davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1877-02-23
The Twelve O'Clock Man.

One needs a great deal of Christian
philosophy to bear losses, especially
when these are caused by others malice
or dishonesty. Weak and sensitive
minds are too often ruined by such ca.
lamity. One pathetic instance of this
is here given:
Those who frequent the city hall in
Brooklyn, N. Y, says an EXCHANGE.
have become familiar with the hagpard
face of a torn and tattered man, who
loiters there every day, waiting for the
great bell in the tower to strike the hour
of twelve. His presence was first no
ticed about ten years ago. He went ey-
cry day about eleven, walked up to the
marble floor of the rotunda and waited.
His air was that of expectancy. He
watched the faces of those who entered,
but his cold, keen gaze seemed never
satisfied. When the bell tolled twelve.
he walked sadly out OF the building,
went down the steps with the movement
of feeble man, and sbambled away.
The story Of this strange person was
for many years unknown. He was
called the Twelve O'Clock Man, and
was known by no other name. By the
park fence or inside the city hall en-
trance, every day, Sunday included, he
watched and waited. At five minutes
before twelve, he grasped the pickets
with both hands, and drew himself up.
Then, swinging his body back so that
he could catch a glance at the face Of
the clock, he remained in this position
as still and rigid as corpse until the
last stroke of noon sounded. Then,
dropping his hands YEARLY, he moved
slowly of, dragging one foot after the
other.
In September, 1878, the Twelve
O'Clock Man was missed from his post.
and the rumor spread that he was dead.
An obituary was published announcing
his death, under the caption of " Noon
at Last"
But he was not dead. He was found
on bed of sickness in little cabin in
Warren street. His sister, who lived
with him said that his name was Thorn
as Connor, and that the expectation to
meet debtor at the city hall at twelve
o'clock was his hallucination.
This debtor was a lawyer, who, in the
year 1854, borrowed nearly two thous-
and dollars of Connor, and promised to
meet him and pay it the next day at the
city hall at twelve o'clock. But he new
er came.
, 1877-02-23

He did not answer; only looksd :.
her. She went on persistenily. ~ IN
let the truth speak. Duke. I love -,
| have loved you all along! But "a.
came nigh 20 being my ruinl Th.-t
Godl at last I have clean hands ~ .
pure heartl / have dismissed -
George Trevor, and true 10 myself -.
10 you, / cast aside all womanly mo5s.-
~ and shame and tell you that I Iov.
your
Lucy" he said, ''is this thing t,n.,
Is all at an end between you and th.i
man ?" ~
"All-All," she whispered, soIsly.
Forever.
Duke Rutherford pressed her no,.
closely to him, and left his first warm
kiss upon her lips. She had found bsr
haven at last. Love, as it ever sbould
be, had conquered pride.
He gathered her in his arms. "And
whose are you now?"
Yours, if you will have me-"
And Duke Rutherford forgot his ami.
mostly to England and did not %
abroad.
, 1877-02-23

It was fair, sunny day, and they
were out on the cliffs, fathoms above
the sea, at play-shea dark-eyed won
drously beautiful girl of thirteen he a
tall, stalvart youth, year her senior.
There was q wide difference in their sta
tions in life. You had only to note the
richness of her silk attire and the thread
bare seantiness of his to feel assured OF
that. No rich mans son would have
been dressed quite so shabbily. as Duke
Rutherford; and yet, in spite of the
Worn-out clothes, the boy, in beauty OF
form and featme, might have been 1t
son for q nobleman-
The children were gathering mossee
from the rocks and chatting gayly to-
gether, forgetful Of rank or station.
They had met often thus for the last six
years
Dukes father was the agent Of the
estate Of Lucy Delamere's high-bred
mother. Their cottage Was but little
distance from the Hall, and the chill
dren. in search Of amusement, wander
ed out often 10 the cliffs and vhiled away
sunny afternoons in juvenile sports.
Duke gathered for his fair play-iellow
the brightest tinted shells, and in return
she brought him musty old books Of ro-
nance and chivalry from the great Il
brary At the Hall, which he read and
re-read until bis soul was hlled with
dreams and aspinticns, vague and
sweet. and UNREAL as the visions Of an
opium-eaier.
The Ruiherforls had not always been
dependents. Generaiions hack there
were noblemen In The family, but polii-
ical differences hal taken title and
wealth from he name. Early IN life
Hugh Rutherford. Duke's father, had
become agent for Mr.. Dclamere; q post
be had Fetained when Mr.. Delamere
dled, leaving 4 uidos, and one only
child, girl, e. sole heiress 20 his va.t
wealth and estates. Hugh Rutherford
had marIi1d . young uiis. beautiful and
refined, but alter = lev yeaFs their ain-
gularly happy lie uas broken. Mrs.
kutheriord died. and her husband had
only his aix-months' old boy 10 toll for.
No restraiut vas put upon the inter-
course between Duke Rutherford and
Lucy Delamere By The proud lady,
, 1877-02-23
A Warm MOr.el.

The following details a cruel trick, as
described in the Glasgow Observer:
" Looking over the bulwarks of the
schooner" writes correspondent to this
journal, +" 1 saw one of these watchful
monsters winding lazily backward and
forward like long meteor sometimes
rising until his nose disturbed tho sur
face, and a gushing sound like deep
breath rose through the breakers; at
others, resting motionless on the water,
as if listening to our voices, and thirst
ing for our blood. As we were watching
the motions of this monster, Bruce Il
lively little negro and my cook suggest
ed the possibility of destroyingit it. This
was briefly 10 hea. friedrich in the
stove, wrap it up hastily in seme old
clothes as sort o. disguise, and to heaVe
it overheard. This was the work OF
few Minutes; and the effect was trium-
phant. The monster followed after the
kissing prey. We saw it dart at the
brick like fash Of lightning and gorge
it instanter. The shark rose TO the sur
face almost Immediately, and his uneasy
motions soon betrayed the success Of the
maneuver. His agonies became terrible'
the waters appeared as il disturbed bya
violent squall, and the spray was driven
over the taffrail where we stood, while
the cleaning body Of the fish repeatedly
burst through the dark waves, as Il
vrithing with fierce and terrible convul.
sions. Sometimes We thoughs We heard
q shrill. believing cry, as II indicative
OF anguish and rage, rising through tns
gurgling waters. His fury, however,
was soon exhausted; In short time ne
sounds broke away into distance, and ne
agitation Of the sea snbsided. The ahafk
had given himself mp 10 the tides. - IN,
able 10 struggle against the approach q
death, and they we're carrying ms poa3
unre.isiingly 70 the beach.
, 1877-02-23
the OLD DEACON's LAMENT.

Yes. I've been deacon Of our church
Nigh on to atty year,
walked in the way Of dooty, TOO,
And KEEP my conscience clear.
I've watched the children CROWN up,
Seen brown locks turnin' gray,
But never saw sech doins yet
As those I've seen to-day.
This church was built by godly men
To glorify the Lord,
In seventeen hundred eighty-eight;
Folks couldn't then afford
Carpets, cushings and sech like
The seats were Jest plain wood,
Too narrow for the sleepy ones;
In prayer we allus stood
And when the hymns were given out
tell you 1t was grand
To hear our leader start the tunes,
With tunin-fork in hand
rben GOOD ola China" Near" and all,
Were heard on Sabbath days,
And men and women, boys and girls
Timed in the song Of praise.
But that old pulpit was my pride
Jest eight feet from the ground
They'd reard 1t upon either side
A nArrer stairs went down
The front and eends were htly carved
with Scripter stories all
Findin' Of Moses, Jacobs dream.
And sinful Adams fall.
Jest room inside to put cheer,
The Bible on the ledge
n1l own did get nArvous when
He showed II to the edgel.
There week by week, the parson stood,
The scripter TO expound;
There. man and boy, I've sot below.
And not fault was found.
OF course I've seen great changes made,
And fought agenst 'em too;
And hrst . choir was interdooced,
Then cushings IN each pew; fa
Next boughten carpet for the floor;
And then, that very year,
We got our new melodson,
And the big shandyleer.
Well. well tried to keep things straight
Iwent to ev'ry meetin',
And voted = No" 70 all they said
But found my inhu'nce aeetin'.
Al last the worst misfortin fell
must blame Deacon Brown:
He helped the young folks when they said
The pulpit should come down.
They laughed At all those pious scenes
I'd found 80 ediiyih';
Said, 'sWhen the parson rose to preach,
He looked a'most like hyin';
Said that = Elijah's chariot
Jest half way up had tarried;'
And Deacon Brown sot by and laughed.
And 50 the pint was carried.
This was last week. The carpenters
Have nearly made an end
Excooee my feclins. Seems TO me
As ef I'd lost friend.
at made their necks ache. lookin' up
Was what the folks did say;
More lookin' up would help us all
In this degin rate day.
~. .h,.-.,, ,-,.,,,t ,,sv.r a.e,, thu ..me
I'm half afraid 10 me.
Under the preachin' Of the truth
I've ben 30 used to be.
And noW--to see our parson stand
Like any common man,
With jest = railin' round his desk
dout believe ! can
Mr.; 3. r corbeti.
, 1877-02-23
THE CmILD.VIOLINIST.

Ne h,A plaved for his lurdships l'N'e'
u.h,a riayed for her ladythtp~ " him
rill the poor little head va heavy
And the poor little brAin would swim
And the face grew peAkod and erie
And the large Eyes strange and brlsh''
And they said-too late" He u StAfl
He shall rest for. at least tonight
nat Al dawn. when the birds were waking.
As they watched IN the silent room,
With the sound Of ttrained cord breaking
A something snapped In the gloom
Twas A string Of his violoncello.
And they heard him stir in his bed
Male room for q tired little fellow,
Kind God was the last that he said.
-Austin Dobssn. in tie CorHAiA Magazine
, 1877-02-23

TIM use of scientific terms often -
CONES . sortof second nature Win son,
profcs.ional men. The Brooklyn ~.
lunny man, Who incautiou.ly struck ~
back % his head against the side..o,. ide..o
Ne other day, piisously exclaimed, ~;
my poor meislla oblon9sfa." The ergse
thought he alluded 10 his vile and -
she Was an Italian lady Of rAnk--S-
Louis Glo6s- Dsmoraf.
, 1877-02-23

Six years passed. Duke had been six
months at college and was home on q
brief vacation.
Miss Delamere had completed her
education and come ''out," = beautiful
and wonderfully accomplished young
lady, followed by train Of obsequious
admirers.
One still July night she stole away
from the revelTy a The Hall, add went.
a. Of old, 10 the ellis; the very spot
where Duke Rutherford had saved her
life. Chance had taken him that night
tolhe sane apot. He vas sitting silent
In the moonlight looking out q the sea.
thinking of that bygone day When ahe
hal given him the heilotrope - . keep
sake. An thcss an yeas the heilotrope
had ben Kept By him a. his grea1eHt
treasure Her imago had ever been
prea-nt uiih him. spuFring him on 10
exeriions In his studies, and making
every fresh victory, every upward atep
atriumph for her sake. And YEA hs never
a.ked himself uhy this uas. o. uhat 4
would end In. IfWas 20 and he eould
not help a. But h lelt that 30 aspire
70 The hand Of Luey Delamere. The rich
, 1877-06-15


On tho incoming raclac fast train Of the North.
western Road, yesterday afternoon, WINS a party
Of Aa1f.a.doren men who wcrt Just returning from
the Black Hills to theIF homes In Ohio. They
looked seedy and dcspondent, but still their man.
ner eyioced TINT thoy belonged u tho better order
Of iaboring men. They told TnlnusE reporter
who chaaccd 10 ncct them TINT they had only been
In DsadWood City month"; nnd that everybody
thcrc waa preparing to move into the lIig Horn
country. wbcrelt was rtea gold wAa hcng found
IN paying quantities.. Around DcadW0od there
were not more than thirteen or fourteen mines that
wcrp paying anything at all, and these wcse not
might tur,, ont very well, but placer mining was
not worth mans time. A lAbosIug.n,an had no
show. II he ever did yet Job he was paid email
wages md even those hn received in Xol.dn
mixea with black sand. Ths rasc&lity Of sotne Of
thoao claim. .owNcts, according to their tnlc, was
something fearful to contemplate, They would
often hire man to work one day, giving him 50 Or
81, and ret him 10 disying on u CHIN lotlK enough
to Fell It to gresnhorE, and then l1schAFSo him.
Tho young buckeyes stated that they had not
dono days work alnce thcy went out there, CT.
ccpl lttlo placer mining which they did for the.n-
selves. ani they had got enough OF It. The Dead.
wooa clalm they said Was tho only that really
paid. ...--..--.
mnHy which are brought back 70 the States. Thcrc
glowing descriptions OF the gold times predicted
for Deadwood and Its Immediate vicinity In tho
near iuturo. It qnite likely that SUCCESS depends
upon tho Energy aud intelligence Of the men WHO
70 out there, as we'll rs the luck which strikes
theul,
, 1877-06-15

This regular MONDAY prayor.u,eeting in Fatwell
Hall to-day will be led by ". o. Lntttn,ore.
Gospel Temperance meeting In Lower Tarwcll
Hall this evening, led by William II. Murray.
There will be "a special meeting Of Imperial
Lodse, No. 81. K. T.. this Friday evening. Al
members arc requested to lo In attendance, % the
Supreme Chancellor will bc pruacnt.
Tho Class Of 1877. Of the High School. will hold
Eean11a this evening n ts stoFs ot tas IT.;
% ~ s1eeicn. coilesion % for tic @ ocessio. p'p''@0
Tho Rev. Dr.. Henry uetsonl will deliver a 1ect.
Hto thls evening at 7:3o In eas Temple BNat
aud Sixteenth streets. Subject, Individuality"
TAe excursion and picnic Of tho Winter Street
u. Is. Church Will take place Saturday. Tho train
enves tho Town.IlaIl at tho stock. ards at Am
supplied @ It lie i,all. ~''~'1 "''' >'' w. ~
s. 8. Davis and Joteph Dowdatl, two Of tho
principal officers Of ths national oody Of tho
knights OF ryth!aa. will be In Tho city To-day on
the mombsrs has boen called at tho urand Lodgo
Hall for this evening 70 welcome the ris,ton,
Tho sa!o Of Tickets for tho uttsray Bal, has been
unprecedented: Every scat ~ Meg!ekeF's Theatre
Tickets were selling yesterday at promlnn, of %,
rstts sss ess' tFs I'D 1sas. sss P s
II anY ono who has pnrchased tickets should b
s p.9 VIZ soa shea q tSos E Vii Il e.
gnod for tho second performances. which will By
Kssn at ~ sary lao - y ESss!b.e The curtain VIII
ss arc tsaue.tsa q bsnx o. ssn tais ehi,aisn wno
ere 70 tako psrt TO tue stags oor o. Tue theatre Vt
sible before cufntng 10 tho theatre. Mothers Of
ch,}drcn over Ycars who arc not on the corps Of
assistants sts roaqss'ea to tske seats VIM tyr
ast Is kspt pcsee,iy esar attas cocK W 70 ss pfs
pare for the performance.
, 1877-06-15
THE GOVERNOR or MISSISSIPPI,
10 ia Editor dF Tia 1'rihuna

Ex.tjov. Il. &, powc1a IL tho gent!omnu who
took the Govesuoss scat In htssisslppl when Aplcx
resigned It 10 elcapa Impeachment ii tbs hands of
ths Democratic Legislature that hxd becu recently
elected.-JFt1uas " Jans H.
CHICAGO, June 12,-Per1nit ono "wAo was
there" to say that the excellent article III your
paper Of the date e!ven, headed, "Tho AushosI-
ties of MissIssIppt Imptached," Is marrcl by
tho error contained in tho ahovs-luotel se,,-
sence. Gov. Powers succeeded jatlea L, Alcur,
~ Governor, Whcit the LITTER person was elected
tu tho United states Senate, the Hon. X. q.
Powers ct the ttH!u acting ~ LIeutruQAt-uov-
ernor. 1t was Eul. ]. II. Stone whu Burcee,lel
Cen. AdelbeFt Alnts, when he resigned to escape
fureoruatned mn1 unleserved Impeachment by
a dishonest, currupt Democratic Legislature,
whtcl. hal been butllozc.t into power III tho full
Of 1875, despite k'4orn Republican maturity III
the state OF 2o,ood Col: stone Il the supurser-
slceabla nan who could quel! u! disturbances
wllun questioned during q Dollt!cai campaixn,
un1 who equally could not When juIxu W. W.
Chtsolul and john L. Gtllner, Vi ktmper, wcro
tYst arresled and then shot down like homeless
curs III thelr tracks. kncW Judge Ehlsolm
aud Air. GIl1ncs very we'll. Brayes hearts
never beat III human hrcIst4, aud II their cuw-
afdly asaosaEns lre vol quickly punished, then
tl,r State Of Mississippi will deserve the fatu Ut
tho Gitic4 Of tile plain. should be sunk down u
hell, II there " such placo, unL II there Is mot
Que should be especially prepared for the pur-
pUsc.
believe every word Of Gov, Powers letter
10 ba perfectly true,-aye, more Ia true.
/. r, NJ. WulpPLH
, 1877-06-15

tho chief husiness Ct the connc!l during the
n saTme, months j. listening to eisls & as etc.
rcnson Of rest to Tho ovcrworked legls1Ators, but
ntyc the Treasury T. rest to certain extent, ~ no
sehs.ne vii noi % pass II y - es.Y iii. ysss a. It has
heretofore.
The Qutntatl Iron Works, through Its chief rep:
rcacntntrc. who II now N the city. hAs abandoned
sy ~" . Ater eaassS!ofas II e u Sa
idea that county and city officers werr alike in
uon. aud nfter finding that tho members Of the
rsopls have decided that they VII not 70 {, court.
free Grant o. of tSe vi. .ooo 70 the city 81 Chicago
Thei. I'agnsn'mIty will ever 10 remembered by
Lud.eroua mistakes uradc by pcrsons IL. .qucat Of
naarrIaRe-li -liecnsea arc quite coumnu At tho ctty.
Halt, but that error Which was noticed yesterday
,ssns q sSs sson 9aca ss
After dinner 10 comfortably "squn,o" himself IN
5 ss; Ta:s T. mp sasdnss M a5
woman, who leaned oyer and whispered eantiuusly
n t!roesa ear: ,'1s th!s the place where they re.
thonght 10 himself, '.old woman, you're too
spsas Il. wosn asn ' aa a
sitsotse. d." She WIS sent over 10 TICKLE
Ltcb's lfccnse-clcrk.
Health .Commlsasoncr De Wolf yesterday visited
Hcatcy s'ongl! anti tnlkod to soc Of tho owners VI
property which dIoins it, 10 the end that they
mIQh perceive that they would benefit thelr own
interests hy nllln1 up the slough ut once. The
ownes spoken to Of tho matter eyines q willing.
ness to do ~ y desired Of them anl
WI 60 to work at a o, PACE. The cit!
should the authorities, by tho MD Of the 1rand
Jury, DO apc to make non resident owncts DO thelr
this summer. shoai It 10 70, Df. nswolf viii
deserve con,mtndntlon. lie deserves comutcnda.
tIun anyway. for he has worked hard. carly anti
nuisance.
, 1877-06-15

The trial Of William c. Pike, indicted for tho
murder Of Jones, has been set for tho 25th Inst
Gertrude 11anlsch, Josephine IIoc1er, and Fred.
etIck Johnson were adiudgcd Insane In tho County
Court yesterday.
ncans have raised IN valuo, and for this reason
bean suup 10 no longer ono Of tho dishes at Kerns
North side place.
state's Attorney Mills was not 50 well yostcriay,
and remained 1t home. A few days vi rest with
nnahlo him to return to his arluous 1ato,s, II II
hopci.
This Grand Jury will hd}onrn Tomorrow, and
report tnr rcsult ot its labors. IT. Adjournment
VIII be relief TO the county authorities except
those whom It in1ictB.
Sheriff Kern yesterday returned from . couven.
tton Of apoEtsmon recently held at Sycamore. lie
attended u ono Of tbs team from The ASSOCIATION
of thte city. With which be Is connected, md
brought honla With HIN the second prlzu.
The County Treasurer announces that he will
commence cashinR county urders In the hnnl* or
ilrst ssryo1. Tho Co,nm,ssioncfa hopo 10 CONC IN
under this head and get t.1cir last quarters pay.
, 1877-06-15

II has been fumorcd tos u number OF days that
The Grand Jury were about to investigate somo
nattcta pertaining 10 the dolnxs o tho Trustees Of
this town, In which It Wa alleged that thsso
had been somo Irregularities. Tho reporter,
III his e,,dtAy0f1 to trace tho matter to i
act or any Meaauss 0f tha Hoard Upon which MI III.
d(ctment could he f0anded. Ths cllnEgss vii!
probably b. submitted y the Board Itself, calling
tor an investigation, which may brlnR out somo
rich Developments. although tic members c!ain
that tAoy arc willing aud anxoas to have ths!r do
tnxs thoroughly .sfntln!1sd. The rrsgalhsiss.. II
W1ikg suIs, from which all tho troubles of the
town scpu u originate. A number Of prominent
ths m4tieF, and will exert themselves 10 discover
my fE1ua oE tErtgulnELttes.
, 1877-06-15
THE CITY-uAJJ,


rs ssn.s receipt, were % but 1850 Yesterday
Tae speeaea'o .of .ans. s pa%p.nsssns. tor
pletel,
----
The Tfeasufcfs soceiPts yostsFtny were s5la
,,oM .ae ~ 80 49,. ~ run ,no "A'es
Thors wero uino new cases of .cnr]ct yaver r..
oor,ci st ,he ii.nI,h i,.nartnsnt xc.,sr,ax Ths
humber of Deaths from .he disease has Been ia.
creased 10 fourteen.
Tho dam across the Dezp,apcs II now a1mopt IN.
AMI shougn 1t IL not wAter. tight tho effect il ii.
,saay nsfsgg'sS tatFs Ill., esnE E: gaG cnsfe9t ta
Viii asss%p'.S tho aa'sss desired: '%'s''' 'N'
saast S foss ass sS sEy;. ys sss ass, t. s n
Stunt, Hickey until thp Grand Jury anal hayn r..
potted regarding thut of!lccf, Thay tdink that II
against HicksS. ii wcrn uxelcss Tor cnMnrI s:n1
nilttee OF dyp 10 make thu kttcp,nt md Il tho
nrand jury ttnd hn' wanting. then The Committee
viii eseape nach WORK.
b.is iuT Lc nsy ls,up of water.bonjs. onxabin y,
twenty years. ind Irawin" Intsrnst n 4 n1r n.rt -
Tho exprctatiops uFo ihat they viii bring faft
rfc1niu,n brCaJse n larr, rnI,thrr ~ bi1is hnv,,
nfss 3sss.,ss Ss. ssa ~ fem fs,s;P M ss
Waese y efe r. mnsa esnpeon II ID
nj, ''- ..-...
uay A. III oacu tho scm .annusi n.test H.. Iii
xpou thv bonded debt aid .hu1t.y sftss %symsn.
y e Sss 'faS @ )" Ts Tsw in.k 1hs tola! mount
amonnt e fnr tptere.t nh,n ths .t,nI1s sIe'
and ~ tbs wateS. fund IL aiways renlefs wiz sno
hrr1mWcd IN mret Ihn M rvmnn,. "" A0'A'1 "'A' ~
- fe'
Eo" that tho baker, and persons Of various Other
cta!ls arc compelled 10 add t' tho cllys seveuIe1
BY taking cut licenses II IL In the minds VI sople
ftho.e IN sa1hotsy 10 place . similar tax upon