The Indianapolis journal., 1884-11-23

of tar. Following day or two after the report
of this rowdyish act, is the account Of the petit
tion Of Harvard students, that their attendance
at morning chapel be made optional rather than
compulsory, as heretofore This is question in
which there is room for difference of opinion
Attendance at chapel does not make civilized
being out Of college students, generally, and
certainly has not had that effect upon the youths
at Harvard, but there is no saying what sort of
a restraining influence it has had, nor what
dreadful ruffans they would be without it. 1t
would seem the wiser plan for the trustees not
TO excuse the young men from religious exer-
cises, but to establish, in connection Herewith,
hall where the wearing of sackcloth and the lay
ing on of stripes should be made obligatory,
rather than voluntary, when occasion required
THE National Humane Society has been hold
ing convention in Pittsburg The first session
was opened with prayer, but on the morning of
the second day Chicago member objected to
any further prayers, the ground that the one
already offered was sufficient to cover the entire
proceedings, and he was opposed to teasing God
This Chicago man, who Is imbued with spirit
of humanity toward his Maker, as well as with
kindness to animals, probably prefers to depend
for his subsistence upon the fluctuations of the
wheat market rather than upon fervent appeals
to heaven for daily bread supplemented by
honest work. He secures more bread at one
deal by his method, but the testimony of those
who have passed through much tribulation is
that in the long ruu the latter variety has better
staying qualities
WHEN the burglary business is not wantony
interfered with 1t seems to be excellent
method for securing competency in Chicago
Mr.. Ditcher, a well-known citizen of that place.
had, after long and industrious professional
career, succeeded in accumulating property
mostly in real estate. valued at $lS0,0O0. While
he was peaceably engaged, with one or two
friends, in robbing a warehouse few nights
ago. he was arrested by inconsiderate policemen
and locked up. He was of course, at once ad-
mitted to bail by the magistrate but the indig
nifty and interference with his calling so preyed
upon him that he has since attempted suicide,
and lies dangerously i'll. Should he not recover,
those Chicago policemen may be expected to be
consumed with remorse even if they do not
lose their situations.
A DISPLAY of wedding presents has been
garded by many refined people as not just the
proper thing, on account of feeling that it sa-
vored of vulgarity and shoddy. The gifts at the
recent Astor wedding, however, were exhibited
to all the guests Too long time has interviewed
since grandpa Astor carried pack on his back
to admit of suspicion of shoddy in connection
with the family, and it may, therefore, be ex
pected that all the fashionable brides of the
season will follow the example and display their
presents
A WRITER on the subject of tobacco says the
quality and the varying flavors of the weed de-
pend entirely upon the character of the ground
in which it grows. If this be true, it might be
an interesting study for scientists to discover
how it is that the peculiar aroma of old boots
burnt leather and decayed vegetables when used
as fertilizers passes through the soil into plant
life with so little change.
A BOSTON critic is not pleased with the popu-
lar heroine of American novels. She is too cos
mopolitan for his taste, standing as he says she
does, with one foot in Europe and the other in
America" This is an indication of mean
mind. Several Chicago girls have figured in
novels lately, and Boston always was jealous of
Chicago.
MRS LANGTRY is about to produce the
'School for Scandal" in London. Mrs. Langtry
took leading part in that sort of school when
she was in America and can now hardly be said
to assume a new role. though she may, of
course have been promoted to higher grade.
GIRLS in Philadelphia public schools will
hereafter receive instruction in sewing. Ameri-
can parents are evidently here for the purpose
of furnishing children on which the school sys-
tenn can be operated and elaborated in all its
vast possibilities
THE National Humane Society is in favor of
abolishing the check-rein, because it is cruel
abuse to the horse upon which it is used, and