Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-10
Letter from Costa Rica.

Cox, Sampson and myself started to lind where
our new camp was fixed. On our way We saw
the most magnificent scenery our eyes ever be-
held We assembled to where the road runs
around the mountain, and there We came to the
falls of Paraiso-the graudest sight you can
imagine. The stream is rather small one,
but falls 400 feet, and as we held our breaths
and chung to each other while We looked over
the awful precipice, we could see the spray,
thrown for. fifty feet all around, and beautiful
rainbow down near the bottom. L threw stones
down, and it was so far to the bottom that we
could hear no sound when they struck-if they
ever did strike at all! We travelled on and
got lost Here we were. three Of US, 10 the
dreadful valley Of the Ujarras, where the story
is that no man can sleep one night without being
made sick and where the government will not al
low any one to lve) wandering from one place to
another. not knowing what to do, or where to
20. At five O'Clock 1--WE had been lost since |
o clock) we sat down and held council, and
then, in about five minutes, our poems, (natlVesl
arrived. who had been looking for US in every
direction. Twas never before so glad. They
had gone where they had been ordered to pitch
the tent, but as we did not come IN reasonable
time. they had started to look for US, and
found US | don't know whether we were the
cladcst or they the madest, when they found
us. We then walked two miles to get out OF
the valley, and staid all night in an old sugar
mill. or the days and nights ever spent, this
,.rccc,lrd! But as it is all over now, | am not
sorry the adventure happencd;as 1t will be some
thing to talk OF for a long time. As they are
making sugar at the sugar house, L have been
enjoying myself, standing near the boiler, eat
ing sugar just cool enough to hold IN my
mouth. ii.
The l.. S. CIRCUIT Court FOR TIE EAST
ERN DISTRICT OF NIRGlNIA.-This court was
opened on Tuesday morning at 10 clock by
judge John g. Underwood, Judge Bond sub
seuucnty taking the bench and presiding.
Judgments were entered in the following
| causes:
United State. VS.. Richmond Frcdcrick>bu
and Potomac Rairoad Company. Nerdct tor
50 600
United Statcs vs.. Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad Company. Verdict Tor
SIG 4>9 -
United States vs.. Scubnard and Roanoke
Railroad Company. Verdict Tor so l94 50
and costs.
United States. vs.. Sraboard and Roanoke
Railroad Company. Verdict for $1,000 and
costs
Tie verdicts agan>t the railroads are for
taxes.
The appeal in regard to the homestead eX
enrtion, which was set for hearing here on
Tuesday last. and which was not heard on ac-
count of the absence of counsel. WIS argued By
consent. before Judge Bond. as Judge Of the
Circuit Court Of the United States for the
Western district Of Virginia, Judge Hivcs, of
the Western district, decided that the exemp-
ton as to the old debts contracted prior to the
passage Of the act Of tic Legislature was uncon
>titutional null aud void. the more especially
since the Supreme Court Of Appeals Of Nlr-
ginia had so decided it to be; and the fact
that Congress had adopted it as part of the
bankrupt law of the county made no dlitrr-
ence. &c. Nle<srS Charles f. Dabney, Of
PittSylvana Thomas S Flnurnry, Of Halifax,
aud r, f. Bou!din. Of Danve, made able
arguments against this decision, holding that
the exemption was part Of the bankrupt law,
and that the act of the Virginia Legislature
was referred to simply to define and measure
the additional exemption intended to be grant
ed in Virginia, hat Congress had the right
to interfere with the obligation Of contracts in
bankrupt law, and that in the construction OF
bankrupt law passed by Congress it is unue-
ceSsary to look to any other instrument for
limit of its power, Judge Ould followed, but
he limited his argument as far as we could
comprehend him, to maintaining that the ex-
cmptiOn was good as against prior debts, un-
less there was judgment obtained, an assign
ment made, &c.-Richmoud Wing.
AN INGENIOUS ROBBERY. -The following
story, which is going the round of the French
papers, ought to serve as useful lesson to
practical jokers Two diners who were unknown
to each other were sitting at the same table in
a restaurant in the Place de Chateau Eau.
One of them, joking with the mistress of the
establishment, said, Il must have some fresh
lobster, otherwise shall kill you" His neigh.
Dor, young man of about % years of age, then
drew from his pocket small revolver which
he handed to him, saying In fun, Here Is
something which will enable you to accomplish
your crime" The revolver was examined and
returned to its owner, who had scarcely time to
remark that it was loaded, when, owing to
some defect in its construction, enc of its cham
bers exploded, fortunately without injuring any
one A crowd, however, collected outside the
restaurant as though some tragedy had just oc-
cured the agents of the police came up, and
the unfortunate delinquent was carried off to
the commissary Of police to give some explana-
ton Of the affair. In the meantime an indi-
vldual present, who had up to this moment
kept in the background but had perfect
knowledge of the hero OF the adventure, ran to
the lodging Of the latter, declared to the land
lord that murder had been committed by his
tenant and that he himself was agent of the
police come to make thorough search of his
rooms The doors were accordingly thrown
open to him without hesitation, and after he
had completed his Investigations he retired with
an air Of much dignity. A short time after
wards the owner of the revolver, who had been
set at liberty by the commissary of police, re-
turned home, and to his astonishment and dis
gust found every drawer and cupboard open
and empty and all his money gone. The So
called agent of police had managed to get clear
off with money and goods to the extent of
about 5000 francs in value.
A SAGAcIoUs HoRsE.-The following inter
esting anccdole is told in a recent volume of
travels. A German cavalry soldier and his
horse were captured in the fight at lie Bourget
and taken off with other prisoners. s"Three