The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-09-11
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT ]
NEw YoRK. AugusL 3. Is79.

There has been much talk in marine
and numerical circles In regard to the
rumored contract of the Russian Gov
erument with American ship-builders
for a number of ocean cruisers. A gen.
tleman connected with a large ship
hnilding firm yesterday remarked that
Mr.. II. w Hunt, who is also interested
in ship-building, was recently in st
Petersburg, and had letters from the
Russian Minister to Washington. The
gentleman aiso stated that several Eng
lish ship-builders had sent in proposals
for the contract, aud if il had been
awarded the American builders, it was
because the vessels we build combine
speed and strength.
Not only are our ship-huilders and
machinists greatly exercised about the
reported contracts for the construction
of Russian cruisers in American shin
yards, but rumors are flying thick con
cerning one or more magnificent steel
steamers, said to be in contemplation
for the navigation of the Hudson River
between New York and Albany. The
only fact definitely known, aud about
which there is no concealment, is that
Messrs Fletcher < Harrison, on West
street, this city, are at work Oh the en-
gines for large steamer. They refrain,
however, from giving any dimensions
or other particulars. More will he given
ia few days. A prominent railway
official, who was questioned on the sub
ject, remarked, "There will he q big
item in few days" He added that
two steamers would be built, and per
haps four, and his impression was that
they would run to Albany.
The way in which trade in New York
has been and is likely to be affected this
Fall by the recent epidemic in the
Southwest has been made the subject
Of inquiry. \ representative here of
large house ia the grocery trade said
this morning that the firm with which
lie was connected had virtually given
up business With Memphis, aud also
IT, During the fa-t Sutnner, orders
have been rereived from responsible
tradesmen ia that city, but had not
been filled, because there could be no
certainty of the goods reaching their
destination within five or six months.
The customer, although the goods would
be at his own risk, would not be likely
to pay Tor them until they had been re-
eeived, AID it was not impossible for
him to be stricken down before he could
obtain his purchases, much less pay Tor
them.
In Battery place society, gossip is
generally limited to brlwls and wram-
giles between boarding house Keepers
and the gay Dick SAivelers. who are
professionally y oppnsed to throwing away
money paying bills when it can be spent
stylishiy in buying rum. But the other
day a gay and handsome barber and a
pretty dsmsel of sixteen planned out
nice little romance la a new liue of bus
iness. THE girl i daughter Of Tom
Callahan, a bar-keeper, and, as the
young lady grew in discretion aud
beauty. sue came to hate the odor OF
vilIainOus whisky, and sighed for the
incense of roses, which not being at
hand, she prospected for other perfumes,
and found them just around the corner
at sign of a striped pole. Whether
spread eagle patriotism made the
stripes the symbol of razor aud scissors
pole infatuated Katie Callahan, until
her anxious parent, iuquiring iuto the
cause, discovered that there was viO
lent case of a young man, who appeared
in the person of a twenty year-Old bar
Der, George Palletrean, son Of the pro-
prIetor Of the striped pole. Him Tom
Callahan interviewed in most II her
nian manner, saying. "Begorra, but III
smash dacanter wild the head Of We, if
ye don't he after having me gal Kath-
leen." B At truly has II hpen said that
Lave laughs at bars" No soouer did
| the amnrous barber perceive the danger
OF his affair than he swnre to carry out
/ his design. The romantic damsel was
nothing 10th, and, seiziug the first up
portuuity, shipped for Bfonklyu with
no other trosseau than what she i,ai on
Tom Callahan came in hot pursuit with
a bludgeon of the shillalah persuasion.
aud arrived at the steps of the Catholic
church just as Bishop Laughlin was
tying the hymeneal knot. Irishman-
/ like, he waited until the ceremony was
| finished, then walloped the bridegroom
and. in answer to the tears Of the bride,
said: "Irs all right, me darlin'; ye are
both forgiven. After all, George Is a
good boy, but promised the old woman
that I'd whop him, and it had to be
done.n And they all went home happy.
Weston will arrive by the steamship
Navada about next Tuesday, and the
great international walk for the Ashley
hell will take place in the Madison
Souare Garden on Monday, the 22i Of
September. Should any injunction or
trouble arise 10y opposing parties 20 pre-
vent the match from beginning on that
date, the walk will not be postponed,
but will take place either at the Ameri-
can Institute Rink or in Brooklyn. The
entries will close to-day IN Lontiou, and.
while they are numerous on this side Of