The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-12-06

from the Wlid rice growing on Its mar
gin as thick as wheat in a field. Ducks
love this rice, and when they have par
taken OF sufficient quantity their flesh
becomes of a nature to tempt the palate
of an anchorite. But Rice Lake ducks.
either from experience or an instinct
which may be said to be wisdom intensi-
fled, do not like human company. and
when they see hunter approaching.
generally hasten out of gun-shot range.
Dick, the youth before alluded to, was
particularly fond of ducks, and looked
with contempt upon the futile efforts of
his sire to provide the table with this
dellcacy. He determined to have some
ducks for dinner, if it took all the morn
ing to accomplish the task Proceeding
to the corn field, he selected a large
pumpkin, cut hole in one end, remov-
ed its internal arrangements, carried it
down to the shore, divested himself of
his clothes, placed the pumpkin over his
head, and waded in among the rice. In
short time the fat and tender pioneer
OF a flock of ducks approached, and i'm
aglning the vegetables to be free from
guile, encouraged the others to follow
They were partaking of their matutinal
at the sight of the pioneer suddenly div
lng-not that there is anything astonish-
ing In duck diving this one dived
feet foremost and neglected to come up.
A committee of one was appointed to
investigate, and approaching the pump
KIN, suddenly made a backward dive,
and was gone. This was enough for the
others. They fled in dismay, and hence
forth numbered as among their deadliest
terrors the innocent ingredient of New
England pies.
LIFE IN INDIA.-The usual routine of
European life in India is to rise at "gun-
fire" five o'clock, go out for an airing
IN boat or palanquin for two full hours,
bathe and dress at eight, take breakfast
at nine, lunch at one, and siesta from
two to four, when everybody retires, and,
whether one wishes to sleep or not, he
Is secure from interruption, and has the
full benefit of being en- deshabille for the
two most oppressive hours of the day.
At four the second bath is taken; at five
all go out in full dress in open carriages,
and after rapid drive over some of the
public thoroughfares, the horses are
walked slowly up and down the esplan
ade, where all the fashionable world as
semble at this hour to see and be seen,
and exchange passing courtesies and
comments. At half-past six "the course"
is deserted, and brilliantly-lighted din
ing-rooms are thronged with guests ca
ger to test the quality of the rich and
varied delicacies of which an Oriental
dinner consists. This is the principal
meal of the day, and, often occupying
two or three hours, it is made not mere
ly an epicurean feast, but also an intel
lectual and social banquet. Strong cof-
fee, served in the tiniest of porcelain
cups, follows the guests on their return
to the drawing g-rooms, and music, con-
versatlon, reading and company fill up
the hours till midnight, when the third
bath IS taken Immediately before retir-
ing.-Lippincot'S Magazine.
ANDY JOHNSON AND THE CHoLERA.-A
Tennessee correspondent of the Nashua
Telegraph furnishes that paper with the
following:
At Jonesboro' l observed considerable
excitement among the people, which, sub
sequent!y learned, was caused by cholera
having made its appearance in town. Some
one in the cars enquired, Have you heard
from Andy Johnson?"
| couldn't catch the answer, so l asked,
" What about Andy Johnson?"
The man addressed, rough Tennesseean,
answered promptly, "Andy's better, but he
had it right peert, Though"
" Has he been sick ?"
81 should reckon he has. Hain't you
ho oh al
vllle?"
" No, sir; have they had it theref"
" You don't live in these yere parts, l
reckon?"
mo, sir. I'm just through from Lynch
burg"
=" | reckon they don't pan out much on
cholera up thar, do they?"
They haven't had it up there yet"
at made 'em git powerful lively tn
Greenville. Old Andy'd'a had tu pass in
his chips hadn't he been so dog-goned con-
trary."
Did many die?"
" should reckon thar did Nj onter
hundred gin in their buttons, and them as
didn't bumped"
LEFT town."
You bet"
"ls there any cholera in Greenville now?'
They hain't nobody thar to kotch it."
Do FAIRS BENEFIT FARMERS Yes,
sir Just after the fatigues of labor
ious season we come together, wives,
daughters and all, to spend few days
in Waiting and getting acquainted with
each other, and having an old-fashion-
ed harvest jubilee-that pays; next, to
try to improve the stock in our county,
which we have done-and that pays;
and give our good wives and daughters
a chance to show their skill in fancy
work, or in fixing up things for the cul-
mary department, fit to tempt the pal
ates of lordly men, thereby proving they
are deserving of becoming the worthy
partners of the best men-and that
pays; or to go back home, feeling Jolly
and good-natured, without a cent in
mine pocket, but fully determined to
beat somebody next time-and that
pays. But for very small part of a
man to go and take grade bull and
show him as a full-blooded and get
beat-then you don't get pay or to 20
intending to take all the premiums and
get none, and then go home mad, feel
ing as though your friends were on the
other side-that won't pay; or to 20
to fair believing that you are the cen
tre of attraction. and to find others there
more popular than you are-that won't,
Western Rural. I