The record-union., 1891-11-02
PROGRESSIVE PORTLAND.
How the Oregon Metropolis is Now
Marching Along.
4 Newspaper Company Erecting a
MiIlfon-DoIlar Building-Sending
Out an Exhibition on Wheels.

EDS. RECORD UNION: In the march OF
progress Oregon is rapidly advancing to
the front. The latest enterprise is
State advertising car called Oregon On
Wheels" AS the name indicates, 1t is
car filed with the fruits, grains. yegeta-
bles, minerals, etc. of this great North
west of ours. 1t is to be sent East and
South for the ostensible purpose of ad-
vertising the wealth and resources of our
State. The car, both inside and outside,
is blaze of glory from numerous eiec-
trio lights. On the outside it is painted
white, and is appropriately decorated
with views of Oregon scenery, and
few timely hints concerning the climate
and other interesting information relat-
ing to the State. Those who have the
car in charge feel confident of its success,
and that it viii be the means of bringing
more immigration to the State.
The Oregonidn, the leading morning
journal of the Northwest, is building an
e6ifice Of which even New York might
feel proud. 1t is composed entirely OF
compressed brick, stone and iron; 1t
viii be ten stories high and will cost,
when completed, nearly Sl,0CO,oO0. 1t
will be ready for occupancy in about six
months. Our people are beginning 10
awaken to the fact that Portland is q
growing city. Therefore, all the new
buildings under construction are from
eight to ten stories in hight.
Our city is undergoing a severe case OF
elopement fever. Within the last month
at least three couples have bid defiance TO
both bars and stern, unrelentlng parents
and hied themselves to Vancouver, where
accommodating ministers soon cured
them of their maladieS. Vancouver is
military post in the State OF Washington,
and is to the love-sick swain as much a
haven of refuge as Canada is TO the abb
sconding cashier. There it stands await
ing with outstretched arms to take him
to her heart, and no questions asked.
Last Friday evening certain professor
in one of our public schools took unto
himself wife. Upon entering the school
room on Monday morning he was given
such rousing reception by the pupils
that in honor of the event he decided to
give a half holiday. On communicating
the joyful fact to the assembled children
he also informed them, with wicked
look at the lady teachers, that whenever
one of the ladies present concluded 10
change her name, he would grant the
same privilege, of a half holiday. The
news was hailed with shouts of joy, and
away ran the children, freed from scho-
lastic trammels, to indulge in the absorb
ing pastimes of playing marbles in the
mud and baseball in the rain.
But one little fellow still fingered. He was
q child whose parents had been divorced,
and the father had assumed charge OF the
boy. There was evidently weighty
matter preying on the the young gentle
mans mind.
why do you not go home, Willie ?"
asked his teacher.
The child took heart of grace, and, eau
tiousIy approaching, he whispered in her
ear:
Please, ma'am, my pa wants to get
married again."
The teacher is laughing yet, and tells
the story as good joke on herself. The
boy is evidently destined to be President
of the United States. He is willing TO
sacrifice even his parent for the sake OF
the cause.
A great deal of interest is being mani
tested in the mines in Southern Oregon.
The ore found there is very rich, and the
prospects are that some very fine mines
will be developed.
Two fat turtles reposed in box in front
of a fish stand. They were beauties, and
many an epicurean's mouth watered as
he thought of the next day, when from
some restaurant door would hang the
sign, Turtle Soup To-day" But, alas,
for anticipation Along comes a slant
eyed representative of the Flowery King
NOAh dIu Dug . VIC WI IACS' / 1ASIi no SoCo
to a Celestial brother and has the turtles
carried to the 'N Nenice of America in
other words, Astoria-released them from
the box and thrown into the ocean.
The fate of the turtles soon became
known, and the Chinaman. in extenua-
ton of his act, said his countrymen have
an old superstition that if captured ami
NAL is given his liberty he will do his
benefactor a good turn, either in this
world or the next. This is an absurd
superstition, but the Mongolians believe
in it as firmly rs they do in their paper
devils and heather gods, and their faith
might just as well be shaken in one as
the other. BEsELINA.
Portland orr, October 80, 1891.