Middletown transcript., 1876-01-01
sl.na Tom, Tn. Pl.nl...

Blind Tom, the Pianist.
This world renowned negro boy will Civ
an instrumental concert in the Town Hal
Middletown, next Friday evening, tJan I.
Everybody has heard Of Blind Tom and
great many have seen and heard him play
and all agree in pronouncing him one Of th
greatest living curiosities Of the day. Thoug
perfectly blind he plays the most Difficult
music with the most perfect ease and with
skill displayed by but few of the best pianists
His coming to Middletown-and we are as
sured by reliable persons, who profess t
know whereof they speak,-that this is tn
genuine Blind Tom-will afford our citizen
an opportunity which they may not have soor
again.
| The European Peach shipment.
The Peach Growers interested 10 the Eu
ropean venture, met yesterday afternoon al
the Office of J. Thomas Budd, ESQ. There
were present Messrs. Samuel Townsend, R
W. Cochran, VIM. R. Cochran, Edward R
Cochran, Jonathan K. Williams, VIM. Hollis,
Joseph Day, William Reynolds and several
others at the request of Mr.. Townsend, John
John O'Byrne, Esq, was present and exam
ined the evidence. and gave it as his legal
opinion that the money paid to the Steamship
Company can be recovered and agreed with
the growers to prosecute the case and unless
he gains the suit will make no charge for his
legal services. The growers thereupon agreed
to bring the suit, and placed in their Attor-
ney's hands all papers and vouchers bearing
on the case.
Served Him Right.
A little sort of a row occurred near the Ma
tional Hotel, one day last week, between Mr..
Benjamin Price, Jr., of Sassafras Neck, Md,
and one Tom Taylor. Mr.. Price had just left
the hotel and was walking toward the depot
when be heard some one call to him to 'look-
out'' and turning saw Taylor just in the act
of collaring him-.trom behind-and very pro-
perly knocked him down. He then kicked
him several times as he deserved. This Tay-
lor has the reputation Of being an 'onry''
and treacherous character. He is said to be
the fellow who manifested his loyalty and
patriotism during the war by sneaking up be-
hind an unarmed and inoffensive man, sitting
in blacksmith shop at Cecilton, and striking
him violent blow across the head with
louble-tree, for no other reason than that his
victim was ''disloyal." For this act of heroic
bravery be was landed by his compatriots in
power and the then States Attorney refused
to prosecute him for his attack upon an un-
offending citizen. on the ground that be was
''in the service of his country" The general
opinion, so far as we have heard, expressed in
regard to his recent drubbing is, that he did
lot get enough and that were it not for the
it would have caused Mr.. |
Price, it would have been good thing if he
,ad rid the country of him entirely.
Christmas In Hliddletown.
Christmas was more generally observed, as
! holiday, this year than has been usual with
'ur people; especially that portion of them
tyled "business men, that is, merchants /;
he stores, excepting, Of course, the confec-
ionery stores and toy shops, were all closed,
he proverbial Zone eye'' not even being kept |
penal the time. At the hotels the usual |
owls Of egg-nog aad punch were set out,
ausing their patrons to have a lively time.
be little folks were gladdened with Christ
mas trees and numerous presents from their
atron saint, and fathers and mothers rejoiced
t the happiness Of their children. The Meth
dists held their customary six O'Clock prayer
Meeting and divine service, appropriate to the
ay, was celebrated 10 the P. E. Church.
'hus far all was well and pleasant. But the
icture has another side: AT an early hour
Long before people thought about "getting
p" gang of boys armed with tin horns,
araded the. streets making the night-or
,ayhap the morning -hideons with noise
nat, with little variety, might have done
redit to the regions Of old Plato. Not salts
ed with rousing the people from their sleep
nd dreams this abominable noise was kept
p all day, and good deal Of it on Monday;
Very gamin who could raise money enough
, bny horn, had one and blew away for
ear life. and tcot, toot, went the plaguy
rings from morning to night rendering what
therwise would have been day of pleasure, +
nuisance, and making the days close
earthly welcome. Nor was the amusement
,nfned to boys. Some of larger growth,
nder the inspiration of egg-nogg and apple
ddy, made very large share of the din,
I'd helped right 6oy-fully, to annoy all peace
lily disposed persons who came within their
ach. But horn-blowing was not all that
as done-the pop of 6recrackers and the
ack of guns and pistols aided very materi.
ly to increase the din. What this fire.
acker and pistol shooting has to do with
hristmas we cannot see. There is some lit
Q excuse for it on the Fourth Of July, but
rtainly it is not very appropriate method
celebrating the Introduction of the Chris
an religion into the world. It seems to be
custom essentially American, and surely it
one that would be better in the breach than
le observance.
Letter from Townsend.