Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-03-29
A True Incident.

A few hours after 1t was known that
Virginia had seeded from the Union a
citizen of Norfolk had collected few val
uables and sailed for the North. lie went
to Hastings, on the Hudson, and establish
ed his family in cottage which he rented
for hundred dollars year. Either from
choice or necessity, their style of living
was modest and they did not seek society,
the latter, perhaps. because they were not
welcomed by their neightors. We all
know what was the state of the public
mind in the Spring and summerof 1861
and with what suspicion Southern refugees
were regarded. They migat have lost
everything by devotion to the Union. or
they might be spies and incendiaries. Who
could tell? That q man was from the
South insured him the strictest scrutiny
and deepest dlstrust. Little was known of
this particular family; but this may have
served to sharpen the eyes of the watcher.
Two facts were speedily ascertained; enc,
that the head of the household was fire.
quently absent from Hastings; the other,
that, when at home, his favOrite pastime
was walking upon the Croton Aqueduct.
Both were seized upon as of evil omen.
TO be sure, it may be difficult for us to
see why, a. nothing was known of his alb
sence and the Aqueduct was favorite
promenade for old and young, as who that
has lived upon the eastern bank of the
Lower Hudsoa does not knowl Still, the
fact that the gray haired stranger followed
the custom of the Oldest resident was the
cause of general alarm. A rumor had
started, and was whispered by old ladies
over tncr tea, aad by young as they knit
ted ON the unfailing soldiers Socks, which
were to the girls then what high art en-
broidery and feather edge braid are now.
fhe rumor was this: The stranger was
an emlssary of the Southern Government.
His business was the blowing up of the
Croton Aqueduct, and the producing of a
water famine in New York His frequent
absences were to consult with his collea-
CUES. His walks, to make needful obser-
vations aud arrange bis plans.
Tue suggestion was trightful, and i'm
mediately the innocent old man assumed,
in the eyes of the villagers, the character
Of a monster. The popular excitement
had reached high point, when one morn
ing fresh discovery was made. In the
highest tree in a neighboring grove was a
glItterlng something. What could it be?
No one knew; but it glittered, and that
was a sure sign that it was evil. Again
rumor took shape. 1t was signal con
nected with that dlabolical plot. The time
had come for the destruction of the Aaue-
duct and the thirty thousands OF New York
were to be left without drink. This tale
reached the ear of the pastor of one of tbf
village churches. With stern resolution,
he took his gun and sailed forth. This
thing should not go on. That signal should
be destroyed. Let us hope that his preach
ing was as good IS bis craftsmanship, for
the glitterlHg offender was soon laid low
and The valiant defender of his country re-
turned TO his study. doubtless with joy
Gus heart and approving conscience.
SO much history relates; but it neglects
to chronicle his feelings when, day or
two after, Or. Draper was heard inquiring
who had been SO unklnd as to destroy the
test he had, with muck trouble, arranged
tor the glasses Of new telescope.
Nor does history record the thoughts OF
the sorely alarmed villagers when, few
months laler, they learned that their much
suspected visitor was naval officer of life
long standing; that even as boy he had
Distinguished himsel in his country's ser
vice; that his absence had been caused by
visits TO washington; and that he had re-
ceived his commission as commander OF
the fleet In the Gulf of Mexico; that in
short, he was Admiral Farragus.
New York claims a population Oi
!, 100000.
-Forty-oae counties of Iowa do moi
owe a cent.
In New York city last year 3S. .62a
persons died.
There are now pending before Con
gress 2, lS3 bills.
The Carson mint coined last montl
c1QR 0n0