Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-18
Our New York Letter.

NOVEL SHOOTING MATcH-FIvE THOUSAND
SHOTS IN FIVE HUNDRED MINUTES
TROUBLE IN THE "HOUsE OF LORDS
THE NEW LITERARY ALLIANCE-MRs.
AsTOR's BALL.
NEW YORK, Jan. &, 1873.
To the Editor of the Free Press and Times:
Anybody who takes an interest in the gun
must admit that he has at least heard of
Capt. Bogardus. the champion wing shot
Having come out victorious in all the ordi-
nary modes of competition, and signing like
Alexander for Few worlds to conquer, the
captain. on Thursday last, perpetrated a
novel exhibition Of his skill, by which he
gained much applause, goodly assortment
of bruises and pains, and 50, 500 in money.
What he did was of no particular use to any
one, and, in fact, seems like foolish waste
of powder and strength; but don't sup
pose it is any worse than trying to walk a
million miles in a million hours. or "wrastl-
ing" a bear, or throwing double somersaults
over the backs of half dozen elephants, or
any other of the thousand and one eccentric
feats which so delight unregenerate humani-
ty. The match consisted in Capt. Z. 3 sue
cessfrl effort, for the wager above named, to
break 1000 glass balls in 500 consecutive
minutes. 1t took place in the Hippodrome.
and lasted from little before 3 in the after
noon till almost II o'clock at night. during
which time the marksman raised his ten
pound gun tn his shoulder 5 300 times, and
fired nearly that number of shots at 5000
little blue glass globes that were sprung into
the air from traps so feet away. Bogardus is
man of enormous frame and power, but the
task was almost too much for human en-
durance, and when the tinkling fragments
of the j,O00th ball had fallen to the ground,
amid the cheers of the audience, he had
hardly strength enough left to get out of the
building But 50 800 is a wonderful heal
ing plaster to wounds and bruises.
"As happy as a lord is not a good figure
of speech for New York, just at present. A
large family of that name is in a state of
mind quite the reverse of happy. the ven
cradle father thereof, Thomas Lord, who
married the widow Hicks, has not returned
home, and his relatives are becoming much
distressed over mis- protracted absence. 1t
is suggested that the excitement has render
ed him seriously i'll, and that his condition
is now so critical that the persons in whose
care he is are afraid to call his relatives.
Meanwhile. both his daughters have become
almost crazed by grief and an unsatis6ed
desire to see him. One has for years been
feeble minded, having when young girl
been overwrought by religious enthusiasm.
i,er sister has devoted her life to her care
and that of her father. A note was sent last
evening to the new Mrs. Lords house, ap-
pealing for Mr.. Lord 5 return, or for 4 state
ment that he is not i'll. The note was deliver
ed to the colored butler who told the messen-
ger that his mistress was not at home and that
he did not know where she was, nor where
Mr.. Lord was. 1t is not yet decided wheth-
er the children will be able to get the proper
order of the court to put the old gentleman
in strait Jacket. If they do, the next
thing to do will be to "catch their hare :"
for Thomas has evidently elected to pass his
honeymoon in parts unknown.
Cold weather succeeded New Years. and
now We are having the first skating of the
season The lakes at Central Park present
a lovely appearance, the prospect of con-
tinued open winter squirting the lovers of the
sport to take early advantage of the cold
snap.
Your readers will be interested to learn
of literary alliance which has Just been
formed between two of the leading American
literary monthlies. By this arrangement
the Ga'ary has been merged in the old Al
lqHfic Monthly, and the latter will henceforth
continue all the striking eIcellencies of both
magazines. Present subscribers to either
of these periodicals are fortunate people, as
all subscriptions will be fulfilled by the send
ing of the improved Atlantic for the full
time. All new subscribers, also, besides re-
ceiving what is in many respects the finest
magazine in the world, become entitled to
recent offer of the publishers to life-size
crayon portrait of either Whittier, Bryant
or Longtellow, as they may elect, on pay
ment of one dollar extra, which portrait,
procured through the ordinary channels.
would cost more than both magazine and por-
trait under this arrangement.
noticed last week the sumptuous ball
given by Mrs. Pierre Loriliard. This week,
even the spendOrs of that occasion were
eclipsed in ball given by Mrs. VIM. b.
Astor, at which nearly thousand guests
were present, and where the enormous
wealth cf the host was freely drawn upon
to make the entertainment one Of the most
magnificent ever seen in this country. The
Astor residence is one of the largest in the
city, and has its immense ball room in
separate building connected with dining
room in the main building by covered
passage way. The number of guests above
mentioned were accommodated with ease.
The long mcoted question OF the fore
closure Of the Erie Railroad seems likely now
to assume definite shape without much delay.
Proceedings have been formally commenced
this week. in the Supreme Court, in this
city, and long argument made by Secretary
Evarts, who is one of the lawyers retained In
favor of the sale.
Yours, DARK