Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1879 — Untitled [ARTICLE]

‘‘lt’s a cold, a cold.” The first day of Anno Domini 187 D wos a respeetu ble sort of a winter day for the degree of latitude which is made, 'conspicuous upon the globe for having the prosperous town of Rensselaer situated upon it; not that the temperature was like that which is said to bless the region of Mobile, where ’native strawberries are blushing in the gardens, or Jacksonville where the Iraprance of roses aud jassamiues freight the air, or of New Orleans where the mocking bird’s melody echoes through vcrdure-clad groves*.or of Sun Francisco where goldou oranges suck ill ripening sweetness front the brilliant sunshine —it was not like the sultry days which blis^

tered and roasted aud broiled living men and women and children and beasts of burden in the pent-up streets of Chicago, •St. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati and oilier cities of America, last summer —no cases of sunstroke were reported to the public board of health—but it wa* a moderate winter day, when lecding cattle was not an excessively disagreeable chore, and that usually unmitigated fraud called sleigh-riding might bo endured, or even enjoyed, with the company of an agreeable companion ; but night brought high wind, flying snow and shrinking mercury. Tlii-s morning, January 2d, at 8 o’clock the thermal register was IS 0 to 22 3 below zero, depending upon the exposure to the polar current. It is to date the coldest day of the season; a day not especially tempered to the condition of certain local politicians who foolishly neglected crops and business last summer and autumn at the suggestion of demagogues to howl for the repeal of a wise and hone.-t law and the creation of a worthless money. It is a serious problem with some of the dupes whom demagogues used and have forgotten how they are to keep life and body together through the winter without calling upon public charity for help. They are learning the old and bitter lesson that post election performance* bear a relationship of inverse ratio to ante election promises, and if they survive the ordeal the experience will be worth all that it costs them; aud from this reflection they may extract consolation though in it is not food, raiment uor fuel.

Fire. —About noon to day fire was discovered in the roof of the three story frame building on Washington street known as the“Shaughai.” The prompt and vigorous efforts of tho men and Vtlmen who rallied in response to the alarm saved the old bat-harbor after a hole big enough to drive a horse through was burnt across the comb down to tho eaves on the westtside and oaa-third down the oast sido. The ground floor was occupied as a grocery and provision Btore, by the firm of Catt & Smoot; ail the goods and furnituro of which were speedily taken out and piled on the opposite side of the street. In the second story were furnished lodging rooms that got pretty well deluged with water. The third story was not occupied, except perhaps as a lumber room. Tho damage done all around possibly may foot up to 8100. No insurance. Building owned by W. J. linos who intends to removo what is left, of it next season and build a brick one on the site. Envelopes. —A large brand new stock of envelopes, received *Hhis week. Only 15 ceuta for a bunch of 25 with return card neatly printed; only 50 cents -for- WO-; imly *2.00 for 500; only $3.00 for 1,000. Goods warranted best quality. Callon or address Horace" K. James, Union oflhe, Rensselaer, Ind.