The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-07-26
MATTER ABOUT TOWN.

TwENTY-oNE YEARS OLD-A mans twen-
ty-first birthday comes but once in his life. In
olden times the fiedgling would patiently await
the arrival of that day, ere it would try the
strength of its pinions. Even now, moiety
of the sober, staid few abide its coming, but as
feathers at eighteen, using up the quilts at
twenty. Here, however, is the exception.
Last evening it was our good fortune to be one
of a chosen few to celebrate the freedom day
of gentleman, well known to the commercial
world, and who, surrounded by chosen band
of sthirty year oders" seemed but the boy of
sixteen among them. Around him were gath
cred the sage and the wise, men from the cold,
cold world, and men also, who had never been
out of Portland. The youth, now man, in
the sincerity of his heart, shed tears of anguish
as he reflected upon the past twenty-one years
of his life, and wondered how he had worried
through them. Life taken in the retrospect
shows but sad picture of short comings; and
thus it was the lad in reviewing, found cause
for his tears.
Suddenly, in the midst of glowing recital
of his past life, the "Press" stepped in, and
while the dew-drops of emotion stood upon
the brows of his auditors, the youth exclaim-
ed hand that man a chair" The chair being
taken, we were at liberty to observe the effect
of his speech upon his hearers. One gentle
man with his head in recumbent position en-
deayored to supply music for the occasion,
though strangely out of place as regarded
time, but Of singular service in keeping the
rest awake Others, with listless looks regard
ed the speaker with that l-get-through-
by-and-bye" sort of expression, such as dea-
cons are wont to wear near the close of a long
evening service. Still the speaker continued,
until, wound up to the highest tension of ora
tory, had but just entered upon these lines of
well known poet -
Seas roll to wait me, suns to light me rise
My footstool earth-my canopy the
DEUCE" exclaimed he, upon viewing the apa-
thetic crowd. "Boys, let's have supper
Instantly, as II by magic, new life infused it.
self amongst the sage and the WISE" and
soon amidst the Gathering of knives and forks,
there came "feast of reason and flow of soul"
1t was one of those occasions in life, which,
like the refreshing oasis of the desert, cheers
the weary traveller, giving to future years joy
at its simple remembrance.
BRUTAL.-our blood boiled, yesterday, with
indignation, as we passed along the street, to
see burly driver of large omnibus, creep
silly over the top Of his carriage, to infict Sc
we're blows with his long whip over the naked
heads and ears of two or three little wee boys
NOT over six years old-who were hanging
on to the rear steps of the carriage. The lit
tie fellows were trying to steal ride, it is true
but kind word would have driven them off
as effectually as blows. Instead of this. the
heavy whip came down upon their tender flesh.
and they started off, singing with needless
pain. A merciful man is merciful to his beast
much more so to little defenceless child.
PERsoNAL.-Y Yesterday afternoon, Hon.
JAMES MANN, recently appointed Paymaster
in the army, with the rank of Major, took the
three o'clock train for Washington, to report
for duty. Before leaving it was our privilege
TO set down with him and about dozen friends,
at the Preble House, to social dinner, and to
spend in social friendship a half hour with Mr.
Mann before his departure. The occasion was
pleasant one, and called forth sentiments and
remarks indicative of the high estimation in
which the new Paymaster is held by his home
friends. Mr.. Mann's post office address for
the present will be at Washington. We wish
him all sorts of prosperity, and feel to con-
graduate the army that they have at least one
Mdaiy Paynaster.
MASTERING IN.-About one hundred and
sixty men were mustered into the u. S. service
at Camp King, during yesterday, under the su-
pervision of DIR. Tewksbury. The doctor pro-
nounces them to be as fine body of young
men, as it is well possible to get together, both
as regards their physical and moral Abilities
1t is emphatically young mems regiment,
and will, without doubt, win for itself an envi-
able renown. A dozen or more recruits have
been rejected, some for physical disabilities,
and others on account of bad character By
Wednesday next, it is estimated that upwards
OF three hundred sound and able-boded men
will have been received into the service
People of Portland! You have not yet fur
nished one-half of the quota required of YOU
0, boosted patriotism. o, Wanted devotion.
As 1T SHOULD BE.-The enterprising cashier
of the International Bank of this city, with
due regard to the accommodation of his Gus
toners, as well as an eye to future prosperity,
exchanged few days since some five hun
dred dollars in gold for the same amount of
silver change, involving a sacrifice of at least
seventy-fve dollars to enable him to pay out
something more convenient than postage
stamps in his daily business. Let others go
and do likewise or not complain, if a discrimi-
mating public bestow their patronage where it
is best appreciated.
sB- ROBINSON of the Dirigo House, Milk
street, having slaughtered turtle. weighing
three hundred and seventy-fve pounds, did, in
the bounty and goodness of his heart invite
the press to participate in the demolition there
Of Finding so desirable case to dissect, we
of course happened in, and in justice to friend
Robinson would say that a more palatable
dish never graced the board of an alderman.
cV- The excursion of the Spirtualists. to
the Islands, comes off to-day, should the
weather be pleasant All who desire good
time at slight expense, should bear it in mind.
For time and other particulars, see advertise
ment.
sB- d. ID. Alderman, ESQ.,, chief clerk in
the post-office in this city, has our thanks for