The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-03-19

in. About half the couples In the room have
caught the rhythm of the music; the others
swing hopeessy round, changing step and
humping into each other, till something like a
conglomerated deadlock ensues in one part Of
the room, and the dancers composing 1t disen-
gage themselves and wander away with many
bushes to more open space, where they try
1t again. Nobody seems to notice the by play.
All are dancing, or trying to dance, and have
enough to do to attend to their motions. Here
Is couple, neither of whom knows how to
waltz or has the slightest idea Of the magic
power of rhythm but that does not seem to
disturb them in the least Round and round
they swing, executing the simplest kind Of a
circle with endless repetition. Presently they
both grow so dizzy that they stagger against
the wall and stand there painting and perspir-
ing till their equilibrium and their breath is
recovered, when they launch upon new series
of eyolutions." And they would have us be-
lieve that this is the way they dance in Vermont
INVESTIGATION In the case OF the abscond-
ing Bennington postmaster, of which mention
was made last week, results in exposing extern
sive thefts from various branches OF the office.
Up to Wednesday evening shortage OF about
SO, 600 had been discovered Mutilated letters
we're found in the safe and registered letters
months old, that had not been delivered. Tif-
fany was clerk OF the board Of trustees, and
treasurer Of the Bennington graded school dis
trict. The order book has been found in such
mutilated condition as to render 1t useless,
and it is impossible to tell, except by infer
ence, whether any dishonesty has been perpe-
trated upon the school district. Tiffany was
last seen In Gardner, Mass, and it is thought
that he may have taken train from there to
Canada. A government detective has been Or
dered to pursue him. Mr.. William Bradford,
chief bondsman, is postmaster pro ten,., with
Mr.. John Wylie as his agent. The examina-
tion OF the records was conducted by Inspectors
Bassett and Lamson. The important records
of the office are missing, and there is no hope
of discovering them. Tiffany's downfall is
said to be owing largely to whiskey. The
management Of the office had been criticised
for some time. An associated press dispatch
of the 18th says: Last night George Tiffany,
son of the absconding postmaster, who has
been employed in the post office, was arrested
and charged with stealing government money
He made a confession, and other matters are
coming to light duplicating him with the irreg-
ularities Of his father. Young Tiffany is about
twenty years of age and has led dissipated
life. He was committed to Jail in default OF
81, 900 bail.
S. B. SABIN of Wallingford has come into the
possession of two rare copper cents. The pieces
are about the size OF an od-fashioned penny.
One, on one side, bears sun rising from be-
hind hills, plow in the foreground, the motto,
Vermontensium Res Publicd, and the date 1856;
the other side radiated eye, surrounded by
thirteen stars and the inscription, Quarta
Decina Stella. The other piece has on one
side a head, with the motto, Auctoritate YER
| naontensiuna, and the date 1887; the other, a
woman with Inde ct Lib. for independence and
| liberty. The latter piece was picked up in the
village These are the two styles Of coppers
coins coined at the mint in Rupert. For the
| benefit Of those who are not aware that a mint
was ever established in the state, the follow
ing from Zidock Thompson's Vermont" il
given: I" At the June session Of the legislature
in 1885, it appears that the legislature granted
Ruben Harmon, Jr., of Rupert, the exclusive
right of coming copper within the state for thu
term of two years from and after the 1st day
Of July following. After much trouble and de
lay he at length got his works in operation
and commenced the coming Of coppers. A
the October session, in 1856, Mr.. Harmon ap
piled to the legislature. and procured an ex
tension Of the time for which he was allowed
~ Il - Al.
period of eight years after the 1st OF July
1887. The weight Of the pieces was fixed b,
law at four rpennyweights and fifteen grains. Fo
| this privilege Mr.. Harmon was, after the ex
piration of three of the eight years. to pay int
the treasury of the state two and one-half pc
cent of all the copper he should coin during th
remainder of the term, and enter into bont
OF $4,000, with sufficient surety for the faithful
performance of his part"
THERE are great many individuals and firm
all through the country who are still engaged
in the illegal practice of loaning money to pen
sioners and receiving and holding their pen
sion certificates as security therefor. Th
United States officers are very desirous that al
pensioners, whose certificates are in the hand
| Vi SUCH uou, sndll uOtiiy tnSiu ht Ouco, hn'
their certificates will be recovered and the un
| lawful holders Of them prosecuted While it /
a violation of law for pensioner to hypothe
cate his or her pension certificates, entire i'm
munity is promised by the officers whose onl,
desire is to stop the further prosecution of thi
business by such money-lenders. All pen
sioners in this vicinity whose certificates are nov
pledged or holden as security, will be able T.
recover the same by reporting the facts +
AloDzo Weeks, special examiner Of the Unite,
States pension bureau, at the St. Johnsbur
House. St. Johnsbury. Vermont. The follow
ing is the law relating to the hypothecating o
pension certificates: Any pledge, mortgage
sale, assignment or transfer of any right, claim
or interest in any pension which has been, o
may hereafter be. granted, shall be void and O
no effect, and any person who shall pledge, o
receive as pledge, mortgage sale, assign
ment or transfer of any right claim, or interes
in any pension or pension certificate, which ha
been, or may hereafter be granted or issued
or who shall hold the same rs collateral SO
curity for any debt, or promise, or upon any
pretext OF such security, or promise, shall b.
guilty of misdemeanor, and upon conviction
thereof shall be fined In a sum not exceeding
800 and the costs of the prosecution; and an,
person who shall retain the certificate of pen
sioner and refuse to surrender the same upol