davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12
Dying COnstitutiOnally.

Nearly quarter of a century ago the Legislature of New York enacted law imposing a capitation tax upon immi- grants arriving from Europe and land ing at quarantine. Aquestion was raised in respect to the constitutionality of this law, and the case was ultimately taken to the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Seward made the argument on one side, and John Van Buren on the other. The trial attracted considerable interest, not so much from the import ance of the question involved, as from the reputation and political position of the opposing counsel. MT. Seward was a Senator in Congress, and the great whig leader of the State :; while Van Buren was the most brilliant orator and most popular man on the Democratic side They were rivals al the bar.
 Judge Fancy presided. He was the impersonation of ones idea of the genius of jurisprudence. He was shy, reserved gloomy, forbidding-looking man, resem- bling monk of the middle ages; but un- der this cold and repulsive exterior there beat a warm sympathetic heart. He was literal man, with no idea of joke, was never satirical or ironical, and detested pun or quip as much as Dr. Johnson.
 The day the argument was closed, Van Buren contrived to fall in company with the Chief Justice in coming down the avenue from the Capital. John had degree of coolness and self-possession under all circumstances, that nothing ever disturbed. With an airy, jaunty manner, that would have been offensive in anybody else, but which he made winning and attractive, he addressed the aged jurist:
 "I was much fattered, MT. Chief Justice, at the gracious attention with which you have listened to my poor eff fort in behalf of the suffering immigrants at Quarantine. MT. Fancy made 9 fit ting response, and Van Buren coolly pro- ceeded: "Far be it from me to say anything respecting the decision of the court" The judge started with gesture of deprecation, as if he apprehended an indiscretion on the part of the lawyer. "I am quite aware of the apparent in- delicacy of saying anything that should look like an attempt to influence the ac- tion of the court" Here the chief jus tice gave 8 dissatisfied shrug of the shoulders, intended as rebuke of what he regarded as an impertinence. But John was wholly unmoved, and went on with his remark as though he was saying the most natural and appropriate thing imaginable. "Nor would I presume to intimate that an early decision of the case is desirable" The Judge opened his eyes in amazement, but remained silent. "But the truth IS, your honor, :" continued John, ''the poor devils at Quarantine are perishing daily, and it is of the utmost importance that they should learn whether they are dying con- stitutionally."
 Approaching Johns waggery at last, the chief justice, much relieved, gave way to hearty laugh, and the conver- satlon came to an end.
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

DIRECT CLAIMS. - Dispatches from England, expressing the fear entertained there that the Geneva Board will make an affirmative decision on the American claims for direct damages, are known in Washington to be we'll founded. In fact, the Administration has for some months past been well satisfied that Mir. Staem- pell, the Swiss arbitrator, as well as Baron d'Itajuba, the Brazilian member, are strong believers in the justice of the claims. These gentlemen, with Mr.. Adams, constitute 8 majority of the Board. Among the claims which are to be regarded as of direct character will probably be that for the equipment and maintenance of cruisers on our part,
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

THE MUsKRAr.-Muskrats have Q Icu- rious method of travelling long distances under the ice. In their winter excur- sions to their feeding grounds, which are frequently at great distance from their abodes, they take in breath at starting and remain under the water as long as they can. Then they rise up to the ice, and breathe out the air in their lungs, winch remains in bubbles against the lower surface of the ice. They wait till this air recovers oxygen from the water and the ice, and then take it in again and go on till the operation has to be repeated. In this way they can travel almost any distance, and live any length of time under the ice.
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

OF COURSE. The wife of we'll known New York editor says; in her younger days she met at party the wife of wealthy fellew-citizen, to whom, on being intro duced, she incidentally remarked, 'I see you every Sunday; we are member of the same church.' ''Ahr' was the reply;
 sswhere do you sit? I do not remember your face. !" "Oh, we set in the gallery" answered the editors wife. Indeed! in the gallery?" echoed the fine lady, with little shrug; then, remembering, her manners, she added, ''Well some very respectable people sit in the gal lery," Y .-..-
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

An Indiana paper tells about an alder man who compels his grocer to swear to the correct measurement of the coal-oil sold to his honor; The magistrate then charges the regular fee for administer ing an oath, and it always amounts to precisely the cost of the oil,
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12
The Old House Far Away.

The wild birds warble, the silvery rills,
 Sing cheerily round the spot, And the peaceful shade of the purple hills Falls dim on my mothers cot; Its windows are small and it's thatch is low, And it's ancient walls are grayi Oh see it I love it where'er go The old house far away.
 Dear mother how plainly see her now Z
 Reclining in that old chair, - With the sunset resting upon her brow,-
 That was so smooth and fairl With her crimped border as white as snow,
 And her once dark hair now gray; f.. Oh1 my heartis with her, where'er go
 In that old house far away. Not all the treasure the world affords,
 The riches of land and sea -..s ..- Net all the wealth of earth's proud lords
 Can blot from my memory .-. -. The roof that sheltered each dear, dear head And the humble floor ofclay, Where the feet I love were wont to tread,
 In that old house far away,
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12
Col. FiSk's Widow in Court.

Just previous to the opening of the court for the trial of Stokes says the New York Herald quite a sensation was created among the audience by the ap- pearance of ex-Judge Beach, accompan- jed by two ladies dressed in full mourn ing. They wore thick black veils, which effectually hid their faces from view, and as they were conducted within the railing whisper went round the room that one was Mrs. Fisk and the other Josie Marsfel The idea of the association of the widow of the dead man and the woman who had been so prominent in the disaster which brought Fisk to his death was so atrocious that but very few people put any faith in it. Speculation was rife, however, as to who the ladies were, and for time consider able confusion ensued in the court, by reason of the people in the back part of the room crowding forward to get a glimpse at them. It fnallybecame br1it- ed about that one was really Mrs. Fisk and the other Col Fisk's sister. When this fact became generally known quite a change seemed to come over the audi ence.
 When the two ladies entered the court first, and few of that kind of court hangers-on who think they know every thing had led others to believe that one of the two was Mansfield, there was an evident disposition all around to hoot or hiss. One could feel the inclination to disorder in the air, as it were. Once, however, it was made certain that the two were the mourning widow and the sister of the dead Colonel, hush seem ed to creep over the whole room as the ladies took their seats, and instead of scowls that might have been there was naught but looks of sympathy and com miseration among the audience. The ladies had taken their. seats but short time when the prisoners counsel and finally Stokes himself entered the court, attired with his usual neatness. He took his seat immediately behind Mr. Tremain and MT. McKeon, and threw himself back in his chair in nonchalant manner, apparently quite oblivious of observers, and that every eye in the court room was upon him. He looked rather flushed and excited, but the only sign of nervousness he gave while his counsel were fixing their papers preparatory to the open1ng of the trial was an occasion al biting of his finger nails, and every now and then running his hand through his hair with quick, jerky movement. The table at which his counsel sat, alone separated him from where Mrs. Fisk was seated.
 At first he did not seem to be aware of her presence, but after while his eyes fell upon the form in black before him, and for moment or so he stared vacantly at her with look of blank amazement or wonder on his face, as if he was not quite certain who the person was. He, however, soon became con- vinced of her identity If he had any doubt about it any time) when she turn ed full round in her seat to speak to ex- Judge Beach. As she turned about, he himself turned round to speak with his brother, who sat behind him. From that moment he apparently never allow ed his eyes to wander in the direction of the widow of his victim.
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

Said Q gentleman the other day to an old farmer who is known as a chanepion growler," Well, you probably can't find fault this year about not being wet enough for hay. There must be good crop" Yes, but what does it amount to to have such 8 crop as this looks hke2 You can't sell it for five dollars ton if | it keeps on this way." sEssss
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

A CoMEr.-A few nights since at San Francisco, it being twilight and the at mosphere clear, comet appeared little to the southwest of the zenith. It was moving rapidly and somewhat irregular ly, and at length disappeared, and then apparently ascended out of the atmos- phere of the earth. The nucleus ap- peared to bea star of the first magnitude, and the tail was wavy. It was in sight for six minutes. The planet Mars was luminous and yose-colored ct the time.
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

THE NEWSPAPER. Very few of our journalists write for the magazines and the magazines lose by it. Fifty years hence there will be fewer books publish ed than there were fifty years ago. Bayard Taylor put his best books into the Newspapers. The press is swallow ing everything. The tyranny of the fourth estate is beginning. The best newspaper of the future is that which does not represent any one mans dogma tism and power, but the ideas of the Deonle
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

ANAooNDA OF VENEzUELA.-Of ophid- 1ans, the great anaconda serpent is un- questionably the most terrific in charac- ter of all the reptiles on the American continent. Under the name of culebrG de dguo the anaconda of Venezuela (uuectes murinus) not unfrequently at- tains the length of twenty and even for ty feet. It actually swallows animals larger than its own body. The throat may be put upon stretch to admit 8 deer, or COW, and the stomach is suffic- iently ealstic to receive the mass. In go1ging tall stag with antlers, they stick erosswise at the angles of the mouth until decomposition in one direction and prodigious muscular action in anoth- CT, separate them from the skull, and then the remnants of an engu1phed car cass slide down for digestion. They only feed occasionally. After success fully swallowing crushed victim, they can go seven meaths or more without further food. Their skin is used fo1 straps when tanned, in that country on account of toughness and durability. Serpents inspire feeling of horror large or small. There is an instinctive dread of them in all human beings. AnG yet they fulfill an important mission il the economy of life, indispensable viewed by the law of equalization-o checks and balances in the domain O natpre.
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

THE Court of Pardons, which met in Trenton decided to grant the petitions of the people of Patterson and vicinity, and compute the sentence of Libbie Garrabrant from hanging to imprison' ment for life,
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12
Special Notices, 50 per cent. in advance of the

Special Notices, 50 per cent. in advance of the above rates.
 One inch space constitutes square.
 Cards in Business Directory, occupying five lines or less, $500 per year; over five lines, $1. .00 per line.
 Regular advertisers to pay quarterly. Tran sient advertisements must be paid for Tn ad- vance.
 Notices of Marriages and Deaths free Of charge. All additions to ordinary announce ments 10 cents per line.
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

ADv1oEs state that the German fleet in its attack on Port au Prince, fired saiy two guns, "''
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

The code of successful dairyman is: sklm early, FhuEn eafly, aad sell early
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

CAUGHT AT IT.-An English peddler lately devised and practiced an eminently ingenious mode of helping himself to ladies' hair. Entering cottages and houses, he opened his pack, descanted on the superlative merits of its contents, and otherwise conducted himself in the way best calculated to open the heart and pocket of fservant-galism. Then find ing himself alone with q customer, he earnestly besought her to smell, even if she would not buy, some pomatum, which he averred emitted most refresh ing fragrance. The unsuspecting fair one having, after sniff or two of this deli cieus unguent, lost all consciousness, surrendered her splendid back hair at a single vigorous snip. When she sscame to-" and the theft was discovered, those about her were too much occupied in minlstering to her needs to start at once in persuit of her lost tresses, and the thief escaped. However, he has at length been captured, and his own head pretty closely shorn ere this. While debarred from his customary tramps, he finds am- pie scope for the exercise of his manly limbs at crank and tread-mill.
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12

As the Pennsylvania Central ferry boat New York was entering the Courtlandt street slip, she ran into the tugboat H. G.. Lapham. The piston rod of the lat ters engine hung on the center, and the engineer could not start the machinery. The New York had reversed her engine, and the tug lay with her broadside to- ward the entrance to the slip. The ferry boat struck her forward of the larboard side, crushing in the pilot house tearing her smoke stack off, and strip ping the deck house so as to expose her boiler. The fireman was slightly scalded. The engineer and deck hand fearing an explosion, jumped overheard, and the cook jumped on the New York's deck. Several row boats put off from the shore and rescued the men in the water. The ferry boat sustained no damage, and the wrecked tugboat was lowed into the Staten Island Ferry Con- pany's dock.
Connecticut western news., 1872-07-12
Throwing Away a Fortune.

Some twelve or fifteen years ago, says the Pittsburg Commercial, when land in the now outer wards of the city was re- garded as of little value, beautiful tract of fifty acres, overlooking the Mononga- hela, opposite the City Farm, was owned by man whose chief characteristic was the unyielding determination never to submit to what he might deem a wrong or an imposition. He had on one occa- sion to employ physician, as most men have; and the doctor, like most other doctors, expected pay for his services. He sent in his bill to the farmer and the farmer refused to pay. He had made up his mind not to pay the bill and that was enough. The doctor brought suit. The case was finally submitted to arbi- traitors, who cut down the bill, fixiug the amount justly due at $5. The farmer still refused to pay-declared he never would yield. The doctor got stubborn too and vowed he would have his money. The magistrate gave judgment against the farmer; but, nevertheless, he adhered to his purpose not to pay.
 An execution was issued, the property was seized by the Sheriff and advertised for sale. The farmers mind was made up and was not to be changed either by Sheriff's writs or the advice or entreaties of friends. The property was actually sold on the execution, based on the five dollar judgment, and of course was ''knocked down" at a mere trifie. The farmer was thus divested of his title, and was eventually compelled to surrender possession. After the sale he was offered his property back if he would pay the judgment and costs, but he refused to do so. In few years after the farm sold for $3, 400 to a gentleman who kept it eight or nine years. Then consolidation came, and it changed hands again at an enormous advance. These purchasers held the property until last year, when they sold it to the Homestead Bank fo1 the sum of $60, ,OOO. This company, within the last few days, disposed of over $100,- GOO of this same land, and still have over one-third of their purchase unsold. Had the farmer been as determined on hold
 fast to his property as he was on throw. ing it away, he would have made him
 self rich, or left a handsome fortune fol
 his heirs.
The Petroleum Centre daily record. [volume] (Petroleum Center, Pa.) 1868-1873, 1872-07-15

&If you
Want Salesman,
Want Servant Girl,
Want to Sell Horse,
Want to Sell Patent,
Want to Lend Money,
Want to Buy House,
Want to Sell Carriage,
Want to Borrow Money,
Want to Sell an Oil Well,
Want to Buy an Engine or Boiler,
Want to Sell House and Lot
Want to find Strayed Animal,
Want to Purchase an Oil Interest,
Want to Sell Piece Of Furniture,
Want to Buy Secondhand Carriage,
Want to Sell Tubing, Casing, Gas Pipe,
Wan to Find an owner for anything
Found, advertise in the RECORD, as not less
than ten thousand people read it weekly.
The Petroleum Centre daily record. [volume] (Petroleum Center, Pa.) 1868-1873, 1872-07-15

A grand jury has been drawn at So
Lake City before whom will be offered ir-
dictments for polygamy. 1t 10 hoped the
question will be settled st the next term o
the y aited States Court
The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-03-08
LIGHT DAWNING.

The meetings which are now being
held by independent Republicans all
over the Union, renouncing adherence
to the Grant dynasty and pledging
themselves 10 reform, r a certain in
dieation of an early dissolution of the
great sectional party of plunderers
who have had control of our Govern
ment for the past decade. More than
four hundred thousand German voters
are to-day arraying themselves under
the banner of Carl Schurz and the
other insurgent Republican leaders,
and are pledging themselves to battle
valiantly against the corrupt party
which has Grant for its head and
Conkling for its tail, and which vainly
hopes to secure another four years
lease of pelf and plumber by central
izing power at Washington and sub
sidizing adherents b, extravagant
promises.
All this is a hopeful augury for the
Democratic party. Those Disguised
Republicans who desert the Radical
hulk must eventually drift into the
harbor of Democracy and array them
selves with those who have ever faith
fully stood by the Constitution and
defended the peoples rights. Let the
Democratic party keep up its organi-
cation, stand by its %colors. battle for
the RIGHT. and the bright day of vic
torymnst soon dawn upon our polit-
zeal horizon.
The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-03-08
THOSE RADICAL IRREGULARITIES

The Oregonian, in commenting up
on the damaging expositions which
the Legislative "Inquirendo" Com
missionefs' report makes against the
late Radical State Administration,
virtually admits its case tout of court
in the following sentences which we
find in its columns of last Monday:
aWe have looked over its pages
with some care and perceive that GER
tain petty Irregularities of the Woods
Administration, which the public had
not full knowledge of already, are ex-
posed"
Again it says:
.There are points w~arranting le-
climate criticism, and even censure,
against the Woods Administration
And again:
"One of the duties assumed by the
Commission was that of scaling" the
warrants issued by the late Secretary
of State. The aggregate of these re-
d~uctions is about SS,200. This is the
amount which it is claimed was squan-
dered needlessly in various ways by
the Woods Administration. Most of
this sum is made up by scaling" var
rants issued on account OF the Peni-
Tertiary, on the ground of over
charges aud over-allowances."
And the 0regonida gives the
Woods Administration which it as
sisted into power a final crusher in
the following words:
"a few real abuses by the Woods
Administration are pointed out. One
of them is the e~xorbitant charge by
Gov. Woods for carriage hire on pre-
tense of visiting the Penitentiary.-
Another is for a bookcase which
he had charged to the State, but
which he did not leave to his success
sor in Office. 1t is well that these
things are exposed"
OF course if ii is well that these
things are exposed" as the Oregonidn
says, that paper will not only uphold
the Democratic Legislature in ap-
pointing this Commission of Inquiry
but will hereafter cease to defend the
rogues who prac;iced the villainies
which this Commission has unearthed.
That Commission viii certainly feel
gratifed at receiving the endorse
ment Of so respectable and able q jour
-
nal as the Oregoniu,a
The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-03-08
LINN COUNTY DEM0GRATIG CONTENTION,

In pursuance of the action of the
Democratic Central Committee of Linn
county, the Democratic Convention
will be held at the Court House in Al
bany, on
Saturday. the Esd d0y of Maych, 1873,
at IL o'clock, A. 81, for the purpose oi
electing IL Delegates to attend the
Democratic State Convention and ol
nominating the following candidates
for County Officers, to-wit: Five Rep
resentatives, l County Judge, 2 Com
m~issioners, / Clerk, l Sheriff, / Treas
urer, l School superintendent, l As.
SCISSOR, l Surveyor and l Coroner, and
for the appointment of q County Gen.
trail Committee. and for the trans
action of such other business as
may be deemed necessary by the Con-
vention.
It is hereby recommended that the
Democrats of Linn county meet 1T
their usual places of voting in their
several precfncts, On Saturday, the 10th
day of March. 1877, for the purpose OF
choosing delegates to represent them
in the County Convention.
The ratio of apl,ortionment Is based
on the vote cast for the Democratic
candidate for Governor in the year
1870, giving to each precinct one dele
gate, and enc additional delegate for
every thirty Democratic votes cast,
aud one TOR every fraction of fifteen
votes or over, IS follows. viz
The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-03-08
ONLY A LITTLE STEAL.

Four millions is the snug little
sum stolen by Grants ring from the
proceeds of arms sold by the Gov
eminent to the French. This is a
mere trife in comparison with the
whole amount which this same ring
has appropriated in the last two years
from the public funds, but it is near
iy two-thirds Of the entire amount
charged against Tweed's ring in New
York. The whole continent re-
sounds with denunciations of the
latter's robbery, but the former ex-
cites little comment. This insigni6-
cant steal of four millions is of nc
account; the thirsy-seven millions
carried off by defaulting Federal
officials throughout the country is
not worth mentioning; the two hun
dred and fifty millions appropriated
by the carpet-baggers of the South
is not worth talking about; but the
six or seven millions which Tweed &
Go. secured furnishes fruitful theme
for Radical newspapers and orators
from Maine to Texasi
"Oh. Consistency" thy name il
not modern Radicalismi