Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-09
IN GENERAL.

An Alabama negro walked 4S miles the
other day to see q circus.
"A bald-headed Judge in Kansas daily
rubbed his head with half of a fresh raw on
ion and in two months his hair grew out.
There are 5,11G men employed in the
copper mines of this country, and the total
yearly product of copper is little less than
$3.50, 900.
"A school-marm in Kentucky married one
of her pupils, and, subsequently,, detecting
him breaking the rules in school, ferruled
him and fellow culprit with great impartial
ity and considerable vigor.
1t is announced that Prince Leopold, the
youngest son of Queen Victoria, is betrothed
to the Princess Helene of Waldeck. The
Prince is now in the 29th year of his age,
having been born April 7, 1853. His intend
ed bride is about eight years younger.
1t sounds strangely, but serious story
comes to the effect that five men were blown
120 feet into the air by the unexpected dis
charge of a rock blast on the Northern Pacif-
ic the other day, that they fell into q river
and were fshed out little injured.
President Garfeld's physicians got ad-
vertising enough to pay them well for their
services, if they never get fee. Drs Bliss
and Reyburn are crowded with patients and
Drs. Agnew and Hamilton have doubled their
already great practice since September. Even
DIR. Boynton might realize q big boom of pat
ronage if he were SO disposed.
AT Memphis, Tenn, on a recent Sunday
evening, powerful bulldog entered color
ed peoples church, proceeded leisurely to the
pulpit, and seizing a visiting minister, who
was about to preach, by the leg, walked him
out of church, and would not let go his hold
till his brains were beaten out with clubs
1t is now known that 81, SOC, 900 in cash
will be necessary to enable the Pacific bank
OF Boston to resume, and, in addition, the
capital stock of 81, ,OOO 600 must be sacrificed.
1t is thought $500, 900 may be realized on the
Weeks securities of 81, $50, 900. 1t is stated
that the present condition of the assets shows
the management of the institution to have
been the most wantonly reckless in the his
tory of banking.
In the fall of 1880 wildcat was caught
at the base of Mt. Washington and taken to
the summit, where it made its home with the
observers at the signal station during the
winter of 80-S1. In the following spring
''Tom" Gas the cat was called by tho observ-
ers), left the summit and nothing was seen
of him until the other day when he returned
to his last winters quarters, making himself
quite at home, apparently ready to spend
another winter on the summit.
The weaning of baby elephant doesn't
seem to be very difficult task. The famous
offspring of Hebe was taken from its mother
the other day at Bridgeport, Conn, where
both animals are in winter quarters, and is
now living complacently on diet of crack
ers and milk. The mother utters sonorous
protest occasionally and looks fondly toward
the little animal tethered at the other end of
the apartment But both are getting used to
the separation and no trouble is anticipated.
-Aeronauts have unique method of tax
ing ''soundings" to learn their distance from
the earth when they are being spept rapidly
along in the night. According to the signal
service officer who recently accompanied
Professor King on his perilous journey from
Chicago to Wisconsin swamp loud shout
is given, and then the seconds are counted
until the echo from the ground is heard. The
height is estimated by the time required for
the return of the sound.
1t is learned that President Willard, of the
Northern Pacific railroad has made a con-
tract with Edison for the construction Of fifty
miles Of railroad in Minnesota in 1882, upon
which to test the efficiency of the Edison
electrical engine as a motive power for rail-
roads. Willard is to pay for the road if the
experiment is satisfactory. II the test fails
Edison (and the capitalists backing him) will
have to pay the greater part of the costs.
One marked evidence of the progress of
the oolored people of the South is the fairs
exclusively under their control, which are be-
coming OF frequent occurrence. An indus
trial fair of the colored people of Alabama
opened at Montgomery last week, and is hand
somely spoken of by the Advertiser of that
place, which says ''The floral hall is hand
somely decorated with pictures fancy needle
work of all kinds, preserves, and, in fact
everything that is usually on exhibition at
fairs. The field crop, poultry and stock de-
partments are full and complete" The ex-
hibition is not behind those of white people
in points of special attractions there being
splendid racing" and the usual side shows
Nothing and nobody escapes taxation in
Turkey. The Government takes one-tenth
of all crops besides which there is tax of
three-ffths of one per cent on the value of
the land On every sheep and goat there is
horse, COW, or other domestic animal is sold
two and one-half per cent. of the price goes
to the Government Then there is house
tax amounting to two-ffths of one per cent.
ON the value of houses worth under $500, and
four-tifths of one per cent. on houses valued
above that sum. There is a very heavy tax,
equivalent TO about seven days labor, impos-
ed upon the Christian population for exemp-
tion from military service. Also a tax Of
three per cent. upon incomes, and duties up
on various commodities like tobacco, silks
etc. In fact, as the people say, there is not
vein that has any blood in it that the Gov
ernment has not lanced."