The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-07-07
Things In General.

editor OF Carson paper was asked by a
strangor if it WAS possible that little town kept
up four newspapers" and the reply was
mo; it takes four newspapers to keep mp
the town.
It is estimated that about half of the
family silver of Boston now reposes, free
from the care of the everlasting polishing
of servants, snugly in the different safe-
deposit vanlts Of the city.
Two hundred and sixty years apo the
first duel was fought in England between
two servants, They fought with sword
and dagger, and both we're wounded
Puritanism sentenced them to be tied
twenty-four hours with their heads and
feet together.
George J. Seney of New York, the rich
Methodist who has given 50 much in be-
nevolence lately, gave 800. 900 to the Wes-
leyan female college at Macon, Ga, max
ing $40, 900 given to that institution with
in two months.
A gentleman in New York wrote two let
ters concerning one matter the other d.y,
and placing them in wrong envelopes, sent
one to his brother and tho other to the
counsel for a man who was involved in a
law snit with the brothers. The letter re-
ceived by the lawyer contained a pro-
gramme of the manner in which his client
was to he worsted.
An enterprising rascal drew to New
York young countrynaac, to whom he
had agreed to sell $4,000 in counterfeit,
money for $500. The young countryman
received the counterfeiter in his room al
the hotel. got the drop on him with six
shooter, and politely handed him over to q
police officer.
Goyernor Bell of New Hampshire wrote
as follows in his recent message upon the
question of the improper use of money al
elections: I've have already a statute affix.
ing penalty to nets Of this description
which is not enforced. recommend that
the attempt be made by further enact
ments, and if need be, by prescribing
ignominious punishment, to stamp out in
New Hampshire, ut once and forever, q
practice so degrading to the voter and &C
corrupting to the whole body polite"
The increase Of population in the United
States during the last decade was large. but
that of Australia was proportionately great.
or, it being estimated at forty per cent
One colony, which is not supposed to be
the most progressive, that Of New South
Wales, had in 1870 population of 544, ZOO,
whilst in 1880 the figures had swollen tc
100000 New Zealand is reported to hav.
had O still larger increase. There is un-
doubtedly n great future before Great
Britian's southern colonies.
In his address upon powers and duties OF
the p1ess before the Northern Indiana Ed
itorial' association last week at Wabash,
MIR: Richard Smith, editor Of the Cincin-
natl Gazette, speaking of the evils of the
credit system, said: "When sthe Gazette
company changed from the credit to the
cash in advance system there were $50, ,OOO
due on the books for weekly subscribers
alone that had been accumulating for
a third of century. OF that amount not
80. 600 cents were collected. We employed
a man and furnished him good horse and
sent him off on collecting tour. In six
months the horse died, tho saddle and
bride were pawned for keep, and the man
returned considerable balance against the
company. We sold the books for old pa
per and called those credits lost"
It is believed that the first postage stamp
used in this country was one designed by
the Hon. E. A. Mitchell, postmaster Of
New Haven. in the year 1S47. 1t did not
differ much in size and form from the
present government stamp, but was of a
brown color, was printed on ordinary pa
per and contained the words. Paid. New
Haven Post Office. cents. E. A. Mitchell
p. NJ" Mr.. Mitchell had them printed for
the use and convenience of citizens of New
Haven vino had complained to him of the
delay sometimes occasioned by their being
unable to prepay letters except in office
hours. The stamps were sold by the post
master and accepted in prepayment when
affixed. A high price is put upon speci-
mems Of this stamp by collectors, and the
present postmaster at New Haven has fire.
quent applicants for them.
One Of Prof. Newcombs assistants saws
that the earth mects so, ,000, 600 of comets,
more or less. every year. Almost all OF
them are ignited by the rapid passage
through our atmosphere, and become shoot
ing stars. Now and then one does not iq-
mite. and strikes the earth. These are
called metoric stones, of which a very large
specimen is in the Smithsonian Institute.
The universe is full of them. The assist
ant adds that it is held by some astronomers
that the result which wonld follow, should
comet strike the earth large comet
--woukl be to resolve both bodies at once.
by the conclusion, into clouds of incandes-
cent mist, or gaseous matter, a resuli
which would be 80 sudden and lnstanta.
neous that the inhabitants of earth would
never know what had happened.-Neu
York San.