Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-11-11
A QUARTER OF. a. CENTURY. 1N-DARKAEss.

A QUARTER. .oE.A a CENTURY. .4N--DARKNEss
-IFrom the Boston Transcript, November 2.
About twenty-6 five years ago, Mr.. Daniel A.
Drown, OF Portsmouth, n. H., graduated with
honor at Dartmouth College, and was about
to enter on the duties Of professorship ten
dered him, when severe inflammation attack
ed his eyes which has lasted to this day, and
blasted bis youthful hopes Of a happy and use
full life. For long while he and his family
battled with the disease, and the moderate COM
petence of his father was expended in vain ef-
forts to restore this his only son, fo health and
the world. But after several years. spent in
sea-voyages, and consulting the most emine t
oculists In this and other landst--and VII n
hope long deferred had made all their hearts
sick-the poor sufferer sought what relief heI
could find in darkened room, and there he
has remained for more than twenty years; once
IN d while venturing to stroll out for few jmo-
ments in the moonlight, and still rarer to look
at nature in the sunlight, and in either case
paying fearful penalty of increased anguish
for the indulgence, as the most exquisite pain
pierces his eyes on the least exposure to the
light. So sensitive are these organs, indeed
that not only is he forced to keep his room
darkened to degree that can almost be,telt
bv his visitors, but he must also wear thick
bandages over his eyes all the while, ana IS
constantly wetting, these. w hen 1Ist taKen
MIR. Drown was q powerful and :athleflc man.
but this enforced sedentary mode T. OF hte has
worn upon him sadly and he 's--noas~1ns,a
wreck Of his former self. But through ak be
has maintained an astonishing degree OF ChrsS-
tian resignation, eduauitaity and 'cheerfulness
such MS Should put to the blush many Of DIS
who complain much more loudly bf trlfesy IN
comparison with his trials, He possesses much
literary and poetic talent, and by writing in the
dark through wires, or by closely rs6aaeo
Inmn has written considerable. for the Ports.
mouth Press since his immural and several,
wears ago published. in this city, oa,yo'une ef
Doems. with an introduction by his felloW-to
man; B. p. Shillaber Mn Drown, sfuce the
death of his father, has boarded in the sub
urbs of Portsmouth, and is now living near
Rye Beach, .--...:l ----I ..5 "i.s ao.4 !
OvEnanowN Hoes. There is not one SID
gle advantage to be claimed in favor Of blg
hogs. There never was q monster hog Whlsni
did NOT make the man raised him payn for.
cvery pound he weighed. They do not 'furp;i
ish an ounce of meat gratis, but charge En- {fYll
price for every atom Of their carcass When
slaughter ed t takes long time TO- get one cool
to the marrow in the bone, and then whenthe!
hams are put in salt it is troublesome, 70 nnish
them to the centre" -Four hundred, live
weight is as large as hogs should be in
order, to make good bacon. Beyond this
size there is a loss somewhere =, Hthgr p e
the the feeder, butcher or consumer IS ceheatF'
and as general thing every one who has any
thing to do with the big hog will lind, II ne, 90
serves closely, that they are not 50! profitable as
the smooth nice hog of only $50 pounds weight;
A small head, with little, uprig ght Gears, and
legs and ears delicate TO perfection, are marks
which Indicate the greatest amount oisI i9u IT,
consumed; and it will always draw more readhy @i
ths attention ofe7ry butcher Hartford fsffes IS
"A SNAKE SroRY.-T Red Wing Mlnoe-
sota) Republican says GA picnic; party vas
lately assembled on the banks OF the Aumoro
river river in Hyde Park, Wabash county, When en- a a
large rattleSnake vas dispeyeredIaesf ny Uae
Of She partS picked up bis Violin, saying tha'
he had heard tAst music would charm q snake, 9 {,
and began plagi0g when, to the astonshmends n;Ia NJ
Of all. another came outofthe rocks ana collea
up Iii listening to the music. This was 'p@eaI-
ateIy followed by another until P9e ;paa kp-
reared. near Nome 81 whom were in'the least stl als,
turhed by the people presents but SiaaS'ly
assumed the, attitude of contentea aaatai M su,sia |
i1tN At the conclusion Of the concert the rat'fe-
suakes we're killed.