Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-08-26

ANECDoTE OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON
Hamilton was ouce applied to for professional
assistance by a man of New York city, who
held the guardianship of several orphan child
ren. These children, then very young, would,
on coming of age, if they had their rights, sue
ceed to the possession Of large and valuable
estate Ia the title deeds of this estate the
guardian had discovered material defects, and
he thought he saw way, with the assistance
of au able lawyer, by which he could secure
the title of the whole property to himself. He
opened to Hamilton the whole business, exhib-
iting copies of the title deeds, and explaining
how be would like to proceed, and he prom.
ised to the great jurist large reward it he
would undertake the business Hamilton said
he must give to matter so important due
thought before he decided, and set time for
his client to call again.
The guardian called according to appoint
ment. Hamilton had put in writing faithful
minutes of their former conversation, which,
upon his second visit. he read aloud.
Il think" said Hamilton, when be had
fpished reading, that that is a true statement
of your plans?"
Yes, sir" answered the client. That is
correct; aud now, if [ may ask, what have you
decided?"
Il will tell you, sir" replied Hamilton,
sternly, You are now completely IN my power.
and | consider myself as the future guardian of
those unfortunate orphans. l have decided
that you will settle with them honorably, to
the very last penny, or will hunt you from
the surface of the earth! "
1t may be unnecessary to add that the false
hearted guardian did not pursue his netarious
scheme any further.
HAND SHAKING. How did people get in
the habit OF shaking hands ? The answer is
not far to seek 10 early and barbarous times,
when every savage or scmi savage was bis own
law-giver, Judge, soldier and policeman, and
had to watch over his own safety, in default Of
all other protection, two friends and acquaiu-
tances, or two strangers desiring to be friends
and acquaintance, when they chanced to meet,
offered each to the other the right hand, the
hand alike of ofeDse and detense-the hand
that wlelds the sword, the dagger, the club,
the tomahawk, or other weapon OF war. Each
did this to show that the hand was empty, aud
neither war nor treachery was intended. A man
cannot we'll stab another while be is in the act
OF shaking hands with him, unlcss he is a
double dyed traitor and villain, and strives to
aim cowardy blow with the left while giving
the right hand and pretending to be on good
terms with his victim.
The custom Of hand-shaking prevails more
or less among all civilized nations, and Is the
tacit avowa Of friendship aud good will, Just as
kiss is of warmer passion. Ladies, az every
one must have remarked, seldom or never
shake hands with the cordiality of gentlemen,
unless it be with each other The reason is
obvious. 1t is for them to receive homage, not
to give it. They cannot be expected to show
of oth
ing which might be misinterpreted, unless
such persons are very closely related to them by
family or affection, IN which case hand-shakiDg
is not needed, aod the lips do more agreeable
duty.
eLOCUsTS IN ALGERIA --Au Algerian paper,
says the London Echo gives an Interesting ac'
count of struggle between the farmers OF the
colony aud one Of the most tremendous swarms
Of locuSts that have ever descended upon the
plains OF Algeria. As soon as the distant cloud
Of invaders was perceived, every effort was
made by the terrified agriculturists to prevent
the descent of the hungry myrlads upon their
pastures, while, on the other hand, the locusts
were equally determined to alight and take re-
iieshments. Ip order to keep the insect host
in the higher strata of the atmosphere, where
change Of wind might at any moment carry
them away, the farmers lit fires with damp
weeds, and by collecting all their kitchen uteu-
siIs, ringing all the bells, aud shouting at the
top OF their voices, they produced such con-
cert OF hideous sounds that, for time, the
locusts preferred famine to the din, aud re.
malued in the air; but at length hunger aud
fatigue overpowered them, and they decided
on Drawing the worst and falling to the ground,
when the green fields and trees suddenly turned
yellow under the multitudes which Instantly
tho, fha
heard one continuous and potentious sound
that Of myrlads of Invisible jaws engaged 10
mastication-and next morniug the battle re-
commenced, but the latest advices are OF a dis
couragiDg nature, as they report that the To-
Gusts are engaged, not ouly III eatog, but In
laying eggs.
Mr.. ARTHUR HAsELDEN, the English gen
tlcman whose kidnapping by Spanish brlgands
was noticed short time ago, has got out OF. the
hands of his captors without suffering any
bodily harm. To procure his liberation, MIR.
llaSeldeu's friends were obliged to count down
to the robbers the round sum of $4,000. The
account which the rescued captive gives OF his
Sojourn in the Businesses of the Sierra Morena
is highly interesting. The brigauds Informed
him that If his ransom was not forthcoming
they would shoot him, but in other respects he
was treated WIN kluuueSS auu coueiuel a.'oo'
being regularly and amply supplied with food,
wine and tobacco. In the missive dispatched
to Mr. Haselden's friends minute aud some
What peculiar directions were given with refer
euce to the sending of the money. 1t was to
Oecarried by a messenger dressed in black,
With white hat aud red handkerchief in his
hand, mounted on white mule and uuarmed.
hen the ransom arrived by an envoy strictly
SGmpyipg with these conditions of appearance,
Hr taSeldeo was immediately liberated. The
snet OF the bandits gave him s6 for expenses
va tue road, remarkine that it would not be
sasni to send him away without the means OF
reaching home.
10. | would not be woman, for then | could
NJ love her, says Montague. Lady M. w.
isou'asue says, The only objection bave to
oe man is that should then have to marry
awouau."