The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-01
On sone narts of the coast of Suma-

On some parts of the coast of Suma-
ira and the neighboring islands TIE
fishermen test the depth of the sea
and also the nature of the sea-bOttOm
by the noises they hear on applying
the ear to one end of an oar of which
the other end is plunged in the water.
At q depth Of twenty feet and less the
sound is crepitation, similar to that
produced when salbis thrown on burn.
ing charcoal; at fifty feet it is like the
ticking of watch, the tick-tack being
more or less rapid, according as the
bottom is entirely of coral or alternate
ly of coral and mud, or of sand. If
the bottom is entirely of sand the
sound is clear if of mud it resembles
the humming of swarm of bees. On
dark nights the fishermen select their
fishery grounds according to these in
dications.
One of the keenest things ever said
on the bench is attributed to Judge
Walton, of Georgia. While holding a
term of the Supreme Court at Augusta
he sentenced man 10 seven years in
prison fora grave crime. The prison
er's counsel asked for mitigation OF
the sentence on the ground that the
prisoners health was very poor.
"Your homer" said he II am satisfied
that my client cannot live out half
that term, and l beg of you to change
the sentence" "Well under those
circumstances" said the judge, II
will change the sentence. will make
it for life instead of seven years" /"
The prisoner chose to abide by the Or
iginal sentence, which the judge per-
mitted him to elect.
During the sinking OF large pits and
wells in Nevada, stratas of rock salt
were cut through, in which were
found imbeGded perfectly preserved
fish, which are doubtless thousands OF
years old, Us the salt field occupies
what was once the bottom of large
lake, and no such fish are now to be
found in any of the modern Nevada
lakes. The specimens are not petri-
fed, bnt flesh, and all are preserved in
perfect form, and after being soaked in
water for two or three days can be
cooked and eaten, but are not very pal
atable. After being exposed to the air
for day or two they become as hard
as wood.
There never was q more touching
picture of canine modification than
was seen on Walnut Street the other
day. a dog led by woman is always
a sorry spectacle of dignity in chains.
The little animal in question was pref
ty, as black-and-tan dogs go. But his
tieluded mistress had rugged him out
in black satin blanket that was fast
ened to his chin by one huge bow, and
on top of his back by another. At a
distance the beast had the appearance
of all animated pink rosette. He was
led by a narrow pink ribbon to match
his costume, and he glanced at every
man who passed with an expression
that plainly said:
Don't laugh !'-Des MoineS Leader.
There are a great many foolish and
strange things in this world. One OF
the strangest of religious sects is that
which calls itself the New and Lat
Ter House of Israel. Its headquar-
ters are in Chatham, Eng, in which
town its deyotees are building an I'M
mense temple, which will cost $780,
OOv. They believe that they will
not die, and that they are the rem.
nant of the true Israelites, who will
reign with Christ for Thousand years.
Their founder was man names JeZ-
riel, who is now dead. His death was
a 81 eat shock to the believers, but his
wife claimed that it was an accident
and declared herself to be his success
or.
Frederick the Great was not only
wise, but also very witty. On one oc-
casion Catholic priest refused to al
low an officer, who had not complied
with all his religious duties, to be bur-
led in consecrated ground. Frederick
sent for the priest, and asked him !:
"You say that the graveyard is conse-
Grated ~ "Yes, your Majesty" How
far down does your conservation go"!
The priest, somewhat puzzled, replied:
give feet" "All right, then. the Of
ficer shall be buried six feet under
ground. He will then be one foot out
side your jurisdiction"
The Chinese have political saying
which is worthy the reading even of
America statesmen. 1t is us follows
"Whcn is theEmpire we'll governed
and affairs 90 us they should go?
When swords are rusty and spades are
bright; when prisons are empty and
grain bins filled when the law courts
are lonely and o'ergrown with grass ::
when doctors walk and bankers ride.
1t is then that things go as they ought
and the State is well ruled"
Eyes, my hands are soft" said a
dudish and conccited young fellow the
other night in small company, us he
looked ut those useless ap-
pendagrs that had never done days
wo:k. "Do you know how l DO it,"
lie exclaimed, proudly. II wear gloves
on my hands every night to sleep in."
"Do you uleep with your hat on, al
SOP" asked pert young woman.
And the young fellow replied in the
and locked wonderingly be-
cause the company smiled.
- An exchange recalls statement
made by Mr.. Chauncey NJ. Depew
which should be repeated over and
over again in the ears of all men. and
those of young men. These
are his words: Looking back upon
Il life of nearly fifty years, remember
those who started with me. All of
those who were sober and industrious,
and saved their money, now own their
own households; but every one OF
them who drank is dead"