Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-02-18

points in New England and down inc tanhuh
line, and all travel going south to points to which
the Central Vermont and Southeastern and Pas
sumpsic lines ticket but will not affect through
western traffic. The precise percentage OF the re-
duction cannot now be stated but II will be ma
teral and sweeping, applying to all through and
local rates. The managers Of the Central Yer
mont have had this movement In contemplation
some time, and embraced the first opportunity OF
increased travel and the revival OF business TO
open negotiations with the connecting lines, which
have resulted as above The new tariff over the
Central road is completed, only the final confer
ference with two or three roads on the matters OF
detail remain to he had, and all will push through
the preparations OF the new tariff, which viii be
ready for PRONUNCIATION April list.
COUNTERFEIT half dollars are becoming plenty
and many OF them are so well executed as to re-
qure close scrutiny. Those observed are chiefly
with the dates 1857, 1875 and 1877. The dies are
generally good, but the weight noticeably lighter
than the genuine coin. Many Of those OF the date
1875 show slight flaw under the talons OF the
eagle, and the letter 7 in the word half, imme-
diately under it, Is also imperfect The general
appearance OF them all, however, in color and
mint work is very deceptive including the milied
edges though this does not run quite so perfect
as In the genuine. Those OF 1857 and 1915 are
copied from the half dollar of the Philadelphia
mint and that Of 1877 both from the mints at Phil
adelpha and San Francisco. The former Is fifty
four grains in weight lighter than the genuine
coin; those Of 1877 are fortyseven grains lighter,
and those of 1857 sxty-one grains less. In the
size and regularity OF the letters and the numer-
ais the false coins show no difference from the
real The die and impressions are perfect, and
the sound or ring little sharper than the gen
une. In fact, the whole general appearance OF
the coin Is well-nigh perfect and constitutes al
together a very dangerous counterfeit to any but
practical expert The color is deceptive and
| no analysis has yet been made to determine the
composition The most marked feature OF differ
ence however, from the true coin is its light
weight The Philadelphia coin has no special
mint mark while that OF San Francisco has a
very minute under the talons Of the eagle and
above the lettering, and the Carson City coinage
is distinguished by the two very small letters C
in the same position.
THE annual meeting OF the Montpelier Wells
River Railroad Company will be held in this vii
lage Wednesday, the 25th inst The annual re-
port Just published makes the following showing
Gross earnings for the year, SS4 $40 IL; gross ex
penses, s64, 962 06 net income sl9,55S.07. OF
the earnings $50 344 81 were derived from freight
ITO 81 from passenger traffic. During the
year quite large expenditures for improvements
of a permanent nature have been made, which
are included in the gross expenses. These i'm
provements relate principally to new sidngs ano
new seepers, new steel rails, and trestle bridge
two hundred and forty feet in length at Plainfeld
to replace temporary structure. The assets o
the company January 1st, 1879, were So SiS 81
After appropriating $4,000 for dividend, thu
assets OF the company January LIST, 1880, amour
to $40, 4O6 80 which consist in supplies on hand
cash. and amounts due from agents and othe
roads. From card published by the directors /
appears that the bondhoders of the Montpelier
Wells River Railroad Company foreclosed thei
mortgage and obtained possession of the roa'
January lst, 1877, and at the same time organized
under the laws of the state under the corporate
name Of the Montpelier & Wells River Railroad
At that time the total Indebtedness Of the com
pany was S91, 95i As The net earnings OF 1877
were applied to reduce this debt, The total in
debtedness January lst 1880 is S66, 365 %, whic
sum includes the cost of a new baggage and tel
new platform cars-the latter having been adde
, to the rolling stock of the road during the pas
year This road is differed by men OF make
, efficiency, from the president down. and its pre-
ent thrifty condition is attributable to vgian'
, thoroughgoing administration OF its affairs /
every department. In concert with its connectin
D roads, this company is periectng arrangement
for reduction in through and local passengt
rates, which will go into effect April LIST.
) FASHION and display are ruling with hig
, hand this season in New York. A correspondent
( says: Never indeed has fashionable dressin
: been so sumptuous and splendid as this season
/ New York women have great talent in dres
0 But they lack the gift of knowing where to stol
They have not that quetness which is pow'
b., sleeping on its own right arm The tendency
? always to overdo. For example, one of the plea
e ATTEST forms of entertainment last year was Il
: Afternoon tea The table offered yon te
;. bo,,illon, possibly chocolate thin bread and blu
ter, and cake A few houses added ices. tn
refreshment certainly seemed enough to susta
J.. life between the one o'clock luncheon and the s
Il o'clock dinner. The hostess appeared in a sill
pie dress, very often black silk, which, of cours
permitted plain toilets to her guests Ladies kne
"a that they might short stuff dresses, If net
"a were, and avoid the expense of a carriage. Pc
| sons OF moderate means, the wives OF artists al
=, professional men, could afford these simple e
:, tertainments, and some of the most agreeable
the winter were given at such houses. We fe
!, gratefully, that we were beginning to solve d
=, problem of social life in a large and rich cit
This year all is changed, The hostess receives
evening dress, bigh-necked indeed, but elabora
II and costly. Her table is covered with daintit
1t Several hired walters assist, An awning and
y carpet on the steps hint at expensive hens, pr
70 ishable bootings and the protecting carriae
'' And the hint bears fruit in trailing velvet al
|" satin robes, yards of costly Lace expensive flo
y ers, and white gloves buttoned to the elbow.
) is an evening party, to all intents and purpose
:, and the frugal matron who had fondly hop
that her last years short black silk would salts
the greed of society for good clothes, feels hers
. so conspicuous that not even the consciousnt
that 1t is she who illustrates the fitness OF thinl
70 and not the vast overdressed reminder, will lie
her to repeat the experience"
l.
lie NoRTHFIELp-Iti is hoped the Republicans
Oh this town will not let the caucus, at the Villa