Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 10, Number 35, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 28 February 1880 — Page 1

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Vol. io.—No. 35.

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THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

SECOND EDITION.

NAILING

A

LIE.

This supposed important doty devolves very frequently upon some persons, A man hears that some report ©rogatory to his character is being .circulated about bim, and, making up bis fnind to "nail the lie," he starts out in search of him who originated it. He soon finds the task a far mere difficult ono than he imagiued it would be. The arther be travels the vaguer it gets, jntil at fengtb, tired of the fruitless ..search, Le returns from wheudehe went, lout, a sadder and by no means ISman. ^facilities for traveling far superior to his

It refuses to be orueified, and the nails which were to have been dfciven through it are carefully pr$$Wg£d for another occasion.

Thus a great deal of valuable time is often spent in the fruitless endeavor to

Ti."nail

lies"—time which might be em-

JSployed much better in some other way. "t is certainly not a pleasant thing to know that false reports are going from tongue to tongue throughout the community about you, b^it if they are, the ^wisest course is to let them alone. If /they are false they will be found out by and by without your assistance. The

jf Old proverb says "there is never want--ingadogto bark at you," and as the doK bfcrks at everybody, everybody imuat expect some time or another to be ^barked at. There are persons who have a great horror of being talked about.

The idea that the tongue of gossip may be taking liberties with their characters occasions them the baost excruciating torment. Not that they are conscious of having done wrong, or of deserving severe criticism on the contrary they p! are frequently very upright and worthy

people. What ails them is that they are \too excessively sensitive. Their skins *are too thin for knooklng about in this rough world, and the lightest touoh bruises them. What they need is to toughen up to get used to tumbles and scratches and the barking of dogs that don't bite.

Tbejbest'.way is hot to go about with '^your pockets full of nails to nail lies y^'witb. It is a thankless business—a good deal like cutting off the Hydra's heads f*A the moment ono is off another takes its

place.

The man who is honest and

straightforward in all his conduct and tries to do his duty faithfully, does not need to lie awake inach of nights thinking of the lies that may be told about him. The less ho thinks about them and th« less he knov* about them the better. The people who imagine they aro doing a friendly act when they tell ^one of some unkind or untruthful thing they have heard said of, him, are much mistaken. Who oares to know the evil that may be said of bim? If you hear anything kind or complimentary, tell that, but lock the other up in your own breast.

It is a familiar rule of law that the aracter of anyone is based upon the reputation which he bears among his neighbors and there could be no surer method of arriving at the desired result. Infallibly men are estimated at their true worth. Thoir record is made up day by day by their words and needs and it is a reoord whioh is open to inspection of all. There is no greater fool than he who supposes that he can belie his rocord, that bo oan bide a dishonest face under a mask aud pass for an honest man, The fraud will soon be discovered. In the same manner an honest man will be known, no matter how many busy tongues may attempt to circulate Ilea about him. They will meet with no credit and will go floundering about for a short time and die of sheer feebleness. If anyone wishes to know what his standing among his neighbors is, let him look into his ewn breast if he finds things satisfactory there he may dismiss all uneasiness. He is safe. He need not trouble himself about "nailing lee." His services will not be needed that direction. There will bs very few lies out and they will go to roost early.

ONE of the most harmless boogabooe that ever frightened man or child, is the •Third Term," at whioh a good many people who aro very sensible and bold ordinarily, are just now dreadfully alarmed. Whether General Grant ought to be the next President is quite another question. To avoid all suspicion of ^attempting to write up Grant or any political party, the writer of this will say that bo prefer* Blaine, or any other stroug man, to Grant, But be has never

U&eu, and does not now take, any stock in what seems to him the senseleas twaddle about the dreadful third term. 80 that a man serves the people well, and they want him for a servant in the White Houso, there is do valid 'reason why they should not have him three terms or thirty terms, if he were to live so long. While the people have 'sjt in their hands to elect a President once in four year*, and be must have a

majority of the electoral votes to keep his place, there is no danger whatever to our institutions in reelecting the same mail go long as the people choose to do so. ^fie. eminently respectable gentlemen dpc different parts of the country, who, jftfct now, are in a dreadfully perturbed'state of mind, may as well quiet tkolr- nerves, as it is only a boogaboo, a vary mild one, that they are so scared abj^ut. It cannot hurt them, or the country.

BETWEEN 100,000 and 200,000 men find the questioti -whether they are to continue to hold their present positions dependent, not upon their honesty or efficiency, not upon the value of their services, but upon the question, who is to jje the next president. Probably, on ^"average, there are at least ten men eH&er to get each one' of their positions.

ThTlUiT Jill 7btrad".ni'.Sii™» «™00,000 eager t. hold their places, and an army of one or two million eager to dispossess the present holders, and all feeling that their chances of success depend upon who goes into the White House on the Fourth of March. Here is where the real danger lies to our institutions.

When a man is once appointed to one of these subordinate offices, let him feel sure that he can hold it so long as he discharges its duties faithfully, and he ceases to become an intriguing politician in order to keep his place, and even selfishness prompts him to faithful service. The very first step in civil service reform that is demanded by the inter^ts of the country, and possibly by the safety of our institutions, is taking from the hands of the president the power to remove men from office without cause. It may be a matter of importance how men are appointed to office, but it is of more importance that they be not removed without sufficient cause, for even though an unfit man receive the appointment, he will have every inducement to make himself fit to discharge the duties of the office that he may keep it. First let us have no removals without cause, and then the ten men who are watching and jn triguing to get the office will go about their business, and the one man in the place can attend to the business of the country. Break up this army of near two million intriguing ofSce seekers, and the most' an ger dis* appears.

"THEN you will have an aristocracy of office holders." Another boogaboo, and as harmless as the first. Because railroad men, or the employees in a bank, or sohool teachers or clergyman, when once they have secured their positions, are rea^onbly sure of holding them as long as they discharge their duties satisfactorily, are they turned into a dangerous aristocracy? Would postmasters or revenue officers holding their positions by the same tenure be any more dangerous? Tom, Dick and Harry, who are in a ceaseles scramble for place which somebody e^e holds, and tho Honorable who wants to lead about these fellows with a ring in their noBes in the shape of a promise of an office, may cry out against an aristocracy of this sort and a few honest dupes may help them, just as, when an escaping thief cries "stop thief," honest peo pie moving by his side joining in the shout and help bim escape with his plunder. The sooner we have an aris tocracy of public officials attendinr strictly to the business for what they are paid, the better for the country, and, what amounts to much the same thing, the worse for Tom, Dick and Harry, and their Honorable ringleader.

To get men and women Into the church to help them and make them better is one thing. To get them there to help the church is quite another thing. If it is to help them, then poor people are as good material as any other. If it is to help the church, then rich people are the beat material. Which makes preacher, official members, and the "pillars," happiest, a pew foil of people who want the help they can get in church service but cannot help much sooially or financially, or a pew full of people who have high social position and plenty of money, but care very little for tho gospel This at a goad test of the real motive.

THIS is a day of hand-shaking Christianity. Much is made by the churches of the social element in running and holding men. The value of smiles, warm hearted grips, and social amenities in general, is better understood and more faithfully urged and practiced than ever before. This is as it should be. Those who desire to use men for their own advantage have understood this for a long time, and it ia well that they who desire to make themselves useful to men are learning how they can best do so. Men are led to evil by those who profess to be their friends, and it is well that those who would lead men to good should show themselves to be real friends, interested not only in getting them into heaven by and by, bat in giving them as much of heaven as they can here and now.

It*s meet and drink that is depriving many a family of food.

Susan Perkins' Letter.

TKKRB HAUTE, Feb. 27,1880.

DEAR JOSEPHINK—The other morning as I was strolling down main street, enjoying the bright sunshine and doing a little necessary shopping I was confronted by a red flag which waved gracefully in the air and seemed to coax me to enter. Out of curiosity I did so, for I had never been to an auction, and here was a chance not to be neglected. The room was well filled with people of both sexes, all ages, and apparently all conditions. Fashionable ladies, small boys, men, and even dogs were to to be seen the motley throng. Here stood a middle aged woman, market bafeket on arm, evidently some boarding house keeper here a thin and cadaverous looking woman, accompanied by several hungry lookicg children here a eountry girl, mouth and eyes wide»open, drinking in the wonders and here a group of men standing idly with hands in their pockets. The most conspicuous person in the room was the auctioneer, who seemed to charm the audience before him alternately with his eloquence and wit, or, perchance, well directed sarcasm. A slightly built man of between thirty and forty years, amiable looking, yet with afire in his eye which showed that when aroused bo was amply able to "hold his own," especially in the auctioneering line. At present his energies are concentrated on the task of selling a bed spread, "Now, ladies, here is a French reyersible quilt, worth fourteen dollars. Will any one give me a bid for this beautiful, everlasting, fourteen dollar spread As fine a thing as you ever saw examine it ladies. What! one dollar, only one dollar you certainly are joking one dollar for a French reversible spread that can't be bought in this city for fourteen dollars? I thought I could read this audience. (Very sarcastically.) I thought I saw one or two liberal faces. I was mistaken. Would you take this Magnificent thing as a gift, ladies." (Es sfnee of irony.) Presently a timid voice whispers "two dollars," and tho bidding goes on briskly up to four and a half dollars. Then it is knocked down to the cadaverous- lookicg woman with the hungry looking children. Poor thifips! Life has evidently few pleasures to them. May they enjoy their French reversible. Notwithstanding that the auctioneer repeatedly said only one should be sold at that price, thus making the successful bidder triumphant at securing a prize which every one else would envy, he seemed per fectly willing to duplicate them to any who wished. Ihen some lower priced spreads were sold then a box of hose, regular made Balbriggans, uu bleached, extra fine! While waiting for a bid on the last named, the auctioneer wiped the perspiration from his brow and gazed around. Presently bis eagle eye full upom The. From that moment I was doomed to unbleached Balbriggans. Not that I wanted them, for no girl with any pretentions to style will wear anything bnt colored hosr. Still, when he kept looking at me, and the silence became so ominous, not knowing what elso to do I said "six cents a pair.''

Six cents," said the man scornfully, "six cents for hose worth seventy-five." "sivin cents," said a voice near me. I glanced up and saw that my antagonist was a stalwart daughter of Erin, armed with a huge, green cotton umbrella. I was again appealed to by the salesman "Ten cents," said I wishing the whole box of hose at the bottom of the Red sea. My Irish friend immediately responded "siventeen." The impudent thing, thought I, at the same saying aloud "eighteen." "Twinty cints," remarked Biddy, calmly waving her umbrella. "Twenty-five*' said I glaring at her. Biddy complacently returned my stare and said "thirty cints." That was too muob! Was I to let an ignorant child of Erin, with a shabby umbrella and breath redolent with onions, have those atockingsl Never! I olinched my teeth and muttered "thirty-five." I got them, and Biddy walked off triumphant* ly with a box precisely similar in quality and price! But »han, you know, people never buy anything tbev do not want at auctions. And things are

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cheaper there! One tuan bought an elegant Paialey shawl for twenty dollars that could not be bought anywhere in town for lees than forty—so the auctioneer said. A short time afterwards shawl precisely similar was sold there for ten! That man actually turned green with chagrin and 1 venture to say he went home a madder and a wiser man. Once iu a while something would be sold very low in price that was a snare to catch the unwary. Before they knew it bids woald oome in recklessly and abundant and dozens of people would go home saddled with btfndles of things they did not really need and which they would never have thought of buying at any of our stores.

And the merchants—it is amusing to hear their comments on the concern. Some smile in a superior manner and wonder that so many sensible people can be inveigled into buying ia such a piaee. Others a wear about it and say

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TERRE HAUTE, INDJSATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 28,1880. .„. •/*,• Tenth Year

the buslneaj' of the oity is ruined by the abominable traveling concerns, which pay UD taxes and whioh even avoid paying a license fee under the adjustable manipulations of the law. Others offer to duplicate anything sold there at the same, or less prices. None, I think will say muoh in favor of an institution which robs them of their trade, which reaps a golden harvest of dollars to take out of town, that should be left in Circulation here to further the business interests and prosperity of our oity. And who can say the merchants are too bitter about this matter

It is safe t|0 say that very few who go to the auction rooms have any intention of buying., "'But some way or other most of them cannot resist the temptation of spending something for articles they in all probability fdo not want, perhaps spending money that should be used to pay their honest debts.

When I went home that day I displayed. my purchase triumphantly to Aant Miranda. "But I thought you did not wear unbleached stockings?" said she, scanning them through her spectacles. „"Well, I don't, that is so but they were so cheap." "How much?" I told her. "Are they any finer than these and Aunt Miranda displayed her slippered foot, encased in unbleached stockings tit thirty cents a pair! Not a bit

finer,

and I viciously wished I had that auctioneer by the hair. That being impossible, I resolved that kindness should atone for my indiscreetness,—one heart at least should be made happy by my rash folly—and I gave them to the cook. But the next morning, when I heard her scornfully allude to "them old fashioned yaller things, that was too big for her" (just my number) to her confidante, the house girl, my cup of humiliation was full to overflowing.

Apropos of all this, why would not the auctioneering business be a good field for women, especially those that hanker after their rights and do not object to talking in a crowd. Every day we hear complaints of the scarcity, of work for women, or the poor pay or disagreeable perquisites wl&ich accompany some occupations. Everybody cannot teach it takes too much preparation to beoome lawyers, doccors andf roi oisters. Sewing and q^kjng are arduous and poorly joai Jn guch an emergency auctioneering ia just the thing! No capital required, no education necessary. Sinsply use the talents which have been so freely bestowed upon some of us. A good voice, but not necessarily musical tact, the art of flattering, quick to see the humorous side of things, and a ready tongue. What woman is not capable? Is it not a standing stigpa on our sex that a woman's tongue is continually going Then the auctioneer's stand is just the place £0 use this talent advantageously. Imagine yourself, Josephine, the center of an admiring throng, the target of a hundred eyes while you hold up apiece of calico for sale. You smile encouragingly as you hear the bids you look appealingly, or frown ominously. You flatter one, tell the latest scandal to another, advice and ridicule interspersed, all the time your tongue going clack, claok, clack, just as that auctioneer's did the other day. Besides, I have heard it was a paying business. Yours, SUSIE.

RANDOM SHOTS.

There was a divorce case on trial at the court room, the other day, and, like all other trials of the same sort, It was at onee painful and sickening to people of refined sensibilities. There are plenty of men and women, however, who, possessing no range of higher feeling or lofty thought, like human vultures delight in gorging their mental senses with these domestio scandals in all their disgusting details. These shameful scenes that make a mockery of the oourt of ustice are the same everywhere. Sometimes the suit is Instituted by the hnsband, but far oftener by the wife. The former, when he sues for a divoroe, generally makes it on the ground that bis partner has been unfaithful te her marriage vows, while the latter wants the decree granted on the plea of ill treatment and neglect. In either case, the scene is about the same. The court room is thronged with spectators who, attracted by morbid curiosity, leer and wink upon one another, when the details of evidence are elicited from too willing witnesses by the dapper and smirking lawyers. The witnesses in these cases, with few exceptions, are meddlesome, mischief making neighbors with no hearts and less brains, and whose sole aim in life appears to do all the meanness, and create all the heart burnings thst wicked gossip and base •caudal can accomplish. The result of all this is usually about the same, and despite the tender memories of youth, their former vowa to love, honor and cherish, and the solemn obligations involved in assuming the responsibilities of matrimony, they are flippantly parted as if the whole afEtir was nothing but a broad joke and farcial farce. The witnesses who have brought about this sundering apart of man and wife giggle knowingly, the lawyers smile—the next,

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case of some petty litigation is called, and all is over. The divorced woman sails out of court, stubbornly endeavoring to repress her tears. "Visions of youthful days flit before her, when all around seemed illumined with happiness, and when she regarded the man of her choice as fondly as the grandest queen could look upon the noblest king. All is changed. The meddlesome, backbiting neighbors have done their work effectually they have brought ruin and mourning upon a once happy household, and the fire of love, hope and affeotlon has been quenched, and is now bleak and smoulderlrg. Ah, reader, such domestio tragedies ooour daily in the name of the law, and though hearts may break and bitter tears flow, yet the glib and dapper attorneys will continue to smile graciously and pocket their little fees,

FASHION'S FANCIES

The red window shade is out of favor in New York. Handkerchief dresses in new forms will be worn again.

Polonaises will be worn this spring under the name of houplandes. The latest fichus are very large, and Qf India muslin, embroidered on the edges. Sometimes lace is added to the wrought

The greatest novelties in the dry goods market, that have appeared for several years are the Yeddo crapes and Yeddo foulards.

Black chip bonnets fer the coming season have the orowns only 0/ chip, while the brim and curtain are formed of lace straw.

Rose pink, gray blue, and canary yellow are favorite combinations of color in many of the new striped, plaided, and printed goods.

Pintata means the plumage of the guinea hen but it sounds well. A hat trimmed with pintata s§ems to imply something fine.

Brazilian bugs and beetles, both real and artificial, are much used for decorative purposes on the feathers and flowers of new millinery. shell headed pins,.i» a.U sorts of shapes, black, jet, silver, filagree,' and amber ornaments, beads, and chains are all very fashionable with new coif-

fures'

The ugly dazzling mixtures that look cheap when new, and dingy when old, will not be used for outside garments this spring, and they can be bought at very low rates.

New momie cloths are of thinner and finer fabric than last year's goods. The surfaces are finely finished, and the small doaigas, in various colors, possess great artistic merit.

The "sportsman's jacket" has square basques in front, is rather short and half fitting behind, loose before, has a number of pocketB of all sizes and shapes and a profusion of fancy buttons.

Anklets, with small bells attached, are worn by English ladies at skating parties. They jingle with every movement. We read of one lady who went even farther, and played castanets as she glided along.

The man who is bringing up a family on an ihcomeof 96 a week will be happy to learn from the fashion prediction "that the spring and summer fashions, in elegance will surpass anything ever seen in America." "The ruling expression in silks is conspicuous," says a New York authority. This sounds formidable, but perhaps it is not true. It may be that the ruling expression will be subdued by and by and the subordinate expressions will come forward.

Marie Antoinette seems to be the ideal to whioh fashionable girls strive to attain in their drees, and this summer they will be expected to array themselves in muslin kerchiefs simply embroidered on the edge and precisely like those which the young Queen wore in her happy days at Trianon.

The large bows of ribbon worn by young ladles to cover the entire top of the head, are injurious to the hair and unbeooming as well. No style of head dressing should ever be allowed to cover the top of the head unless it is for the purpose of concealing baldness, which is invariably produced by it.

The sensible nlster is to be the street wrap for the apring. It is the most useful snd becoming garment that ladies have adopted for a great while, and it is fortunately such a wrap that all classes cannot adopt it. Very large ladies ignore it because of its unbecomingness, and very tall ones object to it for the same reason. But the generality of ladies wear |t, and pronounce it comfortable and admirably adapted for street service, traveling, and in fact for all purposes.

A

YOCHO

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man who is cross and disa­

greeable to his mother will be cross and disagreeable to his wife just as soon as she has any needs that interfere with bis pleasure or oomfort.

ABOUT WOMEN. ___ When a woman falls, all pardon her in their hearts and condemn her with their lips.

They say "Mrs. Langtry oan be more graceful in stubbing her toe than most women can be in throwing a kiss."

If you have a pretty daughter you will have a brain full of anxiety aind. a house full of scented note paper.

Victor Hugo said, on seeing a pretty woman take the veil: "When one is not ugly, one has no right to espouse God.'/

Mrs. Livermore informs the Chicago Tribune that all the "cream of the Eas^ has moved West,"(and all that remains iu Massachusetts is the "two extreme^ the best and the stupidest."

A girl in Massachusetts who painted pottery has become insane. And in the horrible dreams and hideous fancies tbat'glare upon her darkened mind she sees all the things she has painted. [The Waterloo Observer says the reason that you seldom see two sisters of the same size promenading the streets together, is accounted for by the fact that the family only supports one sealskin sacque.

A Michigan newspaper says it is permitted by etiquette in that state, for a bride to be married without gloves, it being supposed to be typical of tke manner in which she gets better acquainted ivith him, and proceeds to regulate her household.

A young man at Omaha did not wish to marry the girl to whom he was engaged, but she would not release him until he gave her his grocery business as a recompense. She now runs the store, while he works elsewhere on small wages, and the bargain pleases both.

When one woman says of another "Sh& is perfectly awful, and looks like a fright," she has no earthly idea of what she says but she knows she wants to say something real mean. A white figure of of Hope clinging to a cross may be a fright to a horse, and the grandeur of Niagara Falls awful to a man.

Somebody says the wife bears testimony for or against her husband. If he is savage and gross, she is ugly and sad if he is rude and sensual, she is deceitful and vicious if Le is without heaii and without sympathy, she is trifling, corrupt or silly. The woman is the livicg manifestation of the conscience of the man.-

A New York heiress who moves extensively in society, and who is noted for her good sense and generosity, has made it a rule to never permit an escort to any place of amusement to order a carriage as she invariably uses her own. She gives as a reason for this custom that worthy young men, struggling for professional and social position, cannot easily afford the expense from which they are released by her usage.

Mrs. Hayes has laid aside the modest blaok silk and the Quaker gray dreuse* which did duty on all occasions F^d were so well known In Washington, and at a reception the other Saturday astonished everybody by appearing in a superb dress of green satin striped with velvet brocade on a gold ground, and a train of green velvet. The lady retains, in her toilet, the bunch of pink rosebuds with whioh she has identified her presence.

A woman correspondent of the Springfield Republican is able to dlsoover a wide difference between two kinds of Washington society. The tegular residents are "very charming, cordial, and hospitable, taking in strangers and caring for them with unwearying kindness and an unobtrusive watchfulness whioh is the very essence of true hospitality." But the political or official society, according to this authority, "is a wild, disgusting scramble for place and precedenoe, fall of envyings, heartburnings, and hate, veiled under the polite and lying guise of society's mask. It is amusing, too, to watch it from the outside, for it has its absurd phases."

The Rev. Dr. Putnam, one of the oldest and most influential members of the Harvard faculty, said in regard to woman's education at that university: "Whether the young men and women will meet in the same class room is a question yet to be answered. I cannot myself believe that the time is very far distant when they will. I can see no reason why young men and young women may not study and recite together as well as talk, sing and dance tegetber. The reason usually given why they should not is pnreSy a relic of some tradition, the reason of wbirti has been entirely lost to the memory of man. When we think that tbey are to be together in the same building, the most fitting snd innocent Of all associations would seem to be an association in the very highest pursuits, next to their eternal well being, in which they can engaged. There is no reason why association in this manner should be postponed."

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is the impatient, and sometimes the sorrowful exclamation of the father over a "chip of the old block."

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