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About The Albany register. (Albany, Or.) 1868-18?? | View Entire Issue (Nov. 29, 1873)
L P Fuller VOLUME Vt, ALBANY, ORRGOX, NOVEMBER 20, 1873. NO. 24. In ivc nlfli a Picinre. It was, in trutli. a most beautiful portrait : female head perfectly Grecian. She might linve been Hie Sybil, when Apollo first helield her. Bfltt I cannot describe face; I never eonld examine beatify analytically, as you would a mineral or a piece of ex quisite morale. I can only say that I Raw and felt it was very, very lovely. My poor friend Fletcher was In an ccstaey. "Look at those eve!" said he "look ;it those llpf Now 1 never kissed a girl in my life; but if I could but see pair of lips like those, with blood lp Litem ! I know I am a sworn old bjUSielor, Moses ; but do you really suppose ir i i from nature ? Let us see that catalogue No. 73 here it Is, No. 7;i-'Mi- Ellen Vincent.' ''fU pret ty fls'nte, ln't It? Bur did you ever see so beautiful a fien?" 'Oh. yes," I answered, "a thousand time." "Name her, then." hesitated. In truth, I could not. I was compelled to yield. We mi -ued our respective ways home; tor tlie dinner hour ted arrived, and I had no idea ol sacrificing the substantial enjoyment of a brace of patrldgcs to ti e more refined, perhaps, (mt, to iv sordid taste, less congenial patrldg but. to one 6l faee. My n :iug at a woman's lovely eel ions concerning my limit .'.(I were sombre enough, as I liated frit pursued my homeward walk. 1 was bound to hint by ties, stronger than those which unite ordinary friends. We were the two only old bachelors in the neighborhood, and had together maintained the brunt of many a wordy contest in defence of our celibacy. I had long regarded him as a firm mem ber of our honorable but persecuted fraternity, lie had witnessed every trial, he had ov : come every tempta f a week before that lady had ( ver made hi l is heart which ifter he had left her . Amelias, Sarahs. Janes-all hud at ill in vain. tioii. It was on be assured me in an Impression lasted two hours presence. Julias, Emilys. Maria., tacked him, and Yet. after ail tl tained every conti lifter having sn.s :t i id having come off victoria having pa I turnace, se love with a daubed ov ? in every encounter; after I unscathed through the ii times : ! Kted, to fall III iletlire ! -a piece of canvas.' r with paint and oil a thing that any school hey might spoil with his inkstand : It was too much. It was like a noble ship, hleh having crossed the ocean throng! storm and teuipesl and having triumphantly braved a thousand danger of the sea, should I wrecked within sight of her Intended haven, and upon an insignifi cant she 1 1, which had nol leen consid ered of sittllelenl iniport:!i. xjeven to be avoided. When 1 dropped In upon my friend the next i lorning, I lou id him still raving about the portrait. I remon strated I attempted to reason with him. Alas j how little hi d reason to do either with his malady - r his disposi tion! -reminded him of the many illustrious iiieii who had been proud to enroll their names on the undying record of celibacy. It was all in vain, I tried ridicule but lie was unmoved, 1 told him of the certai.ity with which marriage was followed I v fUmlly quar rels.,ind petticoat government. It was void and of no efi'ee. Fletcher was crazy; more he was in low a thou sand times worse, for tin re are plenty of lunatic asvlums; but, alack for the boasted ihtlUUthropv of the age who How ever heard of a lore As lilt .' much time and how much money have been devoted to ameliorating the con dition of those who are bereft of rea son, and yet nothing has been done for the victims of the passion, aSifamnn'S brains v re of more Importance than iiis heait. I have digressed. Had almost any other ealainlty befell my friend, there could have been some remedy,. Had he broken a limb, it might have been mended : a broken hone will knit to gether in nine days; had lie cracked his skull, it might have been fixed by trepanning; but Fletcher was in that peculiar situation for which there was no present remedy; he was out of hu manity 's reach. But there was one consolation; ho was entranced only with a portait. This was Ihr different from filling in love with a little witch in flash and blood. The portrait could not talk; there was a difference, surely: it couldn't take his arm of a moonlight evening, and walk out of everybody's hearing; it could not receive long letters, and write longer answers; m a word, it could "neither marry, nor be given in marriage." I had forgotten all this while that there was an original to that portrait; Fletcher bad not. Some mouths passed away, and my friend was as enuy as ever. Time, indeed, seemed rathe' to increase than to heal his malady. One day he en tered my room in great haste. "I am going," said lie. "to Brigh ton, immediately, nnd h ive come for you to go with me." "Why, in tlie name of common sense, are you going to Brighton ?" I asked. "I have just heard thai Miss Ellen Vincent is there. I know the street and the number. There can bo no mistake." And so you intend to call upon her, with no other iutrqduction than your own impudence! Fletcher, this is worse than I should have expected, even from you. I warn you now as you regard your " "Oil ! yon need not go on : I antici pate what you intend to say. I have heard It so often that I have it all by heart. Besides. I have made up my mind on the subject. The train leaves at three. We have no time to lose. .Fust send down your portmanteau. I will hear it all when we are on our journey, though it lie for the hundredth time. I, will upon my word, I will and I will not get asleep, as I did thfl last time, but will bear it with all no--ible patience. And then, if you convince Die, Moses and you know you will we will return." Finding that nothing could restrain him. I con. ited to bear him company, in the hope that my guardian care might prove in some way beneficial. When we arrived at the famous watering-place, Fletcher's first visit was tea friend, who, rather fortunate ly or rather, unfortunately knew the lady of whom he was in such Im patient quest He promised an Intro duction ; and my companion returned to bis hotel, and passed the remainder of the day in dressing. It was the first time I had ever seen him neat this love works sad changes in a man's character and ' e was really a line looking fellow. At the appointed time his friend ar rived and they departed together. 1 was reading a very interesting work on partial insanity and mental hallu cination, when I was Interrupted by Fletcher's well-known step. I beard him, as he ascended the stairs, give orders to be awakened at six. "What lathe matter now?" I in quired, as he entered. "Why. it's all up ! Would yon be lieve it? Miss Vincent went to Hast iugs this very morning. But the train starts at seven, ion Will go, ol course f" Here was a quandary. I certainly was unwilling to leave the victim to the guidance of his own recklessness. He might be off in a tangent from Hastings to New York or Egypt, or the North Pole. 1 consented to go. upon condition that we should return In three days at farthest. This I in sisted upon, not with the remote-; hope oflts fulfillment, but merely as an excuse to my own conscience. In due time we arrived at Hastings. We bad scarcely entered our hotel, when my companion deserted me. In a tew hours he returned with a most joyful countenance. "thave caught her at last." bo ex chimed, as he entered. "She is fieri ." Here he compressed his lips w ith ex ultation. "She is soon tii give a ball on her birth-day. I have seen our friend Smith, and he has promised to obtain an invitation for each of us." "Indeed !" said I ; "you are kind. At whose request, pray, did you solicit an invitation for me?" "Oh I supposed you would like to go. of course. lint don't make a both er about it ; I will take no denial." The next .morning, notes of invita tion Were sent to both of u 1 wonder if the po-r is in?" said I. "I wondei if there will be a large assembly ?" was the response. "What a gloomy day!" continued 1, scratching my name in the vapor which l had breathed on the window. "What beautiful writing," observed my friend. ".lust look at it !" "Beautiful? I can't read it for the life ol'.me. What word Is that ?" "Nonsense! you have got the wrong paper. 1 mean (he ro-e-eolored. Ho you suppose a lady writes Invitations on fools-cap?" ,iy menu uai come icarueu m i .-l I 1 , 1 . .., 1.. I the manners and customs ol the ladies "Yon have improved wonderfully." said I. "since hist summer. When your sister sent to you for a pair of gloves, you purchased for her a pair large enough for any omnibus-driver or cabman." "Well, I will teach you all I have learned. Shall we commence our first lesson? You liave endeavored to invest me with prudence and discre tion many a time. I will now act the tutor. Heaven grant me better suc cess." "I am blieed. certainly. But as your new science will be of little prac tical utility, you will excuse me." "Well, do as yon wil). All I can hope is, that yoii may. on sonic happy day. fall in love yourself." "You eonld hardly have wished me a more severe punishment. But when I ih become enamored, it Shall not lie with a portrait, I think I can say that." "And I hope to convince you to morrow evening that I, too, can love something beside a portrait.'' The expected evening arrived. Ac companied by our friend, we departed for the residence of our fair hostess. The street, was crowded with carriages, and we did not reach I he door w thout some difficulty. The moms were bril liant with the splendor of art, and dazzling with the loveliness of nature. Nothing was wanting in luxury or in elegance. Fletcher hastened on. until he reached, the room where our hostess was standing. A small circle was in the middle, and several of the guests advanced to it. Altera few minutes they retired. The lady of the house was manifestly tlmre. "Where is' she?" asked Fletcher eagerly. -That lady in the very center of the circle." answered our friend; "she with the cap." "She dresses plainly, however, con sidering the occasion. What a little fairy hand, and how nicely that white glove is fitted to it! I wish she would turn this way." The lady did turn. My wonder stricken companion danced about as if he had been stung ny a nest ol hornets, or bitten by a boa constrictor. The blood rushed to his face. He muttered an unintelligible exclamation, and hastened from the room as speedily as the dense crowd would permit. He seized the first hat he encountered, and in a few minutes was at his hotel. "Birthday!" said some one it) my hearing. "How old is she?" "Fifty seven !" I did not laugh I did not, shout. I was rejoiced ; and it was with no com mon joy. I felt assured that after this folly, Fletcher would become a sound old bachelor, a faithful old member ol our club, and a useful one of society. When I entered his apartment, he was busily engaged in packing his trunk. How chapfallen! I addressed to him words of consolation. I Mattered my self that, at that favorable epoch, re marks o! d ie -solemnity upon matters of matrimony and celibacy would sink deeply into Ins heart, and lie produc tive of beneficial consequences. "II is very like you," said Fletcher to his lovely wife, as ihey stood look ing at her portrait, which had been transferred from an old bachelor's hall to an elegant parlor; "and how much I am indebted to it! Believe me, El len, shall always patronize the fine arts." "And birthday balls, too?" asked his wife with an arch smile. "No pardon me; I detest them, and If I ever attend another " "Von will not mistake my old aunt forme?" The world is full of changes. Poli ticians are not the only turncoats. I have, myself, a new set of opinions. I Lofty Metaphors; In its jubila tions about the result of recent elec tions, the New York World t gets of ; this tnnscendandi metaphor, which it ! has evidently been keeping ou hand a j long time : j The Democratic party stands, I ike t he storm-bOhtcn jieak ot Mount Washing ton, rock-rooted In tin' crust otthe earth and buttressed with (he eternal hills, still lifting its hoary summit Into the sky after clouds have hidden it for many days. "Hoary summit" and other expres sions are good ; but the Detroit Post, whose editor has seen the elaui-bcds of Pliget Sound, thus responds to the World: This burst we have never known to be excelled but once. That was when Po'er Merks, generally called "Scah liosed 1'ete." was tried for stealing salmon from a pound net, before a Pliget Sound Court, when the eloquent counsel for the prisoner remarked: "The character of inv client, eetitle- men ot the jury, towers alolt in the ... . c . awful sublimity of unimpeachable vir tue, like the cloud-capt summit of Mount Rainier, defying the storms which ravage the Inhospitable solitudes of the resounding Pacific?" Respect for old age never had a brighter illustration than in the case of the young lady who always refuses to go to the wash-tub when' her mother or grandmother is present. The rallying cry in Kansas, upon which newspapers of divers views are unanimous Is : "Let no man be elected to office who owes over five years' sub scription to a local paper." TfXKuiiAmir. Mr. Jennings, editor of the N. Y. Times, after an interview with Presi dent Grant and Secretary Fish on the evening of the 25th, telegraphed the following editorial, and commenting cn t lie demaud, he says: We have not the slightest doubt I hat when the official papers are published it will be seen that the Government has asked for a reparation of this kind with great decision, and not without due courtesy and consideration foi the struggling republic in Spain. If Senor Castelar asked for reasonable time in order that the Government might acquaint it.elf with all the facta in the case, could we refuse i t i No doubt an intimation has been made from th other side to the elfec t that the dispute might hi referred to an arbitration ; but there are some things which are not adapted to this mode of settlement. Among them is the gross manifest indignity to one great power by another. It is'not therefore supposed for ft moment that our Government will consent to any proposals for arbitration, at least so f ir as regards its principal claims for redress. If Spain asked for time, it. was impossible to refuse; but, of course, to a reasonable time it must be fixed. It would never do to allow a controversy of this nature to be pro tracts i over an indefinite period. Such limit we have no doubt was act ually tixed. If we are not mistaken it expires on the 21th hist, and then if the authorities of Madrid cannot de cide on doing justice to our Govern ment, the In ited States Minister there will close his legation. This, of course, would not shut the door upon all nego tiation, hut unquestionablylt would be a startling event. The Vtrginiux should have been condemned, it condemned at all, only before a legal tribunal. Spain has clearly violated the treaty of 17!)", and breach of faith could not be allowed to pass unchal lenged. It seems very probable that the independence of Cuba will be the result of the difficulty, all hough we still hope it will be accomplished wil h out war between the United States and Cuba, The Spanish Cabinet as reconstruct ed is composed as follows: Minister of (lie Interior, Duke do Broglie ; of Foreign Affairs, Duke do Cases; of Finance, Pierre Magne; ot .lustier, Eriioul ; of War, Sen, Dubanil ; of Marine. Admiral de Harney; of Public Instruction and Worship, Balbie; of Public Works, Descilllgny, and of Agriculture and Commerce, BouIIerte. iJiike do Cases is a new mcmlierof the Cabinet. M. Beule, who was Minister of I io Interior, has retired, and Duke de liroglle takes hfs place, relinquish ing the Foreign Ministry to Duke de Cases. Tlfcsc are the only changes made in the Cabinet as it existed be fore the last resignation of Ministers. Washington telegrams of the 25th say that two thousand five hundred men were paid at the navy yard on that day, most of whom have been employed since the news of the Vir- ; inim outrage. The Spanish iron clad,, Ampues has not yet lelt the yard, our was painted to-day, and the last work upon her In the dry dock will be done lo-morro'w. Tlie work in the yard was going on as usual this afternoon. So far as the Philadelphia navy yard is concerned, no orders have lieen re ceived for suspension of the work. On the contrary work is not only being pushed toconipletlou, hut fresh orders have been received. Admiral Porter made a tour of Inspection among the vessels of the yard on the 25th. A dis patch was received ordering the dis patch boat Pintit to proceed immediate ly to sea. A Washington special says the Gov ernment at Madrid declares that it Is w illing and resolved to restore the 1 njiidus and yield to other claims of the United States, its only request now being that the fact shall be first established that the I'irginim was en titled to the protection of the Ameri can tins'. The anniversary ol tho massacre of Medical students of the Medical l ui versity, Havana, which took place some throe years ago. was to be suita bly observed 111 the i. inch of Santiago de nba in New York ou the. 27th. The massacre of the persons seized on hoard the Virgtnitu will also be com memorated. In the trial of Marshal Bazalne on the 25th, General Boyer testified that Bis marck told him that he was willing to grant an armlsloe if the army at Met, would declare in faVor of Napoleon. From Boston on the 25th, It was stated that the U. S. Cartridge Company will commence this week to run their works day and night. They have pressing orders for several million cartridges from the War and Navy Departments. Eugene City Grange was organized on Tuesday, with Jesse Cox, Master, and St. John Skinner, Secretary. San Francisco, Cal., Nov. 22. The steamer Montana arrived this morning from Panama. Private letters from Guaymas state that all is quiet at So nera'. Posqnera is stronger than ever. One hundred iroii workmen on the steamer Costa Iiica struck lor higher wages. Superintendent Waddell threatened to plank Iter up and take her out of die dry dock and send to New York for men. This closed the strike and the men went to work again. . Two thousand Springfield brcecb loading muskets Were shipped from Benieia arsenal last night to go by the overland train to the New York arse nal. It is supposed this shipment lias somelhing to do with the complications hi Spain. The body of Lieut. P. P. Ilognn, of the Frst Cavalry, arrived here to-night via Vallejo. lie was taking a detach ment of troops to a print in Nevada, when he wa suddenly taken ill and died after a sickness of a few hours. Washington, Nov. 21. The su perintendent of tlie mounted recruit ing service has been ordered to send all disposable colored cavalry recruits to Fort Brown, Texas, to the Ninth Cavalry, New York, Nov. 21. -About 4,000 Germans held a meeting in Germanla Hall to-night, to express sympathy with the Cubans. S. S. Cox read a scries of resolutions which he intends to lay before Congress. Animated speeches were made by prominent Ger mans. New Orleans, Nov. 21. A large and enthusiastic meeting was held here tc-iilsht for the discussion of Cuban affairs. Charleston, Nov. 21. News from Madrid causes great excitement, and much anxiety is felt about tho condition of Forts" Sumter and Moul trie. We learn from the Olympia Cowvr that Gen. Sprague was indicted by the Grand .fury for granting permits to cut timber on odd sections ot Govern ment land. Superintendent w. H. Watklnds re ceived a telegram from San .lose, Cal., that Shiilt.. alias George Bargeman, had been arretted and aw aited a requi sition. Mr. Wntkindi starts to-day overland after him. Ljeut.-Col. Houghton, of Victorio, has received instructions to organize the millitia of the Province at once. Five companies of riflemen will bo raised as follows: At Victoria, two companies of 50 men each; at New Westminster, one company of 40 men; at Burrard Inlet, one company of 40 men; at Nanaiino, one company of 40 men. The uniforms, arms and aceou remeuts for the outfits are already in the Province. Humors of a change of Administra tion in Spain. No more annuities to he issued to the Comanches until the surrender of murderers. ' The diplomatic relations of our Government and Spain are likely to require mouths in their adjustment. The Polaris reached the highest point ever attained in the arctic re gions by a ship, and within thirty miles of the highest latitude ever reached by civilized man. The Sut'ir i)mj Review thinks the results of the expedition are. oil the whole, encour aging, and that in a short time trips to the pole will probably be as famil iar and profitable as tours round the world now arc. 1 Col. Win. Farrar. fonHkriy V. 8. Attorney at Portland, died TWjA'ash ington, on the 21th. ?.' Ponton county citizens are goiiW to test the legality of acts of the sTaie Board of Equalization. Taxes greater than thev can stand. A LovE-I.i TTKit. Here is a speci men of Jamaica negro literature, in the shape of a love-letter from a col ored school-master to his sweetheart : "Dear Fliza: I take the liberty to in lorili you this few lines hoping you may not p Bond as often Is. I had of ten seen you in my hearts. Their arc myriads bt loveliness in my hearts to ward you. My loving intentions were really unto another female, but now the love between I and she are very out now entirely. And now his tho excepted time I find to explain to my lovely appearance" (presumably ap parent love in your hearts or mind towards ine it is hard for 1 to know, but his I take this liberty to inform yon this kind, loving and affectionate letter. . . . Your affectionate lover aflraied. P. S. Dear Eliza, wether if you are willing .or not. Please to send me an ansure back. Do my dear." Legal tenders in San Francisco 91. (S02.c.