The Empire County argus., 1854-11-25
Correspondence of the Argus.


JOHN Town, Nov. 20, 1854
Cror BDr reads nelrspaperS- Crow Bars nep pipes
- -Croc Bar ueakenS, and lrantS horses made
of Lightning.
Mr.. ARGUs-I have been much interested for
some days past in reading files of newspapers
Newspapers are a sort of weathercock of public
opinion. Occasionally an editor fills up his col
umns with complete catalogue of murders-then
he will deal in poetry and fancy, and perhaps call
his readers the honest ncorruptible people Again
the newspaper opens its battery upon some Office
seeker and damns him with praise, and pufs him
into prosperity with astounding developments; then
chronicles the news seizing upon prize fight or
duel with eagcrness
BY the way, John read me an account of bru-
tai fight of recent occurrence, in which of the
combatants broke his arm, and con tinued fighting
afterwards until he was horribly beaten. What a
pity that he and his adversary did not both break
their necks A duel fought with rifles passed of
lately with glorious results, one party being killed
on the ground. If the other had been shot by the
seconds, and then the seconds shot by the specta-
tors and the spectators had then all been hung by
Judge Lynch, the affair would have been termina-
ted just right. The fashion of fighting duels may
do we'll enough for those who likeit besides giving
an opportunity occasionally for the expression of
holy horror and pious precepts. In fine if one is
killed in q uel by his adversary, should we not
call the affair a suicide, induced by mental excite
ment!
! have lately procured new tangled pipe made
of clay, with stem three feet two inches and five
eighths long exactly, and quantity of Turkish
Fine CUT With this, smoke, and read Webs
ters speeches, losing myself occasionally in admi-
ration of the great Statesman. | have two other
pipes with stems one inch and a halflong these
use with a friend when reading the Kansas bill
This is stupendous production and requires close
attention to see all the important principles. If
Senator Gwin should see my pipes have no doubt
he would be pleased with them. hope he will
not hear ofthe two with short stems Pipes arc
very fashionable now in Johntown, they are pre-
ferred by myself three Dutchmen, one Irishman,
one niger, and two civilized Cinnamon The Chi
namen generally smoke opium in an outlandish
pipe, being obliged to use a lamp and piece OF
wire in the operation. | am bound to reform this
pernicious habit among the Celestials, and in the
event Of failure will report every refractory John
to the Tax Collector.
The Foreign Tax Collectors in this county work
hard, and collect large amount of money from
the children of the sun. ! will bet new hat that
they collect more money this year in this county,
than will be collected from equal number any
where else in the State and will challenge Placer
county TO enter the lists for beaver.
We are greatly disappointed to hear that in the
new arragement among Ocean Steamers there is nc
provision for weekly mail. We are anxious tC
hear from our friends at home often, miners love tC
receive letters. The other day miner read to me
a letter received by the last steamer it said -
Dear John do come home you have been gone now
much you would hardly know them, they have
glown very fast. Yesterday gentleman knocked
at our door and Charley opened it. The man in
quired is your father at home Charley said have
no father; Charley you know was little baby
when you went to California; Here the stalwart
miners voice became husky, and great tear roll
ed down his check which if chrystazed would
make diamond equal to that in Duncan's Rattle
Thought Of BLACK Eye and felt moisture about
my visual organs. Without saying word made
tracks to find the Major, although knew he was
gone prospecting. Memory brought back the past
thought of many things, and of the telegraph, and
heartily wished Morse had invented plan of ma
king and harnessing horses of lightning. Their
'thinks to myself how would astonsh old Johr
Gilpin, Jehu, and the Major Wonder if a Span
sh bit would be useful in driving such horses
CROW BAR.