Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 13, Number 12, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 16 September 1882 — Page 1

THE MAIL

A PAPER TOR THE PEOPLE.

Town Talk.

TBI FAIR.

Vigo •county has never bo cm noted for nucetmhA fair*. The society having them In chargo has had a checkered existence,and lias in variably 'been charged with-every failure which has occurred. It is .generally con' edctl that the fair Jo tlihrcounty could be ma**e the most suc*estff«l in the-Stato if properly managed. The-grounds are beauftlful and extendi ve, and ara held rent free for a long period of yearn. They «re situated the proper diatrnce from tfco city, and every "facility forreaching horn is at hand- The .locality lsn the center of one of the richest-agricultural regions in the United States, and has -direct railroad connection hi every direction. The crops of western Indiana and eastern Illinois are excelled by tbowe of no other section, and as-good stock can l)e produced there as anywhere. The fairs of surrounding •counties are usually successful. In Illinois the counties of Coles, Edgar, Vermillion and Clarke always give good fairs, and the attendance enables them each year to carry over a baalance to next year's account. In Indiana the same state of affairs exists in surrounding counties. Why then should the

Vigo county fair be a failure? "Years ago the custom of paying premiums/*™ r»ta was adopted, 'Ibis was a small Inducement for people to come from a distance with stock, crops or manufacture*. While exhibitors generally attend for the advertising it gives ihem, still they would like t» have some assurance-of receiving something.for tlx? time and trouble spent in utteuding. The 1ro rata business didn't pan out well. It failed to draw exhibitors and the empty grounds failed to draw an audicnco. One year the board did succeed In paylup-80 per cent, of the premiums, and it is narrated, although probably a •lander, that on another occasion they paid p"0 wtfci aud then declared a dividend on the *tock. Seeing the error iu the ways of their predccossors tho board at last determined to pay in full, and did so at a Joss of sevoral hundred dollars.

and

the

Laatvear there was some oxcuso for the failure. The crop* were almost a faitor®! ®lon. {There was nq frequen ng^sa

farmers were too much discouraged to take any intoreat In fairs. This yea* however, the reverse was the case. The •crops of .all kinds Ijave beon the best ever knownin this region, and the farming •community testified thoir willingness to .patronize it most liberally, and great was their disappointment on doing so. Instead of alarge display was found a very -small one. The live stock department was almost (deserted. The display of howw* was small, and the same may be said of cattle, although tho animals were good. .Power hall was deserted, and there wan just enough machinery on the grounds to prevent it from being a minus quantity. The display of fruit

was

about .aa poor as'it could very well be,

to quantity, and vegetables were conspicuous by thoir absence. Discour aged by previous experience the merchants who sent sent out their goods were few in number, but those who did make (lioplavs found it a good advdrtlsement The display ofuerdle-work was

good,but

-email. This is not a flattering statement, but it is vary near the. mark. The citizens gave lt*U«

by suspending business on Thursday afternoon and going out. The result v»*n* a lamer crowd than" bas been in attendance on a Vigo county fair for many years, Th^1.attendance yesterday was .«lso good—the schools being closed—and .the indications are that there will be aoraething the treasury after all the .premiums and incido*tals have been paid. Sill Etfcere i» a *fo»»

ceed two hundred and fifty dollars a year, yet on such a sum they are expected to write everywhere, advertise extensively and succeed admirably. The idea is a mistaken one, and has proven so year after year, but the management doesn't seem to see it. They do not treat

the

subject in a business manner by applying business principles to it, and until they do so their want of effort can never be crowned with success.

THE FIRKME2S.

How

different from the fair was the

ninth annual convention of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen of the United States and Canadas. It was the b3st managed affair of the kind which has'ever occurred in this city, and the boys will certainly go to their homes with pleasant memories of the beautiful Prairie City. No organization in the land could have had a reception to excel that of last Monday. The people turned out in the afternoon to greet them. In the Opera House the Governor welcomed them to the State, and the Mayor extended to them in a cordial inanuer the hospitalities of the city. The senior United States Senator of the State was present and addressed, and it is to bore gretted that the ex-Secretary of the Navy of whom the city is so proud, could not have been in attendance. But other eloquent gentlemen were there to hold up the fame of Terru Haute oratory. The banquet at night was probably tho most extensive and the grandest affair of the kind which has ever been given here. Bowling Hall was converted into a huge iiuing room with plates set for over sev en hundred guests, and every seat was occupied. The good things provided for the occasion were of the best, aud gotten up in excellent style. The guests did justico to the feast, aud the orators stood by the toasts. As|a rule the speeches were not lone, and as no wine was indulged in, they were circumspect in •every particular, and it must be very gratifying to the younger element of the community to know that their representatives made by far the finest efforts trf thoeveniug, and bore away the palm. With-Monday night closed tho public portion of the programme. The remain der of the proceedings, or the business portion were transacted in secret session in Odd Follows'Hall, aud by to-night the city will bo deserted by its wolcome guests. It cau be truthfully said of theui that more ordofly crowd in auy walk of life never assembled upon any occa-

WU1

encouragement they could

tM?UnS

«mdemnaUofi over the falluse, tnc* land demand for a change of programma. The press of the city has treated the atMr kindly. In the face of thofacts it has Iwu patted on the beck lu an encouraging way dalif% while those whoMndoinfit were dot»l»Ue«s latigb4n their sleeves a*ul wondealng at their Ability to draw upon I magi action. Not A won! was even sad agalnat*he society (having ©tl their fainting dane in Ctn cinn«ti, when the sark could Lave been ***outed £u»t as w*ll by ho«e talent. The whole trouble tt.ny be lafel at the 4ioer of negligence and a failoas to »pp»edaic the value of work. No special cflo* twas made to hriqr people here, and It is doubtful that any |ierson WM sent out t* rfequetf the attendance of e*hibidtra. Tho use «l printer's ink was ecudiously avoided «ntil a very short time previous to the ftilr, whoa enough was taken to obtain a Utile inflame*, hut too late to any goodaway tro« home. the Vifcoeonnty Mr ever attains success there trust be a geand reformation In the means employed to attain it. Nothing succeeds without enterprise, and no man «an give his time and attention to an affair of thin kind for nothing. It la doubtful If thesalaries of the officials «x-

by them. They came to transact business, did it in a strictly busing like manner, and then departed for their homes.

THE RKL'XION.

Fallowing closely upon the heels of the fair and convention comes the sol tiers' reunion, commencing on Tuesday next. The veterans havo been working toard for its success, and there is every reason to liolieve that-their anticipations will bo roiHzed. A strong effort has been made to secure the presence of (Sen. Grant, and he will be here if possible. Other distinguished gentlemen from abroad will be here, and the attrac tions aro ample to draw a large crowd. Soldiers of many regiments will be iu attendance, and as the war recedes in the .past and the ranks become thinner each year such gatherings must be events of deep Interest to those who camped, marched and fought side by aide years ago. Arrangements have been made with-&14 the railroads for reduced rates and it is expected that many thousand

feo here. .Next week the fair ground will present an animated and martial appeariurae. The air will be filled with the sound of the life and drum and military orders. Jt will be a lively time, and will he a benefit to the city.

CoxrLAJW is made of the probable lack of novelty In the theatrical season, which bas now fit! rly opened. Not that there will be a»y scarcity of companies for It Is aaM there will be some 850 traveling combinations on the road, of which tbs Ufffi oauiber of forty will be devot «d to opeea. Bat the prospects for much thatia new, either in plays or opens, Is not very efcserkig. The Mil of fare will mainly be a rehash of what the public has fed on pretty atesdily for several years past. The notable exception in the dramatic line will be Mrs. Burnett's new play of "Bwneralda," which has had fine success in New York City, and will almost undoubtedly become very popular. The thousands of readers of Mrs. Burnett's powerful stories do not need to tie reminded of the (strong dramatic element which ebarteterfaes them, and this faculty of the author is a guaranty that Any play of hern will be an assured sucooss. The appearance of this play will therefore be awaited with interest •very where.

LASTThursday was the Hebrew New Year, the bfgining of the year 364S, and the first day of the seventh month or Hash Ha-Sfeanah. Tew dajp after is the day of atonement, or Yom ha-Kipparl r, which Is followed by the Feast of T*iremacles, the -Jewish Feast of Barvwt. which will he uahered in on the ermtng of the 27th last, Tlwae fostifato Eke aU Jewish ones, begin in the ewttog before.

HHnMBMtm &*.rr

TEKRE HAUTE, LND., SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 16,1882.

A Woman's Opinions.

THE BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE FI REM EN

Has been the central point of interest during the past week, the proceedings of which have been so fully and accurately reported that any further menj^pn would be superfluous. It has been one of the most pleasant and praiseworthy entertainments ever given in Terre Haute. We have enjoyed it and the Brotherhood have enjoyed it and it has been an occasion of mutual benefit.

The exercisos of last Monday afternoon and evening suggested several amusing thoughts. Belonging to that sex which is supposed to possess a monopoly of .small weaknesses, I may he pardoned for feeling a keen enjoyment in observing that in little vanities, as. well as in bank notes and real estate, men have all the law allows—their full two-thirds.

Let a woman put on a newdress-and a pretty bonnet and go down Main street, no matter how modestly and unobtrusively, some one is sure to remark, '-Out on dress parade,"'"Bound to show her new clothes," and yet, there cannot be any kind of a gathering of men,whether military or civil, secret or public, festive or funereal, black or white without the street procession. They tramp through rain and mud, through heat and dust, regardless of .step or line, intent only upon getting over a given space of ground in a given length of time. They put collars over their necks and aprons aronud their w^Sts and featners in their bats, aud many, who could not afford to buy their wives a much-needed dress, purchase entire and useless uniforms. They hire a man to walk baokwards in front of them, who wears an excruciatingly tight pair of pants, a whole black b^ar on his head and a clotho prop In his hands,and as they march down the street with heads up in the air aud toes pointing in every direction, they gaze complacently at the crowded sidewalks aud say, "See these vain aud silly women that have come all the way down town just to look at us!"

But if the rank and file have their little vanities, what can be said of the orators who, after the perilous march is over, are always waiting to receive them with open arms and mouth. There are certain little affectations common to nearly all of our public speakers. They will come to the front of the stage with a charming blush and assure the audience that they did not kno^jr 'they were expected to spoak until a few moments ago when, in reality, they corrected the proof slips of their speech more than a week before. The newspaper sanctum could/ tell many a tale of those men who make such delightful impromptu remarks. Then there is always so desperate an effort to be witty at the expense of one another. Sycamore trees have sprung up from seeds, reached maturity »nd died since public speakers first referred to D. W. Voorhees as the "Tall Sycamore of the Wabash," and they still continue. Several generations of women have passed away since brother orators began to rally Col. Nelson upon bis devotion to the ladies, and they still repeat the same old jokes.'

One is often surprised to notice the great care which many men give to the subject matter of their speeches and the little attention paid to their delivery. Orators are not born, they are made. It is a duty which every public speaker owes to his audience, that he should cultivate his voice and his manners. These nasal tones, these harsh, discordant voices, could all be overcome by training, and they destroy the effect of the most elegantly expressed thoughts. The gestures are often ludicrous, expressing a meaning exactly opposite from tho words. Of the eight or nine speakers last Monday, only two made a single gesture with the left hand, although the right hand was in constant motion. If one would strike out the word "thanks" from addresses of this kind they would 'be considerably shortened. They begin with the most gushing "thanks they end with Innumerable •'fchauka," and the audience feel just as thankful at the close of the speech as the speaker possibly can.

There fat another feature of these public meetings which strikes one almost as a sarcasm, and that is the forcible and eloquent appeals from the orators to the working men for temperance and sobriety. All the beauties of total abstinence are dwelt upon by lips that have just lett the wine cup. Where is the public speaker that would dare say to an audience of laboring men. "Follow nay example Mid yon will be safe." Rather might he say to the poor mechanic.

You have nothing, your enjoyments are few, the saloon is your only refuge therefore, resist *tbe temptation and go home. I have everything, all the luxuries arif therefore I wUl add this to the rest and drink enough for you and me both." Or, as he leans beck is the palace car, quaffing bis bottled beer or champagne let him say to the warm and dusty engineer and fireman, "Bfe

the station and we will choose our own route to destruction." And this brings us back again to the place from which we started but have wandered afar, the Brotherhood, and with two more thoughts will bring this rambliug article to an end. in looking upon this body of young and energetic men, strong in friendship, brave in spirit and ambitious to improve their mental condition, one is reminded that the day is coming when the honest, intelligent, temperate working man will be, in ability and power, the peer of any capitalist in the nation. But what statesman, what politician, would interest himself in their cause, what influence could they ever hope to have in protecting their own interests and directing the affairs of the nation if they did not possess the mighty, all-powerful ballot? To disfranchise these men would be to destroy them.

And yet, there is in this country a large class of citizens, temperate, honor-

able,industrious,educated,who

have not

the slightest political influence, whose Conventions are treated with indifference or with ridicule, and who are entirely dependent upon the kindness or justice of others to make laws for their protection. The have no power to regulate the hours or the price of their labor, no voice in regard to the taxes they must pay, no choice of the men who must govern them. Their helpless and inferior condition is wholly and entirely due to the fact that they are disfranchised. This worthy but powerful class of people includes all the toomen of the Unit9d States. IDA A. HARPER.

ABOUT WOMEN.

The Des Moines Iowa., Leader says: "The next legislature will have to submit, the woman suffrage amendment, and in 1884 women will vote in this State."

An attentive chronicler of events notices the fact that none of the ladies who Jgivo lectures at the Social Science Association at Saratoga wear last year's bonnets.

A woman of Lincoln, 111., left $2,000 in cash by will, "to the widow in Lincoln, who shall first secure a husband." One widow secured a husband, and tliatcash in forty minutes after the will was read.

A lady reformer in Wisconsin finds that unmarried girls do not favor worn an'4 waff rage, lest that should prejudice iig men against them, and that ge married .woman does favor it she wants to prejudice her husinst her. er-hearted New York lady, who to use legal measures, got rid of unious lady boarder by the in device of putting a big cold, frog in her bed. After the third frog hid been admrlnstered tbeobjec tion&bL guest vamoused the rancbe.

A ityely Georgia woman who has been spending a month or so at the sea side reports remarked the other day that she wanted nothing better than to be back l|)me, sitting in a wrapper on the bpek prch, with ber face buried in a watert elon. That is the right kind of a woman. 1st not often a fond mother can use h^ wedding ring as a bracelet for the i^rjsit of her new-born babe. Such is the Hfttpj privilege of Mrs. Stodard, of New

The cherub weighed but one wbon born, but remains healthy promising, Jand has increased in to two pounds. correspondent of the Atlanta Contion says:

ami

tljema Slmn

temperate^ be sober, keep your bead el«*r wid twenty mile races on relays of rnnaudycur nerves steady, land as safely at nlng horses, requiring much endurance.

Dunlap. Stetson and all Nobby Style^at "Sykes' Hat Store," 419 Main st.

am compelled to con-

that a month at the seaside does not rm the general idea of feminine metry that all gallant men are snpto entertain. It Is the rarest thing a girl with straight limbs, gracecarriage, firm flesh,and unrestrained itudes and poses. In a majority of they are wabbly and uncertain, ha stoop in theshoulders, a mincing p, toes turned in (the number of pig--toed

girls

developed here is positive

ly alarming), and general debility of gait a|d flabbiness of attitude." trhe young women have been making selves unusually conspicuous this miner. They seem to have determined to give neither the young nor the old »f»n chances that the poets plead for in behalf. It was an unheard of thing nix of them did in journeying on foot, without male escorts, through &rth Carolina, a State that the newspipers would have bad us believe not by aty means the safest for such a trip. jsMiss Coleman of New York city has dfrtinguisbed her sex by a daring successful journey down tbe nt Washington Railroad track on eof those boards that hitherto only mountain railroad men have used in king the descent. In the field oflematesports, also, young women have conspicuous. Two of them ifec$tly entertained thousands by their ibilious of bicycle riding at Coney od, and this week at the fairgrounds had an exhibition of two others,

moling through the land riding ten

j£ V. V, Jr 3

Our Breakfast Table.

"Been

to the fair, Derby the Major

asked.

"No! no time, and what is the use?" The Major is rather fond of all public gatherings and of gazing at his fellow citizens, and discussed the subject thoroughly, ending with: "And when

see

busy men, with their own affairs to attend to, going about with their papers stirring others up,

say 'Good for you

A little public spirit is w*orth more in a town than lethargic capital invested at eight per cent. The first wil?. send a man flying off to coax a friend to come here to start a business, and the last will put up rent when he comes."

Derby replied: "Of course it is all right to push an exhibition that throws a little money into the pockets of our hackmen, omnibus drivers, car owners, hot3l men, etc., but outside of that,

am blessed if I know of what earthly use is our county fair. As a business enterprise, a good racing season and show of stock, without a vegetable and sewing machine attachment, will pay better than a so-called agricultural exhibit with a fancy-riding annex to it. I believe the day of county fairs has passed with us the little shows are being absorbed by the great expositions, and do not begin to pay for the work put into them."

Mrs. Welby remarked with some irony, "Men cannot exist without numerous excuses for getting together in some sort of mutual admiration society. Pray do uot discourage even a fair." "There's where you miss it. Nothing equals a fair iu the amouut of figurative blasting and grumbling, save umpiring a base ball match. For a genuine love feast consider the Locomotive Firemen's Convention.

never saw its equal for

the in tense admiration felt by everybody for everybody else, unless it was the famous banquet that originated the term •Pickwickian." "Of course 3-

-n

are alluding to the

political orators," said McEwan. "Evbody likes the locomotive engineer and fireman. Wo entertain the idea that men's manliness and oven generosity and tenderness are in proportion to the lisks and dangers of their pursuits. We take more interest in the man who has a reasonable chance of a terrible accident every day of bis life, than in one who leads a commonplace existence shut up in a shop. When

was a boy

deed whether

couldn't

should run off to sea

to tho army, or to a railroad shop while I was deciding I fell Into bad ways and groceries." "There is something akin in railroading and military affairs," said the Major. "More of our good officers in the late war came from the railroad men than from auy other class. They had more dash, and led their mtn best." "I just fell In love with some of the gallant railroaders—after I heard all about them. You saw me at the banquet, didn't you, Major or were you too absorbed iu thinking of some fine thing to say? And isu't Jolrti Lamb a nice orator? Such a rich, strong voice and fine manner! I hope he will be elected! "Good for you, Miss l^ura," exclaimed McEwati "you will be sure as well as hopeful when tha reports of his speeches and of Peirce's begin to come in. "Don't be too sure of that," said Derby. "I hoard him the other day out in the country, and felt very well satisfijd with the prospect. Our friend John starts off in good style, makes some points on the common stale charges he shouhl be ashamed to use, and tapers off to a fine point. He bas learned the elocutionist's trick of beginning well and ending well, but that Is all. 1 can trust Pelrce to put a solid, close speech that will read and stick better." "Talking of speeches," Jack remarked, "I have been to see an eloquent auctioneer 'sell a pig in a poke in other words to the 'Old Hoss' sale." "That must have been funny what happened "Well, a nice, large package was put up, and Greiner expatiated on the treasures in it till he got |2 for it. It contained a few lithographs of a patent reaper, such as are given away. "Then a jovial fellow, who likes to get a joke upon others, was sold by the next sale. He got such a lovely old suit—belonged to some variety actor—and an ancient coon-skin cap. "Bnt now Dave grew eloquent. Here was a package with something nice— perhaps something delicious to eat, or sweet to smell—and be coaxed a purchaser for a can of spoiled sardnies. And then he took a sly peep into the corner of a bundle and knocked it down to himself in a twinkling—sly Dav^r! Garden seeds that will never grow went at a dollar a pint, and a very suspicious painting brought fifty cents—but then an artist said be would give |50 for it— so be will, when the cows come home." "And what did you get?" "Ob,

got a package of almanacs, 1&0,

fornix Wis! Have one? the jokes are good yet. Some the same

Morris' play last night."

beard in

Thirteenth Year

O, thank

3*011,

and I will patronize

Rose Eytinge to-night." "Ah, ha! Want to see how the liuly flourishes with five husbands!" "Five! All alive?" "No, guess not. Been told that sho rejoices iu number four or live now. Some people are very lucky." "She would be if she could get five thousand apiece for them," said Derby. "How so?" "Why, Fanny Davenport pays $5,000 a year to her lord's first wife, I am told!" "Whew! If that was the ruling price, wouldu't tho markot be overstocked with husbands for sale!" exclaimed Jack. "Well, they wouldn't soil—dear at a tenth of it," said Laura, resenting the imputation on' her sex. "But do 3'ou know I am going away, Jack "Mercj", no! Whither? "Oh, everywhere My kind parent is off for New York. He has a mine that don't pa' very well, and ho says he will sell it and start anew one. So I am going with him next week to liolp spend what he makes, and flourish around generally." "Kind soul! Write us the news, tho fashions and so on, will you "Of course. 1 iuteud to bo very good, in thatliue."

THE BETTER WORLD.

CHURCHES, PASTOR AND I'EOPl.E

The Baptist people have not yot called a pastor, but have two or throe good ones in view.

The Normalites are partial to Asbury Sunday school because Prof. Carhart, one of tho faculty is superintendent.

Tire Methodists are well pleased with the new pastors at Asbury and Centenary, who began their work last Sunday,

Services will beheld at the Christian. Church to-morrow at 11 a. m., and 7:30 JH m. Preaching by the Pastor.

At St. Stepheu'a services at 7 a.m. (llolj' Communion) 10:15 a. m. 11. a.

111.,

and Evening Song at 5 p. m. At tho close of tne sormon last Sunday Rev. C. P. Crofts announced his acceptance of tho call to be permanent pastor of the Cowgregational church. The announcement was highly gratifying to the congregation.

Archbishop Whately was one day asked if he rose earl}*. Ho replied that once he did, but he was so proud all the morning and so sleepy all tho afternoon, that he determined novor to do it again.

The summer camp meetings which have beon carried on for several years at the New Jersey seashore resorts are becoming unpopular among tho leaders of religious movements, as they havo been made a means of much evil as well as a means of grace.

Up in Manitoba there is a largecolony of MennoniUis, and they are Just now engaged in a bitter and relentless war oit tho subject of buttons. The old-fashion-ed orthodox doctrine of the sect abjured the Irivolty of buttons and compelled tho brethren and sisters to fasten their clothing with hooks and eves. But a progressive faction have introduce^ the worldly practice of using buttons and button holes, just as the wicked do, and are denounced by those who adbero strictly to the traditions of tho sect as imitators of the vessels of sin and wrath, and enemies or a pure and uadefiled religion. The buttonitesinsist that there is no sin in tho use of the modern convenience, but the orthodox party feel strong in their position because buttons are nowhere alluded to in the Bible, while hooks and eyes are mentioned several times. The controversy apj cars to be agitating the community to its lowest depth, and is as serious as if it involved the doctrine of original sin or the everlasting punishment of the wicked.

Whether or not .the hornet wh'.ch worked its way up the leg and under the trousers of a deacon in Richmond, Vs., and stung him five times while be was praying In prayer meeting was or was not an etoiswry of Satan, is one of those things which may never lie definitely ascertained. The story of such an event having happened might not be believed but for the fact that the leading Baptist paper of Richmond vouches for its truth. The excitement In the meeting was Intense, not only in the inind of the suffering deacon, who promptly changed his petition into a bowl of agony, but in the minds of the brethren, who were startled to bear the accustomed monotony of the deacon's devotional everclso suddenly transformed into such demonstrative elocutionary vigor. It is stated that the deacon immediately on being stung brought his prayer to a conclusion,probably without even spying amen. While there are many church prayer meetings which are inmost respect# all they ought to be, there are others sodry,monotonouf,and wearisome that the entrance of hornets ready for active operations on the brethren who take part would be hailed cs a benediction, especially by the younger members of the congregation.