Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-09-08
NO. SO.
NEWS ITEMS.

as well take back seat unless they can
bring forward their mothers to certify TO
their age
During TIE last Eve fiscal years ending
June 80, 1876, there have been over 80, 900
desertions from The army. During the 6,-
cal year 1875, there were over $500 cases of
deserion, or 10 per cent of the entire force.
Edward Joseph, prominent young
business man of Abba, Ia, has died from
the bite of fly, and it is supposed that the
cause of his death was poison from decay
ed flesh that the fly had been feeding on.
Rev. G. W. England, a Methodist, his
wife, step-daughter and four step-sons
were murdered at their home, six miles
from Montague, Tex, Saturday night, 25th
ult., by party of disguised men, probably
for money.
"A tramp in the Cumberland (Md.) sta
tiou-house made a small bonfire of his
clothing in the midst of his cell, aud, when
the flames, after great cxerlions, had been
extinguished, he kindly offered to stay
where he was all summer, or 10 depart as
soon as the authorities would provide him
with new suit of clothing.
-"Speaking of bathing" said Mrs. Par
tington, from behind the steam that arose
from her Tea as q veil 10 her bushes when
touching upon so delicate subject, "some
can bathe with perfect impurity in water
as cold as Greenland's icy mountains and
India's coral strands, but for my part
prefer TO have the water a little torpid"
Less than one-fiflh of the territory of
| the United States is divided into farms,
and less than one-twentieth Of the area is
under any sort of cultivation. Yet with
this vast extent Of the richest soil the young
men of the agricultural sections are con-
stanlly trying to get into the cities.
William S. Mercer, prisoner in the
Nebraska penitentiary, has succeeded in
obtaining for that institution the best Ii
brary in the State. Many OF our best writ
ers have sent him complete SETS Of their
works, and be has received large dona-
tions from some of the principal publish
ing houses. 1t is not every man who
makes so good use of his vacations.
"A lively pupil at a seminary asked the
preceptress for permission TO drive out
with gentleman. "You know tue regu-
lations OF the institution" was the answer.
"Is he your fatherP" "No." "Is he your
brother?" mo" "Are you engaged to
him?" mo, but expect 10 be before
get back" That answer carried the day.
The emperor of Austria recently saved
the life OF child which had fallen over
precipice near Ischl, but fortunately had
the dress caught in the root of tree and so
remained suspended in mid air. With
much difficulty and some danger the en-
peror clambered up the cliff, rescued the
baby and returned it TO its mother, whom
he reprimanded severely for allowing it to
play in SO perilous place.
"A couple who have always lived in Ep-
ping, N. H., have had eleven children,
eight sons and three daughters. The IA
ther now living at The age of Sc years, has
been an inveterate smoker and chewer of
tobac>J most OF his life, and his wife snuff
taker more than so years. and yet no one
of the eleven children ever used tobacco in
any rorm.
For four years, Steward, the Democrat
ic candidate for Governor of Illinois, hoard
ed his crops, refusing to lake S2.25 a bushel
in legal tenders for his wheat because, as
he said, "lhe dash dashed money was no
account" and that ii was his firm belief
that loaf of bread would soon cost a cart
load of such rags. Ultimately, however,
he concluded TO take $3.50 per bushel in le-
gal tenders for his four years crop of
wheat.
1t was very generally believed some
months ago that President Grant was em-
barassed, but the facts appear to be that he
was simply changing some of his invest
ments; that some speculations that he in
dulged in last year turned out very well
indeed, and that whom he starts on his pro
posed tour around the world he will have
a very handsome income to pay his way.
The old apple tree at York, Me-, which
was brought over from England in tub
in 1629, and bore fruit until within few
years, has come TO an "unnalural DEATH"
having been cut down by its owner be-
cause people trampled down his grass in
getting 10 it, by reason OF, as he expressed
il, "Too much advertised in a book called
Ancient City of Georgana and Modern
Town of York;" to suit him.
The shipments of beef, in refrigerators,
to England, by the Cunard steamers, con-
tinue unexpectedly successful, the meat
arriving in good condition, fresh and ten
der as If killed two days before. The Eng
lish cattle merchants are amazed. The
American beef was bought up at less than
half the price charged for English beef.
Five hundred cattle per week will be ship
ped hereafter, it is stated, from the port of
New York.
Two bruisers named Wheedan and
Walker from Philadelphia had prize
fight of 6l rounds, in which Wheedan won,
at Pen nsville, N. j., Wednesday, 3Oth ult,
and mob drove of sheriff who interfer-
ed, but the matter assumed a serious as
pect when the dead body of Walker was
found at the salt wharf at Greenwich Point,
Pa, and orders were Immediately issued
to arrest the principal men engaged in the
affair. The body was horrd sight, the
face and neck battered and swollen out OF
all proportions. Wheedan escaped, but is
said to be badly cut up.
Frank Walworth, who shot his father,
few years ago, and was sentenced TO State
Prison for life, is in fair way 10 be par
doned. lie was first taken 10 Sing Sing,
then transferred to Auburn, then adjudged
insane aud taken 10 an asylum. A COM
mission has been appointed 10 examine
and report upon his case, and it is thought
that he will soon be pardoned. Ever since
his conviction his mother has clung to him
and it is through her influence that he will
owe his pardon, If he obtains 1t.
Here is the most wonderful omen for
Hayes and Wheeler which has appeared
yet. A farmer in Hudson, N. Y, took