Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 9, Number 45, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 10 May 1879 — Page 1

Vol. 9.—No. 45»

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

SECOND EDITION.

Town-Talk.

WEDDINnS VS. FI'NEBAM, rOMTICAL.' T. T. congratulates the candidates who didn't get elected to office las* Tuesday, and, now that be is about it, be extends bis congratulations to that larger number who were disappointed in their expectation of getting nominated at the caucuses. All about town people have been shaking hands and taking drinks with those who did get elected, and the other fellows have been condoled with. It isn't T. T. who has mistaken a funeral for a wedding and congratulated the mourners. Not a bit of it. Or, if he has congratulated the mourners, he is all right, for the chief mourners are often more tit subjects for congratulation than the couple juBt married. It is a good deal better to have a friend die and go to Heaven than to have a friend marry and go to Of oourse T. T. is a bachelor, and such surly digs at matrimony are ju*t what is to be expected. But then isn't it true that some people go through death to blessedness, and some matrimony to misery? And when death admits to glory and marriage dooms to misery, isn't the place for the congratulations at the funoral, and the place fer condolence at the wedding? Some fuuerals ought to be a good more jolly than gome weddings. So there are some failures that men ought to be congratulated upon more than upon success, T. T. never would think of congratulating a friend for whom he cared anything upon drawing a prize in a lottery, for nothing will hurry a man to the dogs faster than success in any sort of gambling. It is the fellows who draw the blanks who are the lucky ones. Ditto politic*, that is if a fellow has politics bad, and he is in dauger of getting it bad if he succeeds. When a man gets one office he generally wants another, and is never contented. The men to be envied are those who are contented to work quietly on in their ordinary calling aud let the offices take care of themselves. If any of these candidates who have spent the last few months buttonholing Tom, Dick and Harry, wasting time money and smiles —two kinds—and have been defeated, are contented with their experience in politics, and quit running for office, they area great deal better off than they would have been if they had been elected. And yet

WHY NOT OO INTO ROT.MCS

That question has sometimes puzzled T. T. Not long since be said to a friend who was debating whether he should quit a business in which he had been engaged aud study law, "The difficulty is, if you go Into law you will go into politics and the question came, "Why not go into politloa T. T. replied, "You are too good a fellow, and a man of too much principle to be spoiled in that way." But here is where T. T. was puzzled. He believes that every honest and honorable man. should engage In politics, and that, too, not simply to the extent of attending caucuses and voting, but be ready to hold office. T. T. also believes that political ambition, the desire for offlctf, is, or, at least, may be, jast as honorable as any other ambitiou. T. T. cannot, and never coald, aee why an ambition to be President was not perfectly honorable, and even noble, lu Webster, Clay and Calhoun, and if honorable in them, then honorable also in Tilden, Thuruian, Biaine and OonkUng. So in the ambition for minor officer by uiinor men, there is,

mpd bo. nothing wrong, or even beliUjting. If a man thinks he isflt for a policemsu. or coroner, or mayor, or to bold any oiaar oily or county office, it is all right for him to desire the place. And yet T. T. must confess that when a man advertises this ambition by informing the public that he is a candidate for some office "subject to the nomination of the Republican or Democratic convention," be never has quite as much respect for him as be had be fore. And when a friend whom T. T. greatly respect*, and in whom be baa a deep Interest expresses the purpose to

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go into political life, T. T. winces and wishes he would not do it and whea he tries for an office and fails, T. T. is glad, and hopes it will cure him of politics. Why is this? For

VARIOUS BKASOXS.

(1.) There are but very few offioea compared with the number of people who want them (2) There is, in consequence, a great scramble for every one (3 In this sorambie a man is strongly tempted, many think they are compelled, to do that which destroyp their self-respect (4) When a man gives up bis self-respect to get any office on earth, Heaven or elsewhere, he gives good property for poor and pays boot money besides (5.) If he gets an office so many want it, that probably he will not be able to keep it long (0.) When he loses the office and don't get another he will probably become a "sorehead" (a "sorehead" in politics is a man who thinks he ought to be supported at tho public expense and is too poor to go to the poor farm he generally devotes the tasft of bis time and mind to getting up a ",ew party, and making himself gene Uly useless and disagreeable)

(7.)

rickery has become so common in po5!.dC8 that a man is regarded as guilty 1 he is proved innocent, and proof of nnocence is the hardest kind of evidence to find (8.) Then politics is pretty sure death to a man's success in any other pursuit, is often sure death to his moral character, and generally daubs his reputation so badly that it never comes quite clean. These are a few of the many reasons why it is better to let the office ran for the man, whioh it will not often do, than for the man to run for the office.

A Woman's Opinions,

AT LAST!

Although we do not, perhaps, endorse the sweeping assertion of the Express that the victory of the Public Library was "the only triumph of civilization" at the late election, yet it certainly was a grand testimonial to the intelligence of Terre Haute. Hereafter when our citizens, expanding with pride, declare that we have the largest brewery in the United States and the moat extensive distillery in the world, let them not forget to add that we have also a Public Library. When the next committee on education from our capital city pay us a visit of inspection, after they have given a casual glance at the Normal School and boen thoroughly cooled off in the beer cellars, march them up to the Public Library and let them take a rest. That chronic old croaker, Town Talk, may supplement his late brilliant and encouraging article on Library Ghosts by stating that the spook has materialized and can stand a strong light. The individuals who worked so persistently against the cause on last Tuesday are earnestly requested to see that their children are regular attendants at the Library, in order that they may not grow up as ignorant as their parents. Thoce men who signed the petition to the Council and subscribed liberally and then went slily to the polls and voted against it, will appreciate the joke. The gentleman who sent an almanao with the sarcastic inscription, "Nucleus of the Public Library," is hereby informed that his contribution is accepted and will be receipted in due form, with the request that be will make his donation annual.

The many citizens of all political parties who labored so faithfully in the interest of the Library deserve the sincere gratitude of ourselves and our children. We have a feeling of pride in knawing that the vote was carried without the use of money or undue infience, and tb8t it is the expression of no party or faction, but of all classes of people. There is another thought to be considered: that only the masculine part of the population were allowed to vote. If the women (many of them taxpayers) could have been permitted a voice, the already large majority of over six handred would have been many times as great. However, we have carried the day and the Library is an assured fact.

It will take some time for all opposition to wear away, bat in a few years, when a large-and well assorted stock of books has been plaaed upon the shelves and people begin to realise the great benefit of such an institution they will cease to object. It is the universal testimony of other cities that no taxia paid so cheerfully as that for library purposes. The law provides that In cities cf over ten thocvvid ir.'.abitantsa tax of two mills on '.us duiiar may be assessed. We have asked for only onefourth of ibis amount, one-half of one mill, fifty cents on a thousand dollars a tax so smal'l (bit it cannot oppress the poor and that the rich are able to pay. This will bring in a sum of money which, judiciously inverted, will. In time, give us a magnificent library. The beginning must, of oourse, b* small. We bare about fifteen hundred dollars already subscribed by the citizens. This will b*oollected and used till the tax oan be obtained. Bids for furnishing books bave already been received front

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different publishing houses and we will call to our assistance persons who understand thoroughly the best plaoes and best methods for purchasing books and periodicals. A location as central as possible, within our means, will be obtained. There is an immense amount of work to be done whieh the Board of Managers hope to accomplish in a manner acceptable to the general publio. It would be well for the people to bear in mind that although these Directors have all this work to do, they will receive no remuneration whatever in a pecuniary dense, and after the Library is organized will have no more rights and privileges than any other inhabitants of the city. This statement is made for the benefit of those narrow-minded and mean-spirited individuals vho cannot oomprehend how a man or woman can be so unselfish and benpvolent as to labor for the good of humanity without any personal interest to gratify. Certificates of stook will be issued to shareholders and receipts given for all donations of books or money. The character of the treasurer, Rev. C. R. Henderson, is such as to command perfect confidence. We hope to secure for Librarian a lady eminently fitted for the position by education and experience.

There seems to be no obstacle in the way of the long-wished-for Public Library, and it is to be hoped that all citizens will assist in the enterprise by donations of books or money, by sympathy and encouragement.

The greatest difaculties with which we have bad to contend have been the repeated failures of the past. "Why didn't the people accept Chauncey Rose's offer is the question on everybody's lips. Well, why didn't they Perhaps if a thorough canvass of the city had been made the required amount might have been raised. The committee who had that matter in charge can say whether every man in the city was solicited to contribute or whether they tried to raise the entire amount among a few business men. There is no more pernicious doctrine than that if a man fail once he should never try again. We gain wisdom from our failures and the knowledge to avoid our past mistakes.

Let us organize our Library and in the days to come some other wealthy man may endow it sufficiently to make all further tax unnecessary. There is nothing gained by becoming discouraged. In a few years we will have an institution of which every citizen may be proud. Slowly but certainly will its intellectual and moral power be felt in the city. The old will have an opportunity to gratify their love of reading and a taste for it will be developed in the young. Good books cannot have other than an ele'vatHig influence. While there are hundreds of arguments in favor, there are none against, and the most gratifying feature of all is that Terre Haute is redeemed from the reproach of being an enterprising city of twenty-five thousand inhabitants without intelligence enough to support a Public Library.

TERRE HAUTE, IND, SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 10, 1879.

Written for The Mall.

A SEASONABLE SUBJEC1. The bright spring days make our old winter clothes look rusty, by comparison, and the sun's warm rays certainly oause them to feel burdensome so we torn to our last season's wardrobe to see what we can find to help ns in our strait. Well, what is the result of our investigations? Taking eaoh garment out in the full glare of day, they seem soiled, mussed, and present altogether a deplorable appearance.

Ah 1 here is a dress that seems fresh and "good as new." We liked it last season, and were rather choice of it hence, its good state of preservation. The materials are all good, the color not at all pronounced, the fib perfect, and the make-up tasteful. Surely this spring's styles will not be noticeably different. We feel almost happy, for we have at least one dress to begin the spring's campaign. The Sunday following our search is a lovely one, and we oome forth, dressed in our "old, yet new, drew." The home-eyes look approval as we pass before them for inspection, and we start to church with the very plessant and satisfactory feeling of being well dressed. This feeling goes with us to the church door, enters and passes up the aisle, and seats itself as we do. After the slight excitement this causes is over and we settle quietly for the services—which will soon begin —we glanoe towards the pulpit of our d- vest Mend, Mrs. A. A surprise swiutaua! She sits serene and lovoly in a new and very becoming spring suit. And we didn't know it! The style is pretty and entirely new. The satisfied feeling that bad attended us to tbe sanctuary "vanishes as mist before tbe morning sun." What do we now do? Why, we immediately set to work, rip up our drees, remodel it, baste it, and before the benediction is pronounced oar dress is so nearly finished that we know it will be prettier than BCis. A's, for the material is nicer^and we think w* oan improve somewhat upon tbe style. We say tbe dress is nearly made. Well, tbe mental process hsa been gone

over, and we are ready to begin the practical part bright and early Monday morning for, my dears, you will all confess chat when you deoido upon tbe way your dress is to be made, it is more than half -done. We do not remember a word of tbe sermon did not even hear the text and all because fashions will change.

Now, if the fashion makers were a body like Congress, we would send in a remonstrance, praying that our last season's fashions might remain intact because we are just getting used to them have just learned how to put on our bonnet in less than a half hour's tjme can dress our hair at one trial, where, before, it was put up and pulied down a half dozen gtimes, and when done every hair groaned in indignation, and the tired arms protested against tbe arbitrary rule of the despot. A petition of this kind would bo gladly signed by th'e many overworked mothers, and by all tho body of workers in the land, who have little time to make, and often as little means to procure' new dress. Just' the other day I overheard two mothers talking. One said, "What are you going to do about your^ spring sewing?" From the answer of the other, I judged that it was a serious matter to her, also.

As spring comes In her beautiful dress, ready-made, and so becoming, these tired mothers can't enjoy the beauty, for this subject looms up Into suoh formidable proportions, that it hides from view everything else. Those who have plenty .of money, and can have it all done for them, enjoy the change of diess each season brings. It dissipates the ennui of their purposeless lives.

Right here comes the thought of ready-made clothing for women and children. It is true we have it now, but tbe styles are not usually tasteful, nor are the garments well made. Before ready-made clothing can be made very satisfactory to all, dressmakers will have to become artists, and study the "human form divine." They should have a knowledge of psychology then would be found dresses for the grave and the gay, the wise and the simple, the plain and the showy, the modest and the bold, the rich and the poor, etc. May the morning of that glorious day be soon ushered in! Then will our dreams be sweet, and our wakings calm and hopeful. Then will mothers have time for more of the beauty and pleasure of life. Then we will have taken along stride towards tbe millennium. Thenspace forbids the enumeration of the manifold blessings such a state of affairs would bring to womankind.

Some of the fashions of to-day are pretty and sensible for instance, the short walking dress, when made in good taste, in which one feels like a bird, after having dragged wearily along, or clutched in tbe hand, the heavy burden of a train, composed of ruffles, plaitings, and all the adjuncts to keep said train in position, The sensible and generally becoming walking hat, with compact trimmings, is a very suitable companion to the walking dress. Clothing has a language of its own. It marks the true lady, and reveals the workings of her mind in her becoming attire. The vulgar mind is shown in tawdry and unnecessary decorations, cheap, flashy jewelry, high colors liberally mixed, and beflounced, and bedraggled dresses. Every year seems to increase the latitude in matters of dress, and all tastes can be suited. Where, not so many years ago, we had but one style of bonnet, and the only matter of selection, that of prioe—so were obliged to wear it, even if we looked a "perfect fright"— now, we have an endless variety the modest cottage bonnet and its more pretentious rivals the walking hat in a multitude of styles tbe bat turned up behind, and the hat turned up before and hung on space at the back of the head. For evening wear there is the large bow with strings, and the bandana, the gentlemen admire so much. In gloves, boots, ties, collars and cuffs, the same wide range. In every department good sense and adaptability in styles are seen side by side with foolish and exaggerated fashions. Persona of refinement will select the first, while many who have novelty in view, rather than taste, will choose the last. Yet with all the modern accessories to a tasteful toilet, we cannot but sigh for the days of our foremothers, when a dress was In fashion until it was worn out when "beauty unadorned" waa the rule, or at least simply adorned. Imagine a girl or those days standing by the side of a modern belle. A half dozen yards at most in her "gown," and at least twenty five or thirty in tbe modern belle's dress. The olden-time girl with her own hair puffed or done over a cushion tbe modern belle with hair (not all her own) puffed, braided, curled and frizzed. The rosy cheeks of the one (we were always told tbe girls had rosy cheeks la those days), and the pale and often thin cheeks of tbe other. We think the modern girl—no, young lady—there are no girls now after school days are past—suffers by oompariaon.

We hear a good deal of the ideal drees. Now, what Is it? When your husband casually remarks that be met Sirs. G. to-day, perhaps you saked him

how she was dressed, and quite likely he said, "couldn't tell whether her dreas was silk or calico didn't even notioe tbe color—but she looked well 2Tow, is not that the ideal dress—the one which becomes us best? Tbe same dress would not be becoming to everyone, so the ideal dress cannot be an unifonn one. Individuality in dress is talked of as one of tho good things coming. This idea always presents a ludicrous aspect to us. We think of a droll, waggish minister of our acquaintance, dressed as a harlequin, in parti-oolored dress, and with pointed cap and bells our serious friends in somber hues, while those inclined to melancholy appear in dismal black, unrelieved by a tint of color. The cheerful ones and all the intermedin ate grades, till the jolly is reached, pass in review before us the first in modest colors, and gradually brightening, till tbe jolliest is clothed in crimson and gold. For vinegar tempered persons, imagination has failed to find a suitable garment. Those of a literary turn have the blue of the nether covering continued in the whole, and so on, and so on, in the "good time coming/'

Well, fashions will change every season to the end of time, we suppose, but why can't we be independent, and wear what we have, if becoming and comfortable A well fitting dress, to which we have become acoustomed, is like an old friend. We stick to our old friends, let us hold fast to our old dresses, and wear them, regardless of the follies and the changes of fashion. A friend, three years ago, bought a summer silk of unpronounced style, but failed in having it made to please so the next season, she remodeled it herself, and tbe dress was much admired. Last summer she wore it, just as it was, and she was complimented on her "pretty dress." It is now a seriouB question with her whether she will dare wear it this season without change or not but she thinks she will dare. If this gets noised abroad, Barnum will be inquiring about the woman who wore a dress three seasons,Jwlthout change.

Tbe apple, peach, and their sister fruit trees, and the grand^forest trees come to us dressed in the same] fashion every spring, and they are alwaysj beautiful. And every summer the rose, queen of the flowers though Jshe is, comes dressed in the-same old dress, in the same colors, and using tbe same old perfume. The lily, the flower of saintly bloom, dons her white robes, and exhales tbe

Bame

sweet fragrance, and we

would net like to see her dress changed for one of scarlet sheen or glowing gold. We would like to be metamorphosed Into flowers then we would put on our spring garb as naturally as they do but, with our old garments, we would be obliged to cast off the fleshy spirit of pride and rivalry, else we would all want to be roses.

People and Things.

Over 1,000 settlers a day arrive in Nebraska. Truth is stranger than fiction, for there is less of it.

A poker player with four aces cares nothing for the divine right of kings. What a host of memories it brings up to drag forth a last year's white( vest and find a dime snugly ensconced in one of the pockets.—New York Express.

The superintendent of the New York public schools since 1870—Henry Kiddle—has prepared a book on spiritualism and announced himself as a believer in those so-called manifestations.

The Quakers, or Friends, are said to have been diminishing slowly though steadily during the last twenty years, in consequence of the secularization of the younger people born in the society. "The moon is always just the same," he said, languidly, "and yet I always find some new beauty in it." "It's just so with the circus," she answered. He took the hint, aad^bought_ tipjkets for two.

Daniel Ordway, of Proctersville, Vt., is eighty-four years old, and expects to die soon. His grave clothes and coffin have been made, under his direction, and a clergyman recently preached his funeral sermon, in aooordance with bis urgent request. "I want to manage all these matters myself," be says.

A Cincinnati merchant write* to tbe Enquirer to complain of loafers who coogregate in front of his store. "By their loud and ungentlemanly talk," he says, "they offend ladies who oome to examine my immense stock of calicoes and ginghams, just received from the Eastern markets, which I am selling at prices that defy competition." The editor was cruel enough to omit the name an ad re

A Methodist minister in Michigan is undergoing great exercise of mind in regard to some barrels of beer which bave

come

into bis possession in a re

markable way, and which be wonld like to get rid of. Some time ago he went to Cleveland and asked a wealthy brewer In that city for a gift to his church. Tbe brewer, after some delay, responded by sending several barrels of

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beet* The minister bai no use for the beer. To sell it would hardly be in accordance with the rules and practices of the Methodist Church. To give it to the poor would be unprofitable, besides tbe parson says the poor have already had enough beer. He wishes the brewer wovld take the ungodly stuff back and give him the money for it, but as yet the brewer has showed no disposition to do this.

The Rev, A. B. Kendig, pastor of a Methodist Episcopal church, at Worcester, Mass., made a prayer before his farewell sermon in which, after having prayed for every member of the Church, the oboir, organist, sexton and others, he finally prayed for the "one who, although hidden from sight, yet contributes so much to the musical part of our worship," ending, "O Lord, I mean the boy who blows the organ."

Connecticut Judges take their female relatives to court during Interesting trials, and give them seats on the bench. "Chatty conversations," says tho New Haven Register, referring to a recent instance, "bave been conducted between tho Court and its family representatives while important testimony has been taken, and there has been danger that the Judges might, from these fiaquent distractions, lose connections which are oonsidered .vital on one side or the other."

Feminitems.

An Oswego man calls bis wife Poor Excuse, because she's better than none. There are fewer stops in tbe vocal organ of the female than in that of the male.

Mrs. Sallie Gk Tan Pelt has been in* stalled as eity editor of the Dubuque, Iowa, Times.

The punishment devised by a Manchester (Ni Hi), schoolmistress is to put pepper on the tongue. a,

The best are the cheapest. This is more especially so in the matter of wives.—Philadelphia Chronicle.

Always add a line or two on the margin of a letter to a lady. You can't imagine ho wmuch. satisfaction a woman obtains in turning a letter upside down to read a postcrlpt.

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When a lady by accident discovert that her photographer has put her picture in his show-case, Jshe goes home and makes a terrible time over it, but doesn't order it to be taken out.

Margaret Sullivan is connected with the Chioago Times, and is an excellent editorial writer. Mrs. Hubbard, of tbe Chicago Tribune, is a fine book critic and reviewer. Mrs. Maxwell is editor of the Legal1 News.

There is only one object in the world which will attract a young lady's attention from the handsome young man she meets on the street, and that is another woman with a hat two laps ahead.of any, style she haa yet seen.

President Hayes received a morning call the other day from a party of fiftysix yonng ladies from a Maryland boarding school. He shook hands with them all, and gave them permission to look at the White House.

A Delaware woman, a hard worker all her life, being about to die last week, called her husband and children about her and told them where she bad buried |6,000 of her earnings in the cellar. They dug it op before tbe funeral.

Mies Mary Beebe, now singing the part ef Josephine in "Pinafore" at a Boston theater, has been discharged from her position as soprano of the -1 Clarendon Street Baptist church, in the same city, because of her connection with tbe opera.

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A olub of unmarried ladies in an eastern city bave been discussing the question: "Is the average husband a brute?" Now, two questions present themselves: 1. What can they possibly know about it? 2. W^can.they possibly care about it & U, 1 «a

A pretty girl "out West" told her beau that she was a mind reader. "You don't say so!" be exel&imed. "Can yoa read what's in my mind "Yes," said she, "you have it in your mind to ask me to be your wife, but you're just a little scared at the idea." Their wedding

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cards are out. -'I* in San Francisco Twenty-two women daily hold themselves in readiness to •apply the demand for temporary teacbera.

They

go to the office of the School

Board in the morning, whence they are sent to bouses needing teachers for the day. Their compensation is from three to four dollars a day when teaching, and fl,50 for the day when there Is. no

call for them. The feature of Barnum's sbow which seems to be attracting tbe most attention is tbe great nnmber of lady riders. Only one male rider has a place upon the programme, and he seems to have secured that honor owing to the dangerous feats he performs. Mme. Dookrill, Miss Emma Lake, Miss Katie Stokes, Miss Linda Jeal, and Miss Lizzie Maroeliua are the best rider* In ^ie various aots which they perform.

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