Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-05-13
ALEYA. GAZETTE ( VIRGINIA ADVERTISER

TIE WATER FAMINE. I'VE c already know
by experience, that the rains of theseaso have
fallen short Of their usual abundance this
spriug 10 the United States although the con-
densa;on of this past week has been considera-
bIe The returns from England, crefuy col
lated by Mr.. Giaisher, give general average
of only twenty-five inches for the past year,
while the proper mean rainfall of England is
thirty inches The deficiency Of eight inches
of the usual fall may be roughly estimated at
over million gallons of water for every square
mile of British territory, and should be care
fully noted. In the tropics where the atmos-
pheric machinery takes up the greatest amount
of moisture from the sea for terrestrial distri-
button, we find similar results. From the re-
turns of the Windward West Indies the official
figures for last December show deficiency
greater than has been known in the twenty
four years Proceedings and the average of the
year 1871 was twenty-eight per cent, or more
than one-fourth below that of the preceding
twenty-four years. For the month OF January,
1872, the returas are still more discouraging,
the average falling short of that for the same
month of the twenty five preceding years by
thirty-fve per cent, or more than one-thrid.
Taking these facts in connection with the
widespread and terrible ravages of the great
Northwestern fires and forest couhagrations,
which dcnuded SO many districts Of country
last fall, and remembering the climatic dete
rioration usually observed to follow the clear
in of the soil and telling of trees, we see good
reason for calling the attention OF the whole
country to the most frugal outstanding OF the
precious water supply distilled from the clouds
Nuc York Herald.
A SPECIAL CALI.-Eder John Smith, of
Kentucky, known as ''Raccoon Smith through
out the West, was one of those eccentric par
sons whose sayings and doings are sure to be
handed down as honored traditions for many
generations. Here is specimen of his rough
wit. A tall, awkward fellow, named Weeks,
had been annoying the Baptist Association
with constant opportunities for license to
preach, and at last he was handed over to Smith
to make an end of the case. Weeks felt he
had special call to the ministry. Smith be-
gan by e'iciting from him an expression OF be-
lief in every part of the Bible, and then said:
''Well, if [ can prove by the Bible that you
are not called to preach will you be satisfied
to drop the matter and not further lmportune
the Association for license?'
Brother Weeks assented to this, and 'Raccoon
Smith deliberately opened the New Testa-
ment at Romans K: l5, and in grave tone
read: "How beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel OF peace, etc., then
glancing at Weeks monstrous feet remarked:
You see, Brother Weeks, that the Bible
declares that the feet of the true preacher are
beautiful" you sir, have the most monstrous
ugly feet of any man in the whole OF Kentucky;
therefore, by this Bible, it is clear that you
have not been specially called. do you not see
the polnt?'
WATCH DoGs-Watch dogs are excellent
creatures to turn loose IN a store to keep burg
lars away, but you should know your dog and
your dog should know you. Otherwise there
may be misunderstanding A man IN Darby;
Pa, short time ago bought resolute, bull
dog and shut him in his store and went home
ito sleep and happy dreams" feeling secure
that no thieves would break through and steal
in that establishment. Next morning he un-
dertook to enter his own store and was caught
by the leg by the vgilant watch dog. After
struggle he escaped from the store and was
forced to suspend business tor week, which
period he spent in firing with shot gun
through the windows, down the chimney and
ND through the floor, in the hope OF exterml-
mating the vigilaut brute. Finally, he had to
nav the former owner of the brute liberal
price to come and take him away, in order
that he might proceed with his business, and
then he found that his own hombardment OF
the premises had riddled the molasses barrels,
oil casks, etc, and smashed the crockery ln
most xpensive manner That man don be-
lieve in watch dogs any more.
BASE BALL CLUBS The Cleveland Leader,
waxing pensve over the reported sale of the
effects of the celebrated Red Stocking Base
Ball Club, writes: :-''The memory OF the Red
Stockings will ever be like the grass on their
ball ground, fresh and green, and little children
will often point to the picture OF their paterna
ancestor, whose broken nose or missing eyeball
varies the monotouy OF the Photographic al
bum, and say, in subdued whispers, "A hot
ball did that, or He caught sky scraper IN
the eye and widows whose husbands fell at
the ball field front, or keeled over, struck by a
deadly club while on deck, will drop tear as
they draw their government pension that the
amount is not larger, and that they have not
several able bodied sons that can handle ball
club
AGHosr IN A Coal MINE-A vcritable
rhost has taken up his residence in shaft OF a
Pennsylvania coal mine. That he is rather
formidable inhabitant appears from the an.
neyed description: THE ghost is represented
as being about six feet high, of white thin,
yapory substance, and moves about through
the chambers, appearing to tlrst one gang VI
men and then to another. Pistols have been
fired at him and, although many shots nave
passed through him, yet he seems lnvuineraole
to pistol balls. He has frightened the mules
driven men from their chambers, threatened
individual persons, and produced general
CONSERVATION among the workmen All at,
tempts to catch him have proved aoofti'e anu
he is getting to be decided nuisance
CLEANLINEss.-A neat, clean, tresh,alred'
sweet, cheerful wel.arrranged house exertS
moral influence over its inmates, and makes
the members of family peaceable and couS1de, T1 .
ate Of ca.h others feelings and happiness. The
co1nec.ion is obvious between the state ofm'nd nc
thus produced and respect for others, and Tor aa
those higher duties and Obligations WHICH &c, M, no
law can enforce On the contrary, hlthy, ny
squalid, noxioas dwelling, iu which none OF the
decencies of life are observed, contributes 10
make its inhabitants selfish, sensual ana re- re-
gardless of the feelings of others; and the con