The Daily Dispatch: December 25, 1865.

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Library of Congress subject Headings, 21st edition, 1998 1865 English Newspapers -- Virginia -- Richmond October, 2005 Checker Grant Dickie, of the University of Richmond Library File checked, not corrected: DO NOT return to vendor.

Page image of Daily Dispatch, Volume 29, Number 92, page 1.

Daily Dispatch Vol. Xxix — no.92 Richmond, Va. Monday, December 25, 1865 Price one Cent Richmond Dispatch by Cowardin & Hammersley.

the Daily Dispatch is served to subscribers at six and A Quarter Cents per week, payable to the Carrier weekly. Price for mailing, $4 a year, or $2.50 for six months, in advance.

the Semi-Weekly Dispatch is issued every Tuesday and Friday at $2.00, in advance.

the Weekly Dispatch is issued every Friday, and mailed to subscribers at $1 per annum.

Richmond Dispatch

Terms of advertising.1 square, 1 day,$0.501 square, 5 days,$1.501 square, 2 days$0.751 square, 5 days,$1.751 square 3 days$1.001 square, 12 days,$3.001 square 4 days$1.251 square, 1 month,$5.00

Larger advertisements in exact properties.

Advertisements published until forbid, will be charged 50 cents per square of eight lines for the first insertion, and 25 cents for each continuance

Richmond Dispatch Monday...december 25, 1865. Mining and the miner.

In these cold and nipping days, when the good people of Richmond and Petersburg put their toes on the fender and poke their coal fires into blaze, they rarely think where that coal comes from, or of the labor, the courage, the patience and the skill required to bring its cheerfulness and glow to their hearth-stones.

The coal measure of Chesterfield are worked at two print rest points. One near Coalfield station, on the Danville road, and the other at Clover Hill. At the latter place the works are quite extensive. The strata of coal outcrop there and dip to the westward, descending at about the angle of twenty-three degrees. These seams or layers of coal — alternating with layers of stone like the cake and jelly of jelly-cake — differ much in thickness. The richest is about twenty-seven feet through. Some are so thin that the working of them would not be productive.--The mines are of two kinds. One kind begin at the outcrop, where the coal comes to the surface, and follows down the bed with a long shaft, called an "incline, " sometimes steep and sometimes nearly horizontal, according to the inclination of the stratum. Thus a shaft fifteen hundred feet long becomes at the lower end about six or seven hundred feet below the surface. Up this shaft runs a double railroad track, each traversed by a small car, drawn by a rope or chain passing over a drum at the mouth of the shaft. Thus one car depends as the other rises. A steam engine above ground, at the top of the shaft, does this work, as well as the pumping and ventilating of the mine.-- Running at right angles with this shaft are long galleries called levels. These keep very nearly horizontal by winding and turning as the dip of the seam changes in inclination.--These have also railroads running through them, the cars of which are drawn by mules — poor animals that never see the blessed sunlight, nor ever munch a mouthful of fresh herbage from one year's end to another. No wonder that they get a little obstinate sometimes, or bray out a note of complaint to a fellow-sufferer in an adjoining drift — but this is pathetic. These levels are nearly parallel, and about a hundred feet apart, all coming into the main shaft, of course, at lower points as the shaft descends. These in their turn are intersected by another set of drifts about forty feet apart, running at right angles with them, and of course parallel with the main shaft or "incline." Thus the whole bed of coal is cut through with passages crossing one another, leaving large masses of coal, called "pillars," to support the roof. When the whole seam is thus explored, and the drifts have struck rock all around, then commences the work of "robbing"--cutting away the pillars of coal — of course beginning at that part of the mine farthest away from the shaft, for the roof tumbles in as they are cut, one by one, away. Dangerous work this.

The other mine sinks a perpendicular shaft eight or nine hundred feet deep, and of course a long distance off from the out-crop. The levels strike off from the foot of this, and the mining is carried on in the same manner, except that the first is carried downward from the surface, and this is carried from the bottom of the shaft upward toward the out-crop. The foot of the shaft is the deepest part of the mine. Of course these levels cannot always be parallel, or equidistant, or the intersecting drifts straight and at right angles. The varying dip of the strata, the disappearance of some veins, the discovery of others, and, most of all, the masses of rock, called "troubles," all tend to change the regularity of the mine. A high grade of science and experience are called into play to circumvent these troubles, or to tell where and how to cut through them, and to follow the vein of coal through all its faults and turnings.

The draining of the mines is frequently a problem of great difficulty, as enormous veins of water often burst out, sometimes flooding a whole mine. The ventilation, too, is most important, as the lives of all in the pit depend upon its perfection. The system of sending fresh pure air through all the labyrinth of passages is too complicated to be explained here. It is sufficient to say that a strong current is created by a large fan revolving with great rapidity, which expels the foul gases and brings the wholesome air down from the open world.

One can easily see that this is hard work — and dangerous too. Dangers exist, hard to anticipate, and difficult, if not impossible, to provide against. The ceiling of brittle coal-slate sometimes crushes through all its props, and its black lumps are made red with the blood of the mangled miner. A blast might open communication with some vast reservoir of water, and the narrow drifts and galleries fill so fast that escape would become impossible. Sometimes the gas — the same gas that, tamed and civilized, lights our houses — accumulates here his natural savage strength, and gathering too rapidly for the ventilator to purify, explodes with a force compared with which gunpowder is a trifle. Everything is slivered and splintered by its fury. Then fellows the "black damp" --air from which all the life-sustaining principle is burnt out — and if any escape unhurt from the concussion, they are drowned in the lifeless air. And this work, with all its severe labor and danger, begets a class of men who take in it a strange delight. When Shelley spoke of men "leaner than fleshliness misery, who waste their lives in far down darksome mines," he surely never could have seen the Welsh, Cornish and Newcastle miners. The Chesterfield mines are worked chiefly by these men, and a sturdy set of fellows they are. They prefer the pit to any other work, and have the same kind of scorn of surface men that sailors have of land "lubbers," or that trappers have of civilized folks. They feel that high qualities, that energy, courage and patience are called into play here, and that they are spending strength on strength in the stern labor of cutting their way through living rock. They love the solid darkness of the mine, its perilous descents, the intricate mazes of its drifts and galleries, often steep and slippery, and its utter isolation from the rest of the world.

The sailor and the trapper have been told of often enough. Cooper alone has said quite enough of both; but no one has ever taken the pitman, in his grimy dress, hard-handed, swart, and smutted, and made a hero of him. But perhaps his turn may yet come. An English writer, speaking of the dignity of labor, said that when the epic poem of our day is written, it will not be "Arms and the Man." "Tools and the Man" will be our epic, and then will the Pitman be sung.

Fashion.

For the benefit of our lady friends, we give a little gossip about the fashions for January in New York and Philadelphia:

A favorite dinner dress is of violet Irish poplin, trimmed with blase bands of white poplin, arranged to simulate an overskirt.

The coiffure is of point applique lace and violet velvet. The hair is rolled from the face and caught up in a waterfall at the back.

This is an admired home dress: Ruby reps, trimmed with velvet buttons and ruby silk cord. The hair is crimped and arranged in a loose coil at the back. The coiffure consists of a band of ruby velvet studded with jet beads, and tied at the back with a ruby chenille cord.

Also an evening dress, rather flashy than elegant, of white crepe puffed over silk. The cuffs are confined by bands of scarlet velvet edged with black lace. The overskirt of crepe is bordered by scarlet velvet and black lace, and festooned up very high on the left side by a bunch of white flowers and loops of scarlet velvet. The corsage is of scarlet velvet, trimmed with buttons and black lace. Folds of crepe are laid above the corsage, and about the crepe is a fulling tulle drawn closely to the neck, and trimmed with pearl beads. Bunches of flowers and loops of velvet ribbon ornament the sleeves. The hair is rolled from the face, and arranged in a loose waterfall at the back. The coiffure is formed of bandeaux of scarlet velvet, caught at the side by a tuft of flowers and loops of velvet ribbon.

The genuine Empire bonnet is so very peculiar in shape that only a tall, stylish-looking person could wear it to advantage. Imagine a flat, square crown, with small front and long gipsy ears tying behind underneath the water-fall. A band of ribbon fastened on top passes down and ties under the chin, pressing the bonnet so closely to the face that side trimmings are entirely suppressed. Gilt chains on velvet, a rich ornament, or a few flowers, are placed over the forehead. In the hand these bonnets are decidedly ugly, but when "well worn" they are quite distingue. It is not incumbent upon every one to wear these exaggerated styles, as there are several very pretty modifications of the Empire bonnet. --All are exceedingly small, with raised, soft crowns, or else a perfectly flat crown, and a small, tightly-covered cape, or band set up rather high on the crown.

The principal feature in the new bonnets is the veil, which has now become the all-important item both for bonnets and hats. It is of unhemmed black or white illusion, spangled with gold, figured net, crepe lisse, or else the regular made veil. It is either caught on the side of the bonnet by a fancy ornament, or is fastened just over the crown. The length varies from three-quarters of a yard to one yard.

It was thought that waterfalls would disappear when the Empire bonnet was introduced. Such, however, is not the case. The bonnets are so short in the crown as to positively require a chignon of some kind. Though the waterfall is still popular, the thick coil is fast gaining favor.

It it is a noticeable feature that metal ornaments are introduced into the toilette wherever it can possibly be done.

Flower head-dresses have, in a great measure, given place to antique-looking bandeaux of gilt, steel or silver, either plain, engraved or filigreed. Some are ornamented with a richly-enamelled butterfly, poised on a fine wire, in the centre.

The newest boots for young ladies are of lasting, laced up in front over a tongue of colored silk, which can be changed at pleasure to suit the dress. A small rosette of velvet, matching the tongue in color, is worn on the toe of the boot. This rosette on the toe must be very ugly, utterly destroying the outline of the foot. The fashions of New York and Philadelphia are not pretty. There is an air of over-trimming, vulgar glitter, and an all-pervading flavor of shoddy and petroleum. We have given the fashions, but we entreat the ladies of Richmond not to wear them.

The material points of this article are from the Ladies' Book for January, a copy of which the enterprising news dealers, Messrs. Cole & Turner, laid upon our table several days since.

Local matters. Price of the Dispatch.

The Dispatch is published at two Cents per copy and Twelve Cents per week. Irregular carriers are selling the paper to transient customers at higher prices. These we cannot control. But the regular carriers only charge the prices above stated. Any citizen who wishes to take the paper can have it delivered at the rates established at the office either by obtaining from the regular carrier or leaving his name at the Dispatch counting-room.

Advertisements.

Our advertising columns show that our old friends have not forgotten through what channel they can most certainly reach the largest number of readers. They shall not be disappointed in their estimate of the ubiquitous power of the Dispatch. Wherever the mail, the express company, our special messengers, the city carriers, and our agents in all the towns and villages of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee can reach a family, there we are resolved that the Dispatch shall be found, cost what it may of capital, energy and labor.

To-day being Christmas, no paper will be issued from this office to-morrow.

The Franklin street shooting affair — close of the investigation.--the accused sent on for examination.

--On Saturday morning, after having disposed of some minor matters which are elsewhere noticed, the Mayor resumed the investigation of the charge against Mrs. Isabela Ould, of shooting her paramour, R. H. Meade, on the 22d of September last. Mrs. Ould was present, accompanied by her counsel, Marmaduke Johnson, Esq., and Colonel G. D. McIntosh, and a number of acquaintances — both male and female — who appeared to testify in the case.--The witnesses of the previous day were called, and the following testimony was elicited for the Commonwealth:

Mrs. Delilah Sales testified that she had been acquainted with Mrs. Ould between six and seven years, and had always found her to be a lady. She lived with her for nine months. Her husband and mine had occasional words together; but with that exception we got along very well. In the year 1860, she and Mr. Ould left for Danville, and returned in 1861.--Stayed with me two weeks, and then commenced housekeeping in Sidney. I visited her, and was there introduced to Meade. She sold out with the intention of going to the North, but gave up the idea, and went to board with Mrs. Minter, on

Third street

, where I visited her. Afterwards she bought a place on

Foushee street

, and commenced keeping a boarding house. She sold out, and went to live with Mrs. Willett; continuing all the time to visit my house. Subsequent to this she went to board with Mrs. Miller, and went afterwards to live with Mrs. Baumann, on

Twentieth street

. Came back to Mrs. Miller's, where she was very ill. On her recovery she rented an establishment from Mr. Fisher, and set up a restaurant. Visited her there a great many times. This was in November; 1864. Saw Meade there frequently. Heard Mrs. Ould say in Meade's presence that they were to be married; were going to Alexandria, and that witness must come and see them. Mrs. Ould showed her a locket, that Meade had given her, with their likenesses in it. Up to last of April I had been at work for Mrs. Ould. She wanted witness to make her wedding clothes, but having a sick child, could not do it. She got some one else to do the work. Never saw Mrs. Ould but once after that, when she was riding on the hill in an open buggy. Knew nothing more of the affair.

Cross-examined by Mr. Johnson.--The invitation to witness to visit them in Alexandria was given in the small restaurant in Meade's presence. The locket exhibited here is the one shown by Mrs. Ould. It was taken after she left

Foushee street

. Made some under garments for Meade, and was paid for them by Mrs. Ould. She is an industrious woman, and supported the family. Mrs. Ould was the active business person of the family. She sold a large number of things — jewelry and wearing apparel--to keep Meade up. Never saw him employed in any work. It was in April, after the fall of Richmond, that Mrs. Ould wanted witness to make up her wedding clothes.

To the Mayor.--Mrs. Ould's husband left her in 1863. He came from Atlanta, Ga., and said he was going to run the blockade, and wanted her to meet him there.

James D. Browne testified that he knew Meade at the Arsenal for three years, during the war. Saw Mrs. Ould there frequently, and he would go out to see her.

No other witnesses answered for the Commonwealth, and the Mayor announced that the testimony on that side was closed.

The witnesses for the defence were then sworn.

Henry L. Hartshorn testified that he was an officer in Castle Thunder at the time of Mrs. Ould's arrest, and saw marks of violence upon her neck. Visited Meade and told him he had a letter from Mrs. Ould, and Meade said he did not want to see Mrs. Ould or hear from her. He afterwards took the letter and read it. It was about some money and a watch.--Did not recollect that Meade said anything about not wanting Mrs. Ould prosecuted.

Clifford I. Rogers testified that, on the night of the 22d of September , as he was closing up his place, he heard the report of a pistol, and going across the street, saw Meade, Mrs. Ould and a private watchman. Meade was wounded. Found that Mrs. Ould had a bruise on her forehead. She said he had been abusing her. Went to the doctor's, and found Meade lying on a sofa. Mrs. Ould came in, and asked to be forgiven, and he forgave her. She supplied him with money, and also gave him a with and chain. Meade asked Mr. Fleming and myself to do all we could for Mrs. Ould, as she was no more to blame than he was. She appeared to be very much excited, and witness did not think she knew what she was doing. From daily observations, saw that Mrs. Ould was a very industrious woman.

W. L. Fleming testified that he knew nothing about the shooting. He heard the conversation at Dr. White's office, just related by Mr. Rogers. He had given a correct recital of it. Thought there was a bruise upon her forehead at the time.

George Shenly testified that Mrs. Ould lived up stairs over the shop where he was employed. Was well acquainted with Meade and Mrs. Ould. She told witness on the Monday of the evacuation that she had saved a thousand dollars in Confederate money, and asked if she had not better get a suit of clothes for Meade. She told witness on two or three occasions that they were going to be married. Mrs. Ould attended to most of the business. Meade was generally there.

Edward Smith testified that he was in Mrs. Ould's house on the night on which the shooting affair occurred, between 6 and 7 o'clock. Thought, from her appearance, that she had been crying, and left for home. Mrs. Ould seemed to be the proprietor of the place.

Mrs. Gill testified that after Mrs. Ould's wedding clothes were made she did them up. She told witness that she and Meade were going to be married. This was in May last. Had known Mrs. Ould for some time, and always found her to be a hard-working, industrious woman.

William Blackburn testified that he was in the court-house yesterday when Meade was on examination. He read the testimony in regard to himself in the morning papers. Had frequently been in their house, and always thought Mrs. Ould was Meade's wife. Went there in August, in a carriage, and took Meade out to ride. In about two weeks from this time Meade proposed that we take a buggy ride, and have Mrs. Ould go with them. Appointed a day, but could not go. Went there afterwards in a carriage, and asked Meade to go, but he declined: Then asked Mrs. Ould to go, and he gave his consent. She went, and after doing some shopping, returned. Visited the house frequently afterwards, and on one occasion Meade asked witness if he was a married man. Told him he was. About two weeks before the shooting affair occurred, had a dispute with Mrs. Ould, and ceased to visit the house. There was never any proposition made on her part, or that of witness, to marry or go away. In this respect Meade's testimony was false.

Miss Alice Gill testified that she was at Mrs. Ould's about 5 o'clock on the evening of the shooting. Asked Mr. Meade where she was, and he said she was up stairs. Saw him go down stairs, and she called him to return.--He did so, and witness then asked her for a basket. Did not go farther than the head of the steps. Saw no one there except Mrs. Ould and Meade.

Cyrus W. Andrews said he was the sergeant on duty at Castle Thunder when Mrs. Ould was arrested. Saw that Mrs. Ould had marks on her throat, as if some one had choked her. There was also a small bruise over her eye.--Took a letter over to Meade for Mrs. Ould, and saw him lying upon the bed. Told witness that he would be obliged to appear against Mrs. Ould, though he had no hard feelings in the matter. The marks on her throat and over the eye were very distinct. The bruise over the eye appeared to have been infected by some hard substance.

Meade here made an effort to introduce a letter, written by Mrs. Ould for him, to his niece, in Alexandria, requesting her to come on and wait upon the young lady to whom he was to have been married. Objection being made by the counsel for the defence, it was not read.

Another letter, written by Mrs. Ould to Meade while she was in Castle Thunder — entreating his forgiveness; that she had no other friend in the world: that she did not know what she was doing when she fired the shot, and begging him to continue to be her friend; that she was a poor, unhappy, lost woman, when she could have been better, and all she asked of him was to befriend her once more — was introduced by Meade and read by Mr. Johnson. The letter exhibited a most extraordinary degree of affection on her part for Meade, whom she constantly addressed as "Dear Bob."

Mr. Johnson read a number of letters written by Meade to Mrs. Ould, addressed to his "Dear Is," and couched in the most affectionate language.

Joseph McCoy testified that he knew Mrs. Ould and Meade. Meade's statements in regard to the intimacy between Mrs. Ould and himself were false. She always acted towards him as a lady. Witness was never in her bed chamber before last Monday night, when he took supper with her and Mr. and Mrs. Matthews. He never made any proposition to her, nor she to him, about going away together.

James Jones, one of the late military police, testified that he saw Mrs. Ould shoot Meade on

Franklin street

, and he attempted to knock the pistol out of her hand with his club. Struck her on the head and made a small bruise. Her condition after the affair was that of one on the verge of insanity. She was very much excited. When he entered Mrs. Ould's room the bed clothing was well arranged and in good order.

This closed the testimony for the defence.--Mr. Johnson then made an application for bail. He said that the testimony had proved the most extraordinary friendship on the part of the accused for Meade, on which, considering his personal appearance and general accomplishments, he could not compliment her very highly. Meade had evidently perjured himself, as had been proved by the testimony of respectable witnesses. He was but slightly hurt by the shot, as had been proved by his physician. He therefore felt quite confident that his Honor would not consider it a case of felony, but admit Mrs. Ould to bail in a reasonable sum.

The Mayor stated that Mrs. Ould was first arraigned before Judge McEntee, and admitted to bail, for what cause he did not exactly know. When the case was first brought before him, as Mayor, he did not think it proper to deny her the same privilege. But having now heard the testimony, he did not think it a bailable case, and therefore remanded Mrs. Ould to jail, to be examined before the Hustings Court on the second Monday in January upon a charge of felony.

The weather.

--Yesterday was one of those terrible days described by Tom Hood in his poem, wherein he says:

"First it blew, Then it snow, And then it threw."

After a very beautiful day on Saturday, the skies became suddenly overcast, and our citizens arose yesterday morning to a scene of sleet and slippery pavements, causing every pedestrian who valued his limbs to take the middle of the street. It was, in short, one of the most disagreeable days within our recollection, and disappointed the anticipations of many bibulous souls who anticipated a merry run-around among the bar-rooms.

Alleged robbery by a drayman.

--On Saturday last, J. P. Noel arrived at Rocketts in one of the steamers, and placed two trunks in the possession of a drayman to carry up town, since which time he has heard nothing of them, and he believes they have been stolen. One of the trunks was blue, with no cover, and very much out of repair; the other was covered with canvass, and considerably worn. The trunks were filled with ladies and gentlemen's clothing, and if the their manages to elude arrest he will have made a pretty good haul.

A valise stolen.

--A valise, containing clothing, belonging to William Lee, was stolen from one of the wharves at Rocketts on Saturday. The case has been reported to the police, but no arrests have yet been made.

Charge of felony — a man resisting arrest — he is shot by the police.

--At an early hour on Saturday morning, a man, named James Clarke, made his appearance at the lower station-house and reported that he had been knocked down and robbed of forty-five dollars by an Irishman, who gave his name as William Burch. A policeman was at once sent to arrest him, and on reaching the door of the house, saw Burch, and told him he must go along. To this Burch consented; but on getting outside of the door knocked the policeman against a lamp-post, and turning upon a soldier of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts regiment, also gave him a severe blow. Burch then went into the house and closed the door. The policeman returned to the station-house, and stated that he was unable to make the arrest without assistance. Mr. Clarke then went before a magistrate and got a warrant for the arrest of Burch on the charge of felony, and Captain Betts sent two policemen to take him into custody. Clarke himself going with them. They saw Burch, and when the policeman presented the warrant, he remarked, with great coolness, that he had likewise a warrant for them; and going into the house, picked up a double-barreled shot gun and fired upon the party. They ran behind a wall in the vicinity, saved themselves from injury, and subsequently returned to the station-house and reported that it was beyond their power to arrest a man who was so ferocious as Burch. Captain Betts then sent a very resolute policeman, named Harper, in company with the party who had returned. Harper went and searched the house, but Burch could not be found. Harper returned to the station-house to report this fact, leaving the two policemen behind him, and they soon discovered Burch crossing a bridge over the canal at the foot of

Eighth street

. They got the assistance of Sergeant Thomas, of the police force, and thus reinforced, they made a demonstration upon Burch, who left the bridge and got into a boat. Sergeant Thomas followed, and a struggle ensued, in the course of which Burch attacked the officer with the butt of the gun which he had previously discharged. Thomas then drew his pistol and fired, the balls taking effect in Burch's left arm and right hip, and one making a hole through his left ear. This had the effect of bringing the desperado down, after which he was secured and taken to the upper police station. Dr. C. W. P. Brock was sent for, who, after examining his wounds, probed them, and extracted the ball from his thigh, but could not get at the other. The wounds are merely in the flesh, and not considered dangerous. Burch was subsequently taken to the city jail, where he remains at present. After his arrest he gave the name of William Lightfoot. He is man of immense physical power, and apparently about forty years of age.

Sergeant Thomas was formerly a captain in the Confederate States army, and at the time of the above occurrence was suffering under the effects of wounds received in the service.

Arrests.

--At the lower station-house, on Saturday, the following arrests were reported, and some others which were examined before the Mayor, a detail of which will be found in the proceedings of that tribunal: Andrew Jackson, a negro, for stealing ten dollars from John Perrin: James McFee, a member of the Eleventh United States Infantry, for representing himself to be a policeman and being concerned in the robbery of John Perrin; Armistead Robinson, a negro, for stealing merchandise from Mitteldorfer & Sons; Charles Wilson, of the Eleventh United States Infantry, for being drunk and disorderly in the house of Belle Somers; Sarah Stevens, for disorderly conduct in the street and threatening to shoot Sarah Smith; Lewis Ranson, a negro, for stealing shoes from Morris & Hess; Charles Copeland, a negro, for carrying fire-arms; Isaac Brown, a negro, for discharging a gun in the market; George Williams, a negro, for carrying concealed weapons; H. R. Allen, citizen, for assaulting and beating two Federal soldiers; Sylvester Overton, a negro, for insulting a policeman while in the discharge of his duty; Henderson Taylor, a negro, for stealing a hat from Joseph Hirshberg, and Robert Harrison, a negro; for stealing shoes from Wise & Harrison.

At the upper station-house the following arrests were recorded: William Green, a negro, for stealing shoes from Morris & Green; E. S. Wooldridge, for stealing a horse from B. A. Cocke. [In this case the accused was admitted to bail by Justice Binford. He alleges that he can prove he bought the horse, and was not within twenty miles of Richmond on the day the robbery is charged to have been committed.] William Lightfoot, alias William Burch, charged with felony and resisting and attempting to kill an officer in the discharge of his duty; Samuel Pleasants, a negro, for stealing a lot of groceries from Marshall F. Burton; Isaiah White, a negro, for fighting in the house of Mary Brown and cutting about him with a knife; and George N. Brown for fighting in the same place; Robert Randolph, a negro, for having been drunk and disorderly and resisting a policeman; and John Wyley, a Washington City negro, for stealing six chairs, valued at fifteen dollars, from R. P. Emerson. Fanny Taylor, pauper, for being drunk and creating a disturbance in the poor-house.

Some few arrests for trivial offences were registered at the police stations last evening.

Horse stealing.

--Thefts are becoming such common occurrences that it is dangerous for a citizen to leave any property exposed without a guard. On Saturday night, Colonel J. W. Richardson, of Hanover, went into Zetelle's restaurant to get supper, leaving his horse and equipments, and a valise containing some papers, in fronts of the house. When he returned, he found, to his surprise, that all were gone. The horse was found during the night by policeman Sweeney, and turned over to the Colonel yesterday morning.

A horse Thief sent to the penitentiary.

--A negro by the name of Claiborne Briggs was arraigned before Judge McEntee on Saturday, charged with horse stealing. The animal in question was stolen from Charles R. Cullen, of Hanover, on last Wednesday night. It was found in the possession of the prisoner, and identified by Mr. Cullen as his property.

Briggs pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to the Virginia penitentiary, at hard labor, for the term of three years.

The Ladies Fair at Union Station is still in progress. We are requested to remind our readers that, on Christmas day, the beautiful paintings, representing two of the most celebrated scenes in the lives of Generals Lee and Jackson, will be raffled off, and that but fifteen chances remain to be disposed of. These are said to be very desirable works of art, and such as would prove valuable and lasting mementoes of the great battles whose scenes are thereby illustrated.

Resignation of a policeman.

--W. H. Tyree, one of the recently appointed policemen, tendered his resignation on Saturday. This is the only one of the force that has resigned.-- Caleb Crone, who was elected one of the officers, declined the position, and E. H. Chalkley, who was also elected, did the same thing, but was induced to remain. The new police seem to be faithfully attending to their duties as conservators of the public peace.

A trunk stolen and Recovered.

--At an early hour yesterday morning, a trunk, containing a number of Catholic books and a quantity of under clothing, was found in the rear of the residence of Mr. N. M. Lee, and taken to the lower station-house, where it was identified by Joseph Leary as a trunk which had been stolen from his saloon. It had been broken open and robbed of several winter garments and five dollars in gold.

Heavy robbery.

--F. W. Hawberg reported at the lower station-house on Saturday that on the previous night he was robbed in Pink alley of four or five hundred dollars in greenbacks. He stated that the robbery was committed by a small-sized German, with light hair, who could not speak a word of English. There is some mystery connected with this affair which the police are endeavoring to solve.

The Civil docket.

--The Mayor has had such an immense amount of criminal business before him for the past week that he has not been able to hear any of the civil cases in the hands of the High Constable. We are requested to state that the docket will be called on Thursday morning next, when all parties interested will doubtless be in attendance at the City Hall.

The Mayorwill hold court to-day at eleven o'clock for the trial of the numerous persons who have been arrested within the past forty-eight hours. It is not usual for any court to be held on Christmas day, but it is necessary on this occasion to prevent an accummulation of business.

Outrageous attempt to Murder.

--On last Friday night, whilst Mr. Charles Brice, who resides about three miles from the city on the line of the Fredericksburg railroad, was making a customary visit among his our buildings, he was struck in the forehead by parties who had concealed themselves behind a pig-pen, and knocked senseless. The cowardly ruffians then fired two loads of buckshot from a double-barreled shot-gun into his right side, making, from their close proximity, a frightful wound. The scoundrels fled in the direction of Camp Lee upon the approach of members of the family, who were attracted by the firing. Dr. Sinton was immediately called in, and extracted a few of the shot.

Mr. Brice was a relative, and resided with the family of Mr. Thomas Johnson, formerly a well-known bookseller of this city. He is upwards of seventy years old, and a most estimable citizen. We are glad to learn that his wounds, though painful, are not considered dangerous. The shock to his system is very great.

Judge Lyons's Court.

--Judge William H. Lyons, of the Hustings Court, held a session on Saturday, but disposed of nothing but civil business of no interest to the general public.

Mayor's Court.

--In addition to the protracted hearing of the case of Mrs. Isabella Ould, a detail of which is elsewhere given, the Mayor disposed of the following business:

George Hickman was charged with stealing turkeys in the market. The gentleman from whom the fowls were stolen could not swear that Hickman was the man who took them, although he missed them from his wagon.-- There being no evidence sufficiently positive to justify the detention of Hickman, he was discharged.

James Smith, a youthful vagabond of some twelve years, was charged with having been drunk and disorderly in the streets. He had a white woolen comforter wound around his head in the place of a cap. No one appeared to testify against him, and he was released with the usual admonition. Smith left the court-room with such an erect and soldier-like mein as to cause a hearty laugh among the spectators.

Frank Smith, another boy of about the same age, with a dirty face and closely-cropped hair, was also charged with having been drunk and found lying in a door between 3 and 4 o'clock in the morning. The Mayor remarked that he was a very small boy to be guilty of such an offence, but pleading the approach of Christmas as an excuse, he was discharged with some good advice.

Robert W. Starke, who was up on Friday for drunkenness, again made his appearance on a similar charge. The Mayor required him to give security to keep the peace for twelve months.

Frances Loving, who appeared on Friday under the name of Frances Smith, was again up for drunkenness. Policeman Epps testified that he found her lying in a perfectly helpless condition upon the street, with a bottle of whisky by her side. She stated that she was "violent sick," and only took two drums by the advice of a physician. Having given the Mayor a solemn promise not to appear again before him, and in consideration of the fact that a protracted imprisonment might prove fatal to her, she was discharged.

John Welch, charged with making an assault upon his wife, was called; but, failing to appear, his bail was declared forfeited.

Provost Court--Brevet-Colonel McEntee presiding.

--The following cases were disposed of in this Court on Saturday:

Sarah Stephens, negro, charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct, was found guilty and sent to Castle Thunder for twenty days.

Charles Wilson, of the [Eleventh] United States Infantry, drunk and in the city without a pass, was sent to the Castle for twenty days.

Armistead Robinson, negro, was tried on a charge of petit larceny, found guilty and sent to the Castle for sixty days.

Lewis Ranson, negro, was found guilty of stealing a pair of shoes, and sentenced to the Castle for a period of sixty days.

Ned Dabney, negro, charged with petit larceny, was sent to the same institution for a like term.

James McFee, charged with having been implicated in a robbery, was committed to the Castle to await trial by court-martial.

Christmas present for General Lee.

--The beautiful and elegant set of furniture, twenty one pieces in all, presented to General Lee by the noble daughters of the Monumental City, passed through this city yesterday, and was shipped by canal for Lexington. The present was brought on free, the agents of the steamboat line refusing to charge freight, in compliment to Virginia's former chieftain. We understand that the draymen who hauled the furniture through the city quarreled for that privilege. We believe that freight is charged upon it from this city to Lexington.

Such testimonials to this noble son of Virginia cannot but be gratifying to Virginians. "All honor to his name!"

Festival.

--The ladies of the Manchester Baptist Church are preparing to give a grand supper to-morrow night. Ample provisions will be made, and everything that is nice and tempting will await those who attend. In addition to the large collection of edibles, we learn that the occasion is to be enlivened by music, vocal and instrumental. The programme is a most inviting one. Those who go may confidently expect a delightful evening.

A Fire occurred on Sunday evening, about half-past 4 o'clock, on the premises of L. C. Bell, on the south side of

Broad street

, between

First

and

Second

. The engines were promptly on the ground, and but little damage was done.

The Bark Queen Victoria, which we stated, a few days ago, had not been heard from since she sailed from Liverpool, on the 9th of October, for Richmond, with a cargo of salt, was spoken off Cape Henry on the 20th, and will doubtless soon be at the wharf of our city.

Affray.

--An affray occurred on Saturday last, at the "Six-gun Battery," which resulted in the severe beating of two Federal soldiers by a citizen. All parties were arrested by officer Sweeney and locked up.

To Smokers.

--We have received from Mr. John K. Childrey some smoking tobacco, branded "Evening Luxury" and "Joseph's Pride of Tycoon." It is very fine — mild and of good flavor. Try it.

Special Notices.

Drugs, Medicines, &c.

Page image of Daily Dispatch, Volume 29, Number 92, page 2.

Richmond Dispatch. Monday...december 25, 1865. Christmas.

It would seem a remorseless piece of irony to extend to our people the usual greeting of "A Merry Christmas." In the midst of a land desolated by the iron foot-prints of war, with half a million of their best and bravest sleeping in bloody graves, with a funeral pall hanging in every house where the Christmas garlands once were wreathed, with universal poverty in the place of universal plenty, and dark and threatening clouds still brooding over their future, it seems like the utterance of heartless sarcasm to exclaim, "A Merry Christmas."

Yet, it was in the moral midnight of the world that the Christmas star first rose. It was upon an altar whose prestige had departed, that its mild lustre first fell, illuminating it with a glory such as the first temple had never known. It was amid the jarring discords of political and civil strife that those melodies of Heaven first broke upon the ari--"Peace on earth, good will among men."

Our modern mode of celebrating this great Christian Anniversary may be incongruous and inconsistent in times like these; but Christmas, in its true method of observance, is the very festival for periods of darkness and tribulation. It brings its gold and frankincense and myrrh not to kings in their purple, but to poverty in its lowliest estate. It converts the stable into a palace and the manger into a throne. It leads us to the feet of Him who came to "visit us in great humility," who rejoiced in the companionship of the sorrowful and meek, whose miracles were performed not only to attest his mission, but to relieve human afflictions, and who will come again, in glorious majesty, to reward suffering virtue and to vindicate the ways of Gop to man.

It, then, we are not able to celebrate this anniversary with the exuberant joyousness of former years, it may, at least, bring us consolation in our sadness; it may teach us the lessons of charity and praise which the hosts of Heaven chanted over the cradle of the Son of God; it may inspire us with hope of a day when the sword shall be beaten into a plough share and nations shall not learn war any more; and it may admonish those whose habitations yet echo with the voices of joy and gladness to arrest the melodies of their mirth till they have heard and stilled the wintry wails of poverty and sorrow at their doors.

A Bold avowal.

When the Missouri controversy was raging, Rufus King, one of the ablest and purest men ever sent to the National Councils by any Northern State--himself the author of the resolutions — scornfully rejected all imputations of superior humanity, and boldly declared that the struggle was for power and for nothing else. Thad. Stevens, without, probably, designing to be very honest, made a similar avowal in the Committee of the Whole the other day. The following are the words he used, if his speech be correctly reported:

"In the Territories, Congress fixes the qualifications of electors, and I know of no better place nor better occasion for the conquered rebels and the conqueror to practice justice to all men, and accustom themselves to make and to obey all laws. As to these famed rebels, they cannot, at their option, re-enter the heaven which they have disturbed, nor the garden of Eden which they have deserted, as flaming swords are set at the gates to secure their exclusion. It becomes important to the nation to inquire when the doors shall be opened for their admission. According to my judgment, they ought never to be recognized as capable of acting in the Union, or being counted as valid States, until the Constitution shall have been so amended as to make it what its framers intended, so as to secure a perpetual ascendency to the party of the Union and so as to render republican government firm and stable forever.

* * * * * * *

"If they should grant the right of suffrage to persons of color. I think there would always be Union white men enough in the South, aided by the blacks, to divide the representation, and thus continue the Republican ascendancy. If they should reuse thus to alter their election laws, it would reduce the representatives of the late slave States to about forty-five, and render them powerless for evil. It is plain that this amendment must be consummated before the defunct States are admitted to be capable of States action, or it never can be.

"The whole number of representative now from the slave States is seventy. Add the other two-fifths, and it will be eighty-three. If the amendment prevails, and the States withhold the right of suffrage from persons of color, it will deduct about thirty-seven, leaving them but forty-five. With the apportionment unchanged, the eighty-three Southern members, with the Democrats that will in the best times be elected from the North, will always give them a majority in Congress and in the Electoral College. They will, at the very first election, take possession of the White House and the halls of Congress. I need not depict the scene that would follow."

The words italicised at the end of the first paragraph contain the whole pith of the speech. "To secure a perpetual ascendancy to the Republican party" is the object of all these violent revolutionary movements. Party goes with Thad. a long way before the Union. He does not hesitate to break down the Union in order to insure the success of his party. What a wonderful statesman! What a pure public man!

President Johnson thinks differently; his doctrine is, perish party, save the Union; and of course he is consigned by Thad. to the "execration of history."

The scene which Thad. declines to draw of the condition of affairs likely to exist should the Democrats come in, is well calculated to horrify the radicals. If these radicals love the spoils as well as Horace Greeley says they do, it will be a sad day for them, no doubt.

The speech of Mr. Raymond, a part of which we published on Saturday, has, no doubt, been read with interest by every person who feels any anxiety with regard to the present condition of public affairs. It takes the ground held by the whole Union party throughout the war, with the exception of Thad. Stevens and a few followers, who were then, and continue to be now, quite as good Secessionists as Jefferson Davis or any member of his Cabinet. If the promises of Mr. Raymond be sound, his conclusions are certainly correct. He differs from Thad. Stevens in both, precisely as, during the war, any Union man would have differed from any Secessionist.

Mr. Stevens contends that these States are not in the Union--that they are territories, as New Mexico is a territory — that, as such, Congress has a right to treat them, being, as such, subject to the discipline and tutelage of Congress. In this condition of affairs it is his desire to have the Southern States in a state of pupilage for an indefinite time — the shortest period he speaks of is thirty years. General objects are to be accomplished by the recommended legislation. In the first place, the South, being conquered territory, is to be turned into a vast field of plunder, from which Stevens himself is to have the value of his iron mills repaid one hundred fold, and all his followers are to grow rich. As to the fate that is to await the white race, we are told by him to look at the massacre and deportation of the inhabitants of Latium by the Romans — with the exception of the massacre of Melos by the Athenians — the most atrocious crime in all ancient history, perpetrated, too, five hundred years before the birth of Christ. They are to be robbed of everything by repeated spoliations and confiscations. Next, they must be kept out of the Union for thirty years, and degraded by mixture and association with the negroes until they become no better than the negroes. Above all things — they must be kept out of the Union, in order that the Republicans may retain their party power.

Such is the programme and such the avowed object of Thad. Stevens. If these States are out of the Union, his deductions are logical enough, Thad, says they are, and in this he is consistent; for he maintained the same thing during the war. If they are out, the question is, how did they get out, for they certainly were in at one time. It must have been by Secession; and this, we believe, is a part of Thad's creed. If the States went out by secession, the war was against an independent power, and Jefferson Davis and his compeers, so far from being traitors, and liable to be tried and execute as such, are patriots, deserving the applause of mankind. Yet Thad. Stevens and his followers are continually howling for the blood of Jeff. Davis, and are endeavoring so to alter the law as to insure his conviction, whether proved guilty or not. They are continually crying out for confiscation — less than the whole South will not satisfy them. Yet the Southern people, if the doctrine of Thad. Stevens be true, deserve reward, not punishment, for the valor and constancy with which they defended their native land.

Admitting that the South is conquered territory, did any modern nation ever confiscate the lands of another nation after having conquered it? Did even Katherine, of Russia, do it? England, we know, served Scotland in that way, and even executed Wallace for treason. But it was after Edward had made Baliol swear fealty to him by a gross fraud and deception. Napoleon, we believe, did the same thing in Spain. But it was after he had induced old Charles to surrender the crown into his hands. Both these monarchs confiscated, under pretence of treason. Confiscation is, indeed, the peculiar punishment of treason; and if the South has committed no treason — as it has not, upon the Stevens theory — how can it be punished for it? Only upon the theory of President Johnson--that the Union was never dissolved — can a case of treason be made out.

The industrial problem of the South, now awaiting solution, is beginning to arouse the attention of the whole country. The Boston Journal justly remarks that, in truth, it is hardly less the problem of the North than of the South. The American Consul at Liverpool has expressed the opinion, coincided in by the Secretary of the Treasury, that the amount of cotton now on hand in the United States, inclusive of the crop of the present year, does not probably exceed seven hundred and fifty thousand bales. This statement would not be so significant if there were a fair prospect that the next crop would be an average one. But who believes it will be even one million of bales? The time for planting is close at hand. What is done at all for the next crop must be done within a few weeks, and yet the industry of the cotton States remains disorganized. The old order of things has passed away and the new is not established. There is a deficiency of capital. Tools and implements are wanting. The laborers are distrustful of their old masters, and the masters are in many cases discouraged.

It is hardly the part of wisdom for Congress to be discussing abstract questions of political philosophy, when industrial questions, rather then political, demand the immediate consideration of all who are interested in the prosperity of the country. With the wheels of industry once more set in motion in communities now desolated and disorganized, content and plenty would soon be restored. Is not the North as much interested in the result as the South? What is to become of Northern commerce and Northern manufacture, of the revenue and credit of the nation, if confidence is not encouraged between the white and negro races, if the one is not stimulated to enterprise as well as the other protected in his industry? National bankruptcy and universal ruin can be the only consequence of giving over the most fertile territory in the Republic to the barrenness and desolation of a desert. The only way to rescue the country from impending ruin is to sustain the President in his patriotic and conciliatory policy, to put an end to sectional jealousies and hostility, and to make the people of the South feel that they are not regarded as aliens and strangers.

The effect of the bill Basing representation upon voters.

--The radicals, who are now clamoring for an amendment to the Constitution changing the representation in Congress from a population to a voting basis, [their object being to compel the South to make the negroes voters] do not quite realize the effect of that measure were it adopted. True, it would largely reduce the representation of the Southern States were the negroes not allowed to vote; but it would also have the following consequences: 1. It would cut down the present and future representation of New England, on account of the excess of females and old people, as compared with the Western States. 2. It would deprive the Atlantic seaboard and manufacturing localities of Congressmen wherever aliens were largely employed. 3. It would add very largely to the representation of the Western States, where the male population is largely in excess of the female; and 4. It would give a disproportionate representation to California and the mining regions, where the males are ten to one to the females. In short, it would make the West all-powerful in the Government almost immediately upon the adoption of the amendment.--New York World.

News from the Virginia Legislature via New York city.

--The Herald's Richmond correspondent says there is a strong feeling among the "pure Virginians" in the Legislature in favor of going into an election of United States Senators. But the majority fear the powers at Washington. J. R. Tucker, R. M. T. Hunter, Governor Peirpoint, General Strother, John M. Botts, C. H. Lewis, A. H. H. Stuart, J. B. Baldwin and L. C. P. Cowper are, according to this correspondent, the candidates. Mr. Grattan, ("the leader of the House,") Mr. Sewell and Mr. Garnett are for Hunter and Tucker; Mercier, Stearns and Lemosy for Botts; Gilmer for Peirpoint.-- "Messrs. Segar and Underwood do not seem to have any friends in either House, though they deserve many."

[We give this gossip for what it is worth. It is surely new to us.]

The correspondent of the New York Times writes that a growing sentiment exists here in favor of so altering the Constitution of Virginia as to make the possession of a certain amount of property and a knowledge of the arts of reading and writing necessary qualifications in every voter. So that, even if negroes were allowed to vote, but few would be qualified, and these very "conservative" ones. Also, in favor of admitting negro testimony in court. He says the great fire will prove to have been a blessing in disguise; that though the Freedmen's Bureau have surrendered forty thousand acres of land to its owners, sixty thousand remain unsurrendered, besides city property; that the probability of Governor Peirpoint's officers being re-elected increases daily; and, finally, does not hesitate to predict that a "thorough, uncompromising Union party will eventually rule the Old Dominion."

Decline of the New York Herald.

--The fact is, the Herald has had its death-blow as a newspaper this fall and winter. Its job office has been ruined, and will be discontinued; its advertising is diminishing; its circulation is steadily lessening — other journals, the World chiefly, taking its place. When we say that the Herald has had its death-blow, we do not mean that it will cease to be published at once. It may continue many years to survive, but its surpassing prosperity has gone. It has entered upon its period of decadence. Its history is hereafter that of a decline and fall.--New York World.

Greeley's terms.

--We would proffer to the late rebels universal amnesty, an oblivion of the past, and the treatment of brethren, on the single condition that they should accord to their black fellow-citizens the rights and the treatment of men — in other words, that they should treat them exactly as we do.--New York Tribune.

Good news.

--The Lynchburg Virginian understand that all the stock in the Campbell County Oil Company has been taken, and that they will commence boring for oil as soon as practicable. We hope and believe they will find it.

Rev. Doctor Boyd, a distinguished Presbyterian clergyman of Winchester, Va., died on the 16th instant. Dr. Boyd once received, but declined, a call to one of the Presbyterian churches in Richmond.

Special Notices.

Shipping.

Holiday goods.

For Rent.

Real estate for Sale.

Holiday goods.

Auction Sales--future day.

Lost, Strayed and found.

Religious Newspapers.

Hotels and boarding-houses.

Page image of Daily Dispatch, Volume 29, Number 92, page 3.

Richmond Dispatch. Monday...december 25, 1865. Washington Items. The Freedmen's Bureau to be under military direction.

General Grant having stated in his late report that the Freedmen's Bureau was "independent of the military establishment," General Howard has issued an order destroying that independence, and directing that all the operations of the Bureau be carried on under and through the agency of the army officers.

No Asiatic cholera at Southampton.

The State Department has received a communication from Mr. John Britton, our Consul at Southampton, England, dated December 1, 1865, stating that, having seen in New York papers an account of the existence of holora at that place, he desired to say that, though there had been a few cases of England cholera, resulting from the too free use of bad fruit and vegetables, there had not been a single case of Asiatic cholera in the town.

Important decision.

The following decision from the Paymaster-General's Office is important to those presenting claims for back pay. The decision of the Second Comptroller, recently made, giving pay to a brigadier-general from date of commission, on the ground that serving and fighting in that grade from such date was virtual acceptance, does not apply to regimental or company officers. These latter are entitled only from actual muster-in by a competent officer — they being regarded as commissioned, taking rank and having pay only from muster-in.

Agricultural Bureau.

Hon. Isaac Newton, Commissioner of Agriculture, is supplying all the Southern members of Congress with seeds; and also furnishing his report for distribution throughout the Southern States.

A caucus of Southern members.

A caucus of all the Southern members now in the city was held evening before last, at which they resolved to go home and remain until after the 4th day of March, 1866.

Privateers fitting out.

It is reported that information has been received here of the fitting out of one, and probably two, Chilian privateers at New York.

Mr. Botts and what he says.

John M. Botts, of Virginia, visited the capitol this morning, and looked as hale and as hearty as when, more than twenty years ago, he slept in the same bed with John Tyler. He contends not only for the constitutionality, but for the necessity of the test oath which excludes the Southern members. [So says Mr. Forney. We should be pleased to learn that he has mistaken Mr. Bott's position.]

Mr. Campbell's instructions.

The Department of State has completed the instructions which it desires the Minister to Mexico to follow, and he will be dispatched at once to the headquarters of the Juarist Government, and remain with the President of the Republic, and follow him wherever he may go; thus making an active demonstration to Maximilian of the policy which the Government intends to persist in. It is this that has given offence to the French Minister.

A Rumor about Mexico.

The Republican this evening created some little sensation by issuing a flaming extra on Mexican affairs. Its information purports to come from London, and it declares that a secret understanding between Napoleon and Maximilian allows the former to withdraw the French troops from Mexico whenever Max's payments should become two months in arrear.

The Chilian war.

The State Department is in receipt of dispatches from our Minister to Chili. The war between Spain and Chili is still progressing. All the principal ports are blockaded. The commander of the squadron is only waiting instructions from the Spanish Government to commence more active operations. The admiral who is commanding the squadron off Valparaiso has grossly insulted our Minister, Thomas H. Nelson. The American and English merchants and residents are very indignant at his conduct, and have laid the matter before their respective governments.

Committee business.

A quorum of the Committees on Ways and Means and Appropriations will remain in session during the recess to facilitate legislation.

Internal Revenue.

Receipts of internal revenue to-day are thirteen hundred thousand dollars.

A Bold robbery.

A paymaster of the United States army went into a bank in this city to-day with $15,000, which he laid on the counter and turned around for the purpose of writing a check. His clerk entered at the time, and likewise placed on the counter a package of $10,000, and then engaged in conversation with a friend. Whilst the paymaster and his clerk were thus engaged, some party in the crowd stole the $15,000 package, with which he made his escape unnoticed.

The cholera.

The Department of State has received information that the statement in circulation to the effect that the Aslatic cholora had made its appearance at Southampton is without foundation, and that the health of that city is excellent.

Circular to National Banks.

The Comptroller has just published a circular to national banking companies. It is designed to secure greater uniformity in the books and papers of such institutions.

Tax on building stone.

By a decision of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, all stones used in the outward structure of buildings, bridges, aqueducts, reservoirs, wharfs, piers, monuments, fences, &c., if thawn or dressed, are subject to a duty of three and three-fifths per cent., as building stone. This decision was made in accordance with the amended act of March 3, 1865. It does not apply to or include rough walls or walls built of roughly-dressed stones.

A Suggestion.

Secretary McCulloch yesterday received a letter, signed by several prominent colored men, in which they suggest that the land and other property of colored people be subjected to an additional tax, the revenue from which to be appropriated to the benefit of colored persons in destitute circumstances.

Mails in Virginia.

The Postmaster-General last evening issued the following orders for mail service in Virginia, to commence the 1st of January next: of "Pittsylvania Courthouse to Lynchburg twice a week; Pittsylvania Courthouse to Danville three times a week; Pittsylvania Courthouse to Glade Hill once a week; Old Point Comfort to Hampton six times a week; Fredericksburg, by Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Locust Grove, Verdiersville and Unionville to Orange Courthouse twice a week; Farmville to Buckingham Courthouse twice a week; Mattoax to Winterpock twice a week; Genilo to Cumberland Courthouse twice a week; Lawrenceville to Lawrenceville once a week; Farmville to Pemberton twice a week; Jerusalem to Petersburg twice a week; York-town to Mathews Courthouse once a week; Red House to Red House once a week; Pamplin's Depot to Rolling Hill once a week; Fredericksburg to Falmouth daily."

Insult to an American Minister.

The State Department has advices from our Minister at Chili that the war between Spain and Chili is still kept up. The commander of the Spanish fleet had offered a gross insult to Mr. Nelson, our Minister, for which an apology will be demanded.

Mr. Campbell accepts.

Lewis D. Campbell accepts the mission to Mexico. Instructions for him are being prepared at the State Department.

A present to General Grant.

General Grant to-day received, from some citizens of New York, a substantial present in the shape of a three-thousand-dollars horse.

Internal Revenue decision.

The law in reference to stamping receipts for warehouse goods has been heretofore construed so as to require these receipts to bear stamps according to the value of goods involved, thus; the greater the value of the goods borne on the receipt, the higher would be the denomination of the stamp to be used. The Commissioner has just decided that no receipt for warehouse goods requires a stamp of a higher denomination than twenty-five cents.

Pardons.

The issuing of pardons has almost entirely ceased. About a dozen requisitions were made out to-day for North Carolina cases, all of the 20,000 class.

Secretary Stanton.

Secretary Stanton returned to the city last evening from his visit to Ohio.

The remains of the late President. St. Louis, Missouri, December 22.

--The remains of President Lincoln were removed yesterday from the receptacle vault at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, to the new vault erected hear the site of the proposed monument. The remains of Mr. Lincoln's two children were placed in the same vault. Robert Lincoln and the directors of the National Monument Association were present at the removal.

Heavy robbery in Philadelphia. Philadelphia, December 22.

--The safe at the Sanitary Commission was found robbed this morning of six thousand four hundred and fifty dollars in United States five-twenty and seven-thirty bonds. They were the property of John W. Wilson, the chief clerk.

Fire in St. Louis. St. Louis, December 21.

--Nos. 2 and 3 city buildings, on the levee, were burned last night. Loss on the building, seventy-five thousand dollars. No. 4 was also nearly destroyed; loss not ascertained, but said to be insured.--No. 1 was badly damaged; loss unknown.

California--the Pacific railroad bill passed. San Francisco, December 21.

--The Pacific railroad land-grant bill passed the Senate to-day.

Wonderful story of the Yield of the Idaho mines. [from a private letter to San Francisco.] Oro Fino, October 3, 1865. Dear Sir,

--A party that were prospecting on the War Eagle Mountain, about one mile south of the Oro Fino, found one of the richest gold and silver ledges ever found anywhere; or, as they say, it is richer than anything we read of in the history of mines. The new discovery is from one to three feet wide. The company have taken from one to five tons of the ore to the Sinker mill. The five tons yielded over one ton of bullion. A man that stops in the house with me got four pounds of the rock and crushed it. He got eighteen ounces of dust after retorting. They get blocks of native silver as large as candle boxes, and hammer it out like a wagon tire, and leave it all shining with free gold.

There is another discovery on the same mountain of a gold bearing ledge four feet wide; they have taken out two pans of decomposed quartz twelve feet down, and washed out eighteen dollars to the pan, and there are streaks of gold in the hard rock half an inch thick. This is no exaggerated statement — it is all true.

General Scott in New Orleans — what he says of Confederate Generals.

--General Sheridan, and several members of his staff, yesterday paid a formal visit to Lieutenant-General Scott, at the St. Charles Hotel. A very pleasant and social hour was spent with the old soldier, who conversed with the greatest freedom of men and things of the past, recalling incidents familiar to General Sheridan, which showed how clear and vigorous is his memory. In a mention of the late war, General Scott spoke in high terms of the Confederate Generals Lee, Johnston and Longstreet, and regretted the differences in opinion which had separated them.

Governor Wells also called upon General Scott.

We are informed that the report published in the Northern papers, to the effect that General Scott will remain in New Orleans during the winter, is unfounded. It is now stated that he is to stop but a few days in this city, when he will proceed to Key West, where he has engaged rooms for four months.--New Orleans True Delta.

The gold excitement continues in Greene county, Pennsylvania. The editor of the Waynesburg Messenger has been furnished with a specimen of rock supposed to be a quartz, a stratum of which, about four feet in thickness, was found in one of the wells at a depth of five hundred and fifty feet. Ten feet below this, another vein of the same material was found, and twenty feet below this again still another was reached. Should it prove to be gold, arrangements will doubtless soon be made for mining it.

Greene county borders upon those counties in Virginia in which lead and other valuable minerals have been found in great quantities. We hope soon to see new mineral resources brought to light in this part of the State.

A case of hydrophobia.

--Hermann Miller, aged seven years, on returning from school on the 6th instant, was bitten on the forehead, near the right eye, by a large Newfoundland dog, receiving a severe wound. A physician was called and the wound dressed up. Sixteen days after he was attacked with delirium, and finally tetanus set in, of the most violent character. Neither medicine nor food could be administered, and on Monday last he died. A postmortem examination was made by Dr. John Beach, who found several scars over the right eye and right side of the nose. Death, in the opinion of the witness, was the result of hydrophobia.--New York Tribune.

And yet it does not appear that the dog was mad.

Absconding contractors,

--Messrs. Sage & Eaton, contractors for constructing the Cleveland and Toledo railroad between Elyria and Oberlin, have absconded, leaving unpaid a large number of hands, and debts contracted for board, materials, &c., amounting in all to about twenty-five thousand dollars.

Two contractors on the St. Paul and Pacific railroad, now being constructed in Minnesota, have absconded with five thousand dollars of the company's money, entrusted to them for the payment of laborers.

The Augusta (Georgia) Chronicle says that a son of John C. Breckinridge is a clerk in the banking-house of E. M. Bruce & Co., of that city. The Chronicle adds: "Upon inquiring, we found that he was not only supporting himself, but by his industry and frugality was able to contribute to the support of his illustrious father and his young family, while the former was compelled to remain an exile from his native Kentucky.

Mr. William E. Davis, of Cincinnati, who, while a correspondent of the Gazette, was captured and confined at Salisbury prison, has been subpœnaed to appear before the military commission to convene in Raleigh, N. C., this coming week, as a witness in the case of the United States against John H. Gee, late commandant of the Salisbury prison. God help Major Gee if his life hangs on such testimony.-- Nashville Banner.

We are much pained to announce the sudden death of our esteemed friend, Dr. R. H. Gambill, for many years assistant physician at the Western Lunatic Asylum. As a physician he ranked high; was social and kind as man, and warm and sincere as a friend. His death will be greatly felt at the asylum, and is much deplored by his associates and many friends in this community.-- Staunton Vindicator.

Cold weather.

--Last night the weather was very cold, and the river opposite to this place froze across from shore to shore. The passage of steamers during the day broke up the ice, but navigation is somewhat impeded. Alexandria Gazette, 23d.

Heavy snows.

--Heavy snows have fallen on the plains. Over twenty trains are snow-bound at different points, and a large number of animals are dying from starvation and cold weather.

Charleston, December 20.

--The Mills House, in this city, was opened to-day for the first time since the commencement of the war.

Married.

In Washington city, December 21st, by Rev. H. E. A. Chambers, Lieutenant C. D. Lindsey, of Ohio, to Emma Carrie Toler, formerly of Richmond.

Books, Stationery, &c.

New music.

Dry goods, shoes, &c.

Insurance companies.

Commission merchants.

Professional Cards.

Coal and Wood.

Business Cards.

Page image of Daily Dispatch, Volume 29, Number 92, page 4.

Richmond Dispatch. Monday...december 25, 1865. Where'er the heart is."

Tis Home where'er the heart is. Where'er its loved ones dwell, In cities or in cottages, Throng'd haunts mossy dell. The heart's a rover ever, And thus on wave or wild The maiden with her lover walks, The mother with her child. Tis bright where'er the heart is; It's fairy spells can bring Fresh fountains to the wilderness, And to the desert spring. There are green isles in every sea, O'er which affection glides; And a haven on each rugged shore Where love's the star that guides. 'Tis free where'er the heart is; Nor chain, nor dungeon dim, May check the mind's aspirings, The spirit's pealing hymn? The heart gives life its beauty, Its glory, and its power; 'Tis sunlight to its rippling stream, And soft dew to its flower."

A Christmas story. little Teece.related by Mrs. Lirriper's Lodger.

The evening was raw, and there was snow on the streets, genuine London snow, half-thawed and trodden and defiled with mud. I remembered it well, that snow, though it was fifteen years since I had last seen its cheerless face. There it lay, in the same old ruts, and spreading the same old snares on the side-paths. Only a few hours arrived from South America via Southampton, I sat in my room, at Morley's Hotel, Charing Cross, and looked gloomily out at the fountains, walked up and down the floor discontentedly; and fiercely tried my best to feel glad that I was a wanderer no more, and that I had indeed got home at last.

I poked up my fire, and took a long look backward upon my past life, through the embers. I remembered how my childhood had been embittered by dependence, how my rich and respectable uncle, whose ruling passion was vain-glory had looked on my existence as a nuisance, not so much because he was obliged to open his purse to pay for my clothing and education, as because that, when a man, he thought I could reflect no credit upon his name. I remembered how, in those days, I had a soul for the beautiful, and a certain, almost womanish, tenderness of heart, which, by dint of much sneering, had been successfully extracted from me. I remembered my uncle's unconcealed relief at my determination to go abroad and seek my fortune, the cold good-bye of my only cousin, the lonely, bitter farewell to England, hardly sweetened by the impatient hopes that consumed rather than cheered me — the hopes of name and gold, won by my own exertions, with which I should yet wring from those who despised me the worthless respect which they denied me now.

Sitting there at the fire, I rang the bell, and the waiter came to me: and old man, whose face I remembered. I asked him some questions. Yes, he knew Mr. George Rutland; recollected that many years ago he used to stay at Morley's when he came to London. The old gentleman had always stayed there. But Mr. George was too grand for Morley's now. The family always came to town in the spring but, at this season, "Rutland Hall, Kent," would be pretty sure to be their address.

Having obtained all the information I desired, I began forthwith to write a letter:

"Dear George,

--I dare say you will be as much surprised to see my hand writing as you would to behold an apparition from the dead. However, you know I was always a ne'er-do-well, and I have not had the grace to die yet. I am ashamed not to be able to announce myself as having returned home with my fortune made; but mishaps will follow the most hard-working and well-meaning. I am still a young man, even though fifteen of the best years of my life may have been lost; and I am willing to devote myself to any worthy occupation.--Meantime, I am anxious to see you and yours. A long absence from home and kindred makes one value the grasp of a friendly hand. I shall not wait for your reply to this, but go down to kent the day after to-morrow, arriving, I believe, about dinner time. You see I am making myself assured of your welcome for a few weeks, till I have time to look about me.

I remain, dear George, "Your old friend and cousin, "Guy Rutland."

I folded this missive and placed it in its envelope. "I shall find out, once for all, what they are made of," I said, complacently, as I wrote the address, "George Rutland, Esq., Rutland Hall, Kent."

It was about seven on a frosty evening when I arrived at the imposing entrance of Rutland Hall. No Cousin George came rushing out to meet me. "Of course not," I thought; "I am unused to their formal manners in this country. He is lying in wait for me on the mat inside." I was admitted by a solemn person as quietly and mechanically as though my restoration to home and kindred were a thing that had happened regularly in his presence every day since his birth. He ushered me into a grand hall, but no mat supported the impatient feet of the dignified master of the house. "Ah !" said I, "even this, perhaps, were scarcely etiquette. No doubt he stands chafing on the drawing-room hearth-rug, and I have little enough time to make myself presentable before dinner." So, resigning myself to circumstances, I meekly followed a guide, who volunteered to conduct me to the chamber assigned to my especial use. I had to travel a considerable distance before I reached it. "Dear me !" I remarked to myself when I did reach it, "I had expected to find the rooms in such a house more elegantly appointed than this !"

I made my toilette, and again submitting myself to my guide, was convoyed to the drawing-room door. All the way down stairs I had been conning pleasant speeches with which to greet my kinsfolk. I am not a brilliant person, but I sometimes succeed in pleasing when I try, and on this occasion I had the desire to do my best.

The drawing-room door was at the distant end of the hall, and my arrival had been so very quiet that I conceived my expectant entertainers could hardly be aware of my presence in the house. I thought I should give them a surprise. The door opened and closed upon me, leaving me within the room. I looked around me, and saw — darkness there, and nothing more.

Ah, yes, but there was something more ! There was a blazing fire which sent eddying swirls of light through the shadows, and right in the blush of its warmth a little figure was lounging in an easy chair. The little figure was a girl of apparently about fifteen or sixteen years of age, dressed in a short, shabby black frock, who was evidently spoiling her eyes by reading by the fire-light. She lay with her head thrown back, a mass of fair curly hair being thus tossed over the velvet cushion on which it rested, while she held her book aloft to catch the light. She was luxuriating in her solitude, and little dreaming of interruption.

She was so absorbed in her book, the door had opened and closed so noiselessly, and the room was so large that I was obliged to make a sound to engage her attention. She started violently then, and looked up with a nervous fearfulness in her face. She dropped her book, sat upright, and put out her hand, eagerly grasping a thing I had not noticed before, and which leaned against the chair.--a crutch. She then got up, leaning on it, and stood before me. The poor little thing was lame, and had two crutches by her.

I introduced myself, and her fear seemed to subside. She asked me to sit down, with a prim little assumption of at-home-ness, which did not sit upon her with ease. She picked up her book and laid it on her lap; she produced a net from the recesses of her chair, and, with a blush, gathered up the curls and tucked them into its meshes. Then she sat quiet, but kept her hand upon her crutches, as if she was ready at a moment's notice to limp away across the carpet, and leave me to my own resources.

"Thomson thought there was nobody in the room," she said, as if anxious to account for her own presence there. "I always stay in the nursery, except sometimes when they all go out, and I get this room to myself. Then I like to read here."

"Mr. Rutland is not at home?" I said.

"No; they are all out dining."

"Indeed ! Your papa, perhaps, did not get my letter?"

She blushed crimson.

"I am not a Miss Rutland," she said. "My name is Teecie Ray. I am an orphan. My father was a friend of Mr. Rutland, and he takes care of me for charity."

The last word was pronounced with a certain controlled quiver of the lip. But she went on. "I don't know about the letter, but I heard a gentleman was expected. I did not think it could be to-night, though, as they all went out."

"A reasonable conclusion to come to," I thought, and thereupon began musing on the eagerness of welcome displayed by my affectionate Cousin George. If I were the gentleman expected, they must have received my letter, and in it were fully set forth the day and hour of my proposed arrival. "Ah! George, my dear fellow," I said, "you are not a whit changed!"

Arriving at this conclusion, I raised my glance, and met, full, the observant gaze of a pair of large shrewd grey eyes. My little hostess, for the time being, was regarding me with such a curiously legible expression on her face that I could not but read it and be amused. It said plainly: "I know more about you than you think, and I pity you. You come here with expectations which will not be fulfilled. There is much mortification in store for you. I wonder you came here at all. If I were once well outside these gates I should never limp inside them again. If I knew a road out into the world you come from I would set out bravely on my crutches. No, not even for the sake of a stolen hour like this, in a velvet chair, would I remain here."

How any one glance could say all this was a riddle; but it did say all this. The language of the face was as simple to me as though every word had been translated into my ear. Perhaps a certain internal light, kindled long ago, before this little orphan was born, or George Rutland had become owner of Rutland Hall, assisted me in deciphering so much information so readily. However that may be, certain things before surmised became assured facts in my mind, and a quaint bond of sympathy became at once established between me and my companion.

"Miss Ray," I said, "what do you think of a man who, having been abroad for fifteen years, has the impudence to come home without a shilling in his pocket? Ought he not to be stoned alive?"

"I thought how it was," she said, shaking her head, and looking up with another of her shrewd glances. "I knew it, when they put you into such a bad bedroom. They are keeping all the good rooms for the people who are coming next week. The house will be full for Christmas. It won't do,'" she added, meditatively.

"What won't do?" I said.

"Your not having a shilling in your pocket. They'll sneer at you for it, and the servants will find it out. I have a guinea that old Lady Thornton gave me on my birthday, and if you would take the loan of it I should be very glad. I don't want it at all, and you could pay me back when you are better off."

She said this with such business-like gravity that I felt obliged to control my inclination to laugh. She had evidently taken me under her protection. Her keen little wits foresaw snares and difficulties besetting my steps during my stay at Rutland Hall, to which my newer eyes, she imagined, must be ignorantly blind. I looked at her with amusement, as she sat there seriously considering my financial interests. I had a fancy to humor this quaint confidential relation that had sprung up so spontaneously between us. I said gravely:

"I am very much obliged to you for your offer, and will gladly take advantage of it. Do you happen to have a guinea at hand?"

She seized her crutches, and limped quickly out of the room. Presently she returned with a little bon-bon box, which she placed in my hand. Opening it, I found one guinea, wrapped up carefully in silver paper.

"I wish it had been more !" she said, wist-fully, as I coolly transferred it to my pocket, box and all, "But I so seldom get money !"

At this moment the solemn person who had escorted me hither and thither before announced that my dinner was served.

On my return to the drawing-room I found, to my intense disappointment, that my beneficent bird had flown. Teecie Ray had limped off to the nursery.

Next morning, at breakfast, I was introduced to the family. I found them, on the whole, pretty much what I had expected. My Cousin George had developed into a pompous portly paterfamilias; and, in spite of his cool professions of pleasure, was evidently very sorry to see me. The Mamma Rutland just countenanced me, in a manner the most frigidly polite. The grown-up young ladies treated me with the most well-bred negligence. Unless I had been very obtuse indeed, I could scarcely have failed to perceive the place appointed for me in Rutland Hall. I was expected to sit below the salt. I was that dreadful thing — a person of no importance. George amused himself with me for a few days, displaying to me his various fine possessions, and then, on the arrival of grander guests, left me to my own resources. The Misses Rutland endured my escort on their riding expeditions only till more eligible cavaliers appeared. As for the lady of the house, her annoyance at having me quartered indefinitely on her premises was hardly concealed. The truth was, they were new people in the circle in which they moved, and it did not suit them to have a poor relation coming suddenly among them, calling them "cousin," and making himself at home in the house. For me, I was not blind, though none of these things did it suit me to see. I made myself as comfortable as was possible under the circumstances, took every sneer and snub in excellent part, and was as amiable and satisfied on all occasions as though I believed myself to be the most cherished inmate of the household. That this meanness of mine should provoke their contempt, I had hardly a right to complain of. Nor did I. I accepted this like the rest of their hospitality, and smiled contentedly as the days went on. The gloom which had oppressed me on my first arrival in England had all betaken itself away. How could I feel otherwise than supremely happy at finding myself thus surrounded by my kind relations, thus generously entertained under their hospitable roof?

As I found that the guests at Rutland Hall enjoyed a certain freedom in their choice of amusements, and the disposal of their time, I speedily availed myself of this privilege. I selected my own associates, and I entertained myself as pleased me best. Not finding myself always welcomed in the drawing-room, I contrived, by a series of the most dexterous artifices, to gain the free entree of the nursery. In this nursery were growing up some five or six younger branches of the Rutland family. After a certain hour in the day none of the elders ever thought of invading its remote precincts. Five o'clock in the evening was the children's tea hour, and the pleasantest, I thought, in the twenty-four. Nurse was a staid woman, who knew how to appreciate a little present now and again, and to keep her own counsel on the subject. The children were not pleasant children; they were unruly, mischievous little wretches. They conceived a sort of affection for me, because I sometimes brought to the nursery sundry purchases made during solitary rides; picture-books, toys, dolls, or sweetmeats, procured by means of Teecie Ray's guinea. I suggested as much to Teecie one evening as she sat by, watching the distribution, and she nodded her head in sage satisfaction. She thought that I economised my substance very well. It covered a great many small extravagances, that guinea did.

Whatever might be my position at Rutland Hall, Teecie Ray's was simply intolerable. A spirit less brave must have been cowed and broken by it; a nature less delicate must have been blunted and made coarser. The servants openly neglected her, the children used her as they pleased; wreaked their humors on her, sparing neither blow nor taunt in their passions, and demanding from her at all times whatever service it suited their capricious fancy to need. Nurse, the only one who ever showed a grain of consideration for the orphan, would sometimes shield her from their impish attacks, when she could do so with safety to herself, but she was not permitted to deal with those darlings in the only fashion which would have been at all likely to bring them to reason. As for the elders of the house, Teecie Ray's momentary presence, or the mere mansion of her name, was sufficient to ruffle their peace of mind. "What is to be done with that girl?" I heard Mrs. Rutland remark to one of her daughters. "If she were not lame one might set her to earn her bread in some way; but, as it is-- " A shrug of the shoulders, and a certain vinegar-like expression of countenance, which this lady knew how to assume, sufficiently developed the idea thus imperfectly expressed.

And how did Teecie Ray meet all this? She did not complain nor rebel, she did not sulk or fret. Under that well-worn black frock of hers she carried a little breastplate of sober determined endurance. When sorely tried there was never any cowardly submission to be seen in her grave little face, neither was there ever in her manner or words either reproach or remonstrance. She simply endured. Her large patient eyes and mute wise mouth seemed to say, "Whatever I suffer, whatever I long to dare, gratitude shackles my limbs, and seals my lips. I am saved from many things; therefore I am dumb."

The second time I met my little benefactress was a day or two after our first interview in the drawing-room. I came upon her one afternoon by chance, limping down a hedge lane which lay to the back of the house, away beyond the gardens, and the kitchen gardens, and the pleasure-grounds. This lane, I found, led to a large meadow, and beyond the meadow there was a wooded hill, and far down at the distant side of the hill there was a river. This was Teecie Ray's favorite ramble, and her one avenue of escape from the torments of the nursery. I immediately began pouring forth a legion of perplexing troubles and difficulties, to all of which she listened with perfect credulity, expressing her sympathy as I went along by an expressive nod of the head or a shrewd swift glance. Then she gave me her wise little counsel when all was told, and went home, I believe, pondering on my case.

As the days passed, and my relations became more and more involved in their winter gaieties, I found myself more and more thrown upon my own resources for amusement. Occasionally I was included in an invitation, and accepted it; but in general I preferred indulging my fancy for keeping aloof from those who were little charmed with my company. A system of the most unblushing bribery had won for me a warm welcome from the savage tribes in the nursery. Many and many an evening found me walking down that hedged lane in the frosty dusk, with Teecie Ray limping by my side, and talking her grave simple little talk. I had always some fresh puzzle to propose to her, and she was always ready to knit her smooth brows over its solution. Once she stopped short and struck her little crutches on the snow.

"You ought to go away from here and work," she cried. "O, if I could !"

A certain Sir Harry arrived at Rutland Hall; I will not trouble myself to think of his second name; it is not worth remembering. He was a wealthy bachelor of high family, and his movements were watched with interest by the lady of the house. This Sir Harry had a fancy for smoking his cigar in the hedged lane, and on more than one occasion he encountered my little benefactress limping on her solitary way, and stared at the pretty fresh face under her old black hat till it blushed with uncomfortable brilliance. Teecie changed her track like a hunted hare, but Sir Harry scented her out, and annoyed her with his fulsome compliments. The matter reached Mrs. Rutland's ears, and she vented her chagrin on the defenceless little girl. I know not what sorry accusations and reproaches she bestowed upon her during a long private lecture; but that evening when, at the children's tea hour, I entered the nursery door with a new ball in my hand for Jack, (the youngest and least objectionable of the band,) I saw Teecie Ray's face grievously clouded for the first time. It was flushed and swollen with passionate crying. I do not intend to commit to paper certain remarks which I made sotto voce on beholding this disfigurement.

"Come, come, Teecie, " I said, while Nurse was busy quelling a disturbance which had arisen because "Cousin Guy" had not brought something to every one else as well as Jack; "where is all your philosophy, little mother? You need never preach to me again, if you set me such a bad example."

Teecie said never a word, but stared on into the fire. This wound had cut deep. Sir Harry and Mrs. Rutland, of Rutland Hall, at that moment I should have dearly loved to knock your two good-for-nothing heads together !

"Teecie," I said, "you have one friend, at any rate, even if he be not a very grand one."

She gave one of her quaint expressive little nods. Translated, it meant: "I understand all that, but I cannot talk just now." By-and-by, however, she brightened up, and went to the table to claim her share of tea and thick bread and butter, and I began to mend a bow belonging to Tom. Tom was one of the leaders of the unruly tribes, a regular savage chieftain.

Ere two days more had passed I felt strongly inclined to exercise the horsewhip on this young gentleman's shoulders. Tom, one fine morning, was seized with an impish inspiration to play a trick upon Teecie. Stealing her crutches, he walked about the nursery mimicking her poor little limp, and then marching off with them, heedless of her entreaties to have them restored, carried them in triumph out of doors, and smashed them in pieces with a hatchet. Teecie sat helpless in the din and riot of that ill-conditioned nursery. Bright bracing days came and found her a prisoner, looking with longing eyes through the window-panes out over the beautiful country lanes. Tom saw her patience with the most audacious indifference. But why talk about Tom? I could not help believing, nor do I ever intend to help believing, that older heads than Tom's plotted the cruel caging of that bonnie bird.

The bird drooped on its perch; but who cared? Nurse vowed it was a shame, and showed more kindness than usual to the prisoner, but I will not venture to decide how much of this tenderness was owing to the odd crown-pieces which found their way from my hand to hers — all out of the guinea, of course? O yes, all out of the guinea. And there was another friend who sometimes expressed an interest in Teecie Ray's existence. This was that Lady Thornton, whose bounty had indirectly furnished me with pocket-money during my stay at Rutland Hall. The favor of this old lady I had done my best to win. She was a nice, comfortable old lady, and I liked her. It happened that she called one day during Teecie Ray's imprisonment to invite the Rutland and their visitors, great and small, young and old, to a party to be given at her house, a few miles distant. I chanced to be alone in the drawing-room when she arrived, and I seized the opportunity to tell her the story of Teecie's crutches.

"A bad boy !" she said. "A bad, malicious boy ! She must get new crutches before my party."

"Of course she must," I said very heartily.

The old lady threw back her head, raising her fat chin in a peculiar sort of way, and looking at me direct through her spectacles.

"Indeed !" she said. "Pray, young man, what particular interest do you take in Teecie Ray?"

I smiled. "Oh, Teecie and I are excellent friends," I said.

"Teecie and you !" she repeated. "Pray, are you aware that Miss Ray is eighteen years of age?"

"Is she, indeed? I know nothing about the ages of little girls."

"But Teecie is not a little girl, Mr. Guy Rutland. Teecie Ray is a woman, I tell you !"

Teecie Ray a woman ! I could not help laughing. What, my little benefactress, my little mother ! I am afraid I scandalized Lady Thornton on that occasion by my utter scorn of her proposition. Christina Rutland swept into the room at this crisis, and relieved me in my difficulty. But often afterwards during that day I laughed when I thought of Lady Thornton's information. Teecie Ray a woman? Preposterous !

One morning, when it wanted but a week of the party, a curious event occurred. The heads of the house met in consultation on the matter, in the library, before breakfast. An extraordinary Thing had arrived from London at Rutland Hall. The Thing was a large wooden case, directed to Teecie Ray. On being eagerly opened, it was found to contain a pair of crutches.

And such a pair of crutches ! Light and symmetrical, and fanciful, works of art in their way. Tortoise-shell stems, with silver mountings of exquisite workmanship, capped with dainty little cushions of embroidered velvet. Thunder-stricken were the elders of the house. "Who could have done this thing?" was on every lip. Who, indeed? Who outside of Rutland Hall had ever heard of Teecie Ray? These crutches were costly affairs. I knew the conclusion they came to, one and all. They pitched on Sir Harry as the culprit. It was a thorn in their side, and I rubbed my hands in glee.

Having considered the question in their dismay, they decided that Teecie should be kept in ignorance of her mysterious present. It was not fit for her to use; it would fill her mind with absurd ideas. And so, in spite of the arrival of her beautiful new crutches, poor Teecie still sat helpless in the nursery. The wooden case and its contents were hidden away, and no word was spoken of their existence.

I waited a few days to see if the elders would relent, but to no purpose. The bird still pined on its perch. No kindly hand seemed likely to open the cage door and let it fly. There sat Teecie, day after day, in her nursery chair, hemming aprons for nurse, or darning the children's stockings, looking longingly out of the window, and growing pale for want of fresh air. Still never rebelling, never complaining. Meantime the stir of Christmas preparation was agitating all the household, and the children were full of rapture at the prospect of Lady Thornton's Christmas party. There was great excitement in the nursery about pretty new dresses, wonderful fussing about ribbons, and muslins, and fripperies. Teecie alone sat silent in her shabby frock. By-and-by her hands were full, bowing up sashes, sewing on tuckers, stitching rosettes on shoes. She was a nimble little workwoman, and they kept her busy. Seeing how well a lapful of bright ribbons became her, I thought it a pity she should not have a gay dress as well as the rest.

Nobody said, "Teecie, what will you wear?" nor even, "Teecie, are not you invited too?" No one seemed to expect for a moment that Teecie could wish to be merry with the rest. How could she go, she who was lame and had no crutches?

It happened that I had an errand to the nearest town. It was rather late, when, on my return, I called at the best millinery establishment in the place and asked for a parcel.

Yes, the parcel was ready. A large flat box.

"Would the gentleman like to see the lady's pretty dress !" The box was opened, and a cloud of some airy fabric shaken out under my eyes. I cannot, of course, describe it, but it was something white, very pure and transparent, with something else of pink just blushing through it. It was very tasteful, I pronounced, trying to look wise. There was only one fault:

"Did it not seem rather long for a little girl?" I asked, remembering the figure it was to adorn, with its short skirt just coming to the top of the boots, so well worn and mended.

"Oh, sir," said the milliner, with dignity, "you said the young lady was eighteen years of age, and of course we have given her a flowing skirt !"

It was late in the evening when I reached home. Two merry carriage-fulls were just departing from the door as I drove up. A few minutes afterwards I was in the nursery with the milliner's parcel in my hands. There sat dear little Cinderella, resting one flushed check on her hand, and contemplating the litter of scraps of ribbon, fragments of lace, scissors, flowers, and reels of cotton, which lay scattered around her. She had a toilsome, tiresome day, and now they had got all they wanted of her, and had left her to her solitude.

A flash of pleasure sprang to her face when she saw me. "Oh ! I thought you had gone with the rest," she said.

"No," said I, "I have not gone yet, but I am going presently. I came for you."

"For me !" she echoed in dismay. "You know I could not go. I have no dress, even if I could walk."

"A friend has sent you a dress," I said, "and I will undertake to provide the crutches. Nurse, will you please to take this box, and get Miss Teecie ready as quickly as possible. The carriage is waiting for us at the door,"

"Teecie flushed very red at first, and I thought she was going to burst out crying, and then she turned pale, and looked frightened. Nurse, to whom I had slipped a munificent Christmas box, immediately fell into raptures over the pretty dress.

"Come, Teecie," I said, "make haste !" And trembling between dread and delight, Teecie suffered herself to be carried off to her toilette.

By the time I returned from an exploring expedition, with the wonderful silver-and-tortoise-shell crutches under my arm, Teecie was ready.

Teecie was ready. Those three simple little words mean so much that I feel I must stop and try to translate them into all they are bound to convey. They do not mean that Teecie, the child whom I was wont to call my little benefactress, my little mother, had got on a nice new frock, and was equipped for a juvenile party like other children. But they mean that there, when I came back, stood a beautiful girl by the nursery fire, in a fair sweeping blush-colored robe. When she turned her head, I saw that the sweet face, framed in its child-like curls, was the same, but still the old Teecie Ray was gone, and here was (peccavi Lady Thornton !) a lovely woman.

We were all three ludicrously amazed at the sudden metamorphose that had taken place. Teecie was too simple not to show that she felt the change in herself, felt it keenly, with a strange delight and a strange shyness. Nurse had so long been accustomed to use her as a child that she stood bewildered. As for me, I was first frightened at what I had done, then enchanted, then foolishly awkward, and almost as shy as Teecie herself.

When I presented the crutches, nurse looked at me as though I must be some prince in disguise, out of the Arabian Nights. It was with a curious feeling that I saw Teecie try them, not limping now, rather gliding over the nursery floor, with the little velvet cushions hidden away amidst clouds of lace and muslin under her round white shoulders, and the airy masses of the fresh tinted gown just crushed back a little by the gleaming silver staves. I don't know why it was that I thought at that moment, with a certain rapture, of a guinea in a little bon-bon box, that lay below in the one shabby portmanteau which I had thought proper to bring with me to Rutland Hall !

Our equipage awaited us. It was too late now to withdraw from what I had under-taken. Teecie and I were soon dashing over the snowy roads to Lady Thornton's. I will not attempt to describe the remainder of that memorable evening, or the sensation caused by our arrival; the wonder and mortification of my kind relations; or the mingled pleasure and displeasure of the hostess, who, while delighted to see her little favorite, took occasion to whisper angrily in my ear, "And pray, sir, how is all this to end?"

The scene was all new and delightful to Teecie, but her dread of Mrs. Rutland's portentous frown would not let her enjoy it. We both felt that a storm would burst over our heads that night, and we were not wrong. None of the family from Rutland Hall took the least notice of us. When the time came for going home, they went off in their two carriages, and Teecie and I drove home as we had come. When we arrived, we found Cousin George and his wife waiting for us in the library, armed to the teeth. I saw it was to be war and no quarter. Mrs. Rutland took Teecie into her clutches, and carried her off, and I was left with George. I need not repeat all that passed between us.

"Sir," he said, "we have suffered your insolent intrusion long enough. You leave this house to-morrow morning."

"Cousin George," I said, "don't put yourself in a passion. I will go to-morrow morning, but upon one condition — that Teecie Ray may come with me, if she will."

He looked at me perfectly aghast. "Do you know," he said, "that she is a penniless, friendless orphan, whom I have sheltered through charity?"

"I want to make her my wife," I said, sternly, "if, indeed, I be so fortunate as to have won her affections."

"And after that, "he said, with a sneer, "how do you propose to live? Upon air, or your friends?"

"Not upon you, George Rutland," I said, looking him steadily in the eyes. "Mark me, I have tried you out. I have sifted you, all in this house, like a handful of wheat. I found you all chaff, but the one golden grain which lies on my palm. I will keep it and treasure it, if I may. God grant I may !"

"Very fine," said George, "very fine. Remember, however, that from this moment I wash my hands of you both; you, Guy Rutland, and her, Teecie Ray."

"Amen !" I said, and bade him good night, and turned on my heel and left him.

Early the next morning I knocked at the nursery door, and begged of Nurse to awake Miss Teecie, and ask her to speak with me in the garden. I then went out to wait for her. It was Christmas morning, the day of peace and good will. What I felt was scarcely peace, as I looked over the calm landscape. And yet I bore no ill will to any man or woman.

Teecie came to me by-and-by; just the same old Teecie, limping over the frosty path in her short shabby frock, and looking half ashamed of her grand new crutches. I felt relieved when I saw her so. I was shy of the dainty lady whom I had called into existence the night before. And yet when I looked more closely, I knew that this was not quite the old Teecie, and that the very same Teecie of a day ago never, never, could come back. Something was altered. Whether the change was in her or me, or in both of us, I did not inquire. The change was not an unpleasant one.

We strolled out of the garden, and into the lane, and we talked earnestly all the way. On our way back I said:

"And you're not afraid of starving with me, Teecie? You'll take the risk?"

One of her old nods was Teecie's answer.

"Go and fetch your hat, then," said I, "and we won't even wait for breakfast. Don't bring anything else with you, not a shred. I have still some halfpence left — out of the guinea, you know — and we'll get all we want."

Teecie fetched her hat and returned, and we set off together. An hour afterwards we were man and wife. We said our prayers side by side in the church, and then we walked back to Rutland Hall, to say good-by to our kinsfolk. I believe they all thought me mad, and her a little fool; --at least until Cousin George received the check, which I sent him next day; a check to cover the expenses incurred by him through his charity to Teecie Ray. Then they began to wonder, and to waver. I took my wife abroad, and showed her the world. Time and care cured her of her lameness. It was not surprising that on her return to England her kinsfolk should scarcely recognise her — Teecie Rutland, nee Ray — walking without crutches, and the wife of a millionaire ! Half a bride cake conciliated Lady Thornton, and the wonderful guinea is still in my possession. I call it Teecie's dower. The crutches, the donor of which I beg to assure you, major, was not Sir Harry, are also preserved as family curiosities.

[Dickens.

Steamers.

Banks and Bankers.

Railroads.

Express companies.