St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-05-14

like rapidity that the detective could
not tell what she was doing, but he
thought she was putting them back on
the counter. He made a study of the
subject and afterwards caught her. The
vigilance which must necessarily be
exercised against these offenders some
times causes dealers to get into trouble
by "barking up the wrong tree" and
accusing innocent persons of stealing
their goods. At least two prominent
dry goods houses here have had to pay
irate husbands very handsome sums of
money as damages for locking up unof-
Tending wives as suspected shOplift-
ers.
Murray Hill residents are amused
ever a contest between two millionaires
whose residences adjOin. In construct
ing the buildings, the architect arrang-
ed windows of similar size on the side
of each house. The occupants were not
satisfied with the arrangements by
which their privacy was invaded. One
dark night mechanics were struggled
into the space between the houses, and
on the following morning had finished
the work of attaching immense iron
shutters to his neighbours windows,
the opposite party employed number
of wOrkmen to demOlish the fixtures
and erect a barlicade on the mans
house, which was shortly afterward
knocked down by his neighbor. AS
soon as each made any improvement it
would be destroyed by the opposite
party, and this condition of affairs has
lasted since, and is likely to become a
matter of bitter litigation. Both par
ties have already spent few thousand
dollars, and are determined to close the
windows by some device which will
shield their rooms from all danger of
prying eyes, and at the same time ad-
nit light to his own rooms. They will
not listen to any compromising de-
vice.
Many years ago Boston gentleman
discovered a process for making watch
oil. 1t was a difficult operation, re-
quiring thorough knowledge of the
chemical properties of the ingredients
used, and great patience to get them to
assimilate. Having finally perfected it
by destroying all the acids and their
gummy qualities, it was placed upon
the market. Watchmakers are suspi-
cious of things of this kind, and only
took samples for trial.
Disheartened by his failure to sell
the stuff, the inventor committed sui
eide. His effects were seized. The
limpid oil found its way to London, and
in fitting up some ships chronometers
for the arctic regions this oil was used
as lubricator. The vessels were gone
several years, having been caught in an
ice pack, and during all that time the
chrOnometers gave the most complete
satisfaction.
On the return OF the ships to Eng
land, the watchmakers were astonished
at the results obtained, the oil being
apparently as fresh as when first used.
About the same time the oil was used
on the chronOmeters of ships bound for
India and other tropical climates, and
the results were fully as satisfactory as
with those that sailed to the North.
The London manufacturers endeavored
to obtain more of it, but the manufac-
turer being dead, the secret of its man
ufacture was buried with him.
There were but two portions left
One was retained by the owner, and
the other was recently purchased by a
watch company of this city. There is
about one quart of it, and for this small
quantity the fabulous sum of 5000 was
paid, greater sum than was ever be-
fore paid for single quart of oil.
There is squabble over the appoint
ment of a committee to arrange the
Worlds Fair to be held in this city in
'S3. Judge Hilton had been selected
as chairman by a number of gentlemen
having the object in view, but his man
agership is opposed by others who have
made application to the House of Rep
resentatives to incorporate 4 COMMITS
sion to conduct the exposition. The bill
was drawn to entirely avoid that dual
which was found to make |
such trouble ut Philadelphia during the
exposition of 1876. 1t is sincerely hop
ed that some amicable arrangement
will soon be effected, as this internal
lighting tends to demOralize the mer-
chants who are expected to contribute
toward the success of the exhibition.
RADIX.