North Carolina Newspapers

MS i hit Chatham Record. m k H. A. LONDON, Jr., E1UTOK AN1 l'UoriUKTOK. as '6 OF ADVERTISING. pi m TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION: One square, one insertion. One square, two insertions, -One square, one month, - fl.00 1.50 2.50 Oiu i-uny, one year, Oiio otipy ,slx mouths -mho copy, tliroo months. ?2.00 l.Ou .5(1 VOIj. i. PITTSBORO', CHATHAM CO., N. C, OCTOBER 3, 1878. -1. XO. 3. 3ft For larger advertisements liberal contracts' will be made. iLfff dvqrtiscimnts. LARGEST STORE LARGEST STOCK Cheapest Goods & Best Variety ( AX HE FOUND AT LONDON'S CHEAP STORE. New Goods ReceiTeJ cTcry Weet You ran always find what you wish at Lon don's. He keeps everything. Dry Gootlfi, Clothing, Carpeting, Hardware, Tin Ware, Drups, Crockery, Confectionery Shoos, Bootf, Caps, Flats, Carriage Materials. Sewing Machines, Oils, Putty, Glass, Paints, Nails, Iron, Plows and Plow Castings, Sole, Upper and Harness Leathers, Saddles, Trunks, Satchels, Shawls, Blankets, Um brellas, Corsets, Belts, La dies' Neck-Ties and Ruffs, Ham burg Edgings, Laces, Furniture, &c. Best Shirts in the Country for $1. Best .1-cent Cigar, Chowing and Smoking Tobacco, Snuff, Salt and Molasses, My stock is always complete in every line, and goods always sold at the lowest prices. Special inducements to ChsIi Buyers. My motto, "A nimble Sixpence is better than a slow Shilling." R?"A11 kinds of produce taken. W. L. LONDON, Pittsboro', N. Carolina. H. A. LONDON, Jr., Attorney at Law, PITTSRORO', X. V. J5gSpeeial Attention Paid to Collecting. DR. A. J. YEAGER, DENTIST, PERMANENTLY LOCATED AT PITTSBOBO', N. C. All Work Warrnoted . Satisfaction OuaraaWd. R. H. COWAN, DEALER IN Staple & Fancy Dry Goods, Cloth ing, Hats, Boots, bhoes, No tions, Hardware, CROCKERY and OROCEHI ICm. PITTSBORO'.IT. C. NORTH CAROLINA STATE LIFE INSURANCE CO., OP I! A LEI (ill, i. CAR. F. II. CAMERON, rretvlent. VV. E. ANDERSON. Vice Tre. W. H. niCKS, See'y. The only Home Lifa Insurance Co. in the State. All its funds loaned out AT HOME, and among our own people. We do not send Nort h Carolina money abroad to build up other States. It is one of the most successful com panies of its age in the United States. Its as sets are amply sufficient. All losses paid promptly. Eight thousand dollars paid in the last two years to families In Chatham. It will cost a man aged thirty years only five cents a day to Insure for one thousand dollars. Apply for further information to H.A. LONDON, Jr., Gen. Agt. PITT8BOHO N. C. Dr. A. D. MOORE, PITTSBORO', H. C, Offers Ids profrstiioDal services to lis citizens of OliHtliMiu. With an xrienca of thirty yar he liupex to five entire datinfactioQ. JOHN MANNING, Attorney at Law, PITT3B0B0', N. C, Practice la the Conrtn of Chatham, Harnett, M.xre aud Orange, aud in the Sopreuieand Federal CurtM. O. S. POE, Dealer in Cry Goods, Groceries & General Mer-chaniise, Ail lcindi of Plows and Castings, Buggy Materials, Furnit .re, etc. 1'ITTNRORO', N. CAR. THE LITTLE FEET THAT NEVER STRAY. I know not what you would tliink of my home, My lionu, with its frolicsome lioys, O'lTtlowiiif? with mischief, and laughter and fun. And crowding the rooms with their toys! The moment the sun ieeps over the hills, 1 am awakened by small, restless feet ; Anil although 1 am weary, and long for more rest. Their patter is music most sweet. For I think or the day when they curried away ne prattler, who dropped off to sleep; And they laid him to rest where joy is unknown. And where silence is long and is deep! So I love to list to the hum of tin- top. To the thud of the l;it and the hull; Aud I smile if I find in my study a kite. Or a schooner, half-rigged, in the hall. For the sweetest rose in the garden of bloom lias surely a thorn tor its mate; And the liramhles of boyhood will bloom as the rose. If with patience we prune and we wait. Too soon the foot learneth a soliercr tread. The voice takes a manlier tone; Too soon the heart ktioweth a man's wiser thought. And youth forever hath flown. Naught, naught to me is the trouble and care; My Imivs are my own to-day! Vet the battle of lire, or the night of death, Soon may bear them forever away. So I'll scatter the rows of love o'er the paths of my rollicking Imivs while I may; For I ever rememlier those other Teet The feet thai never shall stray. THE STORY OF A WALL-FLOWER. r.Y CAltKIKI.I.K LEU. Mildred Clare the young lady whom I wish to introduce to you is a member of that fraternity whom society scornfully classes under the head of wall-flowers. I admit the circumstance without a shudder, for to me the obnoxious epithet suggests only remembrances of roses, red and im passioned, climbing over a low stone wall, and ready to pleasure the eye of the meanest wayfarer with their beaut' and blushes. Neither can I forget that wall fruits are ever the sweetest, or cease to remember, (hough tasted so long ago, the magical flavor of peach, anil pear, and plum, brought to perfection through the medium of which I speak. Therefore trust nie when I say, that this favoring grace of the wall may develop quite as desirable characteristics in t lie human growth as in the horticultural. At all events, it cannot be asserted that the class., to which 1 allude, are by any means useless members of society. Ask forlorn and elderly luchelordoin. grown too stiff for redowas and the German," who endures its small talk, and accepts its ices and small civilities with unabated aud smiling politeness1? Inquire of pa tient Benedicts, waiting for gay young wives to complete that "one last lance,"' who allays their anguish by skilful diver tiseiuents and adroit quest ionings concern ing the darlings of the nursery and other kindred topics ? Then see if their reply will not embrace that fraternity whose claims to your attention I am laboring to assert. Whatever the answer ma' be, one thing is certain, that of all the plants of the parterre, (hose yclepl wall-ilowers are the most knowing. Sitting in quiet cor ners, they discern, in spite of caresses and honied words, who love iind who hate ; w hich will be the marriage of convenience, and which the union of affection ; together with divers other matters hidden from those who, involved in the game them selves, cannot comprehend what is so plainly visible to those outside of it. All that has been said will apply particularly to Mildred Clare. Looking on trom some quiet nook of observation, she discovered numerous elements in the atmosphere about her ; all of which discoveries she meant, some day, should be of advantage to her. The nearest relatives Mildred had in the world were her cousins, the St. John's, and for some years past their home had been hers. The young ladies, Helen and Louise St. John, were fine-looking girls, with dashing, vivacious manners, accus tomed, wherever they came, to find a wel come. The only son, Vincent St. John, unlike his sisters, iossessed a temperament somewhat slow and phlegmatic; and was alternately vexed and teased by them ; but in the end admitted to be the "best natured fellow in the world." Now Mildred was an exceedingly pleas ant person to live with, and there was not a member of the family who had not a cordial liking for her. She had a suffi cient income of her own, which she spent unassumingly in the gratification of cer (ain quiet, but not inexpensive tastes, and in works of charity, for which the world was not one whit the wiser. The Miss St. Johns, while they accepted the numerous kindnesses of which their cousin was the dispenser, yet felt that she pos sessed attributes which rendered her un like themselves ; their intimate friends were not apt to be hers, and they acknowl edged the distinction between them by wishing, not unfrequently, that they were "half as good as cousin Mildred." But of all the St. Johns, Vincent's ap preciation of Mildred was the most decided. Iler influence over him was great. He often declared her the most "sensible" girl within the range of his acquaintance ; and for many a brave, manly idea that found its way into his honest brain and lodged there, he stood indebted to her whom he was wont to call "cousin Mill.' Good, worldly minded Mrs. S(. John, observing all (his, was accustomed to whisper to her friends, that it was easy to see in what quarter (he "wind blew." And, for her part, she was 'perfectly satisfied. Mildred was such a good girl, and Vincent would make any woman happy," etc., etc. But the young people in question under stood one another Ijetter. Vincent had long ago acknowledged to himself, with a little heartache, that cousin Mill was "a deal too clever (o be ever contented to jog through life with him." Just, at present (he St. Johns are spend ing the summer at Newjort. They are lieginning to tire of the daily routine of making endless toilets, taking the same drives, and relating the same programme gencrall', when a new zest is given to these diurnal duties by the arrival at the "Ocean" of Mrs. Leonar . Paxton. This lad' was a ladle, a wit, and a lieaiity ; and, moreover, the wife of a millionaire, and so expectation was on the guivire. It. was amusing to notice the next morn ing, at breakfast, (he eager eyes that watched the door, waiting for the appear ance of Mrs. Paxton. Some women guilty of (lie most unpardonable violation of (aste, that of appearing in the morning with a profusion of jewelry and dresses tlernlUlte, occupied themselves in wonder ing, internally, whether the wife of a millionaire could possibly present a more "dressy" appearance than themselves. But Mrs. Paxton, fatigued by her journey perhaps, did not bestow her presence upon them at breakfast, nor yet at dinner. In the evening the weekly hop was to take place, and she could not fail to favor them. While those present are awaiting her advent, a few words concerning Mildred. She sits somewhat withdrawn from the rest, her cousin Vincent beside her, as he is apt to be. To use an expression of the latter, Mildred never took any pains to "make the most of herself." If her in come was expended, it was certainly not in the purchase of an expensive wardrobe. She always wore grey or brown, or some other undecided neutral tint, in no way remarkable. Now Mildred was a bru nette, with a skin clear and somewhat pale, soft grey eyes, and hair noticeably black ; to all such (he above tints are peculiarly inappropriate and unbecoming. There Avas some excuse, however, for Mil dred ; her early life had been saddened by the loss of those she loved, and she had worn sad colored garments so much, that now bright ones seemed out of place to her. To-night she has on a mist-colored tissue, the effect of which almost totally annuls that of the clear, decided tints, which are the predominant characlerisiics of her style. "You are not enjoying yourself, at all," says Vincent ; "nobody but me to talk to." Mildred replied, with a pleasant smile, that "Nobody but me" is a very kind and interesting companion. Just here, the music striking up, a bril liant idea seemed to Hash upon Vincent. He started oft, and presently returned with a young man gotten up in the most faultless style. This gentleman eyed Mil dred somewhat dubiously ; then elevating his eyebrows, in patronizing tones, ex tended an invitation for the redowa. Disregarding a vigorous nudge from Vincent, Mildred returned quietly : "Fancy dances are quite out of my line, sir." The gentleman elevated his eyebrows still further, plainly expressing in his face, "What upon earth are you good for then V" and bestowing an indignant glance upon Vincent, whom he evidently regarded as having intentionally deluded him, stalked off. "Now, cousin Mill," broke out St. John, in an injured tone, "that's the way you serve me. I introduce you to the best dancer in the room, and you refuse him. Don't tell me you can't "dance, for you know you've tried to teach nie, and would have succeeded if am body could, only I'm so awkward nobody can. You il never make any stir in society if you do so, depend upon il." Mildred had just returned serenely, "My time has not come yet, cousin mine," when there was a little stir and a sudden turning of heads and Mrs. Leonard Paxton came floating down the long room, attired in an Indian fabric so line as to be almost impalpable. There was not a bracelet on her perfect arms, nor did her breast or hair acknowledge the sparkle of a single jewel. Divers of the ladies present, who on this warm July evening were wearing heavy brocades and ornaments in profusion, gave vent to ejaculations of disappointment and surprise. "Patience ! nobody would ever think that she was the wile of a millionaire. Why I thought she'd be dressed to kill, with lots of diamonds on at the very least.'' Ah ! well, it we Americans are the cutest people under the sun, we have a deai to learn in matters of taste ! Mrs. Paxton had been at Newport about a week, when the various ladies of her acquaintance were invited to hold a con ference in her private parlors, among them the St. Johns. Each one eagerly com plied, in a flutter of curiosity to know what the invitation might forlxide. "When they had assembled, Mrs. Paxton, taking a position in the centre, said : "I have no doubt, ladies, that, like my self, you are beginning to find Newport fearfully dull." Now most of those addressed were en. joying themselves wonderfully. But then Mrs. Leonard Paxton had given them to understand that this was impossible, so they all murmured in chorus : "Intolerable ! A perfect bore 1" All but Mildred, who merely smiled a little. "Well," continued their hostess, "it occurred to me that if we could get up a concert, tableau, or better than all, a play, it would relieve the monotony. I have applied to several liter ateurs of my ac quaintance for assistance, but they plead overtasked brains, or offer MSS. which the theatre managers have been so blind to their own interests as to reject. Now it would be a pleasant revenge if we could get up something fresh and sparkling among ourselves." The ladies all agreed that tins would be "charming indeed ;" but then, who would have the daring to take the initiatory step? So there was much discussion and various plans proposed, but nothing de cided upon ; finally the ladies, taking out their watches, declared in tones of horror that there were barely two hours left to dress for dinner, and dispersed, with the exception of Mildred, who remained be hind. "Well, Miss Clare," exclaimed Mrs. Paxton, laughing heartily ; "I imagine, something like myself, you can accomplish a toilet in half an hour." "Or less," returned Miss Clare ; then added: 'You were anxious for a play, you said." "Yes," was the rejoinder ; "that is, if I can possibly coax or threaten ain-body into writing one." "You have no need to attempt either method ; I will furnish you what you re quire." Mrs. Paxton "took in" the speaker, standing quietly leside her in a morning dress in color that of a dead leaf, the abundant hair hidden under a brawn net, and the serene face possessing a mouth where resolution and latent power were tempered by sweetness. Mrs. Paxton was a quick reader ot character, and in a min ute she returned cordially : "I am sure I can trust entirely to you, Miss Clare. When would your produc tion lie ready?" Mildred thought a moment, then an swered: "A week from to-day. And in the meantime this is a secret between us." During the ensuing week, Mildred spent most of the time in her own room; this was nothing new, only the St. Johns re marked that Mrs. Paxton seemed to have taken a "wonderful fancy" to Mildred. On the day she hail promised, the laKer tapped at Mrs. Paxton's door, then enter ing, drew a MS. from her pocket ; while her companion, courteous, yet prepared for criticism withal, placed herself in readiness to listen. Mildred's play was in two acts, satirical, witty, and not without a deal of the pathetic. Not for nothing had Mildred patiently analyzed the rest less, glittering life of society ; not for nothing had her eyes been keen and shrewd, and her judgments accurate and true. Mrs. Paxton listened quietly until the expiration of the first act, then broke into exclamations of delight. "My dear, I never dreamed you were so clever. I've seen and heard these peo ple bilk time and again. Scribe himself could not have written a more piquant eomedie tic sodele than you have done. It is certain to be a success, and you arc the best girl in the world for writing it.' The next day, Mrs. Paxton allotted the parts. Mildred refused to act ; but Helen and Louis St. John were not of the same mind ; and the former smiled to herself as she saw them cast in parts that could not have suited their style more exactly if pre pared expressly for them. Under Mrs. Paxton's energetic supervision there was no lagging. In ten days the whole affair was in readiness, and the "Ocean" electri fied by an invitation to witness the per formance of an original play, the author unknown. Two or three days beforehand, Mrs. Paxton, knocking at Mildred's door, said, with an affection of timidity, "May I come in, Miss (Mare?" Then added, as she en tered, "Since 1 know you are so clever, I am half afraid of you.' "Keep your sarcasms lor some one else," retorted Mildred. "You know very well it is I who should be afraid of you." "I am come on an especial errand," said Mrs. Paxton. presently ; but I trust you will not think it an impertinent one." "An impossibility," declared Mildred. "Well, then, my dear child, I wish to know why ydu will wear those sober drabs, and grays, and browns, as is your invariable habit. Allow me to insinuate they are totally unsuited to you." "Because," "returned the object of this attack, with a little sigh, "I never thought bright colors seemed to belong to me somehow." "Nonsense ! Now be a good child, and see if you can't find something in your wardrobe that doesn't look as if it were intended for somebody fifty years old at least." Mildred complied with this request ; and after opening various drawers and recep tacles, finally produced a very pretty pink silk of the variety styled glace. "Dear me!' exclaimed Mrs. Paxton, opening her eyes in affected astonishment, "I didn't think you were capable of pos pessing such an article, you little Qua keress." "Well," rejoined Mildred, apologetic ally, "the fact is. a dear friend of mine went out West, where she married, and I traveled all that distance to be her brides maid; and by her special request wore this very dress. I never had it on but that once. Wasn't 7 a itkm1 friend to do all that?" concluded the speaker, laugh ingly. " 1 think you are, Mildred," replied Mrs. Paxton. wilh unusual softness ; then continued coaxingly, "ami now you have some black lace to wear over "it, I am sure'' "You insatiable woman !" laughed Mil dred. "Uut I think I can accommodate you, I always keep a supply of that on hand ; black lace is quite unobtrusive, you know." "Not over pink silk," denied Mrs. Pax ton, taking (he lace and disusing it in graceful folds over the dress, whose shin ing surface showed the line web with its unique design to especial advantage. As she completed this, she said depreeatingly, "I have some pearls, which you will surely do me the favor to wear with this. They would do nicely together." With a little touch of pride in her as pect, Mildred opened a drawer, and pro ducing therefrom a case of white velvet, handed it to Mrs. Paxton. The latter, opening it, found it contained a set of coral of that rare and lovely rose-color, that seems as if it had been dyed by a sunset ; its beauty was enhanced by a filagree set ting, fine and delicate enough to have been the work of a fairy. Mrs. Paxton laid the corals admiringly upon the silk, saying, "See, they match exactly. I would not l.ave guessed that you had such exquisite taste." For this lady, though so well accustomed to magnificence of attire, had the good sense to judge of cos tume far more by its harmony and general effect than by its costliness. Mildred's reply to this last remark was a dainty little smile that just curled the edges of her mouth. At this, Mrs. Paxton shook her head, accused Mildred of being "sly ;" then, kissing her on the forehead with a tenderness she did not often show, finished by saying, "Having relieved my mind, I think I'll go," andwent accord ingly. On the appointed evening, Mildred as sisted her cousins, Helen and Louise to costume themselves for their parts, arrang ing their hair after a fashion peculiar to herself, in large, full curls, especially be coming to the face, and listening amusedly, meantime, to their conjectures as to who had been the author of the play they were that night to assist in performing. Helen was positive it was that tall, distinguished-looking man, with the long, floating beard, she had seen hovering around ; while Louise inclined to the be lief that a certain slim youth with fair hair was the guilty party. Mildred affirmed stoutly her belief that it was neither ; then, having performed her office offrueur, departed to make her own toilette. This work completed, she sought the parlor belonging to (heir suite of rooms. Entering, she found Vincent waiting for (hem. "Why, cousin Mill!" he exclaimed ecstatically. "Now (hat looks something like!" Then rising honest Vincent looked down at Mildred, and, with his good child's heart, in his eyes, asked, pleadinglv, "Couldn't you give a fellow a kiss, little cousin ?" Mildred, wilh a pretty movement, held up her cheek and let the pelitioner's moustache sweep against it for a moment. Just here Helen and Louise came In, and they, (oo, exclaimed over Mildred's Incom ing toilette, declaring she looked as "sweet as possible." Mildred turned away, with teats in her eyes, thinking of the mother and sisters she had lost so long ago, and wondering if they were glad (o know that there was some left to love her still. After a little chat, Helen and Louise adjourned to the "green room," as (hey gleefully termed it, leaving their cousin in Vincent's charge. Well, Mildred's play was acted, and that lefore an audience upon whom, for the most part, not one of the vivacious repartees was lost, not an atom of the sparkling wit thrown away. During its progress there was much wonder and many conjectures as to the in dividual by whom it had been written ; it must certainly be the work ot Mr. A., or B orC, all of them Well known litera teurs. At the close of the last act, when the applause had a little subsided, there was a loud call for the author. After a little, Mrs. Paxton, who had taken a leading part, floated into the room upon a gentleman's arm, and said, in her simple, graceful way : "Ladies and gentlemen ! Allow me to thank you, on my own behalf and that of Miss Mildred Clare, for the kind recep tion you have given her play this even ing." Hereupon there was more applause, and presently everyone knew that "Miss Mil dred Clare" was the young lady in rose color and black lace, and discovered still further that genius was expressed in every line of her face ; for there is nothing that opens the eyes of society so wonderfully as success. Then every one must crowd about Miss Clare and congratulate her; and the St. Johns were so proud and pleased, particularly honest Vincent, who smiled behind his moustache in a furore of delighk Good, worldly minded Mrs. St.. John waved her ostrich plumes in triumph, and moved about among her friends, declar ing, confidentially, that she had always said Mildred was "such a good girl," but she had never dreamed her niece was a "genius." And now, of course, she was more pleased than ever that a certain event they understood to what she al luded was likely to take place, and so on. and so on. We will pursue Mildred's career no fur (her, but leave her in the midst of her triumph. It is enough to say that, though she never obtained celebrity either as a belle or a beauty, yet she as certainly was forever alter missing from the ranks of the wall-flowers. For society, with all its glitter, and penchant for frittering life away, cannot refuse to do homage to talent, when once it undeniably asserts itself. Vince nt St. John married a charming little woman, who thought there was nobody in the world as clever or as good as he : and to her he would often talk of his "dear cousin Mill." And as he saw, from time to time, how Mildred's society was sought after by those of noble attain mcnts and intellectual tastes, he would make the oft-repeated declaration to his little wife, that "whatever others had thought, he had always foreseen it was in her." INFANTRY LONG-RANGE FIRE. Perhaps there is no other question connected with military matters in the manner of regarding which so great a change has taken place during the last few years as that of the employment by infantry of long-range. Until a short time ago the notion of allowing men to open firtf at groat distances was abso lutely rejected by the great body of military writers and authorities on tactical subjects, and the one or two officers who ventured to suggest that under certain circumstances it might be expedient to employ long-range musketry fue were regarded as danger ous enthusiasts, whose hastily formed conceptions were to be unreservedly condemned. The one doctrine preached was that which inculcated the necessi ty of reserving the tire of infantry until the enemy was within what was called "effective musketry range," by which expression was meant a distance cer tainly not exceeding from five to six hundred yards. The evils which it was almost universally maintained would result from allowing men to fire at longer ranges than these were painted in the darkest colors. Elaborate cal culations were worked out to show that the losses which would be inflicted upon an enemy by distant fire would be in significant in the extreme ; and that, further, "any chance effect which may be obtained by opening fire at long ranges " to quote the words of a work on Minor Tactics, published in 1875 would not counterbalance the incon veniences which would inevitably he occasioned by its practice. On the other hand, the efficacy of fire at closer quarters was extolled; and, in a word, it was argued that distant firing must be stringently prohibited. But if we look abroad we shall see that on the Continent, at all events, a leaction has set in against this teaching. The doc trine that long-range firing is an utterly mistaken practice is evidently no longer uuhesitatingly accepted. Experiments, accounts of which have been published from time to time, have beeji recently carried on in Italy, in Austria and in Germany, with a view to ascertaining what amount of damage it may be reasonably expected will Ixj wrought in the ranks of the enemy by distant musketry lire delivered under various conditions, and in order to assist the authorities in framing regulations for its employment under different cir cumstances ; while in France a commit tee has been appointed within the last few weeks to supervise experiments which are to be undertaken with a sim ilar object. The experience of recent campaigns has, in fact, caused the au thorities of Continental armies to re cognize that in many of the phases of a modern battle long-range musketry fire may be used with great effect. When, for instance, during the battle of Grave lotte the Prussian guard advanced to the attack of the village of St. Privat, "the effect of the enemy's fire was," to quote the w ords of an eye-witness, "so murderous that at more than 1,500 metres from the defender's position over 6,0o0 men were shot down in ten minutes." In the lately concluded war, again, a vast number of instances occurred in which immense loss was inflicted on the Russian assaulting columns by the long-range fire which, it is well-known, was constantly employed by the Turks m the defence of the positions they held. General Todlcben, in his letter to Gen eral Brailmont, speaks of the enormous losses suffered bj the Russian assault ing lines while they were still 2,000 yards and more away from the enemy, and the same tale is told in the de spatches of General Scobeleff, in the notes of Captain Kouropathine, in the articles published since the war by General Zeddeler, who fought with the Russian Guard at Gorni-Dubnik, and iu uie writings 01 an who have re counted the events of the campaign. Gen. Zeddeler indeed relates that at the onslaught on Gorni-Dubnik men were struck down by the enemy's bullets at 3,000 paces from the Turkish trenches, adding that at 2,000 paces the attack ing force suffered very severely, and that as the attack proceeded the re serves suffered nearly as much as the front lines. These and other episodes have been carefully noted by vigilant observers on the Continent, and from them and from carefully conducted experiments it has leen deduced that it would be a great mistake to any longer refrain from utilizing the power of the far reaching firearms with which infantry are now provided. That the practice of long-range firing is likely to be at tended with certain inconveniences is still admitted, but the advantages to be derived from its judicious and well timed employment are recognized to be so great as to outweigh these attendant difficulties; while the very fact that these exist render it all the more neces sary to work out carefully beforehand the manner in which it shall be em ployed, with a view to drawing up ap propriate regulations for its use. The nature of the inconveniences which, it is feared, may ensue from the adoption of long-range fire have been so frequently and so lucidly set forth that it is almost needless to re capitulate them. The nrincipal objec tion urged against its adoption is that since long-range fire, if it is to be car ried on so as to be in any way effective, necessarily involves the expenditure of a very large amount of ammunition, there will always be danger of men en gaging in it running short of cartridges before the decisive moment of the bat tle arrives ; in other words, it is feared that troops who have opened fire at long ranges may find themselves power less at the very moment when, if they had not expended all their ammunition they could use their weapons with most effect. With regard to this point, it may be remarked that when a breech loading rifle was first suggested, its adoption was opposed because it was feared that the facility of rapid firing offered by it would lead men to expend their cartridges in a reckless manner, and would thus render it likely that they would frequently run short of am munition. The introduction of the needle-gun into the French army was, in fact, negatived by the Artillery Committee before which the invention was laid long before the weapon was resorted to in the Prussian army for this very reason. The evil thus dreaded has, however, not made itself felt to any remarkable extent ; at all events, not to such an extent as to render a retui n to the old muzzle-loading rifle advisable even in the opinion of the most persistent admirer of old institu tions. In the same wajr there is no sufficient reason for apprehending that long-range firing will cause the men employing it to run short of ammuni tion. It will doubtless le found neces sary to increase the supply of cartridges available during an action ; it will be necessary to perfect the organization of the arrangements both for bringing up and issuing ammunition to men en gageda point to which, unfortunately, but too little attention has been ac corded in the English army; it may even be found necessary to give to the soldier from the outset a greater num ber of rounds to carry, decreasing the weight of his kit or general equipment to a corresponding degree ; and before all it will be necdiul carefully to train both officers and men in the practice of long range fire before they are called upon to employ it on the actual field of battle ; but, if these precautions be taken, the use of such fire within pro per and prescribed limits may be sanc tioned without fear of incurring the danger of leaving the men deprived of ammunition. That it will be largely employed by Continental armies in future campaigns may be concluded from the experiments which have been lately made, and from the regulations concerning its use given in the latest musketry instructions of more than one foreign force ; and therefore it seems to be time that something were done in the matter in England too. London JJall Mall (iazcltc. PRINCE HASSAN AND HIS GLOVES. Though but twenty-four years old, Prince Hassan, son ot the Khedive, and commander-in-chief of the Egyptian contingent on the Danube, is an experi enced soldier, and has already had his share of haps and mishaps. The young Prince received his military education at Woolwich and Berlin, alter which he occupied the office of Minister of War to his father. During the late war with Abyssinia lie was seriously wounded and made prisoner. Although treated with great consideration, King John "to punish him," as he ex pressed it, "for fighting against Chris tiansorder that a large cross should be tattooed on the back of each of the Prince's hands. This was done ; and when his wounds were healed the young officer was released and returned to Cairo. Arrived at home, 'Prince Hassan consulted the best European as well as native physicians and chemists, aud Copt soothsayers, promising a large sum to any one who should rid him of these mementos of the Abys sinian King. Advice was freely offered and experiments tried ; the Prince un derwent much suffering, but all in vain the Christian crosses were indelible. In despair he finally resorted to a Der vish for advice, and the holy man com municated a remedy which, at least, had the merit of being undeniably efficacious. "Chop of both thy hands," he said to the Prince. "Better live without hands than wear forever those signs of the infidel gaiours !" But Has san relished it but little, and remains to this day tattooed with the hateful symbols. This is why no one ever sees him without gloves. The sea is still at a certain depth divers report at thirty feet. The English pawnbrokers dare not take any article in pawn from any per son under the age of twelve years. Fine sensibilities are like wood bines, delightful luxuries of beatfty, to twine around a solid, upright stem of understanding; but very poor things if, unsustained by strength, they are left to creep along the ground. n Children are children as kittens are kittens. A solier, sensible old cat that sits purring liefore the fire does not trouble herself because her kitten is hurrying and dashing hither and thither in a fever of excitement to catch its own tail. She sits still and purrs on. People should do the same with children. One of the difficulties of home education is the impossibility of making parents keep still; it is with them, out of affection, all watch and worry. , How often do we hear the remark, "Oh, so-and-so rose because he had a friend who could push him ahead!" As a rule, however, the disiosition to ad vance another does not arise ' from friendship, but rather from a full con fidence in his ability; men possessing the elements wrhich raise them in busi ness are usually too just, too keen sighted, and too careful of their own reputations to risk the same by recom mending others out of pure friendship. Indeed, such a course wrould lie any thing but an act of friendship, because, as compared to getting a good appoint ment, keeping it is ten times more dif ficult. The stars will grow dim, the sun will pale his glory, but truth will be ever young. Integrity, uprightness, honesty, love, goodness, these are all imperishable. No grave can ever en tomb these immortal principles. They have been in prison, but they have been freer than before; those who en shrined them in their hearts have been burned at the stake, but out of their ashes other witnesses have arisen. No sea can drown, no storm can wreck, no abyss can swallow up the everlasting truth. You cannot kill goodness and integrity and righteousness; the way that is consistent with these must be a way everlasting. The pigeon of M. Gaspard Heutz, of Aix-la-Chapelle, which won the great match from Rome, for which over two thousand birds were tossed up, upon its return from Brussels, to which city it had been sent to be iden tified beyond dispute, received a re ception that was jerfectly royal. The whole town was afoot and met the dis tinguished conqueror at the railroad station. Two police officers in full uniform headed the triumphal pro cession; then came a rank of drum mers and another of lifers; then the Pigeon Flying Society; then a band of music escorting a transparency pre sented by the colombophiles of Brus sels; then a torchlight procession, and tit last, in an open barouche, four gen tlemen, one of whom bore on his knee a cage of carved wrood in which, calm and proud, was the winner a superb gray bird. A real mule was one of the attrac tions in the play of "The Forty Thieves, "as produced in Virginia City, Nevada. The result is described by the Chronicle as follows : " No sooner had Ali come out of the cave with his bags of wealth and attempted to put them on the back of the beast, than he began his part of the performance. He let fly with his heels; kicked the shav ings (the supiwsed riches) out of the bags; kicked down the cavern; kicked down a whole forest; kicked down the wings: kicked the end of the bass-viol leaning against the stage to pieces; smashed the footlights; and finally doubled up AU by planting both feet in the pit of his stomach. A rope was fastened around him and he was dragged off by the united strength of the company. The audience shouted and encored enthusiastically. One of the boldest and most daring train robberies that ever occurred in the West took place not long ago, about a mile below Winthrop Junction, Kan sas. As train No. 4 on the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs Railway, south bound, left Winthrop Junction, conductor Brown noticed four men get on the platform between the baggage car and first coach. At the usual time he left the baggage car and started to go through the train. The first persons he met were the four men standing on the platform. As he stepped on the platform the leader . pulled out two revolvers, and holding them at bis head ordered him back into the baggage car, at the same time di recting him to hold up his hands. As they entered the car from the dark end the first man they met was Griffith, the baggage man, and he was ordered to hold up his hands, while pistols were held on him. A ymng fellow, named Mather, who was in the bag gage car, was then reached and given the same order. Frank Baxter, ex press agent, was sitting in a chair in the lighted end of the car, his bills in his la) and the express safe open lie side him, busy with his work. He had not noticed the scene that was leing enacted in the car, and his first knowl edge of danger was a revolver thrust in his face and he was ordered to hold up his hands. The leader of the gang then stepped up to the safe and delil) erately transferred the money, alxmt $5100, to a sack they had with them. Conductor Brown was then asked if he had any money, and he replied he bad not. With their pistols in his face they then ordered him to stop the train, and, having no other alternative, he pulled the roie. As the train slowed up the four men backed out of the car, still covering the others with their pistols, and disappeared in the dark ness. No swearing was indulged in, and the entire work was done in less than five minutes. The train was filled with passengers, but none knew of the robbery until the robl)ers had escaied. They were cool and col lected, showing no signs of timidity, and went at work like old, experienced hands, none of them masked. . Mi i I "It 1.. (ft an I M I' i '! i 'I ..i i r