Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 12, Number 40, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 1 April 1882 — Page 1

Vol.

I

2.—No. 40.

1THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

PUBLICATION OFFICE,

No 1« tooth 5th St., Printing Ho*we Square.

Town Talk,

TUB ELECTION.

"With an election only twedays off one ['would naturally expert lively times. Such however is not tbcrase. Everything is as quiet and serene as a sultry ^Summer's morning. 'Old politicians say bat never before i® the history of the Kstate have tbey knov/u such sei-enityi id quiet work. Tttfci all the more ro-' ^narkable as the city -election comes /rnon'h later, and the general State an6 •bounty election 4n 'tike fall. The candidates seem to banrc' taken matters into I their own bands, and are making a genuine Btill bunt. In this township the principle sneow to be that the least f.rnen should wiR,*wid the best men probably will win. The Republican candidate for tnisteexr-ipects his record •&" the 1/past two years tc have sufficient weight »with the level '-heads of all parties to

S carry him through by a large majority. He believes tba'J his actions should have much greater weight in carrying the election than if.romlses piled upcaountain high. Intho race for assessor there

is

a diversity-«f opinion as to wfco will win. The Republican candidate is a good citizen, and was an equally good soldier, lloic an old Terre Haute boy, and no one «kiubts his qualification. On the other hand the Democratic candidate has been «-o«nected with county affairs ,/'so long and*0 intimately that .he is as familiar with them as with the Alphabet or his prayeea, in addition to whi'.h great popularity

A* claimed for him. Of the

remainder the ticket no ono«eemsto

Lytare,

although it is of as much importance that the township should have as good magistrates and constables as any of its other eflices. It is true that in the past those otfUceH liavo not been accorded a very dignified position. Constables have been Loo much in the habit of preferring charges merely to olitein fees, and in some instances there htive been grounds] for^nuspicion that the magistrate lias "stood in with thom." However, thore «re good magistrates and good and cAiciont constables. When such aro to be found they should be continued in offl«o, and where they are unworthy they should bo rolegated (back to privato life. 'Over in Indianapolis tho I Kuiiocrats have forced the prohibition question into tho campaign, and the saloon element is said to be paying all the expenses. Later on, the same issue will be taken Inre. Of course the question is notono of the politics, but if it fl can bo forced ar such it gives tho antiprohibitionists the saloon element vote.

Iwhat the effect will be remains to be seen. T. T. cannot leave the subject, however, without remarking that it is very funny to hear of ex-Governor Hendricks, who signed thp Baxter local option bill, the strongest temperance law enacted in this State for manyxjwars, making speeches in which he denounces party that would refuse to pass a .prohibitory law, but that would agree to

submit

such an

act

the

State,

A

fourteen dollars. At a matinee yesterdey afternoon, seven dollars were takeu in, and the closing lecture last night "amounted the munificent sum of .twenty-four dollars. In Evansville the .audiences miaobered over a thousand «acb. and in Cleveland, Ohio, he was

Jjoatod to an *iudience of 4,500. It is surprising to see the lack of taste existlug here upon s»oh subjects. The lectures were excellent, and were illustrated by experiments produced by apparatus which excelled anything ever brought to Terre Haute, but even the school-teachers could not appreciate it, and very few of them honored the lecturer with their presence. It does not speak very favorably of the city to see such treats neglected, while circus can boast of drawiug from 5,600 to 10,000 persons to one performance, where seven or eight miserable "l^uclo Tom's Cabin" combinations can play to crowded house® within a few weeks. If Professor Richie

Hnu

wishes to make money in Terre Haute, he should come along with a ballet troupe or a BuflWo Bill combination.

TABLES TTRNKD.

A drummer

from the East frequently

visits this city on profit Intent, but at the same time willing to devote a little attention to crushing the hearts of the fair sex, «f which he boast* more than ordinary ability. On the occasion of his last visit he boasted of a great "mash" which be had in the east end, which caused a mischievous wag to indite him a nate from tba aforesaid "mash," stating that

she was glad to learn he was in the-city, and would be pleased to take a drive with hiEI if he would meet her at a certain point at a designated time that same afternoon. The buggy was procured, and at the appointed time the masher was 00 hand. He waited long, but he waited in vain. To console himself he took a drive by himself'. Next day he received another note it which the yotmg ladv 'vas profuse 4a her apologies for diss' ointing him, but would be to eet him at the "same place that «fttornoun if he was atlttsure. Of course itc v. as at leisure, and the buggy waa toired again. Disappointed the second 'time he resolved to 'have some explanation, so he sat down and addressed the young lady a note Which was dispatched by a messenger, ^tfho in time returned with an invitation to go out and spend the evening, whi€h he did and learned the trick vrtiich'kad been played "upon him. When 'betomes to the city he is very reticent on tho subject of mashes, and devotes 'hfs attention strictly to business. oeei»A raousE IXAFERS.

At the close of nearly every performance at the- ©para House, a gang of loafers congrogfcts at the head of the stairs and stare people out of countenance as they pas»"€ftvt. They haven't anything to make thom attractive, and their ac tions are "certainly disgusting. During the perfomiance any indiscretion on tho part of a/member of the audience promptly bring3 down upon him the efficient policeman, who will be sure to bring the offender to a proper sense of tbo proprieties required Dy the occasion. T. T. would -suggest that the officer devote a little attention to seeing the loitering gentscafely down stairs at the conclusion of each entertainment, as they could certainly engage in a better business than that of staring innocent people out of face.

SIGNS OF SPRING.

If the arrival of the blue-bird and the budding of the trees are not sufficient to convince the most skeptical that Spring is here, his attention is called to the fact that the blind organ-grinder is here again, and the most doleful music which a bad instrument can produce is beingj administered to a public whoso only of-, fense is toleration. In addition to the organ-grinder, tho comer-loafer has blossomed forth as the rose, and ornaments every available inch of space for

several squares along Mam street. His,

reclining position-when he can tek«|

one and nonchalant air, he considers,

very catching, though to many observ-,

era it is far from pleasing. T. not

know

to a popular voto of

where a Jarge number of

tho

citizens of the State .demanded such submission. «'IKVK.

Last week Professor Richards came to Ube city, and for several nights ineffeet-l ually attempted to interest the citizens in scientific subjects. Nothing daunted by his faHnre, be returned on Thursday and tried again, In the Opera House. On that night/the gross receipts were about

that the city has a loitering

ordinance, but if it has not it should have one, and it should be rigidly en-ji y^Ytand on one side, a gazing forced. Human wall-flowers are not .. J_I__ a. ——t forced. Human wall-flowers are not,

healthy plants, and the soil should bej

I didn't see anything so particularly now in design as to eall for special description to you but there is enough (com which to select that one may have a pretty Spring suit—or as many of them as one can afford—and go to chuxch on Easter morning well satisfied with one's religion and clothes.

Isn't it absurdly mean of the gossips to say that some of the abstaining from gayety during Lent is caused by devotion to the needle, and that the sewer will go forth to show her clothes and refer to the "times" she had with her dressmaker? I don't believe any of my Lent-keeping acquaintances are so silly as to be ashamed of making their own ["esses —when tbey do make them—or that they would deceive anybody about it if they were. Most girls make some of their own dreeees, and rather boast oi their proficiency, especially if told that the drew tbey made is a pretty and becoming one.

But I have been thinking more of shopping and shoppers than I have of dressmaking, lately and I am impressed with the idea that a collection of ahoppers, in all their moods and methods, womld be an addition to Barnum's list

hilosopher,

made as unproductive of them as possi-, thocoimter as a "sales lady" just ble. Wherever an officer finds one, he tbtffun of it but when I stand next should be compelled to move on and keep moving until he is clear of the city limits. _____

Susan Perkins' Letter.

DEAR JOSBPHINK: Who is it that said of women: "Their remarkable forethought in buying is because of Nature's having endowed them with an uncontrollable desire to purchase whatever they see I don't remember who the slanderer is but I do think, sometimes, when I meet my fellowmen who are women out among the shops, that he had some grounds for his views. This has been, to some extent, a week of openings, and I have done that duty which every woman owes to herself and her •«ex: I have attended, tried on, questioned, priced, and—walked off with that never-believed assertion: "I will call again I don't want it just now."

Vf vV."v

It is said that, "Next to tearing to pieces the character of her dearest friend, a womai* loves to shop." That was, of course, said by a man, and is not trwe. There is not so much pleasure to the Somale mind in expenditures among pfes of goods and rows *8 clerks as Men think. The question«f what to gdt for the Spring outfit is a serious to women of limited weans. Sbetoaows Mow many kinds service the outfit must see, and the qaestion of adsptabillty is an *mportant«one. Her oneans being limited, she cannot let the-answer to the question, "What will d© for most wean 7" settle the -matter. She must go about, see what k. to be seen in various places, ask prices, and thee go home to think the mattes: over.

She is likely, during tor rounds, to be mistaken fee one of tlwsewho have a mania for prising goods, and to be treated accordingly by the overtaxed clerk. There are women, as everybody knows, who enjoy simply going about and asking prices,'looking over piles of goods, trving on elcaks, and oontenting themwdves with&be purchase of a paper of needles. ®aey can tel£ you the priee of any article in any store in town—the more unlikely their weed for such an ar(Scle, .the more certain they are to know All about'it, usually.

It is 'no wonder clerks grow weary •and try to dodge tho shopping fiends but, as I said, it wofks to the disadvantage of-the woman who honestly tries to "j&o thefeest she can'at the least possible cost, for she is often mistaken for one of tho other class and made to feel her custom undesired—which she attributes •to her straitened means and feels hurt accordingly, when really, if her real object -were known, three-fourths of the •clerics would be glad to assist her say three-fourths because I think that not too much to say. I find the clerks here very polite and attentive. Especially have I in mind two or three lady clerks who are sensible persons and would not, under any circumstances be •xude. 'Happy is the woman who can walk into a store, call for a certain piece of cloth, order a certain number of yards, ,pay for it, and go out. But how shall she be able to do this without having •first seen the stoek. She who can do tthis need fear no snubbing from the lofty spirited "calico shop young man

,, need not wait patiently for him to bring

hfa wondftring gaze in from

noogh

of gQod8 farther

Qut feeling

studying the species. I

h&ve ljeen temptej

r^'T" -.

TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 1,1882.

sometimes to go be-

to Mrs. and her usual shopping companion for a few minutes while they examine, .price, and haggle, I grow out «of the idea and become strong enough toresiBt the temptation.

Mrs. Bacquebight was over yesterday, and the close of her remarks was: •"Well, I don't see why they should be planning an elopement. She is certainly off age and could have her own way without that."

A FABLE.

{There was oaoce a Hare who knew intimately an ill-shaped Tortoise and who used often to .Joke the Tortoise on the sutjiect of its Running Abilities. At last the Tortoise offered to bet the Hare th*t the Former could beat the Latter in a great race for a Cup. The Hare agreed. A Day was appointed and the Race began. The Hare having easily distanced the Ts^oise, on accomplishing Half of the Distance lay down to rest. The Tortoise, seeing this, crept cautiously up, and passed the sleeping Hare. But the Haere, hearing the footsteps of the clumsy Tortoise, jumped up and, without any Trouble at all, won the Race and got the Cup.

MORAL.

A Cow should never expect to be more accomplished than a Weasel in stealing eggs. Your own, S. P.

THE FIOAT FOR. OFFICE. Chicago News. S. P. Rounds was yesterday nominated by the President for the position of public printer. If he is one-half as persistent in his service of the Government as he has been in his fight for the office, no one will have to regret his appointment. ______________

COULDN'T BE JOCKEYED. Florida Times. They had a terrible time at a Kentucky horse race recently. The horse that was set down to be distanced took the bit in his teeth and, in spite of pulling, went to the front and won. cleaning out everybody but a greon old countryman who had Det on that horse.

SOUND ADVICE: Michigan City Dispatch.

rate, because every woman who shops would go to see if there is anything new "WfiHKRK will you hang out to-mor-to be learned and would come away de- row?" waa the somewhat inel

daring her positive conviction that, judging from what they did, not one of ^.y appropriate reply*was given "As the exhibited buyers waa ever a success to-morrow is wash day I think I shall in tKn WVvam. at all.

it &

Young man, don*t get into politics. A vuu^ Ow"

question of a young friend Sunday evening

THE DBA POET.

Longfellow is gone—all of him that nan go. We doubt whether the death of any other literary man in America would touch the hearts of so many of all classes in society, or affect them so deeply, as that of Mr. Longfellow. Bryant may liave been a stronger, a more robust poet, one who would impress the mind as being a greater intellect. Whittier may be more uniformly tender and deeply religious. But there is enough of intellect and enough of tenderness in Longfellow to win the deepest respect— to draw him very near to the heart. Probably no American poet has been so generally. read in America, or so well know abroad, as Mr. Longfellow. Every school-boy and girl, for more than a generation, has learned the Psalm of Life. And, by the by, a new and deeper meaning is given to this poem when it is remembered that it was written just when he was arousing himself from the effect of a very great sorrow. Read with this fact in mind, it will readily be seen to have been a protest against his own inebriation to discouragement. He seems to be saying to his own heart, •"TWl me not in inournf al numbers is but an -empty droam."

Few poets have put themselves and their surroundings into their writings so freely, and none so modestly and pleasantly as Mr. Longfellow. "The Old Ckok" stands just where he describes it, and is seen by visitors to his home. And by the way, no man received visitors more cordially and pleasantly than himself. A lady, well known to the writer, had written bim asking the privilege of calling, which was granted. "She says that as she went up the walk she was scared half out of her wits, and, after she had rung the bell, •felt like xunning away before the servant could respond. But on being ushered into the study, Mr. Longfellow wme forward with such a hearty greeting, *aying, "Mrs. lam very glad to«ee you," that she felt that she had known him for years. It may not be letting oufany family secret improperly to say that a certain Terre Haute gentleman, who has held a high official position at Washington, at one time called on the poet, but was unable to take his youngest daughter, who chanced to be ill that morning. He said, "Mr. Longfellow, my daughter," calling her by

name,

the street

to aay "you will find that

back need not

that she has been impos-

T. does VAYTITI*#

ing upon-some one in merely having 'him do what he is paid for doing But shopping women are great fun,

"is very greatly disappointed be-

•cause«h« cannot call with us this morn­

ing, for there i3 no man in the world whom she desires so much to see." •"Please say to Miss that there is no woman in the world whom I desire more to see than herself," was Mr. Longfellow's immediate response. And probably no one"ever called upon Mr. Longfellow without going away with the feeling that it had been a pleasure to the poet to receive him. To children he was .particularly attentive. Lugi Monti, one of the Harvard professors, was going to his house one Christmas day, not ioqg'9go, when a little girl asked him if he could tell her where Mr. Longfellow lived. He took her along with him and pointed out the house from the gate. She timidly asked if he thought they would care if she went inside the gate. He told her no, and pointing to the window of Mr. Longfellow's room, told her that if she should see a gray-head-ed gentleman there it would be the poet. He entered the house, found Mr. Longfellow standing with his back to

trhe

legant slady

man to his lady to which the

hang out in the backyard."

window, and said to him. "Will you not be so kind as to look out and bow to that little girl She wants to see you." Instead of a simple bow Mr. Longfellow at once went to the door and called her in, snd showed her all the curiosities in the house which visitors delight to see. It made Christmas for that child never to be forgotten.

While few lives have been more peaceful and uniformly successful than Mr. Longfellow's there have been mingled In his cup some very bitter drops. The early death of his first wife and of a child were deep afflictions. But tho shock which cast a shadow over the last twenty years of his life was the terrible death of his second wife—the one who had been his companion and helper during the greater part of his life. Sitting together in his study of an evening, in some way she brought a piece of lighted paper in contact with her dress and before he oould extinguish the flames she was so badly burned that she died. He ever avoided all allusion to the terrible scene, and his smile ever after had something of tender sadness in it. But, as before said, his life was one of unusual prosperity. At nineteen years of age he was elected professor at Bowdoin College where he graduated. Ten years later he WM elected professor at Harvard, and entered the old mansion, which be afterwards bought, and where Washington made home when in Cambridge. in this he lived and died. With it and its surroundings many of his poems are most redolent. Here stands the "old clock." Near by flows "The River Charles." Above is tbo nursery where he beard the patter of the tiny feet made famous in

"The

Children's Hours," and

the stairs down which they stole to surprise him. Here are the two windows between which be sat in the morning

c-' iy T""5-

*1 -*T ./

hour and wrote the "Balm of Life. Hare is where thousands of visitors have, given him their greeting and been welcomed by him. Here is where he worked faithfully, for he did not attain his rank and influence without hard and constant toil. He included himself when he wrote. "We have not wings to soar—but feet to climb."

He did not easily fly to the heights on what he stood and where God took him, but he reached those heights by climbing, and often too, over very rough and steep places. His whole life, as well as his words, is an inspiration, and breathes the sentiment. "The lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime."

Our Breakfast Table.

"Upon my word," said the Major, of a Friday morning, "I don't know what to think of the tastes of my dearly beloved fellow-citizens. I was one of a corporal's guard and a magnificent array of empty seats to hear a most do-light-ful and entertaining scientific lecture. Positively, I blushed for our city—which boasts of its Normal school, its splendid system of schools, its taste and culture, and a handful of people turu out to hear facts in natural science presented in a bright, cheerful talk, illuminated by a series of experiments given with a neatness and dexterity I never saw equalled." "It does not indicate anything in particular," said the Professor. "We are up to the average of other towns, and yet other towns were quite enthusiastic about these lectures. Even Evansville got excited. I suppose we know more of these experiments, which ought to be familiar to every)high-school graduate." "Nonsense 1 Not one man in ten can give you an answer to the simplest question in pneumatics. Not one in a thousand ever saw such experiments. Why, sir, when visiting my friend Professor Statics, of the Pennsylvania University, it was my delight to attend his lectures, and with all his superb apparatus, he scarcely equalled tho effects of last night." "Well, well, Major," replied Derby, "We will admit that our dear townsfolk have a great weakness for light entertainments, and a great aversion for heavy ones. They amuse themselves they don't think much of lectures, and the idea of one in a church, for instance, immediately suggests something poky and goody-goody and they unanimously stay away. The large majority of the male citizens don't go into a church for any reason, but they are mighty proud of their wives' piety. Talking or scold ing won't do any good. The ''best showtown" in the West is a poor field for lectures and literature. Money is iffct in the way. I tried to give away a ticket to a Richards' lecture and found no takers." "It is very strange. A man that knows only two tunes, one is "Old Hundred" and the other isn't, will go to a dozen operas and not give the least en couragement to something he knows too little about, and yet could understand and appreciate. He couldn't repeat a tune to save his neck. He could remember and repeat a scientific truth." "Oh, Major! If you will stop, we will go bear the other lecture to-night," said Jack. "Too bad, isn't it, Major?" from Laura. "Go on, you dear soul! or, give us your views on Charity. I think you would be. splendid in M*. Henderson's reform movement you could give so much—ah—theory. And what's reform without it?" "You are sarcastic, Miss Laura the movement you speak of is based on experience. The only theorizing is as to whether or not our people will take hold of it. I can recall lots of movements that have started, appointed a committee, and ceased to exist. It takes more zeal than money' it takes stamps, too, and a little of the gum on the back—that is, adhesiveness." "Come, come, you are not going to throw cold water on a kindling fire, I hope said Derby. "No, indeed! The idea proposed is beautiful, the results grand, and, as I said, based on experience. This notion of a clearing-house of charities is a good one—this shutting off the duplication of alms and the waste of benevolence. It is not so much money that is wanted for the poor, as it's equitable division not •o much philanthropy as its proper application. We have always bad open hands, but not very clear eyes or sound judgment." said Mrs. Comfort. "I am afraid you would organize and systematize so much that kindly ebarity will often be overlooked." "Quite characteristic remark, my u«H«m I «m reminded of certain great big-hearted souls in your Ladies' Aid who couldn't bear to refuse anybody and from pity for women and children support worthless hulks of husbands who ought to be sent to a tread-mill."

Some one said, "There are difficulties in the way, and all possible encouragement will be needed. To unite every charity in one movement will require

Twelfth Year

the giving up of present schemes. The Catholic poor will never be listed with the others, you will find churches will not report their own private pensioners, but still it is possible to do a great deal outside of these to make a directory of every able bodied man without visible means of support, and perhaps starve him out! The largest part of the task is to educate people to judicious charity Mrs. Comfort here, for instance, is animpracticable who says she never can.' refuse to give a beggar something to eat. She don't know it, but she really belongs to a club of housekeepers who support quite a uumber of tramps on cold duck, rare roast beef, slices of pie, hot coffee and sandwiches." "Just like my boss," said Jack. "May. Ve you don't know he is generous—but every beggar that comes in the office,, gets a trifle at least from him. I think he has some superstition about it—perhaps thinks it gives him luck. And1 landlord told me he never interfered with one begging of his guests. If it was an impostor, the donor was at* least benefitted by giving—if the moneywas wasted here, it might still be wasted in some other way and "He, like others," said the Professor, "had in mind that, 'The quality of merqr is not strained.' Much indiscriminate benevolence can be ascribed to, 'it is twice blessed it blesseth him that gives,, and him that takes.' Like Jack's boss men give for the good they get, not for what they do. You are right, Major, in saying, it is not so much money that is needed, as wisdom and system to put it 'where it will do the most good.' "I have been trying," said MacEwan, "to find out the important qualifications for the various offices. Tell me what, makes a man eligible for any position V*

Major. "He must be a sound Republican or Jack. "A good National and

Laura. "An honest Democrat." To this chorus McEwan added. "No doubt you are right, since you talk like everybody else, notice some good Democrats are worried over a candidate because he is entirely unfittsd for office byhaving been a National. I suppose private character, business training and sober habits are not worth mentioning 1" "Yes, and another," continued Derby,. "is eminently fitted for a responsibleofiice Uecause he is a Democrat—he is good fellow—he is just the man to support schools because he never went to school very much. If he don't knowr what he knows, he knows what he don't know. Fancy running for an office that requires method and industry, knowledge of the poor and various details of practical life, on a capital of fun and frolic." "What's the odds," said Jack. "So a man is honest all these offices are routine work. There are rules to live up to and reports to make and bondsmen to make up the deficiencies. So the taxpayers art safe, and I cin vote for anybody'ln any ticket with a clear conscience,-If I wish. "Delightful sense of the responsibility of a voter you have, I am sure," replied Derby. "How many of you ask the two only necessary questions ?—Is the candidate honest Is he capable? You might also ask the kind of a ring he runs with, to judge bow long he will stay honest aud capable. Is It a jolly, carousing crowd—look out is it a ring of wire-pullers and politicians, look very much out."

Jack backed out of the discusion as usual, by saying, "Yon should have seen two of our office-holders—cops—rush a gentleman down the street last night— and you ahould have seen how mad he was." "Well, hadn't be a right to be mad Is a decent, respectable man. to be dragged down the most public thoroughfare In. the city, to be gruffly told at tha Police Office that It was a mistake." "Yes just so," said Jack. "I told Mr.. Lazarus if be would just own up and* give a bond be would b^better off than an innocent man, but he went on scolding and blustering, as if a drummer had any rights. So they tqjd him when dismissed, never to do so any more and if be didn't shut up they would hold. bim twenty-four hours." "What I call a high-handed and inexcuseable outrage to arrest a gentleman on the tbreshhold of a store where he. might be identified, and a square fromhis hotel," said McEwan, sympathizing with a fellow drummer.

Ind. Journal: The season of the year is at hand when items are current to the effect that old Ran Dice, or some other equally distinguished wit, is to act asclown for so-and-so's circus tblayear,at $1,000 per week. Of course it's a lie— the $1,000 per week part—but the lie is sopalpable, so huge, as to command universal respect. There's nothing mean nor little about it, you know. Ass matter of fact the average run of clowns —no, well say the best of tbem—would be ruinously dear at $15 a week.

—The Litta concert company will bo here Saturday evening, April 8tb, and produce the second act of Martha in the programme with their other in ft rumental and vocal selections.