The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-10

and sweetness of this novel vintage 1t is true Tom
was drenched to the skin during the five minutes the
shower lasted still he did not complain, and there he
ay in halfuddled state, thinking it would have been
very nice if such a shower had lasted much longer.
In spite of the hazy condition of his intellect he re-
collected that he had more chance left; and now
that he had eaten and drank his @ he began thinking
what he should wish for next
It's not who should be foolish enough to wish for
card full of wool, that's certain, said he to himself,
with a chuckle; 'but if ask for plenty of money
can eat roast goose and drink wine every day. and never
have to do an hours work. So wish, with all my
heart there would fall heavy shower Of gold and silver
coins for the next hour, and then shall have good
time of it as long as live
His imprudent wish was no sooner spoken than
granted. Down FELL not gentle shower, but down
right torrent Of gold and silver pieces harder and
heavier than the largest hastones-fang, too, with
out intermssion, and hitting him smarty they fell
In vain Tom roared aloud to the Nix to stop the rain
he might well have argued with whirwind. It still
went raining gold and silver for the next hour at the
end of which the foolish fellow lay buried beneath his
treasure, having forfeited his life, like many another
mser to an overweening love Of gold.
When his fclow-carder came back that way, some
hours afterwards his notice attracted by Toms card
lying the ground when he discovered his poor friend
beneath the mound of gold and silver coins for the
beyond the circle of the ree which accounts for Wat
tvs knowing nothing about it. He Immediately guessed
what must have happened, and that the Nix punished
him for being such ! lazy fellow.
I If be had but asked for plenty Of wool, said the
thrifty Watty, that would never have killed lin
What pity be despsed honsss indsstsy z
And then Wat determined to give away al the money
the poor, that he might never be tempted to grow
lazy and picking up his friends card-the only part
Of his legacy that he appointed to hmse-he went bis
way thoughtfully, thanking heaven, with grateful
heart for having taught hi to restrict his wishes
within the bounds Of moderation.
The Black Wasp Of Van clemens Land.
In the warm summer days. during our residence at
Port Sore and more particularly in the evenings, we
had often noticed large kind Of black fly darting in
and out Of the house with loud sharp, whizzng nose
and, on more attentive observation, found most
tragic addition made to list of antpodean contra
reties-nohng less than the discovery Of savage and
sanguinary carried by flies against SPIDERS and
pursued with such vigor that would believe the
Tasnanian flies were bent avenging tyrannies and
grievances suffered at the hands of spiders by the whole
winged insect family all the world over. We had OBJ
served the forcibe and noisy abduction of many an
lucky web-spnner, before I could satisfactorily make
what became Of them the frequent seizures made
apparently by the fly forbade the conclusion that
they forthwith deyoured butt by dint of sundry
watchings and pursuits of the flies, and by ekeng out
and pecing together my small scraps of information and
discovery at length acquired toerabe knowledge of
In size and shape they exactly resemble large English
wasp, but are wholly black, and possess formidable
stings quarter of inch long. They build very
markable nests or cells Of earth, finely tempered and
very neatly formed in layers of tiny mudpats, like
swallows nest Many Of these were placed in small
wooden clubhouse, between the upright studs and the
weather boarding of the wall several were formed
shelf in the porch, where small pieces of wood,
lying heaped together, offered convenient hooks and
one wasp, resolving to have more costly lodgment
than his friends, took possession Of meerschaum pipe
bowl which lay on the SHELF and very snugly laid
out his house in its interior. All the nests have ex-
amined are arranged in the manner, the whole
fabric being from two to four inches long, and rather
less than an inch broad the external shape of the
mansion, whether square, triangular or pentagona de-
pending good deal on the site chosen. When COM
peted no aperture is left but being opened three
or four cells are usually found two three containing
each soft, white crysalis in cocoon of white web
and the largest apartment Of the mansion is devoted to
the purposes Of arder and is always found full o.
SPIDERS of all varieties of size, color, and kinds all
closely and neatly packed together with their legs
trussed up SO occupy the smallest possible space
The strangest part of the affair s that she spiders are
not Dead but remain perfectly soft and flexible in every
part and on being exposed to the sun and air, and
stirred, feeble movement is evident in them, though
they paralyzed or stupefedin some manner,
to be unresstlng victims ana g0od lresn meat at the
same time. The store.house is thus we'll supplied,
doubtless for the bene6s Of the chrysas enantry
their awakng to thsknowledge Of life and appetite.
rarely been more interested by new insect than
by these black wasps, ungcnte and erocious though
they be- for there daring, dashing energy and brisk
industry about their ways and dongs, that is very
amusing md perfectly original If you chance to be
near his chosen place Of abode you may him dart
past with piece Of mud victim, and shril sharp
whizsipg is continued for seconds minute dur
ing the operation Of packing away his load-when forth
moment very probably nvades the peaceful retreat
Of some cobvebbed recluse who, until now, safe from
brooms and housemaids has meshed and dcvoured his
dies in comfort but is at length seized trussed and pack
ed up half alive by the dark avcDger Nine years in
Australia.
Another Peep at the Sea Ser pent.
Tho following copy of extract from the Board of
Trade Meteorological Journal kept by Captain Harring