Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-05-16

ling Camel gun which was illustrated in that
paper few weeks since, is a plagiarism upon
an idea of John Phoenix who tells this story,
familiar to Army officers
But in a certain Western fort, some time
ago, the major conceived the idea that artillery
might be used effectively III fighting with the
Indians by dispensing with gun-carrlages and
fastening the cannon upon the backs OF mules.
So he explained his views to the commandant,
and it was determined to try the experiment
A howitzer was selected and strapped upon an
ambulance mule. with the muzze turned to-
ward the tail. When they had secured the
gun, and loaded it with ball cartridge they led
that calm and steadfaSt mule on the bluff and
set up target in the middle Of the river to
practice at The rear of the mule was turned
toward the target, and he was backed gently
up to the edge of the bluff The officers stood
around in a semicrce, while the major went
up and inserted time fuse in the touchhole OF
the howiizer. When the fuse was ready
the major lighted it and retired
''In minute or two the hitherto unrutt1:d
mule heard the tzziug back there on his neck,
and it made him uneasy. He reached his head
around to ascertain what was gong on, and as
he did so his body turned, and the howitzcr be-
gan TO sweep around the horizon. The mule
at last became excited, and his curiosity grew
more and more intense, aud in second or two
he was standing with his four legs in a bunch,
making six revolutions minute, and the how
izer, understand, threatening sudden death to
every man within half mile he comman
daut was observed to climb suddenly up tree;
the eutenants were seen sliding over the bluff
into the river, as if they ddut care at all about
the high price of uniforms; the adjuant made
good time toward the fort; the sergeant began
to throw up breast works with his bayonet, and
the Major rolled over the ground and groaned.
Iu two or three minutes there was putt OF
smoke, dull thud, and the mule-oh where
was he a solitary iackass might have been
seen turning successive back summerSets over
the bluff ouly to rest at anchor, finally, with
his howizer, at the bottom of the river while
the ball went off toward the fort, hit the chin
ney in the majors quarters, ratified the adobe
bricks down into the par Tor. and frightened the
major wife into convulSiOns They do not al
lude to it now, and no report of the results of
the experiment was ever sent to the War De-
partment
COFFEE. The New York Bulletin, consider
ing the effect of the repeal of the coffee duty,
adduces some important facts bearing on the
present and future of the market. 1t says:
''The stocks in the United States are now all
concentrated in the six leading ports; the inte-
ror is utterly bare. But, owing to the three
cents duty still clinging to the article, neither
the second hand dealers nor the retailers Will
buy any more than they can help until they
can purchase duty free two months hence.
The wholesale grocers will no doubt enndeavor
to buy iu bond thinking they can afford to lose
Interest, storage, &c, III prospect OF being able
to buy cheaper now than after the hrst OF July.
We are now on the eve of the dull season 10
coffee, and must be prepared to see quiet mar
kets as a normal condition until after mdsum-
mer If however, the wholesale houses take
the hint thrown out by the European mcr-
chants Of an inevitably higher ruling of values
later on, we may even during the present and
next month witness good deal Of animation
in the staple in this market.
EIGHT-HoUR LAw-She Secretary Of War
has sent to the Senate reply to the resolution
asking for statements relative to the operation
of the eight-hour law at the Springfield armory
aud the Rock Island arsenal. The superlnten-
dent of the armory says that he has not suti-
cicut data to fully determine the advantages
aud disadvantages of the system, but that the
saving in coal aud gas op short days is 50, 700
year. The superintendent of the Rock Island
arsenal says that the argument for the eight
hour system was that men would do more work
in eight than iu ten hours, provided they had
more time for rest and opportunities tor moral
and mental improvement. This is not true to
chanics avail themselves of the reduction OF
hours, and improve themselves, other workmen
and the laborers are not benefited, they having
no fixed hours. He arrives at the conclusion
that the effect of the eight hour system is not
so beneficial as many had been led to expect.
A NATURAL BRIDGE IN kENTUCKY.--ln
Carter county, Kentucky, there Is said to be
ereat curiosity called the Natural Bridge,
RI attracted
strange and sublime scenery. 1t spans a
stream called Little Carry, which falls into Lit
tie Sandy river. This bridge is PIG feet IN the
span, lOG feet high, y feet wide, and 5 feet
thick in the middle aud 80 feet at the ends,
h ing arched underneath and level on the top
One hundred feet below it there is cascade
with a fall of IS feet, and two mlles distant
there is another cascade with fall OF 2OO feet.
From the bottom Of the ravlne spruce pine
has grown up to the height of four teet aeove o
the bridge, making its entire height 2o0 leet
The sides Of the ravlne are SO ruggeo ''a.'
were it not for natural Stairway person VI,
the top of the bridge wishing to get ulaef i
would have to walk two miles.
MAY. in New York is the month OF anni-
yersaries. The annual meeting OF the Ameri-
can Tract Society has just taken place tnere,
and the reports presented show the amount OF
work done to have been immense. Inc ln-
come of the association during the past year
has been five hundred and thirty eight thous,
and and h dollars, I most of which has been expended
in the publication department. The american IIs =
Universal Peace Union, presided over Dy
gentleman bearing the very approprlaWtS W uans
Of Love, is also in session. So Is the " onlan
Suffrage Association, and another OF appasrehh., .ho
y more aggressive spirit, calling ltseI rbae .',e
National Womau's Suffrage Association: ihou
We have the American Congregational Oh'on
The American Bible Society, is at tne sa,nS
time, holding its fifty sixth annual mee.lut' an civ