Bloomington Progress, Volume 15, Number 17, Bloomington, Monroe County, 10 August 1881 — Page 1

MET. CACIP IIIVKEVt TMBOU

Toaa; notch it ! de palin'a u a ailgoty res

pun, "Ta taake jour ja!gntat by do oWes oat klxaro up

man: 'or I hriy needte feu job how joc oftaa c ereroas A nflr-diUar adUe n ft rwenty-donar hoes.

" "W" ia da JOK-gnata's, you dlaklver as jptl XUMcSaea' aback amy tode da uam' nabMa to

a raw.

1 think ft man kaa got. mighty tlendor okftccs fat hobea DfttboMaoatakUpwtrbDtoaa.layaat abseben;

ra "fflM WK a neap o toman

An' ntblxir drops nickel in de aawtfornrr Sat

Bat's foretuoft in da mortitt'-acMM (or ratal tig ftU rt

I S&b? a noitBaT alitewu

J 4 Bam what des aaae fuiaan'oW) ootutowbw

taia chtafaon'o awfttl fot4 roooUn' pro. ot)e toracgManaant sane abers da eagUi to a oay ; Bay ketone little mfaman to da mUdfe da sea, An you ftodt da aMlhf aooaW up da UaV' kka1

THE UTILE SaWK LUii(r and humming aa i&earr, I throw the drawer's contents Hide; TraVs of old days Iitcatter-d ttwre, Aad papers to haste untied. Struck, aa it vat. ay a radon shot, I lJt aa old woond blood anew ; Carole,.? a-ektac, I know not what, I cam oa tittle ah . Memory nashed ea me; sadly sweet Kaax cttiL the ratrry fattuth of yore; Kea,ne. rttc beat of thoe tiny feet Xfeat pattered along fee floor. PhabtQ roaad face, eo deaiare and wise, Shoiio out with browse auget fair; Dreamy reflection of bsre-beil e?cs, And lulu of KoMenkttir. Pot names, and Jokes of ber infant p'ay, Struck oa the heart witfe a sodden slew ; Me in the mom of one dreadful day. Ami oeath whe. the sun was low. JPoor H'tie relic! brief honr of sport I What shame to nie if fcsra will faJll erkrttliMe of babyhood, oh, how abort ! rb s poor little shoe -t ow s-naU!

1ms For the mm. The swindler is a person who invariably itouriaheB in all great cities, and who includes wnong his victims the rich and Hie poor alike. He fleeces the radlionaYim merchant and tb? pocx emigrant "who seeks this laud to better his fort'mej. For many years be prospered in b erty, and it was ahnost impossible to bring him to justice. In nearly every ease he would escape the meshes of the lsw either through political inflnsuce or the power of money. Of late, however, he has been hunted down, and voiy seldom do we hear of daring swindlers escaping with their booty. In order that the innocent mar be nnon their tnnxd.

a few of the traps laid for the nnwary in this great city are exposed farther on, and a few instances of daring swindling are recalled to the mind of the reader. On Mar 3, 1868, & man by the name of John Bobs, who had been engaged in baseless as a broker in Wall street fax boat tax or eight months, saaeeeded in obtaining 8(51, 000 from various bankers and brokers fn the city on forged gold certificates apparently signed by the Continental Bank. Boss gathered in the whole sum in. two hoars aad decamped with hia booty. Me waa ncrer arrested, although detectives were immediately pat upon his track. It was alleged ut the time that the banking finr.. f which Boss presented the gold certificates at once forwarded tiiem to the Continental Bank to see if they were gemnii c,and that the messenger returned and st-vted that the cashier, after closely hcratii sizing theni, nadpronoanet'd them U be (ood. This statement wan rabsegnently dvmiel by the cashier, bat at any rate the banking firm sent the eertifloaies the same day t the Commonwealth Bank, and they went passed tjw the Clearing Home in th-3 usual nacner and theeneypaid to the Commonwealth Bank. The Contimaital asserted Ba'oaequently rhat the certificates were fotgeries, and commenced a a action for the recovery of the money. . In this connection it may be stated that the tagnatnts of the bank teller of iha ContjnenhJ Bank, iippendad to the certificates, was executed with remarkable 'skill, and the most experienced experts in the city at the time failed to liscover any difference between the genuine signature and those alleged to bare been forged. A novel case of swindling was discovered in 1867, when a man named William Martin was arrested for defrand.mg nearly 3,000 merchants of this city out of various sums of money daring the space of nine years. It appears that Martin, in 185 commenced calling on the merc'mnts with a paper purporting to lie a subscription list for the avowed purpose of raising a fund for sick and destitute members of the Insurance Patrol, at the same time representing that ho was authorized tv receive, subscriptions for finch fund,' and that be was a member of the Ibttorance Patrol himself. Beside the merchants, every hotel, banking-boose, shippingofnee, etc., hag been visited at least onoe or twice a vear hy Martin and solicited to aid the'siek and indigent members of the patrol. When arrested there was found on the swindler a subscription hat containing the names of at least 2,000 merchants and other bosmess men of this city, with the sums subscribed by each, aggregating folly $10,000.In the year 1868 many of the large mercantile houses of this city, whose enstomers resided in the distant; sections of the Union, particularly in die South, West and bouthwest, were norely perplexed at being regularly art-ised that cases of goods received by their purchasers did not at all agree with tlt-t invoices aorampanyiug them, and that in many instances merchandise of aii inferior quality had been substituted for the articles bought. At first it was suspected that the steamship and rail-vny companies were guilty of the wrong-doing, bat as the complaints did not seam to diminish the matter was put ia the hands of the police, who succeeded in placing the blame npou the shoulders of the cartmen who had been intrusted with xhe shipping of the goods. The latter, it was dweovpred. tfter rct-iving the cases for shipment in good ordrr, instead of proceeding to the vessel or freight depot, where they could ship them, were aeeastomed to drive' to certain "fences " and there opaa a ease or two, extract certain valuable pieces and substitute for them goods of iin inferior quality, f nmiated by the keeper "f the "fence.' The first cartmaii arrested corrfesaed that he alone had stolen in this manner $19,000 worth ; goc ds in twelve reocths, and it was a matter of impossibility toplaee any figure on the amount of toe thefts. Eogbne Ijagntve is a nasie very familiar to many of oar drv goods merchants, whom he swindled out o?$C00,000 This sharper oommeaoed lit aa a brnshmaker, and. after making $30,000 in his business, wuut into Wall unset and lost it all. Be was next heard fwam m a leaner of money on diamoiKla, watches, etc., from' which he was forced to retire by the police. Afttsrward he came before the pnblic as the possessor of forged bonds, ad snroequently of stolen secuntlca. He managed, however, to escape punMhment m all these eases. We then find him on Broadway as a merchant. He hired a large store and fitted it up in a gorgeous manner. He then went to 8tewarts. bors-bt a bill of iroods. representing himself as a newly-established merchant who had a large Western trade and who would buy quantitM of goods. For these he paid cash. His address, impndenc. etc. and the fat that the goods were not going out of the city, inspired confidence, and, when he reentered the store a few days aftnr, he rsculd get nil the goods he waited at six months. He went to all the big dry

A. Republican iPaper Devoted to the A-danvoercjent of the Local Interests of Monroe County.

Established A. D., 18;, 5.

BL00M1NGT0N, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 18S1. . New Series. VOL. XV.-NO. 37.

goods houses and obtained credit in the same manner, giving his hoto at six months in each -case. The goods obtained were immediately sent oat West and auctioneered off. He did this every week, until in five months he had ran ap an account of from $500,000 to $600,000. Suspicion was excited by his heavy purchases, his store was visited and found almost empty, and Lagravei, having been received coolly the next .day by his dopes, saw he was discovered, and fled to Canada. Araoog the swindles that have bees Tery successful maybe mentioned the boona cotmterfait-monev manufacturing

shops. The principal victims of the swindlers are country people, to whom communications are sent by bogus firms

in ttiis city ottering to make them rich in a very short time. The swindler

generally begins by stating that he has on hand, ready for circulation, a large Mtm in one, two and five-dollar bills, which he claims are the best counter

feit ever put npou the market, and which he defies even treasury experts to detect. He claims that they are of the same size of the oenuine. are printed

on iirst-class paper, are correctly numbered and are so exceedingly well executed in every respect that they can not possibly be detected, even by the aid of a powerful microscope. He then offers to sell any amount of the bills for Onefifth the par value of the genuine. This

often takes the eye of country people, who, in their anxiety to get suddenly rich, pays visit to the oflloe of (he bogus firm in this city. The latter generally consists of three persons, one of whom meets the

vicum in the hall and oners to go into the office and let the firm know of his prepense. The victim is left for a few minutes alone when another person comes out and inquires how much the gentleman wishes, and tells him that it would, never do to let him go into the office, as they occupy it in common with man who is very suspicions, but he will

onng turn out any amount he wishes unobserved. This is satisfactory, and the scoundrel goes into the office and gets a package fn paper about the size that greenbacks would moke of the amount ordered. The package is securely done op and sealed with the firm's name, and this is quickly exchanged for genuine bills, the victim being cautioned at tha same tuae not to open the package until he reaches home for fear of detection. As a rule the purchaser obeys the instructions to the letter, and is thunderstruck when he proceeds to display his wealth to admiring friends. It is of very little use to try and recover their money, as the "bogus firm" is inaccessible except to fretih victims. The " sawdust game" is also used in this bo-gus-ccunteriaiting scheme. Shop-keepers have time and again been made the victims of swindlers, especially females. Among the many devices to carry ont their purpose was the following: They always worked in couples and were gen entity assisted by a man. The latter would select a house that advertised furnished rooms, and, gomgjto the place in the course of the day, lie would hire rooms for two ladies : and then inform them of the locality of their hew residence. Thee the pur ties , would take a stroll through the principal thoroughfares and select a store to fur- ! nish the material. As soon as every-: thing was ready one or both ladus would enter the store and purchass a quantity of goods, invariably laces or such light valuable materials as could easily be disposed of, and give directioiis to the person from whom the purchase was made to send them to the house, giving the address. When the employe of the store arrivtd at the house with the articles one of the ladies would politely receive him in the parlor, ask him to wait a moment while she was showing the merchandise to her sister .inn husband, and then, taking the goods, the swindlers would disappear from the house with the booty, leaving the messenger waiting patiently for his

The next swindle to be mentioned is rhe "bogus express company." The pretended managers of the concern would commence by forwarding to merjhants of this city notes purporting to :ome from different parts of the country, asking for all kinds of goods to be sent immediately C. O. D. through the bogus express. Of course that would be the tast of the merchandise, as the swindlers would sell it and pocket the proceeds. The prize-candy swindle is well-known to every New Yorker, and nowadays very few people foil victims to this class if swindles. It is not, however, so many years ago that people of all chisses, from the merchant to the street Arab, went crazy over it. 'ortuuately, the

craze was not in this city, but broke out

m Boston, where a wily old man immed Flint Peaslee succeeded for quite a while in fleecing the citizens of the " Hub." His manner of operating was to sell pipe-stem candy for 5 cents a

stick. Each stick was done np in paper, and inside some of them were checks entitling the fortunate buyer to

whatever prize was named therein. These prizes ranged from 10 cents to 810, and occasionally consisted of a barrel oi flour or ton of coaL Of course a large proportion of the sticks contained no checks whatever, and these were recognized as blanks. Every class of the community was represented among the dupes, and even well-dressed and refined women mingled in the line, anxious to try their luck. This thing continued for months, and some days ae many as 60,000 sticks were disposed of. The entire resources of the largest confectioner in Boston were inadequate, and a small army of girls were hardly able to wr p the sticks in pepers fast enough to supply the victimized buyera. The game was finally broken up by a young girl in Pc.aslee b employ, who managed to so pliice the sticks containing prizes that her friends were able to draw them all in the early morning, leaving nothing but blanks for the other customers. Peaslee was finally driven from the city. The " excursion swindlers" are another class that were very prevalent a few years ago. They would open an office an one of the principal streets, fit it up handsomely, and when the would-bo excursionist called he would be received in the most courteous manner, and on the payment of a stipulated sum would be presented with a card purporting to give him passage up the sound or elsewhere on the water. The date of the excursion was printed on the ticket, but no particular steamer or starting-place was mentioned on the face; but this was a matter of small consequence, as the gentlemanly projector of the excursion informed the purchasers of tickets that a certain vessel would leave a certain pier at a certain time. Ih many instances several hundred people assembled on the pier indicated, and after waiting for hours for the steamer made up their minds that they had been victimised.

Anotner weU-worh trap, but which ncludes victims tip to this very day, is the dead-relative swindle. In some cases well-dressed young men will manage to obtain an introduction to their intended victims, and after having made a good impression will d.sappear for a few days. When they return it will be with the information that a brother, sister or other relative has died suddenly in some remote place, and, it being after banking hours, would tho victim loan suflicient money until the next day so tint th body could be brought on to this city? On many occasions the money is advanced, and the victim aces the last of his charitable loan when the borrower

loaves his house or office. Id other cases the bogus bereaved persons beg for enough to bury the corpse from door to door, and generally tell of a sick mother, crippled idstcr, etc., to excite the sympathies of the householder The poor emigrant is not forgotten by the swindler. Every device is tried to fleece him out of the few dollars he has brought with him to his new home. In some cases they are coaxed to give up small sums of money on the pretense of procuring employment The sharpers get their money and then send them to some factory in the suburbs, where the emigrants are told positions are open for them. On application at the place mentioned, the parties in charge say that they do not need any hands, and the emigrants have to return to Oastle Garden minus their traveling expenses. Emigrants intending to go inland are also imposed upon by these sharks, who give them rolls of copper coin in exchange for our paper money or the gold coin of Kuropean countries. They dupe their victims by a gold piece put oj top of each roll, which generally contains Erglish coppers. The "bogus Custom House officer" is another swindle which is carried on to a great extent. It consists in tho assumption of the duties and rights of Custom House officers by a number of rascals, who, to work their ends more easily, wear bogus badges, precise imitations of those worn by the regular inspectors. They follow an unsuspecting passenger who may be leaving the ship with some small package which lias escaped the attention of the regular Custom House officer, and vhen lie is clear of the dock the swindler approaches hint and demands to know what he has got If objection is mode he idiows his badge. This scares the would-be smuggler ; the goods are delivered up and that is tho last heard of them. The passenger claims them at the Custom House, but to no purpose. Among the many mean swindlers are parties who offer employment to poor men in other cities, especially in the South, at good wages, on condition that they pay down a small sum of money. In all cases when the time for departure comes the swindler has vanished, and some idea of the suuVrings entailed upon the victims may tie formed from the fact that many of them had broken up their humble homes and laid out their little means in purchasing necessaries for the voyage. The bogus-insurance swindler is a very captivating gentleman, who carries about with him blank insurance policies prepared with the name of sonie uctitious insurance company, and who calls on householders and proprietors of stores offering to insure taem on a small premium. The " check raiser " is well known, and his business is very extensive. He manages to sell a small amount of goods to a merchant getting the lafter's check in return. Immediately the dollars arc raised from hundreds to thousands, and the swindler collects his money, in many instances without trouble. Another game is for the sharper to visit merchants' uteres, represent himself as a merchant from anothet city, order a large amount of goods and then have a check for $100 or so cashed by the smiling victim. Many other swindles could be mentioned, among tham .the "mock auction," " bogus mine," etc, but of late the authorities have taken the matter in hand, and the work is attended with great risk, so much so, indeed, that in almost every case of the kind the swindler is brought to justice. JVew York Herald. Prehistoric Man. In Yucatan: some discoveries have been made of a very interesting character, mainly by Dr. La Plongeon, the agent of the American Archaeological Institute, who has excavated the ruins of Mayapan, once the capital of Myras, a powerful tribe among the aboriginal inhabitants. The later hiswry of that important town is well known ; for, less than a century before the arrival of the Spanish invaders the King of the tribe had been murdered by his nobles, his followers dispersed aiid the royal city destroyed, so that the objects brought to light by Dr. Le Phmgeon's exertions find their place immediately as historical documents. Among other things, portrait sculptures of the unfortunate King have been discovered, which are at once recognized as similar in face and figure to bas-reliefs of Chichen Itza, the metropolis of Yucatan, whore the Lords Paramount held their Crart, and where the King of Myras is represented as doing a s-xt of homage to the Suzerain. The coincidence seems to point to a period of special artistic development throughout that region, when pictorial or sculptured representations of the affairs of daily life hod become somewhat habitual. Further proofs of enlightenment are found iu astronomical instruments, such as stone dials of accurate workmanship, w hich were found still standing on a smooth platform, covered only with a few inches of vegetable mold. Various observations were made in regard to tho religious emblems discovered, but beyond a strong resemblance of some of them to those of Eastern Asia, no extraordinary developments are made. Dr. LePlongeon's accounts show a remarkable and interesting continuity of language, family mimes, and even of habits, between the ancient inhabitants of Yucatan and their modern descendants. It has been well said that all archreological discovery originates in the endeavor to investigate traditions, which survive after brick and stone have crumbled to dust ; and it is very probable that further acquaintance with the friendly and civilized and natives may furnish clues to discoveries of great importance. New York Star.

Hbthb give way to melonoholy ; nothing encroaches more ; I fight against it vigorously. One great remedy is to take short views of life. Are you happy now 1 Are you likely to you remain so till evening, or next week or next month, or next year? Thou why destroy present happiness by a distant misery which may never ccmeatoll, or you may never live to sse it? For every substantial grief has twenty shadows, and most of them shadows of your now making. Sidney Smith,

f 100,000,000 Yiftfcen frawa the PrlmtllTV Pneliuca Mine tot nKtce. Iu I'hlrly Yewra. rachucftCor Boston Herald. 1 Par more than three hundred years the mines of Fachnca have been worked by the Mexicans first by the Mexicans pure and simple, then by the Spaniards and now again by Mexicans, who would scorn the name of Spaniard, though his blood mingles in their voias. Here in this very town was discovered the process of amalgamation now in use to-day, by which all the precious ores dug from the mountain are made to yield their silver. Yes, more, Ihe very hacienda is still worked, and profitably, in which, in 1857, Senor Medina, made that discovery so valuabli) to Mexico. Seuor Medina has passed away, it is presumed, but his memory still lives. The English colony comprises about throe hundred and fifty men, worn en and children, from the mining district of Cornwall The first Cornish miners came here about fifty years ago, introducing English machinery and modes of working the mines, much to the benefit of the owners. Some of the original number are still living, though very few, and all here now agree as to the henlthfulness of the climate as a place of residence for English people. Though eome of them have acquired wealth and some have retired to old England with, enough and to spare, the majority have earned little more than a living. Precarious property are these mines, except in exceptional coses. The most noteworthy of all the instances of poor men striking it rich is that of the Santa Gertrudis mine, which is now " iu bonanza," It had been successively worked and abandoned years and years ago, and was finally "pronounced" or taken to work by a Cornish man, who has just died. Forming a small company in 1877, he commenced active worfc After it was proved that the mine was paying he sold out his share nine twenty-fifths for $15,000. Since then, one tweuty-fifth has sold for $80,000. the present price per bona or share. This would give at that rate $720,000 for what begot but $15,000 for. The mine has been "in bonanza " now for three years, and is yielding about 8,000 cargaa of 300 pounds each of metal weekly, aud giving a clear profit of $1,000 per day. From June, 1877, to March, 1881, the mine produced $2,800,000, and declared thirty-two dividends of $20,000 each $640,000. In June, 1877, there was but one shaft of sixty vsras a vara is a little less than a yard now the deepest shaft is 170 varos ; there is a powerful pumping and hoisting engine, many large buildings and all the appurtenances of a mine in this section, all paid for. With all this profit, present and prospective, all. the ore obtained here is sent to be reduced to Begin, a distance of seven leagues. This mine, which is located less than two miles from the center of PncliHca, is owned principally by men who were poor at the time they commenced to work it There are, it is said, two distinct lodes, running parallel and at less than fifty yards from each other. At first the veiu worked was only n vara wide, but as they went down they fouud a cavern filled with "metallic rcush," twenty-four feet wide. They wtre at first compelled to timber around a great deal for the sake of economy, taking out merely enough U meet current excuses. What remained was "pure black sulphureta, which exhumed globules of native silver when exposed to fins." One can trace the silver lode as it crops out above the surface and runs diagonally across the hills ; and, if appearances are good for any thing, the two newmines of Dr. Skilton, the Snuto Tomas el Xuevo and the Santa Catarina, to the vest of Santa Gertrudis, are right ia the silver track. We visked these latter, which are at present operated by the old-fashioned Mexican mode, the metal being brought up iu bnliock-skins by means of long ropes of miignoy liber wound about a large drum operated by mules or horses. The whole district abounds in picturesque features, but none more so than these primitive mines. One hundred million dollars taken from one mine in thirty years ! This is the amount declared on good authority to have been extracted from the ltosario Mine since it was started in 1830, and the books show that there has been paid 9500,000 per share in dividends !

A Pleaiant Itemed j- for Toothache. Dr. T. O. Oaborn, iu the Medical Brief, states that his cook came to him with a swollen cheek, asking for something toTelieve the toothache with which she had been offering all night He was on the point of sending her to a dentist, when it occurred to him that there was in the house a bottle of compound tincture of benisoin. " After cleaning tho decayed tooth," he says, " I saturated a pledget of cotton lint with the tincture, and packed it well into the cavity, hoping this would suffice for the time, and told her to come back in two or three hours if she was not relieved. I was turning away when she said it might not be necessary, pei -haps, as the pain was already gone. Supposing her faith had a large share in the relief, I would not allow myself to think that the medicine had anything to do. with the cure any more than so much hot water would have had. But when I arrived at my office two other patients were awaiting me with the same affliction, and I determined, by way of experiment to use the same remedy. To my agreeable surprise, both patients declared themselves immediately relieved, and begged a vial of the tincture for future use. During the winter a number of similar cases applied, aud were instantly relieved by tho same treatment, all expressing much satisfaction with tho remedy. In December 1 told my druggist of the di-toovery, and recommended him to sell it to any person applying for tootuaeho drops. This, he reports, b has done, mid that every oue seems delighted with the medicine. Mechanic. The Bridegroom's "Itest Man.'' Tho custom of a bridegroom's being attended on his marriage by a friend or relative, who is styled the " best man," so practiced at weddings in the pr'-sent day, is of great antiquity, descending from our Saxon ancestors. In their time marriages wore always celebrated in the house of v. bridegroom. On the day lMsfore the wedding all his friends and relations, having lieon invited, arrived at biiv house and spent the time in feasting and in preparing for the ap proaching ceremony. Next came the bridegroom's company mounted on horseback, completely armed, who proceeded in great state and order, under the command of one who was called the forewistnmiM or foremost man, to receive and conduct tho bride in safety to tho honse of her future husband. The bride, in bre." turn, was attended by her guardian and other male relatives, led by a matror., who was called the brideswoman, and. followed bv a company of

young maidens, who were called bridesI mi ids. The Saxon forowistanian of the ninth century is the prototype of the j English " best man " of the nineteenth.

Comefory Movements. Many ytars ago one of these wild follows got terribly tangled up in the neighborhood of Jupiter, and had some difficulty iu getting away from his police. The great comet of 1843, which produced tremendous e xci tement because that was the year the Second Adveutists had set for the end of the world, is said to have passed through tho course of the sun, but ns that consists of an exceedingly rarified gas, thinner than anything wo know of, aud extends beyond the photosphere of the sun several hundred thousand miles, the comet, which was going at a speed of nearly 400 miles a second, got away, though undoubtedly a good deal wormed up by its exercise. Theu there was the comet of 1861, which aunouueed itself iu the glowing heavens with so broad a light thnt it was mistaken for an auroral display: it is believed the earth passed through its enormous tail, producing, however, no other than the luminous appearance spoken of. But as both it and our world were iu haste they soon parted company, and presently the comet was pictured in a well defined cometary form ou the northern sky, aud grew small by degrees and beautifully less, till it disappeared in the northeast There is on inclination to poke fun at the astronomers for not heralding the approach of the comet; of 1881. But comett. are so unoertaiu in their movements that they can not be predicted with absolute certainty. Some of thsm never return. Others oome from no one knows where, but flashing around the sun are upon us iu a twinkling. Others of short orbits can be reasonably calculated upon. But when they get down to regular orbits, they are pretty much played ont as comets, and become little more than star dust, of which we get a sprinkling. The August aud November meteors are thought to be no more , than this cometary dust, through which the earth plunges in its annual orbits. But it is only iu periods of about thirty-three years that it seems to hit these cometary rings where there is the most substance, aud then when it is set on fire by friction vith her atmosphere there is a display which reminds people of the vivid figure o' the Apocalypse. It xvill be well on to the end of this century before there will be a repetition' of die great meteoric showers of 1833 and 1866. Still, hardly a clear night passes when one may not see a "shooting star" blazing its way across tho sky and disappearing in a flash. Once iu a while a considerable body of thu? matter is- encouncd, and then there is a hissing noise as it heats np in our atmosphere, with sciutillations as particles fly off from it, und finally there id a stunning explosion, and a grand pyrotechnic display as the fragments pluugo downward, and bury themselves iu the enrth. In all our museums masses of thia matter, whether of comets or ruined worlds, ore to be found, their surfaces showing the fusion of the heat excited by their passage through the atmosphera Professor Proctor estimates that the amount of this shir dust, which in greater or lesser masses falls to tho earth, has added considerably to the bnlk of the globe, and Dr. Draper is making a special study to support tho theory that life on this globe originated in germs brought to it from the fragments of other worlds. The scientists have not established the theory of spontaneous generation, and it wotdd relieve such of them as do not credit tho account of a specific act of creation, i: they could get proof that life has been brought hither ia the dust of old and broken up worlds, just as birds carrv the seecfe of plants aad flowers to t he islands of the sea. So, scientifically speaking, the dullest clodhoppe:' of us all is interested in comets, as in the investigations of the philosophers and ostronom srs who turn their telescopes and spectroscopes upon then) to discover more of their nature and composition. They have ceased to bo apparitions of terror, omens of war, pestilence ami famine, and can be studied now as part of that great cosmos about which we speculate so much and know so little. Ciitchiua'l Commercial.

National Beverages. France is gradually ohangiug its national beverage from wine to boor. I a Paris alone the consumption has increased 293,000 hectolitres iu sixteen years. What the effeot of the change will tie is a nice question in ethnology which the savants will probably study well. The world is divided as much by its drinks as by it races or its geographical boundaries. The beer country is almost entirely German, coming to a focus at Munich, where the best brew and the best examples of purely Gothic civilization are to be fouud. Euglaud's ale is practically beer with its little change in the fluid as there is iu the English tongue. All the Teutons drink brewed liquors; all the Latins wines all the Celts whisky, all the Sclavs vodski. In the far East, coffee in Arabia and tea in China take the places of the aloobolio beverages. In fact it is easier to distinguish a man by his tipple than by his tongue. Every change in race foods has been followed by a change in race character, and Fruci'e will lie no exception to the rulo. If beer continues to displace wine we may look forward to the growth of a stcadygoing, conservative element in Gallic life which will ballast and direct its enthusiasms whioh will add to it that staying, stable power, which is tho one thing France reeds to lead the world. Writing for the Public. ' There is no work done in the world whioh expands vitality so fast as writing for the public. It is a work which is never done. It accompanies a man upon his walks, goes with him to the theater, gets into bed with him, and possesses him in his dreams. If lie stoop to kiss the baby, before ho has reached the requisite angle a point ccurs to him, and he hangs in mid-air, with vacant face and mind distraught " What's the matter ?" says Mrs. Emerson, in the middle of the night hfiriug her husband groping about tho room. 'Nothing, my dear, only an idea!" James Par ton, in North American JOeview. Flogging. I had one just flogging. When Iwas about 13 I went to a shoemaker and begged him to take me as his apprentice, lit), being an honest man, immediately brought rue to Bowyer, who got into a groat rage, knocked me down, and even pushed Crispin rudely out of the room. Bowyer asked me why I had made myself such a fool. To which I answered, that I had a great desire to 1 a shoemaker, and that I hafd the

thought of being a clergyman. " Why so?" said he. "iieeanse', to tell you the truth, sir," said S, "I am an infidel." For this, without more ado, Bowyer flogged me, wisely, as I think, soundly, as I know. Any whining or sermonizing would have gratilhd my vanity, and continued me ir. my absurdity ; us it was, I was laugh ;d at, aud got heartily ashamed of my folly, Samuel Coleridge, Suffrage fn England. The most recent enactments in referercj to suffrage are those in the reform bill of 1S67-C3. The leading provisions as regard England were as follows: The first establishing household suffrage m boi-onghs, aud the second occupation franchise in counties: " Everyman shall be eulitled to be registered as a voter, and, when registered, to vote for a member or members to serve in Parliament for a borough, who is qualified as follows: First Is of full, age, and not subject to any legal incapacity. Second Is on the last day of July in any year, and has during the whole of the preceding twelve calender month:) been an inhabitant occupier, as owr.cr or tenant of any dwelling house with;.u the borough. ThirdHas during tha time of such occupation beeu rated aa an ordinary occupier in respect of the premises so occupied by him, within tue borough to all rates made for the relief of the poor in respect of such premiers. Fourth Has before tho 'iiith day ot July in the same year bona fide paid an equal amount iu the pound to that payable by other ordinary occupiers iu respect of poor-rates that have become payable by him in respect of said premise up to the preceding 5th day of January, and which have beeu demanded of him in manner hereinafter mentioned ; or ns a lodger has occupied in tho same borough separately, and as sole tenant for twelve months preceding the last day ol July in any year, the same lodgings, such lodgings being part of one aud the t;ame dwelling house, and of the value, if let unfurnished, of jEIO and upward, and has resided in such lodging!, during the twelve mouths immediately preceding the last day of July, and has claimed to be registered as a voter at the next ensuing registration of voters ; provided, that no man shall, under this section, be entitled to le regis tered as a voter by reason of his being a joint occupier of any dwelliug house." The other important clause of tho new act states: " Every man shall be entitled to be registered as a voter, and, when registered, to vote for a member, or Members, to serve in Parliament for a count", who is qualified as follows: First Is of full age, and not subject to any legal incapacity ; and who shall be seized at law or in equity of any lands or tenements of copyhold, or any other tenure whatever, except freehold for his own life, or for the life of another, or for any lives whatsoever, or for any larger estate of the clear yearly value of not less than over and above all rents and charges pay&ble out of or in respect of the same, or who shall be entitled either as lessee or assignee to any lands or tenements ol' freehold, or of any other tenure whatever, for the unexpired residue, whatever it might be, of any term originally created for a period of not less than sixty years of the clear yearly value of not l&Is than 5 over and above all rente and charges payable out of or iu respect of tho same. Second Is, on the last day of July in any year, and has during tho twelve months immediately preceding been, the occupier, as owner or tenant, of lands or tenements within the county of the ratable value of 12 or upward. Third Has, during the time of such occupation, been rated iu respect to the premises so occupied by hiui to all rates made for the relief of the poor in respect to the premises. And Fonrth - has, before the 20th day of July in the same year, paid nil poor-rates that have become payable by him in respect of said premises up to. the preceding 5th day of January."

POLITICAL NOTES.

A College Bepubllc A novel experiment in college government, which has so far been a success, was iu 1870 instituted in the Illinois State University. The President aad faculty calling thestudente together proposed the eshvblishment of a republic among them. Tho President reminded them that they were no longer children some of them indeed were voters that they ought to begin leanrihg the art of self-government, and make themselves familiar with the duties and practices of irovernmeut After some days of re-

i flection, they decided on its adoption.

I5v the President" s help a constitution aiid by-laws were adopted. The general assembly of -she students made the laws subject to the unqualified veto of the President Laws against gambling, drinking and disturbing the quiet and good order of the buildings were passed, and fines imposed. Tho issue having been made, the Attorney General decided that it was a lawful corporation. Its operation for more than ten years has determined its success. Offenders dread its authority more than they do that of the faculty. The increase in the number of students rendered necessary the election of a Senate of twenty-one members to whom the law-making power was transferred, and misdemeanors are tried in due form. The President says it is so popular among the students that when a member of the State Legislature disparaged it in their presence, they hissed him. They have become well trained in parliamentary rules and the usages of deliberative assemblies. Several times, however, the whole scheme would have broken down but for the moral support and encouragement of the faculties. Wherever such plans have been tried, oven among younger boys, they would seem to have succeeded. Perhaps this is because the failures ore not reported. They are generally projiosed and carried through by men of original minds, and unusual tact in their dealings with the young. It apparently requires exceptional ability in the instructors or heads of the institution to inaugurate the plan and care for it in its infancy. This otters a hint certainly to the other colleges, aud if a republican form of government has its advantages over others its general adoption should be the next step iu education. Undoubtedly there are limits to it, but it would 'je wiso to discover these, aud introduce it into all schools as far as it proves practical. If it do no more than modify the iron aud imperial discipline in some schools, it will have gained ft victory. Del m it tree, Press,

Alerctiicious AlmMiiTing. "if," says an Plagium critic, "any cause or society wonts funds, the machinery employed for collecting them should bo tun e.o and simple. It money d-H-s not theu come in, the inference is that the money is uot wanted. Meretricious alm t-givuig is one of the scandals of the day.'7

Evebtbodt knows that where ignorance is most dense the Democratic majority is the largest The census, demonstrates this fact beyond a doubt Of the 1,500,000 illiterate voters in the United States, 1,125,000 are in the Southern States. Only about one-hall the voting population of the South are able to read their own ballots, Inter Ooean. Thb crowd of impecunious delegates to the late Ohio Democratic Suite Convention who got no money out of Bookwaiter's "barl" are now swearing like " our army in Flanders." They do not seem to be particularly scandalised because their candidate literally bought his nomination, but because, iu the lisbursementof the funds, they received no part of the swag. They call him now Pocket-Bookwalter. The quarrel between the factions is very pretty as it stands. Chicago Journal. In the intensely Demoaratiu parte of this State where the rum shops are many and the school houses few they are passing the old Ciaib Jackson defense warrants for Government currency. Well, why not? These warranto represent something very dear to the Democratic heart, while Government currency represents something very abhorrent Then our friends the Grcenbackeru might with propriety take the Jackson scrip as legal tender. It is just as valuable as they would make the Government notes if they had a chance. It is the fiat money for which their souls yearn. SL Louis Olobe-Denwcrat. Indications are abundant thus early that the amiable game of dog in the mangel will be mudh played by trie Prohibitionists of the country iu the ensuing fall elections. In several State and many local contests tits "Eefot mers," hopeless of victory themselves, are hopeful of an occasional op. ortrxnity ia wrest victory from the Republicans mid give it to the Democrats. The proverbial friendliness and lively sympathy of the Democracy toward all wortay ttims of the Prohibitionists ought to receive some sort of tangible recognition, of course. To render occasional Democratic victories at the polls possible hi, therefore, kind of the Prohibitionists ; though how these anticipate aid in theii work from Democratic successes is matter difficult of understanding. Milwaukea Wisconsin. Thews is not the slightest probability of the Republicans losing tho organization of the lower house of Congress. The new Congressional Directory shows that 151 members were elected as distinctive Republicans, 131 an Democrats and 11 as Greenbaokers or Independents. Six vacancies now exist four iu Republican districts and two in Democratic districts. Should Republicans be elected to succeed Messrs. Lapham, Miller and Morton of New York, and Frye, of Maine, the Republicans will have a majority of one. Moreover, some of the Independents and Gi'eeii backers were elected by Republican, votes, in opposition to Democratic nominees. Hazleton, Rice and Burrows, of Missouri, classed as Greeubackers, are avowed Republicans, except on the ourreucy question, and will in all probability act with the Republicans in tho organ izatiou of the House. It if absolutely certain that they will not take part with the Democrats. Oolumbm Ohio) Journal. Whenever the Democrats blunder or fail and they usually do both they issue manifestoes to the country telling what fellows they would be if they only had a fair chance, what grand results they wotdd achieve had fate liee:a otherwise and what wicked fellows the parties at whose hand they suffer defeat are and have been. The Bourbons of the New York Legislature, having failed -.o take advantage of the temporary split; in the Republican ranks, are angry and disappointed, and, in an address issued to the public in explanation of their :'aihire, they are eloquent in denuuci&tioii of the spoils system, caustic in their references to Conkling, aud contemptuous iu alluding to Piatt They fay to make it appear that they are in favor of civilservice reform, pure and simple, that they have the utmost concern for the ' great State of New York" and of the nation, and that they are particularly solicitous for the interest of the taxpayer. The people, however, have little faith in their protestations or professions, and the people are right The periodical Democratic macifesto is to be expected, and probably must be endured. BookwaIitbk, the Democratic candidate for Governor of Ohio, has . barrel,, but, if reports may be believed, no other qualification for Governor. The New York Times says of him: He is eit'ipty aad aololy a vulgar feLow with tt million or two of dollars who proposo" to buy the Governorship as a kind ot personal ornament, just as "shoddy" rich pt-oplo lay tho biggest diamonds thoy can find. His outdid. oy ro presents a gross form ot materialism, and liutlmii,' else. His philosophy of ihecorrelatioii of forces never rises abov tho oonxidcration of tha omnipotence of mon y. In his patent water-wheels md hi tie pines he sees a force that can lie trailsMinted into political power and glory. Tbey bring him mousy, and money, as h fanotta. wilt bring him an; thing he desma. The man the individual, stands for nothitur in this proecus. The engines anil the waler-wheels am going to oleet tho Governor of Ohio, unless i Bhiili prove tint the voters of tha Stats an noi. yet ready to accept the sway ot uijchanioa: forces." The " bar"! " has not proven a success, with the Democracy ia late y jars. It has secured nominations, which is easy enough, but it has proven a dead weight in elections. The people are not yet ready to put up offices to the highest bidder. While tho possession of a barrel may lie controlling in Democratic conventions, it is a positivu impediment iii elections, mi Book waiter will find out Judianapoi.i Journal. Nature's Toilette. "Who has seen Nature getting up 'i the morning? She sleeps a' tight in her does, yet they're never rumpled I her awakening face tihe turns up, dewy, to the sun, and Zephyr wipes it wi' his wing, without distnrbin' its dreamy expression. Never ye see -hot hair in papers ; for, crisp and curly, iar-sweauua' and wide-wavin' aw her loolu, an alternate shadows and sunbeams dancin'o some joyous river, rollin awa' to the faroff sea. Her e'e is heaven hor brow the marbled clouds, one after a long doon doou-gazing, serene and spiritual look o' hersell, breathin' her ousouprayers, in the reflectiu' magic o' some inland ocean, stately stops she (too the oast I" Dbath from a lightning stroke is said to be absolutely painless. But we don't see how they know. Wo don't believe any person who ever died th t way had a chance to tell how it felt, -.Boston Post,

INDIANA BKW& Thb 10-year-olcl son of C. Ooffman, farmer, living near Maude, was kicked by a horse and killed. Thomas B. Wxtnoat, an M printer, died at Kendall ville, aged 82 years. He settled ia Noble county in 1886, BifH the window and bottle departments ol DePauw's glass-works at New Albany will resume on Sept 1. A Hsbbt county-cow gave birth to a fully-lavelopetL go id-taxed calf two months ago, and last week repeated the performance. John GARwrn, a young man living in Munoie, while fooling with a pistol accidentia discharged it, aad shot his left hand to pieces. Thomas Hibbh' saloon at Cambridge City wi partly demolished by a dyna-

. mite torpedo utm was exnioaea m u cellar b.) unknown parties.. ' Thb stores of Mack Bros, and Morris ! Jones, tit Muncie, were burglarized a ; few days ago. Over $1,000, ofcvsfly I mnda. lwwarch-d their nefarious labors.

1 ... ' r 2 . 1 ...... nMWI.

lB IKJUTliig-lIHAiaS U UWl-gc umuuua, near Muncie, were totally destroyed by fire. Five hundred bushels o! wheat were burned. Loss, $5,000; iruHuonoe, $3,009. Thb church furniture works of Haynes, Spencer & Oa, at Richmond, Cory Roulette's planuig-mill, md Hugo's engine-governor factory were bunted, the loss being $50,000. A lit rue daughter of Thomas WiUimmson. of Jefferson county, had one foot cut entirely off by a moving machine, she having stepped in fiont of tkfi sickle while it was in motion, WhtxM WiMifd lwiglass Shank, eon of the Clinton oounty' 'Ireasttrer, was driving team of horses ia Frankfort they ran away, throwing him against a fence aud killing him instantly. Tax jreodeiio survey of the State was commenced at New Albany last' week. The observatory is four miles north of the city, on the knobs. The survey will extend through the central part of the State and to South Bond. ' ! At Muncie, while Sol Vehemsn, a lad 17 year of ago, was loading an old pistol it went off, sending a ball into the breast of a boy named Sinith, who was standing by, rmasing a fatal wound,, the ball passing entirely through the breastbone. CtnnroBD CbonK, 'of Washington county, got mad at one of bis horses, hitohed to his mowing machine, and got off to switch the horse, and got in front of the reaper, when the horses sprang ahead, cutting off one foot at theankle. Msa. dUBBTs-r Gov, daughter of Mr. W. B. Luigntoii, Gounemvtlto, has been taken to the insane asylum. Her insanity ran in tha direction of attempts at killing her children, and dates from the grief occasioned by the death of her bosbacd, nome yean ago. "-"! A TBaJatp tried to force am entrance into tha home of Mrs. Mo) lie Hurt a widow, residing near Franklin. Mrs. Hurt sent a bullet through this panel of the door, and it lodged in the' brain of the would-be burgiu, who died immediately. : . , Bonos BcssxLib, a well-known lawyer of Charlestown, was run oyer and lolled at JelTersonvilla Thfe locomotive wheels severed the body to twain, cat off one arm and horribly rontihated the lower extremities. Death ,wna.4nstaataneons. . .. '. SfflauiAif Nxmok, aged 15,', ww sent by his parents for the cows, at Greencattle, but instead stole a ride on top of a freigat of the Louisville, New Albany and Oliicaga At Pullmaaville hie head came iu contact with a bridge, and ,he was fai&liy injured. ' ' Mas. Jacob Mansdoemtkk was burned to death at Fort Wayne by her clothes catching fire from the shove while she was in toe kitohon alone prepsiruig supper. Onildren discovered hei while sho was burning, but were powerless to assist her in time. ' 'w Bad whisky and -tamn Jealousy caused George MacElfresh, of Muncie, to go to the bouse of his fong-divorcea wife, kick the doors in, seize her, and threaten to brain her with a huge stone. Her sister, Mcry Leo, at this critical moment nr at him and ipflioftsdia dangerous and perhaps fatal wound. , Tot Do .Pauw American plato-Glats Works are now tummg out an immense plate-glass fermenter for one of the large distilleries at Owensboro, Ky., to be used in the manufacture of sour-mash whisky. It is seventeen feet in height eight ' feet in diameter, and uw first plate-glass fermenter ever mwiufat tared. Neab North Vernon, Jennings bounty, a team of horses attached to a reapingmacli ine ran off and threw the driver, John Hulse, in front of the txehie-bar, which, before the horses could be stopped, cut both hisarms'ciff, one above the eibow and the other above the wrist and. cut gatdves .m hip biceist and. shoulder. Thb west span of the iron bridge on Clinton street over the St Joe river, Fort Wayne, gave way, falling in the river, caused by the pier setUipg on a quick-sand bottom and throwing the bridge out of line. Henry Hahna was crossing in his buggy, and - went down with it Although he fell in such a way as not to show apparent injury, death

resulted in a tew hours, oausea uj m ous excitement Thk Led'ier-Standard leairna of a

of infamouf. slander -in Harrison oounty, in whioh 6 depraved young roan attempted to pay court to a young lady, and, leing rejected, set his vile tongue to wagging about her. The teles he concocted came to the ears of -the father, and no seriously affected him that his life is in danger. The entire family are in deep distress over the ewries.andat the condition of the ftifaer. " Bomb time ago a Tipton attorney received for collection a chum on a worthless fellow who has lived in Gt;orgia since the close of the war. He wrote a letter to the fellow, stating the amount due and advising him to avoid trouble and cost etc Judge of the lawyer's surprise when he received by express a package of lulls to the full amount of the debt a hi, greater surprise when he saw that the bills were, all .ConfedV crate notes. The State Board of Equalization was in suasion at lhdianapolia a few days ago. Tne total usacssmeut on the different railways last year was $38,442,941. This year it is 943,279,418; an in. oreoce of $4,836,477, or over 12 perceiit Tho State tax on railroad property is $0 cento on Ihe $100 valuation, and - under the increased assessment an additional revenue of $13,505.32 is assured over last year. Th-J roads suffering the greatest by the increased assessments were the Union and Belt each $5,000; per mile ; the Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Cincinnati, $1,100, and the Bee Lino, $1,000. Tin Brazil hUerprli says: "At present the Ughtning-rod swindle is being perpetrated in this countjy. They goto a man and say: 'We wlt put ligh tning-mis en your house or barn at the rate of 71 cents per foot; the bill will probably bo $28 or $30.' - The person approached with such a proposition, without making any estimate of this number ot feet necessarily requirec. will contract to have i. done t thettipulatet! rote per foot Then tho lighiung-rod fiends will climb upon his buildings aad put np the rods, using us many feet as can possibly be put on, even ro the extent of running the rod ten or twelve feet in the ground. When the work is ended the bill will be found to be $130 or $140 at the rate of 87) cents per foot, and thare has been no each misrepresentation on the part of the lightning, tod man as will defeat the oolteotioa of hia hilt