Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-03-23
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tains in round numbers about 500 blind, 400
af mutes, 5000 insane, 200 idiots and 10,
900 paupers. who, with few exceptions. arc
supported by the public, OF by their friends.
The burden Of society is further increased by
the hideous army Of drunkards, abandoned
women and their purveyers by the class Of
gamblers, thieves and kindred destroyers I;
" while others" again, adisuIl and deal out
poison TO keep the whoh crew excited and
active These helpless, dopendent idle con-
sumers and destructivea nnmber at least As, .
900 while upwards Of 5000 workers must
be employed to care for them or to repress
them. This 10 the burden Of Massachusetts.
A BABY Losr.-An amusing scene occur
red on the cars between Schenectady and
Utica last Friday. gentleman and his
vile took passage in the ri-s at Schenectady
for the West and came sway without their
infant child, which had been left at the depot
in Schenectady. each supposing the other
had " took the baby" There we're not long
in discovering that they had "lef, something"
and getting off at 81. Johnsville, telegraphed
back for the missing responsibility, which
was brought to them by blushing conductor
on the next train.
PETROLEUM AS FUg1.-Experimen has de-
termined that petroleum may be advantage
ously used for the generation Of steam, but
the precise economic value OF it as compared
with coal has not yet been settled, but, so far
as determined, the superiority rests with pc
troleum. Among the benefits to be secured
by the use Of petroleum as a fuel for engines
will be the rapidity with which steam may
be raised, the reduced dimensions Of boiler
aud furnace, the ability to keep up contnu-
Gus and regular heat by introducing the oil
through pipes into the furnace, the freedom
from smoke, cinders aud ashes, the diminish
ed space needed for the storage Of the fuel,
aud the ability by It's use to dispense with the
greater part Of the men now employed as coal
beavers and stokets. No one af these advan-
tsges is Of slight Importance, and the combi-
nation Of them all renders it certain that if
the present production of petroleum continues
it will not be long before 1t will be extensive
ly used as fuel, particularly upon railroads and
steamboats.- Boston Journal.
AN INTERESTING QUESTION SRrrLzD.-
There is feature in yolng ladies' dress that
has puzzled many; WHAT is the significance Of
wearing long ends Of ribbon round the neck
We are assured that the following is correct
When they wear the ends hanging in 'front.' it
means that the lady is married." over the
right shoulder, that she is engaged over the
lef, shoulder, that she has fellow coming to
see her, but is not engaged : down the back
means Boys, come on, want beau !" II
she does not wear any, it means she is en-
gagged and don't wish to have anything to
do with any other fellow.
AN OLD CLOCK "A descendant Of one Of
the cid families in Leicester is in possession
Of clock which has been in the family ever
since the first settlement Of the town in l717.
Il being still ia its prime ee.s tims-keepcF,
and elegant piece Of furniture, it is not
strange that it should be in demand by other
members Of the family. a few days since
wealthy relative If red the owner one hundred
dollars for it, which was It's original cost IN
London. H. was told tina. IL he would add
six per cent. compound interest since iIs pur-
chase be might have it. On computing the
sum it was found to be over eight hundred
thousand dollars - Worcester Spy.
Near Reese river, in California, there is an
isolated mountain, abou, 500 feet high, whose
entire surface on al, sides from summit to
base, is covered with agstos. Upon digging
into the soil they are found like potatoes in
hill. They are oval in shape ami from one TO
four inches in diameter
The Commissioner of Customs at Washing
ton has received information that some Of
the confidential agents OF the Government
had made a capture of several prominent Ca
madam smugglers, who, as soon as arrested,
implicated some twenty conIederates.
A new material for soiing shoes has made
its appearance. 1t is substance Of which
India rubber is the basis, but it is heavier,
and whilst as solid as iron, is flexible and
elastic II is said that one pair of shoes
soled with this article will outwesr four pairs
soed with the best English leather.
That the people of small frontier city
like st. Paul. where but few years since
the wild war-hoop of the savage was the
most common style Of musical effort, should
begin the obstruction Of an opera house is
one Of the many Illustrations Of the marvellous
progress OF our people.
Raw mutton or beef. given in conjunction
with diluted alehohol, in small doses is now
used in the treatment OF consumption in
France.
What singular creatures girls are. Offer
one of them good wages TO work for you, and
then ten chances to one il the old woman can
spare bAb VI hNt kltles hNk lhhk pIpppoc
matTimony, and see if they don't jump at the
chance of king life time for their vic,u-
ais and clothes.
! A vordant couple, markedly the Mayor Of
Terre Haute, Ind, after spending about four
months of honey moon, or rather vinegar
moon, came back aud very innocently asked
to have the knot united.
An old colored preacher at Port Gibson
Mississippi, recently baptized thirty colored
converts and charged them dollar piece.
On the following Sunday he only succeeded
in inducing two to present themselves who
were willing to pay. Becoming indignant at
the parismony Of his congregation he refused
to baptize the two candidates FOR glory, say
ing he want gwine to slosh hissef up for
no two dollars.
Can you do all sorts Of casting here ,"
said solemn looking chap at the Iron Works
the other day. YES" said Frank, prepAi-
ing to take his order "all sorts" "Well.
them" returned the solemn inquirer, 81
would like to have you cast shadow" He
was cast out.
A gentleman residing in the vicinity Of
Memphis, Tennessee, has, il is believed, the
largest dog in the United States. IL is an
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