R. T. Van Horn & Co., Publishers.*

December 30, 1870.

     Raw, chilly, and dampish.

     The Criminal Court resumes its session-day.

     A slight thaw yesterday made the city streets slightly oozy.

     A mysterious excavation is in progress on the Square.

     A legless boy traveled around the streets yesterday, on his haunches.

     Major A. C. Jones requests us to say, for the benefit of a large circle of admiring female friends, that the announcement of his marriage published in the Times and other papers yesterday was premature.  The gallant gentleman is still unfettered by the silken cord of matrimony, but will take the earliest convenient opportunity of "Shuffling on a mortal coil."

     "Old Hundred" was given in brass at the Fair last night.

     A horrible story of the sale of his dead wife to doctors, is current.

     A Swede, name unknown, working on the river yesterday, gathering ice, had the misfortune to break off a square upon which he was standing, and was plunged into the icy current.  Bob Rickets, who was near by, grasped the man by the hair, and after great difficulty brought him out safe and sound, but awfully chilled.  His bath will teach him to exercise more care henceforward.

     The Sociable Club gave its second party last night at Galloway's Hall.  A good time was had, and gay.

     A bet of $2,500 is up that the railroad bridge at St. Charles will be completed by the first of next May.

     All day yesterday skates convoluted and culicued on the rapidly melting ice of the river.  In the afternoon a pair of beautiful skaters, in blue costumes, created quite a sensation by their graceful movements.  The champion of Wisconsin attracted great attention, and executed some very difficult feats on the glittering irons.  In the middle of the stream a peanuttery is located, which seems to do a good business, and all in all, our grand skating rink is the most popular feature of the week.  The skating will be good for some time, notwithstanding the thaw of yesterday, as the nights are freezing still.  The ice-men still cut and saw, and we may look for cheap ice and plenty of it next summer, as several new ice houses have started up,  and all are working with a will to save the evanescent product.

     Masquerade suits, Main street between Seventh and Eighth, over the German Savings Association.

     Correspondents must remember the unchangeable roule of newspaper offices, to print communications written only on one side of the sheet.