Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1881-12-31 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

HABITS OF TEM COCKROACIL—Dr. Buclan White, in a paper on cockroaches, remarks that, t Gogh established all over this country, the cackroac is chiefly found in houses, infesting kitolienere, sculleries, bakeries, eta., where plenty Of, food can' be obtained. It is a most omnivorous creature, and will eat not only any description of human food, but likewise woollen garments, greasy rags, old boots and shoes, etc. In its habits it is strictly noctural, hiding daring the day In die ,crevices in the floor, in wabisooting, and dark place. generally. It is fond of warmth, and for that reason is found generally near fire-places or ovens. They, or a similar species, were known to the ancient. as Inecifucce, because they fled from the light, though It is quite possible they mAy have done so through alarm on hearing the sound of footsteps. They run with great celerity, and though they are able to ascend walls, etc., they seem to prefer kitchens. When seized they discharge from their months a bcownieh fluid of a most disgusting odour, the fluid itself sticking to any objects they may have crept over. For this reason, and also on account of their voracity, they must be looked upon as most undesirable inmates of a house. WAGSTAFF' Atism.—Wagsteffe is incorrigible. Fifty' summers have not sufficed to tame down his exuberant spirits. Mrs. W., on the other hand, has a proper sense of what is due to her, and has a rooted antipathy to being "had." Wagstalfe came home last night; popped his head in at the door. "Nance," says he, with a face full of horror and alarm, and sinking his voice to a hoarse whisper, have you heard anything of a double murder and suicide neut door f " " Gracious merciful powers, no " cries Mrs. W., Ilmi ceiig her spectacles into her tea, and knocking her !gaunt the chair; "not a word." •No more have says W. cheerfully. "Once more, and got the money!" That is the reason of the oo in the Wagstaffe family circle. —Judy.  A Nzw BR&ND.—A tall, lame negro has been in the habit for a year past of calling at a Michigan avenue grocery and begging a fiew potatoes, a bit of codfish, or anything else likely to be given him. The other day the grocer took a flour-sack and made up a inizture•of sand, meal, end flour, and when the negro came around he was almost pulverized to hear the grant say: "Now, Sam, if you won't come here again for three months you can shoulder that sack and take it ,home."—" Am you in &truest, boss?"—" Yes, I mean what I say."—" Wall, I reckon I'd better cotoh ins to dat chance, an' may de Lewd bream you fur a hun'red y'ars to come I"—He shouldered the sack and walked off, and was not seen again for three days. Then he entered the store with the remark?—' Say, boss, I didn't mean to come back, only I want to ax a queshun."—" Go ahead."—" It's about dat flour you gin me. De ole woman an' me dean' take the same view of it. I hold dat it am a new wdy of grindin' up wheat, an' she says it am a new process fur win' up gravel•banks. Kin you frow any light on de jLCk? "--" It's a new brand of my own," replied the grocer. "The wheat was raised on sandy sod. Can you reotimmend it?"—" N—not 'zactly, sah, but if yen could change wid me fur a peck of beans raised on a side-hill, and put de ole trees an' stumps an' stones in one bag an' de beans in anoder, it would save a heap f argyment in de family,"—Dcfrait Era Press.