Evening Star Newspaper, January 25, 1873, Page 3

Eo yeu he weary, wardderiug rain ito : What conld ty What ret Perhaps! Wh He only knew The large gray eyes were dim with dew, Saw only on the mouth’s «weet bloom ‘The shadow of reluctant doom, one «ad, gentle werd, Aud then through that deep stillness heard suce more the weary, wondering rain Beat dul! agamst the window-pane. [ Appieton’s Journal. —$_—=<s8eo— S IT THE BEST? w I. ‘The little church stands high upon the hill at Cressmyroof. Itis nota handsome church at all, nor curious, nor famons; but | love it deark as T ought to love it, having lived all my life in its very shadow, and listened within its old gray walls while > Bars ole lips i ry me the one great lesson which has sanctified it. We deserved it three times in every year; at Christmas, at Easter, and for the Harvest Thanksgiving service. But the Christmas de- corations were what [took moat pride in; and — the viear’s eldest daughter, of course the chief of the work, and of the pleasure, fell upon me. The children (i mean my brothers and sisters) helped me al ways, aml we had one of our own servants when she could be spared, be- sides counting villa Tunteers; but [ always felt we should have very much more in- capable and unsneeesfu! ifhad not been thatold Mrs. Gotte made a point of ogo her grana- n down at Croesm for Christmas. He was #0 ready with his help; so quick to see what would look well; so tall and strong, that noth- ing we wished to attempt was impossible wh:n he was there, and nothing in the work was a Furkane mot hy IE took most pric was wi took most pride in the Christmas ecorating—for it is a pleasnre to meet with hearty sympathy and help in any- thing one undertakes; but pewhaps it was anly beexuse Christmas was always such a happy time with me. Sometimes Eleanor M'Laird came up from the hall to help us, and when she did she gene- rally laughed, a little low aristocratic laugh, over my garlands and texts, and pretended to think the childrenhad done them all. I was often glad that we were in the church when she said so, because hot Tose from m: * and would have left my lips perhaps if we had wot been there. She was an only child, and very rich; and I was the eldestof eigit, and had never known what it was to havea sixpence, the spending of which had not been antici- fed. Her father was lord of the manor, with WO a year. My father was vicar of the parish with $500. But I think if she had felt the dif- ference between us less, I should have felt it more—certainly I should have felt itin a betier way. Christmas day fell on a. Satomtay that yes and it was getting quite dark on the Friday terneon before we hal finished. Eleanor had bronght a magnificeat boujuet of hothouse flowers for the chancel tabie, and I stood waich- ing her while she arranged them. + They will not be moved, 7 she said, stepping down into the aisle again and address" ing me,“‘nor the cross I have placed above. ust see that the cross is safe. James was the footman whe had been sent to walk home wi she’ repeated her question to ‘0: no one will move them, Miss M’Laird,”” 1 answered. “Low Chareh people have such cramped ideas sometimes,” she said, passing on; and sat down again to the wreath I was making. How different the vicarage tlowers were froin those which she had brought from the conser- vatories in thehatl. 1 thought this, working on with my shy-looking little roses, while the wisis~ | pering shadows ai led in under the heavy = amd crept along the narrow windows. 1 ad heard yoices in the elurchyard after Ele. nor had lett the chureh, and | Know that Marq Gotto (his name was really Marquis, but we al- ways called him Marq) had met her just out- side of the porch. and had stopped two chat. Sh= was generally very gracious to him; perhaps be- cause he had that charm about him which com- pelied people to like him; perhaps becanse he ——— and handsome that she could for- get, while she was talking to him that he was enly @ poor young lawyer, struggting hard to win his own way in a world over whose wide ox- tent, he used to say, there was no one else to win it for him. “* Ps it finished?” asked Mary, standing be- side me in the twilight, with that littie smile upon his lips with which he so often spoke to me. “If so, let_me it betore we are shrouded in utter darkness.” I tried to hasten, but the string got entangled every second. « Nina, your hands are cold and tired, dear. Give me the wreath.” I gave it to him at once, helping him to holt it while his strong fingers «lexterously tied im the last ivy and laurel-leaves. « Now hand me the nails, and see how cally [ will put itup. I stood at the foot of the little ladder, while the children, whe had finished their task, gath- ered ——— the wreath was hung. he stepped a us, and—quite uncon- sciousty, I think laut bis band on mine as he looked up at it. The tlowers look very commonplace beside Miss M’Laird’s,” I said, with a little sigh. He laughed—the lang deepening in his eyes as he turned and looked into my fuee. “I think Miss M’Laird’s garlands are as like herself as Mise Callaway’s garlands are like herself. My fingers could not weave a wreath of hers.” *: That looks pretty,” £ said, still looking up. " It isour wreath, remember. How long will it live.” nents over Christmas,” put in Tom, practi- v. cal “Indeed, sir!” laughed Marq, “and may I inquire what Christmas you allude to? Now, Nima, is there anything cise for me to de in this way?" «I think not.” . though the children went home then. we Lian, there, while the brilliant Na- tivity scene upon the eastern window grew more and more real, as the light faded without. Ihave one thing more to do, you know, ‘arq,” [ swiel, asthe choir came in. + We have oy them over to papa.” : That's right. Twill stand bere and listen The singers tighted the candles 01 and bent over them to bring their light upon the mi ; but [ knew the grand them well, amd stood back im the shado here T could see Marq leaning at the end of our seat. Oftew im the time that followed did I remember how heedlessiy I Lad sang the comforting words that night, whtle I watched his listening re and while the gorgeous picture of the Birth we sang of faded utterly. P: was detained in the village, so Marq and I waiked slowly on together down the quict lane; the darkness of the Christmas night deep- ening and deepening, and no star yet ventueing ont into the ebiliing air. Yet we lingered at every step, thinking nothing of the cold. Marq wastelling me of that strange Mrs. Da i whe, ever since I can remember, has lived ne at the old Prioryon the other side of the Bill. Of course, long ago | Rad heard the story of her cruelty to her stepson; and of the quac- rel between them when his father died and left all his wealth unconditionally to her: the will never even montioning his only son. But Marq Was telling me other things—how Mrs. Duncan always songht his advice now on the most tri- ing matters of business; how often she sent (or him when she was in London: how she was now il at Torquay; and be was going to ter in a tew = ye. «When tawvers get one good client they think their fortunes made, Mary, don't they?” I asked. « Leannot quite answer for lawyers in general being eo , dear; but one lawyer in particn- Yar ig, I feel my fortune male. My only want now me one to share it.” He was laughing of course, and | laughed too. “ It is too great for vor to spent alone. then?” “Itwill be when Ive earned it. I intend to have such a beautifa! little home. A white With roses and jasmine all over it, andl a garden full of wonderfa! scents and une<pectd <orners—just like your own home, Nina. Ani as se J shall want some one to share it with our mother,” I suggested. wag os ly venerable aacetied Us o strong conservative. declining te leave her in- gh and can vou expect her primttive resilence hold me when [ am agreat man?” «« You remember the inquisitive bells of Step- « You. siet to kmow phen that will be, do you? ’ your usual tar-sightednes, you Sonid inanuate that Lam counting my chickens Yoo suen. Never mind! { feel that Ff shail win smeces* at last. Faint heart, xs you are aware, never won fair lady; and ceen toe 10 5 heart ix very strong. Tha one great hope that lealeme on, ‘Nina. Staal here a mo- ment, dear, out in the — night with me, am] tell me that hope have its Culfilliment.”* ‘We were at the gate then, and I heard papa’s step bebind uson the frosty road. A new Rer- in my great happiness, re on the lateh, upou ghem, whis- part my Marg laid bis cool. frm hand yering very tenderiy: “J will not keep you here, my des oue; I her; and while he did as sie | 1 | face and trying—as f think we were all trying— you for answer now. Give it | Tom spoke, he gathered few stray leaves me to-mortuw—on Christmas night. Nina, | and bits of string which we had let fall atter the tit be kind. I have loved you with all the | woman the church, and I carried with me strength of my heart. You have been the one | the flowers | had not used. Ti were only the = imped my ~~ Let = the fo ge oe nig ee our own garden and ream mine. ‘ive me ih ttle wife Iseck, to make it bright and beaut: | fresh they looked when F letk howe ee aed ey ful.” my own reat in when I laid them down upon cho’ Quite quietly we walked together the Ve tried over our new anthem in the fadi garden, but when we reached the Tighted hall I | daylight; but papa, who stood to listen just Fan Qway upstairs. After tea we had s +» | Where Marq had last year, decided that he happy evening of Christmas games and murie, | would rater bear the oll one,’ Ss Marq seemed & we sang it le lead and was once over; then with swimming eyes I. went Tildest and merriest of ns H. Seu the betis away, and left the flowers lying there,” x chimed the Christmas we snow lay ankle-deep harch- parating. Then the children were sent to 1 ext me, Bete noth yard grass next morning, but a path was cleared up to the porch, where the pure white flakes clung delicately to the dark old wood- work. How cold thé church was! I sat and shivered in my place before I even cared to look at the effeet of our decorations. Eleanor’s cross was more beantiful than ever this year. Did it make her very happy to live among sach bean- tifal flowers?” Would it make Marq happy? hinking of him: my eyes wandered to where, upon that happy day a year go, our wreath had hung. And there, jost in the old spot, wo- ven of the old flowers, another th was hang se ’ ded, and Marq stood at the hall-door. I ing over his good-night; the frosty breath of the | new-born day filling the ball, and we laughing | and shivering as we stood there. He loitered so long that they all left us; then I gave him my hand that I might follow them. “I wonder whether I shall reach home safely?” he mused, holding it while he looked round into the darkness. *+Nina, let me i light I ean. Letime have another look | into the face I love. Moving back into the light, my cheeks burn- ads , Estood and smiled my last good-bye; out- | ing now. Tushed to my face; a hot u the gloom Marq raised his hat and | light burned in myeyes. Who but Marq him- prightly answered me. self could have done this? I recoguized the |. Gur wreath i I thonght it he had said—Marq’s and mine! woked lovely even among Elea- brilliant flowers. The children the church first of all the con- walked up the aisle, whispering how the glistening leaves ant berries looked the slanting sun-rays touched them 1 took my place in the choir, and in little ng groups the people passod under the | hic . bringing in the Christmas sunshine on flowers I had left in my seat last night; 1 recog- nized the taste which had arranged them; and then I forgot all about the cold, and a great joy filled my heart as completely as the triamphant organ-notts now filled the chureh. ic came in with old Mrs. Gotto on his arm, and behind him walked a stooping sunburnt tleman With gray hair and a face lined ly by something that had gone more deep thancaré. But I did not trust myself to look at Marq, and when we came out into the church- yard they were gone. As we lingered round the fire at home, I contd not help fancying that Marq wonld come in to & pore tdeir faces. Old Mrs. Gotto came at last, on Mary's arm, and she stood a moment just with- in the door, = round upon the decora- tions. Mary looked up too, but his eyes were xers grave, und I fancied luis thoughts were far | us justas he had eome thatday a year ago. away. . Yet, when [really heard the footsteps for which Tlen—in a hush which seemed to me a | I been waiting so long, I did not dare to breathless hush of joy—we sat among the winter | turn. The children clustered round him, so I flowers in gleams of sunshine, which has hal- | was the last whom he greeted. lowed this day for every tocome. And the glad words of the anthem filled the church as if We too, in joy and tha: ving, would Join the angels’ glorious hymn to-day. Ye had been home only afew minutes, and were standing round the lire warming our feet, when Marq came !n. 1 wondered to see bim, he never came to uson Christmas day “ Nina, a merry Ci a? The words were 80 gay, and yet so earnest, that I was ashamed of iny own sudden shyness and tried to answer in the same frank tone. “ Lam come, you see Elsie,” he said, taking her on his knee as he sat down among us, “and nobody says how nice it is to see me. I think I will go back again.”” until evening. and T cially wondered when | « Are you come to live at the Priory now?” he shook hands with us ail—he wished u: asked Tom, eagerly. try Christmas, forgetting he had done sv in ** No.” . early morning. “Tam sorry to sity my Christmas greeting heralds my good-bye,” he said, speaking rather was with you in church to-day, Marq?” asked my father.”* “Mr. Duncan, sir. He is staying with us nervously. * Mr. Callaway, what do you think | over to-day; then he takes possession of his own has happened? estate.” Of course papa said he could not think at all. |“ What! old Mrs. Dunean’s stepson!” we all * Old Mrs. Duncan hasdied at Torquay and— | exclaime@. “Is he come back?” and—tett me her heir.” * Nonsense!” pay said promptly. “ You joke too gravely, Marq.” “ But it is no joke, sir; it isa simple fact.”” “ But she has a son, Mr. Gotto,”’ began Tom, staring into Marq’s face. *- No; bnt her husband had one.”* «And has she left her husband’s wealth away from her husband's son?” I asked, breathing very quietly. Marq simply answered “+ Yes,” without look- ing at meas he spoke. «Since that quarrel nearly twenty years ago,” he added, questioned him farther, f this son, and hax never tried to hear of him. He is not mentioned in her will, they tell me.” And the will is valid?"? verfectly so. The property was her own, to as she would.” Then her father’s will long ago was an un- Just as the mother’s is now,” mamma inter- rupted. “Old Mr. Duncan was entirely ruled by bis wife, I believe," Marq answered, “and lett her uncontrolled possession of the whole estate.”” « But he never could have imagined th Papa said quietly—«So I thought.” * Yes, he is come back—from the farthest corner of the earth, one may say.” you bring him back, Marq?” 1 asked, feeling how proudly I was looking up in- to his face. ina; T bronght him back, with the Jawfil and unlawful means,” he the old smile upon hie lipsas he alc said, with swered me. * And—and—the wealth ishis now?” ** The wealth has been always his, Nina; but there were some useless torms for me to. go through; and those, with our long search and many journeys have taken up a whole long year. Did you remember Duncan, sir?” he ad- Le turning to papa. “ Did you recognize im."* “Hardly, Marq. He was nothing more than a handsome careless lad in those days; now he looks a middle-a; man—one, too, who has passed through a hard and bitter battle with the world an I fancy—with himself, too.” « T wonder what old Mrs. Duncan would have said, if she had known her will would be ” , laughing. (, looking into the fire, while the cheek next Marq grew very hot, in- = ad, “Perhaps she knew what Marq would If she knew him well, she may have guessed would will it away from his only son, father said “Why, the name and estate have er for two hundred years!” ‘as Mrs. Du quite clear in hor mind when the will was made, do you think?’ 1 in- quired. it,” my mother added gently. * Quite so, as far as medical judgment goes.” Yet Se thinking I plot Marq so well_never «There is vo ditficuity in deciding what was | had guessed it! He laughed, giving Elsie a rong in her mind,” said my father, gravely. | hasty kiss, and depositing heron my lap. *1 ‘How inveterate must have been her hatred!” | must go now.” he said, “or Mr. Duncan will “What a rich inan you will be, Marq!”” said ‘Tom, delightedly, “and you'll live at the Priory and he greater than the M'Lairds.” “+ Are you really very rich and great, Mary?” asked Elsie, raising her siall and inquisitive have exhausted all my’ grandmother's remini- stences of his ancestry. May | come in for the evenin, Everyone answered eagerly except pyre ; but he smiled at me justas if I had done a6. What a happy day that was! And in the evening, when the fires burned brightest, aud the shutters were shut, and the curtains drawn, Mary came. The urn had just heen carried into the dining- room, and I was in there alone. making the tea, leg J heard him bang his hat and coat in the all. ‘We were so many, I thonght, that it would not do for me to put in a spoonful of tea for each of us and one for the pot, but I did put in three extra ones for Marg. I lingered, re- ranging the flowers on the table, and wonde: whether Mark had ever sat down to such a fi midable children’s tea sinee he had last been among us. Theu it was time to ring the tea- to read Marg’s, He stooy upon the rag beside her, and I fancied that he did it to avoid our eyes, as he answered, * Yes, Lam a very rich man, Elsie darting, but not great yet. That I must try to be, now that the riches are mine.” | ‘Dhe words were spoken very slowly and very htfully; and they fell upon my heart asa rshadow sometimes fallsupon a sunny spot He had tostart for Devonshire so early in the morning, he said, that he must bid as good- bye then. His grandmother wonld uot hear of | his leaving her again that day. We all shook | Bands with him as we stood round the fire; then he hurried away, saying he should be late for diuner, as he had to go round to the Priory. ‘AsItnrned toleave the roomhe mt me. ~ He speaks of the place in a tone of propric- | eoming in with his old smile, even more bright torship already,” papa said, laughing a little. | and tender than it used tobe. * It will be good to have such a ueighbor. I | + Nina, this is Christmas night.” ish I had him fora patron. He will go into And tea-time,” I added, laughing, as he Parliament, of course, and be a great uran, as | took my hands in his. Le says.” “*Tsaid I should come for my answer on “Poor Mr. Duncan!” mamma said, as she | Christmas night.” and I'went wpstairs. And whether it wax be- | « You said so, but neyer came.” cause I thought of him, or because I hat « Dearest, do you not understand now why I Mare, or because I thought of myself, 1 don’t | never came? Could | come until f knew what know; but the joy and sunshine of that Christ- | Jife I asked you to share with me? Conld I mas day were gone. I had no fire in my bed- | offer myself to you a rich man, Nina, when 1 reom, else I think I should have sat b@fure it knew that very soon I should be poor again? that night, wandering and wondering. Y You, I Would have understood me, if daresay that would not have made things any | had'told you what I meant to do; but it would clearer to me than seemed, 81 stood tor have been unfair toyouin the eyes of others. those few minutes at the staircase window. It | Jf—if there had been no one to clatm the wealth was to-mght that I was to have told whether the home he said he dreamed of sh be his. Another home had been given him now, which took him—in one way—fur from n He Was free. Since I had not accepted his love he could not think himself bound to me, and would go into a different world now, and see how much more wisely he could choose. “1 know he will be a great man,” I whispered to myself, “and I will rejoice in it as I live on Ci ™: ,,0f course I could honor- ably have asked you to share it with me; but not—not while I felt I held it only tn trust. I ‘was to come for my answer on Christmas night; and here I am. “ And, Marq, here I am too.” And then his’ brave happy face bent down to amine, and neither of us spoke at first in our fall content. «Nina, what have you thought of me beet y. here. Per! sometimes, when he | this year of silence?” asked Mar. present! ‘eels tired of his med es: he will | « Has it tried your love, my darling?” like to rest a few minutes in theold garden with | I'did not answer that but shyly took my place wonderful seenta and unexpected corners,” and I shall be bis friend—only his friend, but always true to him in my heart, whether he before the tea-tray. * Ab, little Nina! it is impossible that you have trusted me jnst so firmly and entirely as I kuows itor net. Oh, Iam so glad that I could | have trusted you: not tell bim last night how T loved him?” T knew I had not—Oh, so well I knew it!—and Yet thongh I said that I was giad, thon; |] told him so. I pictured the oniet friendship I would teat tor * You saw our wreath, Nina? Did it tell yen im, my heart would beat so quickly when the what I meant it should? letters came, that I dared not trust to look at ** Yes; and more, Marq.” i while [ waited for them to be claimed, “It is very, ve to feel that waiting- th I drew hurt me with a quick sharp | time is over,” he » leaning over my chair, while I first looked unmeaningly into the tea- Week after week went by, and no tidings came of him—no tidings for us, atleast. Somes times old Mrs. us where he was, but not often, and never what he was . Spring came. The roses and jasmine on the white wallsof my home blossomed in their first fresh beauty: looking in at my window, and remind- ing me of many a happy spring to come. But still he never came. Dreamily, in its full and perfect beauty, the summer followed; but trough these long bright days he did not come. T listened to the reapers singing at their work; 1 listened to the lark echoing their song among the sort white clouds; but through all the joyous music of the autumn days there rang for m= a sad. sad strain, because he did not come. Slowly and steadily there crept to my feet the lengthening ogee aes long wiuter, whose ty dreaded. pot, and then asked him if he would please to ring the tea-bell. = ntly. The tea will be all the better for standing afew minutes longer. Duncan is 50 a ‘osee you, Nina. Hesays he must lek upon’ us his two first and firmest at the Priory must be always Bat, dear, through, this lonely ing for other aims be- year, Ihave beeu wor! sides the—relieving of my conscience. I have been working for that home I used to dream of; and now I feel it within my . “And the roses and the jasmine?” 1 asked, looking up, and ing to speak easily, though my cheeks were yn. He answered me quite differently from what I had expected; and f had begun to put the su- gar into the cups at random. ‘ “ Will you come with the roses and jasmine, Nina? Surely, then I shall have waited long Rachiect. * Oh, Marq! do ring the tea-bell.”" a al . arg! do ri ¢ tea-bell.” just bemoan Tae ee re aaAL bad | wort knew the: tes ‘would to undsinkably . * strong if we waited any longer, and everyone glistening hetly-boughs trem the porch. iy 5 d pulp - ne, ae would laugh at.me for putting in so much ex fer the pulpit stairs sat Bleanor, sewing Just for Mara. of boxieaveson white muslin. Docsie Scrrnise.—A wife of nearly ten “« Fean Not—" The words grew under her fingers, and I read them over and over as I Ps mt near her. She was | Years, having given ber servant a holiday, was talking to papa sud rapidly a9 she | eter Meaband conan inn a neat and hae, worked. but 1did' not follow her. Now and | Ipgher hu Gn ‘an coon apd oooeen then I heard <chasubles,” “tanicles,” “‘albs,” “baretta,” and many things which I suppose he understood, though he hardly spoke at all; but the only words which went to my heart were those her fingers left upon the long white scroll. Iturned to my work, ashamed of the feeling which had been used to make this task so light the door by throwing her hands over his and imprinting a on his brow, as in days ofthe honeymoon. The husband the salute with ee he dis- engaged hands, “+: p ing, where re mistress?” The wits’; discharged ‘‘Mary jarling” the next day, and has adopted a new to me in the year: me by. I would think none bat happy Christiaan theughts. plan of “surprising” her husband.—Lancaster « Why have lest that space bare, Nina2® | (Pa-) Express 00 Sha’nt you puf a wreath up as youdid last A “Heatnen Cuixer” 1x Love.—One of the “No, Tom. I've finished now.” Bellevue named Nimba Eleanor had scen her text put up, ant was | ed thre, This moraine ake Peer leaving the church, wrapped in ig oy soft | when Shing followed her to Jersey City and be- fra. She hesitated "a wmomevt. Wwoklung See tomaie viclgut Jove to barin the riously into my face, where the color had risew .e woman |, whem Shing was sorely against my will. deat ed. At the station-house he chron ges jum ae peroath that hung there lest | to kill himself with. He was looked u 7 ¥. ‘Mins and Mr. Gotto.” lige = SERRE “ Have you heant of Mr. Gotto lately?” she ‘Wash Harm Bavsyzs, never us? soap. tome... |] Take a piece of soda, dissolve it in warm water, “x x the brush in it. making sure that the wa- | . “Have yor not? amd she raised her ¢ ter covers At, will almost in- brows with languid surprise. «+ He is itn ‘onda | ‘become white ‘clean. Place it in now. He is coming down to stay with us, | the air to , with the bristles dewnward, sud fore he taker of the Priory. Papa it,will be as a new brush. . helpg hit at, present in the peraqual ag F 18cO CoUnr the other day, 3 ment of the extate, but We expect him soon. Tanne Comnees ee a Tasked it Ina voice so stl and Passioniess | that it surprised moe w beard «Perhaps to-night; I know he will.come as ‘soon as he ea’ ith that you atbis house! every night?” “; Priory ought to Be. os Nit ts: the ory in neighbor! Ricks vie T will bid you good-evening, Misa ay. te give her my earnest Christmas w! now my hands were upon the rails. and my tongue felt. bot a1 ed myou worl pnt a reath up oe iP No, me.” |} mora eouthere which has . ne.” . i Fie Nery desiteay you shake. vomr tenat| | dab wae Wrabe toca, 7 - We've finished, I xippose, all stop bouneifuity members the practice, and walk rome with you.” As tae tepuenne een THE AIR-GUR. The perfect of air, and the almost total absence of frietion with which it moves under ordit are which fit it to form the perfect of all springs; so that, if we wish to store up power and yet retain the ability to liberate it sntdenly and completely, air places the myans of doing so at our disposal. Like many other s:ientitic facts of deer import, this was Grst discoversd by school-boys, and embodied im the pon-gan—\ fortress Hestrument as we ordinarily See it, mt one capable of intticting a severe blow when well m: and properly used. We have seen a well made pop-gun sink a leaden bullet its fill depth into a nay board,—@ feat which very few men couk! accomplish by projecting such a mis- sile by the unaided arm. From the pop-gan to the airgun proper was but a step; and as this weapon has recently attracted a good deal of the popular attention, and as the ideas that gen- eting it are exceedingly erro- i-ascertained facts in regard to its operation and effects may not be out of place. Of the various modifications of the air-gun that are uscd at fairs and in shooting-galleries for boys, we do not propose to . They are in general powerless except for the’ projection of peculiar feathered darts, which are entirely inefficient at a distance of one hundred paces; whereas the true air-gun wiil send its bullets with a foree which at this distance will prove ag to any small animal, and eyen to man him- se) In the air-gun_proper, the expansive force of compressed air is sul force Pa ens liberated by the chemical com} , a8 is done in the ordinar: musket and pistol; and it is obvious, that, with the exception of a single feature, there is nothing to prevent our getting as high an initial velocity by the action of compressed air as by the action of gunpowder. This special feature consists in the reduction of temperature, and conseqnent loss ef expansive force, which all sustain when allowed to expand. When the chamber ndensed of the air-gun is rapidly filled with co: air by means of the air-pump, it becomes exceedingly warm. eat hag been ex tracted from the condensed air; and, when the latter is allowed to cool and then to expand, it falls as far below the regular temperature, as it rose above it when compressed. Upon this principle, water may be frozen by mechanical action; and, indeed, there are ice-machines now in existence that work upon this plan. It is evident that this feature places a limit uponour power of utilizing the expansion of air, although itis not bable that this limit will ever reached in practice. We must also remember that this detect is in @ measure compensated by the large size of the reservoir of compressed air. In ordinary fire-arma, the powder oecupies but asmall portion of the bore of the gun, and must expand so asto fill the whole barrel before the charge leaves the muzzle. In the air-gun, the premare is kept up with almost undiminished force throughout the whole length of the bar- rel, and hence the high velocity imparted to ball by means ofa comparatively slight initial a The ordinary initial velocity of a bullet from from a good air-gun is from 100 to 400 feet per second, that of a rifle bullet being 1,300 to 1,800 feet in the same time. But with well-made guns, furnished with powerful cond pumps, an additional velocity as high as 1,000 per second may be reached. Air- of this class have assumed an almost infinite variety of forms. The original device, which we have seen more than once. and which is figured in most works on natural philosophy, was made in the form of a fowling- | sages with a cobble globe attached for holding he compressed air. The modern air-gun, how- ever, is generally in the form of a walking-cane; and, as this kind of weapon does not recoil at ail under ordinary circumstances, there is no neces- sity for the firm and ponderous stock which is requisite for most fire-arms. Indeed, so slight is the recoil that the weapon is in most cases actually pressed against the cheek, and aim taken in this manner. As we shall see hereafter, however. this [atiemniaepa is due to the com- paratively slight projectile force of the weapon, and not so much to the peculiar action of the elastic fluid -used. The force with which the ball is propelled depends, ot course, upon the extent to which the ‘air is com: pressed in the chamber; and hence one of the parts upon which the efficiency of the weapon chicfly depends is the condensing-pump. In selecting & pump, most persons make the mistake of supposing that the larger the pump the more powerful it must be, whereas exactly the opposite is the case. A pump with a bore of one-quarter of aninch is just sixteen times as powerful—that is to say, it will compress air sixteen times as efficiently—as a pamp one inch in diameter. With a pemp having a bore of one- fourth of an inch, it is easy for an — an to condense air until it exerts a pressure of 2,500 pounds on each square inch of the vessel in whieh ot is contained. Air at this pressure is, however, very difficult to confin Not that there is ‘any danger of the small steel holder's bursting, for this ix not at all likely to happen; but the valves must be very well made, and of very excellent material. Ii this degree of con- densation be obtaii » and the rest of the weapon be well made, a bullet may easily be sent through a two-inch pine plank af one hun- dred yards. Such a ctite is capable of in- flicting a fatal wound at two hundred yards. Prol jy the most perfect air-guns in the world are those mae in London for the use of English poachers. As e no smoke, ati consequently no smell, they are not #0 easily detected as fire-arms when ‘used in ame pre- serves. It is a mistake, however, to suppose that they make no noise. When chi to produce the effects above descri the re- port is quite sharp—tully as as that pro- nuced a ‘When lightly charged, report is of course diminished; but the force with which the bullet is projected is ss op portionally , and so is the recoil. a weapon for secret assassination, therefore, the air-gun does not possess much advan’ overa good rifle-cane. Few persons are, however, Aware of the slight charge of powder or air that is necessary to produce a fatal wound at short distances.” Experience teaches us that bullet. that will go a hal inch board will kill a man it strikes him ina vital and not too well protected part. Now, a bullet can be rifle with a force sufficientto at twelve paces, by means not than it whic! three cent piece; and wided the charge be ignited quietly, as b: ‘a pilllock, the noise of the explosion will not attract the atténtion of per- sons who are sixty y: The small little noise ex- ined j and pistols in common use make vé et, if the ball should strike a vital part, nay be caused cept when disch: in cont the air-gun are fact that the corroded Inbor of charging ‘the condenser may be fairly el may ofinet ost the labor involved in ‘cleaning rei dinary arms after they have been used.—[n- dustrial Monthly. A Plea for Night Air, But in Heavy Nightingale say: snneis ni Within; mort people preter the latter, it is truc, Did you ever test these by going early in the a it up fiately been lowered six inches from the een raised six inches from the bottom? Well, what did you find? In one, however pretty and well arranged, however heaithy, neat and well bred its ocon- it, a smell of clothes, of damp towels, of «lust, of carpet—all slight, but all indicative of that used-up condition of the atmosphere which is so fatal to a . In the other, no better pes = trey |, an elastic feel, a perfume freshness which made breathing pleasant. NE are ree omens rerevs emai ir ever com ‘own sensations low man; - ks of life, the to dull- neas which hindered this or that, the brain to work ‘8 critical momen can ‘The choice lies & corners and warm wraps, how ds} 4 La) ‘ourselves i i : i i ft fl Fy id r i ' ! 8 j } ' PROPOSALS. | PROPOSALS. es ROTOSALS YOR POSTAL CARDS. Ute states wan—vineinia. Post Orricr Post Ovrick DEPARTMENT, Seated Pro Ibe regeived at thse : wit Secved ar the Somtrect of Smet AT, the S7ohias of ter, ne Fe ee Sweater | Sindee for Scaten Petal Cards fort | Sunvericg the mails of the’ Quiied State from July 1, ied before me, —— Vanbauring & of, four years, commencing on 10 3 ine 30 88, in the State of Virginia, om aa ‘uy at, aA ae { the Ist day of May, 1873) Fou of de ‘amt Th Wetodane cliche ay + ND QUALITY OF CARD. + Dame and of. sy fBcial eral the day and yea: afore= 1 Tie Canis will be three by. five and one-eighth wd —— <a Senna ck, (cotton and linea mixed.) tub-etend tie hrs eg: Oph ‘fa ceraeton a Fe | record chould be gilded. uniter : ut. PRINTING, DIES, PLATES, &c. The cards will be surfvct-printed on one side onty. from hardened stect plates taade from a die the {ity of fhe Guverameent. Eve forms of pl 38) cards it c at height of ondi ing type blocks, spaced accurat. | the size of the + Feady for tie press; sud piatc | to be kept in repair “and renewed af the vost of the | contractor. | The Department reserves the right to canse the de high, div, rolls, plates. covor, and. water-raark of the | card to be changed whenever the public it = be subserved thereby; and to require, when neces: sory, new designs, dies, rolls, plates, colors, and wa- ter-marks, equal in every 1 those supplied the Goverument, to be furnished within a reason: to the ap. express. and water. 0 able tine, at the coutractor’™ cost. +t rowal of the Postmaster General. And it understood that all dies, rolls, plat tmrk rolls, made or used at any time 4 istence of the contract, shall be the NUMBER OF CARDS FIRST YEAR, The estimated number of cards required for the ‘st year is one bundred million ,(100.00).000,) bat th» | ntractor must farnish all that may be called for | jeans it reference to this estimate, be the same more | or lees. BUILDING, SECURITY, FROM FIRE AND | ‘The cards will be required to be mannfactured in fire-proof building, and in separate apartments, dis tinct from those in which amy other work ia done by | the contractor; and when finished niast be plac in a fire and burglar-proof safe or vault. to be specially ‘ov ided for that purpose, and apartments and safe or Vault shall, at all times, be subject to cy inspection of au agent of the Department. The cards be Lanaed in pascele of twenty he cards must in parcel nty “five (25) abd packed Board or straw boxes, } . st with iron. cases and packages RS RE tion of an agent of the De it. n Case transported by wate: containing the cards, to ay ‘be provided with suitable water-proof- AE he time the coserast takes cect th ontract: Se Ube ae Ons or shall have on hand, ready for delivery , uot less thai five million (3,000.,000)cards, and shall, irom and after that date, deliver with all reasonable dispatch, parked, a a labeled as aforesaid, such ‘quantities ag may De required to fill the daily orders of postmasters; the deliveries to be made either at the Post Office Department, Washington, D. C., or at the post office in the city or town where the cou lor does business. the ea Encl vag to be at the opt®n of the Postmaster General; the cost of delivery, as weil as all expenses of packing, water proofiag, storing, addressing, and labeling, tu be Pe ee eh the right to require of e ent We the right to regu the contractor, at the expiration of the tract, or at any time dating its extstence,(o furnish an extra = of cards not exceeding a supply fur Qaree (3) months. PEC AGENT OF THE DEPART INSPECTION —A Be. B’ An agent of the Department will have of the manufacture, storage, and tesne of the cards. who shall at all tines have full and free access to the apartments, safex. and vaults where the cards are manufactured and stored, for the purpose of inspect ing the sam Whose daty it will be to require the stipulations of the act to be faithfally ob- served; and the contractor shall furnish him’ aud his clerks suitable office and desk room at the place of mannfacture, for the transaction of the business of his agency, without cost to the United States. ‘The contractor, his employes, and agents shall con form to such regulations as the Departinent mss from time to time adopt for the security of the Gov ernment. _REPORTS. 7 ype © will be required torepert plete 4, per visi: v (finished, daring tt all spoiled the presence of the a LANKS. In additon, the contractor will be required to fur- nish labels, and direct the same for eac age in accordance with the daily lists furnished by the agent of the De, ent; together with all other blanks r-. uired tobe inclosed with the cards; also all blanks Yor daily, weektysmonthty nnd quarterly returns Fe lati to the number of cards furnished, and stock on han of or in process of manufacture. CONTRACT NOT ASSIGNABLE. The contract cannot,in any case, be lawfully frans ferred or assigned. RESERVATIONS. The Postmaster General reserves the rigutto reject any or all bids if, in his ndgment ,the interests of the Government require it; the right to a he is opinion there contract if, in be a failure at ime to perform faithfully any of its stipulations, or incase of a willful attempt to impose upon the Department cards inferior to the sample furnished to the bidder by the Department, PAYMENTS. Pasments for cards actually iseued and delivere! will be made quarterly, after proper examination and adjustment of accounts. AWARD-—AGREEMENT—BONDS. Within ten days after the coutract hax been award- od, the succorsfal bidder shall cuter into an agre > Pos General to ve and. and req nts set forth in this advertisome cording to their true imtent and meaning, and make, execute, and deliver, subject to the approval and acceptance of the Postmaster General, bond with good and sufficient sureties, in the sum of 01 hundred thonsand dollars, ( ge go ) as a forfeiture for the faithful performance of ‘sald Agreement or ‘ontrnct, according to the. provisions amd suliject ts fhe liabilities of the seventeenth section of wu act, of poses, approved August 2 Vides that in case the ‘shall fail to comply ractor with the of his contract he and his sureties shall be liable for the forfeiture specified in such con- tract ax liquidated damages, to be sued for in the f the United Stat yart bay - ‘prene o ne oa fee In any cut Wing juris. If the contractor to whom the first award may be should fail to enter into eee ae sike jory bonds, a# herein provided, the award may be annulled the contract let the and next lowest res bidder, and so on until the required agreement and are ex such next lowest bidder shall be required to fuliiil ev pulation e or c also time ties shall di penalty of the bond. General shall ve the right to require a new bond, with additional and sufficient sureties, which the contractor shall furnish, to the acceptance of the Postmast eral, within ten days after notice, and in thereof the contract may be annulled. EXTENSION. Should the interest of the Government require this contract imsy be extended beyond, the time named, not ex: ng three months, by order of the cunsitions Nevets acd font all coves is oan c ns herein veri ex: tended contract, is ee fat i SPECIMENS AND ID. of the printed card and card- card-board, (without water-mark, which is yet com- ed.) th blank forms for bids: maybe bet ‘ou application tothe Phind Avlotant Poatnaates snes GUARANTEE-PROPOSALS. No proy will be considered uuless accompanit by a atletacte guarantee, signed by at Teagt tw *Bhodere maker siete in thelr Is the pri ers it in 5 co per thousand cards. inclading everthing required to" ive Gone or furnished, as set forth iu this advertivement Sad all propossis ingat be made upoa the blank forms furniahtd by te ‘Department. Securely enrclopod Sed sitscceod to the, Postmaster General, Washington, D. * OHN ‘A. 3. C: inches JOHN ‘A. J. CRESWELL. Fo FAMILY z. THE HALFORD LEICESTERSHIRE TABLE SAUCE, ‘THE VERY BEST SACCE AND RELISH MADE iN ANY PART OF THE WORLD. FAMILY USE. HALF PINTS...... Ors. osseneceasensser S@ CENTS. POR SALE-BY 4LL GROCERS. the person whe admminiccered 4 fed justice cf the peace INSTRUCTIONS TO RIPYER: Trees AND PosTMas- Coniaimine also condimions to be imrorporared om the comiracts to ihe exami the Department may dem Proper 1. Seven minates are allows? to each intermediate offer, when Dut otherwise specified, tor aasor img the Ast Jume to Sih Semtember. Leave Beck iknon Springs aay, except Saw | day, at Sam, Arise at Winchester by 9am: ve Winchester daily , except Sanday ,at 3.30 | @ Tontes where the mode of convevance admits he special agente of the Post Office Depart alee “e * wiice blanks, mail hocks Vor receipts propered b: of the Department, will’ sce mails.» ify the number and dest: She neveral bags’ tebe cranes Lorne eee tebeure regulaiity i the delivery ef bagy amd pay will be made for trips mot mnie one, ae ference th cach of each vais by the fault of the contractor or carrien’ S ok Valley by 9300 m; rk Valle} Monday, © cdibend vs am; now Springs by 12.90 pm. j } | Arrive at Be 4792 From Broadway Depot, by Coote® Store, to Dovesville, 17 nities and back. twice a week Leave Broadway Depot Wednesday and Satur day at 2 pin; Arrive at Dovbsritle by 7 pm; Leave Doveeville Wednesday ‘and am; Arrive at Broadway Depot by 12m. 4732 From Hambangh’ to Front Royal, $ mites and Tier, three tameg Pot arrivals eo connection with depemd- surth of orfoutare, 8 epeck. T om the pay of the trip will be deducted far iat time as te bremk turday at 7 back, twice a . jet meeye «any Leave Hamtaug! ‘ednesday and Saturday at | any portion of & am, Arrive at Front Royal by 12.30 pm; Leave Frout Royal Weduesday and Saturday ‘atl pm. Arrive at Hambaugh’s by 3.30 pm. 433 From London to Gum Spring, (n.o.,) Smilesard back, once a week Loudon Ssturday m, ive at Gum Spring by 12.30 pu; Leave Gam Spring Saturday at 7-3) a.m; Arrive at Loudon by W am. 4734 From Baptist Valley to Knob,25 miles and back once a week. Leave Baptist Valley Monday at 7 am; Arrive at Knob hy 5 pm; Leave Knob Tues ley at fa Arrive at Baptist Vailey by 3% From Shiloh, Ps * Store (nm. ©), Rook fy (mo. to Leedstown (a. 0.). 84 aaies ‘and back, twice a week. Leave Shiloh and Arrive at Leave fore. for Fanning an cxprem as aforesaid, or 4 ort Troe oF pose ee Demy Pahagescwreying maladie arn ve at Shilokeby 4 pin, &% From Miller's Tavern, by Fut and Mount Zion (p. 0.), to T miles and back, once a week. Tay by 12 eck il Leave Miller's Tavern Wednenday at 8am; Ksore Tappelnnmack Weuentay” at 1p, e c 5 Arrive at Miller's Tavern by ® 437 From Mangohick, by Etna Mi lanover CH 18 miles and Gack, twive 4 Leave Mangohick Tuceday and F at Hanover C. H. by 12.0 p Leave Havover C,H. Thurwday Friday at mm; Artive at Mangobick by 3.30 p 795 Fream Soffolk, by Nurneyevitic and Holy Neck, | safarm te Somerton, miles and back, twice a week. Suffolk Tuesday and Saturday wt 12 ua, Arrive at Samerion by ApS or obstructions of wn am Leave Somerton Tuesday and Saturday at7 am; | “hich expense may be incurred for Arrive at Suftelk by aim, tional pay, on such ground, can be considered; vor for alleged mistakes or nuisapproheusion ax to the £39 From PattonsviMe, by Cedar Point, to Snerds- of service, nor for bridges destroyed, ville.(n.0.).30 miles and back. discontinued. or uther obstructions causing creasing distance of ex] cecurring 4 Contract term. Offices setublished after this tinement ie teeued, and also during the contract tering are to be vir Hted without extra pay, if the disiance be not increased. 4740 From Nottoway C. H., by St. Mark's Charch | 1. are cantioned to mail their proposale sig ao 5 co 5 &. rCH nay to Olive | Btime to reach the Department bythe day enltnoue hi (B. 0.), 17 miles and back, once « | hamed (3p. m., March 8, 1875,) for bide Pecelv od after won that time wr! wot be comsedered ition wet Leave Nottoway C. H. Thursday at 7 am; bids enable amon: Neither Arrive at Olive Branch by 12 m- can bids be which are without the guar Leave Olive Branch Thursday at 1 pm; San ra FPS aut - Arrive at Nottoway by 6 pm. pa RL gy Se Rd 4741 From Thaxton’s, by Coonsville(n. o.)and Sandy 12. Bidders should first proposef or service strictly Ford (n. ©.), to Btewarteville (no), Ie miles | S0Cording to the advertisement, and then, if they de and back, once a week. BELO ale for different serviow: and if the regeiar Leave Thaxton’s Tuceday and Saturday at 7 jie ae ee Oe the savertioed service, Arrive at Stewartsville by 12m; ‘Thee shortd be bert one rote hd for tn Leave Stewarteville Tuesday and Saturday at 1 | Posel. Consolidated orcombination bideq™ propo rr one sum for (wo oF more routes”) Canuot be con PRE; hom sidere mak Mtaiere ek ertv ee 14. The route, the service, the yerty pay, the name 42 From Wolf Trap to Omega, mites and back, aud remkdence of the bidder «tat ai wpa tte iis wait where s company offers, showid be distinctly stated’ v = Trap Wednesday and Saturday at bs. ‘on Feyucsted to tine, as far as practica- ted proposals furnished by the Depart. 9. i bie, t Badge write out iu full thr-suui of thelr bids, aud to A x Leave Omega Wednetay and Saturday at 7.99 | Ment, te Tetain copies of them. am; Artivé at Wolf Trap by 9am. piAltered bide shonld wot tbe of or guarantor will be allowed unlew the 443 From Laurel Grove to Cartersburgh, 1M mites | Of 8 nd ba. ry ap ck. twice a weel > vat the time fixed for ving the gree! Grove Wednesday and Saturday Ki + a a ~doered yoy sppinsite Etave Cartersburgh: Weduceday aud Saturday | Platul with by Te nol AC at Laurel Grove by 5pm. pune ge fo Bae of fling tat non? 4744 From Summerfield, by 8) Valley, to Ste- | ders. of June 8. 1872, 249.) hens’ Creck, 9aiicy and becky twies &'week, |p ib. The hid should be oraled ™. Leave Sunuueriteld Tueeday and ‘ard | Proposal. romerd Pm; Arrive at Stephens’ Creek by 7 4 Leave Stepiens’ Creek Tuceday aid Saturday Arrive af Summerfield by 3 pm. £45 FromDanville, by Hall's Cross Roa and Spring "Garden, to Riceville, 30 miles and backs twice Danville Wednesday and Saturday at7 Hicgilic Poccle aed Friday at 7 Bice . am; at Dauvilleby 3pu. Le Ari I jence, Lone’s Gap, Clem’s wauchs aod int Blage; es Eve Valero Leave Independcnce Monday at 7 a m ve jon H rrive at Rre Valley by 6pm; Leave Rye ive: 447 From Martin’ Station to Drapersville, Bidders to ents distense and propose chodale, Rural Retreat (Mt. Airy Depot) to Black £48 From (Mt, Airy Depot) te Bia Lick (Davis Mills) (n.0.),5 miles . ras Rural Retreat Wednesday aud Saturday : by 5.30 pm; tasere Tem ons ond Saterday at ard erence over all others, aud wn overs are —1.4 ered, except for steamboat routes Arrive at Rural Retreat by 2.3) pm. wt 4 modification = . a is any of its emontial 49 From Blacksbureh, by Price's Fork (n.o.).to | tettie is tantamount to-a new bid. and cannot be re Cowan's Mills (n. o.), 11 miles and back, once | SriThte an 2, interfere with peeed cakes Linve Bi Saturday at $am; y Arrive at Cowan's Mills by 11.30 Leave Cowan's Mills Satuntay at 12 in; Arrive at Blacksburgh by 3.90 pm. {780 From Vickersto Price's Fork (n. 0.),5 mites aud Leave Vick rday at 5 pm; \rrive at Price's Fork by 7 pur, we Price’s Fork at’3 pm; Arrive at Vickers by 6 pm. 4751 From Gladesvile (n. 0.) to Grundy, 60 miles ani back, once a week. peardhame Rete a ve rut pm; 2. Al Leave Grundy at tines ‘thet on 0 fail = ‘ies are ae ArriveSt Chanwrite Rosai ty 7 yon. | ng ntited ha ota fo neo a= 7 Lynchb A “s Shop, to - week ‘Lynchl Tg . . ve at Perrow's Stare by 7 pm: fete Rerros's Store Facelay? Thursday, and cory at7 am; Arrive at Juchburgh by 12m, 4733 From Forksville, South Hill, Lombardy 7 a vel i) ‘Cross, Grove, Union Level, (n.o.). fo Boyaton. 25 miles audbback- twice a weeks 0) 4 y" FORM OF reone E AUABANTEE, aND ia aE ASIEN PE —— —, Bidas. Ses pd