Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 8, Number 25, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 15 December 1877 — Page 1

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

FIRST EDITION

Town- ralk.

SPELLING.

The boys of Terre Haate have another solemn warning given them. T. T. trout* that all those boys who are inclined to play truant, or who, when at ecbool, Instead of paying studious attention to their spelling books, devote their time and energies to perfecting their skill at moulding and projecting adhesive balls composed of paper saturated with the secretion* of the salivary gland—(T. T. has been attending Prof, Palmers lectures this week, and prefers this mode of expression to the common phrase of "making spit balls")—or to the oruel practioe of secretly insinuating sinuous pins between the wooden and the fleshy seats of lellow pupils, will read, ponder, and Inwardly digest the sad story of a prominent cUlzen. This citizen had risen to the lofty pre eminence in politics of holding the important position of a foreign consul. He had also become a Baron, or Earl, or something of that kind. He bsd acquired great wealth, and won a fair lady's band. He was a smart man—for who but a smart man, in a heated canvas, and taking an active part could make two rival candidates for Congress believe lhat he voted for them. Col. Nelson fully believes that he voted for him, while Dan Voorhees, the opposing and auooessful candidate, swears he knows that Beauchamp voted for bim. With all these qualifications, which certainly promised success, be bad an honorable ambition to rise to a higher position, and serve his country in the rank of a foreign minister. His claims and qualifications wore urged upou tho President and cabinet, and just as victory was about to alight and permanently roost upon his banner, it came to light that either from a desire to be Independent of the trammels imposed by tho authors of dictionaries and spelling books, or more probably, or at least possibly, from failure to study bis spelling lessons In his youthful days, he conld not, or did not, conform to tho usual rules of ortbogrsphy. Although he spelled my with a y, he did not spell whole with a w, er heart with an e, and the shy bird of victory was scared away from bis banner, which flaps lugubriously around the staff. The ssd story is told in the following dispatch: & P. Lfcauehamp,

Consul

at Cologne,

who wan urged before the Cabinet for Ailninter

to

llt-lxlum, was proveu to be perfect­

ly illiterate and cannot spell as w*H as a four-year-old nchool boy. HI# friend, Hocrotary Tltompsou, yeMeniny ailv I wl hint to pack up, letw Washington, and nil ambition for a tulsaluA, and te tuankful If he kept bis Consulship. Me left.

As If it were not enough that all the papers of the couutry, religious as well aa secular, and of all parties, from tho intellectual Hub in the East, to the Ooldeu Gate ofthe West, should publish this dispatch, numberless squibs have bouneod Into the papers, and poor Beauchamp promises to be the worst aquibbsd mmi in the oounuy,^^!^

It is doubtful whether the Ample inability to spell ever outweighed so many other qualifications, or prevented the realisation of so many or such high hopes. Probably in the history of this government it bat never before occurred Chat an aspirant for promotion from the position of Consul to thai of Foreign Minister has failed because be could not or Would not conform to tbe arbitrary rules of fashion iq this matter. T. cannot, for his Ills, see any satisfactory reason for tbe Whims and intricacies of orthography. What is the use of bfgln nlng whole* with a w, in writing, when it begins with li, when spoken And nobody aays he-art, and tterefore why not spell it "hart." "My hole hart" is a great deal easier and simpler than "My whole heart." This Is the tray T. T. often reasons with himself. But it wilt not go down. The spelling fashion Is set, and woo to the unlucky wight who dares resist, or is not able to eon form, Joah Billings, Art emus Ward and Parson Naaby are illustrious exceptions which prove the rule. Tbeee men have obtained considerable success, even In literary pursuits, in spite ot their simple orthography. Bat their example is dangerottsone to follow, as the esse un­

der consideration clearly proreai Boy* most learn to spell and most even outrage their own sense of the fitness of things, and spell aoeording to the rules of fssbionable society, else they will not rise in the world, or if they do rise, the discovery ofsome unfaahlonable though nstursl combination of the members of tbe alphabet, may topple them off their lofty height. Bsd spelling is a millstone sronnd tbe necl^ and if by superhuman strength, or by skill at cutting the rope one rises In spite of this weight, it becomes a sulky, malicious mule, which kicks tost when apd whjjre it can hurt most.

Boys, beware! Spell your fun and frolic with earnest study for a spell, in order tbst you msy learn to spell correctly, and not find a spell upon you which you cannot break. To your spell ing books.

Husks and Nubbins.

"^No. 283.

THE BOOK CARNIVAL I

The bo 5k stores are now busy scenes of activity and bustle and it will well repay sny one to spend a few hours each week, from this time until tbe holidays, in examining their contents. The array of beautiful new books is really bewildering. The paper manufacturer, tbe type founder, tbe engraver and tbe binder seem to have vied with each other in a rivalry that has produced such exquisite results thst comparison is quite out of the question. With its snow white or delicately tinted leaves, Its elegant, clear type, its beautiful illustrations snd its cover of calf or morocco, the book of to day must come nearer to being absolute perfection than almost any otber piepQ of modern handiwork.

Among tho standard works the full sets of Dickens, Hawthorne, Irving, Scott and other writers of the highest rank, in half calf, russia or morocco are especially worthy of mention. They are so olegant and durable that it is impossible to conceive how any improvement in them could be suggested. It is a delight and a culture to even look at and handle them. The very touch of them seems to hsve an educating and refining influence. How much more so their ownership and use!

Some of tbe illustrated holiday gift books are marvels of taste and skill. Among them all perhaps J. R. Osgood A Co's four small volumes, each containing a familiar poem, illustrated by eminent artists, stand at the bead of the list. One is "The River Path," Mr. Whlttler's beautiful poem, illustrated so as to light up almost every line. Another is Longfellow's familiar poem. "Excelsior." The third is "The Robe," by James Russell Lowell, a delicate and charming little love story in verse, and the fourth is the exqnisite little poem of Aldrich, "Bsby Boll," as sweet and tender as snytblng in the English language. These books are uniform in size snd stylo, and are simply superb In their blading, illustrations and typography. Each one Is a "thing of beauty" that gives new pleasure tbe longer It is studiei. All four of them are bound together in "Christmastide" which is one of the rlebeet gift books ever published in this country.

Another very choice little volume is Bryant's "Flood of Years," published by Putnam A Sons, N. Y., and beautifuly illustrated. Another worthy of mention is "Golden Songs of Great Poets,*' containing poomsby Holmes, Bryant, Lmgfol low, Whittle*, Lowell and Bayard Taylor. There are several other very elegant illustrated volumes which are worthy of attention.

Of extraordinary beauty and excellence also is tbe new illustrated edition of Hawthorne's "Scarlet letter." It is printed on floe, tinted paper, with beautiful clear type, a red line border around the pages, and handsomely illustrated, we believe, by Mary Hat lock Foot*. This noble romance Is worthy of the' choice casket In which it has been placed and it is pleasant to see this favorite work of Hawthorne selected for tbe port of holiday honor.

But while it Is delightful to study these rare blossoms of the typographical art, we must not forget the hundreds and thousands of volumes clad In more humble and sober garb. After all, the inside Is of much mors consequence than the outside and a common doth cover may, and for the most part does, contain the finest thoughts that human genius has ever given birth to. These rich books are very expensive and ills not all of us that are able to buy them. For tbe purposes of improvement tho cheaper editions will do just as well. Indeed no one would want a whole library of holiday gift books. They are beautiful and appropriate for tho purposes for which they were designed—to give to a Mend—to lie on the parlor table—but for practical use tbe clotfc bound volumes are for preferable.

Something remains jfco be said of the children** books. Don't forget theqp by any means. Spread out upon a broad table you will find them In great profcfclon. Ton will bo surprised at tbe Ingenuity exhibited to produce some­

Vol. 8.-lNo/2v1i, TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 15, 1877. Price Five Cento

thing suitable for the juvenile iutellect In all its stages. From the simple alphabet up to "Ten Little Niggers,"

Mother Goose," and the Arabian Nights, there Is a suocosslon of gorgeous snd grotesquely illustrated primers that are warranted to bring happiness to juvenile hearts of all slses, from tbe "tiny, wee toddler" to the strapping boy of sixteen and his rosy cheeked sister. No, don't forget the children's books, either in the book store or on tbe Christmas tree. It is an easy and enchanted road that leads through these flaming covers Into tbe pleasant fields of poetry, philosophy and literature that lie concealed in the bsown and russet volumes that crowd the bookseller's shelves, loll them along in this essy rosd with books suited to their testes and ages and it will become natural and pleasant for them so that they will pursue it even where it leads through rough add stony places.

Shows and Show Folks.

The Chanfrau party gsve a charming' performance on' Tuesday evening to a large audience, and one of more than usual culture and intelligence. "Romeo aud Juliet" was splendidly mounted. There were some "sticks" in tbe cast— for instance, the father of Juliet— but then the old Capulet hasn't enough to do to justify a large expenditure iu tho way of salary. But Frank Mordauut as,"Merontio,'' S K. Chester as "Romeo," Mrs. Chester as the "Nurse," and Mrs. Chanfrau as "Juliet," were all fine personations, and the play ran with remarkable smoothness. Mrs. Chanfrau, perhaps, hardly fills the bill for tho ideal "Juliet" in the first scenes, being a trifle elderly and stoat, notwithstanding her great beauty, but in tbe later scenes, notably tbe potion scene, she displayed the possession of unquestionable tragic power. Her reputation is fully established here, and she will find a warm welcome at any time she msy retarn.

Slusser's Adelphi, formerly Harmonia Hall,-was opened as a cheap variety theater, on Tuesday evening, by what tbe bills called "The best variety and dramatic company in the world." The performance was as good as could be expected for the price, 15 cents.

Lsst uight Charles McEvoy's Hibernicon was exhibited at the Opera House. It is a very interesting series of pictures, illustrating tbo scenery and antiquities of Ireland. As the canvas rolls along a pretty comedy is enacted—a melange of mirth, music, pathos aud fnimicry. This afternoon a matinee is given, and tonight the closing performsnce. v-s-

The visits of McKee Rankin to this city are all remembered with pleasure, lie came here first some five or six years ago with what was tbe best dramatic coinblnation that our people bad seen. So favorable was the impression made that he returned soon after and played an entire week. Then he came with the "Two Orphans" psrty. Otber fine combinations have played the same drama here, but none have approached the strong cast in which be appeared. Now he comes again, hext Monday 'and Tuesday evenings, in the much talked of "Danites," the first attempt at dramatic writing by Joaquin Miller. It is a drama depicting the dark side of Mormon life, as evinced in the terrible deeds of the band of "destroying sngels," and is marked by vigorous dialogue, thrilling incidents and stirring situations. It must be good, or McKee Rankin would not have hold .of it. Mr. Rankin will never be a rich man—he is too extravagant. As soon as he gets a thousand dollars ahead he organises just such oompaniee as be has brought hero. He thinks little of expense, so that he has the people to fill the ca&ts acoording to tbe desired standard. Tbe result is, tbe receipts fail to meet tbe largS salary list and other expenditures. For instance, his mau playing the "Hsathen Chinee" la the "Danites" did not bring out tbe character according to his Idea. What does he do? Why he sends off for C. T. Parsloe, who was starring It at New York in "Ah Sin," and puts him In at a salary mostly commanded by a loading man. Mrs. Rankin (Kttty Blancbard, a great favorite here) who was Jeft behind on account of Illness, joined the company at Indianapolis, Thursday evening, where they have been playing this week with great satisfaction.

Rip Van Winkle McWsde Is booked for the Open House next Friday evening^ but as yet no agsat has dropped in to verify his coming,

Female minstrel troupes seem to be remarkably abundant this season. Tbe •gent of the Myra DeEste organization was hero this week, but as the Opera House and Armory Hall were both engaged for Monday evening, he was obliged to pass on.

The latest performance in London, and one which draws a salary of fSOO per week, Is the startling feat of Zsgel, a young frtri, who dlvee through the air and laXids In a net 93 feet below. She drops head first, but getiiiy sad grace­

fully swerves In her flight until at laat she strikes on ber bsck In tbe net snd arises unharmed.

Philadelphia8tar: The successful concerts of tbe future will hardly be over fifty cents.

Lefflngwell and Pauline Markham are on the eve of a tour. Burlesque will be the feature.

Somethingitke 255 peopleJbave been thrown out of employment by wrecked combinations.

Cornells Howard, tbe original Eva of Uncle Tom's Csbin, is now a wife and mother of two obildren. Of course she oouldn't remains obild for Eva.

Commodore Nutt, tbe.dwarf, Is betrothed to Miss Jennie Qnigley, a diminutive lady who travels in the same troupe with him. He lis said to be a very jealous lover.

Tbe "Baby" combination passed through Chicago last Saturday. It had met such reverses in the West thst the manager determined to skip its other engagements and go back to the East.

A report 1« printed of the desth of Herr Driesbach, tbe lion tamer, in Wayne county, Ohio, on Wednesday, at the. age of 70 years. He was a native of Schoharie county, New York. He continued to travel ^and exhibit until about twelve years ago, when he settled down upon a farm in Wayne county, Ohio, where he resided until his death.

In an article published in the New Sun, tbe salaries of actors are once more brought before tbe readers. From tbe books of metropolitan managers the following named are paid per week the sums annexed: John Gilbert, $175 Monta,gne, $260 Effle Germon, $100 Georgtf Holland, $40 Rose Coghlan, $175 Katherine Rogers, $175 Mme. Ponisi, $75 Ed Holland, $40 O'Neil, $125 Fanny Morant, $140 Charles Thorne, $200 Charles Fisher, $125 Stoddsrt, $125 David ge, $100 Harry Becket, $200 McKee Rankin (when in stock), $80 Clara Morris (when at Daly's), f200 Coghlan (when at Daly's), $350 Maud Hsrrison, $60 Dora Goldthwaite, $60 Linda Dietz, $60 Bijou Heron, |30. In the same article we find the following list of sverage salaries given in what still retain the names of lines of bnsiness: lathe City. Elsewhere. Leading men 1200

00

Oil JTf.

$75

First juvenile men 125 00 60 Old men 150 Ou 40 Cnaracter. 135 00 75 Low comedian 175 00 60 Leading woman 175 00 ft) Juvenile woman 125 00 -A' 40 Old woman 125 00 40 8oubrette 70 09 'C 85 Utility man 85 00 Walking gentleman 50 0» 2. Utility woman 30 00 20 Walking ladies 50 00 3'* liallet 8 00 5 Supers 8 80

People and Things.*

Santa Claus is stocking up," says tbe Pittsburg Commercial. Consoling for bankrupts—"Every failure is a step to succcss."

Never put off until to-morrow whst you can,get some one else to do to-day.' "That Girl of Mine" may be followed by "Some Other Fellow."—Boston Post.

Countless woes attack the man who sttempts to decide when ladies disagree.

Nine life policies lspse by forfeiture and surrender to one terminated by desth. 'V'.V "r *2

It is easy to manage our neighbors' business, but our own sometimes bothers us. "Sealskin sacks are worn longer.'' Same way with the rest of our old

clothes. (v r.-tta. Life Is made up ov sunshine and shaddow "—about five slisddos to one sunshine.—.Tosh Billings.

Man may love his wife with tbe fervor of a clear draft blast furnace, yet he will not smite when she trumps over hijaa at, euchre.

A tramp in New Jersey sh4t a woman for refusing him food. It is bsd practioe to refuse a tfsrrrp food-tunksn youhive.wnplvM fe. T*

Lunch boxes of solid silver, and of tifes convenient for car^Ytng sandwiches have been introduced In'New YOrk 'fbr the use of wealthy *dhoolj«hil4ren.«, „,

When a man retnrnl Bome at blgtlt an is if W I 0 I a dlnary tenderness, sho msy be pretty certain that he has beetl Hi some mischief. «,

A Hsrtford trsuip, on reaving several siloes of buttered bread, retired to tho area ami plastered tbe sl|ces on t£e window panes, with a took of ineiiablo disgust. "It ls the people who have man it»bbed,' shrieks Mr. Tlldsn. "Well, for heaven's flako!** exeiahtts theOgdensburg Journal, "lot thepeogle do their ownboobooing.*

mm*'t&

"Never bug a girl In a tight conso ls the sdvkeoftbe Elmira Gaxatto. It's good advioe, too, but it dont apply to us, for we donH wear tight fitting oor•eta.—Bridgeport Standard. "How nicely tilts com pops,"observed bo. as th«y sat eating It together by tbo

Of course he couldn't stand such aa Inference as that, and might soon have been seen "popping" himself, and watching the glad light in her eyes as she blushlngly said: "Go ask *poppy I'"

A Wsahington man recently was mariled, burned out of his homo, had a fight with hia father-in-law and put is divorce papers, all in twenty-foor hours. If that isn't seeing Ufo what is?

A Virginia sheriff asked a murderer if he wanted to make a speech on tho gallows, and ha replied: "Guess not It looks like rain, and I don't want to get wet. Go on with the hanging."

An article is going the rounda of the press under the head of *'Why some people are poor." We haven't read it but suspeot it is because they hsven't got sny money or government bonds.— Ex.

Neuralgic diseases of the head are now referred by many physicians to misadjusted eyeglasses and spectscles. Of course this is not always the cause of neuralgic pain, but in many cases it has been proved to be so.

How often, oh, how ofteu, a man with only one solitary button on his shirt, and that one a brass pin, looks with devouring envy upon his wife's new seven button kid glovos, and wishes all the shirts in his collection were just one glove. There does seem something wrong in this division of buttons.

The coid world little realises the sense of desolation that ahutadown on a man who thinks ho baa been handed too muoh change by his grocer when he dodges turound the corner finds it right to a cent.—Bridgeport Standard.

Several exchanges are giving directions "Hovf to dress." The most sensible way is to stay Jn bed till the fire ia started, and then take your clothes nnder your arm snd trot out to tho dining room stove.—Rome Sentinel. -V.

M. Du Chaillu concluded a lecture with a description of how the eannlbala cooked human flesh. He said they preferred to eat women of about 16 to 24 years of age, and Invariably roasted that delicacy, but people over 50 were generally boiled.

When you see a newapaper article which promises in its beginning to bean essay of high merit, it is well to read It for the profit to accrue from so doing. But as a matter of precaution it Is better to glance first at the end to see If snything is said about two sizes or bottlesone for fifty cents and tbe pther for a dollar.—Danbury News.

Feminitems.

The Memphis Appeal is ineonly psper in Tennessee which favors woman suffrage. "Ladies' walking hats" are advertised. Judging by their cut, some of them are quite fast.

1/14

In Greece It is known by the way a woman wears ber hair, wbetber she is married or single.

A handkerchief flirtation is a very Simple thing. It only requires two fools and two handkerchiefs.

Unless there Is a change in tbe location of ladiea' elbows, gloves will have to remain at fourteen buttons.

ANew York judge has decided that all wedding presents belong to tbe bride. All .except ohe spoon that she doesn't want. -j -',»• ,,

It is rumored that tbe ladles sre to return to full skirts this winter. They will then grab wltb both bands instead of oiiS. "Artaxerxes, cby boy," said Mr. Marrowfat, "retpember the dying words of Socrlitos-^Niver marry a womsn that kicks afcfawaya." ^ero Is strong Catholic morament against dancing in Baltimore. Many young women who are church members are dropping tHe amusementfrom their t&uljr engagement*

It is bettor to be good than wesiihy. And yet bow msnyfamlnlne hearts in at^ exemplary church oongregation will go oat yearningly to tbe sealskin sacque and ostrich feather bonnet sailing up to a front Ml fill tb^chuwh. *r TheNsw.Yvrk Qsll observes that one anomalias'of hsrauus nature latho fact that a fashionable #oman who will psjTfifty "dollars for a costume in which to'appeaf at a charitable entertainment will flrd it inconvenient to subscribe

Ave dollars out of ber pocket for a charJtablepvrpoM whss^ applied yy tb«n»1#Hriy one thing in tbtswortd jaefe sincerely to be dreaded than another it ts meeting oa the street on a rainy day a woman with one handful of aklrts and an umbrella In the otber. Tbe surprising and unutterably disagreeable things sncb a woman can do with that umbrella are without number

Norristown Herald A woman can sow put oa ber batin tbe dark without danger of getting the hind part before, or vice vc*4*—for the simple reason thai tke present sty is/of bat.has uo bind purt myriib-r, the fas* part Is so much

Urn **Yes," replied sbe, holding down .like ib* hind pan that you cant tell tbe her head, "it's got ovet being green." forepart ftom the hind pari.

Scraps of Style#

ar£ round and two yards in

length. frsi Shetland seal is the finest and the-" costliest.

Alsska seal la the strongest and mcw|. durable. Ribbons with fringed edges are coming in vogue.

Bronse colors are preferred in feather trfaraaingSk Mandarin foather trimming lean eo centric trimming.

Sealskin is still tho favorite for for hate and bonnets. Silver bangles, so long popular, are entirely out of fashion.

Sealskin aoque» are made in small sisee for little obildren. Long black kid gloves are popular for both day and evening wear.

One of the new oolore is the "fleue do citron," a delicate primrose. 4 Mnflh are- of medium slss, mode up softly, without stiff interlinin^s.

The old rule of crape oollars and ouffafor first mourning is discarded. j,., -1" Long cloaks of fur seal are handsome garments for driving and sleighing.

Plain jet is preferred to clair de lune or varie graced^ jet by fashion purohasera.

Armure and ^ollfervae slTka are the favorite materials for futf lined garments.

Among bridal' oraaasJnts are bracelets and earrings of orange,buds aud blossoms.

A unique card case in the shape of an immense gold buttsrlty, is newest ia thst line. .-j,»

Ffelt skirts, flouooed^ tucked, braided and qfuilted In endless variety of styles*, sre largely worn.

It is the custom now to buy two wedding rings Instead of one. The groom wears one now as wed as the bride.

Some of the handaomest! imported dresses are made with the round waist,, which must be worn with a belt.

Handkerchiefs must be stowed away in pookets uo more, but be oarried in the hand or attached to tbe waist consequently costly ones must be nsed.

Baltimore society is shaking its hoad at dancing, and nearly all tho young ladies who belong to the Obureh are excluding that anauaempnt from their parties.

Six and sevsn inch fringes are stleeted in preference to.deeper kku^s, aud ball drop frlngea are considered the extreme of elegance for outdoor garments.

The new material for morning dresses very much resembles tho old "Dolly Vsrden" cloth, as it is covered with large designs, saob as birds, insects and flowers.

The fssbionable style of hair dressing is very low on the neck. The rows of puffs worn outside tho front of the bonnet, and resembling false teeth in their stiff regularity, are no longer in vogue.

Bridal helmets are now substituted for bridsl wreaths. They consist of tiers of orange blossoms and buds, with two very long but narrow streamers composed of tho same flower with its buds.

Among fashionable trimmings are plaits, gatherings, shirrlngs, galloons, ribbed beiges or corduroys, variegated bead, silk and chenille fringes, silk, vsriegated gold, silk and beaded embroidery, feather bands, bands of fur, velvet snd brocade.

New seal sacques sre partly sbsped to the figure, are from 32 to 35 Inches in depth, have short shoulder, seams, high collars, with revers in front, are double breasted, and are fastened with frog buttons of seal, passing through loops of brown passementerie.

A new fancy for slender, yonng ladles shows tbe Pompadour squsre msde of tbe most delicate aide plaitinga of silk, finished upon the outline with a ruffle similarly made. This ruffle is an inch and a half In width, and If not caught down, but la left to its will«

Short round skirts sum gradually making their way into' popularity. They are cut quite narrow, and are short enough to escape tbe ground behind. A single scantily pleated flounce or else two narrow knife pleatlogs form tbe plain border around tbe edge.

A decided novelty in walking jackets of diagonal doth is cut long, with tbe French back—which has seams to tbe shoulder and a front piece, giving a double breseted effect—which is looped* np at tbe line of tbe waist to form a moot convenient and elegant little muff.

A Tory Important part of the draw, and one too often neglected, ia the sleeve. It is difficult to decide upon the shape and trimming before the remainder of tbe drees is made. A plain suit exscts a simple sleeve for this reason Princess dresses bare plain, tight aleeves, dosing on the outside by means of one or several rows ot buttons. Sometimes tbe sleeve is trimmed with a plain, flat cuff. This tuff is either ••wed on or Imitated.

TITERS a lively eommoHon among the unlicensed saloon keepers and a few druggists who »*H liquor by the glass, at the prospee of an Investigation ot their crooUf