The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-10-24
A TexnR Joker.

| bit of fun from the Texas Morning Star published
at Houston II lately fell in way again and we
wero SO tckled upon reading 1t once more that we
| determined to start It for second heat We will
take no small odds that in three months time it viii
have been published in half the newspapers in the
country:
AauATIc scENERr.-During the hardest of the
storm the day before yesterday we took lounge
down to tho steamboat landing. While standing
on the brink of deep gully that emptied its tor
rent Of water into the bayou, our attention at
tracted to the bottom of tho gully, whore drunk
On loafer was stemming the torrent and holding
on to a root fast anchored in the bank The poor
Fellow, not knowing any one near him, was
combating his fate manfully, and in calculating
ms chances Of escape, gave uterance TO the follow
ing:
"Haynt this a orful sitivation to he placed in
howf If l was a steamboat a rail- or a wood pile,
I'd be better worth fifty cents the dollar than I'll
ever be again Unloss I'm gone case now, there
haynt any truth in phrenology. I've weighed all
tho chances now like gineral, and only two that
bears in my favor; the rstis skunk hole to crawl
into and the second special interpositon of Pro
vidence and the best chance of the two is slim,
II only had the chance I'd give the premium for
the skunk hole-thems my sentiments If could
be mink, muskrat, or a water snake, for about
two months, perhaps l would mount the first step
tother side of Bio, and flap my wings and crow
over precious life, scientifically preserved, But
what's the hodin' to this root There
haynt no skunk hole in these diggns-the water
is getting taller about feet and if my was as
long as infnty it wouldn't stick out much longer.
20, Jerry! Jerry! you're gone sucker, and
guoss your marin don't know you're out; poor wo-
man won't she cry the glasses out of her specta-
cles when she hears that her darln' Jerry has got
tho whole of the ButferO Bio for his cofhnl What
a pity It's some philanthropic, member of the
humane society. never had foresight enough TO
build house across this gutter, with steam ELL
gine to keep out the water If they had done it in
time, they might have had the honor and gratfica-
ton of saving the life of feller being but it is all
day with you, Jerry and big harbor to cast an
chor in It's too bad to go off in this orful manner
when they knows oilers hated water ever since l
was big enough to know 'twant whisky.
Before Jerry got to the conclusion he was washed
into the bayou within few feet of large fiat that
had just started for the steamboat His eye caught
the prospect of deliverance, and he changed the
burden of his dirge into thrilling cry of "heave
to! passenger overheard and sinking with belt
full of specie!-the man who saves me makes his
tortune" jerry was tished out by darkey, and
to show his gratitude invited Quashey to go up to
the groggcry and liquor"
LAND DOMAIN OF TExAs-Mr. j. D. Cordova,
publisher of the Map of Texas, writes communi-
cation TO the n Y Herald, giving what he calls re
liable information " concerning the land domain of
Texas, which we copy below:
ACRES.
The whole area of the State of Texas l75 59f $50
OF which there has been titled by
the authorities of Spain and
Mexico. o........................2 20 263, ,652
Claims of all descriptions patented
by the late Republic and the
State of Texas up to November
l, 1858. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. q, 79i, 4H0
Claims returned to the General GENERAL
Land Office up to Nov. l. 1855,
and not patented. .............. Is, 1920
Claims outstanding, which have
not be returned to the Gene
raj Laud Office. e................. l2,49l l32
Balance of public domain, after deducting
every claim known to exist I02, TAI, ,301
1t must, however, be observed that out of the
above there have been granted for educational
purposes, and are, therefore exempt from taxation
the large amount of 1904 0f0 acres.
There are many claims that have not been pre-
sented, but are due, and recognized by the
State of Texas, the principal part of which are due
to the heirs of those who fell under Ward, Travis
and Fannin, and they each entitled to 1920
acres bounty land, 6i0 donation land, and if
the deceased was single man, to l476 acres, if
married man. to 1905 acres.
The largest portion of tho available public do
main subject to location is situated in the Northern
and western portion of the State; it is high, roll
ing healthy country, and embraces the head waters
of tho Brazos, Trinity Guadalupe and Red rivers
and their tributaries, and is destined, at no distant
day to be the granary of the South.