Oh, you will do nothing for me," no-replied: "You are a yankee: I cannot hope that my messages to: my mother will ever reach her." Mr. Lincoln' tears, his voice full of;the tenderest love, convinced the boy of his sincerity and he gave his good bye words? without reserve. Tliepres ident directed them copieel and ordered: that they: Se sent that night, withva flag of truce, into the enemy's lines; He only toid the soldier who he was to convince Mm tnat his word wotrW be obeyed,, and when told that time was precious, as the distant outposts -must yet lie visited, he arose reluctant ly and ent.-flied the ambulance. Witt' sobs and - t&ars he turned to Mark Lemon, his a-iend, and said: "Mark, my heart is- breaking. Sing me some thing; sing: the-old song I love, '0ft in: the Stilly Sight.' " TooOTiich for a Bass. A bat flewvinto the billiard room on anhotel at Greenwood Lake the other evening, audi was knocked down by. one of the payers who struck it with, a billiardvfeoe:. It fluttered behind; some wine-cases, audi was not found until next morning, when one of the boys pulleail it! from its hiding-place and tossed' it iiitc a boat, in which. Cofair, the guide;, who was about to cross the lake; A fisherman occupy ing the stermisea laid aside his tackle and picked; up 'the bat to examine it. He found 6hht obs- of the creature's - wings was biKikenv aaad in turniing it over got bSa linger too close to its - mouth, lai aninetaiit, four needle-liks teeth were-di ven ino Ins finger-tip, and with aaeexclamation of pain and anger he sh0k. tke bat loose and cast it out on the surface-of the lake. AS the maimed creature fluttered about in the water.-tho euid stopped rowing to watch it, and his passenger sucked his finger and: muttered a few deexr drawn imprecations,. Suddenly, witfha. swirl and splash. a magraaceraF oass, nuiy eignueen inches long, engulfed the bat in , his capacious jawa and shot full length, out of the water:. "Served him right;" ' said thevictimiOfrthie creature's teeth. and, tueningtDj the guide, he asked:: What s the naartorwith getting som- more bats for Bait?" Befoi-e the suifl could answer thet bat rose to thrt-sxirlace, crushed, but still gasping. . Gofair smiled as he said:: I thought that ai black bass was.-hog- enough to eat aliuiost anything, .hut-I.' guess a bat is-a little too strong evani tor amass. irnjiitaceipnia jiimes.. rhat'9esendiir Tiove . A .New Havan-,. Conn., dispatch says-:: "While the 3fcv.. Mr. Clark was preaoh ing. in easi Haven (.oaigregatianaiii Charch, audi had finished the prayer preceding tiie-sermon, a Jove alighted! uon the asnter gallery, ih full view af the congregation, and began cooing. When he Hod! finished $is pray.eu the dove perahsd on the gajery raising op posite tha- clergyman. When , ha-read the first shapter of St. John's. Gospel at the thirty-second verse "I: saw the spirit descending from heavaa like a dove, and it abode sbout him!''' the dove flaw to the desk and perched npon the opn psge ot th fible. The pas tor's t3rt was from the lousth verse. It then settled upca the platform be low the pulpit during the ssmon. At the conclusion tb pastor- engaged in sacrintt ntal services and closed the Bibla-. The bird thrice stepped from the book and on again-, and then nestJed by its sinle. Wheahe had con cluded the pastor referred to the in terruption and coincidence, and said that the winged visitormightbe taken as emblematical of the spirit of the church. Then the bird perched upon the pastor's head. The effect was electrical, and many ladies were in tears. Tbepastor took the dove and held it to his breast and gave the benediction. It was Stephen Bradley's pet dove -;hich had followed his sister :o church. The rest of the family had tried to drive the little thing back, but it followed the young lady in, and Hew by the way of the gallery stairs. Much, comment is made in east Haven, md it is regarded as almost miracu lous. Albany Express. s