Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 8, Number 2, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 7 July 1877 — Page 1

Vol. 8.—No. 2.

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THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR TIIR PEOPLE.

SECOND EDITION.

Town-Talk.

At last the now President bos struck a hornet's nest. Whether he has been stung, and if so, where and bow many limes, the country is not informed. He has a provoking way—provoking to the hornets—of not making any fuss about their attacks. But there is an awful buzzing, Gail Hamilton, a kind of queen hornet, has been uneasy for a good while. Her cousin, Mr. Blaine, who has done some pretty severe stinging in bis day, has been ominously silent. But now the whole neit is stirred up. They are flying around at an awful rate up in Iowa a lot of them have been making things lively down in New Jersey and on the Fourth, that model of all that, is lovely, honest, and pious, Henry C. Bo wen, had a part of the nest on his farm at Woodstock, Connecticut. The particular stick which has done this punching, is the order that those holding appointments from the President shall either attend to those duties, and leave the management of politics, or resign. "Ibis is regarded as an infringement of the right of the American citizen to run caucusses and conventions, and mancyo torchlight processions—in a word, to run the political machine and look to Uncle Sam for pay. The absurdity of the thing lies in the nonsensical assumption that those in the eaiploymentof Uncle Sasu ought, like persons in the employment of private parties, to attend to their own business. It is very well to make a clerk, bookkeeper, or business manager in the dry goods, grocery, or banking business, devote his time and strength to that particular business. But government offices are a very different affair. Men get these to pay for party service. Party work must bo done first, and then if tber9 is any time, strength and inclination to do ao, Uncle Sam's business may be attended to afterwards. All this President Hayes fails to understand, and hence the row.

It struck T. T. us a bright idea to interview some of the prominent citizens in reference to this item in the President's policy. If any of the parties indicated fall to romember the interview with T. T., such wili be of the number whom T. T. interviewed without visiting them. Many newspaper reporters take the valuable time of prominent citizens to ask them a long list of questions, and then publish answers of their own invention. T. T. is more considerate, and simply writes out what he thinks parties would say without taxing their time or patience to listen to his questions*, and he trusts that his friends will readily see the advantage of this method. T. T. will only give the general result ol his

INTERVIEWS.

Wm. B. T. says that publicly he is in favor of the policy, because he is a Republican, and is proud to stand by the administration. But privately he is sorry that Hayes couldn't take things a little easier. He has no doubt that it would be a good thing for the government, but fears it will hurt the party, and whatever is bad for the party, is bad for the government. Besides he does not see how the party work can be done, unless those doing it can be paid for it in offices. He certainly could not consent to attempt to run all the ward caucusses, get up torchlight processions and big demonstrations, circulate sub scription papers, and lay pipes and pull wires for city, county and State conventions, and he does not see how anybody can do it without pay, and he does not see how they can be paid except by offices. Hayes is all right, but then we haven't got to heaven yet, and can't expeot to have everything perfect. lie Is tremblingly hopeful.

Hon. D. W. V. refuses to express any opinion. He thinks Samuel J. Tilden is President de jure, and it is a lifelong principle with him never to give any consideration or countenance to what is de facto, when it is not also dejure.

N. F. admits that he secured the postoffice as compensation for long and efficient party service, and is willing to keep it by continuing or abandoning that service, and will take the course

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which he thinks likely to keep him longest in office. He is for civil service, and hopes to remain in it along time'

L. A. B. heartily endorses the policy, and says he has retired permanently frcm active politics, and is in just the proper condition to receive an appointment. He tninks that those who are now in offices secured by party service, should be turned out, and others put in their places.

Hon. B. W. H. is heartily in favor of Hayes' policy for the Republicans, because he thinks it will divide and so destroy the party, and result in the election of honest men to office. He was always in favor of resolving strongly for civil service, and believes that Republicans should be held to their pledges, but Democrats can be trusted to do as they please. He goes strong f*r breaking the party machine of the Republicans.

Jabez S. has given the matter no attention, having devoted himself entirely to financial issues.

The following note from Commodore Ed S. Is a clear expression of the sentiments of the writer:

To the Republican Executive Com mittee: "Gentlemen: I hereby resign my position as keeper of the kerosene lamps of the Republican party, in order that I may bg competent to hold office uuder the present administration. Thanking you, gentlemen, for the distinguished honor conferred upon me, I am, politically, yours till death,

R. W. T. wa3 interviewed by telegraph. He thinks the country will have a chance to try the policy pretty effectually, for Mr. Hayes is a man who, when he has decided a question goes quietly, deliberately, and persistently forward in the path which be has marked out. He meant civil service when he said so in his letter, and this particular form of it has long been a part of his plan. He does not doubt thnt the business of the government is greatly neglected by the party managers iu offices, and that true business principles demand the reform. He also thinks that this is the only method by which the people can regain their influence in politics, that people stay away from caucusses and keep aloof from politices, because they know that the whole matter will be arrauged in spite of them by the party managers, who either are in, or are after office. Whea office holders are put on a level with the rank and file of the party, and offices are given for merit and fitness, and not for party service, then tlie people will have some chance. Ho has no fear that the party will suffer in consequence. He believes that there is patriotism enough, and party spirit enough in both parties to prompt to all the work which needs to be done, without making the offices an incentive to this work. In those States in which one or the other party is in a hopeless minority, the party which has HO hope of success and so no offices to offer, finds no difficulty in .gettingTts party work done. So it will be when party work and office holding are separated. This is one of the ieforms beund to come soaner or later.

T. T. thinks Hayes' head is levtl, and not only is willing that he should try his policy, but believes in it down to his boots.

Husks and Nubbins.

No. 201.

It is not to be denied that a large part of the pleasure of life to most persons comes from the contemplation of the future. It is not so much the happiness that is, as the happiness that is to be, that makes us at least measurably con tented with our lot. The possible outcome of the years t.head has a fascination (or us which is altogether irresistible and ponder upon it we will, to the exclusion sometimes of more profitable meditations We never find a stage in our lives of such splendid possibilities for happiness as childhood—when life, as we look back upon it from our jears of care and trouble, seems all sunshine and flowers and freedom. It looks fair and joyous enough to have been the original garden of Eden. Yet we were not entirely happy or contented then. There was a looking forward to the great world with its busy scenes and great events and a feverish anxiety to be men and women. Men and women IIow little did we know of the full meaning of those words then

Later on are the youth and maiden at school. They toil over their tasks through the long hot days, not for the pleasnro of the hard, dry study to be sure, but In order to be fitted for the golden prospect ahead. Tho young man thinks a good deal about "the star of destiny" and fixes his eyes hopefully on the lofty seats of tho world. Tho maiden in stolen hours pores over tales of Arabian enchantment and vapid, sentimental love stories and dreams of the day when she will be led by the long expected lover to the bridal altar. The future of these lives, stripped baro of ail tho coarse and common things about them now and surrounded by an atmosphere as beautiful, (and, lackaday, as unreal too,) as the tint and colors of the shimmering soap-bubble, is somethingwell, something a good deal too fine for this world—something, alas, that will never be anght than the pictnro of

"young love's dream." But watch them still further on. They are man and wife. At last tho sober realities of life'liare settled down upon them. There is a baby in the cradle and perhaps another iu tho mother's ariUH. They are poor—a not uncomuiou lot. They toil bravely aud hopefully. The trials aud temptatious are terrible. There is trouble and care and toil day iu and day out. There is sacrifice and selfdenial, keen and constant. There is a sad monotony. The bright dream-colors have all faded out they weratho worst klud of a fraud and delusion. Sometimes patience is altogether exhausted and harsh and bitter words escape from those lips that were never to utter a jarring syllable. 'Tin forgiven—forgotten— and the brave struggle is hopefully renewed. I will not say there are no glimpses of sunshine, no hours of solid and seusible enjoyment in this period but arejthey not still looking ahea3? To the owned home, built by them and for them with its warm, well lighted rooms its Eoft rich carpets, its handsome furniture, its wealth of comfort and tleganc6? To the sous aud daughters who ahull fill it with merrimeut aud song? To the friends that shall gather uuder its hospitable roof and partake of its bounties? To the sacred associations that shall gather round it and nestle in its every nook and corner? To the competency which is almost sure to follow thrift and industry and which adds such an inexhaustible store to th9 solid comforts of good living? Do they not look forward to all this and much more, from their position of strife aud struggle? And is it not well that they do? Does it not give encouragement and strength to bear the heat ana burdens of this day? We're it not for this prospect opening up ahead of something better to come what wonder if they should faint aud lall by the wayside?

The objection lies in carrying the practice to an extreme—to living so uiuch in the future as to forget tije.preseut. Life ought not to degenerate into a forced march of months and years to reach some point which possibly has no existence save in imagination. On the contrary it ought to be a leisurely saunter, attimesat least, through green meadows and by purling streams, with rests andrecreations and quiet campings in romantic spots. Happiness is aot a thing to be come upon iu great heaps and masses and if we look lor it in that shape weshailcome to be like the father of Rogers'

4,Ginevra"—

Wandering as in quest of something, "Something lie could not flnu—he knew not what."

It lies iu little shreds and patches all along the way and must be hunted and picked up, little by little, day by day. The people who make the forced marches never come up to the place they are bound for because it is like the mirage in the desert and recedes as they advance. True they often attain what they had their hearts set upon but the bubble breaks the instant their hands touch it. The glorious hue that distance lent to the mountain vanishes as the mountain is approached and there is nothing left but the bald rocks, dreary and desolate. So it is with their lives. The money comes but something else goes—is it heart, mind tho finer tastes and faculties—what is it? The life is empty, baro, insipid. There is no happiness in it that was left lying along the way. ^here's the big house, the fine furniture, the rich paintings, tho sons and daughters, society and all that but that is not all that was expected. Something is wanting—what they cannot tell—but it is missed sadly and money cannot buy it. This they feel and know, but feel and know, alas, too late—for them, too late forever.

NOTES ON THK FOURTH. It is said Anton Meyer sold 500 kegs of beer on Wednesday.

The church people gave dinners in two places on Main street. Major Wood proves an excellent drillmaster. He is no Wooden man.

One spectator of the balloon remarked, "If they'll give me hold o' the end of that ar' bag I can blow her full quicker 'n that."

The march of the Light Guards on Wednesday was a torture to them. Their new uniforms are made of cloth almost as thick as the average winter overcoat. Each fellow came in after tho parade with tho drops trickling off his nose, and sweating like a dipped sponge.

Ringgold's band gave a ball in tho evening. The members of the band have received their elegant new uniforms, and appeared In them during the day. While playing for the fireworks, however, favored by the semi-darkness, they pullod off the hot coats, and did the tooting la Ohinoso attire.

The rival wearers of boms in the procession wero Burnett's ox and Emmet Price's immense cow. Tho former, however, was easily mounted in its place, in sections while Emmet bad to dig holes in the ground .to lower the rear wheels of tho wagon, before he could get her ladyship on the vehicle.

The editor of tho Gazette still takes spasms at the very thought of a oow,

TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 7, 1877.

toward which species of the Zoological Kingdom he has a special antipathy. When he saw the mammoth specimen, a fifteen hundred pounder, in tbo processien, he fainted, had to be fanned with a cabbage leaf, and has not yet wholly recovered. _____________

ON Tuesday, the Terre Haute citizen exercised the inalienable American privilege, ty voting for his favorite candidate for Mayor of the corporation. A lbther light vote was polled, resulting in the election of Henry Fairbanks, tho Republican nomlneo, by a plurality of eight votes. Followiug wero tho majorities by wards: First, 18 for Fairbanks Second, 33 for Black Third, 13 for Blaak Fourth, 32 for Black Fifth, -IS for Fairbanks Sixth, 20 for Fairbanks. Charles Foote, who on last Sunday wa? nominated by some of the Independents to take the place of J. O. Heiul, withdrawn, received 215 votes. Mr. Fairbanks for the first time occupied the throne at a special Council meeting last evening.

THE IIA BO YS.

On Wednesday the Terre Haute Browns played the Logans, of Logansport, aud in a handsome game conquered the visitors by a score of 10 to 4. A largo and interested crowd witnessed the match. During its progress Mr. Green, catcher for tho Logans, was struck in tho eye by the tall, caused by lacing the sun, aad was very severely hurt. It is the more pity, since Mr. Green is one of the most skillful and graceful catchers in Indiana.

Yesterday afternoon the Indianapolis Quickstr ps defeated the Browns by a score of 13 to 4, thus placing these two rival clubs even. The defeat was partly causcd by

4he

unavoidable absence of

Gallagher and Stumph, tho former especially being-one of the "main holds." TIJO dccisivo match between the Quicksteps and Browns is being played this afternoon.

A NOVEL INDUSTRY. Tho Mail's tramp, while wandering aboutWorthington,Greene county, quite recently, happened into a "bark factory.' Now, a "bark factory" is not a tannery, or a canine concert, but a place where the material is prepared for the manufacture of the soft part of certain articles of furniture knownas"splitrbottomed" chairs. In this Worthington factory the "splits" are not shaved with knives, in the old style, but are cut by .horse power and niachiuery. Probably it is the only one of the kind in the West, since the machines are the invention of tho proprietor, John Poe, who has been located there thirteen years, and supplies all the surrounding States, including Kentucky and St. Louis, with his "bark."

In the first place, the material is obtained from the fertile "bottom lands" ot Eel river. Both the white and shellbark hickories are used. After a tree has been selected, purchased and felled, the rougb and hardened portion of the bark is trimmed off by the use of drawknives, leaving the inner layer comparatively smooth. The prostrate tree is then "girdled," at lengths of ten feet each. Being sliced longitudinally with sharp knives, the bark is then easily stripped from the tree, in sections four inches wide. This part of the work resembles the peeling of the cinchona trees, among the Andes of Peru, in the manulacture of quinine.

The sections of hickory bark are now hauled in wagons to the factor}*—a largo, old, picturesque building almost overhanging the water, near the confluence of Eel with Whito river. Au upper porch with a balustade gives it the appearance of a Swiss villa, projecting from tho terraced declivity of the high riyer blufl, which in the rear of the building is a well cultured garden. From this porch tho saw mills, bridges, river, the hills of the dilapidated old town of Point Commerce, and the dam of the wool-factory, over which the water pours, all lend a degree of interest to the scene. In the basement of the building is tho never-ending round of the motor—a discontented and sulky bay horse, forever wanting adrluk from a pump Just beyond the limited circle of his daily walk.

Up stairs we find the tutelary genius of the place—whatever that is—a wiry and intelligent old man, John Poe. lie is surrounded with the chips and peelings of countless deceased hickories, and belts and pnllies stretch through the room liko cobwebs in a garret. The main part of the bark-trimming is done by means of two machines, the "bolter" and the "slicor." Rather, the latter should be mentioned first, since It hi used first. It consists of a wheal whose steel surface is set with rough abrasions, like tho "feeder" in a sewing machine. The strips of bark are passed under it, and by this rough wheel are pushed against an oscillating knife. Thus the bark is sliced as evenly and smoothly as is leather. Tho "bolter" consists of another roughened wheel and a small shaft containing circular knives, which Split the bark into the proper width, all ready to be woven upon the framo-work of the chair. One not initiated could have little idea of the amount of bark required for the seat of a common "split-

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bottom." When the bark is cut three quarters of an inch wide, 150 feet are used in weaving one chair when it is half an inch wide, 200 foot are used and in tho finer quali:ies, with bark a quarter of an inch in width, 300 feet are plaited upon a single chair. Lathes are in use at this factory for tne manufacture of the frames, but ihe principle business is that of preparing the bark for other chair makers. It is reeled into bunches or skeins, and sold in that state, each bunch containing enough bark for a chair. One order for bark to supply two thousand chairs was recently filled.

Peoplc and Things.

The word "hurrah" is of-Cossack origin. A colored man has been admitted to the Baltimore bar.

It is said there are over 400 different mowing machines. Mowing machines have commenced to perform amputations.

The Czar of Russia is out of health or, rather, health is out of him. The New York swell of the period woars cream tinted underwear.

Though there be but one pit a cherry pie, it is rare that a sore tooth will skip it.

Cannibals tell us that there is no meat of so fine flavor, nor so tender, as that of the human body.

There is humor and pathos in the remark of a reformed drunkard "1 keep drunk o« the tears I shed."

When an ice dealer goes into bankruptcy, it is perfectly proper to state that his assets have melted away.

It is announced that when General Grant returns from Europe, he is going to publish a funny book. Whither are we tending

Colonel Ingersoll cleared ?3,0Q0 on two lectures in San Francisco. Mr. Beecher has been offered $1,000 a night for a series of lectures there.

Dr. J. S. C. Abbott, the author of many historical romances, continued to write for the papers almost to the hour of his death. His last article was on "funeral termons."

A Mississippi farmer "bund a newborn infant on his door step the other morning labeled "Samuel J. Tilden." He is conviaced that there has been "fraud" somewhere.

A New Jersey man has for eighteen years been trying to get religion. The trouble with this man is that he has never committed murder and so hasn't been converted.

The Memphis (Tenn.) Appeal, albeit Democratic, is bold onougli to say that if you deny the negro the right to fill an office, you take from him the incentive for living an upright useful life.

It is sometimes difficult to account for motives, but when a young man walks his girl out in the suburbs it is easily to see that he fears a contest between the ice cream man and his pocket book.

An exchange say: "The heads of the young men which have been shorn of their locks and polished off with horse clipping machines resemble an old fashioned hair trunk after many years of travel."

Mclvee Rankin makes Macbeth in the last act an old man, "fallen into the sear the yellow leaf." Hamlet got to be fat and scant of breath, and Mr. Rankin will probably undertake to render the character that way.

Prof. MacGregor, the famous FreeChurch preafcher of Edinburgh, lately informed his congregation that thoy could take such attitudes' during prayer as they chose ho did not care if they stood on their heads.

It may not be generally known that persons who from carelessness or other causes take mail matter from the postoffice that belongs to another, and fail to return the same, are liable to a fine of !jMX or one year's imprisonment.

BiUimore l»»s a queer old man who, every day at 1 o'clock, goes through certain etreets and takes his Btand near a pump. There h© remains, counting aloud the persons who come for water until the number reaches 17, when he turns and goes the way he came to his home.

ANew England philosopher has unfolded a new theory of the cause of the appetite for stimulants. Ho says the custom of dressing in black is responsible for the crnvifig for drink, and that if people would dijoss In white it would furnish the ner|^s all the stimulus required.

Philadelphia Chronicle: A distinguished looking stranger begging for bread, made his appearance in Philadelphia, yesterday. When asked why be didn't go to work, a thrill of agony shook his form as be mournfully replied, "I cannot.* I've been a government clerk for the past sixteen yean, and I've forgotten how."

There is so much interest in New Hampshire in the oxecution of Joseph La Page, the convicted murderer of Josle Ijangmaid, at Pembroke, that a bill has

Price Five Cents

been introduced in the legislature providing that the execution shall be in a place accessible to the public, and that all persons desiring to be present shall have the privilege.

A few days befora the Rev. J. S. C. Abbott's death, h*» oxclaimed: "They are calling mo!" "Who are calling you?' inquired the daughter. "The angels," he replied, addiug a moment afterward, "Mother! it is mothers smile!" Afterward, when his daughter said to him, "Father, you are going HOW," his face was said to have assumed a rapt expression.

Feminitems.

Mrs. Belknap leads society in Keokuk. A German girl in Buffalo waltzed herself blind.

Eve wore a fig leaf for a dress. Her sex of to-day improve upon it by buttons.

A woman in Watseka was fined $5 for spanking her hired girl. Is this a free country

Mrs. Woodhull has been lecturing in Toronto, Canada, and talked so vilely as to clear the house of all but the coarsest natures.

Widow Windlow, of Roanoke, Ind., has two broken ribs and many bruises— the result of flirting with an energetic woman's husband.

Ribbon chatelaines are

There is a new singing-book called "Mrs. Van Cott's Praise Book." And still the Methodists won't ordain Mrs. Van Cott to preach.

Twelve 3 ears ago a woman in her dress was like a clapper in a bell. Now she fills out her clothes, and more, like light filling out a lamp chimney.

The New Hampshire newspapers are engaged in trying to discover the person who has the largest hand in the State. A woman thus far has the honor.

A Philadelphia schoolmistress had a bad habit of breaking slates over the heads of her pupils. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children had her suspended.

A sleep-walking young lady in Cottonwood, Cal., while passing through her father's sleeping chamber was awakened by his hand upon her shoulder. She fell down dead.

Fashion has decreed that pairs" must go out. Hereafter a lady may appear with one white glove and on the other hand one of black. Stockings are subject to the same rule.

One of the lady clerks in the interior department has perpetrated a pretty good pun on the name of the secretary. Being told that she must pronounce Scburz like "Shirts," she replied: "If he is 'Shirts,' we clerks are under-shirts."

Harriet Martineau has been heard from in t'other world. She is said to say that she finds herself obliged to own up that there is a hereafter, but does not at all regret her writings to the contrary, because such writings are needed on earth as a counterpoise to fanaticism. "Pa," said a little boy to his father in church last Sunday, "who is that woman who sang so loud?" "That is the soprano, my boy." "And what is a soprano, pa "A soprano, my son, is a young lady who puts on airs."

They wero at a dinner party, and he remarked that he supposed she was fond of ethnology. Sho said she was, but she was not very well, and the doctor had told her not to eat anything for dessert except oranges.—Norwich Bulletin.

Mrs. Bohler, of Pottsviile, Pa., opened an 6gg the other day, which she found contained a smaller egg, about the size of a robin's and in this was found a partially developed, perfectly formed snake. Mrs. Bohler did not open tho snake.

One New York swell bet another that the most beautiful women in New York were to be found among the shop-girls and so called "lower classes," rather than in high society. The wager was taken, and the judges docided in favor of the working girls.

An old maid who sat in a railway car next a fat little boy that daubed her dress with molasses candy, spilt orange juice on her book, broke her eye-glasses, and choked himself on a chicken bone, thinks there should bo separate cars for nurses and children. She ought to be ashamed Jf herself, so she ought.

Louise Chandler Moulton says that to bis properly dressed in the streets of London a woman must wear a tiny bonnet, banging upon a knot of hair, an immense crinoline, heel less boots, a black lace shawl, and her front hair pasted down over her cheeks like a horse's blinders. How the creature must look.

Th.e late Sir Digby Wyatt, the famous English architect, famous also for works on decorative art, had a wife who absolutely took all the small worries of life of! him, and left him his whole time to follow bis genius. He said of her: "While my wife lives I shall be a happy man if she dies, I shall be a miserable one."

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-Vs

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more!fashion-•

able for fans than metal chains, and for full dress they are made of chains of flowers and lOaves.

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