Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-24
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.


Sherman-sged about twelve years, was killed
at the residence of her stepfather, Mr. Caleb
Birch, in Alexandria county, Va, about six
miles from this city. A brother OF her step
father, Charles Birch, a youth of about the
same age, coming into the house on his way
home from school, took up gun which a per-
son on the premises had used some DAYS be-
fore, and had left uncapped for safety. Pre-
suming that it was unloaded, the boy put
cap upon it, and dared his little niece to put
her head out Of the window by which she was
sitting. As she did 80 he pointed it at her,
and, intending simply to explode q cap for her
amusement, fred a load of bird shot into her
face. The poor child rushed to her mother
and fell at her feet
A messenger was instantly despatched FOR
DIR. Wunder, who resides about a mile kom
the scene Of the catastrophe. But ere he ar
rived, life was extinct in the poor little victim.
She was a sweet child-dutiful, modest, intel
ligent, and deseIvedly q great favorite with
all who knew her.
The boy, On finding that be had sho. his
little relative, fed in great dismay from the
premises to his own home. No one supposes
that he had the slightest idea that the gun
was loaded. The remains Of poor little Mary
were buried yesterday AFTERNOON, and were
attended to the grave by large concourse OF
sympathizing neighbors and friends.
This deplOrable catastrophe adds another to
long list Of almost similar tragedies and
shows the danger of entrusting firearms in
the hands of thOughtless children under any
circumstances.
The Gas LIGHTS We learn from an officer
Of the Washington Gas Company, to whose
notice the Star brought recent complaints
against the condition of the lights in front OF
the Post Office buildings and on the Avenue,
that they (the company have nothing what
ever to do with either lighting or keeping
those particular lamps in order, which are
under the charge Of persons employed by the
Government. As complaints are not now made
concerning the condition of the lights else
where in the city, it follows that the trouble
is not the result Of the shortcomings of the
company, but Of inattention, or something of
the sort, on the part Of those whose duty il
may be to attend to them.
In connection with this matter we have to
say that the size Of the burners on Pennsyl
vaDis avenue has grown smaller of late. They
seem, Of late, to be smaller than those on the
narrower cross streets If they have been
altered in that way, the dim lights on Penn
sylyania avenue ere already accounted foi
The street being much wider than the cross
streets, an increase of the size of the burners
would be necessary TO light it as well as the
others (cross streets) are lighted. With &C.
creased size, Of course wo are to have, until
that change shall have been remedied by the
cient on the Avenue to render darkness visi-
bic; while, elsewhere on the streets OF Wash
ingtOn, the gas light may be all the public
wish it to be.
MUNDBR's SOIREgs. in our col
umns will be found the announcement by
Prof ,ssor Munder Of his course of soirees ION
Wednesday evenings) for the season. Prom
personal observation we can say that Professor
Munder is one Of the very best teachers Of
Ham IL
In the first place, q great stock Of patience
and good temper TO his task-qualities most
requisite but not always found in teacher
he has a thorough theoretical and experimeL-
tai knowledge Of his profession; and best of
all, remarkable facility of communicating
this knowledge to his pupils These soirees
will, We apprehend, demonstrate tho great
progress made by his classes in the few lessons
already received, and will otherwise be found
most agreeable entertainments for the public
generally. The terms, We presume, are more
favorable than have ever before been offered
In this city for similar privileges, and the
lovers Of the healthful and invigorating dance
will, doubtless, eagerly avail themselves Of
the opportunity Tie course commences On
Wednesday evening next.
THs MICE-Readers Of the Star will re
member that a few months ago residents Of
the Fourth Ward were seriously annoyed by
q gang of Juvenile rowdies called 81 Mice u
who committed various deprea atoms in that
Wand. The major portion Of the origina al
party seem 10 have scattered, and it m ay be-
turned their attention to ereditable employ
ment. But another gang Of "Mice" have
taken their places, and greatly annoy citizens
in that W ard by pilfering, defacing property,
indecent conduct, &c. This gang consists Of
children quite small as the former gang
and the police officers, though they dislike to
punish children so young, find IL absolutely
necessary 10 adopt the same course with them
as with older rowdies. Whether the punish
ment shall fall heaviest on the parents or the
children, parents must decide. Which should
be punished, children from nine to thirteen
years Of age guilty of such acts, or the parents
" such children, is a question with the police,
and cannot De decided by them until il il
known that the parents do or do not their duty
toward their children.
UNLICENSED DEALERs-Seyersl of the Ii.
cssnsed dealers in our city markets complain
rhat individuals make il their business to in.
sertere IN their sales by underselling them,
which they are enabled 10 do by huekstering
without license. Persons who engage in the
business Of huckstering without having OBJ
tanned a license, are liable 10 fine under the
Corporation lawiThe sales complained of are
not made IN the markets every housek ee per
knows tina, undertaking has been seldom
heard Of there in the last three months; but
II Is said that persons not eng aged in the bust
ness receive provisions from Ohio, New Jer-
sey, Pennsylvania and New York, which they
cell to their neighbors at lower prices than are
asked In the markets Whether this comes
under the law we are unable to say-the deal
ere contend that it does. There is a way TO
test it.
MARKET RoBBERY.-This morning, Mr. j.
Peddicord, bacon dealer, on going 10 his stand
IN the Centre market, discovered that some
one had broken into 1t and robbed him Of ba-
con and dried bee; to the value Of about sI25
The front Of the stand had been opened with
a crowbsr, between twelve O'Clock last NIGHT
ana daylight this morning. This sort of mar
kes robbery was successfully practiced last
year, and the only parties arrested were soma
small boys, who were supposed to be agents
for older thieves.
LARCENY Yesterday, Mr. Daniel Genau.
who resides in the Fifth Ward, walked ont
with his wife 10 visit some friends leaving
bis house In charge Of young German, an