The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-20
ITEMS OF INTEREST

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ITEMS OF INTERNsT
A country storekeeper in Connecticut,
having been annoyed by robberes OF the
contents ofhis cash drawer, lately contrived
the following tap He arranged in the
floor trap-door, which perfectly matched
the boards of the floor. In the day time the
door YVES securely fastened, but at night on
leaving the store catch WAS 30 fixed that
the moment the uususpecting burglar
stepped on the door to operate on the
money-drAwer the trap-door opened and
dropped him into a pit in the cellar below
The sides of the pit were smooth and
higher than mans head, so that once
dropped the burglar could not escape. The
trap closed automatically by a spring ready
for second burglar. A practical trial of
the trap proved successful, for one morning
the storekeeper found evidence of an en-
trance to his store in the night, and on look
ing into the pit discovered the imprisoned
burglar He coolly went about his business,
aud in due course had the burglar arrested.
Mrs. Davis forbade John Doyle, saloon
keeper ut North Adams, Massachusetts, to
to sell her husband any more rum. "As
long IS he has money to buy with" said
Doyle, "he can get drinks at my bar"
Davis abused his PRIVILEGE by getting drunk
at once, and while in that condition had
both legs cut OIL by n locomotive. Mrs.
Davis got verdict of 81 500 against Doyle,
and the supreme court has confirmed it
Suits with similar results are constantly
being brought in numerous states under
civil damage laws which are substantially
alike in their provisions. In San Francisco
a society has been formed to prosecute such
cases free OF charge.
Iharn 10 orrova IiSConfant o,,npn ino tn,,
antry-a superior class-on the estate of the
young Marquis OF Downshire, who owns
the most valuable rural property in Ire
land. They lately held meeting where
they pledged themselves to support the
present Tory members, Lord Castleresgh
and Lord A. Hill, their landlords uncle,
and passed resolution of gratitude to Mr..
Gladstone. The rent roll Of the Irish
Downshire estates is some $4,000 year,
and the Marquis, when he comes Of age,
will have had minority ofeighteen years.
As he also has an English estate, the accu-
mutation of money should be very large.
Victor Hugo attained, on February ",
his Slst year. The anniversary was cele-
brated by a banquet at the Hotel Continen.
tai. Covers were laid for 1870. Politics, let
tiers and art were well represented. NJ. John
Lemoinue, NJ. Lockroy NJ. Clemenceau. NJ,
torien Sardou, NJ. Got and Nine. Sarah
Bernhard were present. In reply to the
toast of the evening moved in eloquent
terms by NJ Got, Victor Hugo said: "Mes
cheers conreres, am too moved TO be able
to do anything else than to manifest TO you
my emotion. You are all colleagues, and
colleagues are all brethren"
Austria supports 20 schools of agriculture
with 200 students, aud ia agricultural
evening schools with $500 students. France
has - farm schools with 80 to 40 pupils at
| each. The government pays the board OF
each pupil, and allows him 20 francs year
for clothing. Paris has department
schools of agriculture and national agri-
cultural institute. Germany has over $50
schools Of agriculture, Gorticulture, arbori-
culture and viticulture. Their first expert
mental agricultural station was established
in 1852; upward of 60 are now in operation,
| each one having special line of research.
The French AMBASSADOR ct Madrid was
lately instructed to express the regret of
his government that the Spanish ambassa-
dor did not find it convenient to be at his
post in Paris. He was nnotcally told
| that the ambassador could not return to
Paris until the question of eXpelling prin-
ces closely related to the royal family Of
| Spain was decided one way or the other.
Count Duchatel, who resigned the French
embassy at Vienna on account of the
measures contemplated against the Orleans
princes is the objet Of special civilities from
the imperial family.
One Of the many strange episodes OF the
recent western floods was the finding of an
infant near Louisville, Kentucky, floating
in cradle In the river, A man who was
rowing around in boat In search of wreck
age saw the cradle, and rowing up TO it was
surprised to find beautiful infant about
three months old gazing up at the sky in
open-mouthed wonder. The little wall
was soon comfortably and warmly dressed,
and had not received the slightest harm
Its parents have not yet been found.
p II. Leonard, Sixth street shoe-dealer
in Oakland, California, fell in with a crowd
Of hoodlums near his store Monday after
noon, the leader of whom was an ex-con,
Wet named Jaines Kelley Leonard brand
until he had no control over himself, and
then the mob attempted TO rob him, knock
ing him down and kicking him to keep him
quiet. Finally he ard Kelly fell together
and the gentle hoodlum testified his atlec
ton for Leonard by biting OIL piece OF hi
nose.
Inspector Mallon is the name of the mar
to whom English jour mails Give the credit o
having laid bare the machinery of lrisl
assassination and vindiCated the good name
OF the Dublin police. They compare hin
for acuteness, coolness, patience and sell
restraint TO 10 Pere Tabaret, and says he is
II greater adept in the detective art thar
any imagination In fiction.
1t is said that Mr.. Gladstone, rs chnuoel
lor of the exchequer, used TO make II hi
business, in days when he was not 80 uni
versally known by sight, to enter common
public houses in many parts Of the tow
aud to call for glass OF beer in order I,
test the working of the excise laws, and,
opportunity offered, to ask few questions
The national debt was reduced $3.50
67S.5i during the month of February. This
is not as heavy reduction as has beer
made in some previous months, but II is
pretty good showing for twenty eight days
The total debt, less cash In the treasury, Il
now 81 1856 276, 40. Since June 30, 1852
the debt has been decreased SlO2, SSS,3i
A large portion OF the board ceiling OF {
sohool.room In Troy, New York, fell Marcl
8. Tho jantress was IN the room At tn
time building Il fire, and saved herself By
running into recitation.room. The do
brs covered the desks, and, had III
scholars been present, loss OF life NIGH
have resulted.
The Berlin Elevated railroad, crossing th
city from east to west Is seven miles lonE
aud cost about Sl6,0OO,0O0. IL is oh!eil,
used by third-class passengers Tor short dis
tsnces, and the gross receipts Tor the nrs
year will be but 81 per cent. on Its cost.
At Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, a widowe
married his dead wife's sister, who had
daughter. In o year or two wife No. die
and he Married the daughter. He. thu
/. became not only his wiies husband, bu
also her uncle and step.'ather.
one of those persons who keep records
! SAYS that 1884 tect Of snow have fallen in tn
Ashuelot valley, New Hampshire durin
fall In one year was thirty.cisht inches, tn
deepest l0l inches.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's de,k-the on
which he used during his custom house
SAlem-is preserved In the venerable Fir,
/, church OF that city. II is q tall desk an