The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-15
HAPPENINGS IN THE OLD roHS.
Newspapers Foana Odd subjects to Treat Of In
View Amsterdam

Journalism in New York OF a century and A
half ago did not concern itself very much with
items OF news abroad or sensationally startling
happenings at home. Small matters OF local con-
temporaueous interest gained the attention of
the Weekly Postbov and similar periodicals. and
one such item which appeared in the issue OF
Aug. Is, la, may do as a sample of the others:
Last week n Jersey wench. servant to . widow gen.
tlewonan IN Boston. stole from her Mistress. In money.
wearing apparel. &c. to the value or two huntred
pounds, ami then dr-ssei herself I'D IN mans clothes.
viz. \ rufied shirt. &C iriet breaches laced, a pair OF
silver buckles in her shoes, &c, being part OF the
stolen goods. and was intended for sea. But she was
taken the next morning in all her gnyetv, aud being
carried before 4 Justice " as shipped on board . boat
said to be bound for Canada
1t viii be observed that this is a sort OF
anonymous item OF news, the name and resi-
dence OF the delinsuent, the name and residence
OF the -" widow gentlewoman," the name OF and
title Of the Justice, and the place Of port "a we'll
as the title Of the ship upon which the Jersey
wench sailed being withheld from publicn-
ton. whether as a guarantee OF good faith or
otherwise does not clearly appear. Under the
head OF news from other parts - this important
item appeared In the issue OF the P0stboy or the
same day:
We have authentic ltvir-s from Providence PIanta-
ages. pvt together, make but twraty egat years. and
II IN thought will not exceed thirty when their nrst
child Is a quarter old.
l. will be observed in this case, too. that no
names are given, IL being apparently the theory
OF New Amsterdam early journalists that a
sort of quaint piQuancy Is given 10 items o. rUr-
rent Information by emitting direct statements
OF names, dates, places. and times. More cir
cunispccr and 6ctnilei. however. was the COM
mUniCarion from Worcester. Mass, sent 10 New
YORK BY a casual Gorrrspontent. He lid not
begin his letter To the Editor of the Usfkiy
PoNboy-Sir:' nor did he declare that his at
tentiOn had been called 10 an item in the
POStbOy, OF which he was a t!lircnt reader. He
came thus TO the point at once:
SIR: A netghbor or mine haviag ,lraamci a lream.
not only once but twlr-. anu with some 'cnrrrn has
told it publicly in Worcester, I Therefore send IL to
you. H. slrtng You e. print IL, which VII! oblga one or
your constant readers.
THE pRKAN.
Idr-amt I was IN tho city N New York walking
upon the south side u the town, and a. | stood nTon
the dock | Jaw 4 car drawn ~ two oxen AMI two
horses with a white nan Ia drive II. Many spectators
saw 10 ~ well A. |. an wondered 10 see II irtye 40
furiOuzly. asked whose team e wa. Then | saw.
before an answer zane. the team run rurluusly INTO
tGs RIVER In -igIt II Al tie heholders, where II
perishsi, But so soon a. the team was sunk saw q
th- trtyer uut ami id shake him. ami the driver
turned instantly INTO a henAt with \ pair N horns
Upon his head. What mraneth this dream
On the Same page Of the Weekly FOst1Og tho
announcement Ia made that a cargo Of rum re-
Gently received on consignment from one Of the
and though there i nothing 10 indicate any
association hrtyccn the two occurrences, the
sending ~ the rum 20 Worcester and The rtrrnm
OF the Worcester man, nor once, but twice. the
editor OF the iu3f'"y iin not Withhold this com
mrnt. We cannot answer. Perhaps -our II
our soccer readers can answer the correspondent
who sends 70 ~ from Worcester the record OF
his dream.