Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-03-05
Minneapolis Letter.
EDITOR CLARION -

For more than week now has our
city been writhing in the grip Of hid
eous monster. Smallpox, measles, and
similar plaques heretofore have failed
to create the excitement occasioned by
this subtle foe. 1t has ridden rough
shod and full spuned over our popu-
lace, no respector Of persons, sparlng
none, of whatever age or Sex tramp.
ling alike upon the feeble and the
strong The gray haired veterans and
the giddy schoolgirl 60 down before it
like the Trejans before the spears OF
Ajax and Achilles. 1t has no respect
for family ties, tearing the wife from
her husband, sstranging the love of
parents for theil children. 1t is ruth
less, impacable, maddening 1t hangs
like total eclipse over the city by day
and pillar of fire by night The whole
city is cverrun by it as the frogs over
ran Egypt. From the blackboards of
the chamber of commerce the cabaIis-
tic square, triangle, and circle has
glared at the members on "change
like the fascinating and all pervadlng
eye of the boa Telegrams from the
Office have born it on their backs,
merchants have put it on checks in
place of their name or date Of the
month, and it has been found as an ex
ira post mark or the city letters. Book
keepers have ruined themselves and
their houses by mistakes in double col
umns, while scribbling at it. Clerks
have neglected customers to figure at
it on a billhead. Heads of firms have
laid aside their communications, anh
stay hours after closing time, up to
their knees in paper, coats OFT, with
Precipitation pouring from their con
tracted brows, the fire of lunacy in
their eyes and lead pencil in each
hand. A prominent eastern politician
! visiting here was detected at the West
hotel dinner table, dipping toothplck
in the mustard pot and tracing the in
toxicating lines on the tablecloth.-
Clergymen have stopped short in the
middle of their discourse to make a
note of an idea that struck them,on the
back of their MSS. and finally lead
ing citizen nearly killed his wife, when
she got up at p. NJ. to put on paper
a sudden inspiration that came to her
in a dream. Mstook her for a burg
lar. 1t looked harmless at first sight
and therein was the secret of its fatal
strength. We caught 2x4 infection
and can now lay claim to one days
"positive imbecility.' We are all well
now though.-Ugh!!
What is ityou ask ? Why don't you
know? Now what else than circus
can turn the heads or engage the minds
Of 10000 people. Why "puzsls" O.
course. That's just what we mean
a r-u.z-z lie. Not "puzzel," puz
"" or even 'puzzle," but q plalr
ever, day matter of fact puzzle. MIR
Harrison, a leading clothier inserted II
the Tribune cut, said to be o puzzle
To the person giving'a correct solu-
ton, in the fewest possible words, be-
fore April 1st, an alleged ten dolla
gold piece will be given. cannot senf
you cut, but may be able to hand i
to you in plain English. You can keel
it for your own satisfaction, hand
down to posterity, or give 1t to som
enemy, but for goodness sake don
let it lay around where any childre'
can get at it,or your sin will be unpar
donable. vs. don't know anythln
about English or Americans guns =
but We will bet anyone Ave to two and