Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-04-06

marshal which the king had sent him at the
close of the fighting by the hand of one OF the
Prussian princes as the 6ttest acknowle dgement
of his splendid services.
DRIVEN oFF.-The Washington Star tells
this thing, which has certainly got moral OF
its own in it, though the Star uses it for diff
fercnt purpose: It is told that an old lady re-
siding IN the Hudsou came down last week to
New York for the purpose OF seeing the new
plays and players, aud she asked nephew,
who was posted, to accompany her in making the
round of the fashionable places of amusement.
They first visited the Union Square Theatre,
saw the play OF LED Astray,. the theme OF
which is adultery, aud the old lady, though
little surprised, thought it might do tor once.
Then they visited Booths Theatre, saw the
great Janauschek in the play OF ,,'Chesney
Wold,' the theme of which Is adultery, ana 7
the old lady got a little uneasy over so much OF
it. They next visited Days Fifth Avenue
III .atre, saw the thrilling play of Charity,
the theme of which is adultery, and the OLD
lady got so nauseatcd and disgusted with the
whole adulterous business that she declared
she could not tolerate any more OF the plays
now being performed before fashionable society.
Her nephew, however, persuaded her to try
one more theatre before flying from the city TO
her home. SO the next nj ght they visited the
prettiest Of all the New York play houses,
where the wicked opera bouffe Of "Madame
Angot' was performed by the French toupe,
and where adultery, which 10 the previous lays
resulted in renOrse, was taught as nue. art.
With the idea that French opera alone was bad,
the old lady was induced to give just one more
trial to New York amusements, and visited the
Academy of Music, and there what should she
encounter but the naughty opera of = LA Ira
viata'' The old lady took the next boat tor
her rural home, fully determined never to set
foot in modern play house again unless
healthier style of performance should take the
place of the present vicious fashion. n.-B ,H.
IaaericdR.
LIABILITIES OF RAILROAD COMPANIES =
A verdict tor 1900 has just been rendered IN
New York against the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company for the destruction OF barn by
sparks from locomotive. The suit was
brought by the Home Insurance Company,
which insured the barn in question, the build
ing being located within fifty feet of the track.
The defendants claimed that they did not set
the barn on fire; that their engines were OF the
most approved pattern; aod, that If they did
cause the FIRE, it was because the straw and
other dry iDhammable stuff was scattered neg
ligently around the barn, and this should de-
feat any recovery on the ground Of contribut-
lug negligence on the part OF the owner OF the
barn; and, finally, that no suit could be brought
In the name of the insurance company tor a
part of the loss, but that the action must be 10
the name of the owner of the barn tor his eu-
tire loss. AS above stated, the jury took an
opposite view and brought in verdict tor the
full amount claimed.
C,,r,, U,Yr.n Th,or,,ts d;ffar IN rola
ton to what is generally known as smut ln
wheat. Jethro 1ul states that the difficulty
was common in England till some of the wheat
taken from sunken vessel was sown. This
produced wheat free from smut, and from that
time forward the practice Of soaking wheat IN
ocean brine, or water made arti6cially salt, be-
came general Land that contains salt IS not
liable to produce smutty wheat. Applying
lime and salt directly to the soil seems to oper-
ate to prevent rust but it is better to treat the
grain than the soil. Sulphate of copper, com
monty known as blue vitriol, or blue stone, is
now generally used, instead of SALT to prevent
smut. An ounce aud a quarter of this salt, dis
solved in as much water as will cover the wheat,
is regarded by many persons as sufficient
quantity for q bushel.:: The wheat may remain
10 it an hour. ForS convenience in sowing,
many afterward sprinkle the grain with dry
lime.
CHARITY.-Two million dollars have been
given 10 charity in New York this winter. The
number of poor whos were relieved with por-
ton OF the sum must have been very large; yet
1t has been almost impossible for those who
tried to get cook, nurse or housemald to go
to the country, and very difficult to get any
Que to 50 out to service in the city. AS long
as the soup houses stood by them they stood
by the soup houses. There are supposed to be
more humbugs and dead BEATS and ''bum
mers' 10 New York now than would be sufi-
G!ent to start good-sized Western city
Lyach Ncacs.