Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-08-08
THURSDAY MORNING., AUGUST 8. 1899.


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SINGULAR ErrEcrs OF NApsrss.-I
travelled in 1915 through the south Of
france. Something put IL in nv head
to visit prison. II contained, sesides
ihe ordinary prisoners. some who were
derangsj. One Of them whose madness
was extremely inofeDsive enjoyed q sor.
OF liberty in the interior Of the prison.
He had been accustomed 10 this SOFT of
existence. and never dreamed that /, was
possible TO live any other way.
On my entry into the court yard BIO
came up TO me. and salS,ed m, with
mach politeness. "Good daS. -ir," he
said. How do you do 20 "veIv well.
how are ysu" All YOU don't kosw
my history. My head. like many others.
was cut off; the executioner was scorcely
finished. ~beo the officer vas informed
that bad been guilIo,ined BY mistake.
"lmmedistely he look up head from
great Panier. which unfortunately was
not mine. and he placed il on my neck.
It's well attached, as you see"
And the unfortunate man threw him
self about. 10 convince me that his head
was solidly fastened 10 his shoulden.-
1t looks we'll. SIR, looks perfectly
but nevertheless there 10 something wrong.
How unfortunate that they were mista-
ken in the head"
And he vent of weeping. again TO tell
his story 10 the first visi,er he should
meet. inquired Into bis history.
lie had been condemned 10 death.
and his pardon had arrived at the mo.
ment Of cutting of his head.
O.
OBITUARY TARIFF.-In rerly e com.
plant against the New York Sun. that 1t requires
lee for the insertion OF obituary notices the cd
iior cites the following example:
THE Waterford Chronicle has recently
established an obituary tariff which
throws our two shil.ings exaciion entirely
into the shade. And, what is wore, the
tariff Is so established as 10 effect q direct
tax on virtue. aud make il = costly bust
ness to die with good name. Only re.
fiect what serious consequences TO morals
and virtue are calculated 10 be wrought
by such tax ss the Chronicles, which
EFFORTS for simply inserting q death, two
and six pence 'aor the death Of a person
deeply regretted, FIVE shillings; for the
death Of person who lived q perfect
pattern Of ell the Christian virtues, and
died regretted by the whole country
ten shilliDgs; for the death G: q person
Sho possessed extensive literature and
profound erndition. superadded to which.
ms whole life was remarkable for piety,
humility. charity, self-denia;,' one pound;
for the death off, lady, whose husband
is inconsolable for her loss, and Hho wa,
the delight Of the circle in which she
moved, one pound ten shilIings; for the
death OF gentleman, Who had been only
SIX months married, who was an example
OF every conjugal aud domestic virtue.
and whose widow 10 IN . state Of anguish
bordering on distrsetIon,' two pounds !;
for the death Of 40 sristocrat, who was a
pattern OF meeknsss, a model Of humility
patron OF distressed genius. q genuine
Ph'lanthropist, an exemplary Christian.
an extensive aims giver, profoundly
learned. unremi,tIng in his attention 10
The duties Of his station, kind, hospitable
and aHeetionate 20 bis tensnlry, and
whose name will be remembered and his
loss deplored TO tho latest posisrity.' five
pounds aud for every additional good
quality. whether domestic. u,orsl OF reli.
hANfo VII % III eGulklO0ol CQaTR0.
c.
The fafalisps Of the RvsTiGns.-Tbe fa.
iAllsm Of the Russian peasants is so extra
ordinary, that they will sleep 10 the mosl
dangerous situations, stretched on the
ridge Of some roof they sro repairing, on
the edge Of The narowest psrspet. or on
The very narrow edge Of loaded barge
near the strongest part Of the Stream
They use q kind Of ladder sixty feet high.
composed Of . single tree. with steps a,
bout fifteen inches apart nailed across il,
afiordIng scarcely any hold for hands or
fset--on the very top Of this machine, q
man may be seen brushing and white
washing away, - thoUeb;lsss a. though
upon the pavement while some eompsn-
ion below sbilia the ladder every momsnt
10 brihg hiS compshion TO . nov position.
Sometimes man falls and 10 dashed 10
pieces; the msagled body 10 carried TO
the hospital. aud the survivor, eslmly rails.
ing the ladder. mounts TO the vacant post.
bumming bic interrupted song. before tie
blood hss dried upon the stones. Tell
him Of his danger in tbas exposing him.
self. remosslrals with him upon his rash.
| nsss. snd hs will not andepisnd you.-
lie does not kng~ "A hat fear a.. r. f.,.1