The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-10-25

| The last week has been an event
ful one in Knoxville. 'Tis Sunda,
now. and all the good folks are a
church. Left alone to nurse the chill
dren-who are very good-and hav
ing no one to talk to, / thought
would employ an hour in telling yol
of some of the things that transpir
ed under my immediate observation
All day Monday there seemed tc
be quiet, but strong, under-tow ii
the public current that indicated the
approach of coming events To
morrow, old John Robinson was to
be here, and two great political bat
ties were TO be fought upon the plains
of Indiana and Ohio. Battles upon
the result of which depended the
veal or woe of this great nation for
a generation to come. Tomorrow
came and so did the circus. Prompt.
ly at the appointed hour the distant
clang of brazen instruments told that
the grand pageant was in motion.
Soon our principal streets were
crowded with gaudily painted vehi.
cles, and patriotic banners-support
ed by the fair hands of woman
floated over the "beasts of the field :
The stately elephant moved along
with the dignity of his accustomed
pace, and was followed by caravan
of little ponies, and a vast multitude
of irrepressible boys, all under the
highest state of delightful wonder
and surprise. The streets were jam
ed, and gray headed old sinners were
seen standing upon the corners. hold
ing fair-haired little urchins by the
hand, and solemnly protesting that
they themselves cared nothing for the
show, but that the dear children,
you know, must be cared for'
Our South American friends, as
usual, were well represented. and our
country cousins came pouring in
from every direction, and by every
conceivable mode of locomotion and
conveyance. BY ten o'clock Gay
street was almost impassable for the
strange medley Of men, women and
children, of every age, sex. color
and previous condition.
But old Uncle John must not
claim credit for all the gathering OF
the clans in our midst on this occa
sion. The annual meeting of the
Stockholders of the East Tennessee,
Virginia & Georgia railroad brought
into the city many hundreds whose
faces are familiar to us once a year,
when the managers give them TIE
dividend of 6 free ride" upon the
road of their fathers.
In addition to this, there was to
be a grand reunion of the gallant
soldiers who fought for the negro,
and other purposes, in the late un-
pleasantness-and Emerson Ether.
idge was to be here
Well, as / was saying, all these
things must have due credit for the
sudden increase of our population
during the week, and | will resume
now the thread of my story. The
circus was opened, according to pro
gramme. The outside spectators
were numerous, and the pressure tc
come near was great, but the atten'
dance within was not like it used tx
be in days that are gone. | learr
that the receipts were unusually
small, and this TO my mind, is sug'
gestive Of some sad reflections. From
what 1 have said, you will under
stand that the interest in "the cir
Gus" both from young and old, is a
great now as it was when you and
were boys together. Nor do l be
lieve it will be less when our young
est boys shall be as gray bearded a
we. But alas on this occasion th
| fifty cents could not be spared fror
the impoverished household an
the poor little fellows will have t.
wait until the Radical rascals VIII
have stole all the money, shall b
compelled to give it back TO the kin,
hearted Democrats, before they ca
hope to play with the monkey ant
''see the elephant" | know not VIII.
it is, but the sight of these curiou
little innocents standing around ga
zing wistfully into doors which th
limited purse of their sympatheti
parents forbid them to enter, has oil
ten touched me profoundly, and if
was worth q single months incom
of the venerable Vanderbilt, | kno'
| would send one ray of sunshin
and Joy into a hundred youthful be
soms every year, as long as old job
Robinson lived and moved upon tn
face of the earth.
But to return: After the night
entertainment, the interest of a
seemed to center upon the election.
and rush was made to the buile5i
boards of the newspapers. The ligh
ming was playing, and the news cam
fresh and fair from the West. Frol
now until three O'Clock in the NOR
ing the excitement was intense. an
sometimes painful TO witness. Iii
reports grew confused and confiic
ing ana we were at last compele
to retire with doubts aud gloomy al
prehensions OF the morrow. All da
ednesday, and Wednesday nigh
} the same uncertainty prevailed. an
it was not until late In the afternoo
of Thursday that brother Charlto
t took courage 10 bring out his ga.Ial
old rooster, and make one loud an
: lusty crow for Indiana and WesteI
Virginia. But, being q sort oil doub
ing Thomas. | confess / did not Ie5
entirely relieved, nor will | be nht
the last gun is fired upon the eye
to-be remembered seventh Of Mover
Der next.
i In the meantime the promised +
union of soldiers took place st til
Opera House, but owing 10 the a
sence of the dashing and chivaI.r
Mariner, and his duslzy companion
; in arms, the affair came near tenn