Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1860-10-31
The Son of John Jacob Astor

A writer from New York to Boston
paper says:
zone who frequents Broadway or
any Of our fashionable promenades will
, notice the daily walk of II gentleman who
saunters Ieisureiy along, followed quite
closely 10y man apparently bent under
10 years, and stopping so constantly rs to
seem almost crouchng as he walks. lie fol
lows his leader like shadow, and goes
into all possible places with his attendant.
The feeble and decrepid man is John Ja-
cob Astor, son of the millionaire John Ja-
cob Astor. He was a bright and promi-
sing boy, and until seventeen years of age,
gave promise of much genius. Reports
vary rs to the cause OF his mental decline
but the best accounts attribute it to the
mental forcing system, and to the intense
study that occupied his former years.
But true it is that he has been for years
hopeless iDlbecile. Ample provision has
always been made for all the comfort he
is able TO enjoy, An elegant mansion on
Fourteenth street is his abode. 1t is fit,
ted up with elegghce and taste. a yard,
comprising an entire square, secures all
the privacy that is needed. Room for
walking, riding on horse back, and for re
creation, is afforded. Horses, carriages,
and servants, wait on his call. The gene
tleman who has the care of Mr. Astor has
long devoted himself solely to him. He
has such command over him that he can
guide and control HIM Mt will, which no
one else can do. Ample compensation is
given to the attendant. He has the
house and all the servants, the equipage,
ard everything at his command. Beside
n liberal provision made for him in :he ell
der Mr. Astor's will, he receives above the
house and living the sum of $4,000 per an
nun. But he is not alone an hour. Slee-
ping waking, walking, at home or abroad,
or riding, Mr.. Astor is with him, makes
one at his table, is one of the invited
guests at all places, and IN all his move
ments follows him. The family of Mr..
Astor are kind and tender to their rea,
tion, visiting him daily, seeing that all his
wants are attended to, and in the most
scrupulous manner carrying out all the
wishes OF the father in regard TO one whom
he called in his will "his unfortunate
SON."
THE EXCITEMENT or INToxICATIoN. The
love of narcotics and intoxicating COM
pounds is so universal, that we may almost
count as an instinct. Every nation has
greuter or less degree some il the shape
of opium, some of smoke, some in drink,
some in snuff: but from the equator to
the srow line it exists-a trilling change
in dress, according 70 the climate Dut al
ways the same need, always the same de,
sire. Kings have decreed punishment on
their own side; priests have anathema-
tised OH the spiritual; law makers have
sought to pluck out the habit, root aud
branch from the people; but all to no
good man still goes on smoking chew
ing, and snufiing, putting an enemy into
his mouth to steal away his brains, and
finding immense satisfaction in practice
that MAKES him both an invalid and
madman, and never quits him till it has
fairly laid him in the grave Chambers
JomRal,
RaS-At a recent trial Of a liquor case
which occurred not thousand miles from
Worcester county the witness on the stand
was under examination as to what he had
seen at the defendants domicil, which he
said he had visited a 'namber of times. -
Did you ever see any spirits there or any
thing you regarded as spirits p asked the
justice. WHY yes, don't know but
have was the reply of the witness DO
you know what kind of spirits p Yes
How do you knowY l kinder smell. it,
Well now said the judge, strengthening
for convincing answer, which
he supposed would be given--'Sill you
please tell me what kind of spirits il was?'
'Sprits Of turpentne p The explosion of
mirth that followed this answer fairly
shook the court-room and as soon as it
subsidized the witness was discharged the
opinion being that his testimony was
not to the point.
reA-0n Monday night last a negro, in
Lynchburg, in attempting to escape with
some stolen bacon the owner being in
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