Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-06

An ASECpoIE OF GEN. PHRsIFER SMI1H.-A
capital Joke Is now told against Gen. Persifer
smith, at present commanding Uncle Sans dra-
goons In Kansas. The General was recently at a
supper, where celebrated but rather bibulous
man With whom he had some difference, was also
present, and only watching an opportunity to an
noy him. Theirs vas another Mr. Smith in the
room as will presently sPpear. After all the reg
lar toasts had been given! TIE y~it arose and beg
ged to volunteer a sentiment. Permission wa~
Instantly granted, and those WHO knew him ex-
pected something good.
Al would PROPOSE said he. leapinS 70 his
feet and looking calmly around, - would PRO
pose the health Of a most pacific sodier-of Gen
Smith, / mean-a General whose charges have
ever been conducted on the very lowest and most
moderate principle ~
The company sat thunderstruck. The sneering
tone and bitter words left no alternative to Gen
Smith.
You have ventured to doubt nv courage. sir :"
he exclaimed, in a voice almost choked by pas
sion . You sheer at the charges in which have
taken part you shall now have opportunity
10 test OF what metal am made As he con-
GUIDED he flung card across the table in the
There is surely some mistake here, my dear
Persifer,' replied the unabashed joker Il have
already got the card of the gentleman whose
health Intended to propose - II was the bust
ness card of the Brothers Smith, Of l22 and liO
Fulton street, one of whom happened to he pres
emit - mean,'' said the wit, " a general doth
isr not ageneTal officer. As to his charges being
moderate why appeal TO the company, three
tourths Of whom have been his customers for
years :" 1t was carried mem. con-. that no insult
had been given and Gen Persifer was the first
afterwards to relate the joke against himself.
IL Several l.rge vessels are now on their way
from Africa to Cuba, with full caTgoes Of slaves
some with as many as seven hundred on board
IL The Geographic line between Newfound-
land and Halifax is interrupted at Ospe Bay,
where II was caug ht by ships anchor.
II The hotels at Saratoga are now being re-
fitted, and will open about the first of June. An
addition has been made to the United States Hotel,
and also to Union Hall.
IDA gentleman, on a wager walked from
Annapolis Md to Baltimore in nine hours. The
distance is about forty miles, making over four
miles an hour.
SIGNIFICANT The brig B. Lawton, late OF
Newport, has been sold at Havana, Ito an Amer
lean citizen, for Spanish use upon the coast of
ID Amos Ham, popcorn man, at Sqnog y
across the river from Manchester, ". H., eloped
last saturday with young girl, leaving forlorn
ID In the Crittenden county (vt) Court Fa-
yette Thompson pleaded guilty to the charge OF
Ioooing the ticket office of the Rutland and Bur-
lington Depot, and was sentenced to the State
Prison for four years from the Ath ult
IL The Warrentown IVA } Flag chronicles the
death Of MIS-. Judith Keith, at the advanced age
of V years. She was the mother of five genera
lion, and her living descendants numbered more
than one hundred.
- o. Two miners, James Thompson and John
Hurley, got into dispute at st. Louis Sierra
county, Cal, on the I'D ult., in regard to water
ditch, when the latter shot Thompson through
the body, causing his death the following day
IL An Improvement has been introduced OIL
the Harlem Railroad called Harrison's Automatic
steam Whistle. 1t is so constructed. that wher
once adjusted TO the locomotive, and registered
Tor It's route, 1t will, invariably give the alarm
every crossing or point where il is desirable tC
have this whistle blown.
IL The Cumberland Civilian states that the
business on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad al
that point, Is greater than ever heretofore Train
after train Is almost constantly passing through
that city, heavily laden with the productions o,
the . great West" and the rich treasures of the
coal region going east, and merchandise manu-
factured and imported articles going west
IL IL Is mentioned az a noteworthy fact In
Illustrating the influence of railroads on real es-
tate, that the eight counties in Virginia immedi-
ateiy penetrated and Influenced by the Virginia
and Tennessee Railroad, viz Bedford Roanoke.
montgomery, Pulaski, Scott. Wythe Smyth and
washington, show an increase Of 80 376 $50; their
aggregate land value in 1850 having been SI4 4Is-
JOY, and being now Sl3, 81, 72s. The adjoining
counties. which have been more remotely innu,
enced by the road. show like increase and give
Win those named, total increase of $40 Us6, 600,
ne same also - true with almost eyery other
prominent line Of railroad In the county,