Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-02-24

of these Indians is not understood by any chris
tan among us" X X 4
Fragments not yet produced, it is hoped will
fill up some of the gaps, which the reader ac-
quainted with the history of the early fur trade,
west of Lake Michigan may have noticed.
Saint Paul. Dakota Friend.
A FATAL FRoLIc.-About twenty years ago,
young man, remarkable for strong nerve, was
at party consisting of few friends, where
ghosts and supernatural agency became the sub
ject of conversation. After few remarks by
some of the party, the young gentleman's opn-
ion was asked, when he firmly declared he had
no belief whatever, in such nonsense, and void
as soon meet herd of ghosts as flock of sheep,
and would no more mind passing night in a
reputed haunted house than by his own friends.
One or two of the party determined to try his
nerve, and one gentleman in particular offered
to wager him dozen bottles of wine that he
would be afraid to sit up all night with corpse.
He instantly accepted the bet provided he was
allowed pair of pistols, and a glass of grog,
and his own house being made the scene of tr-
al of his nervous faculties. These terms being
agreed to, the parties separated, the next eve
ming being appointed for the deci sion of the bet
The time came, and every thing being in read
iness-pistols, fire and grog-the corpse was
brought in by the party who laid the wagers, as
sisted by friend, enveloped in white sheet,
placed in a coffin, and sat down in the middle
of the room At this instant the young hero
was called down from the room to speak upon
some trifing business, which he instantly des-
patched, and returned up stairs The parties
who brought the corpse in, aft er wishing him
goodnight, were on the poirlt of departure,
when he earnestly said to them "Now, if
any tricks are attempted to be played with me,
will fire at the corpse, if one it is, for strong
ly suspect it is living being"
They made no further answer to this threat
than these omnous words, "Itemember twelve
o'clock" He was then left lone. He stirred
his fire, slipped his grog, and made himself as
comfortable as he could. At length the solemn
hour of midnight arrived. AS the last stroke
Of the clock vibrated on his ear, he distinctly
saw the corpse begin to move. He snatched a
pistol from the table, advanced to the coffin, and
exclaimed, If you stir anoth er step, will fire p
To this injunction he re ceived no answer I;
the supposed corpse rose up in the coffin, and
stepped out. He repeated his threat-it still
advanced-he fred and the. bullet was thrown
in his face by the corpse. lie fell to the ground
with Il piercing shrek, and rose unatic-in
which wretched state he re NAMED till his death,
which happened about year after this tragic
and truly heart-rending scene occurred. A more
lamentabe instance of cruel folly perhaps nev-
er occurred. Had but its victims for moment
reflected, he would have leen saved; but the
idea of the bullet being returned, or perhaps
that of shooting fellow creature, took such
an effect on his nerves that reason fOrsook her
empire, never more to re turn. A moments
forethought would have saved him. During the
time he was called out of his room, to speak to
the person who wished to see him, (who was
one of the party concerned d), the bullets were
drawn from the pistols, and given into the hands
of the corpse who was one of the party pres
ent when the wager was laid. The occurrence
is never thought of by ei ther of the actors in
this affair but it occasions n sigh or q pang of
remorse. Anonymous.
Do you take a newspaper! If you do not
what excuse have you! You surely cannot say
that poverty prevents you, for no man is too
poor to be able to lad the news of the day, and
learn how the world wags along. Ten cents a
week How small the sum seems and yet, 0
most phiosophising objector, that amount, spent
almost, if not quite, every day, in ways unneces-
sary, and pursuits improbable, if not worse, will
furnish you with intelligence from all parts of
the world, useful thoughts on every subject that
will promote your mental, social, and pecuniary
welfare-and that is essential to you as ration
al being and a worthy citizen. How cheap! and
yet how apt are we to shut our eyes to the real
value of these vehicles of thought and informa-
tion, and place a higher estimate on merchandise
of less or no value Think Of this, and forth
with call on the printer. Pay him in advance,
if thy purse be not empty, that he may. labor
with light heart and willing hands, and that
the paper you peruse may be your own, and
Lo, sweet shall be thy sleep"
Quincy Wing.
When does man pass from the animal into
the vegetable kingdom! When experience