The Times-Picayune from New Orleans, Louisiana • Page 12

Stye Slatla picawme. TBXPIiE SHEET. SUNDAY HORNING, APRIL 38, ISrS. INTO THE DEPTHS. Down In coal mine, Underneath the ground.

Bights mm Seand Horrible mmi Gmtj Ilidreas Kehees a Thensan Ttaw Pre Iaaed Deserted Corridor IlMile4 fey Myriad Huasrry Rata. Special Oorrepon dance of the Pic rune. 1 Central Illinois, April 27, 1878. Being grntel a few days' rest from tli toils and excitements of capital life, we proceeded due westward an fast as steam could carry us, for a brief breathing spell in the broad fields and free air of the Prairie State, among the friends and scenes of Lang Syne. Being naturally of an adventurous tarn of mind, and a firm believer in the right of woman to go anywhere that man may go if inclination leads her thither my inquisitive nasal organ has bees poked into all sorts of out of the way places since leaving Washington.

Of one old specimen let me tell yon. It happened in this wise 4 I have always longed to penetrate into the hidden mysteries of the earth." said I in sentimental mood to John, one lay. "Since the wonder of Yosemite and the Mammoth Cave are at present beyond our hen, wny can't we at least explore a coal mine on some of our expeditions in pursuit of useful information To be sure," said he, we can. Why didn't we erer think of it before We are within two miles of the largest mine in the State. I have always meant to explore it Myself We will be within its depths in twe hours' time, if yon say so.

Bat," he added, dubiously, atter some reflection, ya would be afraid. Think of going straight down into the darkness, through hole ia the ground, three hundred feet would back ont when we got there." Back out, indeed 1 indignantly retorted, resenting the soft impeachment I wsuld have yon to understand, sir, that woman can with perfect propriety go anyrchere in search of knowledge. Where man has been, man can go again and woman, too, if she desires." So, after a few more feeble arguments an hia nart and hish flown dissertations on mine, it was arranged tnat we should visit what is called TBX WK8T SHAFT, sitnated a few miles from Springfield, the State capital, that very af ternoon. Having an eye to the eternal fitness of things, while the horse was being brought round," I arrayed myself in a time worn alpaca a relic of other days and a pleasant reminder of mountain jaunts and Mammoth Cave exploring and, with huge duster and green veil snugly stowed away nnder the carriage seat, for use in case of emergency, we were soon on our way rejoicing. It was a glorious afternoon in early spring time as we jogged merrily along between great fragrant with freshly turned sod and emerald patches early wheat, outlined by hedges of Osage orange, (which is the universal fence of the Prairie fttate.) upon which the leaves were not' yet unfolded, but, looking through their brown and thorny branches, a glint of green was visible.

By aad by, in unfrequented lanes just beyond the city's busy hum, these hedge rows will be fringed on either side by rank: and rollicking weeds, whioh in this fertile prairie soil attain a marvelous height, and will wave above the carriage top, nodding down in the faces of passers with gaudy blossoms of purple and golden and blue. One can never rightly appreciate the frank and generous moods of Mother Nature, nor her ever ohanxiug pluses of beauty, till confined for a time in the artificial atmosphere of great cities, and accustomed to the deceits and stringencies of man any more than one can preperly enjoy a holiday who has not previously earned it by mouths of toil. As for John and we were like children let loose from school, like caotives released from durance Tile, and fairly revelled in the loneliness about us; whistling to meadow larks, an tiering the oherry call of Bob Wnite among the clover stopping to watch toe busy brown wren building a nomessead in the thicket, while her lazy lord encouraged her by songs from a neighboring bough; anon replying to the pUmtive Betes of the distance, or startling a squirrel from his dinc place in the hedge row cracking uur wuio in the wake of a timid little prairie saake darting brightly througa the grass, or buzzing yellow jackets with uosae baned in the golden dandelions. But how great the change when we came within the vicinity of the mines! Here no green thing exisu.no oat ward sign of life, and Mother Nature seems to have withdrawn even the hem of her dainty garments; a desoUee region of cinders and coal heaps, overhung by dense clouds of smoke like the entranse to Tartarus. Tying our nag to a charred stump, on the outskirts, and picking our way ankle deep through sharp cinder, we hied us in eearch of the superinteadenc.

The offioe was locked: uu polite officials or busy workmen vera any whereto be found; being in sight, but three ooot miners, Bmoking their short clay pips and lounging on a coal pile in the sun. To them, then, we were fain to address our inquiries, and learned that it was holiday," the officers absent and the men off duty all save these three who had oeea detailed to look after the aruaoe and engines. These hewers of coal, with bare arms and blackened faces, are as villainous looking a set as Baruura's Fiji cannibals or a band of painted Molocs; but. having set out like Don Quixote in a spirit of adventure, we were not to be balked by trifles, and forthwith engaged them to cbaperone in auoong the mines. After a brief conference among themselves, carried on in whiskers and embellished by pantomime and not over prepossing gestures, two of them volunteered to act as cicerones, while the third rejnained above to tend tfce engine, by means of which "the is raised and lowered.

These arrangements completed, we gaily repaired to the shaft, expecting to descend gracetully into the lower regions, seated in a neat, little box or tub, such as we have represented in pictures and on the siiip but what was our conaternatida to tii that THE CAGE was only two rude planks, 'vido enoni apart lor a horse to fall through a gtertfc, black, horrible space it the centre, yawning down into the unknown depths! the whole concern with cindeis and littered with coal, oozin and dropping with greasy slime, and nothing in the world to hold on by but a huge beam overhead Ia votantaiily recoiling, I caught John's qubzic il.smile as he triumphantly biutfd at "the who "never basked oat," so summoning all ciy courage aad concealing inward trepidirian und ass Hiiied bravado, I stepped upan the slippery plank. "Better leave your ht yr'H 'em down thar," croake! charon Siring us each a tiny mil and Aliening his own in his can but, preferring spiled hats t'ha. head we disregarded his advuio, our lamps with one hi id the hhz beam as for dear life t'rj ofher down, down we spun hxto the with a sickening sensatiou. it the btr tom of all things had given cut aud the earth had fallen away benentli ns, and in less time than it takes to tell it we found ourselves 800 feet below the surface. One might as well be like thoe eyeless sh that occasionally ooma up from the cavernous rivers of Kentucky, for all use the power of vision seems in that dense darkness which one can form no conception of above ground a gloom so hearv and oppressive that one absolutely feels its weight as though under fathoms of water, and in voluntary gasps for breath nnder a mistaken sense of suffocation.

Our feeble, flickering lamps, ecaxoely larger than a glow worm, but served to render the blackness more appalling the first few steps seemed like walking the pirates' plank into the sea, or over the "jumping off place" at the world's end into empty space beyond and staggering along, uncertain where our feet would next find a resting place, even redoubtable John was glad to grasp the rough, dirty hand of a guide, and as for me, I enacted the role of the clinging ivy with rigor, decidedly preferring the uncouth miner for an oak pro tern, to my daintier, but apparently less reliable escort. The mine has been hewn out into narrow corridors, some of them over a mile in length, A PKRFECT LABYRINTH branching oft into the bowels of the earth in all directions. These corridors vary in height with the thickness of the coal rein, sometimes allowing us to walk erect, and anon admonishing us by violent and unexpected bumps to assume the humblest of attitudes. The floor is laid with car traek for the conveyance of coal to the shaft, and on every side a constant drip, drip of greenish water ia heard, exuding from the walls in slimy sweat and settling into noisome pools, into which we stumbled without greatest care. The sound of our own voices was frightful, reverberating through those devious ways, and multiplying into a thousand hollow echoes.

Our entrance into every new corridor, and especially into those deserted ones where the vein has been some time exhausted, was signaled by a rustle and scamper of rats, which haunt these desolate places in myriads and hold undisputed possession with the slippery reptiles that occasionally glide ever the walls. We were shown the great furnace which, carefully tended, roars away night and day, dispelling fire damp and noxious gases that would otherwise prevail to the certain death of all who came within the precincts. Then, through dark halls and winding passages, they led us to the stable," where the mules are stalled that run the underground railway only a circular chamber excavated out of the solid coal, not half big enough "to swing a cat in," where each little denkey is comically enshrined, like a mediaeval saint, in a separate niche of his own, their noses to the wall and their heels in dangerous proximity. These animals, we were told, had not seen the garish light of day for years, yet when epizootic raged above ground they followed the universal fashion of their relatives and quondam companions, and languished and annf iied with the best of them; the cimiantive creature selected for our use clearly demonstrated that, though in exile, he had never forgotten the idio syncracies of his race, by stubbornly declining the proposed honor, and kicking coal in a meteorio shower from the roof. Then a lively melee ensued until, by dint of much cudgel suasion and a vast expenditure of swear power, he was at length reduced to harness, hitched to a coal car, (across which a board.

was thrown for a seat,) and we were invited to take a ride. Seated In this novel but not over neat carriage, we were soon whizzing along the track at a break neck speed behind our dusky conductors, varied by many sudden halts and sundry exhibitions or mule heels, when locomotion was restored only by renewed cud gelings and storms of expletives. Onward we sped, faster still faster, into the fartherest recesses of the mines, our guides constantly urging the beast to greater speed by yells a million times prolonged in HIDEOUS ECHOES. Some times the roof was so low it almost grazed the donkey's back, and then we were fain to double up like jack knives in the car; occasionally we swept like the wind through a canvas door whioh flapped back with the peel of ghostly wings in our faces onward, yet onward, miles nnder the blossoming prairie, into the very entrails of the earth. A nervous dread crept over me, a nameless terror shook every limb.

Sap pose these miners, whose dirty faces as, seen in the uncertain nicker of their lamps, looked like those of demons, were bent on mischief! Poe's sombre rhythm flitted through my mind They are neither man nor woman. They are neither brats nor human, They art ghottU." Fancy drew dreadful pictures of murders which, times without number, have been committed nnder less favorable circumstances and for less plunder than our horse and carriage above. Even that scanty spoil, divided between these hardworking and may be hungry men, would yield them many a day's poorly paid labor in these tight times. A breath would extinguish the feeble lamps we carried like the foolish virgins to the wedding feast, and shroud us in impenetrable darkness. Here in this wild labyrinth, in the awful depths, no mortal ear could hear, no arm could save.

What an easy matter te cremate our remains in the furnace, or stow our corpses in some slimy nook of a deserted corridor, where hungry rats would soon obliterate every trace of crime! In so deep a grave, three hundred feet below the sod, forgotten in a land of strangers where even our names had scarcely been spoken, we should be like Moses, of whom it is written, "No man knoweth his resting place." Cold perspiration started from every pore scenes of careless childhood and the happy long ago came trooping up in endless array, and the faces of loved ones at home crowded into the procession. I almost felt a murderous grasp upon my throat aud shutting my eyes was folly prepared to yield up the ghost, when the sudden rounding of a curve and an abrupt halt almost pitched ns over the donkey's back, ana lo, here we are again, at the very foot of the shaft! Looking away np through the opening, which seemed no larger at the top than a child's dinner pail, we beheld the sweetest Bight that ever blessed mortal eyes only a little patch of blue sky with a single star shining through. A few moments more aud we wera safe on terra firma, drinking in long draughts of delicious April air and feeling it bliss unspeakable only to be alive and upon the surface of the earth once nore. John's merry laugh broke the spell and brought us back to "stern realities." Oh for a mirror cried be. I believe you are positively paZeif I could only see jour face under all tbat dirt "Oh, wad some power the ariftie gie us.

To see ourselii Sk i itheis see I rejoined. "Do yon know there's a tattoo on your Koman nose, the sign of the crucifix on your brow, that your cherished goatee is dyed a beautiful black, and that a general expression of 'your open countenance' is of the most palpable and idiotic relief The miners demanded treat" to a keg of beer or the wherewith to purchase it which was speedily famished, while we proceeded to lave onr blackened faces in a pail of sooty water brought for the purpose, and dried them on handkerchiefs that much resembled maps of Africa. The "duster" and voluminous veil did good service on the homewara journey not so much as a protection against tbe evening air, as, like the mantle of charity, to cover a multitude ot We were certainly smuttier if not. wiser individuals, and for one, was satisfied for the nonce with tbat glimpse of hidden "mysteries," though torture ownld not have wrung from my lips the confession that I had actually been afraid while "in search of information." Fakxik B. Ward Or.

F. H. Knapp and his son, Fred. J. Kaapp, dentist, Is Barosne street.

LETTER FROH PARIS. The Dumas' (Father and Bon) Play. (Bteslal Owrespondeno of to Pioiyoaa. Paris, Marsh. 1878.

The younger Dumas found atnoag his father's papers a play founded ou tae tatter's novel, "Joseph Balsamo." Ha thought it well worth Deform an oe. As Mons. Auguste Maquet was his father's partner in writing the novel, he offered him to continue the partnership in the play: but Mons. Maqoet is as work oa another of their novels, whioh he wishes to put on tbe stage, so hedeo iued the offer. The younger Dumas determined to drsmatize it himself.

There is an immense difference between a play as it comes from the hands, even of so gif tad a dramatist as the elder Dumas, aud the same piece when the curtain rises upon it. Managers see defects which had escaped the author's eyes. Actors ia studying their parts disoover imperfections which neither author, nor managsr had detected. Kehearsals reveal the need of other corrections still. It was, therefore, no light task the son undertook when he resolved to put his fathar's piece on the stage.

It has taken so much of his time that he has been unable to bring out this season a play written entirely by himself. lie has lost nothing by his undertaking, for the piece he has est given will have as great a ran as any of his works. The Odeon (the theatre which has brought it out) pocketed $5000 from sale of seats before the curtain rose on the first performance, and has at this time $10,000 iu advance of performances. The play (its title is "Bal samo," the hero's Christian name being dropped, to distinuguish it from tbe novel.) is brought out with great splendor, that the pioture of Loois XV a oourt might be as faithful as possible. The design of the elder Dumas in writing his novels, "The Three Guardsmen," "Twenty Years Afterwards," was to put the nistory of France in novels and on the stage.

It must be confessed novels and plays have the fault of Mioh elet's works they present history by its episodes, not by its great epio. and are rather specious than true. Balsamo was to nave opened with a prologue, which made a powerful impression at rehearsal, and greatly increased the effect of the play by placing the audience in possession of the theory of the author, namely, that Joseph Balsamo was the leader of a secret society formed to destroy the French monarchy. It was, however, thought that this prologue made the performance last too long a time. The prologue was therefore omitted, and the Play opened at Chateau de Taverney.

Baron de Taverney had once been a conBpiouous figure at Louis XV's court. Few men oould boast of more favors granted by the fair sex he had served gallantly in the army he was a bosom friend of Marshal Dake de Richelieu. He had been improvident, reckoning on the royal treasury to retrieve his waxte, (whioh men of his position had in those days a right to reckon on.) but he fell ont of faror, for M'me Da Barry detested him as much as she detested Richelieu, and she was all powerful. Utterly ruined, nothing remained for him to do bnt to withdraw to his provincial chateau and hide his poverty. He could scarcely command the necessaries of life, and he chafed against his hard lot and rented his misanthropy in cursing the ingratitude of all men, and especially of men who wore a crown.

The only companion of his solitude was his daughter, a lovely girl, just blooming into womanhood, An ciee de Taverney. In May, 1770, (when the play begins,) Marshal Duke de Richelieu pays the dilapidated chateau, and its still more ruined master, a visit. M'me du Barry detests him (Richelieu). As long as she retains her influence he cannot hope to be powerful entrance to the Ministry is barred him. His only hope of regaining his former position at Courtis to compass her down tall.

She holds her influence solely by tenure of her beauty. Were another woman of greater beauty placed near tbe King, his Majesty would forsake M'medn Barry. Richelieu remembers that Andree promised to be a great beauty. He knows Baron de Taverney considers women, even his own daughter, made only to be man's toys he knows the Baren to be above such vulgar things as prejudices," so he comes to make this fair, moral and honorable proposal. The Dauphin and Dauphiness are at Strasbourg on their way to Versailles.

He has won from the Dauohiness (Mrie Antoinette, the promise that the first French nobleman who bids her welcome to France shall be made her equerry. He has taken care that this nobleman shall be the Baron's only son. Chevalier Philippe de Taverney, whom he has placed in the neighborhood of Strasbourg. Now when Philtpps shall have been made one of the Dauphiness household, Philippe's family will have mears of making their old figure at Court. Andree will be brought near the King, her youth, beauty and willingness will attract the King, and then adieu du Barry The Baron thinks the plan excellent.

It will be the making of Andree Good old times Gilbert thinks so and he does not think so, because sauce for the goose isn't sauce for the gander. He persuaded Nicole, AndreVs chambermaid, that he would marry her she credulously believed all he said, he soon grew tired of her and dares lift bis eyes from maid to mistress. Andree is his foster sister why can't be make her his wifet He has just read in Rousseau that social are mere conventional distinction, and whether a man be on the top, or on the bottom rung of the social ladder, "a man's a man for a' tbat." A supper Is spread for the Marshal, Duke, the Baron and Duchess. They had scarcely taken their seats when a violent storm aroe. The thunder rocks the old chateau to its very foundation the wind howls down the chimneys.

Gilbert introduces into the supper room a stranger, who is drenohed to the skin with rain ms horses, blinded and scared by the lightning, refuse to more he craves a night's shelter. Welcome. I am Count Joseph de Balsamo." All the more welcome. The common places of conversation exhausted, the dialogue takes a strange turn. The new comer talks of his old friends.

He had been intimate with Adam; he knew Eve beiore she turned mantua maker be was one ef the pall bearers at Abel's funeral he had emptied bottles with Noah; he had dined with Abraham: he had spent the summer with Potiphar and Joseph at the former's country seat he remembers, as if 'twere yesterday, the day Moses was found in the bulrushes he was present when'the wandering Jew was enrsed. Richelieu and the Baron snub him as a humbug Andree listens eagerly, credulously to him he oontd era Andree with unusual attention; he has never seen, siDce he lost Lorenzt, auy woman eo perfectly adapted to be a medium as And re seems to ua. Theyane lft together he exercises bis magio influence over her, forces ber to sit at the spimt ftDd play while ttere he throws lnr into a trance, and bids her tell him all she sees at Strasbourg, whither he directs her thoughts. Sn i see hr brother, Phillippe, the Danphineis; she tells him she will stop the next night at Chateau de Taverney. on ber way to Versailles.

We are next taken to the garden of the chateau, tho following morning. Balsamo meets the Baron and announces that the Dau pbinfBBwill spend the following mgi6 ucder his roof. The Baron is strongly tempted to kick the fellow out of doors as an nnmitizated bore as well as bum tug; but before Balsamo baswell eadd his remarks, the Baron's son, Philippe, tppears as the Danphinefn's avaiit eou i itr to bid bis father prepare to reoeive rer Royal Highness. You may intajriue the Baron's astonishment and era oar rfcfnient. So Bulcamo is no hnnabog.

How can the Dauphiness be worthily received in that ruin? Balsamo places his gold plate at the Baron's disposal, for BaL amo has in his luggage a portion of bis plate chest. The Dauphiness makes her appearance, appoints Philippe her qnerry, and asks to see Balsamo. whose fame had reached her. After his presentation she asks him to read her horoscope. Be refuses.

She commands him to read it. He obeys. He tells her all the coming events: the diamond necklace, tne revolution, tne disasters of her family. "But what will imy death bet" "Look." She looks into the water filled, crystal decanter and sees her melancholy end. She shrieked with terror.

She fainted. Balsamo, taking advantage of the confusion her scream and swoon produce 1, disappeared. We are then carried to M'me dn Barry's lodgings at Versailles. She has been warned and baa received full particulars of Richelieu's plot, and she has resolved to baffle it. To do this, she must be presented at court tbat her illicit position may have something like an official stamp given it i by tbe King's public acknowledgment ui meix intimacy, ouo una lung uo sired this presentation, but her enemies have constantly contrived to prevent it at the very eve and when every obstacle seemed to hare been removed.

Her enemies would hare thwarted her even now at the most critical hour of ber life, but for Balsamo's interference. He removes all obstaoles. He secures her success. Why Because he lives solely to overthrow the monarchy, and he knows that no deadlier blow could be given the throne than by the action of tbe King of France when he presents Jeannie Gomard de Vaubernier (you know this was M'me du Barry's maiden name.) to his family and to the world, making pnblio proclamation of bis and of her infamy. So M'me du Barry is presented to the Court of Versailles.

We are shown the Salon de Be lone, which opens into the Galerie des laces of the Palace of Versailles. All of the King's daughters, except the fourth, (Madame Louise,) Mesdames Vio toire, Sophie, Adelaide, and the Dau Shiness herself are forced to allow M'me Barry to be presented to them. They bear the humiliation, bnt protest that it is under duress, protest by the manner in which they turn away from her the instant the presentation ends. The King is presently left alone. His fourth daughter, M'me Louise, joins him.

She is dressed as a Carmelite nun. She had asked and obtained his permission to keep away from M'me du Barry's presentation, because she was on the eve of taking the cloister's vows. She cannot conscientiously leare her father forever without warning him of the perils which encompass his throne and dynasty "Sire, your subjects are poverty stricken they daily sink deeper into misery. Theircurses on you on ns, your family, may not hare reached your years. I nave heard them and I must warn you.

Sire, year throne is undermined the monarchy is in danger of destruction. I beseech you. Sire, take suitable measures; yon may now avert the perils to morrow may be too late." The King gapes. A woman talk in politics! keep to fools and small beer; suckle those; chronicle these. The King hastens to M'me do Barry When the curtain rises we see place de la Concorde, (or, as it was then called, Place Louis XV.) the night of tbe fireworks.

All Paris was there. Place de la Concorde was chokefull of people. The display had soaroely commenced when either by accident or by malevolence, rockets were discharged into the crowd and into the magazine where all the evening's fire works were placed. A most fearful scene ensued. Fire literally rained upon the spectators.

The great crowd became panic stricken. Smoke made the darkness denser. Men, women and children were crushed under foot, or were stifled by the crowd, or had bones broken by pressure around them. When light was restored and something like order reigned again most distressing sights were witnessed on all sides here dead there dying yonder orphans kneeling by parents hard by parents etriving to recall by tears children to life. By the way, this scene was so effectively managed at the Odeon aided by electric and calcium lights that the spectators at the dress rehearsal became panio stricken, and were about to fly madly from the theatre, when, before any accident could occur, the stage manager and the actors cried Don't be afraid! There is not the least dancer!" In the midst of the orowd in Place de la Concorde were Baron de Tavenney, his son Philippe, his daughter Andree, and Gilbert.

Andree was knocked down and would as6nredlr have been trampled nnder foot lifeless, nad not Gilbert's brawny arm Beized her and borne her high above the teething sea of men, women and children she was insensible. Gilbert gives the insensible girl to BalBano who carries her to a place of safety. Gilbert is tripped up and falls; he is wounded. Philippe is likewise wounded. He asks a pbyeictan to come to his assistance.

"No. Von are one of a class which possesses all the happiness and all the pleasures of life. Act with death as you please. I give my skill to earth's disinherited." He goes to Gilbert. Philippe aBke Pray who are you Marat." Don't you, hearing that name, seem to hear tbe mutterings of the revolutionary thunder The dramatists next carry us to the Trianon.

Gilbert is employed there as an under gardener. (Balsamo got the place for him.) Andree also is there one of the Danphiness's household. She does not know that Gilbert saved her life all she knows is that Balsamo brought her home. Gilbert tells Andree how ardently he loves her and tries to lead her heart by telling how he had saved her life. 8he does not believe him and orders him off.

A gardener daring to lift his eyes to a maid of honor, a baron's daughter earth worm in love with the evening star. Faugh Gilbert withdrawsmaddened, humiliated almost to phrenzy bnt go he must for he bears approaching steps the King and Richelieu. They have come to reconoitre An dree's bed chamber for that very night. NicoL her maid, ia to give andree a narcotic which will deliver her, during sleep, completely to the king. She has told Gilbert her scheme.

We are next taken to Balsamo's lodgings. The night which was to 1 ave been, which has been, fatal to Andree, has passed away. Her brother Philippe, in a paroxism of madness, bursts into Balsamo's room to kill him. Balsamo is astonished bnt calm, and as noon as Philippe explains his appearance, be offers to reveal to him the criminal. Andree is in tbe carriage at the door.

She comes up. Balsamo mesmerizes ber and she begins to tell how the King ceme. to see her. bnt finding her cold, pale, so like a corpse, desire fled and he in terror retreated. Then Gilbert en tered her bed chamber wake me 1 wake me I'd see no more Philippe id eatiefied that Gilbert is the criminal ard would kill him.

Balsamo persuades him to do no such thing, as to attach such a scandal to his sister's name would te her rmn. Balsamo offers to give Gil lert a title of no Dili ty and $63,000 it Andree would marry him. Her father and brother accept the offer upon condition that Andree herself consents to take Gilbert for her husband. Andree sees Gilbert alone. She now knows that he did cave her life, and she regrets her tie atment of him, but a terrible suspicion clones her mind.

If her wronger was lieitbor thi King nor Balsamo, who was it Gil She tells Gilbert that she docs iiot love him. and that even if she rid love him, the would not marry him. ISbe would not marry anybody unless her betrothed could tell ber the man who tad wronged her was in his grave, sent there by her be trot bed's hand, die tbat man must, even though her own Lajid alone 'ay him. Gilbert gives her lih "Kll me, then, for I am the gnilty ne!" She breaks the sword belt, re his face: "Ab. yoo were the retch Coward I hato you I despise vrn! I loathe you! Hence and nerer Irt me see your face again.

Marry such a thing as yon Never My must be a man, not a lacquey, for none bnt a lacquey's soul oould consent, failing to win her love, to possess her by stealth, sullying her to gratify his bestial pascicn. Away! away! convent life shall henceforth be mine." The curtain falls. Tbe piece is well played and costumes and scenery are splendid. La fontaine is Balsamo, M'lte Jullien is Andree. M'lle Jullien is a Jewess.

She is near SO, but this was her first appearance on the stafe. She was beautiful once." During the siege she established an ambulance in a racant lodging near ber parents' bouse. Her heart was won by a wounded officer whom she tended. He betrayed her. She was almost broken hearted.

Grief chased a war beauty. Her charm now lies in her voice, which is as melodious as M'Ue Sarah Bern hard t's (another Jewess; you remember Dierael's theory T) 8he acts with wonderful ease, and has the rare accomplishment of seeming a lady on the stage. M'lle LeonideLeblncis M'me Da Barry. Sbe looks and acts the part to perfection. All petticoated Paris are flocking to see her diamonds and pearls.

She wears $100,000 worth nightly: the malicious say So you see the Orleans are not as stingy as they are said to bet" Her intimacy with the Duke d' An male is matter of public notoriety. She is escorted to and from the theatre bv two policemen, who keep watch over her dressing room during the performance. She has. too, an enormous bulldog, as ferocious as he looks. She brought him with her to every rehearsal.

One day Lafontaine said to her: "Really it is outrageous to bring such a dog here with you. A poodle might do. but a bulldog She answered: "I don't bring iiim here for me but for them." "Who then Why my diamonds and pearls. You can very well understand that I oan't leare $100,000 worth of diamonds and peatls unguarded in my dressing room." By the way. speaking of dogs, this dialogue occurred iu the piece: The dog's name is Mabon." "What is MahonI" He is our watch dog." The inappro priateness of this dialague was not noticed until rehearsals began.

I need scarcely say it was instantly blotted. Let me not forget to say that M'lle Leonide Leblano's dress oost $2500. It is of of white satin trimmed with $60, 060 worth of diamonds and $40,000 worth of pearls. 1 Gamma. A Dangerous Sort of Wife.

ClnolnnaU Xoqulrer.l Pittsburg, April 21. Mr. J. Zaton Walker died at No. 81 Diamond street about half past o'clock last night, nnder circumstances whioh have created some suspicion tbat there was foul play in the case.

Mr. Walker returned a few days ago from West Virginia, where a verdict was rendered in his favor, giving him sole possession of property worth $18,000. Mr. Walker had formerly been troubled with a rheumatic affection, and' this complaint was so serious that recently he was compelled to walk by the aid of crutches, out upon his return home this time he had apparently entirely recovered, and did not eren use a cane in walking. On Friday night he oom Elained of being very tired, and since is death Mrs.

Walker states that daring that night he was seized with terrible spasmodic attacks of vomiting, which lasted almost until the time of his death. On Saturday afternoon Mrs. Walker went out obtained some medicine for her husband, which she purchased at Fleming's drug store. A part of this she obtained upon a prescription furnished by Dr. Walters.

That physician states that he gave her a prescription for fire grains of quinine. The clerk in the drug store who furnished the articles was unwilling to make any statement as to what he sold the woman until he was called upon to testify in the oase. Some say it was morphia. It is the opinion of Mrs. Mo Niliy and her daughter that the only drug Mrs.

Walker purchased was quinine. When she returned home she told them that was what she procured, ana they advised her not to give anything but what the doctor had directed. She said, however, she knew perfectly well how much of it might be administered with safety. A little after 8 o'clock Mrs. Walker came down to the kitchen where Mrs.

McNiily was, to get her husband a drink, she said. She seemed, however, in no hurry to return to her room, and eat and talked for some time. While she was down the daughter of Mrs. McNiily was alarmed by the shrieks from Mr. Walker, and hurried to his room, accompanied by Miss Wetman, a boarder in the house.

They found Mr. Walker in tx rrible agony, complaining of a great pain and burning sensation in his chest and griping constantly. He was con pcions and said he was not frightened, that the rheumatism had gone to his heart, and he knew he was dying. Mrs. Walker was called up at once, but did not seem much excited, and said this was a condition to which her husband was subject.

To the suggestion to call in a physician, she replied it was not necessary, and when the husband asked that one be summoned, and Mrs. McNiily proposed to go for him. she protested against it. Mrs. Whitman finally consented to stay in the room on the condition that the dying man's wife remain.

Soon after Mrs. McNiily had gone Mrs. Walker ran down Btaira, leaving Mrs. Whitman alone with Mr. Walker.

Before any one returned, the dying man. who in his agony retained perfect consciousness, said to Mrs. Whitman, Can it be that I have been poisoned This appears to have aroused the first suspicion tbat was entertained. Meanwhile. Mrs.

Walker got a knife and tried to commit suicide, but was prevented. But this morning she left the house, going to Alleghany. She stopped at Hamilton's drug store, on Locust street, aud asked for laudanum, which was refused. She continued along to the foot of this street, when she got into a skill' and then jumped into the Ohio, but it chanoed that some one was close at nana, wno brought her to the shore. Dr.

Donnolly made a post mortem examination. He found no appearance of disease or serious disorder in any of the vital organs. Tbe body appeared to be that of a man who had been taken off in the midst of health. The stomaoh of the deceased was removed and placed in the hands of a chemist to be analyzed. The woman was locked up.

Mrs. Walker, whose maiden name was Mary Mercer, was one of the belies of Washington county at the time of her marriage, fehe lived then at JNew lor ence, and was tbe daughter of a gentle man reported to be the wealthiest citizen of the county about twenty five years ago. walker, wno then owned a mm in Moon Township, about eight miles from this city, out tne Steuben villa pike, was joined to her in matrimony. They had net been married long uutu tnere was a rupture between the young wife and the relatives of her husband. From that time forward she and they, were unable to hitch.

One time she became so enraged, according to the story of this gen tleman, that sue actually urea tne mill, but the flames were discovered and speedily suppressed. She then became mad at her husband, and walked nom sixteen miles. Lately Mrs. Walker had been livirg with her own people in Washington county. Both husband and wife have very estimable connections in tbe two cities and vicinity.

It is stated, however, on the authority of a relative of the dead man. that Mrs. Walker recently had been a linking to some extent. The woman lately served at Claremont a term for shop lifting. She was arrested in Alleghany for taking a pair or gloves, and, under an assumed name, wai tried in court, convicted and sentenced to sixty days.

Call on Dr. J. H. Maloner, Josephine tract, corner of Camp, for the best and cheapest dental work in tae city. All operations without pain.

AGRICULTURAL. The Farm Work Shop Factory Home School Charon. Br Dak'l Dennett. SOUTHERN WINKS. The great trouble with Southern wines is the difficulty in finding, a market for them.

The scuppemong champagne and still wines are excellent when made by persons skilled in wine making, but they do not sell well. They usuallly charge too much for these wines. They should sell at low prices until there is a demand for them, then let the prioes keep pace with the demand. If we are correctly informed. Ohio and Missouri and California wines have had tbe same difficulty to overcome that the scuppemong wine makers are now labor' ing to overcome in the South.

Those who are en gaged in wins making in Mississippi and Louisiana wonld do well to call on Messrs. Shropshire agents for Kelly's Island Wine Company, No. 10 Peters street. New Orleans, or write to him. Mr.

Shropshire ia well informed in relation to Amerioan wines, and is engaged in overcoming the very difficulty that Southern wine makers complain of. He has been very successful in selling his wines, and may be of great service to the wine makers of the Gulf States. fiTRaWBEBRV CTTLTUKK. Win. Parry, in an address on strawberry culture and production, an extract from whioh we find in the Country Gentleman, says In Philadelphia, in the height of the season, as many as ux) Dusnels or straw berries have been thrown in the dock in a single day for want of purchasers.

Speaking of the cultlration of straw berries, he says Perhaps no person has given more attention to the improvement of the strawberry by cross fertilization, or imow euorts aaro oeen atteuaea witn greater success than W.Dorand, of New jersey, wno naa now more than 8000 distinct varieties on his Plantation. among which are to be found some of the largest and finest strawberries in cultlration, measuring from six to nine inches in circumference, such as Great American, Beauty, Pioneer, Black De nanoe, uentenniai, ana ether magnin cent fruits, which are well worthy of trial in all sections ox tne oountry. MASSACnrSXTTS eBICTJX.TtJBAI. COT, UEGK. A petition has been presented to the Legislature of Massachusetts to appro priate $25,000 for the benefit of the State Agricultural College.

The Boston Ad vertiser says the committee are pleased with the appearance of the college and its management, from the presentation of the work of the college and its prac tical ralne to the State, are probably fa ox ably inclined toward the petition. COW PSAS. Cow peas are considered so valuable and useful as a farm crop that the wonder is that any farmer neglects to raise them. Good farmers and poor farmers, the intelligent and the ignorant farmers, all agree that field peas make good hay, good food for hogs, a good dish for the table, are easily and cheaply raised, and are the best and cheapest fertilizer for all sorts of lands. The field pea crop benefits the land whether plowed' in green, or dry, or not plowed in at alL A Virginia farmer, writing for the Country Gentleman, says Let the peas ripen, pick what is wanted for next year's seed, and turn the hogs, cattle and sheep in to eat the rest.

He will enrich his land, and his stock will be benefited wonderfully, partisularly the hogs. The peas are a perfect food for hogs. I plant about fire acres in hills, three by three, dropping four or fire peas in a hill, and work them with plow and cultivator for seed. My whole pea crop is fifty acres, town broadcast, planted in the corn, eto. The following, from the Country Gentleman, the prudent housekeeper will find useful and worth preserving SOAPS AND SOAP MAKING.

Hard Soap.l see Blanche is not initiated in the housekeeping mysteries yet. She will nnd tnat there is no soap made into bars, or balls, but that will shrink as it becomes dry and it is better so, for it will spend better. I know several good receipts for hard soap, but they all hrink in drying. She can try them at her leisure. Ammonia ted Soap.

Fonr pounds of either beef or mutton tallow, four pounds of sal soda, fonr ounces of spirits of ammonia, two pounds of salt, and one pound of white resin. Boil one half hour, and turn out into pans to eooL Then cut up into bars, or melt and run in moulds. It is nice for house cleaning, and good for chapped hands, but not quite as medicinal as Carbolic Soap. Four pounds of mutton tallow, fonr pounds of sal soda, two pounds of fine salt, two ounces of crys ali zed carbolic acid, and two ounces of beef's gall. Stir well while boiling, and boil gently half an hour.

Wet teacups in cold water and dip the hot soap into them, and set away till oold. For sores, chapped hands, or hurts and bruises, this is Toilet Soap. Take two pounds of pure beef tallow, two pounds of sal soda, one pound of salt, one ounce of gum camphor, one ounce of oil of bergamot, one ounce of borax; boil slowly an hour; stir often; let it stand till cold; then warm it over, so it will run easily, and turn into cups of moulds, dipped in oold ater. This is very nioe for all toilet pui poses, and is greatly improved by age. Lye Hard Soap Take three gallons of lve soap, after soap making, and add to it three quarts of coarse salt and one pound of common resin boil it two hours, then let it cool off over the fire the soap will all rise on the top of the kettle; when cold, or in a day or two, take the soap off, and put it into a kettle over the kitchen fire, and heat it hot, so it will be thin, and strain it through a cloth strainer into pans when oold, cut it np in bars and let it dry.

Blanche will think it shrinks terribly, but that cannot be helped it is more convenient and economical for washing dirty hands than eof soap, and for divers other par posts it will be found useful. Farmer's Wifk. the catalpa. Considerable attention is being turned to the catalpa of late years, and to its value in resisting decay. Instances are giren of catalpa trees remaining sound for great periods of time.

It is equal to any of the cedars in these valuable qualities. Why has this fact been so generally overlooked here in the Sonth where the catalpa grows so rapidly, and oan be propagated with so little trouble We must congratulate the parents and children of our city upon the introduction of Xr. Moffett's Teethina. (teething Which bas proven aa Infallible re me dy for cnolera infantum, and all the irritations of teething, the summer complaints of children, and the eruptions and sores from which the little fellows so often suffer. No medicine ever received enca enthusiastic commendation from those who have used it.

Query: "Why win men smoke common tobacco when they can buy Marburg Bros. Seal of North at the same prioet" The Thtjth about Newspaper Anv TisiSG Forcibly and Plaiklt 8tatki The newspaper is so comprehensive ImiZ scope, se universal in administering to uS wants of all cassee. and of every ocuiSJ Uonlnlife; it brings, as it wera, tA oial and commercial markets ot the waSS n.s room; 80 tb may bl truly said that a good advertisement ta a widely circulated newspaper is thsbew all possible salesmenone who never UiJ2 and is never weary, who goes ater btuSZ? early and late, who aocoate theaaeS bi bis shop, the lawer in hi offioe, tkV: dent in hia study, the cultivated womaaS the amHy fireside, who can be la athl? sand places at onoe, and address a milli. of pwople a day, saying only the beat thi at the right time and in the best bmuT1 Now the Jypieal salesman about hia own business in his own lnteiw and if in a crowd, he must, in order toX cure a hearing, be more conspicuous thT his competitors, and at all times he moatiS as attractive as possible. The wor volves intelligence, a good deal of inrenmtV and original and ready resource to nf.k the stale matter of yesterday fresh aad li? viting to day.

Thli the kind ot wit paper advertising that pays to do, andtkM we undertake to do. Parties desirous of extending their kmrf ne8S. newspaper adveriau, are invited to address the undersirned. full assurance of receiving reliable Inform? tion as to the value of particular lonrn for advertising special things, and the methods for introducing and extending eral business in a prompt, intelligent rTr ner. E.

Dcxcan BsnrmsT SI and 32 Astor House Offioeo. Sew York World, April 20, 1878. Mothers, Motheks, Mothers. Dost fail to procure Mrs. Win glow's SootSni Byrup for all diseases of tee thine In It relieves the child from pain, cures whS colic, regulates the bowels, and, by Ht1b relief and health to the hlid.

gives ran the mother rest te No more necessity for families to worrr about making up boys clothing at home, as the same can be had of the very latest srviM and make, at lower rates than the eoet af the materials alone, at B. O. Mesritz's. 8mth ern Clothing Manufactory, W5 Pordrma street. Established 1849.

joras Save three per cent, by paying state taxes before May 1. Commercial arithmetic $1 per month, at Burgess'. DIED. BAGD'ER Suddenly, on Snnfliy. AmH 91 J878.at7:S0 A.

PHILIP OWIK. Jo, h. Badger and Lucy A. Pareen, aged 8 nan and 1 month. BORDA8ES At Bay Bt.

lAmla, mm Woadar Aprtl 82, 1878. at P. AC, JOHNBORDAttgi a native of France, aged 62 years and it months. TOOMER On Saturday, April 20, 1878. at Bayon lannrnl, Pt.

Tammany Parian. TjiL. I. HILDA BARNARD, wife of Capt wi hT Toomer, aged SO years 3 months and 8 daym, SCOTT On Monday. April 73, 1878, at 4 O'clock P.

Mia LULAH ELISR 800TT aged 21 years. 1 month and 11 Oats, daogbtsrsi the lat Gen. Thomas M. Soott and atxs. stair a.

Bissell. GISOH In Algiers, April at 20 mlavtes to 8 O'clock, P. If LILLIAN ESTtUX frta 1 daughter of the late Leonard p. Olsoh sod Guv ku aiimu, agea monin ana oars. Son.

county Gal way. Irelaad. and a rasldSBtat this city for the last twenty lour years. PORTER On Tuesday morntng, at 10 s'ctoct April 23, Mrs. ADELINE PORTaR, wdt5 Cup I.

T. K. Porter, aged 48 years, a naurest Virginia, and a resident of this city for tbe Uot dO years. BPPLKR On Tuesday, the 83d inst, at 11J0 A. ANHK MILES, aged 7 months and 9 days, yonngest daughter of H.

B. Eppler aod Selah Cannon. EHWARDS On Tuesday norntnr. April VS. 1878.

JOHN 8TKVJCNHOI. aired 11 mosths and 17 days, son of Jas. L. Xdwarda and Mary I Saner. BIHKXL On Tuesday, Aprtl 23.

1373. at a Quarter to O'clock. A. JACOB F. BIKKKL.

aged S3 years, and a native of Bavaria. CARTER At 4:30 A. April 23, 1878, THOMAS WHIN BEY, infant son ot Thomas and A. X. Carter, aged 7 months and7dars, GBEEN On Avrtl 22.

1878. WILLIAK GREEN, a native of Belfast, Ireland, aired 69 ears, a rssMemt of tola dty for th last 41 years. WJEIBZ On Tnesdar. Asrll 23. 1878.

at o'clock A. CAHPEB WEISZ, afsd 59 years and 20 days, a native of Altaoe, Prance aod a resident of Gretna for 28 years. 8CHLATRE Thnrsdav. tbe 18th tnat OS Plaanemlne. varun of IbervlUe.

55 K. WBIflHT. widow of the late S. TJ. D.

Sehla. tre, aged 64 years 7 months and 16 days. BEJTBK In Galveston, on Thnrsdav. Acril xS. 18 8, H.J.

BSIfis, aged 40 years. WrSTHOFP On Thnrsdsv. Aoril 25. at 8 P. JULIUS WUfTHOFF.

aged 57 years, a native ot Westphalia. Germany, and a reeidsAt of this city for many year. IBWIB At 2a P. Thnrsdav. the 35tk April.

PATRICK IRWIN, in bis 68th rear. native of Charleville, county Cork, Ireland. BEDCHEBT On Tharsdav. At) Til 25.1878, at 21 o'clock, P. APlOLOU HKUOH EBT, boin Booker, a native of Elchlocn, Hssss I'Sj rostadt.

Germany, aged 74 years and 4 months. SHELDON On Thnrsdar. Aoril 25. 1878. CELBSTINA STELLA, infant daughter mt Geo.

A. Sheldon and Leon tine toheldon. The Bird Cage Saloon, 46 St. Charles Street 46 And 145 Gravler street US Tbe Vmhlia will at all timea And Cha BEST" LIQUORS. WINES, etc, and the most efflciest and an latio Barker pers In New Orleans.

DAS. ill alwaj be found at hs pot AA 1 O. XkAinbAJW ap21 lmeod Proptiefc. Just Opened B0ERICKE TAFE17S Homeopathic Pharmacy at y. ISO CaaaU sussC, mrw ORLXA8 BBAVCH of their Wew YeT and Philadelphia Pharmacies (estausbecish A roll stock of cure and reliable HomeocataM Meoieines, as well as Family Medicine Oases ana doobs in Herman ana stantly oa hand.

jew xuaa JMu.ujBOa d4 T7 eodly STEAM B0ILEB3, FCElfACI PRO NTS. GRATE BARS ABTO VAXVxa. Bpedal inducements offered. ROBERT JOKES Oc Ittaaufactarers, corner Pearl and Ludlow streets, PI 6 deoddtW 8m Cincinnati. Ofcte ALBERT WAKGENIIEI3I, Artist and Photographer.

(Formerly with Messrs. Barony and Gnrney Bon. New York.) 131 Feydra street, near Casta, New Orleans, Photosranhs ef everv deacrlvtifn. at sod style taken and finished in artisUO totmaXt reduced rates. Tne or equaled Crayon Portraits ana Glaces special dee.

THE LOAN OFFICE. Otto Schwaner. etreec. Between Canal and Common. opposiis GRTJNEWALD SAXX.

Jal078 ly F. A. HABEB, With KPPSTEIN A CO, COMMISSION STOCK BBOEEBS, MemhArs of th Pacio StoCa Kxciiattge," No. ai6 Saaseme fc 8a Francises, Cat m.nA SillS St California, Krvada. Xoaho.

anil Amou Kefer by permission to Anglo CaUfornl Bask, lis ited i London and su rranciw limited. Kan Francisco. CaLi Mesra. ju Bachs fc Co Ban Francisco. grays Of The street, TIV.

write Fi I) AB1 and in these Jkt XO' MORS be than th ECO rtllthtly C506 pi 2 60 tc 100 pi JKG. ds M0 fi shirting ia yrit Ann ben 200 pj Li 100 pi 100 pi 10o.i)i iOOpi conditio 100 jpi BOOKS, 60O soiled. 100 do wairant 600 bobs; i 30c apli ,300 i 800 175 fil wears Wr Prici OUR Tr Xvei BE Fe.