Extortion.
--A ware that a day of retribution for the enormities perpetrated by them upon the necessities of citizens is near at hand — next Monday being the expiration of the term of grace allowed them — the venders of all articles of household consumption in the market have elevated their prices to figures that amount, so far as poor people are concerned, to a literal embargo. Housekeepers of limited means go to market and return home empty handed, their tempers tried and hearts oppressed with the imminence of actual starvation. We saw, yesterday, an aged woman approach a stall and ask the price of a diminutive piece of bony beef. The price was mentioned. The poor woman looked at the beef and then at her little stock of money — paused a moment and, sighing deeply, moved away and out of the market without a particle of any sort of food in her little basket. We know that old lady, and also know that she has an only son in the army — her sole support, who, in a moment of enthusiastic and commendable patriotism, volunteered last spring in the defence of his country. If beef is above the reach of the poor, how is it with articles the prices of which are entirely controlled by huckster? Thanks to the Provost Marshal, a few short days more, and with them, indeed, ‘ "Othello's occupation's gone."’
