The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-07-07
Things in General.

The Reno( New Gazette remarks: 1.-The
editor of Carson paper was asked by a
stranger if it was possible that little town kept
up four newspapers" and the reply was:
mo; it takes four newspapers to keep up
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 vaults Of the city.
Two hundred and sixty years ago the
first duel was fought in England between
two servants, They fought with sword
and dagger, and both were 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 so much in be-
nevolence lately, gave 800, 900 to the Wes-
leyan female college at Macon, Ca, max
ing $50, 600 given to that institution with
in two months.
A gentleman in New York wrote two let
tiers concerning one matter the other day,
and placing them in wrong envelopes, sent
one to his brother and the other to the
counsel for man who was involved in a
law suit with the brothers. The letter re-
ceived by the lawyer contained pro-
gramme of the manner in which his client
was to be worsted.
An enterprising rascal drew to New
York young countryman, 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 a
police officer.
Governor Bell of New Hampshire wrote
as follows in his recent message upon the
question of the improper use of money al
elections: "We have already statute affx-
ing penalty to acts of this description
which is not enforced. I recommend thai
the attempt be made by further enact
ments, and if need be, by prescribing
ignominious punishment, to stamp out in
New Hampshire. at once and forever, 6
practice so degrading to the voter and sc
corrupting to the whole body polite"
The increase of population IN the United
States during the last decade was large. bu
that of Australia was proportionately great
| er, 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 ,t00
whilst in 1880 the figures had swollen tc
100000 New Zealand is reported to have
had still larger increase. There is un-
doubtedly great future before Great
Britian's southern colonies.
| 1t 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 1847. 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. M" Mr.. Mitchell had them printed fol
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.