Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 11, Number 4, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 24 July 1880 — Page 1

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

SECOND EDITION.I

Ons Daniel onae remarked in bis most wise and impressive manner—and he oan, when oocsslon require®, look very wise and be very Impressive—that no negro was ever known to write a poem or carve a statue. Bat the other day when the prizes were awarded at the State formal School in New York, Miss Frances A. Reynolds received forty dollars in gold as the second beet scholar in French Language and Literature. There were at tfcia sahool ever 860 white pupils, any number of whom oonld probably "write a poem or carver statue" off* hand at ton minutes warning, and two or three belonged to that $u«ky race whlchjkuows so little of the poetic fire and cannot carve. Miss Reynolds was one of the dnsky ones,—'Whether black as the aoe of spades or not the report aaith pot—and as this "young lady," whose father and grandfather bad been slaves in Georgia, went forward to the platform to reoeive the prize which de olared her intellectual superiority to more than 860 white students, she was greeted with a hearty round of ap plause, And yet, but for the change wrought by the civil war in oar institutions, it might have been a white man who bad taken the goal instead the colored girl herself, and at an auction block instead of on a plat form, and for her fine physical form in stead of her intellectual requirements.

Things have changed within a score of years, and possibly they may continue to change until a negro, or negress oan write a poem or oarve a statuo. Possibly oar Daniel may live to see that day. How happy it would make him, and how proud he will be over his own efforts to bring aboat such a result! And then he will no longer be under the painfal neoessity of conducting another investigation to protect his beloved State against the immigration of the de* graded race that cannot, like himself, write poetry or carvo a statue. "It never rains but it pours," and accordingly not iar from the time when Hiss Reynolds was securing her prize, a most pronounced Southern It. #yer, ope o'( the regular F. F. V'a., made a motion In the Supreme Court of New York and warmly advocated it, that John F. Quarles, Esq., bo admitted to practice in said Supreme Court. Now Mr. John F, Quarles is a colored man. Is not that a sort of shaking hands across the bloody chasm that amounts to something? The world does move altor all, and takes the negroes along with it. Some white people may as well begin to open their eyes and push on or they will be left behind or run over by the dark race.

"HE baa indeed brought Sir Robert Peel down to Oxford to use in his cause the admirable harum-scarum rhetoric which oan always raise a laugh though we suspect it never changed a vote." We oame aoross this in an English newspaper during the last political campaign over there, and thought It an admirable description of a kind of rhetoric muoh in vogue but of little praotloal use. There is an immense amount of thla talk whioh raises a laugh but never ohangea a vote or a conviction. A temperance lecture, for some unexplained reasou, has come to be regarded a sucoess or failure according to the presence or absence of this sort of rhetoric. Why the most terrible of all vices, that of drunkeness, should be so treated as to amuse the audience, we never could understand. That there is a proper use of humor, even in persuading men to a better life, we do not deny. He who can make men laugh oan make them cry, and he that uses this gift judiciously can reach the will power of men. But this "harum-scarum rhetoric" that alma constantly at raising a laugh la the weakest of all stuff so fsr as results are concerned. Thla young Sir Robert Peel must be sometning like our Col. Inger•oil. We have not laughed so heartily for four years as we did over Bob's speech in thla city in the last presidential campaign. He kept the audience, Republioana and Democrats alike, in an almoat incessant roar of laughter. It makes our aide ache now to think of It. But so far was that speech from changing a vote, that vto do not believe, and did not believe at the time, that it caused even a aertoua thought. Ingeraollti rhetoric could not be better described than as "that admirable harum-scarutn rhetoric which can always raise a laugh* though we suspect it never changed a rote." In polities, on the platform, at the bar, and the pal pit, these hi a place for humor, but humor atone, or even In a very large measure, is very weak in producing anything more than a laugh. Give men something to think of and reason It with wit, though very sparingly, and there is hope of changing convictions and actions.

As

Of

honest doubter,

•acred truth, hi always to be respected,

i, -SISjk.

and often to be pitied. Bat one who joins a wrong life to wrong belief gives evidence that be doabts or disbelieves in order to have a free coarse in wrong practices, and his proclamations of doubt deserve only contempt. Bragging 0/ skepticism, and smiling at the teachings of one's mother, is simply bragging that one has made himself unworthy bis mother. Honest doubters do not treat their betters in that way.

Susan Perkins' Letter*

Tjbkbe Haute,July 25,1880.

Deab Joskphiwk:—Speakinjgof onr young men, and the way somo'ol^them squander time and money, last Sleek, reminds me that they are not the only people who live beyond their means, or who engage in a straggle to keep up appearances. It is only In America that fortunes can be made and lost in a day, and perhaps that is the reason that so many are reckless, living beyond their means and squandering other people's money. They all think that to-morrow, next week, or at the larthest next year, they will make the fortune that ia surely waiting for them somewhere. In the older countries people are more saving, and ass general thing If money Is inherited or come Into possession of by any one person, it is taken oare of and made to go as far as possible.

It would surprise yon, perhaps, to know of the many devices to which people resort in order to keep up appearances and give others the impression tbst they are what, in reality, they are far from being.

In Torre Haute, men who have long lived here, who stand high in their professlons or business, who are supposed to be the souls of integrity by their neighbors, actually live off of otL£r people. How do they do It, you ask By their wits—the same as any other sharpers, I knowjof a professional man—a number of them for that matter, but will take cm as an example—who rent* a desirable residence, whose family dress well, whose household is kept in order by servants, and who really has as many of the little luxuries of life as his next door neighbor, who is wealthy. And yet this man owns no property and is in debt for everything. He pays no rent, yet manages to stay in the house by pure brazeunesti of purpose. H6 owes nearly overy grocery store in town when one refuses to trust ho patronizes another, When his wife or daughter needs at new dress, she makes her selection a ono of the dry goods Btoros orders it sent homo and promises to come in a day or two and pay for it, but never does. Tho bills for these aro Bent to the head of the house, month after month, some times for years but never collected. He waves them off with a calmness of demeanor that is to be envied. He has no property, henoe law suits are out of the question. When it is possible he borrows small sums of money from his friends and forgets to return them. Is bold enough to ask for fifty dollars If there is a prospeot of obtaining It, but Is low enough to take a quarter, if that ia the extent of his friend's purse. His servants work for awhile in the hopes of getting their wages finally loave and others go through the routine. And yet this respectable sharper holds up his head, looks bis fellow man in the eye, and would knoek any one down that inalnuated he was not all that is honora ble. It is a little aingular that more men of this kind are to be found among professional men, especially lawyers—so I am told—than among the merchants. Singular because a lawyer's business is to protect others from being swindled. Merchants of course pay up in the hopes of being paid in return.

A great many ladies whom we know to be poor, dress well, even fashionably, and sometimes startle as with new ooatame* when the first question is—"I wonder If it is paid for." Often, we do these ladies serious injustice. With a small expenditure of money a little taste and a good deal of management, any one can drees well in these days of cheap dry goods and return to onr grandmother's atyles. The other day a lady friend of mine disappeared in a dyeing establiahment on Main street, Just aa I was passing the door. From the handle in her arms peeped a corner of an old faded brooade which I had seen in her garret—a relic of a century ago. In a week or two she will appear in a bran new suit of handsome bleak damask— worn over her oid black silk skirt renovated so as to look as good as new! And people will look wise, shake their heads and say she is dreadfully extravagant 1 The truth is, we know very little about onr friends or neighbors. Often we condemn as extravagant that which la really the result of good management.

Terre Haute lately has been the superlative of dullness. The camp meeting seemed to create a little cariosity, if not enthasiasm, last week. I drove out with a party one evening and rode around the enoampmenu Heard the shouting, ringing and preaching, but could not dMnpUi (be words. Attended a party on south Fifth street one evening last week snd had a nice time, If I wa ooonted with tbe "older girls."

Try

Vol. No. 4. TERRE HAUTE, IND, SATURDAY, EVENING, JULY 24,1880. Eleventh Year

The only thing tbst keeps us from acta ally stagnating la the Ringgold Band. Onoe a week we are entertained with delightful music and although I do not always go to the "Park" to bear it, I can eEjoy it from the window of my room at my boarding place.

Write soon, Busxk.

ABOUT WOMEN,

A Chicago woman is insane from grief. In shooting carelessly at a target, she killed her son.

A girl in New York, seventeen years old, has lately died from apoplexy, due tight lacing.

Nevada Indian maiden is going ingh life with the beautiful name of lifting Goose.

Adeline Patti cried behind the scenes, because Nicolini, her lover, was so coldly received in London.

They are trying lady ushers in some of the churches in Chicago, but they are not a success. Every lady with anew bonnev is seated way back.

The height of many women's ambition is a bonnet a bead taller than any other missionary in tbe church. That's the kind of pomegranites they are.

A young lady just home from boarding school, on being told by the servant that they had no gooseberries, exclaimed "Why, what bss happened to the goose?"

An Illiowia girl with a breach-of-prom-ise salt testified that it wss the usual thing for girls tosbow theirlove letters to fifteen or twenty cither girls, in order to make them jealous,

Lydia Thompson ssys that tbe costume worn by an English lady at a ball would produce a hiss if worn on the variety stage. But then English ladies don't kick up their heels.

They settle love affairs peremptorily in Arkansss, One young "lady" incensed at the action of another, rode to her bouse on horse-back, called her ont, and plunged a Bowie knife through her throat,

Women have never forgiven Lady Worth Montague for saying: "The only satisfaction I have in being a woman is that I shall not be compelled to marry one of m^ own sex-'-^Her tin ia

Mrs, Hannah Hallett, P. T. Barnum's mother in-law, lives near Bridgeport, has good health, is deaf in one ear, can read the finest print without specs, is a great teller of stories to children, is cheerful, and ninty-five years old.

A young lady who has been married a short time lately told a "bosom friend" that there was only one thing more astonishing than tbe readines swlth whioh Ned gavo up smoking when they became engaged, and that was the rapidity with whioh he took to it again after they were married.

The most original of advertisements appeared lately in tbe Newark papers. It waa put in by a woman, who notified her absent husbsnd that if be did not return within three days she would marry another fellow. She Is from Poland, is this determined woman, and it would seem that she is following out a national custom.

The dressmakers are, says the Parisian, seeking more and more to bring the natural lines of the feminine form into relief. Fashion is a mysterious and all powerful force it can raise bills on tbe flattest plains, and if embonpoint is declared to be a la mods, as is now the case, straightway all the ladies that you meet are found to fill up their dresses to required degree.

An authority on horsemanship says that it is folly for a lady to put herself into Mays so tight that her figure is not flexible while she is on horseback. A stunted doll, he says, should never be pat on a horse, nor any woman who is not so loosely dressed that she can lace her own boots and pat up her own back hair. While tbe lady ia on horseback, the circulation of her blood should never be Impeded.

Barllngton Hawkeye: Yes, daughter, you should go somewhere daring the sammer. You cannot stay at borne daring warm weather and live. To-be-en re, your mother, who hasn't been oat of town since she was married, can stand it, bat then she is old-fashtoned, and doesn't know any better and betides, ahe has fan enough doing tbe washing and Ironing. By til means, go. Get a linen duster and a basket, and go at once.

A Detroit belle some time since, says tbe Free Press, received by express from an eastern city a handsome looking umbrella, and she bad it out the other day for the first time. Taking a Woodward avenue aw for a abort ride, she naebed tbe handle of the umbrella op to pull tbe bell stamp when she destrad to get off. As die polled down tbe umbrella began to lengthen, and bet tailings may be Imsfinsd when shs foondtbe wMb in bsr band and a potent sbont two feat long dsngttng to the strap above bar

This naw^Jdss in

OLD DOMINION COFFEE.

handles dldnt seem to strike her favorably, and as the ear baited ahe left both portions behind her. and seemed a good deal confused wben a man called after bar| Cant never depend upon them things in a row. You'd better get a derringer!"

A,-Brooklyn architect recently visited Handout on badness, snd while strolling through one of the streets in company with a relative, he passed the children's church at Ponckbockie. Tbe lady organist was just coming out of the ch&rcn as they passed. The stranger sked what church it was, and little thinking what was in store for her, the organist told him, and offered to allow tbe two to inspect it. After showing them around she played a tnne on the organ for them. They then thaoked her anil epartod. Two dajs afterward the pretty organiat received a note asking permission to call on her. Having as certalned that the stranger's position and character were snob as to warrant an acquaintanceship, an Invitation was ex tended to him to call, and they have just been ^married.

Mrs. Tom Thnmb is described by a correspondent as she appeared recently in the surf. She is now a perfeot matron in miniature. Her face, though still pretty, Shows her age, and has a quaint, motherly expression. She is a realize tion, in a small way, of fair, fat, and forty. She wore a suit of blue-gray flannel^ which was jaunty and coquettish before it got wet. Her arms were bare to the topS*&f her shoulders, in each of which Was a pretty little dimple, and there was is ahapely taper down to her wrists. Her email feet were uncovered, (jibe bad comical dignified air, and step pqd intoitblfsarf with the air of a knee hl2b queerf. S|hb waded boldly until ab4 met:the: first ware, which soused bor^ flopped her down, rolled her over and o^er, sad finally threw her upon the sawft* All the atyle had been In staiktaAeotiBly drenched out of her olotbea. lmt. "take h^ altogether, she looked better after^£e taigeal than did most of tpe bigger w0men?'v-

TBI'ijKXOF THE COMPANY: "fto never sen' that person called the life of ihecorftany, be it man or woman,!} a£#e e|» not curious Ut know tibwsbe^ at homo* 7^oll!f^ii*lhis detfgLtful vivacity is ai the expense of the fireside consumption: whether home is only a place where It ia bottled, corked aud wired down for public effervescence and, if so, what a joyless place home must be to the little children and young people belonging to it, and how tbe wife of tbe man who is the life of tbe company must chafe at the fireside silence, and sicken at tbe wit which is brewed tbore.

If, dear friends, there is not enough for botb, in the name of justioo, remember first the wife who tolls to make her portion of home bright and comfortable and the young people who will soon follow your example of saving themselves up for company. There are men, and women too, whom I remember as the life of home whose meals are seasoned with wit and fun and innocent mirth, those wonderful helpers to digestionmeals where the children's intelligent, curious questioning is not extinguished, bat encouraged, and sympathetically answered—meals where the family expenses are not the skeleton beneath every dish cover, being kept under, and judiciously arranged ander the wise old saw of a time for everything. What a legacy beyond price is the memory of a sunny home like this to tbe children whoee skies, whether cloudy or fair, God only can foretell for tbe future

How likely they will be, too, if possible, to reproduce all this in their own homes, when we are dust, and bow much better than being the life of home —the intelligent home, where the new books are brought and discussed from differing standpoints, where the daily newspapers are read aloud, and merrily commented on, or topics seriously considered upnn moral grounds where the choice bits of fan snd pathos are handed round with the coffee and eggs, and before eaeb separates for the day's duties, perhaps its unforseen trials and pains. Contrast with the silent home where food la bolted, that tbe father may rush to his money-making, and tbe wife and mother to the consideration of fashions, and the children are packed off to school by servants, instead of having their bonnets and cloaks fastened, with a kiss, by loving finger*—turning back to the open door, as they go, for another bright smile, which they will try hard to be worthy of that day.

As I walk tbe street I fancy I can pl«k out tbe men and women reared in these two homes one with a bright. Joyous faoe, and tbe free, firm tread tbe other, with no sparkle or glow of faoe or form, robbed, ere life scarcely begun, of its dew and its sunshine. Oh, bow should such have strength to strike firm root, or put forth healthy blossoming? Oh, tbe pity of it that tbe seed time of vfr~ and *"1^*^*" should be so little shouldn't b* tbe sad we moceaaxJoos to be the 1Mb of it, then to shine In courts! Bo wmts Ybssy Vbrn, yams ago.

THE BETTER WORLD.

CHURCHES, PASTORS AN1) PEOPLE

Many persons wbo rake through another's character with a fine tooth oomb, to discover a fault, could find one with less trouble by going over their

09m

character with a horse rake. Bishop Coxe Is not quite satisfied with the manner in whioh the revision of the Bible has been conducted. He ssys tbe translators have not availed themselves of the services of American Episcopalians as they should have done.

A religious newspaper prints an article headed: "How to get and keep boys in Sunday school." The surest way to get and keep them would probably be to have a Christmas tree every two weeks the year round.

It is a good thing for Noah that he had the only ark afloat in tbe universe at the time Of the flood. If there had been uat one more ark, there would have been a collision the third day oat, unless those things were managed better than they are now. And probably they were not, as It seemed to be considered dangerous to send out more thsn one ark at a time.

The lessyoar fluent ministers have to say, the bigger the stream and the loader they shout. Lyman Beecher, on returning home from ohuroh one Sunday, said that be felt that he bad done very poorly. Said one of the boys, "Why father, I thought yoa were never In better trim you just shouted It oat to 'em." "Aye, aye," replied Mr. Beech or* "that's it exactly when I'm not prepared I always holler at the top of my voice."

A Virginia Baptist presoher was a little surprised, a few Sundays ago, in Brooklyn. He had preached a plain, old faahioned sermon, and twenty* five or thirty people pressed up to take him by the band, and many invited him to dine with them. One of them slipped into his hand aa envelope containing 930. That is a good way to treat the strange brother who happens to supply your palpit, and it is all the more pleasant if, as in this case, the recipient of the weighty envelope has not been expecting a peouniary reward. ^rwday-e^HiQ^ bOOK t&foeS and heroines all pale and ftwie before a fresh and brifftant example of puerile piety. The name of the exemplary boy Is not set down nor is his residence given but no matter for that anything so sweet as the following parable must be true. One sunny Sabbath morning a Sunday-school superintendent on his way to church met a small boy carrying a fishing pole. He knew tbe boy's "shining morning face,", and slopped to chide him for Sabbath breaking: "Where are you going with that pole asked tbe good man. Answered the boy. "Please, sir, I've get a wloked father who sends me out to fish every Sunday morning, bat as soon as I get ont of sight of the boose, I plsy hookey and oome to Sunday-school." The superintendent stood rebuked and shame faoed before the boy, and let him pass on without another question. There is nothing in the records of esrly piety thst eqnals the martyred saintship of that unknown innocent airing his fishing pole on Sunday and "playing it" on his wicked parent.

Dr. John Hall ssys he has no sympathy for tbe consciously funny preacher he does not like the breed. He can not tolerate the man who turns buffoon in tbe Lord's pulpit and cracks deliberate jokes to raise laughter in tbe congregation the sensational minister wbo prefers to raise any excitement but that of religion. He had himself often been celled upon to be present at surgical operations in hospitals upon the issue of whioh depended human lives and aa be bad watched the surgeons probe a wound for hours, close upon tbe vital parts, wben a half-inch slip either way would be instant death to the patient, his admiration for the profession had grown into awe. If tbe surgeon, however, at so serious moment, engaged in so solemn boslneas, had chaffed and mA jnkod, h* thought he oould have hated him. In like solemn business, is tbe minister engsged, in probing the heart* of the people to bring them to life snd heal their wounds in the balm of tbe Holy Spirit he wbo can chaff when engaged in ao awful a doty is Indeed a scoffer. A down In the palpit has mistaken his field for operations.

RE NEVER SMILED AO ATS, PttrHience JonrnaL They were very fond of each other, acihadbtwu engaged bat they quarreled, and were too proad to make it up.

He called a few days ago at ber fathers bouse to see tbe old gentleman on business, of course. She wss at the door.

Said he: "Xh, Miss Blank, I believe ia vour fathftr in f" "No, air," ahe replied, "pa is not In st present. Did yoa wish to see him personally?" "Yes," waa the Muff reaponse, feeling thatabe waa yielding, "on very partkv ular pecaonal business," and be turned proudly to go away. "1 bag your pardon," she ealled after hka,sa be struck tbe lower step, "bat who shall I mr called

He never simled

FASHION'S FANCIES

Turbans are worn fortravellng. Tba prqttieat of the dotted iabrioa are Indian and French oaehmeres, muslindelaines snd foulards.

Pea spotted gloves and pea spotted, hose are making their sppearance to match- the pea spotted dresses. This is "really running peas into the ground.

Dotted fabrics are all the rage abroad particularly in Paris. Large dots, little dots, polka dots, Japanese dots, Chinese^ dote and all other kinds of dots are worn, a

Scotch ginghams are great favorltea this season, and comes not only In plaids and cheeks, but with solid grounds, quite pale, crossed by lines of darker oolor.

New linen lawns are both French and

Despite all assertions to the contrary, bustles are not fashionable, nor are hoops, of even the smallest dimensions worn. All tho bouffant appearance Is given by the drapery of the costume.

Dotted muslins are now shown In a deep ecru tint, and as they do not soil aa easily as white muslin, are likely to be popular. Some are made entirely plain and others are trimmed with laoe.

&

Irish tbe former is very delloate both, in texture and colors, while the latter la leas fine, but equally cooJi and more durable.

The elastic bands whioh confine the long wristed glovee area positive injury to tbe arm, as they press directly upon the large veins and

cause

weakness of

tbe wrist. Anew trimming for seaside and country hats is a full wreath of natural grasses. It is not affected by salt air or dampness, and Is at onoe a durable and stylish garniture.

New gloves for evening wear ftVk trimmed at the top with several rows of side pleated lace, an inch or two In width, or with a laoe insertion and a row of,, wider plaited laoe above. 1

Collars are seen upon nearly every costume this season. Basques for out door wear frequently have long oollarettes sod revers like that seen upon gentlemen's dress ooats.

The fashion £of wearing a large veil thrown qtdtw ovftf the bonnet,^ made of either plain or dotted black ?ace or other -, material, la gradually taking the place of tho unbecoming and injurious mask veil.

1

,•

Among tbe silk tissues suitable to: snmmor toilots, surah, in all colors, is employed in preference to all othr Blaok surah is for elegant underskirts, and handsomer and thicker twilled surah for mantles.

Short dresses are now accepted in the ballroom, and seem more appropriate for dancing than trained skirts. It is no longer considered good form to wear flowing hair. This faahionis reserved exclusively for children or young ladles scarcely In their teens.

Silk and satin shoes now have the monograms of tbe wearers worked or painted on the Instep. Usually but two letters are employed, as they can be more artistically arranged they are worked in gold or sllvfer thread or colored silk In satin stitch.

The rough straw hsts, which are among tbe lateat importations have found ready fiavor among fashionable women. The favorite trimming Is the soft, white, India mnll combined with Breton or Languedoo laoe, fastened with a banch of delicate flowers.

Cunning little shirred laoe baby caps are made of finest India mull and hand embroidered inserting. Bows of narrow white satin ribbon are added, and a ruche with finely embroidered edge is plaited inside the front of the cap. Most of these cape are lined with Florence silk.

Hosiery cannot well be handsomer than it is, unless it should be composed entirely of point laoe. The silk stocking is ofooursethe most elegant. It Is self-colored, with embroidered clooka, or else it bss some tiny pattern in two shades or more or the clocks alone are of a different tint.

LITTLE SERMONS.

Praise at the right time and in tbe right place Is a wonderful helper. Goethe says a man must be either an anvil or hammer yet bow many are nothing but bellows.

A sin without its punishment is ss impossible, ss complete a contradiction in terms, ss a csase without an effect.

He wbo Indulges in enmity Is llkeone wbo throws ashes to windwsrd, which •, come back to the same place and cover him all over, *'I told you so," Is millstone sttacbed to a man's neok by his friends. "I'm sonry to bear it," la the life preserver which often keepe him afloat.

Anew doctrlne|should be fitted to tbe mind aa women fit dresses. Baste It looasiy, try It on csrefolly, exsmlne it thoroughly, take it in here sad let it out there, sad finally, wben It is Jast right, tt together with strong thread.