The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-02-28

ARTEs1AN WE1L.-We have long considered this
institution perfect bore, and it appears that it
will sustain this reputation, for Major WELDON,
the indefatigable architect Of this well, is
again at work, and huge Bcafold rising in the air
gives promise Of making it a longer, deeper
and better bore than ever before. The project Of
supplying the city with water from this well is still
q tayorite theme among some Of the officials, and
the experiments are to be continued until the An
tipodss or some other place is reached. By some
accident part Of the machinery was broken in
the shaft, and it will have to be removed before fu-
ture operations commenced !; but such acci-
dents are trihes to person like the contractor,
and it will not be long ere all obstacles are re-
moved and the bore be again free. Whether the
results anticipated will ever be obtained, the future
alone can prove but as success is mainly depen-
dent upon the amount Of exertion used, Major
WELDoN's efforts are certain to receive that en-
couragoment that belongs to well applied industry.
At present the Artesian Well is but sinking fund,
and the only advantages gained are 9 watering
trough and bath rooms. Whatever else will come
is in tho dim vista Of obscurity, and will be made
manifest only by Time and Major WELDON.
SHARPERs.-Cur city has been infested lately by
xgang of harpies, who prey upon the unwary and
relieve them Of their surplus greenbacks, upon the
principle Of fool &c. These characters generally
prowl around the wagon yards and boat landings
and entrap the ignorant country negroes, who,
pleased with the attention shown them by such
distinguished darlies, are easily persuaded to bet
on differ rent games and to lose with equal facility
It is novel feature IN this city to find the light
fingered gentry Of SO dark a hue, but their opera
tions among those of their own race and color
often meet with distinguished success. Fortu-
nately for tho country negroes, thsy have friends
IN the white man. and the thimble-rggers are often
defauded Of their prey by the fell swoop Of de-
tectye officer little byplay Of this description
occurred yesterday; Massachusetts, mig was dis
cor -sipg cloquently to crowd Of open-mouthed
1vonder - srs darkies from souf Carlina on the sd
vontaoes r. 70 gained by betting on the contents
- a +bi-oh1e hey did bet and to their astonish-
aoan+ 1o.t ~ 81 lid the operator, for he was
aa;zod 10 too 1nv,1nin rus Of tho law, who soon
s,,o,1ea him oan,a worth 70 Of his, for he was
escorted to the Guard House triumph. The
Pilgrim Fathers are great institution ana the re-
suit OF their miscegenation is another rroof that
great minds act alike, for even Dr. BUTLER hSs n's
imtators among his colored constituents
PLANTING AND THE PLANTER--The number o.
planters who have been visiting this city lately,
with the intention Of raising the means necessary
to plant crop during tho coming year, have
greatly diminished It 10 but fair to presume that
their wants have been satisfied, and on their re-
turn to their homes they viii induce sambo and
Cufee, by the most potent arguments, to under
take the tilling of the ground-at least for sea-
son. The money has certainly been forthcoming
in many cases, and the good results are evident
from the orders received by tho factors for the di
ferent supplies needed on the plantation.
An increased activity has been observed among
the merchants on the Bay for the last few days
and the shipments n1sde are daily increasing i,
size These consist mostly OF guanos, corn, salt
agricultural Implements, &C., and the steamers Tia
ply upon tho different rivers are reaping colder
haxYests from the heavy heights thas they carry