AGABOND SKETCHES.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 792, 23 March 1871, Page 3

AGABOND SKETCHES.

I STRIKING INCIDENTS. As the materials of which vagabond jtcbes aro constructed, throughout 3 world, are not altogether wanting Charleston, I, a thorough vag, have iduously applied myself to the task manufacturing a few of these delius " tit bits," confident that an indent public wall furnish me, from io to time, with a sufficient supply he raw material,and otherwise assist the development of this particular nch of native industry. I reIctfully bog to inform all who read . productions signed as under, that y may rely on their being genuine, I prepared in the manner best suited the general palate and digestion, t as one inan's food may eometimes stituto another man's poison, acding to this or that state of tho tern, so may a few, of weak constiion at one time, experience unsrable results, whild the succeeding o may administer a most soothing n a" late issue of the " Westport les" an extract from an American rting paper appeared. It recorded death of "old yrlte hack of Jeff. Davis,"*and feel!y stated how the old "bit of blood" ■opped in his tracks, while running iur mile dash, Ac." Now it struck as being a most curious coincide, that we, of Charleston, N.Z., uld also own a crack (water) racer, led Charlie, who is now entered for Four Mile" race (hot dash), and i also *' dropped in his tracks," a pie of Weeks- ago, while taking a uuiet "walk over" on the course. I Fortunately this accident was attended I with no worse results than putting I liim off his feed for a couple of days ; I and I am told he is taking his gallops \ again in a manlier that gladdens the hearts of his backers. While on the ' subject "of the " Four Mile Bace," I' might as well mention that a protest was entered by Old Tommy, XX, and a few other local cracks, based on the plea, that Charlie ran inside a post, or •didn't post something, in conformity' with racing regulations. This was met by a counter protest on the part •of Charlie, and the whole affair 'has resulted in undecided confusion. A curious " kettle of fish," but I suppose Admiral Kous or some other great authority will ifnravel the tangled web. In the meantime, the betting market is quiet, boo& (?t) makers refusing to do business in that »ff hand manner wluch formerly characterised them.— To lay aside metaphorical speaking, and the confusion of horse racing with water races, it strikes me a few words on the latter would not be misplaced among these sketches. That an unlimited supply of water is required to realino the. boundless wealth that lies hidden throughout the Charleston district, is a fact well known to every one, but that this supply Bhould be placed in the hands, and at. the absolute disposal of one party, would be nothing less than a public calamity. That system of oppression, which other colonial governments have for years been endeavoring to suppress, would certainly accrue from such monopoly, and tho cure would inflict on tho digger something to be dreaded more than the disease. Many claims cannot afford to pay an exorbitant price for water, and many scores of acres, that would give employment to hundreds of diggers, and add to the revenue of the country, are lying unworked for want of cheap water. Let our judicious rulers study the public weal, and dispose of extensive (likely to be subsidized) water rights, in a manner that will allow competition to spring up; and if a little harm should be done to this or that applicant, there will be "no harm in the good that comes of it." This is Josh Billings* philosophy, and lam sure many will endorse my ■opinions on the subject. A striking instance of the utter inutility of titular letters occurred here about a week ago, when a certain J.P. was struck by Strike, and the man of " wise saws and medernjinstances" was not allowed the - slight privilege of doling out a little law for himself; I can fancy him addressiflg the shrinking culprit with that magisterial gravity which J.P.s can so well assume, in words like the following—- " Prisoner, you have in the public streets of Charleston, committed an unprecedented breach of the peace, and that too on the person of an unoffending Justice of the Peace. That it may act as a salutary warning to others who may contemplate a like offence, I will fine you in the mitigated penalty of £SO or six months' imprisonment, and it grieves my soul to see a man of your apparent respectability placed in such a disgraceful position I Would'nt that be a glorious strike back? b

Tbe Charleston Social Institute affords another striking instance, it tells how much good can be effected by a few well-meaning people. Jfo"tiung, that the most ingenious mind could devise for the benefit of men whose lives are spent in the absorbm?,' heart-hardening pursuit of gold could be more successful. "The feast of intellect" provided every Monday evening is something .Charleston may well be proud of, and it is working a visible improvement in many of mv own class. Charleston, March 20,1871. Vag.