Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-06-12
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Mr>. Warner. Of Washington, writes TO
the LadYcadeHt story which negro told
her in Washington horSe-car. 1t seems
they struck up an acquaintance impromptu,
and then he told her that Mr.. Sumner pri-
vately paid his bills at school 10 let him learn
to lie 4 lawyer, and also heard him reeite
every sunday in the Greek testament, to
enable him to learn how to teach Il Sunday
school class.
Nathan Stephens, stock speculator who,
two years ago, committed iorgerieS to the
amount Of Sl2 900 near Chambersburg. Pa.
has for some time. past been stopping in
Clifton, Ontario, on the Canada side OF the
Niagra river, under the name of Levi Saun-
ders. Recently he came over TO this side
after his letters. ana was caught by two de-
tectiycs who were on the lookout for him.
The New York Sun details the thrilling
adventures of John Shearer, the aerOnaut.
who last week made frightful journey
through the clouds, in snow storm, from
Pottstown to Coopersburgh, Lehigt county,
Pa. distance OF forty miles in less than an
hour. The aeronaut used no bas' s'let. but
ascendel to the clouds revolving npOn 4
slender trapeze bar dangling from his bal
loon. Clad in the Scant costume OF circus
performer. he bowed to the masses below.
who were standing in brcathless silence, and
then sat down complacently on the slender
bar. The monstrous air ship, The Globe,
with - 200 cubic feet of gas, went rolling
off toward the northe asst. Smaller and
smaller the balloon appeared, until finally
the aeronaut and his ship were lost to sight:
lie iourncyed through a terri &c rain and
snow storm, accompanied by gaze OF wind,
and faced death score of times. Ne finally
brought his Journey to close by Q rappling
the top of tree and securing the bal loon by
twisting the ropes about the branches. Not
withstanding his frightful experience Shear
er declares his readiness to try the jo, irney
over again.
A swarm of Industrious grasshoppers de
voured a thirteen acre field of wheat, grow
ing finely, in humboldt county, Ia. in two
days, eating the green blades bare to the
ground.
\ Baptist clergyman says the reason why
the Baptist church is like beavers hut is
because there is but one entrance to it, and
that is under the water.
4 Chinaman entered store in Heller Il,
Montana. the Other day. and walking up to
the counter, deposited n grasshopper the re-
on, saying. as he gazed upon the clerk W ith
confding look ".He too much hopp e !;
all hoppee-stOp him. You sabbee? ,ihe
obliging clerk at once commenced measuri ing
off mosquito bar, to the intense delight of
the heathen. The grasshoppers had been
destroying his garden, and wanting 70 pr
chase some mosquito bar, but not knowing
the name of the article, he brought the de-
stroyer with him, and the clerk understood
in moment the article needed.
Very hot weather is reported at Calcutta
the middle of April. Thermometer los in
the shade.
England is agitated on the question at
what hour of the night drinking places
shall be closed. The present ministry hav-
ing been elected by the aid of the publ
cans, is anxious to reward them by allowing
their places of business to be opened an
hour longer than formerly.
The medallions of Washington and his
wife, for the purchase of which the Boston
art museum is getting up entertain
ments, are valued at $500.