Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-06-26

AlEXA. GAZETTE 6 VIRGINIA ADVERTISER,
(FoR THE COUNTRY
Published regularly on TUESDAYS, THURS
DAYS and SATURDAYS, at SIX DOLLARS
FER ANSUM, payable in advance
ADVERTISEMENTS inserted at the usual rates,
viz: One square (eight lines) one time, Sl0O.
For each subsequent insertion twenty-five cts.
additional will be charged
Special contracts will be made with yearly ad-
vertsers.
Marriage and Death Notices, when not exceed
ing eight lines, fifty cents.
BURDENED WITH COOP FORTUNE. the
pleasant village Of Penkridge, near Stafford.
retired baker-Rogers by name-has for some
few years past lived on small competency
Mr. Rogers is widower, but without family,
aud during his years of welded life he was the
kindest Of husbands. Soon after the death of
acquaintance of a lady possessed of fabulous
wealth, but of misery disposition, residing in
Cumberland. Four years ago this lady, taking
advantage of leap-year intimated to MIR. Rog-
erS, in terms not to be mistaken, her willing
ness to bestow upon him her hand, heart, and
heritage.
Mr. Rogers politely but firmly declined the
proposal, and heard nothing mo.e OF his amor
Gus admirer until about six months ago, when
4 letter written by her hand, summoned him
to the side of what she feared, and what subse-
.uently proved to be her deatb-bed Even to
this appeal Mr.. Rogers was obdurate, content
ing himself by writing stiff, formal note of
coincidence A week or two afterward the old
lady died, bequeathing to Mr.. Rogers for
tune variously estimated at 1000 to $4,000
per annum The lady was not connected by
relationship with Mr.. Rogers, and the latter
had, If anything, an aversion to her. Her at
fection seems, however to have been sincere,
for, although she had nephews and nieces who
diligently courted her favor, Mr.. Rogers comes
in for the bulk Of her property, and the will Is
witnessed by lawyer and two medical gentle
men of eminence, precaution taken, no doubt
lest interested persons should contest the
validity of the document by raising the plea OF
insanity. Mr.. Rogers is a gentleman of unas
suming and almost retiring manners and 1t Is
said that he is considerably perplexed, and
even troubled, by the news of his good fortune.
A large estate in Cumberland, a mansion 10
Belgravia, picture galleries, horses, broughams,
and a suite of servants, must be great change,
all the greater because OF its suddenness, to
one who has hitherto lived an obscure life OF
happy conteutment in little cottage on the
banks OF the Penk. .-Buma,gham (E"glnnd)
NarS
Ton SCoTTs RAILRoAD.-[ From Col j. W.
Forney's letter in the Philadel phia Press. l.
The Pennsylvania system of roads commences
at Philadelphia with line from New York in
tersecting at Philadelphia, and a line from Balti-
more and Washington intersecting at Harris
burg, thence divergng to Erie forming connec-
tions at Erie with the system Of lakes and lake
shore roads, and all the various connections
throughout the entire Northwest. The main
line of the Pennsylvania railroad extends to
Pittsburg and connects at that point with all
the roads now under the control of the Pennsyl-
vapia company, a corporation which the Penn
sylvauia Railroad Company controls by the own
ership of it's stock. This last company is now
under the control Of Col Thomas A. Scott, as
PRESIDENT who still retains his position as vice
president OF the present company at Phlladel-
phia. The Pennsylvania company. now controls
all the lines west of Pittsburg in the Pennsyl-
vana system.
1t owns the road to Cincinnati via Columbus,
then a line from columbus to Louisville, con-
trolls a line from St. Louis, and another from
Columbus via Logansport to Chicago; Also the
Pittsburg. Fort Wayne and Chicago, direct to
Chicago, the Cleveland and Pittsburg road, from
Cleveland to Pittsburg, and the Erie and Pitts
burg road, to Erie. These various lines with their
branches to Washington, Pennsylvania, the
Muskipgum Valley road and their branches
from the several main lines, now aggregate over
thirty-two hundred miles of road, all Connected
and all equipped These, when added to the
line controlled by the Pennsylvania: Railroad
Company east Of Pittsburg, embracing l,384
miles, makes grand aggregate of about 800
miles, all connected. equipped Fand managed
under one interest. the Pennsylvania .raiirsad,
of which John Edgar Thomson is president,
and were built from the time he took charge
as chief engineer in '1S47, embracing little
over quarter of a century 10 the service OF the
i l,ShS - .
combination of roads, that has never before
been achieved by any man in railroad lite. Dur
ing all that period he has paid his stock hold
ers an average Of over ten per cent per annum.
THE DEAD SEA.@We descend the steep
hills to the wild, sandy plain that stretches to
the Dead Sea- and are soon cantering across
the burning sand Suddenly our guard mo-
tions us to stop. They profess to see robbers
lurking behind some bushes pear the shore,
though we can see nothing, and believe It only
ruse on their part to get from us some back
shish. While they 60 forward to reconnoitre,
we move on slowly. Learning that the coast
IS clear we gallon on. and at last dismount. by
the shores of a lake whose waters look as clear
and ripple as beautifully as, do. the waters OF
anv other lake we have 'yetseen, all testimony to
the contrary Notwithstanding. Il
Guide books speak in extravagent terms OF
death everywhere: abeunding 10 the waters ano
along the shore. Not flower, not green
willow or shrub anywhere to be seen its waters
rarely ruffled by the breeze. All is silence and
gloom and DEATH The Dead Sea- as seen BY
us. bore quite a different aspect For miles
along shore we rode through thlcket OF shrub,
berry and willows, as green as we have found
anywhere, and among the prettlest howers We
carry with us are some we packed on the
shores of the Dead Sea. That the waters are
heavy and bitter is true for we tested them in
bathing but that they are rarely rufaed we
cannot believe, as at the time of our visit there
was but little breeze, yet their waves splashed
on the pebbly beach. and in the distance their
white crests looked like so many white swans,
boston Traveller. g. e (.