California Farming.
A gentleman, writing from California to the editors of the Saint Louis Reveille, says his stock consists of about four thousand head of oxen, one thousand seven hundred horses and mules, three thousand sheep, and as many hogs. They all pasture themselves without difficulty in the rich prairies and bottoms of the Sacramento, and only require to be attended. This is done by the Indians, of whom he employs four hundred. His annual crop of wheat is about twelve thousand bushels, with barley, peas, beans, etc., in proportion.
Diversification of Language.
From the Gem of the Prairie.
"Keep that Testament in your vest pocket, over your heart."
The fond-hearted mother had assisted in adjusting upon her son the "tow frock and trousers," had tightly secured the knapsack, canteen and cartridge box in the strings twisted with her own fingers from the same material as his clothes; as he turned, on opening the door, to speak the "manly good-bye," she suppressed the parting tear, lest it might damp the flame of freedom which fired his noble soul, and echoed the "good-bye" with a forced smile.
As she went to the window to take another look, she discovered the Testament had been forgotten; she caught it in her hand, ran to the door—called him loudly, holding the book in her uplifted hand, in order to show him why she stopped, and soon stood by his side. Without uttering a word she put the book in its place, grasped his hand, looked him full in the face, and with quivering lips, heart big with emotion, cheeks bedewed with tears of maternal affection, she spoke: "My son, I would not have you stay; your country has the FIRST claim upon you; be true to that as you have been dutiful to me, and Heaven will protect you—KEEP THAT TESTAMENT IN YOUR VEST POCKET, OVER YOUR HEART!" After faithfully serving the term of his enlistment, he returned to his home. Before he uttered a word, he took from his "vest pocket" the old Testament, and there lay a British bullet, snugly imbedded where the force of the powder had driven it, and this was the only shot he had received while fighting for his country.—Nashville Union.
Temperance in the Army.