The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-28
ODDS AND ENDS.

The City Library now has bindery attached.
1t is estimated that this method of doing bust
ness will not only save about $3.50 year, but
the work will be done more promptly than
hitherto when sent out of the house and books
for which there is great demand will not be so
long absent from the shelves.
-
II remember, said gentleman of forty or
thereabouts, 'the first of the agents of school
book publishers who came to this city and ex-
changed our old books for his new series He
was singular looking person, and wore a
strange and rakish red cap, having altogether a
most mysterious appearance. We could not I'M
derstand the policy of the exchange at all; the
proceeding was altogether incomprehensble TO
our innocent minds, and we compared him
with the magician who took advantage of our
young friend Aladdin in exchanging with
his wife the bright new lamp for the wonderful
old one. 1t was only when we grew older and
had youngsters of our. own that we were able to
fathom the deep design of the book agent"
"You don't remember Colonel RUSSELL one of
the early postmasters of this cty2" inquired a
gentleman with a memory, of the reporter
MOT He was Austin H. Browns father-in-law.
His brother, Captain John Russell, was famous
steamboat captain on the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers half a century ago. He was a man of
great physical strength and much decision of
character. There was for many years legend
on the Mississippi concerning an exploit of the
Captains at Natchez under the hill, notorious
place infested by the most rascally lot
OF cut-throats and gamblers that ever
breathed 1t seems his boat had stopped at the
place to discharge or take on some freight, which
took considerable time A number of passen-
gers went ashore to look about Two of them
went into dive near the wharf, and came out a
few minutes later, swindled out of s.. 600 or
So, 800, fact which, with the attending circum-
stances, they reported to the captain, who came
ashore and hailed the house for talk. He said
the money must be refunded inside of five min
utes The thieves laughed at him. When the
time had about elapsed, half dozen deck hands
ran ashore with rope, took a turn with it about
the frame shauty, and the steamer started. The
timbers began to crack and groan the house
toppled toward the river, when the gamblers ran
out and handed over the money"
At the annual meeting of the Meridian Club
a few nights ago, impromptu speeches were
made by number of members. When Harry
Adams was called upon he dwelt at some length
upon the advantages and enjoyments of club,
and continued as follows: 1--WE do not allow
politics to bother us in this club. although ev-
cry party is represented here-we have Repub-
licans Democrats. Prohibtionists and
Lindley Vinton.r The last reference made a
decided hit
Colonel F. Raphael Wright, of the Sentinel
has developed new industry. Whenever he
has spare time in the evening he spends it at a
certain drug store in the West End. 1t is a
well-recognized fact among the city reporters
that as rule nine-tenths of Che people, es-
pecially abandoned women, who commit suicide,
buy their poison at this particular shop, which
is said to offer the best inducements for suicides
in the city. 1t has also been noticed that re-
Gently Mr.. Wright has been frequent witness
in cOroners' inquest and the boys have begun to
suspect that he loafs around this drug store so
as to get points on suicides, and then make
seventyfve cents day by testifying about
them before the coroner.
There is a Sunday-schoo in this city that is
prosperous and hourishing in spite of the fact
that D. NJ Ransdell, H. c. Adams and NJ G.
McI4an were its superintendent in succession.
Many people grumbled about the walking last
night Some were emphatic in their eondemna-
ton OF the lubricity of the pavements; few were
even profane 1t is no easy matter to please every
one but if the streets freeze tonight it may be set
down as an assured fact that all the small boys
who have skates will be thoroughly happy. and
look upon the elderly public as misguided
croakers, agreeing with the poet as to
1.-THE dreary weary croaker
VIII have to die some day,
Perhaps he'll 60 to heaven,
And walk the golden way
But when the shining pavernents,
His gloomy eyes behold
He II shake his head and mutter:
don't believe They're gold"
---~Dr--