Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-02
BALTIMORE CORRESPONDENCE

Interesting Inc7deVt and Morai-H0rd
Iinsss-Tightmess of Money-Faitur, Of
an oh Homse-Comgressms
guished Ayrivat-Correction-
BALTIMORE, Dec. Up. m.
Incidents sometimes occur, which, though
simple in themselves, when observed with
scrutiny may be turned to practical utility.
The aim of mans ambition should be, and
am charitable enough to hope generally is,
the accomplishment of good. It is my pur
pose in writing, and yours as judicious journ
alists in publishing, to give your readers that
which will not only interest but touch some
cord in tho complicated machinery of human
life that may awaken thought and furnish
nutriment to the fountain of contemplation
Toward this end l am induced to speak Of a
simple but very suggestive incident which fell
under my observation yesterday while passing
along one of our wharTes quantity of cot
On the pavement, preparatory, perhaps, to
being shipped for tho use Of some country
merchant. Whom at squares distance, 1
saw eongregated arounn this pile Of merchan-
die quite group of idle spectators iotently
looking, as supposed, upon some ephemeral
object of curiosity or excitement. Aotuated
by similar impulses, nslred the s:sne and
found in the midst Of laughing circlo two
young, rosy-faced girls, neither or whom had
scarcely reached sixteen summers, fighting
most ferociously. They stood up like young
gladiators in a miniature aroma, and belabored
zach other numerically. Anger and all the
baser passions rose to an excited temperature,
which found vent in words and blows Boast.
ing bulies of tho ring and G. belt could
,carce have evinced better METAL or bloodier
ferocity. Blows we're dealt and returned, IN
til the contestants clinched, when they we're
separated by some of the more humane
bystanders who had gwen them audience.
When the battle ended they presented truly
horrible picture. My incident has a moral,
and bore it is:
On inquiry l learned that these two girls
were familiary known along the wharves.
They had been scaooled almost from infancy
in the occupation Of picking up offal. Each
went forth with their baske,, tin kettle, sack,
spoon and scraper to earn livelihood. not
alone for themselves, but perhaps for elder
parents who sent them thus abroad. scavenger
like, to prowl the streets, pick up coffee grains,
>crape sugar hogsheads and molasses barrels,
and bring home at nj ght such merchandise as,
n this peculiar occupation might fall In their
way. Custom, it is said becomes almost Sc
cond nature, and habit grows until it aailiaes
with crime. These poor creatures, had been
so To- & habituated to taking what was not their
own, and yet seldom claimed by others, tina.
they have lost the ability to discriminate be-
tween offal claimed as free TO them and proper
ty belongi ng to private individuals. In the case
hero alluded to, which gave rise to the quarrel
noted above, it appears that the quantity ac
cidentally spilled on the pavement was meagre,
and to facilitate oper atoms, one of them had
perforated hole in the bag which lot out
continuous flow This she rapidly slowed
away 10 her basket The other, holding her
self to be partner in the business, and
equally entitled to q portion of tho spoils,
claimed a right to have share of them.
This was obstin atoly refused, and hence the
Eight which ended not only in scratched faces,
bloody noses &c but in torn dresses and an
exposure of tho larceny. Such Is the school
in which too many females graduate for pro.
fessions Of infamy. There docs not really ap-
poar at fret view 10 be any serious wrong in
picking up and apprOpriating to useful pur-
poses that which is seemiEgl public property,
bu, when the vagrant habit becomes q regular
business, scarcely ore in ten fail to become
worthless and dishonest. Those who chose may
argue from this the pressing necessity of such
children being taken charge of by the public
authorities, and placed in q position where
temptation cannot reach them.
Our City Council has been in rather a guam
Diary. They have passed an ordinance au lhor
ziDg the appointment. of an additional d.
rector, upon the part Of Baltimore, to aid In
representing her interests in the Baltimore
and Chic Railroad A more clo.e examina-
ton into tho enactments in reference to said
company. has raised question whether Or
not the Council has authO ity to appoint such
director Tho member who offered tho reso-
luton had only looked at an old law, which,
it seems, is annulled by q supsequent act,
passed 1886 Upon making him acquainted
with this fact, he said he had never soon or
referred to it. His plea of ignorance, how
ever, was good ono" He is a Know Moth
ing" There arc serious doubts wheIhcr the
Council can legally create such an office or
appoint su n director. The matter will re-
quire considerable Know Nothing investiga
uon.
Hard times are still loudly complained of
Ono amongst our Oldest, largest: and most re.
spectacle grocery houses suspended TO- day.
allude to the house of James Sellman & Son.
They have an abundance of assets, but imme-
diate payments could not be met without great
sacrifice, and il was deemed most judicious to
suspend No man stands higher In our com.
munity for all the qualities Of honor and in
tegrity than Col. Seliman. It is sincerely
hoped he may be able soon to resume business
again.
Several congressman arc now in our city
sn route for Was liDgton. I notice quite an
iuStS3S0 Vi tIdvoA, ou0 s1ao AoioAo oA0 "oli
filed.
observe amongst tho recent distinguished
rivals at Barnum's. Major Van Horn (of the
Army and lady. He was recently married
to beautiful young lady of the West, and is
now on q happy bridal tour.
In my letter few days ago, referring to
Rev. Mr.. Myars, who preached tho Know
Nothing sermon on Thanksgiving day, speak
ing also disrespectfuly of President Pierce
and the present Administration, I uninten.
tionally clssssd him amongst the Methodist
Protestant Clergymen. Ibis was an error
He belongs to tho Methodist Episcopal church.
1t 10 fair to make the correction, as the de-
nomination alluded to, would, doubtless, no,
desire tho odium of having such clergyman
in it's midst
Business generally is quiet-Imay say dull.
The scarcity of money paralises all branches
Of trade. Breadstuffs-foure especially, Is dull
Grain scarce AID firm. BEN B0LT.
ANOTHER SECRET ORDER-Tbe San Angus
tine Red Lander learns that now secret ordel
has been instituted at Lockhart, Texas
called the "Temple of Wisdom" and that thu
mysteries and ceremonies are conducted by {
a vounO ladv W. do MT oaa ho0 anv Ord a