The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-03
Var'ietieS.

coal mine near Peoria, IllinOis-the most pro-
fitable coal mine, if not the most profitable
distillery in the United States A day OF two
since still was discovered in dense Jungle
in Woodford county, in that State.
"A loDg-bearded miller at Logan, Ohio
the other day, carelessly suffered his flowing
honors to get caught in a revolving shaft.
Bracing himself promptly his beard went by
the roots. He will hereafter have but little
more trouble in shaving than before.
The Prussian journals publish strong ap-
peals to the public charity on behalf of the la
boring population of the Eastern provinces of
that kingdom, who are not only already suffer-
ing dreadfully from want, but threatened with
absolute famine from the scarcity of the late
harvest. Already the hospitals are crowded,
and typhus has made its appearance. The
Queen of Prussia recently invited nearly ser-
enty ladies, chiefly the wives and daughters of
commercial men, to consult with her respect
ing the most proper means of aiding the ne
cessitous people. The holding of an immense
bazaar in the royal palace was determined on,
all the ladies engaging to assist.
1t is said that during the siege of Vicks-
burg two balls, one MIME and the other
from a Belgian rifle, fred from opposite points
met in mid-air and were almost completely
welded together.
Judge Chapman, OF the Criminal Court,
Indianapolis, has sentenced Lewis Washing
ton, colored preacher, to ten years in the
Penitentiary, and to pay fine of $1,000, for
marrying white woman to a colored man.
Isn't this a case for suit under the Civil Rights
act?
The large slate quarries of Grand Car
reaux, France, have been entirely buried by
an earth-shp and three lives lost The works
on the previous evening were observed to be
in a dangerous state, and all the laborers were
Withdrawn. Eigare-rr -4,vvrrs Istvr-ti,e over
seer, named Choinet, and two men were en-
gagged in fixing barriers to prevent any one
from approaching the entry, when the earth
sunk in beneath them for an extent of two
acres, and to q depth of two hundred feet, and
buried them in the ruins.
"A few days ago a chicken flew into q grain
bin in the elevator at Lacon, ILL.,, was carried
down with the grain, and then carried up the
elevator, emerging at the top alive and well.
Charles Mathews is said to be the author
of the following jea de$prit:
The next resource will certainly be asses;
And Heaven only knows wheie that win end!
Some peop.e won't have lett single friend.
Mary Ann Fibbs, only sixteen, is charged
in New York with attempting, out of revenge
for whipping, to poison two little children.
There is every reason to suppose that the
great Suez canal for the passage of vessels Of
the largest size, between the Mediterranean
nd fha Ra1 xu;l ho Io4o
at the specified time. This great work will
revolutionize commerce and reduce the dis
tanec between Europe and the East more than
one-half, with corresponding diminution Of
expenses. 1t will also considerably reduce the
distance between New York and the East al
though its Importance to America win ba
somewhat diminished by the completion of tha
| Pacific Railroad.
The Commonwealth, published at Lincoln
Nebraska, says: "A short time since we saw II
man driving a team over the town site loaded
with lumber and household furniture. He had
a plan of the city in his hand, and every little
while he would stop and examine the stakes,
| After q long search he succeeded in finding
his lot. He Immediately proceeded to unload
his wagon, and in five hours from that time ha
had house up and was living in it"
White gunpowder which is entirely cons
sumed and leaves no residuum in the gun is
the latest improvement in France.
1T is related that near Dantzig young
man of twenty -four, who has just married q
widow of forty-tvo, has discovered since tho
marriage that his wife was his wet nurse. A
French paper comments: 'Thus it is! One
always returns to his first love-
Alaska is a marvellous place. SO we have
all along believed, but we confess that the fol
lowing tale of its wonders surpasses our anti
cipations. Rasselas' Happy Valley is quite
outdone. A Russian guide, it seems, being
lately asked by traveller about certain
mountain range in Alaska, replied;
They are mighty in size and cause much
cold. Wonderful things are toid OF them. II
Is said that in some places there are deep
nools and lakes in which dwell monsters-ser-
pents as long as a fir tree, which, were they
in the open sea, would commit mighty dam
age One thing is certain-that yOnder, fal
away to the north in the heart of these hills
there is wonderful valley, so narrow that
only at midday is the face of the sun to be
seen. That valley lay undiscovered and un-
| known for thousands of years; no person
d canned of its existence; but at last, long
time ago, two Indian hunters entered it by
chance, and then, what do you think they
found? They found small tribe of unknown
people, speaking in an unknown tongue, who
had lived three since the creation of the world
and without knowi lg that other beings ex
listed.
The Providence Press tells the following
good story, which should convey its own NOR
al: "a member of the General Assembly ironl
rural district who is something oil wagi
approached one of the officers oi the HOUSE
and with very serious looking countenanca
and subdued voice stated that he was, both "a
a Representative and man, in serious difli-
c,ltv The official gravely inquired the cause.
The troubled member replied that he was un-
der the necessity of being absent for three
days. 'Oh, WE'LL replied the official, that il
nothing, it's a common occurrence But,
said the disconsolate one, that amt exactly
what's the matter. Ye see, I've heard thai
member speak every day, and great many
times day, and I've kinder got used to 1t.
It's as natural as hash for breakfast. shall
miss it if go, and, see here, taking the off,
cial by the button-hole-'d'ye think he'll havI
wind enough to hold out till l come back, for
do want to hear him once more