The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-12
MINOR MENTION.

THE practice of gum chewing has found its
way among members of Congress. and is said to
be rapidly growing in popularity. A new mem
Der from the West, who had probably caught It
from some hieh-school girl, is credited with hav-
ing introduced it by inviting his colleagues out
to take some gum. They had been accus
toned to going out to take something else that
the novelty of the gum proposition caught them.
When they tried the gum they liked it. invited
others out, and SO the practice has spread The
hall huckster in the Houss-snd of the Capitol,
who sells gum, is doing immense trade. It
will be interesting TO observe the effects of gum
chewing NATURALIZATION. 1t is clair med
that the practice aids digestion by increasing
the flow of saliva. Good digestion tends to clear
thinking and wise legislation. Again, gum may
displace tobacco. The latter as a steady article
OF diet is not conducive to high degree of cult
ure nor to cleanly habits. Whatever may be
said of gum relieving it is not as bad as tobacco
chewing. In this way the new habit may lead
to greater cleanliness among Congressman and
that is point of some Importance. If it should
result in reducing the consumption of tobacco it
may affect tho treatment of the revenue ques-
ton and indirectly the disposition of the surplus.
Mr. RICHARD WILLIS. Brooklyn lawyer, is
made defendant to q breach-of- promise suit un-.
CIRCUMSTANCES
Miss Lille Ingersoll, of Washington. Pa. Miss
Lille has sister Title, and some three years
ago they visited Brooklyn together. where they
met Mr.. Willis He became interested in Miss
Lille and after her return home wrote to her.
Unfortunately. his handwriting was not very
plain, or he made his capital L like T, and the
letters fell into the hands of the other sister.
An affectionate correspondence ensued, result.
ing in engagement The supposition is that
Miss Title signed her name very much like
Lille the mistake would have been discov-
cred 1t was only discovered at last by the lover
visiting the home of the young ladies' when he
found, to his CONSERVATION, that he had been
making love to Tillie instead of Lille. When
he wanted to declare the negotiation off she re-
fused and as he insisted, she has brought suit
for $50 900 damages. This reads like the plot of
q comedy. but the defendant thinks it no joke
Il goes to show that 10 corresponding with a
young lady a man cannot be too particular in
forming his capitals. especially il there are
similar names in the family. As a matter of
justice however, it does seem as if man should
be permitted to have some choice as to whom
he marries.
THE failure Of the American Opera Company
and its successor. the National Company, has
been ascribed by the promoters OF these con-
Germs, to the inability of the public to appreciate
high-class music This slur has been received
without much protest, perhaps for the reason
that it was suspected that there might be grain
of truth in the charge. 1t seems, however, that
grand opera may, through other causes. fail to
financial success. 1t can hardly be
charged that the Partisan public is not sufficient
~ cultivated to enjoy the best music. and yet
the grand opera Of that city is in a sad state of
financial collapse. having lost steadily for five
years Expenses have been cut down to the
lowest possible figure Singers abroad never
receive the fancy salaries paid theIn here, but
even these customary moderate emoluments
have been reduced, and still the losses continue
It is plain that something else is lacking than a
cultivated taste. Grand opera hourished both
here and abroad in past years. and the sense of
appreciation must be greater now tnan then.
Possibly the people have outgrown this form Of
art, and will have none OF it now that it fails to
satisfy them. They want music. and of high
order but, Inst at present, at least" they do
not like il with all the operatic Accomplishments
A STORY that comes from Mexico illustrates q
phase Of Journalism that could only occur whore
church and state are considerably mixed. Ii