Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-09-03
The Night "a Pair.ffne ;.

Djenin afforded us fair example of the extent TO
which mental and physical persecution may be carried
without absolutely producing insanity. Expecting
every momen, to be robbed by the natives. who are
the worst IN all Palestine, we laid In the hut of a
Christian Arab. where we were literally in danger OF
being devoured by asses cows, goats, and smaller an
mas, such cats, dogs rats, and lizards, well by
the vermin, which completely obiiteraed all my re-
membranes of South America and California. Never
before had been conqueTded by annoyances of that
kind had always slept through them, and laughed
at my companions next morning for being troubled
about such trifes. But. o Dienin To this day
cannot think of that miserable little town and the |
night we spent there without itching to get further
away from it. In the middle of the night after tossing
rolling, and groaning without even so much wink
of sleep-for the feas actually covered me live
coating of black mail started up and looked around
in search of sympathy The tall Southerner sit.
ting up on the mud floor, his hair disheveled, his
eyes wild and haggard. and his face dreadfuly scared
and emaciated he was in The act OF aiming blow
with empty bottle at the head of some hungry an
mal that had been trying 10 eat him. The English
Captain, jolly ,er, was scratching himself with
one hand while with the otlier he held pipe which
he smoked with great calmness and good hurnor.
Halo % said !, g what's the matter, Captan?"
"The feas," said the Captain " they're quite stun
ming, assure YOU Never saw so many IN all my
Lille"
Why don't you catch em -
Too strong for me can't holl 'em. Pom my
honor they Won't let sleep a wink. Awfully
ferocous animals; stunning, quite stunning assure
you. Sir don't think any thing short OF hot brandy
punch will cure them
The proposition gratifying thai we all inn
medaley agreed to it, Francesca and Yusef were
aroused and commanded TO prodGce fire and water in
lie minutes on the pain of our displeasure. Very
soon we felt quite happy, in spite OF the vermin-
| happier good deal than we did next morning.
| have looked in vain for scientific description of
the Syrain flea. Surely it deserves place natural
history and, although unskilled in entomology,
shall here notice briefly this extraordinary animal.
The Pulce Granda Syrian flea is of lively dispo-
siton and irregular in his habits. given late hours
and disturbances Of the peace. He sleeps occasional
" during the day, but is always wide awake al night
when his vivacity is very remarkable. Human blood
is his food he prefers Christians 10 Arabs as an ar
tice of diet; has great igor of muscle and capacity
for digestion carries in his mouth long harpoon,
which he throws with great skill; uses likewise
! boarding knife and patent forcing pump. He never
dies naturally, hut is subject 10 diseases oil the brain.
from too great flow of blood 10 the head, Wounds
produced by this ferocious animal unpleasant but
not fatal. Constant depletion, however, may destroy
life hence by repeated attacks a man may be alto
gether dried up in which he becomes dry sub
ject. One should always, when he feels The harpoon
thrown into him, seize hold of the flea by the hind
legs. Tear him out by main force, and deposit him
crey upon his neghbor. always did nearly
as practicable, upon the English captain the South
ernor Sometimes dropped him into their ears, so
that they might have odd dreams 10 tell when they
walked up.
We had fleas all through Syria we were hayed by
1eas from Beirut to Jerusalem. They are the EUing
embodme Of tie nj ghts in Palestine, which now
the nearest approximation 10 the knights of Jerusalem.
Startling Scene In n Church.
Last Sunday afternoon, in the " First Congrega-
tonal Church,' in North Chelsea during the singing
OF the second hymn rabd dog of enormous size rush.
ell up side aisle and commenced an attack upon the
pew of MIR. Jonathan Harrington. Failing TO effect
an entrance. he sprang with spasmodic leap to the
pulpit, beating furlonsty against the DOORS until he
fell on the head stair exhausted and frothing with
impotent rage. The audience were instantly thrown
into great confusion, and general, perhaps fatal
rush to the door seemed about 10 ensue. They were
somewhat reassured, however, by caution from the
pastor, Rev. Norwood Damon, d" 10 be composed and
remain in their seats the surest means of safety"
i At this crisis, Mr. Ephram Pierce, youth OF eigh
teen, and son OF Captain John Pierce stepped from
his place, seized the animal by the back of the neck
and notwithstanding several attempts 10 bite, succeed
ed III dragg ing him from the house unframed The
doors closed and the dog fled to the adjoining
graveyard where he subsequently shot
After quiet restored, the choir finished theiI
, hymn, and Mr.. Damon pronounced sermon on death
A member of the congregation had died during the
previous week. Mr. D. took occasion TO illustrate
one of his points, the instructive tear in of death
and of dangers tending to death, by the occurrence o.
the hour He also cautioned his audience agains
panic in sudden supposed or real dangers, insancine
the school disaster New York, and the destruction
OF emgrants on board the Atlantic. He spoke of the
necessity of sef-possessIon 10 the exercise of sound
, discretion and the prompt selection of available mean:
of safety remedy He concluded with well merit.
ed compliment young Pierce, 10 whose heroism,
he said, g too much praise could not be awarded, ,
and by reference 10 The great of deliyeranct
and preservation in all times of danger"
5 Boston Journal