The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-03-24
Cartons Ract.

The efficacy of silk in repellng mus
ket or a pistol shot, has frequently been
made subject Of doubt and discussion.
We have lately met with what we con-
ceive to be strong demonstration of its
repelling force, in a late publication by a
medical officer of the army, Or. A. Neal, J
which derives additional interest from the
celebrity of the person principally con-
cerned. "a very promising young Off
Ger Of engineers, with whom lived in
habits of the greatest intimacy and friend
ship, while employed in repairing the
breaches Of Ciudad Rodrigo, consulted me
respecting an obstinate headache and gid
diness, which | found was principally &C.
casioned by his wearing stiff black lea
Their stock. earnestly recommended
him to lay it aside, which he tenaciously
decliued when, as further induccment,
| told him that, in the event OF substitute
ing black handkerchief, il nigh, one day
preserve his life, as silk would certainly
turn ball, which might penetrate leather.
At length he complied, and, as had pre-
dicted, his headache left him. We soon
after separa,ed-he going to the light d-
vision, aud my station being with Lord
Hill. The campaign commenced, and, in
few weeks, learned, with the greatest
grief, that my gallant friend had fallen at
the head of the first storming party at ST.
Sebastian. | was then stationed at Rev
noze, many leagues distant As believ-
ed him dead, my surprise and Joy were
great on receiving a letter from him some
weeks afterwards, acquaintng me that,
when on the very glacis, he had been
wounded with a musket ball by man on
the walls. He Immediately fell, covered
with blood, which s,reamed in profnsion
from his mouth and n0strils. One of his
own corps dragged him Immediately into
the trench. lie was carried to his quar-.
ters, and the wound, on examination, was
pronounced mortal; the ball, not being
found, was supposed to have lodged in the
vertebrG Of the neck. He lived, however
for three days, and no bad symptoms co.
ming on, the surgeons began to doubt tho
accuracy of their opinions. The sappel
who saw him fall was examined, TO ascer.
tain whether Inc had seen the bullet, which
was instantly produced from his waistcoa
pocket, saying that, untying NJ. Reds
silk handkerchief, he found part of it car.
ried into the wound, and, usiug little
force in Withdrawing it, the ball came on
with it, not single thread of the silk
handkerchief having given way, as appear
ed on examination. Mr.. Reid recovered
and is now lieutenant colonel in the ar
my, and governor of the Berrnudas.--
Glasgow Courier.
"Wife, which way do You suppose tn
wind is 10 night :"
"Well, really don't know, John, bu
suppose you ligh, candle and look in on
straw bed"
GLOW can you tell by that 7"
"Why, bless you, don't straws SHOW
which way the wind blows :"
"Go TO sleep. YOU critter!"
------------
Rather Pomicd.--A minister at cam
meeting said, "il the lady with the blu
hat, red hair, and cross eyes, don, s,o
talking, she will bepointed out to tie con
grcgation.' Almost as pointed as III
|. man who advertised that il Eben. Doolil,l
didn't stop robbing his shen-roos,.