Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 10, Number 10, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 6 September 1879 — Page 1

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE,

SECOND EDITION. Town-Talk.

5, .'tis.1®! INNOCENTS ABROAD. That excursion to Chicago and St. Louis la yet talked about. The party arrived home in an informal manner hut Monday. They sadly separated at the depot, and each one meandered slowly to his home, wondering when the like would happen again. T. T. thought he wonld take a walk down to the council chamber last Tuesday even* ing and see how the paternal relatives of the city looked alter their little jaunt 'so he just sent the mayor a note informing him of his intention that the visit would be informal, and none of the officials need shower any particular favors upon his hoary head. When#1. T. arrived at the chamber where was seated the concentrated wisdom of a population of thirty thousand souls, he was greeted by an unfamiliar sound, acd upon going forward to the door, found it to be the voice of the new city clerk, reading them a very severe lecture upon the subject of his rights, which he was bound they should treat with respect. Aftor be .had finished they proceeded in a very formal manner to grant him bis request. When

T. T. went in first he thought the citizens must have heard of his intention to be present, because the chamber was crowded, but he soon discovered by the manner in which they applauded the remarks of Eugene Debs, and the informal manner in which they left when his business was settled, that thoy only came to see fair play for tbeir favorite. But this Is getting away from the subect. The members looked but little the worse for their trip. His honor, the mayor, looked as rosy and pleasing as any young miss of Bweet sixteen. They were all rather reticent on the subject of sewers and bridges, but from outside parties T. T. learned something of the trip. The journey to Chicago was very pleasant. They were accompanied part of the way by Judge Patterson, whom they accuse of invoicing tbeir stock of provisions before parting company, and making report upon his return to town. Upon their arrival in the city they found two four-horse 'busses in waiting at tlie depot for them, by which means they were safely transferred to the Grand Pacific, where Sam Turner was waiting to receive them. After supper they started out to see the sins, sorrows and amusements of the wickedest city in America. The first halt was made at Chapln A Gore's, where the attention of Alderman Whiteman was attracted by an ontioing looking lifting machine be* ing the heaviest weight of the party, be Immediately proceeded to»g'yj aa exhibition, In whieh laudable desire be succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. As soon as he took hold of it he came to the ooncluaion that he was struck by lightning, battered all up in a heap and kicked to death by a mule, and what was worse he could not get away from it, until a gent behind the counter saw fit to release him. Upon investigation it was found to be an electric battery, operated from behind the bar the current could be turned on or shut of by a simple touch of a machine by the barkeeper. It was a delusion and a snare gotten up for the unwary, and no more of that party Interfered wKh it.

O'Reilly and Dlckhout took a tour on their own account. In going down street they saw some fine carpets in a window which were offered at ruinously low figures. Here was an opportunity of laying in a supply for the new Vigo county court bouse which was not to bo neglected, so they went in to select and purchase. O'Reilly preferred green, while Dlckhout would hear of nothing but bloe being unable to settle their dispute they left, promising to return shortly, and it is said the proprietors are looking for them yet.

After breakfast next morning the party came out and found a row of hacks in front of the hotel. Supposing them to be provided by the same bountiful hand that furnished the ornnibusses the day previous, they ohartered a lot of them for a drive, and never discovered their mistake until the drivers assessed them each five dollars upon their return.

While walking through Lincoln Park, the visitors saw numerous serpentine beds of variegated leaves which were very beautiful and attractive. They were carefully studied by one of the gentlemen for a short time, who astonished a Chicago alderman by inquiring If "them things grew wild there." They bad* a pleasant trip out to the crib, through which the city Is supplied with water. Kelley was disappointed when be discovered the party could not walk back to the city through the pipes.

The trip to St, Louis was a very quiet and orderly aflfclr. The only incident or the Journey was the loss of a hat by *?. 1 4OTKIM IIIII III•« Ilk

Alderman Whiteman, who obanoed to lean a little too dose to the window. He made an unsuccessful attempt to save it by diving after jut stuck fast before he was more than half through the window, and it was with the utmost difficulty the remainder of the party could get him back in poaition. He pnrchased a new plug hat in 8t. Louis, which he placed beside him on the seat in the car on the return home, lest he should lose il too, and to assist him in keeping It on the seat Dick Durkan sat down upon it for him, which favor was thankfully received amid much hilarity from the remainder of the party.

As the visit to St. Louis was an informal one, it was dull in consequence. They were not met at the depot by any delegation of citizens or officials. There was no dead-heading. The visit was quiet and short. They all wanted to get hack in time for council meeting Tuesday night, so they did not tarry long.

Bert. Kelly says Mayor Havens was the most dignified gentleman in the party. He wore his white vest and white kids all the time he was away in fact he put on the kids in the morning as carefully and religiously as he did his socks and boots and wore them all day. fr-.»

CARRIERS.

T. T. has been informed by the dailies that the postmaster's appointment of letter carriers have been confirmed. So the lucky ones can now receive the congratulations of friends, and those poor unfortunates whose claims were slighted can sigh over the ingratitude of their party, and the late which refused to place within their grasp a good situation where the work is light, the pay good and sure every month.

It is said there were over one hundred applications for the six vacancies. Of this number, twelve were soldiers and three negroes. Of the twelve soldiers, two were over the age of forty-five years, which, of course, rendered thera ineligible so that of all the applicants, but few had served in the army. It is truly wonderful the number of young men who are willing to give up everything for the sake of a government position, or in fact, any office which has its origin in politics. Young men nowa days seem willing to forsake everything for the uncertain chance of being the peoples' choice for some petty office. Men doing a good business have been known to forsake it to follow this will o'-the-wisp, well knowing that the po litioal sea is ever in a turmoil, that it is strewn with moral, social and political wrecks Innumerable that to engage in it is to expose oneself to dangers greater than any which would been countered in any of the usual lines of business. Yet there are any number of men who are willing to take the risk, and this will doubtless continue to be the case to the end of time, or politics cease to be one of the institutions of the country. But judging from the applications made in this case, it would seem as though the soldier element does not run after office as much as some people are inclined to suppose. He is willing to work hard lor his living, and does not thrust himself forward, using as a stepping-stone to power those services whioh he*rendered his country in an hour when it was the duty of a citizen to go forward.

So far as T. T. can learn the appointments are satisfactory to the citizens generally they were not made through lavor, but were carefully selected with the help of a number of leading republicans of the city.

DIVORCES.

A few days ago T. T. saw a notioe in one of the papers to the effect that an attorney of this city had procured a divorce for a client in less than two hours and a half from the time he undertook the case. This was very quick work. Much quicker, in fact, than most good cltissns can relish. An item like this going abroad does not tend to improve the name of a State already notorious for the loose manner in which It grants divoroes. T. T. was told of a divorce case which was tried the other day. A man had a good wife with whom he had lived for nearly twenty years she had borne him children he tired of her company, and by making threats compelled her to bring an action for divorce. The petition was filed, charging him with cruel treatment and adultery. He filed his answer, and upon oath admitted himself to be the defendant in the case, and that he was gull.y of the offenses charged against him. Comment on a case of this kind, or the law whioh tolerates it, is unnecessary.

Annie Louisa Gary is at her home down in Maine. A few days ago a party of friends called to see her, and not being able to make themselves heard at the front door, walked around to the kitchen. There they found Miss Annie humming an air from Alda and broiling a beefsteak at the same time. The visitors declared that the steak was "done to a torn," and her cookery ss delightful as her voioe.

The great beauty of hanging a woman murderess is that it prevents her firem lecturing.

'j.ir.ff. ov.v/rrv -i: TAninrr/a

»*w 1

Vol. 10.---N0,10. TERMS HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 6, 1879.

A Woman's Opinions,

FAREWELL NOTES ON WAUKESHA. Among the various things one must see at Waukesba ia the Industrial or Reform 8ohool. This is situated at the edge ff town, and consists of eight large brick buildings in the midst of beautiful and well kept grounds. The entire work of the Institution is performed by the boys themselves. As one approaches he sees some boys going about the yard pioking np bits of straws and paper that have been blown about others sweeping the walks, and in the distance a ninth large building in process of erection, most of the labor being performed by the boys. After entering the handsome main building and registering, we are shown first into the schoolrooms. Each boy works a oertaln number of hours and goes to school a certain number each day. A great many of the ladies exolaimed, "What depraved looking creatures. What vicious countenances," but I could not agree with them. I studied the faces carefully, and think if one should select an equal number of our public school boys, array them in coarse gray uniform, let them go uncombed and unwashed, as many of these were, one crowd would make about as good an appearance as the other. There was not a really wicked faoe in the sohool' They looked like coarse, uneducated, neglected boys, who probably inherited the very faults for which they were being corrected more deserving of pity than censure. From the schoolroom we went to the kitchen. They were just putting in the daily baking of bread, over tour hundred loaves. Several large caldrons of soup, potatoes, dried apples, etc., were simmering near by. There was not a woman about the place. From hero we went to the boot and shoe department, occupying a number of rooms, all filled with boys busy at work then to the tailoring department, where everything is made, from a cap to a suit of clothes. The broom department was closed then we visited the laundry, with its long rows of tubs, boilers, etc. the ironing room, where I noticed young boys polishing linen shirts beautifully, and then to the knitting room, where the youngest boys are employed. Little fellows of six or seven years were sitting on benches making the needles fly. A number of older boys were using knitting machines, which they seemed to understand perfectly. Although none of the boys looked particularly happy or cheerful, yet they all worked very fast and apparently in a willing manner. Then we visited the dining rooms, dormitories and, lastly, the houde of correction. Here we saw one boy behind the bars in solitary con finement, on bread and water, and an other standing with his arms folded, facing tho wall, It was about noon when we saw him, and he bad been standing since the morning before, with a few hours' interval for sleep. The manager said they might probably let him off that night. Besides these modes of punishment they employ the ball and chain, whipping, etc. I endeavored to find out something about the general disposition of the boys, whether they were contented, if they were hard to manage, and what kinds of reoreation they were given, but could obtain no satisfactory answers, perhaps because they were almost talked to death by visitors, and perhaps because they thought! it was none of my business. Everything was as neat, I suppose, as it it possible with four hundred and fifty boys but there was an unpleasant odor about the buildings, and they struck me as being very cold and bare aqd cheerless. It would be a good plan for every parent who has an ungrateful, disobedient boy to take him through one of these institutions, and he cannot help but be impressed.

One day we went to the Dairy, three miles from town, observed the process of cheese making, which is very simple saw them ohurn by steam and bring out the golden rolls of butter that sell at wholesale for not less than twenty cents a pound drank some of the rich buttermilk, and viewed the long rows of buckets in the spring house, ready for the cream to rise. For this milk they pay less than a cent a quart, and yet they say the milkmen make money even at this price. One morning was spent in visiting the Tower, on a high hill. Besides having a pretty view of the surrounding country, you can see Milwaukee, twenty-five miles away, and beyond Is a blue base which they say is Lake Michigan, Perhaps it is, bat

thought it was the clouds however, In traveling, I

to find material for their next treatise. One feels like saying, If this generation has deteriorated, then the last will have to be ranked with the dodo, the mastadon, and the megatherium. We bad seven at "Our Boarding House," whqse weights ranged from 163 to 198 pounds. (This Isn't a fish story.) What must have been the feelings of the landlord, as he sat at the bead of his table and gazed upon this array of guests waiting to be fed!

The fat woman is generally accompanied by a little, thin, dyspeptio-iooking man who is supposed to occupy the position of her husband, He is real handy to pick up handkerchiefs, and balls of worsted, which the lady is not able to do herself, and to help the hack driver stow her away In the carriage. Sometimes these fat women show a genuine affection for the little fellows which is really quite touching.

In contradistinction to these ladies is the sick woman. Now for an actuai invalid I have the deepest sympathy, but for the fancied one I confess to a slight disrespect. We had one who could walk farther, dissipate longer and eat more than anybody about the house but oh! dear, she was so "delicate." On one occasion when she came out upon the veranda to enjoy the evening breezes in a languid and interesting way hqr patient husband was dispatched into the bouse four separate times before he succeeded in finding something for her feet to rest upon that suited her. Then he was sent four times to get shawlB and wraps. At the conclusion of the eighth trip, my lady pointed to a high, straightbacked chair and said: "Now you may sit down and read to me." When I see such a sweet, submissive man, I feel like taking back every unkind thing I ever said about the sex—or else like adding a supplement a little worse than any of the rest.

Notwithstanding its wonderful springs the people of Waukesha do sometimes die, as a visit tq the cemetery will show. It is much prettier than that of Terre Haute, whioh is not much of a compliment, after all, but as we strolled about one quiet Sunday morning, it looked very fair and peaceful, carefully tended and adorned with many handsome monuments. Some of the stones were old and moss* covered, and the inscription told the curious reader that the silent slumberer beneath was ushered into this world a hundred years ago. Upon many of the tombstones bearing the name of some "beloved husband," were the words "Gone Home." I wondered if the "relic" did not have them inscribed thereon as a sort of a quiet sarcasm.

When you see a man up here walking along the streets with a little brown jug in bis hand, you must not pass judgment upon him as a confirmed drunk ard. He is only going after Bethesda water. Every well regulated family keeps a jug, and they all drink.

There seems to be a growing disposition on the part of landlords and landladies to repudiate the children. Tbey are all smiles and accommodation when you go to engage boarding, until you mention the feet that you have one or two or three responsibilities. Instantly the countenance falls, the smiling features grow stern, and you are Informed that "there isn't a vacant room in the house." I am afraid there is no help for it tbe babies and the Jews will have to stay at home. Now, If I were to open a boarding house I wouldn't object to either, but I would put up a big sign board which should read: "No Women Need Apply." A man comes in, deposits bis valise on the floor, hangs up his hat, and there he is He eats his meals, makes no comment, and goes about bis business till the next meal Is ready. The woman comes in with her big Saratoga trunk, and where is she All over the bouse, from the parlor to the kitcbeu. She orders the cook, and finds fault with the oooking she criticises the landlady, and monopolizas the entire time of the chambermaid she gossips with and about the other boarders, and plays the mischief generally. TO hear her talk one would suppose she was accustomed to live in a palace, have a retinue of servants, and dine like the gods and the more plainly ahe really does live at home, the harder she Is to please when abroad.

We had a party of Texas people at Our Boarding Hoase bat they were not a bit like my idea of Texans. Tbey were wealthy, refined and cultivated. There was not a bowle knife among them

always believe

everything that is told me, for if the old residents don't know all abont their own country, who does and if they take the trouble to tell you a marvelous tale, it is only oommon politeness for yon to swallow every word.

said in a former letter that all the homely women had gone to Green Lake, and

found that all the fat ones went to Waukesha. I

wish some or those fel

lows who periodically write solemn articles on "The Physical Deterioration of American Women," wonld go np there

could not even get a pen knife to

aharpen a lead pencil. We had also a doctor, a lawyer, a merchant, two Colonels, a banker, a Sapreme Judge and an editor What afield for the Autocrat of the Breakfast Table—but he was not there. However, birds of pleasure, like the feathered songsters, must fly southward at the approach of autumn, and so one pleasant morning after drinking a fere well health, in a glass of Iron water, to oar host and guests of Aldine Place, we started for Milwaukee. We spent a day at the Planklngton House where the children made every exouee to get a ride In the "alligator," as tbey persisted in calling It. At seven in the evening we went on board the steamer where we had anticipated a moonlight night on

,f rT-M "i

deck, but upon going out an hour afterward all that met our eyes was a sombre sky overhead, a long stretch of tossing waves beneath and a steady falling rain between, so we went into the crowded cabin and were interested spectators of an animated danoe, including the old fashioned Virginia Reel. At a late hour we retired to rest and awoke the next morning to find the boat safely aohored In Chicago river. An hour later we boarded the prosaic railway car and settled ourselves for a day's ride.

If the scattering notes of the past month shall Indioate that I have paid more attention to the manners and habits of the ladles than to those of the gentlemen, I oonsider that fact highly creditable to me and complimentary to them—to the ladies, I mean, but since they don't look at It in that light, it may perhaps be safer to conclude my comments right here, but I cannot resist the temptation of one more remark to my dear sister women. When you are traveling, try and sit up. There seems to be a growing tendency among women to "lop over" as soon as tbey get in the oar. If they have a man to lean against so much the better but If they haven't, then a valise or something else is pressed into service. It is not necessary to discuss the propriety of an unmarried lady's accepting caresses and support in public no one of any delicacy would do it, but because a woman happens to be married to a man is no reason why she should lose all regard for the laws of decorum. Her fellow travelers have not seen her marriage certificate and even if they had they would criticise her taste in so publicly exercising her rights. If a woman could see what an ungraceful figure she presents when she makes a pillow of her traveling bag and abed of the seat she would think twice before she changed her center of gravity. Of course all things are excused in case of sickness but otherwise let a woman sit up and behave herself. If she can do so at home she can do so in a railway

It is no excuse that men do these things they are big, aw.kward, ungainly creatures and we don't expect anything better of them. besides, if you begin to take them for a pattern, where will you stopT Not till you have lost every graceful charm that renders you lovable and attractive.

And now you may thank the brakeman who calls out "Terre Haute," and puts a stop to these rambling notes.

Susan Perkins' Letter.

HAUTE, Sept. 5,1879.'

MY DEAR JOSEPHINE :—How fast the weeks roll around when one hfcs periodical duty to perform. Now my letters to you would be a pleasure were It not for the consciousness that they must be written every week but I gave you my promise, and I am going to keep it just to show you that I am not like the rest of my faithless sex, who carelessly make promises and lightly break them. And then I ought to write to you, poor child, away down in the country, with no entertainment but the newspapers and my gossipy letters. Yet I sometimes think "ignorance is bliss," for there are a great many jealousies and heartaches here but I believe I would rather eat of £he tree of knowledge, even if it did bring the evil as well as the good. I wish you could come up and viBit me this winter—that is, if your father would give you plenty of money for your toilet, for I tell you frankly, Josephine, that you wouldn't enjoy yourself if he didn't. There Is no satisfaction so serene as that of being well dressed, and no mortification so keen as the consciouaness.tbat one does not present a suitable appearance. You say in your last letter that you regret to see me imbibing and adopting so many of Matie's sentiments and opinions. Well, I confess to you that my admiration of that young lady increases every day. She is shrewd, practical, and has a thorough knowledge of human nature, qualifications that are of immeose advantage to one who expects to live in and for society, and they do not prevent her from having a great many other good qualities.

The Council weakened In the case of Mr. Dabs,—which I

related in my last

letter—reconsidered, their action, and confirmed the appointment of his friend for Deputy. The bully Is always a coward, and Mr. Debs took advantage of this fact. The city officials, and a number who were not city officials, took a trip last week for the purpoee of—well, I

hardly know what, but they went and had a car all fitted np with card tables and wine racks, and everything essential except eating and sleeping arrangements. The taxpayers were In a terrible commotion aboat It till they foand the railroad company paid all the bills Then they began bunting around to get at the bottom fects of the trip, and they foand that these same oouncllmen would have to vote on a bill for or against the interests of this same railroad company. Bat this didn't worry the people at all, for tbey knew, If President Martin didn't, that no sentiment of gratitude voold very seriously affect

the votes of this honorable body. Chicago expected them, (having received Mayor Havens'letter that they would pay all their own expenses,) and treated them very nicely, but St. Louis used them quite shabbily. Having received a similar letter to the one sent to Chicago, the Mayor turned it over to the newspaper reporters. When our party readied the city, they were forced to take a common omnibus, and they all tumbled in, leaving the Mayor to clamber up on top but he would never com-' promise the dignity of Terre Haute in that manner, so he hired a carriage,—at Mr. Martin's expense—and went up town in a style becoming to the Mayor of a Hoosier city. It is said the people were very much impressed by the sight.

I fear this letter is getting "heavy," so I will turn my muse to lighter themes. Autumn approaches, and the leaves are beginning to change, but as it is going out of style to decorate our houses with them, I don't know what excuse we shall make to take walks with the gentlemen. If it comes to the worst we will iust take the walks without the excuse.

We drove past the Horticultural Society, yesterday, as we were not honored with an invitation. It was hold in the beautiful grounds of Laurence HeinI, and they looked quite picturesque, sitting under a big tent. Among the trees we could see a bountifully loaded table. A venerable white haired gentleman was talking very earnestly and we oould cato.h the words "feed the tramps," so we ooncluded they were discussing whether tbey should give the scraps that were left to the tramps. Near by sat a tall, grey haired man, next to him a large, square shouldered man, and a little farther off a handsome man with chestnut locks, all anxiously watching the speaker as if afraid he was not going to give them a chance. A long time afterward as we drove back, the venerable whtye haired man was yet speaking the three other gentlemen still listened but the light of expectation had died out of their eyes and the rest ofk'the Society seemed to be growing very weak.

Although a woman's age Is undenia^ bly her own, she never owns it. An Erie girl calis her fellow, who is a member of the Michigan crew, her evening's tar.

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like your best girl's house when the old folksaro away, jr

Mrs. Misallot says that Ma tile is too proud to be seen with any but the obsolete of sobriety.

When you see a young lady indulging in a game of archery, just observe her arch-her-eye. ||j?

A definition gathered from a lady's album: Pleasure—The hyphen which divides our sorrows.

It is evident that the earth is feminine from the persistency with which she refuses to tell her age.

There is a little miss at Long Branch just two and a half years old who has no less than six dresses which cost f80 apiece.

A jeweler advertises that he has some precious stones for disposal, adding that "they sparkle like the tears of a young widow."

The hardest thing in the world for a young woman to do is to look unconcerned for the first time she comes out in an engagement ring.

An unsuccessful lover tfts asked by what mischance be lost his divinity* "Alas," said he, "I flattered her until she grew tho proud to speak to me."

Miss Josie Jefferson, the daughter of Jefferson the actor, gave a garden party at her aome In Hoboken, N, J., the other evening, and Rip Van Winkle danced his first quadrille.

A Michigan lady wants to know whether or not it is honorable for a young man to stand idle and watch a girl pass oat of her teens into her twenties and so on down to the shady side of forty still bearing her maiden name.

A lady with a pet dog on a train from Newport to Fall River, Mass., was so solicitous for the welfare of her pet I hat she treated it with ice water from tumbler, and refusedfo receive the first water handed her by the train boy be* cause there waa a speck in it,

Tenth Year

7 3

Now, I must stop or you will be in the same condition as this Society. Tell me in your next letter whether you will visit us or not and believe me, as ever,

Your Affectionate Friend,. fif SUSIE*. '7

Feminitems.

The Sara Bernhardt collar is the necks new thing. It takes a "lqpd" gi^to b%ng hex.hair successfully,

A woman Is like an army: she is lost if she has no reserve, The girl of the period comes to a full stop, or makes a dash. ^.

The woman who canned a bushel of cherries this year has aright to look down on the woman who only canned six quarts of gooseberries.

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