The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-09-19
DETROIT LOCALS.
From Our Own Correspondent.

What dry, prosy, uninteresting world this
would be, if every one, IN every place, was do
ing everything perfectly right and in order ;
not that this is advocating wickedness and ir
regularity but, as the small boy says, Just for
instance" ID. IS conspicuous among her sister
cities as being dry, old fogy town, but for
once, one OF her citizens has broken her con-
servatve rules and adopted new and very
radical way OF wagIng a contest with gas
company. Wise King Solomon would have
been obliged to resclnd his words, there is
nothing new under the sum-" had he heard of
Uncle Luther Beecher's single handed combat
with corporation. Consequent upon the quick
fitting OF Numerous landlords of the Biddle
House, there has been left in an unsettled state
few gas bills. Sometime prior to the re-
opening of the Biddle, the President Of the
gas company intimated, in roundabout man
ner, that unless these little bills, amounting to
some 1900, were paid, the present incumbent
OF the House would, perforce, resort to the
primitive taller dip and kerosene lamp II
there is anything Uncle Luther likes 1t is COM
ing to the point, and nothing he likes less than
"going all the way around Robin Hoods barn"
The crcuitous manner Of the communication
aroused his IRE but failed to gain his attention
as hoped for, that lie, settlement. Threats
availing naught, the President proceeded to
act. He dispatched a squad Of men to the
Biddle with instruction to detach the service
pipes OF the house from the main. When this
fact reached Uncle Luther, he was about to
discuss we'll prepared breakfast and the morn
ing paper. Regardless OF the appeals OF the
secretary of his interior for re-inforcements,
he seized his hat and invaluable umbrella and
sailed forth on vengeful thoughts intent. Ar
irving at his troublesome piece OF property, the
Biddle, he deserted the squad of men making
large excavation at the corner Of Jefferson
Avenue and Bates Street. In few minutes
the gas supply would be effectually cut Off
Without hesitation, brandisbng bis umbrella,
he sprsng into the pit, frightening tho laborers
half out OF their wits and causing them to
climb out with more haste than dignity. Left
in possession, he coolly seated himself upon
the gas pipe raised his umbrella and gazed,
with . Chinese smile, upon the collecting
crowd The foreman OF the gang, muster ng
up his courage, stepped forward and politely
requested Mr.. Beecher to remove and allow bis
men to proceed with their work. With Joey
Bagstock" wink at the crowd, he replied to the
foreman, Il am very sorry indeed, my good
man, but | can't obligs you. 1 am Oh my own
property and propose to stay" There really
was nothing to be done and, like a sensible
mai, the foreman did nothing but wait. Upon
it becoming known that Uncle Luther had been
deprived Of his morning meal, the firm Of Vail
and Crane, bakers, sent over a donation oi
crackers and gingersnaps. The nucleus OF q
laughing, jeering crowd, contentedly munchng
his crackers and snaps, with umbrella hosted,
there Uncle Luther sat until 11.SO, when he
was observed to hesve q great sigh of relief
and spring nmbly out OF the pit. HIS lawyer
had arrived with an injunction and thus mat
ters were adjusted for time. Among the
legends OF Detroit will be reckoned the true
; episode OF how brave Uncle Luther held toe
pit and saved his Rome its supply OF gas.
At present the city is one grand household
making ready Cor visitors. Such preparation
, for baking, such overhauling OF bedding, sucl
securing and cleaning, such sweeping and dust
ing, as we are doing this week staggers the i'm
t agination Of q Munchausen. Many OF ou
; dear little housewives are puckering their pref
' ty faces in unseemly frowns as they struggl
with the problem, how can l entertain Aun
+ Susie and Uncle Eph and Cousin George IN
=, Cousin Mary and maybe, Cousin Jedediah, wit
, only one spare room? But it is such emer
k gencies that bring out the ability these littl
A housewives have for management and in ever
: case the entertainment will be forthcoming,
not the best tho land affords, at least, the BET
: the house boasts. The head Of this gran
a household, the City Fathers, have mature
g their plans for the reception Of the guest.
: Here follows the programme for the enter
n tainment OF President Hayes, which we omit
e !, Speaking Of receptions, we had one here la
q week, which outrsnked anything ever given
% Detroit in taste and elesancy. 1t was more
the character of lawn fete than formal n
ceptop. 1t was given by Hon. VIM. b. WessC
- at his residence on jefferson Avenue. In Il
"a "a afternoon the Ioxophilite Archery Club he
J. their meeting upon the grounds, and son
very elegant and tasteful prizes were award
to those scoring the highest, by their ente
tainers. In the evening the spacious groun
J extending to the river bank presented graz
spectacular scene. The light OF thousar
\ Chinese lanterns shown upon the gay ur
forms OF the officers Of Fort Wayne, upon Il
quieter garments Of the civilian. upon the lg
and airy costumes Of the young lady gues
making q rare moving tableau. In the cent
!, Of the ground was pyramid Of various color
!, lights extending to the height Of nlnsty-s
: feet. The artificial lake Was phosphoresce
!. with the pyrotechnic display, while along