The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-11-05
MAsHINGroN, Nov. 8, 1873.

Lyola Tnompsons troupe 40 Ine charming
weather, etc.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 1873.
Between specie payment and Lydia
Thompson we have had lively time dur
ng last week. More as a feeler than any.
hing else, sup pose, the Secretary of the
Treasury ordered drafts upon the govern
ment to be paid partly in silver Forth
with the rumor grew apace that specie
payment was to be resumed on certain
day, and numbers of people flocked to the
cash room and redemption bureau of the
department in the hope of having the
''siller" showed to them in exchange for
paper. Now gentleman from Ireland
with pockets doubly canvas lined, profered
his modest request for hundred dollars
of the solid then colored brother had a
ragged old National which he prayed to
have converted into something that rust
could not assail after that an Italian art
ist brought the dimes harped together, and
with perseverance in his eyes and garlic in
his breath asked for round money. D."
Bootblacks, relying upon the manipulations
of the peoples understanding, trusted
their own for understanding the new or
der, and brought the results of their black
art for conversion into shining ones.
Merchants, who calculated the benefits Of
as an advertising medium
were willing to take any amount of the
bright temptation off the hands of Uncle
Sam, and focked in crowds to his counters
only to be informed that as much as FIVE
dollars in silver would be paid upon drafts
of government misunderstanding
no more than one was presented by
each individual i. e. if person presented
ten checks he would only receive IS in sill
yer out of the whole amount, while any one
only presenting One-if even only for ten
dollars-would receive equally as much
OF course that acted as a sort of wet blan-
ket upon those hopeful beings, and the
number Of long faces which turned away
from the counters was caution to confid-
ing expectancy.
One source Of great annoyance caused
by the existence of National Bank notes,
is the fact that although the government
sanctions their circulation, yes, pays them
out, it has made no provision for their re-
demption. For instance, there are people
here who are in possession of notes which
through accident or long use have become
so mutilated or defaeed as to be unfit for
redemption who are politely informed that
We do not redeem national bank notes :;
they must be sent to place of issue. -
Well. these poor chaps have perhaps only
that note TO buy their bread and butter
with and before they can receive returns
from-say the bank OF some place in the
far West, if even they are lucky enough to
hear from it again, it certainly is a little
more than probable that grocer and butch
er may have become weary of trusting
them. If these notes are recognized and
used as legal tender by the government,
why not redeem them?
There, thai 5 about all l want to say
about money affairs now to Lydia Thomp-
son. OF course went to see her and oh
dear how / laughed my sides ache when
| think of it; and to judge by the way
saw other dignifed people keep their
mouths open, I'm of the opinion that they
have forgotten to shut them to this min
ute. l had al idea that the fair Lydia and
her troupe were rather shocking; to-day
IN ready to affirm that We seen more ill.,
delicate exposure in the amen corner Of a
camp meeting than in their performance.
And how they do understand Just what
people like! One of them. representing a
piece Of rural bashfulness, sang a sort of
kissing song at least, in the chorus she
would kiss her hands, while the orchestra
initiated that peculiar sound in a manner OF
its own well, they enc red her again and
AeeiLir auA ShCAy b4llC tbaH lApi tudiiSS
occurred it grew louder, which seemed a
little strange to me till | looked around
10 and behold every mothers son was
smacking his lips, and looking as delighted
as if he were performing the operation up
on the lips Of his dearest and best -
Well, thought /, you folks get the worth
Of your money, I'm sure
There, I've almost gone the length of
my tether withour hoasting Of our delight
tul weather; and it's so bright and beauti-
full, with just the least little haze during
the day, and the brightest, lovehest moon
light in the evening, that l shall get TO
mantle beyond reason if / don't stop.
LIE NARD.