Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-05-15

How Man MAY FALL The Richmond pa
pers give an account Of the mournful scene
at the Virginia peniteniiary when w. d.
Coleman, late State official, convicted OF
appropriating public funds, WAS removed
there The prisoner for the first time lost his
foriitude, and even The officials Of the institu-
ton, "albeit unused to the melting mood, Z
shed tears. Coleman had occupied high
social position but incorporate habits, il is
said, had prepared the way for his downfall
into the actual crime. 1t is noteworthy fact
in connection with the melancholy affair." that
Virginia, which has been often Reproduced for
the aristocratic ideas said to be prevalent
there, rarely fails TO punish dishonesty with
ouI regard TO the social position OF the offend
err II fact which cannot be averred Of some
communities protesting 10 he more democrats
ic. Some wears ago the foremost aristocalp
of Didwiddie county, Virginia Captain Eppes,
was hung for II murder committed to avoid the
payment of debt, with rs little ceremony as
the blacklist criminal of deepest dye under the
same circumstances would have been. If Con-
gressonal, State and municipal rogues else
where were dealt with as promptly and stern
~ as Coleman has been in Virginia the public
purse every where would be safer Than il is at
present. Another obvious reflection suggested
by this sad event is that yielding to any vice,
even though it be not recognized by tile laws
Il crime, may ultimately lead TO what the
laws do recognize rs criminal and punish ac-
cordingly. There are many young men who
indulge themselves in various Immoral ways.
but who would Indignantly spurn the idea
that they could ever be dishonest, or commit
murder, or in any way render themselves
amenable to the laws of the country, the laws
Of God being in their estimation matter Of
comparative indifference. And yet, rs all ex-
perence testifes, where one evil passion or
babi n tinn car4- of II x,ilt in
the end, if necessary 10 its grati6cation, make
him sacrifice virtues in which he considered
himself strongest, and commit acts to which,
apart from the influence of The master passion
he never felt the slightest inclination Intern
perance and the card table have had as much
to do with The ruin and disgrace Of men as any
other evil appetites and passions. II may very
well be that W. D. Coleman was originally az
honest aud honorable as any other man. and
as llttle imagined as any one else 10 what those
habits would lead him. But the vices run in
to the crimes as naturally as the rivers into
the sea and "let him that thinketh be standelh
take heed lest he fall ."-Baltimore Sun
SCARE CHows.-A correspondent Of the
Country Gentleman sends that paper the fol-
lowing plan for keeping crows away from
the corn field:
Bfil the crows in some portion Of the field,
ana wien lhey become little familiar, embrace
some opportunity when they are not watching,
for they are watchful and cunning, aud set
steel tran. concealed from open view in the
vicinity Of the bait, and you will he pretty
sure TO take one in it, if you are as cunning as
Mr.. Crow is. Now, Mr. Crow will probably
announce his misfortnnes by loud cries and
struggles, and, as his kind are somewhat Gu
rions under such circumstances, they will con-
gregate in numbers, sailing about at safe dis
tances, TO see what the matter can be- but
don you be too anxious; keep out of sight.
out Of the vicinity Of .he field, take no pariicu-
lar notice OF the commoiion till the crows have
disappeared; then 60 to the spot, despatch
the crow, spread out his wings and fasien them
and the body in position, and thus leave him;
and all his kind will be pretty sure to give
that field the go-by. This is one Of the most
eHectual "scare crows for keeping of the birds
that know or !"