The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-04-24
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,

WAsHINGToN, D. c.,
April 10Th, 1875.
DEAR WHIG:-It seems to me that all
the swindlers and swindling concerns of
the country find their way to this city. 1t
is of almost daily occurrence that conf
dcuce swindlers of some kind are arrested
here by the police. But it is of the So
called "Barnum's great travelling world S
fair" that I propose to speak. This con-
Germ, which is run by man named John
'Brien. who uses Barnum's name,-hav-
ing. as am informed, paid a large sum of
money for the use of the same-is fraud
of the first water, and was a clear case of
false pretense. The daily press here admit
that they were imposed upon, and unknow-
ingly imposed upon their readers in saying
it was a first-class concern. | was led to
believe so, but like thousands of others,
have since changed my mind. While here,
the laborers employed under them were
required to sue O'Brien for wages due
them. In each case judgment was given
against the circus, though I don't know
what success they had in securing the
money. The men employed about the cir
Gus were SO badly provided for that they
were compelled to seek lodgings in the
various police stations while they were
here. On the whole, O'Brien did not strike
the big bonanza that he expected he would.
Lest you are not so great lover of the
circus as I am, Mr.. Editor, l beg pardon
for dwelling so long upon this subject.
But when l lose interest in the circus
think I shall put my affairs in the hands OF
some photographed Elkton lawyer for a
"spell," aud, calling in some ''real good
minister" prepare for that other and better
place, where youth and circus are immortal,
and where o. Brens have no "show.'
ANOTHER FRAUD.
False hair, although extensively used in
society to work upon the susceptibilities of
masculine hearts, has often failed in effect
ing the results which the real thing could
achieve. This has lately been shown here
in Washington, where one woman WAS
brought before the Police Court on the
charge of assaulting another, who to prove
her case, produced from her pocket large
quantities of hair as evidence of this whole
sale Grape of the lock-" This made mat
tiers look dark for the defendant, but the
tables were turned when a police officer,
acting under orders from the Bench exam
ined the plaintiffs head and pronounced
her tresses intact, on looking closely at
the locks produced from complainant S
pocket, the Judges were unanimous in the
opinion that it was "bought hair" and of
course justice could not be sold by any
such false pretenses. 1t isn't every Judge,
however, who can tell false from real hair,
and there can be little doubt that the
prisoner in the case made hairs breadth
escape.
THE CENTENNIAL.
The centennial celebration, which occurs
to-day, at Lexington, in honor of the
memory of the early founders of the Gov
eminent, who there struck the first blow
for liberty, and rebelled against the tyranny
and oppression of the mother country,
seems to be matter Of great interest here.
The President and Cabinet, distinguished
military men, and eminent civilians left
Washington to join the citizens of Massa-
chnsetts in doing honor to these heroic
dead, who inaugurated the struggle for
independence, liberty and free government
on this continent.
FRED. GRANT TO BECOME BANKER
Lieut. Colonel F. D. Grant has made
arrangements to resign from the service
next Fall, to enter into the banking bust
ness in Washington.
The firm of which he becomes member
will be known as Sherman & Grant, the
senior member being John Sherman, Jr., a
nephew of Gen. Sherman, WHO was lately
engaged in business with II. d. Cook, Jr,
son of Ex-Governor Cook. The new firm
will be organized May LIST, although Col.
Grant will not give the business his per-
sonal attention until after his return from
the expedition now fitting out under Gen.
Gustav for the Yellow Stone
FASHION.
l should like to gossip little about
some new caprice Of fashion, but alas, and
alack- a,day! April tears at being cornered
by Winter freeze as fast as they full, and l
can only compare the old fellow of whom
we are all heartily tired, to the thunderous-
worded village schoolmaster Even when
beaten he can argue STILL" convinced that
somebody will recognize his ability, al
though his amusement in that line is tax
to the community. And here is beautiful
Spring waiting to come in, with sach a
cold in her head, and an asthmatc shuttle
in her dear nose, trying to babble of green
peas and water crosses. But how can she
prattle to us when ill-mannered old Winter
stands at the door like a country sawney
who don't know how to leave room. 1t
is impossible to get up grace to talk OF
Spring fashions.
"Cololed society" here is deeply inter.
ested in an aristocratic wedding to take
place at an early day. The maid of Mrs.
Jones, wife of Senator Jones, is to be led
to the altar by Gen. Ben Buffers cook.
Great preparations are making for the
happy event, and it is rumored that the
mansion of Senator Jones will be thrown
open, in order that the favored pair may
hold a reception.
MY MARYLAND.
l had the pleasure of meeting an old
Marylander, former resident of Elkton
| mo names) to-day. He was engaged in
exhibiting a patent Horse -det acher" o.
Yankee manufacture. Being unable tt
give minute description of the "machine, .
will simply add that. for instance, you hir.
horse from Dunbar, your horse run.
away, you touch a spring, he and the shaft,
go dashing down the street, leaving yor
sitting in your carriage and placidly gazing
at him running over everybody and into
everything that gets in his way until he
meets stone wall. This patent is o.
course like the prayer, Bless me and my
wife, my son john and his wife, us foul
| and no MORE J. II. z.
Thieving in the Interior Department.
Reports come from Washington that the