UTTERANCE
Criminals, even those hardened beings who, ordinarily, laugh at everything, and show but little trace of what we call conscience, rarely keep their secret. It seems to burn them. They chalk it on the walls, and they betray it in their dreams. Their security depends upon their silence, and this silence they can not keep. At every moment their speech skirts the terrible mystery, and takes on a hollow sound which recalls that of steps upon tunneled earth. One guesses a gulf even when he does not see it. Revelation is more than a need; it is a necessity. It takes place sometimes in spite of ourselves and against our will. (Text.)—Charles Wagner, “The Gospel of Life.”
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V
Vacation Philosophy—See [Routine].
Vacuity—See [Oratory]; [Social Vanity].
Valuation, Extravagant—See [Mystery, Value of].
VALUE IN RUBBISH
The rubbish of New York City is worth about $200,000 a year. The city gathers and carries its rubbish to the scows at the river-front. Then a contractor trims the scows and disposes of the litter. This operation costs him about $3,000 a week, or $500 each working day. For the privilege of handling the stuff, and winnowing it for goodly finds, the contractor, Celesto Di Maico, pays $1,750 a week, or $90,000 a year, to the city. This is $25,000 more than the previous contracts.—Collier’s Weekly.
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