Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-07-07

display Of natural fireworks, ON Friday evening
last, on = street between 9th and 10th. Leland An
ancient cherry tree, nearly one hundred years Of
age, hollow 1t It's base and for some fifteen fbst of
ITS trunk, At which height knot hole opening gave
iree circulation 70 the air, was made available by
the boys, to furnish convenient means for setting
on their squibs, crackers and other fireworks in
honor OF Independence day.
A fire was kindled at its base, the smoke from
which escaped through the aforesaid knot hole
much to the qualification Of the urchins who hur.
rahed and shouted, and danced, In an ecstacy of
delight at the successful operation Of their inge-
NOUS plan.
There was . fresh breeze blowing. which incra.s.
ed the draught Of this primitive chimney. and
caused the nre to blaze and roar magui6ciently.
The flames shooting upward, sent their forked
tongues through the opening into the night and
licked the bark of the tree, though, in anticpa-
ton, goating over thesweet repast they were about
TO make upon the tender branches Of the devotsd
tree, tor though the trunk was hollow and decay
cd, 1t bore luxariant growth of spreading branch
es, green and fresh, and beautiful which cast re-
freshing shade all around It.
Behold how great q matter q little fire kin
dleth." The fire that was kindled in sport, and
which, for time, caused 90 much Satisfaction and
delight, now became source Of terror--the ele-
ment which had been their play thing, had now
become their master-they could not subdue the
flame. The fire had seized with remorseless avid
ity upon the inner surface of the tree, and was
fast consuming the wood, the flames refused to be
stayed In their course, and as they mounted up
ward, increasing In intensity and ferocity--they
laughed TO scorn the efforts Of the affrighted boys
TO stop or impede them.
And now new actors appear upon the scene for
the danger to the surrounding houses became Inn
minent- The tree could not be saved; her fate
was sealed, for she nclosed within the folds of
remorseless enemy, whose embrace Ia DEATH
Should the tree, in falling, incline toward the
Northeast beautiful little tenement must nevita-
bly, be crushed by the impending mass !; and who
could say In what direction the tree could fall p
So the genius Of man was called into operation,
which, though it could not ss6dMs, might still
direct the destructive power, and thus avert the
ruin Axes were called for and procured, and soon
the poor old tree, already in the grasp Of mighty
power that was consuming hei life, was subjected
to power more potent still. Is, s
The keen axe welded by the strong arms of man
descended in swift recurring blows upon her char
red and glowing trunk; at every blow ten thou
sand, nay, million sparks, few from the burning
mass and hoated of upon the breeze, enveloping
foy an instant the whole tree in a circle of fire.
The effect was magical The glowing trunk form
ing I'll Q base of pyramid of fire, which rose up
ward to the height of fifty feet, then disappearing
to be followed by fresh succession of more bril-
liant spa,ls flashing and scintillatng in the dark
ness, furnish ed display which amply eompensa-
ted those who witnessed it, for the disappoint-
ment occasionea by the refusal of President Pierce
to afford the accustomed exhibition of fireworks to
the people of the District the night Of Independ
ence day. Alas, poor tree!-" she mods from
high, and totters to her fall.n See, the crash is
coming yielding gracefully to her fate, the no.
BILE tree inclines, then wayers, then with mighty
throe which snaps assunder the last integument
which bound her to life, she comes tumbling,
CRASHING laundering down.
Wis TIE PREsIDENTs GRoUsDs.-We stroll
ed on last Saturday evening, at late hour, to the
Presidents Grounds, to realize some of the emil
>~ening strains of music from the Marine Band
Say unusual large attendance of ladies, gentle
men ND children, on the occasion.
The ,,>dies, in youth and beauty, promenaded
around the pleasure grounds, with all their rich,
CAV and man v-colored garments, in company with
their friends AM, beaux giving the scene delight
full sight animate rs it by the playing of the
band of music
Hero was aeen loo, some of the old veteran
Senator's, sauntering about in lively sprghtlinese
Among the yisiters. Also on the occasion, were
few Indians from the Cherokee nation, viewing
the gay crowd, and attentively listening to the
thrilling strains of music, as it caue In sonorous
tones from the band.
There should be better order kept here, and boys
should not be allowed the privileges they assume,
to the molestation Of the pedestrians, with whom
they are constantly coming in contact with their
frivolous amusements. j. A. W.
The MURDER CAsE.--The inquest held on Satur-
4lay upon the body Of Capt. Charles w. Bell, alias
Casper Holman, resulted in rendering the follow
ing verdict, :
can to his death by wound inflicted with
knife, supposed to be bowie knife, little below
the left shoulder blade which severed one of the
NJ tba loho IF tho
right lung, which caused his death in lees than ten
minutes. From the evidence, being very conflict
ing we ara, unable to determine which struck the
blow. but are satisfied that the said blow in
aicted either by John Eggleston or VIM. Sullivan
during riot, in which several other persons were
engaged, among whom were Daniel and Isaiah
Stewart" Ff.s
After the rendition Of the verdict, the evidence
not duplicating the two Stewards, who were arrest
ed and committed as participants in the murder,
they were released bail, of $500 each, to answer
the charge of riot.
PUBLIC ScHooLs.--The examination of the Pub
lie Schools commenced at three, p. NJ, this day.
4 ccrDEsr.-As a small party on the 4th were
about starting upon pic mic from Van Ryswick's
wharf. n young lady named Smithson fell over
board. but was rescued by young man who
scmped over after her.
TIe mail boat Baltimore, on Thursday night,
ron n to and sunk small schooner on her passage
70 Aau "a creek. One of the steamers wheels was
broken by the collision 1000
EaERsos JssrIrUrE.-The annual exhibition OF
this Institute took place July Sd. The exercises
were of moro han ordinary interest, and the pro-
uramme presen, ed several original speeches. We
tbougbt the decla mation would compare favoraby
with That of most tf our college commandments.
We congratulate the young gentlemen Of the In
',-.-IS e Iii 90 Mr. Young their precentor.