The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-17
Facts and Fancy.

PAINFUL AccIDENT.-Mr. john Brenen, employ
ed on the Cbarlestown Branch Railroad. had both
his legs mangled in a most shocking manner yester-
day afternoon, at the depot, by car loaded with
stone, passing over them. Ampuiaton was per-
formed by Dr. Walker, but little hope OF his life is
eniertained.o This sad misfortune was owing to
his own want OF care, and no blame is attached TO
the superintendent or conductor-Bay State Demo
Graf rr-a-r
BoIsrERous PREAoHINe.--A celebrated divine,
was remarkable IN the st period of his ministry for
loud and boisterous mode OF preaching, suddenly
changed HIS whole manner in the pulpit, and adopt
60 MID and dspassiouate mode OF delivery One
oinls brethren observing II, enqured OF HIM what
had Induced him 10 make the change? He answer
ed, when was young thought il was the THUNDER
that killed the peoples but when grew wiser, dis
covered i was the hghtning-so determined 10
tnunoer less and lightning more IN future IL Is
pity all preachers had not made the discovery
AN lMPKRrURBaBbE RoeuE-One day last week
one OF the convcts in the State prison at Auburn
managedto change his dress for suit OF citizens
the yard, walked up to the door, with all the sang
trotd lmmaslnable, and sgnihed TO the turnkey, by
smile and nod OF the head as vsiters usua ally do,
that he had taken sufficient view of the pre- misses
and wished TO be of. The door was accordingly
thrown open and tipping his beaver very graceful
ly TO the turnkey, with the remark that she in
tend tended visiting the prison tomorrow in company
marched up the street, and has not been heard Of
since Rochester advertiser.
STAND FROM USDER--The Charleston, S. C. Mer-
curry, OF Tuesday last, gives the following account
OF thunder storm and the descent from the clouds
OF an alligator This beats, all hollow, the show
ers OF white hats, squds, eeches, birthstone, blood,
&c which have been heretofore recorded
The thunderstorm of Sunday night-the wind
ing up OF one OF the most oppressive days ever in
ficted on mortal mah-was really terrific. The
whole armament growed thunder and shot light
ning II was binding TO look out, and at frequent
intervals the thunder bolts burst overhead with
power that shook the solidest sructures-then roll
ne
storm. ST Paul's church was struck, but not
nously injured. Beyond this, we have heard of no
casualty, unless we may account as such the rain
ing down of an alligator about two feet long, at the
corner oil Wentworth and Arson streets. We have
not been lucky enough TO fnd any who saw
him come down, but the important fact that he was
there, is incontestlbe-and as he couldn't have got
there any other way, II was decided unanimously
that he rained down. Besides, the beast had a
look of wonder and bewilderment about him, that
showed plainly enough he must have gone through
remarkable experience. BY the last accounts he
was doing well as an alligator could be expected
10 90 after sailing through the air in such bad
weather"
The LEARNED BLACKSMITH. In the settlement of
case al Bangor, relative to an estate in St. Tho
mas, document was produced as evidence, which
was written IN Danish, and contained 40 foolscap
pages, but there was none who could translate it,
1t was sent TO Mr.. Burritt, of Worcester known as
the learned Blacksmith, who returned translation
OF II, which Is spoken OF very highly by the editor
OF the Wing In letter, Mr.. b. remarks that the
translation cost him twelve days hard labor, for
whlch ne presumed the sum OF SIS would not be
an unreasonable compensation, and that would be
about what any other blacksmith would charge
provided ne could do it with hammer and longs"
SUIcIDE.-Amost singular case of suicide occurred
IN Skowhegan village in this State, on Thursday
last Mr.. Gustavus Drew, OF Skowhegan, was ar
rested some time since for sundry petit arcenies
committed by him in the village, and at the June |
term OF the Court the grand jury found bill against
him. He was halter, had wife and four small |
children who depended upon him Tor support, and
who respectable, and had himself untiliecenty,
been esteemed worthy member of the Congrega
nonal Church OF Winthrop in this State, at which
place he formerly resided.
On Thursday afternoon he was brought into court
for trial, and soon after being placed in the criminals
box commenced vomiting when the alarming fact
of his having swallowed alarge portion OF kreosote
the most deadly Of all drugs, became apparent, and
he was immediately remanded toprison, and physi'
clan called, but nothing could be done to him;
had an effort been made he would have stouty re
sstedit He died about midnight, having his senses
TO the last. He had frequently threatened suicide if
bill were found against him, and finally took laud-
anum and kreosote enough 10 kill dozen men.
He left several letters, and It is melancholy to read
the confessions of mind well disposed in many
respects, that had been led into crime.
portion OF the letter addressed to the Judge Is
''My object in writing is TO say, have poor and
feeble wife four little children. They have none to
help them: / was advised TO be off, but could not
bear the thought OF my family being stripped to pay
my bonds have made restitution to those have
injured. have done what good could in the
world l have given way TO wrong propensity,
and have fallen. now give my life as forfeit
hope that is enough. Spare my family any further
trouble and wish to have restored to them all that
is not Identified by Others as have seen all who
have any right TO any Of it. / now leave the world
IA the full belief that my enemies and the State
have had all the satisfaction they want. 1 should
like to live, and be OF use TO my family, and the
world, and redeem my character, but II is denied
me- and as for being herded with abandoned men,
/ could not"
Thus ended the days OF man who, had he not
gwen way 10 temptation, might have been OF much
use IN the world. LEAD us not into temptation"
should be our daily prayer.-Putland (Me) argus.
ROMANTIC lNclpENT-It will be remembered that
little boy named Black disappeared on the day of the
launch, and much reason existed to believe that he
was drowned. Alter several days OF agonizing
pense, his parents were confirmed in this belief, by
intelligence which placed the matter beyond doubt.
While they were plunged in the deepest sorrow.
stranger, apparently seaman arrived at their
house He enqulred if they had not lost son, and
stated that he had recovered the body, which he
bad picked up while on his way TO Burlington. He
was the captain OF sloop trading that place. Ii
was some comfort to the poor people 10 obtain even
the dead body of their child, and they accordingly
expressed their gratitude to the waterman. But
most joyful surprise awaited the father and mother
Whlle the kind and conslderate captain was pom
derlng on some mode OF communicating by degrees,
information which he knew must be given cautious
ly, the little son who had been waiting without and
could restrain himself longer, rushed into his
mothers arms. He had been taken up alive hv the
captain of the sloop after the capszing o, the
boat In which he had been stationed to see the
launch. The sudden transition from grief 10 bound
ess 10y almost proved fatal to the poor woman. She
tainted on the spot. and several hours before
she was prepared TO realize her happiness in the
covery OF a child which she had supposed lost TO
her i0reyer The father was scarcely less affected.