$11, for services rendered in making taxes, the past year. Mr. Nathaniel Brigham proposed that he would pay one-half of the bill if Capt. Keyes would relinquish the other half. Capt. Keyes immediately accepted the proposition provided Mr. Brigham should pay the cash then. Thereupon Mr. Brigham drew the money from his pocket and paid Capt. Keyes $5.50. And Capt. Keyes withdrew his demand, saying it is settled.

"The town immediately passed a vote of thanks to Mr. Brigham and Capt. Keyes for the exhibition of their liberality in relieving the town from the payment of said bill."

TEMPTATION REMOVED

On November 4, 1873, the following Preamble and Resolu tion, offered by J. J. Johnson, was voted in the affirmative:

"Whereas, there has grown up a custom by which Railroad Corporations give passes, which they value at hundreds of dollars, to each member of the State Government; and as we all know Railroad Corporations don't give something for nothing, it is plain that they mean bribery; and every man who accepts their gift may be suspected of accepting a bribe, therefore,

"Resolved, That we instruct those who represent us in the State Government not to accept passes or other favors from any railroad or other corporation.

"Resolved, That the Preamble and Resolution be placed on the town records and printed in the Clinton Courant."

This is another instance where the town of Northborough anticipated State Legislative action.

JAIRUS LINCOLN'S REPORT TO THE TOWN CONCERNING STREET LAMPS

At the town meeting in March, 1870, Jairus Lincoln suggested that more street lights were needed. The town thereupon appointed a committee to investigate the matter, making Mr. Lincoln, chairman. The committee reported March 21, 1879, as follows:

"Your committee on lamps, appointed to report,
Will respond here today: our report will be short:
We've considered the subject & in this we've agreed
That of more lamps for safety the town truly has need.

"Mr. Moderator, we all say let there be here more light
To guide those who sometimes stray out late at night;
That all be directed to their own quiet home;

That none may in doubt e'er from place to place roam.

"That if two or more drive with unwarranted speed,
To determine who is to follow, or who is to lead,
A bright light may guide them, in their too rapid pace,
That no necks be broken & no collisions take place.

"For safety in night time, your committee agreed,
That six more new lamps on the Main street we need:
Of the location of each we were all of one mind,
And the report here presented each has cheerfully signed.

"At the Guide-Board near Gibson there should doubtless be one:
Another between the houses of J. T. Fay and John Stone:
Near the house of Jna. Rice, on the south road, the third,
A fourth near the 2nd church, & by the Guide-Board.

"A fifth, near the Adams House at the foot of the hill.
A sixth, at the bridge, and near the bone mill:

As six is the number which we recommend,
Our work now is finished, our report will here end.

"Mr. Moderator, our report on lamps we've now made. It may be accepted-or on the table laid:

We hope 'twill be accepted-may the lamps shine out bright, When the sun and the moon shall refuse to give light."

It is needless to say that this unique report was accepted,

and that more light was communicated to the town.

CHAPTER XXXII

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

COUNT JOHANNES*

There lived at the Northborough Hotel in its palmy days (when the hotel was kept by Mr. Bundy) a man named George Jones. The reason for his being there was the fact that he had married for his second wife, a sister of Mr. Bundy. Mr. Jones was an actor of some note. He went under the name of "Count Johannes"-claiming to have received the title from the Pope of Rome.

He had long black hair, black mustache (which he is thought to have colored), and wore a camlet cloak. He was a lawyer at one time. He was the first actor to play the part of "Claude Melnotte," in Bulwer-Lytton's long-famous play, "The Lady of Lyons," in Boston. When Sothern presented "The Crushed Tragedian," Johannes thought it was intended as a caricature of himself, and he sued Sothern. He lost the case. Johannes had a daughter, Avlonia Jones, who was a good actress. His first wife, Matilda, was a fine actress, who played old women's parts.

The people of Northborough used to laugh at Johannes because of his tragic mien. But they had no need to, for Johannes was a man of parts. In addition to being an actor he was something of a literary man, the following books bearing his name on their title pages:

"The First Annual Jubilee Oration upon the Life, Character and Genius of Shakespeare." Delivered at Stratford-UponAvon, April 23, 1836, before the Royal Shakespeare Club. Five Editions.

"History of Ancient America, Anterior to the Time of Columbus; Proving the Identity of the Aborigines with the Tyrians and Israelites; and the Introduction of Christianity into the Western Hemisphere by the Apostle St. Thomas." 1843.

"A Letter from Count Johannes to the New York Herald, Sept. 4, 1869." (In reference to the Stowe-Byron Controversy.)

*The subject of this sketch has no real place in Northborough History, as he lived in the town only a few years. But he was so well-known while he lived here, and a character of such general interest in his profession that we think it worth while to notice him.