Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 15, Number 37, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 7 March 1885 — Page 1

Vol.

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

SPBiita is here according to tbe almanac, bat don't take off your flannels yet a while.

THKRB are strong surface indications that tbe Republicans will be more tickled with Cleveland's administration than will tbe Democrats.

TH*city's elephant, tbe Foartb street market boose, is likely to be turned into a skating rink, Mr. Breinig having made an offer to rent tbe lower floor.

So far as wo can learn tbere wasn't one seeker for office from tbis city in Washington on inauguration day. This wasn't courteous to tbe new giver of positions.

APTBR 160 towns aud cities bsd solicited Oliver Brothers to consider their claims and benefits, these gentlemen have determined to keep their plow works at South Bend.

THREE kegs of our artesian water are shipped each week to General Grant. This water has recently cured several malignant cancers, and should it relieve the General of his malady, it will certainly be a huge advertising card.

THE superintendent of the poor asylum has a very pretty and interesting girl baby, four weeks old, that he desires to get a good borne for. Here's a chance for some childless pair to have an increase in tbe family on easy terms and a saving of doctor's fees.

THE disappointments and griefs of this world seldom have such striking illustration as on laBt Wednesday, when James G. Blaine was attending tbe funeral of a loved sister within a few miles of tbe capital at tbe very hour his successful competitor was inaugurated Prebident.

THE McKeeu Block will be extended this season to tbe corner opposite tbe Terre 1'aut) House. Clift, Williams A Co. have the plans ready. The new buildings will have six store rooms on Main street, and three fronting on Seventh up to the alley south of the government building, arid will be a handsome ""filing up of that portion of tbe city.

ELI AS F. MERRILL asks the Superior Court to request Abraham Eaton to deposit to his bank account |10,000 because aa he alleges Eaton has uttered these false and slanderous words: "That be (Merrll,) bad been stealing coal, and that his case was before tbe grand jury, and that he would probably get a trip over tbe road to tbe penitentiary." Both these gentlemen are well known coal dealers. aBEi'-'j- Li!—

OUR people seldom go to Cincinnati by any other route tban by the Vandalia and tbe C., I., St. L. A C. (Big 4), because of the sure connections at Indl"anapolis, quick time, good roads and and splendid equipments. Every attention is given to the most complete comfort, and this week a new feature has been added. On the night train, leaving here at 1:26 a. m., there have been placed chair cars, at tbe reasonable charge of 25 cents to any local point and fifty cents through to Cincinnati.

These Ckiair cars are new and built expressly lor tbis line.

CAP*. POTTER, who has recently taken upon himself tbe task of reforming The Mail, and of attempting to lead tbe editor thereof in the straight and narrow path be delights to walk, writes another lengthy article tor tbe Qatette tbis week. He is not pleased with The Mail's remarks upon the attitude of the churches in some eastern cities towards skating rinks. The captain is a good citiaen, and an excellent man when allowed to have bis own way, but when he closed his article with "The church is now and baa for the last fifty years furnished all the amusements that sanctified human nature stands in need of," it seems a waste of space to "talk back."

LUTHER G. HAOKR. is again prostrated, and the gravest apprehensions are entertained at his recovery. Dr. Thompson, bia physician is of the opinion that even should death not immediately follow, he will never get out of the bouse again. He went to his office last Wednesday morning iu apparent good health. Here be was found soon after hia arrival by John R. Hager, who on •peaking to bim received no answer. He was sitting in a chair, apparently absorbed in thought. Dr. Thompson was telephoned for, and young Hager stepped out a moment. When be returned hia uncle bad entered bis boggy. When asked If be wished to go home be nodded hie bead, where Dr. Thompson attended bim. His condition tbis morning gives little hope. He readily recognises bis friends, but oan not speak. His entire tight side Is paialyssd, and tbe fear now is that another stroke may cense bis death, Jost as waa tbe CMS •with his father and a brother.

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Monday,

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press of its own That base ball is a dead duck here this season. ft*

Tbe brilliant historic opera of Queen Esther which has been in rehearsal for several weeks under tbe direction of Prof. Seager, and under the auspices of the Oratorio Society, will be produced at tbe Opera House next Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. We are assured by one who has taken an active interest that the solo parts are.ln excellent bands, the choruses well drilled and that it will be put on tbe stage in tbe best possible style. Tbe cast embraces nineteen solo personations, a double chorus of "Jews" and "Persians" and three marching choruses of boys and girls, representing Median, Persian and Jewish masters and misses. The entire company wi'.l be dressed in ancient oriental costumes. The sale of seats is now in progress at Button's.

On Thursday evening we are to have another of Charles H. Hoyt's funny plays. Tbis is his latest production, "A Rag Baby." Speakingof its appearance in New York, the News says:

It is simply an attempt to make people laugh. To do this the author has followed the model of his previous iiay,"A Bunch.of Keys," and makes fun, in a good-natured way, of the drug stores as the former play does« hotels. The play has a plot, but It Is of 11 tie conscquenoe. The main point of it is that it put* a man, wholly ignorant of the pharmacist's science, In a drug stoiv, where he has to keep up the appearance of being au experienced apothecary. The fun results from ni* blunders and misfortunes. In Old Sport the author has made fun of the sporting erase, and that character is the principal one of the play. Old Sport is an elderly man, who, without the slightest qualifications for a spotting life, Isambltitlou* to follow it, and is a grent admirer of Sullivan. Tliougn an exaggeration, it is not an Impossible caricature of a laiye class of sporting monomaniacs. To sum up this extraordinary concoction of fun, satire and song, we may s»y, see the "Rag Baby," and shout as the audience did last nlglit. Bright, rattling, sparkling opera bouffe, Hinging and eomedy, acting, the ladles were like suubeams^and ignt on" b' curtain until It

caught on" big. From the raising of the trapped on tlie la*t set of the delicious foo ing, the audience yelled with

The~ Rag Baby" is the biggest of comical andnusical hit, and would play all summer if occasion permttted.

pleasure, kind

WHKN Rice'8 Evangeline was given here not many years ago one of tbe leading attractions was a oow. Tbis cow bad the friskiest hind legs imaginable. Tbe body would remain stolid while the extreineties were going through all kinds of contortions. Tbe bumble actor who essayed tbe character of hind legs was Harry E. Dixey, now the brightest of burlesque stars, while the front lege were personated by Rich aid E. Golden, now one of tbe leading members of the Carleton Opera Company, these are two examples of how rapidly men rise in the theatrical profession.

LEARN TO BE SBOR1. Long visits, long stories,long exhortations, long prayers and long editorials, seldom profit thoee who have to do with tbem. Life is short time isshort moments are precious. Learn to condense, abridge, and intensify. We can endure many an ache and ill if it is soon over, while even pleasure grow» insipid and pain intolerable if protracted beyond the limit of reason and convenience. Learn to be short. Lop off branches stick to the main feet in your dsss. If yon pray, ask what yon desire and stop. If you speak, tell yoor message and hold your peace. Condense two words into one, and tbras into two. Ltara to be sboct*

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WHAT THE MAIL HEAlfS, SOKE newiy-married women are at a loss to understand why they lose their That when Col. Hunter gets to be oontrul, so to speak, over tbeir baspostmsster he will order out tbe tele- bands

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phone in the postoffice. evening at home and six away, whereas That one of tbe candidates for the it used to be that it was six nigbts at postoffice bas given op his own fight, home and one away. One secret, girls, and is working for one of tbe other can- (for some of yon are but girls, yet, if didatee, on the promise of the deputy- you are married) ie that you no longer •hip

seek

rh.t«Ai» poatmut«r will lot to did In the writer d.y. of love', joaog appointed until .bortlj before Mr.

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JoLterm expire.i» M.y next. fwtl «»•». A womm, Th.tllthe.ppoin.mMit I. not made '"7 m.rrted, J® before ttat tlme wm. of he «ndid.«. P/^ple ^h on .III go insane from an,lei,. la «»y enonah to and Mm

That th. Gazette .will don a ne* dr»» «1"™ ""J «•"«•. 'helri~'

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That a girl in tbis city was paid a"good round sum to "let a rich man's son alone,"

That social circles will soon be stirred by another bigh-toned wedding, that of a leading ycung attorney of Wall street, to a prominent Ohio street lady.

AMUSEMENTS.

Tbe farcical comedy of "Three Wives to One Husband" was played at tbe Opera House last night to a good audience and will be repeated tbis afternoon aud evening. The title is a misnomer, inasmuch as tbe supposed possessor of three wives is a bachelor and not married at all—tbe confusing situations making it necessary to say that he is. It is a rattling comedy and bristles with brigbt wit, and rollicking fun. Tbe company, with E. A. Southern,—a promising son of the distinguished commedian of the same name—in the lead, la one of superior excellence. There are thirteen people, aud the play is so constructed as to call for good talent in each personation. If you wish to enjoy a good, long laugh go and see it to-night.

TEKHE HAUTE, IND., SATURDAY EVENING. MARCH 7, 1885.

it is that be now spends one

to ksep him by your side, as you

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should not be too much elated over the mere possession of a young fellow, who, it is probable, no one else particularly wanted. The merchant, who lays down upon tbe counter, year after year, tbe same old, calicos sees bis customers going to otber places to trade tbe landlord who has nothing but pork and beans for bis boarders is soon without boarders. Tbe wedding finery of every woman will get shabby. No doubt of that. It loses itb attractiveness. That husband of yours is thoroughly familiar with tbe way you do up your hair. He has long since noticed that tbe cnrls be once so much admired are now combed straight back. He has heard those old, old songs until tbey cease to make any impression upon bim. He goes where be hears anew one once in a while, by way of rarity. Women who have tbeir husbands best in band—and tbe poor bubbys don't really know it—do it by making themselves as agreeable, as entertaining, as charming as tbey were before tbeir marriage. They make their husbands woo them always. They can do it. But not by preaching long sermons and running around with uncombed bair and undarned hose not by daily pilgrimages te tbe sewing circle when her own children's garments are literally thrown together. It is a mistake for wives to give up any pursuit in wbic tbey took pleasure in girlhood. If they love painting, or reading, or music, why should tbey discontinue them Tbere is every reason for not doing so. the must make home dearer to biui tban any other place ou earth. And auy woman of tact cau do this.

"THE world owes me a living," is ofted the beard upon tbe tongueB of tbe improvident aud the indolent. We dispute tbe proposition. The world owes you nothing. You are the debtor, so long as you have brains aud ability to work. You owe society for the protection its laws afford you, and for the blessings which flow from social intercourse. You owe the contribution of your ener gies of mind and 'muscle. He that will not work neither should he eat. When by accident or disease you no longer have the power to work—to make your regular contribution to society's welfare— then, like a courageous, valiant soldier who has become disabled in the service of bis country, you are entitled to care, assistance and support not because tbe world owes it to you, but because it is your right. It is one of tbe natural rights of society as much as it is of tbe army, that when disabled in the service of that society, you should be cared for But tbe drones in tbe human hive have not even this claim and though often provided for tbe providence is unmerited.

THIS Dorcas Magazine, a periodical devoted to tbe interests of Women and the Home, has completed its first year's work. Its pages are filled with plain directions for making an infinite variety of useful and decorative articles, and its aim is evidently not only to help women to employ tbeir time in a useful and pleasing manner, but also to be of service to those whom necessity compels to labor. Knitting, netting, crochet-work, all kinds of embroidery, and artistic needle-work are treated in its columns. Innumerable hints and suggestions, with regard to personal and home decoration are given, which may be enlarged indefinitely. Eacn number contains more technical matter tban can be purchased separately for ten times its cost to subscribers, which ie $1 per year. Sample sent to any one on receipt of 10 cents. Address, "Dorcas," 872 Broadway, New York City.

THB spurious honey is now pat np in little square boxes. It looks like honey and it is said that it tskes an excellent judge to tell that it is fraud on the bee. Tbe comb is manufactured with such skill that but few can tell it from tbe genuine article. It is made from paraffins or beeswax, and tbe boney is blown into it by machinery. Another kind is pat ap in glass vessels like ordinary jelly packages, the center cf which contains a piece of honeycomb, and the boney Is made by pouriog about six parts of glucose around one part of boney in tbe comb. Some of it is adulterated witb glocose, some with cane sugar, with tbe syrup of inverted cane sugar and others bj beating ordinary sugar with an add but It all resembles honey and to a certain extent bas Its flavor and odor.

LITTLE SERMONS.

An apology covers a multitude of blows. The grindstone of poverty sharpens wits.

It is hard io carry a gallon of style in a pint measure of income. One of tbe greatest accomplishments in life is to know when to hold one's tongue.

We rarely estimate the blessings we enjoy at their full value, until we have lost them forever.

While looking out for great oppoitunities we are apt to let little ones slip through our grasp.

Many people deliberately stand in shady places and wonder why God does not send them sunshine.

A man of humor can hew more golden chips from a sunbeam than he who swings the dull and prosaic acts of life.

Many people prefer to keep silent about what is great and good in man's character and pick out tbe flaws to talk about.

It startles us sometimes to remember tLat of all we love and possess in this life, we can take nothing with us when we leave it.

WOMEN'S WAYS.

An English medical paper says that "the care of babies has become quite a fashionable amusement among mothers.

Mrs. Cynthia Griffin, on Wayeross, Ga., is the mother of twenty-*ix children, all of whom she reared to manhood and womanhood.

Ciaia Belle, in the Cincinnati Enquirer, thus gives a bint on a delicate subject to the young of her sex: "The debutantes this Winter wear low corsages almost without exception. When you cotre to consider that sweet sixteen is apt to be composed chiefly of 6kin drawn tightly over the bones, you will agree with me that these disclosures are indecent in more ways than one. Tbere are secrets which can profitably be kept by a woman and one of tbem is the fact that she has atrophy of tbe breast."

THE PROQRESSfVE TALKER AT PROGpEfofrE EyJCHRE, In playing progressive euchre, of course you do hot always have the satisfaction of meeting with interesting and scientific partners. But of all of tbem, allow me to mention tbe fidgety, fussy little woman who plays euchre after tbis style: "Oh, I can't get toy cards together than ks! Oh, dear, there's our— I've dropped one for I've only four see if it is over there by your chair? thanks —now, what shall I do Is it may play? Mercy, what's trumps! Diamonds! wby I haven't I haven't a red card in mv band. Ob, do I have to follow suit There I played the wrong one—but nevermind. Isthatours? No? Well, if I can't follow suit can't I trump? How stupid! did I throw away the wrong card7 Didnt I follow suit? Oh, I'm so sorry never mind. I do wish you bad let me know you bad the right bower. It's all your fault. Mercy! there's the bell aod we haven't a point." And the next man undergoes tbe same experience and gets the blame of being badly beaten.

NEW MINSTREL ARRANGE-

MENTS.

[Chicago Mall.]"

I heard a little bit of minstrel gossip that will be news to many. Milt Barlow and George Wilson will separate, and the former will go on with Billy Rice next season, heading a troupe that will be known as Rice A Barlow's Minstrels. This organisation will be backed by Tbatcber, Primrose & West, and will play tbe small "town, while tbe "backers" will entertain tbe lovers of minstrelsy in the large cities. George T. Clapbrtm will direct both troupes. George Wilson and Harry Clapham, who is George Clapbara's brother and rival in business, will organize a third troupe, which will be billed as Wilson A Clapbam'a Minstrels, which tbey will be obliged to fight hard for patronage against the otber trio. Barlow and Wilson have not been getting along very well together, and Harry Clapbam has aided with Wilson berce tbe split. It was tbe latter's eccentricities wbicb caused the break up of tbe original Barlow, Wilson, Primrose A West troupe.

BALL-ROOM GABBLE. From Clara Be l's Letter. The ball belle is mighty talky this winter. The fashion is to gabble, gabble, gsbble with one's partner as though conversation wss tbe first object of the occasion snd dancing a poor second. I asked physician if there reall structural difference between of woman and of man. "Certainly," he replied. "Tbe organ is attached to tbe floor of tbe mouth at one extremity, and it is a fact that in tbe females the controlling muscles are much more pliable tban in males. Those muscles which control tbe sets of taste, prehension snd deglutition were not appreciably diverse in tbe sexes, but those related to articulation are enormously developed In woman as compared with

illy wsssny tbe tongue

told him that be was real mean old thing, and that I didnt believe a word of it bat, privately, I shouldn't woodsr if it was tbs Gospd ttutfc.

WHENCE AND WHITHER.

INGERSOLL"S ADDRESS AT THE GRAVE OP THE LITTLE CHILD OP A PRIEND.

[Republished by Request]

"My Friends: I know bow vain it is to gild a grief with words, and yet I wish to take from every grave its fear. Here in this world, where life snd death are equal kingS| all should be brave enough to meet what all the dead have met. The future has been filled with fear, stained and polluted by tbe heartless past. From tbe wondrous tree of life the buds and blossoms fall with ripened fruit, and in the common bed of earth the patriarchs and babes sleep side by side. Wby should we fear that which will oome to all that is We cannot tell, we do not know, which is the greater blessing—life or death. We cannot say that death is not a good. We do not know whether tbe grave is tbe end Of tbis life or tbe door of another, or whether the night here is not somewhere else a dawn. Neither can we tell wbicb is tbe more fortunate—tbe child dying in it's mothers arms before its iips have learned to form a word, or he who journeys all tbe length of life's uneven road, painfully taking tbe last alow steps with staff and crutch. "Every cradle a-ks us Whence?' and every coffin,'Whither?' The poor barbarian, weeping above bis dead, can answer these questions as intelligently and satisfactorily as tbe robed priest of the most authentic creed. Tbe tearful ignorarce of tbe one is just as cousoling as the learned, unmeaning words of the other. No man, standing where tbe horizon oT a life has touched a grave, bas any right to prophesy a future filled with pain and tears. It may be that death gives all tbere is of worth to life. If tboie we press and strain against our hearts coula never die, perhaps that love would wither from tbe earth.

Maybe this common fate treads from out tbe paths between our hearts tbe weeds of selfishness and hate, and I bad rather live and love where death is king than have eternal life where love is not. Another lite is naught unless we know and love again tbe ones who love us here. "Those who stand with breaking beartp around tbis little grave need have no fear. Tbe larger and the nobler faith in all that is and is to be tells us that death, even at its worst, is only perfect rest. We know that through the common wants of life—tb6 needs aud duties of each hour—tbeir grief will lessen day by day, until at last this grave will be to tbem a place of rest and peace—almost of joy. Tbere is for them this consolation Tbe dead do not suffer. If tbey live again, their lives will surely be as good as ours. "We have no fear. We are all chll dren of the same mother, and the same fate awaits us all. We, too, have our religion, and it is this: Help for the living—Hope for the dead."

WOMEN WHO DO NOT WOMEN. [New Orleans Timed-Democrat

An occasional personage in society is tbe young woman who does not in the least care for tbe companionship of otber women. To her an afternoon tea or '•ben lunch" is like soup without salt. It does not at all matter that the woman may be brigbt and clever, leaders of fashion or notable in a worldly way after all they wer° but women, and all the bright talk, all the ready smiles, all tbe grace ana charm of manner that are current coin at such gatherings, are but awful wastes of raw material. If sbe is a person lacking in refinement sbe does not nearly disguise her impatience, her absolute weariness, her conviction that hours spent with them are lost. And even if she is tactful it is often appareut that her mode and mauner intend gracious pa'ronage, aud tbe gentle endurance of a boredom sbe cannot escape. When the men come in it is like tbe lighting of a theater by electricity. All tbe dimly guessed at feminine attractions flash into view. There are smiles, laughter comes rapidly, reparteis quick, archness most arch. To tbis young woman tbe man is as a glass of champagne. He is literally and figuratively tbe sun of her existence.

ft THE STYLE IN TEA. [Washington Society Letter.] Tbere are some conservatives who still take sugar and even cream in tbeir tea, but these heresies are fast giving way to tbe newer styles. Tbe real connoisseur takes bis tea without any modifications, and fa»hions, although it allows a lump of sugar, rather ordains a slice of lemon or a spoonful of preserves, scnording to Russian style. About half the people who sip tea these afternoons do it because it is the fashion, and not because tbey care for tbe drink itself. Last season the cheese straws were prominent on every tea table, and the indigestible little strips of pie crust filled with grated cheese and sprinkled wi'h grated pepper were sapposed to be just tbe tbiug to spur up a jaded appetite. Tbis year tbe salted almond is tbe favorite dish of tbe sfternoon nibblers, and confectioners sre doing a great business in roasting almonds and then turning them over in a pan with a little butter and a great deal of salt. A man wbo knows tells me tbere is nothing like tbe almond anyhow to clear the brain and steady tbe tongue when tbere have been too many wines atadioner, and tbe salted almond is even more of isstorative tban tbe fresh nut. The almonds are naturally prominent on every dinner table ana now have found their way to tbe tea-tray to clear £he clouded brain of tea drinkers. 't

SETTLING A DEBT.

Smith (reaching in bis pocket)—"Let me see, Jones, I owe you ten cents, I believe."

Jones (with eagerness)—"Yes, ten oenta." Smith—"Well, have you got fifteen cents cbangeT*

Joqe (producing tbe change}—"Yes here you are." South (putting it in bis pocket)— "Thanks, old boy, that'll make it just a quarter."

Fifteenth Yeari

JOHN FIN LEY, THE AUTHOR OF "THB HOOSEKtJ NEST."-SOME THING ABOUT J. W. RILEY.

[Mrs. D.M.Jordan in Letter to the Cincin nati Cummeroial-Gazette.] My first poetic inspiration may bo darted from the lime when John Finley^r.' was pointed out to me, and 1 was led to read bis poem, "The Hooeier's Nest.".}.\, Its fame bas gu since that time and bis poem will live in

be read. It was writen as an amusement bs-.^ tween working hura. He was a tan-'*'* ner in the village of Richmond for many years, aud afterwards Mayor off», tbe city when it leached that dignity.

He collected bis poems and had them published under the title of "The Hoosier's Nest," asbort time before bis death, Iu his brief preface be says: "Had 1^cultivated the poetic vein of wbicb I feel myself capable, I might have offered something more worthy of public consideration. Tbe events of the late war^ have given many a theme to tbe pt»etic pen, of wbicb 1 might have availed myself, had not my own particular loss!? been too great."

He lost a most promising and gallant soldier son early in tbe war, and the grief was almost a death blow to him. 1 give a sample of bis style in a portion of his leadiug poem: "I'm told, in riding some where West, A stranger found »t Hoo.»ier's nest, In other words, a buckeye cabin, Jus big enough to let Queeu Mab in^.^V '.:.'^•

Its situation low, but airy, ». Was ou the boideis of the prairie And fearing ho might be benighted, He hailed tue house aud then alighted. The Hoosier met him at the door, Then caluuttious ^josi were o'er. -4, He took the strainer's norse aside •.,, And to a sturdy sapling tied. Tlieu having stripped the saddle off He led him Irani the sugar-trough, 6? The stranger stooped to enter in, The entrance closing with a pin, Aud manifested a desire To seat him by ihe log-heap fire, Where half a dozen Hoosieroous Willi mush and milk, tincups and spoons White heads, bare feet and oirty faoes, Seemed much inclined to keep their places. But MHdam, alixious to display .4?v *-,», H-r rough, but undisputed sway, Her oft" prings to the ladder leu,

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Its fame bas gone abroad over the land since that time and bis poem will liveini^ SyV/i Western literature as long as books shall

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And cutled the youngsters up to bed.. fx Invited shortly to partake Of venison, nilikan johnnycake, ,v The stranger made a lie rty meal. And glauora round the r«.om would BteaPr f, One side was lined with divers garmenis,. The other spread with sklus ot varmints,. Dried pumpkins overhead were strung, ssi-.rf Wli»re venison hams in plenty hung, Two rifles pluced above the door, Three dogs lay stretched upon the floor, ft*' The host, who centered his a flections On game, and range aud quarter sections,. Discoursed his weary guest tor hours, Till !"oinnu8' all-composing powers Of sublunary cares bereft 'em. And then— No matter how the stow ended,

The apulloMtioM 1 Intel Is fronrthe"f»tmous Scottish poet Who seemed to fr^i as well as know it, That burly dhlels and clever hlzzles aifc Are bred in sic away as this is."

The homely yet perfect description i» given with the ease of a born poet. It was one of tbe earliest of Richmond's literary productions, and bas become famous all over Indiana. The name of John Mnley will be revered as one of the brightest on Indiaua's shining scroll. it is only a few years since tbe name' of James W. Riley ba» bten known, but it bas been growing steadily brighter since its lire claimed recognition among the literary lights. His home is at Greenfield, near Indianapolis, an^ his life was in tbe quiet rustic ways for years. His occupation for some time was that of painting fence advertisements aud otber ordinary work. It may have been that be saw in tbe simpleroadside blossoms tbe inspiration which bas made bim famous. Heiaof agenial, impulsive nature, tbe best fellow in tbe world to have a jolly bour with but be is given to melancholly moods, when be is capable of tbe keenest anguish. He is something after the style of Edgar A. Poe—a little cynical sometimes, but always original. 1 read a letter to-day which be wrote after he had read some little thing which pleased bis fancy. It shows his offhand styK It says: "Your tearful notice of my poem on the death of General Terrell 'broke me all up.' I so loved tbe man, and be wa« so good to me, and I was weak and ill and all alone when I read it and had a sore eye, and so I just rolled over and rained with the weather."

Speaking of a former occasion, when he had, with others, been my guest, "That happy time must be had over again—when Great God what a world of 'spaces' and'm quads "We say,and we say, and we say,

And we promise, engage and deelare, Till a year from to morrow is yesterday, And yesterday is—where?" I may be pardoned for giving another letter, which is so beautiful that its very complimentary spirit msy be overlooked in the graceful style and flow of words: "Dear (tinging friend, your genial rhyme,.

Is warm tome as summer time, And sweet and glad with music, too, As when thf skies are softest blue, Ann all the birds thatsing in tune, And a 1 tbe flowers that bloom in June Blend on one song and one perfume, As sweet as even Heaven might spare, Were I this moment entering there." The dialect poems of Mr. Riley sre tbo most touching snd tenderly pathetic of fancies, and no one can read them without tears. He is an artist, snd creates perfect pictures, wbicb stsnd out before tbe mental gaze, as yon read tbe poems, as plainly as any panorama.

There is one called "Out to old Annfe Mary's," which runs in tbis fssbion: "And I see her now at tbe open door,

Iff!

Where the little gooras grow up the sideand o'er The clapboard roof—and her face—ah met Wasnt it good for a boy to see? And wasn't it good for a boy to be Oat to old Aunt Mary It has grown to be the Isrgest part off my religion to let tbe living know bow mnch tbey are appreciated and loved. Tombstones sre well enough^ as fsr a* tbey go, but they are terribly cold. Why Dot tell them while we may? Liter might be so much happier for many child of genius, if hslf tbe good tbinga were ssid in their ears tbst are written of tbem when their dull ears are stopped to all praise or blame. And so we say that Riley is a genius of wbom we ara. proud and glad to know and number among tbe dear friends wbo will endure to the end.

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