Franklin Repository

"Fourth of July." -- Well -- I don't feel patriotic. Perhaps I might if they would stop that deafening racket. Washington was very-well, if he couldn't spell, and I'm glad we are all free; but as a woman -- I shouldn't know it, didn't some orator tell me. Can I go out of an evening without a hat at my side? Can I go out with one on my head without danger of a station-house? Can I clap my hands at some public speaker when I am nearly bursting with delight? -- Can I signify the contrary when my hair stands on end with vexation? Can I stand up in the cars "like a gentleman" without being immediately invited "to sit down?" -- Can I get into an omnibus without having my sixpence taken from my hand and given to the driver? Can I cross Broadway without having a policeman tackled to my helpless elbow? Can I go to see anything pleasant, like an execution or a dissection? Can I drive that splendid "Lantern," distancing -- like his owner -- all competitors? Can I have the nomination for "Governor of Vermont," like our other contributor, John G. Saxe? -- Can I be a Senator, that I may hurry up that millennial, International Copyright Law? -- Can I even be "President?" Bah -- you know I can't. "Free!"

Humph! FANNY FERN.

When your wife begins to scold, let her have it out. Put your feet up cozily over the fireplace -- lay back in your chair -- light one of your best cigars, and let the storm rage on. -- Say nothing-- make no answers to anything.

We have frequently referred, with pride and pleasure, to the spirit of improvement which has so generally taken possession of the citizens of this town, and vicinity; but there is one portion of the town which is a disgrace to any civilized community -- we mean the ragged, dilapidated, worn-out board-walk beyond the Bridge on North Main street. Whose fault is it that this unsafe, unsightly foot-walk continues to annoy all who are compelled to use the dangerous pathway? Let us have the name of the man, or names of the men, who refuse or neglect to repair this much used pavement, and we will put them upon record for future reference -- hand them down to succeeding generations as public spirted (?) [sic] individuals. Last Sabbath, going to and, returning from church, we saw a number of Ladies going into the street for safe walking -- afraid to trust themselves upon the foot-trap. If it is the fault of the Council, we will hoist each member of the board in bold type by way of perpetuating their memory. Something must be done, and that pretty soon, to make this side-walk safe; or the town may have a nice little bill of damages to pay. The gentleman living on this side of the Bridge was compelled to pave the entire length of his lot, from King street to the Bridge; then why cannot the owners of the other side be made subject to the same Ordinance, that governed the case when this side of the Bridge needed paving. Attend to this matter Messrs. Councilmen and save your credit.

On Wednesday of last week a lad about 12 years of age, son of Mr. LEONARD NAVE, near Culbertson's Row, a few miles North of this place, went into Nickle's Mill dam to bathe, and, not being able to swim ventured into water too deep for him to wade out of and, before assistance could reach the unfortunate boy he was drowned. A son of M. NICKLE performed a daring feat in recovering the body of the dead boy. He clung to the side of a boat, propelled by others in the boat, with his body under water, feeling with his feet for the body, as the boat was rowed through the dam, till he succeeded in touching the object of his search with his feet, when he dived down and brought it to the surface. The mourning relatives, and the whole community, feel deeply grateful to this brave youth for his successful efforts in rescuing the body. It is greatly regretted that he, the intrepid young man, was not within calling distance to save the life of the unfortunate boy -- his little neighbor.

On Monday of this week, the editors and proprietors of the Valley Spirit, Messrs. P. S. DECHERT, G. H. MENGEL, and Dr. W. H. BOYLE, who were prosecuted by Col. A. K. McCLURE for libel, were called up in Court and, entered into recognizances for their appearance at the October Term, to answer the charges. They were permitted to give the nominal bail of one hundred dollars each, and go bail for each other. Col. McCLURE was in Court, but kindly permitted this strange, unusual proceeding to take place without interposing a solitary objection. He would not add anything to the torture which these gentlemen are, evidently, enduring. He kindly permitted his bitter foes to get off as easily as they could; but who else could do so? One of the defendants asked us: What would become of the case if they were all to run off? To which we replied: The best thing which could possibly happen to this community.