Washington sentinel., 1853-12-08
gotaI an0 pfrsonaI.

An EVIL Spirit.--Some people seem 10
be exposed to danger. Escaping from one peril,
| another Immediately besets them, and throughout
| life they realize the truth Of the remark of the
great dramatic poet, that
"Misfortunes come as single SPIES
But always in battalions.p ef
We heard recently, OF man who, travelling
hitherwards from the north, was followed by fe-
| male TO Baltimore, i'll which city she made an al ;
| tempt upon his life with one of those weapons
which, even when empty, do not inspire the most
agreeable feelings when cooked and pointed at the
head in other words, she sought to redress her
real or imaginary wrongs by communicating a
messenger of lead TO the penetrabe body of her
fleeing victim. But somehow, she failed 10 be-
come man-slayer. However, acting upon the
| advice TO children in the Juvenile books"
'.If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try again.,
she followed the man TO Washington, and narrow
ly watched all his movements still begs upon dis
turbing his anatomical construction A favorable
opportunity presenting itself she obtained admis-
sion 10 the house in which he happened to be,
early in the evening, representing herself at the
private door as his wife, So the story goes.
The poor fellow was lying on a sofa at the time,
calm, composed, probably apprehending no danger
to life or limb; but, glancing in the direction
whence came light footsteps, he was horrfed by
the female whom he so much dreaded She held
in her right hand dagger-not like the one which
Macbeth saw in his perturbed musings, shad
owy outline but one having substance, and which
glittered in the gasght.
But we will not attempt TO describe the scene
which followed; nor pretend TO account for an
escape from threatened DEATH 1t must have been
a fearful moment; for, however brave we may all
be in philosophy, but few can "smile at the
dagger and defy its point"
The woman, fortunately, was arrested before
putting her threat into execution; and on being
searched, six-barrelled revolver was found ON
her person. Having been taken before magis-
trate, she was released by him on condition that
she would leave the city; promise with which
she has complied.
AS TO who the parties are and when and in
what locality the scene was enacted, does not
matter.
The above is merely given as one Of the pass
ing incidents of this gay metropolis.
An Unexpected Absence.-In the criminal
court, yesterday, William Micnkins, the keeper OF
clothing store, arraigned on charge of
grand larceny, for having stolen from II. Colledge
two coats, pair of pantaloons, vest and gold
pen; the value of all which was estimated in the
indictment at $45 So Eloquent and earnest plead
ings ensued against and in behalf of the accused,
when the jury retired. Having come to deter
mination in the case, they re-entered the court
for he n,irnp of ,la;r
but his honor declined receiving it, for the reason
that the prisoner, availing himself Of favorable
opportunity, had quietly departed, unobserved by
the court, officers, and spectators! Being on bail,
he was not placed in the dock, but had been priv
ileged TO occupy seat near the congregation of
"learned counsel Some of his immediate friends
were anxious last night TO know what the verdict
was, but this cannot be ascerained until the abb
sentee shall again make his appearance in court
German Economic Reading Lamp.-It is
OF some Importance to authors, and others who
have occasion to employ artificial light in their vo-
cations, 10 obtain il in pure way as possible,
so that II will not impair the sight We have in
the above-named article this great essential The
blaze is soft ard brilliant and gives as much light
heat arises FROM il, there teng various apertures
IN the lamp for il to escape. II is exceedingly
simple, and easily adjusted; and one ofts peculiar
advantages is its economy, the cost being less
than one cent per hour. 0. S. Whittlesey, on 7th
street, is the sole agent, where we recommend
those who are suffering from impure lights TO call
and examine for themselves
a---
Har l.. -
cipa hotels last night, youth was delighting the
auditory with performances upon that noble in
struInent, the harp, which is associated especially
with Jewish "reminiscences The strings boldly
and loudly vibrated the most popular airs to the
touch of his fingers. The listeners, large mum.
Der OF them, quietly remained in their seats; no
human voice was heard, and every one seemed
charmed into silence by the melody. How differ
from the noisy excitement sometimes experienced
IN that gathering place of politicians concert
OF Eolus compared to the bos,erous organ tones
Chaplains to Congress.--The Rev. Henry
Slicer has been elected Chaplain to the Senate,
and the Rev.tWm. H. Milburn Chaplain 10 the
House. The first named is a preacher of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and formerly occu-
pied the position of chaplain to the Senate the
latter was likewise chaplain to the House several
years since, and is attached to the Methodist Epis-
copal church, south. The Hon. Mike Walsh gal
antly cast his vote in the House for the Rev An
onette Brown.
school Of Design.-As one good result of the
metropolitan Mechanics Institute, which has been
n operation scarcely year, school of design is
Immediately to be formed; the number of pupils
being limited. fine opportunity is thus offered.
On easy terms, TO the youth of the city to acquire
| knowledge Of drawing; an accomplishment
which cannot fail TO be useful in adult age.
Target-Firing.-The new and beautiful mill
ary corps, the National Guard, intend to-day TO
engage in target-firng the best marksman 10 re-
'eve an elegant silver cup manufactured TO order
~ Gait and Brother,) from the officers of the COM
,any. The second best will be rewarded with