Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-05-14
Rebel /" Kito-Flying.

Rebel Kits-Flying.
The Chicago Tribune hos the following {:
'.Early last week several Of the rebels were
seized with mania for kite flying. Pine
sticks, paper, and paste were in requisition,
and soon half score Of six.cornered kites
were ready to take q sail. Flying kites is a
harmless amusement, and the Colonel Com
manding remembering how in his boy hood he
used to stand on tho village common and gaze
at his own kite a. il wandered heavenwards,
was not disposed to deprive the poor fellows,
shut in from the world, seeing nothing beauti-
full unless it is above them. Of any enjoyment
they might derive from such recreation.
So towards evening Of the first day the re-
bel kites were permitted to rise. Away off
southwark and upward they foated till they
were mere specks in the sky. Federal aud re.
bel enjoyed the sight for half an hour and
then the kites were wound down. The next
evening the kites few again. but unfortunately
tho strings of two or three broke, and they
went tumbling on towards the south. No
suspicion yet. The next morning the kites
again foated, and the strings again broke.
Something strange in that" thought tho
colonel aloud to his officers. q ''Whun the
next string breaks order soldier to follow the
kite, and we'll see what ais the cord" Soon
a string snapped; away went the kite, and
away went the soldier after it. 1t dropped in
a field mile ana half away. and the soldier
found it, and in its tail he also found letter
addressed to certain Chicago copperhsad!
What the contents Of the letter were, or to
whom it was directed, we are not informed,
but it is known that it furnished u clue to the
plot. The envelope contained two letters,
neither of which criminated the person to
whom it was directed. One 10 Hon. So and
SO, Louisville, Kentucky, and promised him
the everlasting remembrance and gratitude Of
the "oppressed Southern people" but nei-
ther he nor the Kentucky man will ever re-
ceive the note-the latter will receive some-
thing else before long.
1t was supposed that somebody was sta
toned at convenient point from which, a.
ter nightfall, he could readily reach the runa-
way kite and secure thesletter.
1t was pretty plot. indeed. But the reb.
els will have to devise more ingenious pos
tai scheme than this if they wish to get the
start Of the post commandant. The only effect
Of the discovery has naturally been to Increase
the vigilance OF tho garrison.
An ELvsEuM ON ELRrH.-We all love to
read Of such places, and here is the travellers
description of Batavia, in the island Of Java /:
Batavia is brilliant specimen Of Oriental
splendor. The houses-which are as white
as snow-ars placed one hundred feet back
from the street, the intervening space being
filed with trees, literally alive with birds and
every variety Of plants and flowers. Every
houss has piazza in front, and is decorated
with pictures, elegant lamps. cages, etc, while
rocking chairs, lounges and ottomans, of the
incest descriptions, furnish luxurious accom-
modations for the family who sit here morn
ings and evenings. At night the city is one
blaze of lights and lamps. The hotels have
grounds Of eight or ten acres in extent around
them, covered with fine shade trees, with
fountains, Aower.g gardens, etc. Indeed 20 nu-
merous are the Trees the city almost resembles
forest. The rooms are very high and spa.
cious, without carpets, and but few curtains.
Meals are served up about the same % in first
class hotels in the United States, although the
habits cf living are quite different. At day.
light. coffee and tea are taken to the guests
room, and then again At eight o'clock, light
IcITtoutueutos Al 6W0SVe " CNsCAS UtC6AtWOt
is served. and at seven, dinner. Coffee and
tea ars always ready. day and night. No
business is done in the street in the middle Of
the day. on account Of the heat. The nights
aud mornings are cool and delightful; birds
ara singing all night. The thermometer
stands at about eighty-two degrees through
out the year. The island Of Java contains =
population Of ten thousand. The island
abouuds in tigers. leopards. anacondas, and
poisonous insects Of al kinds. The finest
fruits in the world are produced in great pro-
fusion" ....',. h.. '.,,'.t.
ANOTHER CONFEDERATE GRowL.-Oxe-
ragevxs This morning the butchers Of this
city put up the price Of beet to three dollars
. pound When viii their avaricious dis
positions be satis6edl How can the people
stand to be thus ground down D.? There is
no necessity or reason for the advance. and
some steps should he- taken to lower the fig
ures. II can bs done. and should Be at
| once Aflnnfn Asnenl. l.ILl-l Mln-.l.M-- rs !