The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-29
ALEXANDRIA, Va.

IHe lOlioWHlS from tue baltimore NEWS
Sheet, illustrates the difficulties of report
er in finding out the truth, amid the current
lies of the day I'm the morning he gets up
without feeling the least refreshed. and is
presently eagerly engaged in reading the
morning papers. The telegraph announces
all quiet along the lines and he is accord
ingly disappointed. A mouthful of break.
fast and he is again in the world of rumors
On his way to business he meets an acquain-
lance who is wearing an enviably pleasant
countenance, and before they meet, acquain.
lance says, Well, B., there is good news.'-
WHAT it p "A fight yesterday at Fairfax
Court House 1T was a big fight. The Fed
erals lost three hundred, and came back to
where they started from" B., who is IA Union
man, does not think the news is quite 50 good
as it might have been. He says but little,
however, and passes on. Or perhapsit is c..
who meets an acquaintance: We'll, c., good
news this morning. They are wiping out the
Confederates at Hatteras. Killed eight hun
dred out of regiment that had seven hun
dred and eighty men in it. Not many of
them left G. gasps, makes a wry face and
goes on his way. B. hurries to a newspaper
office, and asks for the particulars OF the fight
at the Court House, and is informed that no
information of that kind has been received.
b. insists that the fight took place, and that
Mr.. Acquaintance, whom he met on his way
down town, has particulars. A note is forth
with put into the reporters box, running
thus: See Mr.. Acquaintance-fght at Fair
tax CourS House-get particulars-extra if
important Reporter has been chasing rn-
mors all day, and the hunt must be resumed.
Mr.. Acquaintance is found-says the fight
did take place-had not the particulars, but
Mr.. So-and-So could give accurate informa-
ton. He refers the reporter to Mr. Hearsay
who is just from Washington. The latter
named gentleman says the fight took place,
but it occurred one day last week, Mr.. So
and-So was mistaken in regard to the time.
The reporter goes to the Office to inform the
editors that it was the old rumor of last week
revived. 1t is the second, or third, or fourth
time it had been hunted down
1t is astonishing with what eagerness the
public seizes upon any report. With lit
Is immaterial how often or how grievously
they may have been disappointed; they are
ready on the instant to believe any state
ment which is at all in keeping with their
Il l. 4 4
in it; no shadow Of probability connec ed
with the story. 1t will still find hundreds
who will give it implicit confidence, and re-
hearse it throughout the day with the same
JUNCTION they would truth which has rea-
dy become historical. Mr.. A. will gently lay
his hand on your shoulder and look in your
face with knowing wink, as he recounts an
imaginary defeat or victory. If, in response,
you ask, How about that report you gave me
yesterday? Is this as reliable as that WASP
his countenance changes, and although his
credence in the story of yesterday has been
destroyed, he yet strongly contends for its
general truthtuIness. If needs be, he will
still boldly assert that eight hundred were
killed out of seven hundred and fifty in the
regiment, or thar Zen Johnston has actually
crossed the Potomac with sixty thousand
men. Hundr IDS of persons spend the day
in discussing the hundred reports afoat, and
up to midnight cling to the street corners in
anxious expectancy of hearing some rumor
more marvellous and less probable than any
which they have yet heard"
1t il proposed at the North, and the pre-.
liminary steps taken, toorganize new Pro-
testant Episcopal Seminary in Philadelphia,
TO take the place of the one near Alexan
dria, which has been closed by the war
We must again urge the humanity of al.
lowing the wood which has been felled in
the neighborhood of this place, and which is
not used where it lies, to be brought to town
t'r sale. We suppose there will be no diff
fully IN the matter, upon application