Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 14, Number 40, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 29 March 1884 — Page 1

14*—No. 4°.

HE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

Town Talk.

STRKKT LOAFERS

be'isi-Op of street loafers this spring mises to be up to the average, if it not exceed it. With tbe fine lather of the past few days they have me altogether too numerous, and •nettling should be done to stop tbe urease* Main street in certain parts .rowded with them. Their forte is to ind around, chew tobacco, strike attides, stare ladies out of countenance, make themselves disagreeable genlly to pedestrians. Tbeir principal iding place is on the south side of in street between Fifth and Sixth reets. In a city the size and pre tenons of Terre Haute, with its bright ospects and present ||ood business, it ks as tnougb there ought to be «moyment for all who desire to work,

It jopmn as though these loafers ye

no

taste and less inclination to do ytblng. They are always hanging ound without any visible means of lpport, and are always dressed in the clothes of the most fashionable cut. eir removal would be bailed with joy all but tbeir own class. Some time it was said that no loitering would allowed upon the streets, and the lloe were instructed to stop it. If such order was ever given it has leng since icome a dead letter. It should be reewed without any further delay. The loafer is of no use to any person should be abolished whenever be ap-

He should be utilized in some

yanner, and if nothing else cart bedone ith him he should be put to work on

Since the wagon works have been sered for this locality, there has been a. irited rivalry between the different rtions of the city as to which will ure them. Ground ha* been offered of charge, and not satisfied with iafc, subscriptions have been started and beral athounts promised by those who •or certain legalities. In the fight bich has been made to secure these orks it is a noteworthy fact that tbe wners of large tracts of land, with a fw exceptions, have made no effort to ure them. Those who have plenty eem very well satisfied with the sltuaion. They have plenty and are willing to sit down, let others work to build up he city, and reap any benefits which are be derived therefrom, Terre Haate oes not owe its growth and prosperity her wealthy citisens, but to those of Moderate means who keep pushing her rward in the hope that they may soon »ap their reward, if all would interest smselves alike in pushing the city to front, it would soon lead all oomtitors in this State. But even as tbe atter now stands it looks as though by |be time the next census is taken it will the first oity In the State. 4 BOOK FORGOTTEN.

A very short time ago a proposition made to erect a monument in this te to the memory of the Indiana dlers who fell in the late war. At tit seemed as though tbe movement ould prove a success, but already it ms to be almost forgotten. A subription was started in Indianapolis Vhich reached nearly a thousand dollars, ind now Is apparently at a stand still. Matters of this kind rarely succeed uness they are pushed through on the .pur of the moment. It took years of Patient work Uv. secure a sum sufficient erect a monument to the memory qf elate Governor Morton. The sum sed for the Garfield memorial hospital tras a disappointment to all who had .uything to do with it, and the Garfield uouumental fund also grew very slowly fter it was started. There is a soldiers' ioonument fund In this county, which jrhich has increased very slowly, and still very small, oompared with what I should be under the circumstances, ^he proposed monument, to be erected the Slate, will, in all probability, end 'f it has begun, In talk. There is a feel^g everywhere that Indianapolis wants wery thing it can get at the expense of he State at large, aad there Is no dtapoition outside its sacred prednta to en parage its grasping disposition. For his reason, If for no other, the monuirnent will hardly be a success, al.hough there la every reason why It hould

TH* STRBBTS. 5

Sever before in the history of the city «ave its streets been in such a poor con* lUon aa they are at the present Uma ince last foil they have been allowed to 11 from bad to worse, until they became kaost Impassable. To make a show of x*alled economy, the oonndl has made lonth^y allowances for the streets vhich would not keep three men at rk. Tbe result is now visible. It is too apparent thai an election Is cioes at iknd. This week the number of able "odied voters at work on the streets has large enough to satisfy the average frit

voter of the powers that be, and they will all be utilized in April and May. Jf the streets had all been kept in proper condition throughout the year, but a small force would have been required for the work. That has not been done however, and now, with a due regard to politics, there is work for the rrany, and it is expected to hsve the desired effect In the near future. The bills for street work will not be in shape during this month and next, while tbe bills of the past few months will be paraded as models of economy, and will.be offered as an Ttrgument in favor of retaining the ma jority in power. This is the science of politics as administered by a master nand.

the fair grounds.

The Board of County Commissioners seem to have become tired of caring for tbe Vigo Agricultural Society, and have advertised tbe fair grounds for sale. This has been anticipated for sime time. The society holds a lease for twenty-one years, on condition that it holds a fair annually. Tbe ground is held rent free, and tbe lease expires September 7,1887, tbe sale to be made subject to this lease, For some time the society has been endeavoring to obtain a renewal of the lease, and have been offered an extension for twenty-five years on condition that it expend $10,000 on the ground within three years bold an annual fair, and that said fair shall be satisfactory to the commissioners, or they could declare a forfeiture of tbe lease and proceed to take possession of tbe grounds. Of course the terms could not be complied with, hence tbe determination to sell.

A short time ago an offer of $10,000 was made for the grounds, and a tender of part payment made. It was, however, discovered that the sale must be advertised, hence the present proceedings. It is understood that a guarantee of $10,000 has been made as an inducement to offer the land for sale, and it is pretty certain that the Trotting Association, or a portion of its members will beoome the purchasers. In the mean time the Agricultural Society has a note past due for $2,100, with no immediate prospect of being able to pay it, white tbe directors of last year have made themselves individually liable for the amount. At present it looks very much a* though there wttlbejrofair this year, which will operate arai^%ntfture of the lease, and the purchaser* can them step in and take possession ait once.

A Woman's Opinions.

J. V,y

langtry.

The the Interest of tbe week centered in the appearance of this renowned actress, on last Wednesday evening. It was predicted that she could not fill the house at a dollar and a half a ticket, and such was the case. After many had taken seats iu the family circle, at a dollar, because they did not feel like pay ing more, tbe general admission was reduced to seventy-five cents, and those upstairs bad the comfortable feeling that they had paid more than those on tbe lower floor. This performance should have been reserved till the first day of April.

If there had beet! any doubts about Mrs. Langtry's beauty, they were set rest by her appearance in Galatea. It was beauty unadorned by paint, wig, costuming or any of the stage deceptions, tbe severest test that could be made. It was a general expression aflfong tbe men in the audience that she is a surpassingly beautiful woman, and they are better judges of female loveliness than ladies are. They cau examine with a calm, critical eye, free from envy, jealousy or prejudice—but women cannot. A few men were heard to remark that they could find a dozen prettier women than Langtry. If this be true they would better hunt up their beauties and start a show. 1 here's money in it. It would be exceedingly hard to obtain one whose every feature would bear such critical analysis, and not suffer by comparison. In all that goes to make up a beautiful woman, Langtry excels. The fineness and whiteness of her skin, the shape of her head, the exquisite contour of her figure from neck to waist, tbe dalicate brows, the straight nose, the even, white teeth, the shelllike ears, the graceful, elegant carriage, the refined manners, all combined in one person will be extremely difficult to find. Many women possess some of these qualifications but not all of them.

As an actress, Mrs. Langtry has made marked improvement. It must be remembered she Is but little more than an amateur, making her first appearance on the stage only two years ago, almost without preparation, and being In audi constant demand ever since, she has had scarcely any leisure fw study. Her pronunciation and articulation are almost fruitless and indicate culture and refined associations. In tragedy, passion or violent emotion of any kind, she is poor. Indeed, she impresses one as incapable of very strong feeling but rather ss a being intended oaiy for sunshine, luxury and all the pleasant things of lifb. Her strongest effects are whan aha seems to be perfectly natural and

unaffected, just, as we would Imagine Mrs. Langtry off the stage. There is something very attractive and charming about the woman and there is a general feeling of j^gret that, with so many gracious gifts, she should have sacrificed tbe pearl 6f great price, her reputation. It seems singular that woman of tbe world, fully aware of the advantages of social recognition, should have made so fatal a mistake at the very commencement of her career. Tbe time is past when the character of an actress is of no value to her profession. If she be not virtuous she will be obliged to possess remarkable talent to overcome a certain prejudice in tbe audience, and. even snperior artistic merit will only win a negative sort of admiration. Our two most famous actresses, Modjeska and Mary Anderson, are of unblemished character and much of their popularity is due to this fact. The same may be said of Fanny Davenport, of Rhea, ef Lotta, of all the artistes who retain their hold upon the public. Nillson, Gerster. Sembrich, Abbott, all our distinguished prime donne are women of excellent reputation. Patti may be considered an exception but she deserves consideration as the greatest singer in the world and as the victim of those laws which refuse a divorce.

This is the great good that has been wrought by the attendance of respect able people at the theatre. The stage is one of the great powers of the world, as important, in its way, as the press Or the pulpit, and influencing a class of people that the two latter cannot always reach. Instead of good men and women being degraded by witnessing dramatic performances, they* have elevated and improved the character of these exhibi tious. They have caused to be.eliminated the oaths and obscene expressions that used to be found in every play. They have made it possible for men and worn en to follow this profession and yet preserve their integrity and social standing, Even if it were advisable to do so, it would be impossible to eraditiite the the theatre. We can scarcely traoi our history back to a time when there was not some kind of a theatrical or dramatic representation for the amusement of the people. It is one of the fixed Institutions of the world. All that remains to be don$ia io- i*aka it* ben^m instead of an injury. If all respectable people should withdraw their patronage, it would not close up tbe theaters but would only lower tbeir standard and make them indeed a thing of evil.

Theatre going is really one of the most innocent amusements of the present time. It can not be perverted and dis torted from its original intention, as may so many recreations. Base ball and other athletic sports have degenerated into professional games, with discord, cheating, gambling, Sabbkth breaking and various unpleasant features dancing is very apt to run into late hours, overheating, exhaustion and physical injury card-playing frequently is carried to extremes and develops a taste for gaming among all sexes and classes. None of these objections apply to tbe theatre. It is a place where a man may take bis family it leads to no particular vice it amuses and sometimes in struct*, and the lessons it teaches are moral ones, that may be comprehended alike by high and low if yon are tired, you may rest, if you are sad you may find distraction from your thoughts. When the eurtain falls you go home refreshed and diverted from your toil aad perplexities and you are certainly no worse, the next day from your entertainment ot the night before.

But the theatre is still a long way from perfection. The public should not aocept, without protest, all that is offered upon the stage. Tbe next generation must find as great an improvement over the present ss we have, found over the past. We owe it not only to ourselves but to them to discriminate very carefully. There area number of popular plays that should be frowned out of existence. Any new play possessing the slightest Immoral tendency should be allowed to fall by its own weight. An indelicate allualon of any kind should be received In profound silence and It would soon be retired from tbe play. Especially should a reform be demanded In comic opera. At present it is the most demoralizing entertainment offered to reputable andienoes. Things are sung that they would not dare to speak, and there Is not asingle argument that can be made in favor of tbe ballet. We cannot give up tbe opera, because we enjoy the D^rfc but let it pass through the refl*iig fire, as the drama has doofe, and be shorn of its objectionable features. We have only to hold tut to our strict sense of morality in these matters and we will bring all of them up to tbe highest standard of excellence.

TERRE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING. MARCH 29,1884.

Before oommencing his sermon, last Sunday, Rev. Croft, of tbe Congregational church, made a few remarks which seem so appropriate, just at the present time, that they deserve to be repeated. Referring to tbe fact that the church desired to celebrate their semicentennial by the purchase of a modi needed organ, be said: "I hope in so- snd go to sleep sgain.

liciting subscriptions you may maintain your past dignity |snd respectability by keeping within %our proper limit®. While we gladljfroceive any voluntary contribution, we desire that the money shall be raised within our own church and cotigregatioi^&nd among our own interested friendjifcrat least none others will be solicited*m. protest against this street beggihg insthe name of religion, this levying on jtoerchaat| and going through schools. It is degrading. God is not a beggar g$ing around, with hat in hand, asking ibr pennies to provide your church with luxuries. II we want these things Ijt us pay for them like men, and thus maintain our self respect and preserve the dignity of our common cause. '/faftar man fairly cursing the name qgffitlfabn becaus6 so many church paupe^ iwje sent out. Let us not advertise our own weakness and parsimony by asking, the public to do what we ought to do ourselves."

Every one who reads these words will say "amen." Theis church begging has become a common nuisance. Persons will do in the n^ne of religion what it would be the greatest impudence to do under any other title. Womeh, who would scarcely ask a dollar to save themselves fftm starvation, are the most audacious and persistent beggars to raise funds for the church. People are beginniag to think the "free salvation" that the bid hymn speaks of, must be found outside of the modern temple of Worship. I Ms not sufficient that a man connect himself with onedenomintion and do what be can "td^rapport that be is also expected to give liberally to all others, until finally bd opmes to the conclusion that^t. he eve? jtfbpes to lay up any treasutjeson earth, )|e will have to quit trying lay them ap in heaven.

Of course catches must be supported. The world? is Hot yet good enough to da wittaut them. The government recognises this and gives them a lift by jfjxsmpting them from taxation. People, in general, are trilling to assist buying'ground and building a hoijjU to hold setrvloes In, W causethey consider that thiols good for the. community. But the prevailing spirit of luxury' has crept Into tbe church. They have grown esthetic, so to speak, andtprftfte all sorts of elegant thUJgs.r i^af full tbey gefc. them

public is tired ot being bled or, in other words, is has -lest about all the blood it can spare, jest at present. If the churches desire ornaments and can afford to pay for them, that is strictly their own affair, but why do they ask, the public to subscribe for organs, stained glass windows and brass plates to put lead nlckles on What right has any denomination to go into the public schools to solicit money? Who wants to be called to tbe door at bed time with a request to contribute towards purchasing a set of chimes that will play a tune? What busy merchant wishes to be waited upon by a committee and requested to help pay for a carpet in a wealthy church that is able to settle its own bills? Is there aay worse plague than the girl with a chance book in a Christian lottery that raffles off everything from a farm to a rag doll

This seizing the property of others in the name of religion is a relic of the dark ages tbe only difference being that, now-a-days it is done more politely. The present is a time of financial depression. Two successive failuree of crops make money exceedingly hard to get. The approaching campaign puts all kinds of business in an unsettled condition. Men find it almost impossible to meet bills when tbey become due. Cannot the churches realize the hard times that are upon us and cease their demands until we elect a President and sell our whest The "cause of Christ" will not suffer in the least. It Is the duty of the churches, just as much as of private individuals, to practice economy until we return to prosperity. And neither now nor at any other time should they press their claims where tbey have no right, for a worthy object does not justify unworthy means. If you would attract the people and build up the church, put talent and ability in the pulpit «id true Christian feeling into the hearts of the congregation. This will bring the crowds and the crowds will bring the money.

IDA A. HARPSR.

DAMNABLE W&ETCHB8. Hemy Ward Beecher. A man steals and murders and Is arrested and put in jail. For a few days he braves it out but conscience begins to sting and pride and make him feel guilty when he knows he is a hissing snd a shams. Then he feds penitent, and ail the mushy men and silly women a to him with sympathy and bouquets In respect to his penitence. Damnable

NEVKB A WORSE SWINDLE. Philadelphia Booord. Never waa there a worse swindle pet rated on humanity than that asserts that when a man wakes from his first sleep be ought to get up. If he wakes thoroughly refreshed after seven hours sleep it is certainly time to torn and siretcn, and, after about fifteen minutes graas, to dress but he who wakes at early morn after a rest of four or five hours, will do wall to tarn over

"AN IDYL."

BY PAUL CARSON.

Arabella was a school girl— So was Sally Ann, Hasty pudding can't be thicker

Than two school girls can. lliese were thioki« school girls can be' Deathless love they swore, Vowed that naught on earth shontd part them

One forever more. They grew up as school girls will do, went to parties, too, And as oft before has happened,

Suitors oame to woo.

As fate or luck would have It, One misguided man Favored blue-eyed Arabella

More than Sally Ann. And, of course, It made no different That the laws are such, That he could not wed two women,

Though they -wished it much. So a coolness rose between them, And the cause—a man. Cold was Arabella—very— .»

Colder Sally Ann. Now they call each other "creature," What is still more sad— Bella, though she won the treasure,

Wishes Sally had.

Printed, in this paper by special arrange ment with the author. j.

SEALED UNTO HIM. *

A STORY OF THE EARLY OF MORMONISM.

DAYS

BY JOAQUIN MILLER,

AUTHOR OF "BONGS OF THE SIERRAS," "THB DANITES," "MEHORIB AND RIME," ETC.

CHAPTER III. A LOST WOMAN.

As day began to blossom dimly on tbe peaks, as if they were mighty flowers in a garden kissing heaven, we came to another little willow-lined stream, crossed it, and silently drew the wagons in a little circle in the shelter of tbe large leaning willows, and unyoked tbe patient and weary cattle. 7r,

It had been nearly dark a long time. That darkest hour which always pre' ceedes day bad covered all things for the last few* miles. It, wm only by the aid xf the friendly Indian, who led the oxen at the head of the advance team, that we had been able to find our way to this camp. She women and children of course were asleep In the wagons. The

certaitf^^ltat ttf&5 w» plodded qJo^g patientiy, and k4pt

--~^r 1

very still. The long, black, haunting box that had crept down from out the long, strong grass, and bad drawn on and ever the white shore of salt, following stealthily, silently, certainly as a*shadow bad not beta seen for hours. And even then it was far in the rear. The salt and the sand were heavy and dead. The man at last, even giant as he was, must have hid hard work to move bis barrow here. Surely he had broken down, sickened maybe —"died, let us hope," whispered one to another of the terrified little band as they unyoked the tired cattle and turned them up the banks of tbe willow stream, watched them, and kept them close to the willows so that tbey might not be seen by tbe Danites.

The members oi tbe little party, as light descended upon the dark waters, found themselves still close to the banks of the glittering lake. They bad travelled in a sort of crescent around an arm on the north end of the sea. The camp was a pleasant one. The little Island with the three trees was not so very far away. It lay almost between this camp and the one tbey had left the night before. The Solitary rock, with its horrid S8Sodation of a dead body in chains, was suggestively near—too near. No one spoke of this as the light came down and revealed it. Yet all thought of it. Tbe willows broadened and the valley widened up this little rivulet, and tbe grass was rank and abundant. Quail were heard here piping in the dewy graas. A flock of prairie-bens flew overbead and settled down within near gunshot. But no man thought of raising his gun. The report would possibly bring the unwelcome guest, tbe ghostly shadow, whom ail were hoping, as tbey prepared tbeir breakfast, keeping tbe smoke Subdued, had gone down in tbe sea of sslt.

One of the men who were watching tbe cattle declared that he saw a wild creature In the willows. Suddenly, aad before it was yet quite dswn, Nettie Lane, now a terrified and half-naked woman, crept into camp. What a sight! Woods were not abundant here. These willows were tbe only kind of protection in which any fugitive might find shelter the whole region around. And here ahe had been hiding, living oif berries, sleeping in tbe willows, in the tall grass waitiog, praying for some one to come that way with whom sbe could trust her life and that which la more than life to woman.

No need of questions or of answers now. Tbe dead body and its companions In chains down by the Mack rock which rose from tbe lake by tbe littls island, how silently told tbe whole terrible story. Tbe two mote and sullen Danites that had galloped past, spoke to the man by the coffin and disappeared he silent men that followed and sesreh•OQpyrigktcd byG. B. MSBer, 1884.

Fourteenth Year

ed and searched the rank grass and wiilows, and looked in every direction for some one, need not open fcheir lips now. All understood the whole terrible tale. "They had been judged and were not."

The tragedy had taken place, or rather the murders had been committed, on on this very stream, and not far from this very spot as some blood stains a little way up the steam still bore tesiimony.

Everything, of course, of value had ,, been taken "they bad been judged,and were not." Their property was confiscated to the Church. How the girl had1 escaped she hardly knew herself. And indeed no one asked directly. You do not understand

Well, when you reflect that no on« could trust his neighbor, you will cojaih.$ prehend why no one spoke above a whisper now and you will not be surprised that she was not pressed to tell her tale. Words are not the most eloquent things to tell a story with any way. Even tbe children huddled togetber in groups as they crept out of tbe wagons, and understood, and were silent.** as Indians.

The girl sat down by tbe water, wellj. concealed, and ate some bread. Thtn after a while, with the help of some pitying women, she combed out her long splendid black bair and tied it up with a. ribbon. She was even then strangely beautiful.

The men kept looking up and down the stream as if expecting tbe Dapitea to dash in upon them from almost any' quarter at almost any moment. A steep high hill rose abruptly before us. To move on with the girl and so escape by sudden flight before discovered—thi®. was a doubtful experiment, and yet some wanted to try it at all haiarda. It' seemed that If we could climb tbat ridge that rose steeply before us, and drive straight and steady ahoad till we oamej to Green River, we might escape. Anyway we were too terrified to remain here. Things were packed up, the weary oxen again yoked, and all was ready for an advance. "One thing to our advantage, tbe old spy is off the track anyhow," said a woman to her husband as sbe banded him his ox-whip.

The man looked at her, crooked his thumb just a little down stream toward •the^ike, and said nothing. There sat man composed!? by the aide** of his coffin, quietly wad tug book usual, and munching a morsel of dry bread..

,v

Just when he had come'no dbe knew. Perhaps he had passed tbe party in the night by a shorter path,

known

It was whispered—this one word, and tbat only by tbe women. Tbe train, which had not fairly started, was stopped, the children came out of tbe wagons. Tbe girl even came out, and there was no concealment of any kind. This was best and honest. These people were not prepared or disposed to fight. The first impulse of an American is to fight when wronged or in peril, no matter what tbe odds. But when hunted down, awed Into submission by this semi-? religious lot of madmen—these Gultesua —it was quite another matter. Even a larger party, I am sure, had stood still snd waited the approaching Danites aa this party did.

There was bat otte question. Had the girl's beauty saved her, or had sbe as-1 caped by chance and skill? Would her beauty save her now Not likely. Sb« knew too much now to live.

Tbe party of armed and long-haired horsemen rode down tbe bill toward the camp, against tbe rising sun, very leisurely now. Tbe long desperate search. Was over. They knew at a glance from the hill that the ogitive was with this party that we were trying to save her by flight.

Tbe girl's first Impulse was to (fash Into tbe thicket sgain. But she was weak and wretched. Better to die where ahestood. Sbe put her hands to her throat,, her breast, as if feeling sbout in a wild* way to know where they would strike' her with their long knives as tbey leaned from their saddles. Sbe seemed choking, and could hardly breathe. Tbe world was passing away. Her bead sank on her breast. Sbe was silently waiting to die. [To be continued fn Tbe Mall next week.]

DOMESTIC CYCLONES. Chicago News. It Is not often tbat a shrew tortures her husband until be destroys her, but there are many esses where men go nad or commit suicide under tbe terrific strain of this kind of domestic eyclone..

I

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himself and bis Danites. However, it was all-important that no one should seem alarmed at his prcsence and then what else could be done?: All was now ready for the moving our. We could not stop now without showing fear. At tbe last moment the girl, between two women, and quite concealed by tbeir shawls, crept into a wagon with a party of children. The little trpin stretched Itself out and began to start bravely up tbe bill toward tbe west.* Tbe leader stopped, threw up a band And there on this bill, rigbt across the dim road, a party of horsemen suddenly drew rein. "Danites!"

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