The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-16
AUDUBON AT NIAGARA FALLS.

A few years ago there arrived at the hotel
erected near Niagara Falls an old-looking
man, whose appearance was quite in contrast
with that OF the crowds of well dressed and
polished figures which adorned that celebrated
resort. tie seemed just to have sprung from
the woods His dress which was made of
leather. stood dreadfully in need Of repair, APP
parcntly not having felt the touch of either
laundress or neede-woman for many a long
month. A worn-out blanket that might have
served for bed was buckled to his shoulders
a large knife hung on one side, balanced by a
rusty tin box ON the other and his beard, un-
cropped, tangled and coarse, fell down upon
his BOSOM ~ il to cOunterpOise the weight of
black hair locks that supported themselves
upon his back and shoulders This strange
being to the spectators seemingly half civilized
and half savage, had quick, glancng eye, an
elastic, firm movement and seemed able TO cut
his way through the brakes, both of socie-
ty and of the wilderness.
He pushed his steps into the sitting ROOM
unstrapped his little burden, quietly looked
round for the landlord, and then modestly ask
ed for breakfast The host at first drew back
with evident repugnance at the apparition
which thus proposed to intrude its uncouth
form among the genteel visiters, but a word
whispered in his ear speedily satisfied his
doubts. The stranger took his place among
the company. some staring some Struggling,
and some even laughing outright Yet it has
turned out that there was more in that single
man than in all the rest Of the throng he call
ed himself an American woodsman he was
true, genuine son Of Mature yet one who had
been entertained with distinction at the tables
Of princes; learned societies 10 which the like of
Cuvier belonged, had been proud to welcome
his entrance in short he was one whose fame
had been growing brighter, while the fashiona-
BILE who laughed at him. and many much great
err even than they have utterly persisted
From every hill top and every deep shady
grove, the birds, those Giving blossoms Of the
air" will sing his name The little wren will
pipe it with her matin hymn about our houses ;
the oriole carol it from the slender grasses Of
the meadows; the turtle roll it through the
secret forests; the many-voiced hooking bird
pour it along the evening air; and the imperial
the bird Of Washington, rs he sits in his craggy
home far upon the blue mountains will scream
it to the tempests and the stars. He was John
James Audubon, the Ornithologst.
Ner York Evening Post.
ORIGIN OF THE PENNY PosTAGE--A trav-
eller, sauntering through the lake districts ct
England some years ago, arrived at small
public house just NJ the postman stopped to
deliver letter. A young girl came out to re-
ceye IT, She took It in her hand, and turned
it over and over and asked the charge. 1t was
a large sum-no less than q shilling Signing
heavily, she observed that it came from her
brother, but she was too poor to take it in and
she returned il To the poesman accordingly.
The traveller was q man Of kindness ~ well as
of observation; he offered 10 pay the postage
himself and, in spite Of more reluctance on the
girls part than he could well understand, he
did pay it, and gave her the letter. No sooner,
however, was the postman's back turned, than
she confessed that the proceeding had been
concerted between her brother and herself;
that the letter WAS empty; that certain signs
on the direction conveyed all that she wanted
to know and that as they could neither of