Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-04-29

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aries will be charged at advertisement rates for
notices over four lines.
A Curious CAsE-Ihe telegraph recently
cave us the results of a curious will case IN New
York. wherein u widow sued Tor and recovered
thirty thonIa dollars from the estate Ot her
husband, with whom she had not lived for
thirty wears. The details OF the case are more
interesting still. The plaintiff, Winnlired
Ward, was married to John Ward, in Ireland,
in 1884. Immediately alter their marriage
Ward came to this country and engaged IN
business a. a cotton sampler, from which he
realized large fortune. In 1864 he died, hls
wife having previously followed him to this
country After her arrival Ward refused to
recognize her as his wife, and never lived with
her as such. Ga her part she refused to apply
ior support and received none from him. When
Ward died, to prevent identification his body
was packed in dry goods box and sent TO
Philadelphia. OF the witnesses to the mar
rage all were dead except one, and that one
could only swear that the plaintiff had married
John Ward, but what John Ward he could
not tell Tho plaintiff could not swear TO the
death ot her husband, rs she had not seen the
hody alter his deccasc which was purpoScly
kent out of her way. John Durney was the
surviving witness to the marriage, which took
place in Ross. Common, Ireland, but he had no
knowledge whether or not Ward was dead.
There was no person living in this country
that knew that plaintiff was Wards wife. The
evidence in the case consisted of letters written
by Ward to plaintiff from 1888 to 1897. His
handwriting was proved by Mr.. Price, q Cot.
ton broker; q Mr.. Carrick, John Brett and
John Farrell. The letters to plaintiff, which
were put in evidence, were shown to be In the
handwriting of Ward. There were no stamps
on the lcttors, but it was proved by a witness
who had been employed 10 the dead letter
Office la Ireland previous to 1910 that no stamps
were required at that time for letters sent
from New York to ireland. 1t was also proven
that the letters in question had been in the
dead letter Office in Ireland The suit involves
the title OF property in Brooklyh valued Mt
SlOO.OO0. The Jury found verdict for the
plaintiff
How TINES CuANGs.--Therc was happy
time once, when to be the possessor OF Tor
tune of 500, 600 was considered the acme OF
human felicity and the height of human ambl
ton. There was time when the welding OF
bank capital of twenty millions, by one cor
poration. was considered an ominous danger to
the Repubhc-a monster which at any moment
might gobble up our liberties and hand us
over, bodily and 10 chains, to perhdlous Albion.
And there was time when the sober and hon
orabe mechanic did not deem it beneath his
dignity or manhood TO give full, honest day 8
work for we'll earned, though moderate wages,
and when the merchant the lawyer, the doctor
and the priest podded on ecntentedly 10 their
respective callings, and found case, health and
happiuess 10 moderate independence. But how
is il now? A man of 500, 900 is just consld
cred one degree above actual pauperism. A
financial monster Ot twenty millions such men
u j. Fisk, Jr, and Judge Barnard would
hardly deem worthy OF an injunction even, and
Wall street generally would boot II to scorn.-
The stalwart mechanic could not possibly sur
yive bodily exertion over eight hours day,
and for that be must have wages equivalent Tor
what, in former years, sufhced him for nearly a
weeks labor. The merchants store, office,
aud household expenses amount, now days,
to yearly fortune. No regular business can
tor any length OF time justify such an outlay
Hence lie must speculate beyond his means
aud credit to make both ends meet, to say no
more The professional man Is in the same
plight, and like causes produce like effect. -
Our iavorite divines are even worse OIL f0I
their nerves seem to grow weak and intrm un-
Der the stimulus of high and costly living,
making frequent trips to Europe absolutely
necessary tor their preservation; the charges
whereof, however, are cheerfulIy and readily
borne BY their devoted parishioners. This, o
Course is mere bird $ eye view OF few o
the ingredients in the cauldron, which, bolhni
under fast fire, supplies the easometer Of th'
nation. And yet We wonder that money l.
scarce high and difficult to obtain. Bat GGz
The PREss.-Mr. Dickens arose from the
dignity OF reporter, with 'trsved cuffs anC
ravenous pen" to be the FIRST writer OF En-
glish hetou, whle1ord Campbell began will
the same Calling career which ended with tn,
q wooIsack Many of our prominent American
statesmen commenced as journalists. We pre-
sumc not SO many in England. The reason
q Tor tins Is that there are few men ia public
81 HE, In the country, who by education or in
stnets are htted tor duty upon good news
~ paper: a man may gain reputation Will
only filth rate ability as lawyer. He cannot
Z do this upon the press.
SENsIBLE Two colored men of Aususts
s. Georgia, went out to fight duel the other da,
q but while they were shaking with pistols i
q their hands shrewd old man present, afte
examining the challenge and acceptance, calle
& halt, remarking: Dem dar papers ain
fix up 'cordin to de code, an dis dam foolish
ness Is bout to git s'me niger in Jail; wher,