Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-08-12
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For this week, at least, Bellefonte IL a
temperance community. That sentiment,
In connection with the name OF Francis
Murphy, one of It's greatest living advo-
Gates, has been the burden OF speech upon
the lips of Beliefonle's inhabitants ever
since the distinguished gentleman alighted
from the train last Saturday evening at
800 o'clock. always excepting, Of course,
DIR. Tanner, the faster, who nov takes
precedence of all in the heart of every true
Amercan.) Kindness and love for bis
fenowman have long been known as dis
tinguishing attributes in the good qualities
of Mr.. Murphy, and this received practi-
cal demonstration in the gentlcman's ac-
tions during the few moments he spent at
the depot. With hat raised aloft in his
left hand in manner that betokened the
deepest Difference, he succeeded, with that
subtle magnetism for which he Is noted
in attracting to his side every person at the
depot To each he gave hearty grasp of
his hand, accompanying 1t with kind in
vitation 70 "come TO the meeting" There
is nothing particularly prepossessing in the
appearance of Francis Murphy all his
peculiar sttractiveness Is in his manner
He is of medium height and compact build
His countenance is sufficiently Hibernian
10 betray Irish descent, but his head ex-
tends for enough back TO have been nodded
in Scotland. His eyes are deep set and
overhung by pair Of shaggy eyebrows.
A heavy, black moustache seems 10 spring
out just below his nose and grow straight
down 10 his lips; no wAvy, graceful curves
toward either cheek are visible. That
his hair commenced TO grow before his
moustache appeared, is evident, as it Is
beautided by many silver threads Of gray,
while his moustache betrays no indication
of passing years. Yet, Mr.. Murphy is
much hAndsomer than the ordinary man.
Mr.. Murphy spent Saturday evening at
the residence Of our popular townsman ex-
Mayor Lyon, where an impromptu recep-
tion was held. Some solicitation has been
expressed by our friends hs TO where he
elected 10 attend divine service on Sunday
morning, but we regret that we are unable
to cnlighten their quite proper curiosity.
Suffice 20 say, we did not see him al our
church. His headquarters while in town,
when not dining out, are at the Bush
House.
The fret meeting on Sunday night was
simply beyond description. Never has
larger number Of people crowded into the
same space in this town. Standing room,
even, in the spacious auditorium of the
Court House, was at 4 premium, and many
went away in despair of obtaining even
that. After the meeting was In progress
we could not see single lady standing,
but nearly all the gentlemen we're on their
feet, which speaks unutterable things for
The galiantry Of Bellefontes male inhabi-
tants. Mr.. ]. NJ. Duncan and few other
heroes were observed TO be prseiicing gym
nasiics by carrying chairs through the
aisle over the heads Of the throng. Where
the chairs all came from and where they
all went to is a mystery. What it is in
Mr.. Murphy's utterAnces that 20 awakens
the popular enthusiasm is another mystery.
Hundreds Of better speakers on all sub
jecu are common. lie excels in neither
ainauonca nor aruurnaps W. haze ka..I
gentlemen Of our own town make more
argumentative temperance speeches, but
never heard q temperance speaker hold so
vast an audience in such rapt attention
He Is extremely pathetic at times, and
again witty. The eyes OF the audience are
sometimes dewed with tears and again
their facial muscles are convulsed with
laughter. Many of his descriptions, too,
are quite beautiful. His accent in ordins-
ry utterance does not tell that he was born
in the cottage by the sea" in Erin's Isle,
yet he can initiate II in 3 manner that
quite delights the true Irishman, and We
can readily believe his declaration that he
Nhh btth ~ Hht4Ne
On Monday night the Court House was
comfortably filled not uncomfottAbly
crowded. We enjoyed Mr.. Murphy's lee
turc even more than on the previous eve
ming. Perhaps IL was because he had
visited Bellefonte's beautiful spring during
the day, looked into iu pcarly depths, and
drew from IL that inspiration which II
always contains for the lover Of nature.
His apostrophe 10 Il was one of the sweet
est sentiments we have ever heard. lie
also paid a graceful tribute TO Ex-Governor
Curtin. His concluding description of a
battle in which Gen. Phil. Sheridan was
the hero was dramatic and natural. Many
persons signed the pledge. A large num-
Der did so for the sake of example, who
have before signed repeatedly and never