The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-08-22

our churches are full. In the Methodist
and Presbyterian churches whore once
there was scarcely seat to be had there
are dozens of empty pews. This is partial
ly attributable to the habit of having star
preachers. When the clerical star preachse
the church is full, and when he is away the
church is empty. It does not matter who
the star is if he is only star. 1t may be
Harrison the boy preacher, who by the
way, is rather old for q boy, or the Rev
erend Sam Jones, or Parson Newman-the
people will turn out. Apropos Of Parson
Newman: The day after the obsequies he
preached in the Nostrand Avenue Metho-
dist Church in Brooklyn. For an hour be-
fore the service began it was impossible to
get inside the church. The attendance on
General Grant has given the Reverend Doc
tor boom, which will no doubt be money
in his purse, If he desires to enter the lec-
ture field this winter. It is believed that
DR.. Newman is pretty we'll tried Of Metho-
dist itinerancy, and II an opportunity is af-
forded him of AN independent church, New
York might be honosed by his presence
and profited by his scholarship. But to re-
turn to the subject on which started:
What are we to do with the children Of the
poor2 The trades unions close their gates
upon them; no reputable merchant OF
storekeeper feels like putting them in
charge of his goods while surrounded with
such evil associations. We keep enlarging
our prisons, but not fast enough to hold the
increase of juvenile criminals. Again,
ask, what are We to do with these swarms of
poor uncared. for children7 1 give it up.
Let him answer it who ean.
We have had o most singular experience
in business. The week before General
Grants funeral there was almost an entire
suspension Of business, but this week the
sales have been enormous. There has been
unusual activity in all departments of trade,
and it is accounted for in this way:
The funeral brought many thousands Of
merchants to the city, and those who were
expecting to come postponed the orders
that they would otherwise have sent by
mail or express, and those who arrived be-
fore the funeral spent the first few days in
sight -seoing, and put of business till the
funeral was over.
It is wonderful the number Of visitors
to Gen. Grants tomb. Every countryman
who comes to town considers It q sacred obi
CATION to make pilgrimage to Riverside
Park. The weather has been exceedingly
trying, but it docs not make The slightest
difference in the crowd. With the provi-
Dental foresight Of the average country
tourist, they como prepared, not with the
wresohed lunch Of the average New Yorker,
which will probably consist of ham sand
wich. some schwitxer kaze and bottle of
beer. Our country cousin brings good
sized basket or valise, and in it is cold
roast chicken, three or four different
kinds of cake, some hard boiled eggs, nice
sandwiches, doughnuts and crullers, q pot
of ourrant jelly, and other delicacies too
numerous to mention. You can sec them
scattered abou. in every. direction, very
hungry, very tired, nud yet entirely satisfied
with the trip. All the railroads leading to
Riverside are reaping rich harvest. The
location of General Grants tomb at these
grounds is worth, to the railroads, the price
Of national monument. It may be that
most of our rich men are out of town en-
joying themselves, so that the monument
fund has not swelled in the rapid proper
ton that was expected. There is no kind
of doubt, however, that as soon as our cap
italists get back sufficient funds will he
raised at once to complete monument to
the dead hero which will be an honor to the
State ard nation.
Don't be aston;shed the next time you
visit New York if yon see one-half of our
male population encased in hnee-breeches
like our great-great grandfathers; and
Broadbrim asks. Why not? We are on the
very eve of dress revolution. We poked
sticks at Oscar Wilde and his velvet knee
breeches, but the bread lie cast upon the
waters has returned after many days, and
the sharp gentlemen who poked fun at o.
car will have to take it oil back, and l
should not be at all surprised to see the
whole of them sporting about in knee
breeches before the fall is over.
The Bicycle clubs are SO numerous, and
have found that form of dress so comfor-
table, that knee brooches are no longer
strangers to or streets. Our sisters, our
cousins and our aunts arc now displaying
their arms through all sorts of delusive lit
tie lace sleeves, which are the merest apol-
ogy for covering. Along our streets at
the present tin you can see arms of every
size from pipe tenn to we'll rounded
shoulder of muttol. Our young men are
beginning to tfssd On their muscle, h's
they can't very wG display their arBsg qr6s
their sisters so theysppear dssrmined to
show their calves. Tha advantage of
this display is that you can do little judi
cious padding without the fear of detection.
This, presume, is the reason that num-
bers OF our golden youth walk about the
streets in their bicycle suits, and l must
say that the display of calf is very credit
able. As matters are going I expect to
add knee -breeches to my next spring suit.
I have always thought that the principal
charms of the picture of Washington were
his noble head and knee breeches. BY all
means let Us have the knickerbockers.