Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 13, Number 41, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 7 April 1883 — Page 1

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13.—No. 41.

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

Town Talk/ :-.:"

SETTLED AT U8T.'5'"

The appointment of Major Carter to succeed Mr. Minsball aa Collector of Internal Revenue, in this district, did not cause any surprise. Tbe Major worked his cards well. His recommendations were more numerous tban tbose of any other candidate, and were in excellent

•tape. Hoi..good man for tb. plaM,

Of course he was opposed by tbe antiFeirce element iu his party, who thought he would be used as a figure bead, while the ex-M. C. would manipulate tbe wires wbich run the machinery of the office. This caused much uneasiness in certain elrcles, and tbe telegraph was called into requisition to demand an explanation of Senator Harrison. Tbe Senator is generally well spoken, and in tbe present instance was to the point. He evidently doesn't believe in political bosses, large or smsll, and says be made tbe ap-

polntmeut on its merits. He says he would not have appointed Carter had he believed bim to be any man's substitute, nor does he desire that he shall in any sense be Harrison's man either. Tbe letter is a curious production and possi bly did not strike the redever favorably. It coutains a shade of Irony which is plainly visible to tbose who understand the surroundings, and also conveys the impression that when the writer wants any advice further tban the supply on hand he will ask for It.

It is not true thai the offloe will be re moved to Brazil. The Major will take possession next week, and oontlnue business at tbe old stand. Tbe force is on tbe anxious seat, and will remain there for some time to come. With few exceptions they were Peirce men when it required some nerve to be so, and probably nearly all of tbem will be retaluedw

The Democrats profess to be overjoyed with the appointment. They say it moanH Polroe for Congress again uext year, and the chances are their prognostications are correct. It la now In order for the opposition to again muster tbelr forces and go to work to accomplish bli defeat boforetbeconvention. Tbeworst which eould have been said was said previous to the last convention, but it did not have the desired effect. Peirce is as shrewd a politician as any of his opponent*. lie is clear-beaded, cool, and never allows himsolf to lose" his temper. Before a convention he Is a successful man, but last year be failed to stir up enthusiasm and tuake a favorable impression on his constituents. Ho may do bett9r next year—but the Democrats don't think so, and say they want to see him nominated.

THR

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for many years yet to come. Next to this location comes the McKeen property. As the commissioners took away with them several petitions, ft is probable tbe matter bas not yet ended, and »there may fee another visit in the near future. ,, ... ,.

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BUILDING.

The government commissioners were here on Thursday afternoon, examined the ground, and have doubless decided upon the site of the new building before this tiino. Tbe visit was angelic in the period or its duration. It was almost an accident that the presence of tbe august body was discovered. They came, saw and departed in about two hours. The Beach property was condemnedfiromptly because It was not a corner lot. The •orner of Seventh and Ohio, which was offered for $17,000. did not find favor in their eyes. .The southeast corner of Ninth and Main was offered for $43,000, but stood no chance. The Thompson estate, corner of Sixth and Walnut, at 910,000, created a favorable impression, but the McKeen lot, corner of Seventh and Cherry, at t»,000, seemed to be the favorite, until Joseph H. Blake suggested that if the commissioners really intended locating the building in tbe country east of the city, he bad some desirable property on the National road two miles from town. It is tbe impression that the corner of Seventh and Cherry streets will be selected, and there i«» great commotion in consequence.

The hurried manner in which the busiuess was done creates general dissatisfaction, and numerous remarks are heard the effect that there was no neoesnity for tbe visit at all. None of the business men were given an opportunity to express themselves on the matter. Tbe proper thing would have been to examine carefully tbe various sites offered, as well as the entire city, and then appoint a time and place to bear what the people had to say about it. It would be a safe assertion to make that no member of tbe commission knows any thing of tbe extent of tbe city, or how near any of the lots ofiered is to the business center. If the voice of the people was takan tbe Thompson property would be the favorite. It is the canter of tbe business community, and will be

GRAVKt. ROADS.

It is now about tbe season to commence tbe annual agitation concerning tbe construction of gravel roads. Tbe law is now such that the county commissioners can go ahead with this sort of work with advantage and profit to their constituents. This county is sadly deficient in this respect, while its neighbors are improving rapidly.

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and as a nolitidim has certainly won bis .. liticdjan has certainly won ™, miles of good gravel roads and is pret. To thesoldierelepenfebe .uu. 1.. ttM appoinwwm. paring to double it, In this manuer the .houldbevery actable.. «mnty seat Is enabf^ to draw trafce rank* be fought bis way up to tbe pbsitlon of Major, and only retired from tbe army at the close of tbe war. He is probably the leading member of tbe bar in his county, and is considered a good business man.

count, ha. over a hundred

from neighboriugpounties at all seasons of the year. There is no reason why Vigo should be behind any othercounty iti this respect. It is out 'of debt and is one of tbe riehest in tbe State. Two hundred thousand* dollars invested in gravel roads would be much better for the county than tbe much talked of court bouse scheme. With gravel roads reaching the county linein all directions, Terra Haute could control a large trade from the surrounding counties, but if tbe present course is pursued the surrounding counties will draychelr tmd largely from Vigo.

POLITICS.

The political pot is fast£pproaching the boiling point. Slates are too numerous to mention. It looks very much as though every other man in tbe city has caught tl*e political itch and wants to run for o'ffiee* Candidates seem to be as numerous in one party as tbe other, which indicates that each fs confident of succesa. Tbe Democrats have concluded to put off their nominations as long as possible. Tbe convention will not be held until withiu a week of the election, and the primariea' the night preceding the convention. This will not give tbe kickers, should there be any such, much time in whteb to operate, nor will it give much time for reconciliation should there beany occasion for it. From now on tbe fight will be lively between the rival candidates and factions. The working element seems to have settled upon a ticket, and that ticket will be norni nated. Tbose who know tho ropes are very reticent about the matter, but from thei4 con&raatig&gind cousulta-

*tidhs ^ia'e^dem thcwlTsorrfothlug tn tbe wind. The Republicans thus far seem to be at sea without a pilot. No organization has been effected and no one seems to know anything in particular about anything.

Tbe city elections in this State this year aro very important to both parties, and will to some extent control the State next year. Indiana In 1884 promises to be a hotly contested battle ground. Both parties In the State have men possessed of presidential aspiratlona. At the present time ex-Senator McDonald seems to be the favorite of the Democratic party, and his nomination would surprise no one. During the greenback craze he fought it unmercifully when his State was against bim. This made bim holid in the East, and he is today v«.ry popular at home. Senator Harrison looms up in the Republican side as a formidable candidate, as he might have been in 1880 had he chosen to enter the .race. However, be is young yet and can afford to bide his time. Tbe nomination of Judge Gresham to a cabinet position tbe other day draws from the obscurity of tbe bench to active political life a man who may reach higher in a few ears tban some of his rivals anticipate. Governor Porter was talked of once as-a possible presidential candidate but be failed to meet tbe expectation of bis friends and bas dropped out of sight. Possibly ex-Governor Hendricks may bob up in time with his perennial cry of fraud, and it may even be found that Hon. W. H. English would be willing to sacrifice himself once more.

LOVELY StPRIQ.'

Far in the cuddy South she tiggcrs, Yet slowly cubs alog, Willi fairy gnrlnds id ner ftggers idehffi(

With mine 1 of sweet sog. Her eye* with probim* are bcebig, Her sbited win rabture brig The »iKlli)iht trob her h*tr is strcabig—

Thrice wclcobe, lovely Sprifu

Some horrid man said recently: "Women are no frivolous, so fond of dress, parade and show that tbey would make of government an everlasting spectacular drama." "Possibly, retorts Mrs. Livermore, "but I cannot remember to have aeen women walking delightedly for a few hours in a torchlight procession, through muddy streets, amid the thundering of cannon, the flash of rockets and the blase of colored lights. I think I have never seen them parading by daylight clad in bits of abbreviated aprons, ornamented at the shoulders in what seemed to be exaggerated burse collar, their heads supporting an infinite amount of fuss and featbera, and their padded coats over their swelling boeonw nearly bursting with delight as tbey caught admiring glance* from the other sex from the balconies and at chamber windows.

A Woman's" Opinions.

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ASTOKlSBfEi) OFFICE-SEEK Kris. The recently elected Police Commissioners at Indianapolis have decided that "applicants for positions upon tbe police foree must accompany the application with a certificate of good moral •Character, signed by five responsible citizens. These citizens must certify that the applicant is correct and orderly in deportment, of sober, temperate and industrious habits a man of truth and integrity, of sound mind and good understanding." One of tbe papers, commenting upon this, says, "The 'boys' who are clambring for place are greatly, disgruntled over these unexpected requirements and don't know what to think. To them it is-itOrtetbaiJ tbe 'Blue Laws.'"

Why are these requirements so "unexpected," and what is thereabout tbem to so terribly "disgruntle" tbe "boys" To one outside tbe political ring and not familiar with tbt tricks within this mysterious circle, it would seem that unless a man pos9e«wed these very .qualifications he should uot ask for a position of public trust and responsibility. Of course a policeman should be moral, sober, honest and industrious. How can he properly discharge his duties unless he bas these qualities? This is only what should be required of dvery official who is to have charge of public money, keep important records, administer the government, make or execute the laws. Common prudence and regard for tbe welfare of the people would seem to demand it.»

And why does the simple requirement that men seeking an office shall be "moral, sober, honest and industrious," cause commotion in tbe rankB? Is it possible that these virtues are so uncommon, or that they are rarely to be found combined in one individual

If the political parties, this spring, should state that no candidates need apply except those who could furnish certificates signed by five responsible uitfaens that they were "moral, sober, honest and industrious,*' what would become of all tbe "slates" that have been so confidently submitted to tbe dear people during the past few weeks And where would we look for candidates who would dare present themselves if oblige to comply with the above requirement? Moit certainly we yould not •flud them among fchose perwinm^offl seekers wbo, no matter how often tbey are snowed under, eome up, fresh and persistent, with the grass, the dandelions and the other weeds of spring.

We have men among us who, undoubtedly, possess all these excellent qualities but tbey do not run foroffice. I f» however, asa last hope,-some party puts forward such a man, bo is usually defeated, but shold he be elected, public confidence in bis unspotted Integrity ia forever shaken.

There is a large class of citizens, a vast majority of whom have all these virtues, themselves, and would require them in any candidate who should receive their votes but, for tbe present, these respecttable and law-abiding citizens are counted out.

In the hearts of the Americau people there is a deep, powerful sentiment in favor uot only of what is just and right but also of that wbich is pure and incorruptible. Sometimes this principle seems to lie dormant but, when any great occasion calls It forth, It can always be depended upon to triumph over whatever evil may threaten our sacred institutions. It will not be many years before the sterling sense of the people will rebel against the character of tbe men wbo are being elected to represent tbem and there will be such a revolutfon in politics that, instead of its causing a panic among tbe candidates, the universal demand will be for "moral, sober, bonest and industrions men." '3

THK SERMON ON SHAMS..

Every civilized man says "smeu''to Mr. Croft's unsparing denunciation of the latter day shams that cover tbe beds, chairs, and other pieces of furniture in our modern homes. There bas always been an antagonism between man and these pretty but uselese articles. But if pulpit and press and all tbe men in creation should offer a universal protest against them, tbe ladies would listen in cool disdain and calmly continue to crochet and etch and embroider and paint to the end of all time. To a woman there ia something beautiful and soul-satisfying in the tastefully draped bed, tbe rugs, tidies, scarfs, plaques and bric-a-brac, and, provided tbey are not too profuse, one mu«t acknowledge that they greatly contribute to the grace and elegance of home. If women were as averse to abams as tbe men seem to wish they were, tbey would be a tittle more particular in the choice of a husband. "A viae on an old wall, a tree clipped by the lightning," tbe wild disorder of the woods, are very attractive on canvaa but tbey do not improve upon close acquaintance and such confusion around our orderly homes would be unendurable. Imagine a '*oow path" leading up to tbe front door, especially after a thaw 1 However, these things are mere-

TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING. APRIL 7. 1883.

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ly matters of taste, some prefer tbe irregularity of nature, some, geometrical precision/ while others strike a happy medium^*

But where we must emphatically differ from th$ minister is in his declaration that "Itflidelity is the veriest aham and infidels |be veriest hypocrites." Thousands of |ben and women, with intellects as strong and principles as correct as tboae otfjfrny minister wbo ever stood ia tbe puljpit, are skeptical in their opinions atu| they are as honest in this belief as any %no ever professed Christianity. Because* fellow creature does not understand t^ae perplexing problems just as you dol^no reason why he or his sincere oojav^tons should be branded as tt'Sbama.." These questions, at best, are iqere *M3£mise and speculation and it will never-be decided, in this world, whether the 'SsWms" are within the church or outsideof it. IDA A. HARPBR.

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Our" Breakfast Table.

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"The fcepublicaas are buzzing to-day like a Iflve full of bees robbed of their honey?1*remarked McEwan, cheerfully.

Yout aimile is a good one," said the Major,|"Here is a county that raises the money .fbr the revenue, puts the honey into tlifhite, and now a man no better than our own, to say tbe least, is put over hiin. Oh, Harrison and Peirce look oufcfor Vigo county." "I affiraure Harrison explaina his position utopirly and candidly in his letter," said the pProfessor. "Ot course he does," replied Derby. "ButsftMoso it had suited bim to appoint Emper, couldn't be have written anotherpind of letter. Talk*about nine countiW' for Carter! What difference does it ioiake to any of the counties outside of ^go and Clay who was appointed? You say the other counties instruatedilor Carte Yes, as far as asked, an.d ff Hagar had asked for signatures he could have got tbem. So where would, be the evidence of any real interest in the rural districts "I told yon a month ago," said Derby, "that iinTeri^ Haute man would be appointed. PStrce can be excused for retaliating ou his old enemies, and Harrison—well, Harrison has played fast and loose more than once, as you weUkpow —cold-blooded fish "Whit's the use* of going away from oma#«hHager was slaughtered in tbe house of Ms rdeitfaT* Gtfefaltfiefcl"J&iJk, who was propeily shut up quickly for tbe heresy. "Oh, you needn't cover it up," said McEwan. You have thrown Vigo over to save the rest of the district little good it will do you. We have got Terre Haute solid for the sping "Yes, so you think. That'a why all your great men are figuring for the nominations—men once big enough for Con gress want that Mayor's office, that usually turns men out weaker tban when they went in."

Laura had just carried a tidy, emblazoned«with a stork "with a beak sinister on afield azure," from a doubtful cbair to one above suspicion, with the remark: "If anyone thinks I make a tidy worth four ninety-five to hide a hale In a three dollar Cbair, be is mistaken. I think I will mako an address on tbe evolution of the tidy and the position of the sham in the field of art, in opposition to Rev. Mr. Crofts. I will divide my addross under three beads: Firstly, the indus tryof woman secondly, tbe ingenuity and taste of woman thirdly, tbe sprawling man. Firstly, beloved,'She maketh herself coverings of tapeatry Prov. 3122. Then I'll talk of Araehue tbe spinner, and Penelope with her fancy work, and Queen Matilda embroidering ber famous tapestry (poor thing! she bad no arm-chairs to Sover). I'll tell how every woman's fingers naturally twitch to be buay, so now,that men have brokeo our distaff by the spinning-jenny, and our needle by tbe sewing machine, wo knit, and embroider, and crochet—ahem Then I would enlarge. Secondly, 'Tbey that devise cunning work.' I would talk of our taste.and ingenuity in working old scraps of silk (along with a few dollar's worth of new) into most beautiful rococo, and in copying nature (sunflowers, cat ta:ls, cranes) and making a tidy pretty as a picture—and then think of our ingenuity in finding places for them, where they can be seen in making covering of tapestry, etc. As for abams, 1 think Moses covered the rough boards of tbe tabernacle with embroidered curtains, and nature throws a mat of vines or moas over old logs and trees, hut tbe trouble with us, abused women, is that we over-omaqient. We put tidies on new and old chairs, and abams on clean pillows—sometimes, but In tbe third, from tbe text 'anointed with fresh oil,' behold the sprawling man, in former days, with bis bead back on our best satin covered chair, and his feet out. Macassar oil on that head—enter the anti-macassar or tidy, not to hide the c£iair, but to cover mao's shiny locks and then I should elaborate generally or generously on man's awkwardness and ioungineas and untidiness, his open disgust and secret admiration for every fallal bis wife or children make—ob, I

know you—shams all of you!" And out of breath she left the room. The Professor said "We all dislike the shams of other people, and have an abiding faith in their existence, from tbe White House down to the pettiest politician who smuggles into office under tbe pretense of working for a principle more than for himself. The Norman king, who threw a table cloth over a chest full of saint's bones to entrap Harold into a binding oatb, was not the last man to cover corruption with a gaudy cover, but "Yes, but—I am rather in favor of tidies and shawls, real and figurative!" exclaimed Derby. "You? No doubt of it, thougfe." "Certainly. Sham is the tribute mediocrity pays to respectability. It is your gaudy co ter throwu over what ought to be concealed. Wby look on the seamy side when the other is fair?" "Tut, tut! Wouldn't you pull the roof jryn that den on. south Sixth street "Not if I bad to see some one there I did not want to be there. Not if by any aecident a foul slander, by a shameless cieature, on a pure, sensitive woman should be started." "Wouldn't it be simple justice and law." "Ob, yes, but society is regulated by two laws: one of justice and tbe other of expediency. And I do not think we are auy more bound to close up tbat ranch, than some in meaner parts of the town, next door to an bonest mechanic's, whose family suffer far more damage than do your friends. Mind yon, I don't say let tbem alone, but be consistent and wise^' "Derby, you represent the 'let well enough alone'people. You would never do anything. The best way to deal with blackmailers is to go for them roughshod. Every bribe or concession encourages tbem tOffind new victims. In trying to save one you would injure more in the future." "Well, I know enough of what is said to believe I am right. If your sister or wife were ou Mrs. Volger's lying list, though you knew it to be a lie, you wouldn't haul her into court. Well, I know just as good names that are upon it, and though it is an infernal outrage,I wouldn't push the matter now. There are other ways." "You wouldn't make much of a judge or jury, Major." —i'JKeii,..!* MQlild be Aj*ir*w&ef as I promise nothing I would at least not break any promise."^1'*

ABOUT WOMEN.

There is a new French saying: "A woman is like an army—she is lost if she has no reserve."

There are Spartan women left yet in the world. A new Jersey widow changed ber religion to escape meeting her husband in the next world.

If Mrs. Carter, of Bel lair, O., had hot applied for a divorce no one would have suspected that her husband compelled ber to swallow spools and buttons to punish her for smiling at a railroad man.

Nellie Carlton, daughter of a Cincinnati dry goods merchant, could not get along comfortably with ber new stepmother, and so went alone to Milwaukee, taking along a great deal of money and valuable clothing and jewelry. For a week she kept to her room in a fashionable boarding bouse, killing time with nove)s and a piano. One afternoon sbe went out for a walk. She met George W. Bixby, whom she had known very slightly, and be on hearing of ber lonely position, proposed marriage. This struck ber as a kindly offer, and tbey went immediately to a Justice wbo united tbem. When sbe awoke next morning ber husband and portable valuables were gone,

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iQ UE8TI0N IN PHILOLOQ Y. Tbe New York Sun has taken up the defense against the charge of profanity of the time worn—if not time-honored— expiession, a "tinker's dam." TbeSon's defense is also tifae-worn. It consists of the explanation tbat tbe tinker of old time was wont to cosstoct when mending old keuies a dam of dough to restrain tbe flow of solder. When tbe work was done tbe dam was thrown away as worthless, except to furniffa a synonym for wortblesaness, to which use it is so ofteu put.

The Sun's New York contemporaries sneer at its explanation, insist tbat tbe expression is profane^nd tbat tbe elialon of tbe final "n" from the objectionable word is due to the same feeling which induces tbe average New Englander to say "dam,"instead of using any stronger expletive.

Between doctors thus disagreeing it were useles to attempt to decide but if the Sun adheres to its decision, there is another vexed question It ought to settle. If the "tinker's dam" *ss made of dough, of what substance was made tbat otber synonym of worthLessness, tbe continental dam?" fggS

Tn better tbe 000k tbe happier tbe

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Thirteenth Year

SA YINOS AND DOINGS.

It is easier to support a girl in ber parlor one eveunig than a wife for a whole year. That is the reason wby poor young men don't marry. "J

Now that Payne's bones have been returned to his native land, a Portuguese Jew calls attention to tbe fact tbat tbe air of "Home, Sweet Home" has been sung at tbe festival of Tehunda ne Israel for the last five centuries.

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Just as Mrs. Langtry, iu tbe character of Rosalind, had pronounced the words of tbe epilogue, "I would kiss as many of you as bad beards that pleasod me, complexions that liked me," and was exhibiting ber most comprehensive smile to a Cleveland audience, a gallery gamin shouted, ''Oh, Freddie!" with a gusto which spoiled tbe effect, but sent the people home in ood nature.

A patent office man says wottfttt's ln-*.-H veutlons ruu chiefly to providing for emergencies. As, for instance, a skirt linod wi*b India rubber tubes which may be blown up as a life preserver at sea, and prevent injury from falling on tbe sliperv sidewalk or padding the skirts of dresses with a rubber apron, which will prevent the dress from clinging too closely to the limbs on a windy day.

THE guard duty at the tomb of the late Presideut Garfield, which has been observed since he was interred at Lake View Cemetery, is not the plensaut thing it may seem. The post is not desirable. The burial ground Is a louely, solemn place, five miles from the city, and has the natural belongings of an uncanny place because of its bills and ravines. Tbe soldiers, or at least the foreign-born soldiers, have a dread and horror of this assignment. Three to whom the detail was given at different times came into disgrace through drunkenness, Incurred by drinking liquor to sustain their courage during their awesome night vigil. And now a strong, healthy young Polander bas gone insane from tho morbid fears that preyed upon him during the two mouths ho had been on duty at tho tomb. This pitiable superstition Is not shared by many American soldiers, but it is strongly defined in most of the foreign born soldiery, especially among those wbo ure Catholics. It would be well to put two men on duty, that a relief from melancholy thoughts might be had in companionship.

ROLLER SKATES.

The opening of a new skating rink next weeK causes tbe article below from tbe Laramie Boomerang to be seasonable reading. It will be appreciated by tbose wbo have been on the treacherous wheels, and the picture will be recognized by all who bavo witnessed tbe gymnastic displays of new begiti tiers Tbe Boomerang writer says:

Tbe roller skate is a wayward little quadruped. It is as frolicsome and more innocent looking than a lamb, but for interfering with one^s upright attitude in the community it is perhaps the best machine that has appeared iu Salt Lake City.

One's first feeliftg on standing up on a pair of roller *kat«'s is un uncontrollable tendency to come from together. Otie foot may start out for Arizona. The legs do not stand by each other, as legs related by blood should do, but each shows a disposition to set up in business alone, and leave you to tuk« care of yourself as best you may. Theawkwardness of this Is appa.-ent. While thcynre setting independently, there Is nothing for you but to sltdown, and await future developments. And you have to sit down, too, without having made any

Eaving

revious preparation for it. and without devoted as inuch thought to it as you might nave doue had you been consulted in the matter.

One of tbe most noticeable things at a skating rink is tbe strong attraction between the human body and the floor of tbe rink. If tbe human body bad been coming througb space for days and days, at the rate of a million miles a second, without stopping at eating stations, and not excepting Sundays, when it strikes tbe floor, we could understand why it struck the floor with so much violence. As it is, however, tbe thing is inexplicable.

There are different kinds of falls in vogue In the rink. There are tbe rear falls and tbe front falls, the Cardinal Wolaey fall, tbe fall one across tbe otber, three in a pile, and so on. There are some of tbe falls tbat I would like to be excused from describing. Tbe rear fall is tbe favorite. It Is more frequently utilised than any other. There are two positions in skating, tbe perpendicular and tbe horizontal. Advanced skaters irefor tbe perpendicular,wbile others afect tbe horizontal.

SKater* are no respecters of persons. Tbey will lay out a minister of tbe gospel cr tbe Mayor of tbe city as readily as tbey will a abort-coated, one-suspender boy or a giddy girL When one of a man's feet starts for Nevada and the otber for Colorado, tbat does not separate bim from tbe floor or break up his fun. Otber portions of his body will take the place bis feet have just vacated, with a promptness tbat Is surprising. And be will and tbat tbe fon bas just be-

roent.

WE AUREE WITH YOU. Boston Transcript. How much pleasanter tbis world would be to livein were it as easy to go to bed at nigbt as it is to remain there in tbe morn log, and as easy to jret up in the morning as it is to talk of getnng op when you go to bed?

Wm

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