The Portland daily press., 1874-10-28
News and Other Items.

1t is said that the Albany. and Susquehanna
Railroad Company are to reduce the gauge of
their track to four feet eight and half inches,
to conform to that of the New York Central,
and lay new steel rails.
Ex-Governor Padelford of Rhode Island will
probably be q Republican candidate for the
mayeralty of Providence at the approaching
election.
A colored woman of Memphis barricaded
her house against her husband, the other
day, and begun an action for divorce on the
ground that he had voted the Democratic tick
ct.
Mr.. Bass, member of Parliament, has de-
clined to sanction the erection OF public
statue in his honor, on the sensible ground
that a statue of living man would be some-
what out of place in locality which the
original might be expected frequently to re-
visit.
1t is proposed in England to provide separate
cars for the accommodation of ladies on rail.
roads, and for the protection of men from inn
proper advances.
In the ordinary course of business two tele-
grams were recently sent from New York to
Londor, and answers received to one in thirty,
and in the other in thirty-fve minutes actual
time. Each message was transmitted 5000
miles and passed through the hands of eighteen
persons. The message and reply in each case
passed through the hands of thirty-six persons,
and travelled over 1000 miles in thirty to thirty.
five minutes.
Frank Walworth, in Auburn state prison,
tells Gov. Dix that he is as well physically as
he could wish to be.
Miss Matte Woodson, nineteen years of age,
of Vicksburg, has this year planted and made
a good crop of cotton, and has already picked
and sold a bale at a good price.
In the case of Kansas man being struck by
lightning, the coroners jury rendered verdict,
''He was killed by the Lord, but the Lord is all
right
During their western journey the presidential
party took dinner at railroad station in the
Indian territory, and, while they were seated
at the table, tall, rough-looking Texan came
in, and took survey of the party. (which
is Grant?' lhe asked. The chief magistrate
was pointedout to him. He then scrutinized
Sheridan, Augur, Babcock and others, and
exclaimed, ''Gim me $5, and clean out the
hull set''
Bret Harte is one of the most domestic of
men, and spends all Of his time with his family
at Morristown, N. j. His wife is woman of
more than ordinary intelligence, and he has
three small children, all boys The mex to the
oldest boy, Frank, inherits his fathers talent,
and, although not more than ten years of age,
has written some stories that are worthy of n
more experienced pen.
An inOpnioua From in tha Balfimora
Jail has invented an improvement for sewing
the heels on shoes, for which he has been offer
ed $4,000.
Paris ate quarter of a million patridges in
one month of the shooting season.
Grenada, the youngest town in Colorado, has
according to the late census, 575 dogs
The clerks in the Treasury department are
richer by $4,000 worth of pen-knives.
A new society has been organized in San
Francisco, called the "Argonauts of '50.' 1t
is composed of pioneers to California who had
the misfortune to arrive there later than the
31st day of December, 1S49, and are thus ex-
cluded from the privileges of membership OF
the "Argonauts of 49,
The crusaders out West are preparing for an
other cruise.
1t is rare that so profitable farm specula-
ton is recorded as one told Of in California pa
pers. Two years ago some parties purchased
the celebrated ranch of 1000 acres in Colusia
county for $4,000. They have since raised
$4,000 worth of wheat upon it, and have just
sold the ranch for $50,0C0.
Thirteen tons of barnacles were recently TAX
en- from the hull of an iron ship after a six
months voyage.
Babylon and Nineveh are lighted with Amer
lean petroleum.