Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 9, Number 28, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 11 January 1879 — Page 1

Vol. 9.—No. 28.

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

SECOND EDITION.

Town-Talk.

TOO MUCH.

Too much Is too macb. Sugar is good in tea. In fact T.T. doesn't like Oolong, Suchong or English Breakfast without sugar, and he does like either of these, or all combined, with just a good plump teaspoonful, or two square lamps, in each cup. But too much sugar is too much in fact it is worse than none, for T.T. can worry down a cup of tea without any sweetening, but if it be too sweet it makes him sick, and he cannot drink it. Therefore it follows, "as the night the day," that too much is too much, even too much of a good thing is too much. T. T. is fully convinced that there are very few good things of which it is not possible to have too much. A wife is a good thing, but the mere mention of Brigbam Young's fifty widows carries conviction to every candid and unprejudiced mind that too much wife is too much, so much too much that if T. T. had bad as much wife as the old Mormon prophet and could not have disposed of forty-uirte fiftieths, he would gladly have had fifty widows, and, under the olrcu instances, not considered that he had too much widow. But T. T. is a bachelor, and his judgment in matrimonial matters is not very reliable. Besides, T.

T.

is after another point now,

and it is that there is TOO MUCH ECONOMY. Since the hard times came everybody has been preaching economy, T. T. among the rest. Individuals, corporations, charities, towns, cities, states, and the nation, have been constantly urged to practice more economy. All political parties and all office seekers have set up as the special champions of economy. In fact the crop of reformers, from poor Cipher Dispatch Tilden down to Terre Haute aldermen, has been enormia, and all this enormous crop has howled for economy. The one subject upon which all political parties have been agreed, and upon which all the newspapers, and all the pulpits, and all the people have been agreed, has been the necessity for economy. There has been so much talk about this matter that economy is the fashion, and when anything becomes fashionable it is always carried to excess. T. T. is fnllv convinced thatj while there has be**n au absolute uecesslty for more caro iu reference to expenses, and while, with many, and in many directions, there is still need of great care, yet one of the

OR EAT OBSTACLES TO CJOOD THMBS is excessive economy. Now T. T. would not encourage the extravagance of former days. All hands were living beydhd their means, and discounting the future. Individuals, corporations, municipalities, states, aud Uncle Sam, all rushed headlong into debt, bought more than they could pay for. T. T, has no desire to see a repetition of this folly. He would have all hands go slow, or at least go no taster than they can pay. §To debt should be contracted without a definite arrangement for its payment, and this rule should apply to cities and states as well as to individuals. If an improvement is projected which is to coat more than immediate taxation can pay for, a definite amount of the debt should be liquidated each year, and so provision made at the start for the payment of the last dollar at a certain fixed date. But there are people who, especially in their individual expenses,

ARK GOING TOO SLOW.

It has become so fashionable to economise that many well-to-do people have unnecessarily cut off expenses, and the result is that the laboring classes suffer in consequence. If Mrs. Toplofty, who lives xn Sixth screet, catches the economical spirit, aud, while her husband still has a good income, cats down expenses, who suffers? She gets along with two servants instead of five, and three working girls lose the wages which they need and which Mis. T. could afford to pay. She dings economy in the ears of Mr. Toplofty till he dismisses his man, and takes care of the horse and carries the coal himself, and Patrick loses bis place and his wages. Now if Mr. and Mrs. T. had Seen living beyond

their means, running ig debt, or exhausting the capital which was needful to the proper prosecution of Mr. T.'s business, or discounting the uncertain future, this economy were very commendable. But when Toploftyman and wife—are simply saving what they do not need to save, the people who have heretofore worked for them suffer in consequence. If this same unnecessary economy be carried in other directions, then the dry goods merchant suffers, and if the merchant suffers the clerk suffers, and the manufacturer suffers and if the manufacturer suffers the mill hanc^s and the shop hands who produce or make up the goods suffer if these suffer, then also the producer of the raw material suffers. And so Mrs. Toplofty's unnecessary economy has a long train of bad influences. If there be a hundred or a thousand in the city who are imitating Mrs. Toplofty in this matter, then the business of the olty feels the Influence, and good times are retarded. Suppose everybody in Terre Haute were to live as economically during the year to come as the Chinese in San Francisco live. The result would be that every merohant, who depends upon local trade, would be driven out of business, and the market here, upon which thousands of producers depend for their support, would be utterly ruined. If the entire nation were to beoome so economical as to consume only the bare necessities of life, ninetenths of.the business and of the labor of the country would cease. All unnecessary economy tends in this direction. And T. T. thinks that there has come to be considerable unnecessary economy, and that it is time fbr some to begin to loosen the purse strings a little. By loosening the purse strings be does not mean running in debt he does not mean using up one's capital he does not mean making no provision for the future but be means living as well as one can afford, with due regard to the honest payment of debts, the means to continue business, and provision for a rainy day and old age. Such living as this will hasten the return of good times.

A Woman's Opinions,

The past week has .been so prolific of interesting events that it seems almost impossible to generalize in a prosy way upon abstract subjects as I usually do, and yet this style of writing has immense advantages. By not indulging in personalties you offend nobody, for unless the name's mentioned, everyone who reads your criticisms will immediately apply them to bis neighbor. Then if you write in favor of a man's pet hobbies, he declares that you are an able contributor and ought to be encouraged but if you attack his cherished theories, and attempt to disprove them, he will vow with equal emphasis that The Mail will reduce its circulation by publishing such fallacious opinions, and that anonymous writers ought to be suppressed. It is so easy, and requires so little courage to write articles that will be well received by the majority of their readers. £11 you have to do is to ascertain the popular side of a subject and go with the tide. Do not touch upon ancient prejudices, do not investigate favorite superstitions, in short, to use a common expression, "keep on the fence," or if you do climb off, be sure you land In good company, on the side of popularity and not in a "bramble-bush" of new and consequently unpopular thoughts and ideas, for if you do you'll "scratch out both your eyes," and it won't bo very easy to "jump into another bush and scratch them in again." 'But," exclaims the newly-fledged scribbler, "if I write upon those old subjects, I can only say the most commonplace things, which have been said a thousand times before, and even these would not be my real sentiments." What of it, my dear young friend, what of it? You will make no enemies, just think of that! Perhaps no one will care to read your articles, since they have neither originality nor personality. But there is compensation in this: that if nobody reads ^bat you have written, nobody can take exceptions, and It Is so terrible to feel that you have offended sbme one to whom yau are not in the least indebted, who has never shown you a kindness, and whom you do not even know by sight. I was much amused onoe, to hear an elderly lady reprove a younger one for a satirical article she had written. "But," said the oulprit by way of excuse, "It created such an excitement that a second edition of the paper had'to be printed." "O, yes," was the reply, "I would be a cat's-paw, to draw chestnuts oat of the fire for the editor!" 1

THE OKAW PRHACHHR

has caused quite a ripple of excitement. The old man had been quiet for so long that we feared the late oold spell "frose the genial current of his soul," but thanks to the melting influences of his New Year's calls, and "Billy Tool's" hospitality, he seems to have thawed out, and, like xaost of those old preachers, having once commenced, it Is hard to tell when he will stop. To us who

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7

TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 11,1879,

are acquainted with the good old fellow, it seems funny to hear him say that anything so mild as egguog would cause a weakness in bis knees. We always considered him one of those old-fashioned, Hard shell Baptist preachers, who carried a well-worn Bible in one pocket, and a worse-worn bottle of whisky in the other. It seems hardly kind in a minister of the Gospel to mock those poor little boys, Bobby Hudson, Jacky Hagar, Willy Ball, etc., by telling how heartily they fed. I have it from the best of authority that these urchins behaved so badly they had to be sent home before the feast, not even receiving the sealskin caps and patent leather boots that were to be given to them as a slight reward of merit. With the exception of these bad ohildren, (who may be excused for not knowing how to behave in the presence of "quality,") the dinner passed off delightfully, and will long remain a bright spot in the memory of those friendless little ones, who would rather forget than remember most of the events in their sad lives.

The Reverend old party from Okaw need not expect to bring the whole world down to the level of the Wabash swamps. He'd better take Coziar and go home. I don't suppose his aristocratic relations want him around just at Holiday times.

Now it is universally conceded that "Hoosiers" are the greenest people on the face of the globe, and we are' only too glad to embrace every opportunity to Improve our semi-barbaric condition. We are happy to sit at the feet of the "Canucks" (I believe that is the polite name for Canadians). We're delighted to' meet people from a higher sphere, and isn't the soil of Canada hallowed by the foot of royalty? All the "blue blood" there is In Indiana has turned blue from a protracted session of fever and ague. A hundred years ago our forefathers fought to throw off the tyranny of a king to day their descendants humbly ask the privilege of bending the knee to a moneyed aristooraoy. Let them have their "High Tea" If they choose. That doesn't hinder us plebians from drinking our cup of sage by the kitchen fire, or if that isn't low enough, going to the cellar. Let them drive their Tandem teams. It is only a matter of custom, harnessing our horses side by side. There is no Scripture authority for it. "Tndem" is a Latin word, meaning "at length," and is applied to this kind of a team because the driver usually measures his length on the ground before he finishes his ride. (Now, I hope I haven't displayed my ignorance.) There is a bliss in the "pomp and circumstance" of fashionable life which Suckers, like the Oakaw preacher, can never hope to experience. Just as he is lifted np above his flock by reason of his righteousness, so ovrr aristocrats are elevated above the common herd by reason of their—a—their—a— money,—and so long as they spend it among our own towns-people, and lend the lustre of their name to our city, and furnish entertainment to our wealthy idlers, I protest against any criticism of their habits, even if it is done by an orthodox Baptist, pastor of the "Pizgay Association." In this connection let us speak of *T

THE BUROLARar. vu

They are generally entertained, like angels, "unawares." You can never talk "with anybody on the subjeot but that you'll find he has his mind made up as to just what he will do when the thieves enter his house but when they come in the wee sma' hours and, very considerately, take care not to distnrb your slumbers, and you do not know they have visited you till the next morning, how is a man going to put all his fine Intentions into practice Then it is very different, sitting in the bright sunshine making boasts, from waking in the dead hours of night to hear the stealthy footsteps creeping up the stairs. In the daytime you feel as as if you could whip the world at night the predominating desire Is to crawl under the bedclothes and let the nocturnal visitor help himself to whatever he can find. But if there is one .thing more exasperating than another it is to think that while you are peacefully enjoying the sleep of the just, some fellow (s in the next room ooolly taking an inventory of your pockets, biting the coins to gee if they are genuine, and in all probability, damning your poverty. Considering that in one night burglaries wtfre committed in seven or eight localities and not an arrest made, one feels like inquiring very respectfully, "Where were the polios One of the foroe said he saw a couple of men leaving a house at two o'clock In the morning, but supposed they had been "sparking" the young ladles who lived there. A walk past the premises would have'revealed the fact that the front shutters and window were wide open and remained so till daylight. A few months ago a number of booses all over tows were burglarized in the boldest manner, but none of the thieves were ever captured* Housebreaking is not so dangerous after all.

THE CONFESSION

of the murderers of Eva Peters possessed but slight interest to the general public

a few exclamations Qf surprise, a feeling or gratlfioation that the mystery was at last revealed, and then the subject was dismissed to give place to other items of news but to those who know something of the Inside history of that sad trial, this recent discovery arouses the most intense sentiments of indignation. The murder, with all its attending circumstances,was horrible beyond description and deserving of the extreme penalty of the law, but it came very near being the cause of another tragedy, which the oitizens of Terre Haute would have remembered with remorse to their dying day. I refer to the conviction of Talma Jones. So strong was the circumstantial evidence against him that for a while, his execution seemed a certainty, and many of our ablest lawyers, after reviewing the testimony, were forced to believe him guilty. By a mere chanoe he was able to prove an alibi, and through this was set at liberty, but to this day many have entertained doubts as to his innooenoe. He was permitted to go free, but with the mark of Cain on his honest, young brow free to walk upon the streets while people pointed at him and said, "There goes the boy who murdered his old nnrse, that loved him like a mother and would have shared her last crust with him." Mortified by his disgrace, stung by his humiliation, he enlisted in the regular army and sought oblivion in the far West. Now, after four years.-he is found to be perfectly guiltless. With the world the matter rests here, but^what can ever compensate that boy for the nine weary weeks he lay in a dark prison sell for the insults he was forced to receive from a curious and unfeeling public for the agony of that long trial when his life hung suspended by a thread for a sullied and tarnished reputation Nothing on this earth. The blight cast upon his youth will go with him to the grave. And the real murderers, matured men and women, stood by and saw all this yes, and no doubt would have gone to the foot of the gallows and witnessed his execution. Is not this enough to destroy one's faith in universal salvation Does it not seem that even total annihilation after death would be far too light a punishment for them? Suppose they are hung. A brief struggle and all is over, nor would they even leave any relatives to feel particularly disgraced by their dishonorable death. And again comes up the perplexing question of capital punishment. Should it be inflicted or not? Here are two examples on either side of the subject. If it had been put into practice in the first instance it would have itself been murder, but if these self confessed murderers are not executed, we may expeot this orime to be followed by others equally henious. To decide such cases with unerring judgment requires more than mortal wisdom, and he from whose lips the sentence must fall should be possessed of the keenest insight, the finest perception, the purest conscience and the highest sense of honor.

FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED.

Editor Mail:—I am acquainted with a clrcuui stance that, if mentioned in your paper, may result in making the husband of one of the sweetest of women and most confiding of wives, see where his conduot will lead him to, and save bis yet unsuspicious wife from great wretchedness. The young couple have a oomely looking and pleasant mannered girl of all work in their employ, who is much annoyed with the attention that is extended her by the husband. In various ways does he attempt to insinuate himself into her good graces offering to make her presents, and frequently assuring her that if ever she needs a friend she can always rely on him ioquiring, is there nothing he can do for her to make her oomfortable?—Is there not something in the way of wardrobe she would like to have?—and other solicitude for her welfare, all ooucbed in language that would be becoming towards a wife or sister, but altogether too tender from a husband to his housemaid. Yet he has never made any overtures whioh the girl would be justifiable In resenting. The girl likes her plaoe. The household duties are agreeable to her, the -lady of the house one of the best of women, the house has facilities and conveniences to make work light, the wife expects the girl to remain permanently, yet muoh as she would prefer to remain, if she could give an excuse for leaving without compromising the husband, she would do so immediately. In a moment of confidence, the girl revealed to me just how she was situated, under a promise not to tell, which I will not do, yet that a giddy husband may be forewarned, and a good girl retain her place, I ask you to publish what I have written. A Wifs.

The youthful Mrs. Ole Bull Js said to' be the business bead of the concern, making all her husband's contracts and even his programmes, speaking two or three languages, meeting everybody amiably and acting as the famous fiddler's Boswell and biographer. Ole is over seventy, and he has an enterprising mother-in-law, too. mm

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THE PASSING SHOW.

SHOWS AND 1

SHOW PEOPLE.

McAllister's Minstrels played to a small audience last night. They came unknown and upon short notice, but gave suoh an excellent performance— not particularly brilliant, but, what is better, original—that a second visit at any time will cause a large audience to gather at the Opera House.

The French authors of "The Two Orphans" produoe only one play in about three years. They are slow, but sure. Their time to have a play arrived last year, and the sucoessor of the "Orphans" came accordingly. It was called JJne Cause Celebre—in English "A Celebrated Case." It was immediately produced at the Union Square theatre, New York, where the "Orphans" achieved a phenomenal success, and it proved equally strong as its predecessor. The Union Square Theatre company, under the management of J. W. Collier, will present it at our Opera House on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The Agnes Wallace-Villa company made a few of our theater-goers familiar with the plot of the drama. It is so human and so touching that, like the "Two Orphans," it mnst ever stand alone and distinct, safely removed from the touch of plagiarists and approprlators of others' ideas. The play is full of startling action and situation, so peculiarly original that while preserving all the unities, it bieaks loose from the hackneyed usages ot the drama, which leads one to anticipate every action. The auditor knows the secret and motive of the play from the first, but the aotion and working out excites his interest to the highest poin£. It is, indeed, a grand play, and never was sympathy more thoroughly enlisted than in the case of the unfortunate "Jean Renaud" and his devoted and sacrificing daughter, who struggles to prove his innocence to the successful end.

The play is of that peculiar action, whioh in the hands of an average company proves successful. But Mr. Collier —himself one of the best leading men In the country, and well known to the majority of our play goers—was not content in this fact, but has gathered about him a company whose members are noted for their individual excellence, to which is added rich and costly toilets, effective scenery and appointments, as originally played in New York. The company has met with unbroken success all over the country and a couple of large hocuses will greet them here. The style of play is peculiarly adapted to the tastes of our theatre-goers and they will undoubtedly bestow their patronage accordingly., -f! .../ a »«•«,* ,.v

On Thursday evening of next week Joe Murphy, a prime favorite here—in fact everywhere—will appear at the Opera House in his famous"Kerry Gow." He is so well known that the simple announcement seems all that is necessary, but for the benefit of our country readers and strangers in our midst we annex the following from the Kansas City Mail:

One of the largest audiences that ever assembled in Coates' Opera House greeted the appearance of America's favorite last night in his inimitable rendition of "Kerry Gow." It Is impossible to speak too highly of this play. From first to last the vast audience were charmed and Interested in the performance. All the actors performed tne part for which they were cast in an unexceptionable manner and acquitted themselves creditably all around. Mr. Murphy as Dan O'Hara personated the Irish character in such a thorough manner that It would be impossible to improve on it. The blacksmith scene was especially fine, as was also the escape from prison. The heroine of the play could not be excelled. Her acting was superb and shows that she possesses talent of a high and superior order, entitling her to the praise of all who witnessed this charming and pleasing actress last night. Her part was most admirably and excellently performed to a successful conclusion, and as such she gained the plaudits of the vast assemblage present. All the other members of the troupe are good actors, and the entire company throughout Is one that commends Itself to the public. Facts speak louder than words, and the facts are nearer the truth than the imaginary, and this company do all that they assert, and a visit to the Opera House to-nigbt will convince all sensible people of this fact. "Kerry Gow," by request, will be repeated to-night, and those who fail to see It will miss one of the finest entertainments that ever visited this city.

Mrs. Chanfr&Hbas again changed her route, and has cancelled her date here for the 22d.

The Berger Family and Sol Smith Russell were booked this week for the evening of the 28th. The Williamsons In "Struck Oil," come on thie next evening, and Lotto follows on the 31st.

Mr. Hosford this week closed an engagement with Modjeska, to appear here on the evening of March 3rd.

Thos. H. Hite has taken editorial ihd business charge of the Opera House Programme, Charles H. Hebb having accepted a position to travel in advance of the Agnes Wallace-Villa company.

Tom Gist will furnish the horse for Joe Murphy to shoe upon the Opera House stage next Thursday evening.

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"Ninth Year

Dion Boudcanlt and his wife never act in the same piece if either can help It. Mod/eska claims to be 30. No doubt she is, as she has a son who Is as old as Mary Anderson.

Buflhllo Bill has* made 9135,000 on the stage, and he has bought $300 head of cattle in Kansas, where he will live.

WilhelmJ, the Hungarian violinist, recelves'for this season's engagement in this country, $30,000 and his expenses.

According to a recent statement Paris has forty-eight theatres, in which are employed 1,777 actors and 1,102 actresses.

Cora Tappan Richmond, the spiritualist, has introduced in her Boston lectures the novel feature of impromptu poetry. She Invites the audience to suggest topics, on each of which she makes a verse.

Among the attractions offered for a charity entertainment in a Virginia City (Nev.) variety theatre were a boxing match between ballet girls, a pie eating contest by newsboys, and an attempt by a dog to kill twenty-four cats.

Nine years ago, Emma Abbott, then a poor wanderer, gave a concert in the parlor of a Fort Wayne hotel to an audience. Recently she appeared there in opera to the largest audience that ever gathered to an entertainment in. that city••••f crt

One person, at least, made money out of the "Won at Last" combination* Steele Mackaye, the author of the play, received for It, It is said, the absurd price of 13,000—cash down—In addition to a royalty of from 925 to 950 each night it was performed. "Over the Hills to the Poor house" wasthe title of anew play to bejproduoed in Battle Creek, Michigan, by a traveling theatre company. The leading actor got BO drunk that he could not perform, creditors seized the baggage, and one of the unpaid employes actually did go over the hill to the poor house.* ,~,/p

William, formerly "Billy," Arlington, the negro minstrel, has taken to the lecture field, and lis now devastating Michigan on the subject, "Life's Problem." The Chicago Tribune says he had the choloe of several situations: "To introduce anew stove polish, canvass for Stanley's new book, tend bar, drive an express wagon, start an evening paper, or enter the lecture business, and decided upon the latter."

The dramatic season has not proved' what was expected, and the Christmas season, which was relied upon to help managers out, was a disappointment. A great many traveling companies that held out In order to reach the holidays and the holidays not meeting expectations have disbanded. Lingard, Marie Gordon, Rose Eytinge, and Cal Wagner, who went up In Ohio last week, are amongthe list. 5,. 4.?

Edwin Booth has been gaining a litle cheap notoriety, reoently, by a letter to the editor of the Christian Union, in which he styles the theatre as a "mere shop of gain—open to every huckster ot immoral gimcracks." The whole letter is somewhat after this strain. It is said that his reoent engagement at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, which was a complete failure, had something to do with this prejudiced and ill-tfcmpered letter.

It seems that Anna Dickinson, has not given up her intention to folldW the stage. She has been devoting herself, since her theatrical experiences of last season, to the study of French history, and has decided to give a aeries of lectures as the result of her studies. She is fearful that this Willi be construed into an abandonment of her dramatic aspirations, but It is not, for she has determined to "bide her time," and then once more to tread the boards in charac? ters of her own creation.

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The New York Dramatic News punctures P. T. Barnbm's claims as a public educator and iqoral agent ratber severely. It says "he is the oompletest type of mendacity ever known, and built his fortune from the start on falsehood he is the hardest hearted taskmaster that ever cracked a whip, and his subordinates never leave bis service but with execration and coptempt. There jingle in his pockets the nnt of dens of infamy and vloe and more unclean, more stolen, more' dishonestly acquired money passes from the hands of his tenants into the hands of this self ordained educator than Into the hands of any other landlord In New York."

Fanny Louise Buckingham played Mazzeppa In a Philadelphia theatre last week. A deputy sheriff went behind the scenes to levy on her wardrobe, but there was so little of it that he also attached the "fiery, untamed steed" used in the {day. Maaseppa begged him to permit her to ride the horse once more over the steppes of Tartary, so that the audience might not be disappointed. He consented, and was conducted to a private box to wait. The curtain was raised, but no horse was there. At the same instant he heard the clatter of booth in the passage back of the box. He ran out and was just in time to see the steed, with a groom on its baok, daahing down the street. a