did opportunity for flooring the giant of the bar—a | addition, that he was willing to help the Union fact already fixed in anticipation, and fondly chuck-party by every means in his power; that he had led over. The day of trial came. The court-room been in the British army for six years, the Irish Constabulary two years, and had also assisted the Pope of Rome against Garibaldi and the French. If, therefore, the President saw fit to appoint him to a vacant Brigadier-Generalcy, and was willing to pay the price of his passage across the Atlantic, he could command his services; otherwise, he would still remain his most obedient. The letter was regularly indorsed, and an answer returned to the effect that Congress had made no appropriation for the "payment of passages across the Atlantic;" but if the applicant chose to come on his own responsibility, he would have no difficulty whatever in finding a recruiting-office in New York.

was crowded to excess, anxious to witness the contemplated discomfiture of Mr. M— and glorious triumph of his young opponent. The case was opened, evidence most overwhelming introduced, and all the preliminary and concluding proceedings extended so far that no back track could be taken or other testimony introduced, and the case on the part of the prosecution rested. All this time apparently quite inattentive, his opponent having fairly exhausted himself, and flushed with the anticipated speedy conviction of the prisoner, Mr. M— arose and asked to look at one of the bills alleged in the indictment to be counterfeit. Several were handed to him.

"Dedham, Dedham-where is Dedham ?" he inquired. "I never heard of such a place or such a

bank."

"Why," replied the young attorney, "in Massachusetts, some ten miles from Boston-a fact so well known that I did not think it important to introduce proof of it."

"It may be as you say, Sir, and there may be an incorporated Dedham Bank; but with no proof of the fact, I move, your Honor, that a nolle pros. be entered and the prisoner discharged."

O'TOOLE is a teamster in Captain M'Korkey's celebrated battery, which contributed so materially to our success at Antietam-and, in fact, saved the day. One day, during the prevailing season of mud, as Lieutenant-Colonel Bernstein was riding a tour of inspection, he met the jovial teamster wending his way toward the battery stables, with the inevitable "dhudeen" in his mouth and a large shovel over his shoulder.

"Where are you going, my brave lad?" said the Colonel, who always has a kind word for our gal

The Court could do no less, and old M- was lant boys. not floored this time.

THE following conversation, which took place between two great friends, the doctor and paymaster of the United States steamer V, will prove that two years of Texas blockade-life does not utterly destroy all love of humor :

DOCTOR. "Why, how is this, Paymaster, I paid for five yards of flannel, and here are only four and a half?"

PAYMASTER. "My dear fellow I am very sorry, but I can't help it; you know it won't do for me to be partial, and I must treat you as I treat every body else."

The doctor saw the case in a new light and was satisfied.

To curry the cars of me mool," responded the teamster, with a salute which brought his shovel in dangerous proximity to the Colonel's knee.

The Colonel, who seldom overlooks grave infractions of discipline, still has a quick appreciation of humor among the men of the command, and perceived at once the germ of a joke in O'Toole's reply. Why do you groom only the ears of your mule?" said the Colonel.

66

"Shure thim's all ov 'im remains out o' the mud, Sur!"

ABSENT from home since our dear little Clifford was a "wee thing" in swaddling-clothes, I sent my (vignette) carte de visite. When my wife showed it to her she exclaimed, "Why, muddie, papa's got no arms nor no legs!"

her evening prayers for all her friends. The mother
called her attention to this fact, and asked if she
did not intend to pray for her father also. "No."
answered little one-"no; no use; Abe Lincoln
will take care of him."

Not long since I was spending a short time with some friends at the camp of the Forty-second United A LITTLE three-year-old, living in Binghampton, States Colored Infantry, at Chattanooga, when a New York, whose father was in Government servstalwart African of the darkest dye made his ap-ice, had omitted to mention him for some days in pearance at the recruiting-office of the regiment, and, after a few questions, was made one of Uncle Sam's nephews. He was shown his quarters, and told to make himself as comfortable as possible. He asked permission to leave camp a few moments, which was granted. In a short time he returned, bringing with him his better-half and all his household goods complete. On being asked what she had come to the regiment for, he turned and asked, "Didn't I list for both on us?"

SEVERAL years ago a merchant failed in New York city who was noted for his fast living and easy conscience regarding his honor, and had settled with his creditors by paying from 25 to 50 cents on the dollar. He was met one day by one of his cred

SOME time ago a friend of mine, who is an em-itors with whom he had settled a confidential debt ployé in one of the departments at Washington, showed me a copy of a letter which passed through his hands. The epistle was written in Kerry, Ireland, and was directed to Mr. Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America. The subscriber stated that he was a constant reader of the newspapers; had witnessed the present struggle between North and South with much interest; and was a sincere sympathizer with the former in its efforts to put down the rebellion. He mentioned, in

on the same terms. The creditor was a blunt, plain,
old-fashioned man, living in the upper part of the
city. He drove down to Wall Street to collect divi-
dends with an old horse, and older harness, and
rickety old chaise. He stopped in front of a bank.
and as he was going in he met his former debtor,
who very quizzically asked what he gave for his
horse and establishment. He straightened up, and
said, I gave 100 cents on the dollar!" and passed
on.

66

1

NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

No. CLXXXIV. SEPTEMBER, 1865.-VOL. XXXI.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by Harper and Brothers, in the Clerk's Office of the Dis trict Court for the Southern District of New York.

VOL. XXXI.-No. 184.-EE

A

their hands, and urging on the yelling cur,
whose grand object seemed to be to get away.
A favorable turn enabled him to break loose.
Panting, whining, and with bleeding mouth, he
sneaked off amidst the jeers of the crowd.
"Here's a dog that 'll settle his hash!" said
the owner of a bull-terrier; "let him in!"
"No, no!" cried a chorus of voices.
"Hold

first!"

T the town of Bodie I witnessed one of those impressive Sunday exhibitions which seem to be the popular mode of recreation in this coun. try-a badger fight. Some Indians from Mono Lake came in during the forenoon with a remarkably large badger, which they offered for sale to the miners. The price demanded was ten dollars. As that amount of ready cash did not seem to be within the resources of the multi-back! Don't kill him yet! Try the other dogs tude, the diggers, upon consultation, agreed to take three, which was finally made up by some enterprising members of the community. The usual mode of digging a hole in the ground, as a fortification for the badger, was deemed unnecessary, owing to the formidable proportions and ferocious temper of the animal on hand: and it was decided that there should be a pitched battle in the open valley. All who had dogs were invited to bring them forward and enter the ring gratis. In about ten minutes there were about half a dozen dogs brought to the scratch, and the battle opened cautiously on both sides. The badger was fresh and vigorous. Long experience in the noble art of selfdefense had taught him skill in the use of his natural weapons. He lay close down to the ground, flattening himself as the rattlesnake flattens his head prior to the fatal dart. With a keen and wary eye he watched the dogs. First a large, ill-favored, yellow cur was let loose upon him. The badger never moved till the mouth of his enemy was within an inch of his tail, when, with a motion as quick as light-ing and running. Wolf flew all over the ground; ning, he had him by the under-lip, and a fierce struggle ensued. The dog howled, the badger held on, the dust flew up from the dry earth, over and over the combatants rolled; the spectators crowded in, laughing, shouting, clapping

A vicious-looking black dog, part wolf, was next let loose. The badger had meantime crept close up to a bank of earth, against which he fortified his rear. The wolfish cur surveyed the prospect warily, smelled the badger at the distance of a few feet, peered into his eyes, and quietly walked away. The crowd drove him back. "Fight, you durned coyote!" shouted his master, catching him by the back of the neck and dragging him close up to the badger. "Now fight!" Wolf looked as if he'd rather not; but there was no help for it. With hair erect and a wolfish bark he flew savagely at the enemy; jumping first to one side and then the other; back and at him again; snapping, barking, snarling, and howling; but to no purpose. The badger seemed to be all head; there was not a vulnerable point about him that did not show a head and a sharp row of teeth the moment it was assailed. During some of the dog's gyrations Mr. Badger got him by the hind leg. and then there was a very pretty scene of howl

badger held on; dust, shouts, shrieks, yells, oaths, and clapping of hands were the natural consequences of this achievement. Badger-stock ran up fifty per cent.; dog-stock was rapidly declining.

He

Incredible as it may seem, the six dogs, large and small, were next let loose, and for over an hour they fought that poor badger without doing him any material damage. While some attacked him in front, others picked him up behind, gave him a shake, and then dropped him. He seemed to possess more lives than a cat. bit back a dozen bites for every one he received; and at every respite faced his enemies with that peculiar fixed and indomitable eye which had at first attracted my attention. It was almost human in its expression, and seemed to say, "Shame! shame! Cruel as you are you can not make me quail: I die game to the last!"

Some such thought must have entered the heads of the by-standers, two or three of whom now rushed in with clubs and attempted to batter his brains out. Even then he fought fierce

glaring with undaunted eyes at his assailants. I am free to confess that I turned away with a strong emotion of pity. The fight had lasted two hours. When I next looked back and saw the crowd move away, dragging after them the dead body of the badger, I could not but feel that there was something about the whole business very much like murder.

Bull was let loose-a white, clean-made little fellow, with massive jaws, thin flanks, and a sharp, hard tail, that stood out from his body like a spike. There was neither growl nor bark about him; it was all serious work, in which he evidently delighted; and he went at it with a will-straight, quick, fierce, like a well-trained bruiser who meant blood. He had been accustomed, as was evident from the many scars on his head and face, to enemies of his own spe-ly, biting at the clubs, and in his dying throes cies. He could get hold of a fellow-dog, however large, and throttle him. Getting hold of a badger was quite another thing. Both animals were nearly of the same size. The dog perhaps had the advantage in muscular strength; but the badger was the quicker with his head and teeth. The moment Bull's mouth was within reach the badger had him by the under jaw, fast and firm as a vice. Now commenced the grand tussle-teeth against teeth, neck against neck. Thick dust covered the combatants; to and fro, over and over, they rolled, in their scarce visible struggle; the crowd pressing close in; not a word spoken; for this was a genuine fight at last-earnest and thrilling-a fight to the death. Sunday as it was, I could not but push in closer and look on. I was getting profoundly interested in the fate of the badger. In fact, I don't know but I might have made a bet had any body bantered me at the moment. I would have bet on either side, no matter which, as many a man does who gets excited and has no definite opinion on the subject at issue.

"Stand back! give him a chance!" shouted some of the men in front.

"Take him to water! he's choking with dust!" cried others; and I must say a pang of regret shot through me at what I supposed to be the fate of my badger friend.

But it was not the badger that suffered most. The dog was dragged out, his mouth full of hair and dust, gasping for breath. I looked again when the dust cleared away. Bleeding and torn, but dauntless as ever, with the same fixed and wary eye, the badger awaited the next assault.

"Too bad! too bad!" remonstrated several voices. "That's murder in the first degree!" Sympathy seemed to lean toward the side of the poor animal which was making so gallant a struggle for life. "Kill him! kill him with a club!"

"No ye don't, gents!" shouted the exultant Committee, who had paid their three dollars for a Sunday forenoon's sport. "We'll fight him against all the dogs first; if he don't whip 'em then you can kill him."

My friend the Judge was obliged to return to Aurora from this point. I was committed to the charge of a very pleasant and intelligent young man, one of the owners of the Bodie Bunker, who kindly volunteered to procure horses and accompany me on my proposed expedition to Mono Lake. The horses were ranging in the hills, and there was some difficulty in finding them. In due time we were mounted and on our way.

The road crosses a hill back of Bodie, and thence down through a cañon into Cotton-wood Valley. For a distance of some five or six miles the country is rolling and barren. Rocks and sage-brush, with desolate mountains in the distance, are the principal features. During the trip my companion entertained me with many interesting reminiscences of his experience in the country, his adventures as a police-officer during the Vigilance Committee excitement at Aurora, his mining speculations, and many other matters which to me possessed all the charms of romance. From him also I obtained the particulars of a very singular and tragical occurrence which had taken place about two months previously on the road to the Big Meadows, not far from where we were traveling. I had heard of this on my first arrival at Aurora, and had seen some account of it in the newspapers. Subsequently I crossed the cañon in which the disaster occurred, and made a sketch of it.

Some time in the month of July two men, with their wives and three children, belonging to one of the parties, started from Aurora in a small wagon for the Big Meadows. The distance is twenty-eight miles. When about halfway, as they were passing through a rocky cañon, unsuspicious of danger, they observed some signs of rain, but thought it would be nothing more