smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

The Richmond correspondent Of the Lynch
burg Republican gives the following account OF
a strange case in Richmond:


"a certain Ladies' Seminary in this city has
been discovered during the past two or three
months, to be on fire no less than four times. -
And what was most remarkable the incendiary
always kindIed the flames inside. Once it was
discovered bursting out Of bed, in chamber
seldom used, and was extingulshed before de-
ing much damage; then it was kindled in a
chamber on the fourth floor and before it could
be extinguished, damage to the amount of
s. 600 was done, and the school compelled to
suffer great inconvcniences for month again
chamber maid discovered the library to be
burning one night, and for the third time, as
good fortune would have it, the building was
saved-the fourth time fire was seen issuing
from the staircase leading from the hall up in
to the floors occupied by the young ladies as
sleeping apartments. This toe was extin-
guished without serious damage. Thus four
times did the incendiary light the torch, and as
often did provdential causes prevent the
threatened destruction of life and property
Soon these strange occurrences became town
talk the school was almost broken up, as pa
rents knew not what was threatening their chill
dren; the Principal became nearly crazed; he
saw ruin staring him in the face and an unseen
and unknown enemy persistenty working out
his destruction. Inquiry seemed at fault, and
the sharpcst cunning Of our shrewdest detec-
tives failed to work out the mystery that hung
over the fated house. At last, accident be-
trayed the guilty party-and young lady Of
the school beautiful, rich accomplished,
trembling, stood before her tutor and cor
fessed herself the criminal. What induced hel
to play this strangely tragic role none can tell
but in pity to her, and mercy to her relatives,
she was allowed quietly to depart to her home,
in distant part of the State, and the strange
mystery has been for weeks fruitful theme tol
the untiring gossip's tongue.
Year: 1869

What is life tits delicate shell,


Thrown up by eternlty's flow,
On times bank of quicksand to dwell,
And in a moment its loveliness show.
Gone back to its element grand,


In the billow that brou ght it on shore;
See another is washing the strand,


And the beautiful she'll is no more.
Year: 1869

Mr.. Glumm, a cotton merchant, confesses to
have got stuck for once in his life. The other
night in the dark he mistook bis mucilage bot
tie for the hair OIL His hair has since present
ed the appearance of whale-bone.
Year: 1869

There never was more perfect organization
than that which the Radicals have banded in
this State. A few venal, shameless white men
have organized the poor negroes into leagues,
and bound them by oaths, to support the meas
ures and candidates of the party. Every spe-
cies of terrorism that can be imagined is exer-
cised over these poor deluded creatures to hold
them in firm concord with the wicked wretches
who care nothing for them except to get their
votes, The negroes seem to be impervious to
arguments Of any kind. They only know that
the leaders Of the leagues require them to do
thus and SO, and they blindly obey the word of
command There is no reason IN them, and
therefore no appeals to that faculty can lie with
them. They willingly accept the leadership of
the vilest white reprobate, and spurn the coun-
sells of the best men among US. To what dan
ger is the public welfare not exposed when such
condition Of things as this is found to exist
in the State J. Lynchburg Vuganaaa.
Year: 1869

If you are very hard up you can make a
wrap with the church sexton to gether
the outings up which he Will do in
coarse and return EN-. There's a good eel
to be said about victuals and the like
which Twill wright you some other time
Now take care Nv yourself me boy and
don't over talk that trane yorn.


Your parent,


A TODFOLLOW.
Year: 1869

Josh Billings says that if man pro-
poses to serve the Lord, he likes to see
him do it, when he measures corn as well
as when he hollers glory hallaluyer.


TO lay off square acre of land
measure 209 feet for each side of your
square, and 1t will contain an acre within
an inch
Year: 1869

On Sunday afternoon the Fsrt Wayne
Railroad Company sent construction
train up the road preparatory to the COM
mencement Of work on Monday morning,
as is the usual custom. The engineer,
anxious, of course, to make his Sunday
work as short as possible, rushed the train
out of the depot and around the curve to
the bridge at the top of its speed. Upon
arriving at the bridge, however, he saw
that which caused him to reverse the en-.
gine and apply the brakes with all his
force. A man with his wife and two chill.
dren were ON the narrow portion of the
bridge, where it is Just wide enough for q
train to pass, about midway of its length
of six hundred feet. Neither end could;
the train would rush upon them; but the
father and husband was equal to the emer-
gency.


Catching up the children in his arms, he
told his life he would see to them, and
babe her run toward the end of the bridge,
until the train should reach her, and then
jump into the water. She must run for
her life, as her safety depended upon her
getting near enough to the shore to find
shallow water before being overtaken by
the train. She did as directed, and when
she felt the hot breath of the iron monster
she jumped from the bridge, fortunately
alighting in not more than two feet of
water and weeds, and the train passed her
in safety. But what of the father and
little ones He could not run with the m
and while almost distracted with fears of
his wife's safety, he was bound to find
some escape for them. Taking the little
ones in his arms, he coolly and steadily, in
the face of the approaching train, lowered
himself with them to brace beneath the
bed timbers, and there held them fast
within few feet of the water, while the
train came laundering over them About
the time theeengineer reached the centre
of the bridge the exertions of the engineer
and brakemen effected the stOppage of the
train, and their assistance was rendered
to extricate the frightened family from
their yet perilous position, and they went
on their way, thankful for their deliver
ance.-Jeksom, Aich 0itissm.
Year: 1869

A FRENCH workman, some time ago, In
vanishing various metal pieces scorched
himself most dreadfully. In his agony,
and without an instant's reflection, he
thrust his injured hand into the pot CON.
tanning the varnish, and immediately felt
relieved as ifby enchantment. He repeated
the operation for day or two, and in .
very short time his hand was perfectly
cured. This discovery excited attention
in his neighborhood; he treated many
similar cases successfully, and in Septem-
ber, 1883, he was sent for to Metz, in or
der to cure the men injured by the explo-
sion of the powder magazine. He is now
in Paris, having been sent for to try his
varnish on two patients in hospital, and
has succeeded so well that sore that had
been reserved for comparison, to be treated
with nitrate Of silver in the ordinary way,
has been given up to him 70 be managed
IN that way.
Year: 1869

A CORRESPONDENT of the Scientific


american tells this marvellous, but not un-
,para1eled, story, Of marks produced by


lightning during thunder storm in Wash


ington county, Md: In an open lot neal


the residence of the late Capt. John Ress-


lev, about two and o half miles north


west Of the town of Hancock, in the coun-


ty named, stood an oak tree of medium


size, under which, during thunder storm,


q sheen had taken shelter from the rain.


On limb or branch Of thetree sat robin,


directly over the sheep; q fash Of light


ming struck the tree, the robbin and the


sheep; killing both Of the latter. We saw


the sheep lying under the tree and went


to see If it had been killed. When we ar


Hved, we found the sheep dead, lying up
On the left side, and found the dead body


of the robin lying upon the right or upper


side of the sheep. Capt. Ressley ordered


his servants to skin the sheep, which
they did immediately, and when they
came totae spot ON the right, and which
was the upper side, where the body of the
robin had fallen and where we had found
it, they noticed q strange appearance, and
called our attention to it. To our no small
astonishment We found on the in
side of the skin . Of the sheep and
also on the, flesh of the body of the skin,
q. perfect picture of the robin, even to
the fine finges of the feathers of its
wings. Now it could not have been the
falling Of the body of the robin upon the
body of the sheep that caused the inn
preston, as the figure or picture thus
formed was not that Of q dead bird lying
on the sheep as we found it, but
it was Q perfect picture of the robin while
sitting ON the limb of the tree above the
sheep. This circumstance at the time
elected q good deal Of controversy among
q small circle Of educated gentlemen in
the immediate vicinity. and the only con-
clnsion that could be arrived at was, that
the current of electricity in the instant of
its pass ge, carried the outline of the
figure of The robin down upon the body of
the sheep, the sheep having fallen (if it
were not already lying upon its side, be-
fore the body of the robin reached 1t in its
downward descent. No doubt the sheep
was lying down at the time of the stroke.
Now whether the body Of the robin alb
sorbed portion Of the electric fluid, and
in that way caused the picture (darkened
as II was) upon the inside of the skin and
upon the flesh Of the sheep, I am not able
to prove, but that has always been my
theory of il - -0-ifsil uEf eifi 3esi
Year: 1869

The readers OF the HERALD viii recollect that last
week daring attempt was made by thieves to rob
the Park Bank and that one OF them was arrested.
He gave the name OF Charles Pinto. Yesterday
special ocer Cole of the Firth precinct paid Pinto
visit and at once recognized him as one OF the
young gentlemen OF burglarous proclivlt1es who
the act OF removing goods from the store OF r.
Franks No. 30S Canal street. which they had burla-
riously entered. For that offence he was committed
by Alderman Conan, at the Tombs without
bail, and the papers sent to the District
Attorney. How he secured his liberty so soon is not
known. The evidence at that time was conclusive.
The naodus opeyandi OF robbing Frank was this:-
The thieves leased a basement under the store, as
alleged, for q trunk mandatory. They then bored
they were removing them about six O'Clock in the
morning, on an express wagon, Cole and other
capped For the robbery at the bank It is TO be hoped
he win be sent up and the community relieved OF a
pest.
Year: 1869

A young man asked an old man
for his daughter in marriage. The
answer was $50 into the orchard
and bring in n number of apples.
Give me one-half of the whole num-
ber and the mother half of the balance
and half an apple over and 10 the
daughter one-half of the remainder
and half an apple and have one left
for Yourself, without cuttingan apple,
and then, if she is willing, you can
have her" He solved the question.
How many did he bring2
Year: 1869

1t is not good sign for the Pacific
Railroad that, in spite sf our remark
ably open Winter, the SHOWS on the
mountains have completely blocked
it up for over half of the last month
There has not been a single train
through since the 18th. The expe-
rience of this Winter will be sure to
give an impetus To tLe Southern
routes, and, when the Government
can afford ii, they will certainly re-
ceiye assistance IN some form.
Year: 1869

The Ft Wayne Gazette says Gen.
Grant once worked as a tanner in
that city. Twenty years ago he
found employ ment in a tannery, and
remained two or three days. and then
went to the West. The Gazette says
there are men living in that city who
will testify that the above statement
il true
Year: 1869

PUTNAM'S MAGAZINE for March
Is quite up TO the usual standard \ very
timely article is the description OF the inter
oceanic canal route, which will be read witt
interest during the present talk about water
way over the Isthmu5 of Darien. "a Royal
Wedding Feast in Cashmere is quite reada-
bic, and so is Napoleon at Goth.t' the lat
ter by Bayart Taylor. Literary and art mat
ters ut home and abroad are ably reviewed /;
and altogether the magazine is just the thing to
read at the fresidc or anywhere else
Year: 1869

until the inauguration ceremonies were COM
pleted. The press OF business was the sole rea-
why the retiring President did not witness the
transfer OF the burden OF responsibility to his sue
cessor and the asseveraton is backed by the assur
ance that the absence was not attributable TO the
existing unpleasantness.


Departure Of MIR. johnson and Family.


All needful preparations had been made for q
speedy and quiet exit and the hour arrived for
transfer OF the government domicile TO its future
occupant the family effects were carried away
in an unostentatious looking vehicle. The Presi-
dents carriage was drawn up to the main en-
trance, and the Presidents lady, in firm and
almost helpless, placed within by the aid OF attend.
ants; Mrs. Patterson and her children followed and
were driven away. Half an hour later q carriage
containing Mr. Johnson passed through the gate A
crowd lined the streets either side, put there were
no demonstrations. Then followed the carriages OF
the remaining members OF the Cabinet each in q
different direction, and the White House was left in
possession OF the attendants, few delayed soldiers
and policemen, with Cushaw, the late Presi-
dents ever courteous and attentive messenger in
temporary command.
Year: 1869

b0rho0d or the apartment where President Grant
was expected to receive visitors had more tnan al
ordinary number OF expectant folks lounging ABOUT,
eager TO catch the trst glimpse Of the newly naugu
rated President


Arrival Of Presldent Grant and Party.


At halfpast ten O'Clock President Grant and wife,
Vice President Cofax and wife and the latter's I'M
mediate relatives came into the building and were
conducted to the private room set apart for them py
friends and the diplomatic corps formed part OF
this company.


A dense crowd passed towards the door. and when
the distinguished party came out followed them 10
an upper room designated for the reception. There
the President and Vice President and their wives
received the congratulations OF their friends al well
as those VINO were merely attracted by curiosity.


AS ball where dancing is leading feature the
whole AFFAIR was failure. The crush was 80 great
that comfortable lOcOmOtiOn was out OF the Ques-
ton. Nevertheless the ladies seemed to enjoy It,
tn0ugh their long train dresses suffered wOfully from
the pedal extremitles OF the masculine pr0mnaders
few very antique specimens OF apparel were con-
lace, bedizzened with gold sheckes and trimmed
all over with gold fringe. There were
several ladies in Calico and which Just gave the re-
quisite democratic touch to the complexion OF the
aG6embage The entire AFFAIR, however, aside from
the jam and the iassOrted character OF the rooms,
and distinction Of the c0unry for every one OF rank
IN Washington was present, and likewise every one
Of note among the vast crowd OF visitors from all
the States and Territories In the Union.


Scores OF gentlemen, in retiring from this great
est jam that washington has ever witnessed, left
their coats and hats behind them rather tlan walt
the intermediate time necessary TO reach the c0un-
ter OF the cloak room. The rush to supper was I'M
mense, and those who came late had TO 0e satisfied
with q distant glimpse OF the jeilies and Salads
Year: 1869

As was but consistent and proper, the Union
League Club Of this city celebrated yesterday the
Inauguration OF our new President In becoming
and appropriate manner, but without any striking
demonstrations. At noon, the moment when the
ceremonies Of the Inauguration Of President Grant
as Chief Executive Of the nation for the next four
years were being witnessed by the coordinate
branches Of the government, by the representatives
Of all the European Powers and by the people OF the
United States assembled at the capital, the Union
League Club commemorated the event by salvo
OF thirty-sx guns-the number OF consultations
In the glorious galaxy OF states that comprise the
Union. Notwithstanding the inclemency Of the day
people in the vicinity OF the club house Madison
avenue who cheered heartily in unison with the rude
rejoicings Of the guns. The BALCONY around the
building was elaborately and tastefully decorated
with the flags of the Union while from copings,
windows and vantage colgnes the small banners.
the day. The Union League Club was large.
y represented Within. on the balconies, and
around the building heartily participating in
the occasion. The ides Of March have rarely
ushered in day SO fraught with future events
for the great republic than the 4th OF March, 1882
and the whole land will mark 1t as the opening Of o
new era OF peace and prosperity. In the evening the
interior Of the club house presented scene OF con-
graduation among the members OF the club, and the
large number Of friends and Visitors specially intro
duced and invited for the purpose Of participating in
the general reloicings appropriate to the occasion
There was, however, no special order or pro-
gramme OF celebration beyond the attendance
OF Dodworth's. band in the grand ballroom
the evening and which was listened to and enjoyed
by the cubbists and their hosts Of friends Colonel
Frank Howe was as usual, ubiquitous, receiving
with his accustomed courtesy and turbanity. The
exterior Of the building was Illuminated by three
vantage the Arrangement OF the nags, banners and
streamers that waved In the night air. The music
was continued up to eleven O'Clock, but, beyond
W OF
the day was celebrated, other demonstration was
INDUCED in by the Union League Club.
Year: 1869

Yesterday, oil over the city, the national nag was
displayed by citizens Of the republican iath and at
noon, while President Grant was supposed to be
reading his inaugural address to the assembled
thousands. national salute was fired upon the
public square In honor OF the occasion. Prayer was
offered In behalf OF the President at the rooms
OF the Young Mems Christian Association.
Year: 1869

Even the Republicans OF Massachusetts,
have got too much OF the moral reform Of
the party of morality. A Union Republican
State Central League is the name of q new
political organization formed to oppose pro.
hibitory legislation.
Year: 1869

~ BY GEORGE D. PRENTICE.
IT'S sad, yet sweet, to listen


To the soft winds gentle swell,
And think we hear the music


Our childhood knew so well;
To gaze out ON the even, ~
And the boundless fields of air,
And feel again our boyhood's wish
: To roam like angels there.
There are many dreams Of gladness
That cling around the past,
And from the toub of feeling


Old thoughts come thronging fast;
The forms we loved so dearly


In tie happy days now gone,
The beautiful and lovely,


So fair to look upon.
Those bright and gentle maidens,


Who seemed SO formed for bliss,
Too glorious and too heavenly


For such a world as this
Whose dark, soft eyes seemed swimming
In sea of liquid light,
And whose locks of gold were streaming
Ger brows so sunny bright.
Whose smiles were like the sunshine


In the spring-time of the year
Aihe the cnangeiul CLEANS OF april,


They follow every tear.
They have passed-like hopes-away,
n And their loveliness has fled
Oil many heart is mourning
That they are with the dead.
Like the brightest buds of summer,


They have fallen with the stem;
Yet, OIL it is lovely death


To fade from earth like them
And yet the thought is sad ming,


To muse on such as they,
And feel that all the beautiful


Are passing fast away;
That the fair ones whom we love


Grow to each loving breast,
Like the tendril of the clinging vine,


Then perish where they rest.
And we can but think of these,


In soft and gentle spring,
When the trees are waving o'er us,


And the flowers are blossoming;
And we know that winters coming


With his cold and stormy sky,
And the glorious beauty round us


Is budding but to die
Year: 1869

My dear Mary, who had never been known
to deceive us--so aficctouate, so gentle, so
truthful in all the past-could it be possible
that she was a confirmed liar Necessity
was stronger than the tenderness Of the faith
cr. cbastiscd her for the first time in my
life severely chastscd her ltalmost broke
her heart and | may add, it almost broke
mine also.


Yet Mary was innocent After events
proved that the negro was the thief She had
conjured up the story Of the garret, knowing
that Mary would not deny having been there I;
and to make the circumstances stronger
against her, had strcwn apple-rinds on the
floor never think of the event without
tears But Il has taught me a useful lesson
and that is, never to threaten child into a
lie, when it may be he is telling the truth.
The only lie | over knew Mary to tell me, |
myself forced upon her by thrcatenings It
has also fixed ia my mind the determination
20 employ mo- servant in my family whom
can possibly do without.-HaUs JourHai
Of Heaith
Year: 1869

One day there was a great humping in my
cellar, and if you had gone down there, you
would have seen that one Of the windows had
been opened, and that sticks Of wood, some
square and some round, some three-cornercd,
big aud little, kuotty and clear, all sawn the
right length for the stoye were pouring
through the window and every stick as it
came down seemed to say, Stand clear, or
you'll get hurt" So ! stood clear, and let
the workers have it all their own way


| suppose the one who sent it thought that
splitting it would be good exercise for the
minister, aud he thought so too. So | went
at it. But pretty soon big stick turned up
full Of hard knots on every side. fancied
that one Of those knots looked like an eye,
and that it kept watching me as | picked up
one stick after another, and left it untouched.
Ia fact, it almost seemed to say, Split little
sticks if you have mind to, but dare you
to touch mo-"


1t was great annoyance to see it there
every day but the question was how to get
rid of 1t. 1t was too good to be thrown
away, and too big to be put in the stove
My only course was to try and split it. So
Que day when l felt strong in my bones, |
laid it on the block with the eye up. Then
putting all my strength into my arms, | sent
my axe fair across the eye, and through it
went


To my surprise, the old stick split more
easily than many others before it. And then
could not help thinking how true this is all
through life, How often do boys and men
fancy that some duty is very hard and work
all around it, and fear to touch it, hanging
back until they can do so no longer, and then
make good effort and find that it is really
easy and that they have had all their trouble
some fears for nothing.


Boys, remember that knotty stick When
you have any work to do, don't stop to
think how hard it is, but take hold at once
brayely hit it fair in the eye, and, ten to
one, you will be through before you know it.
Year: 1869

GENERAL SroNEMAN's sTAFF.-General
Webb's staff having entered upon duty at
military headquarters, the majority Of the
members Of General Stoneman's staff have
retired from official duty there. 1t is due
from us, and it gives US great pleasure, to
acknowledge the kindness and courtesy
with which We have been received in our
daily visits to headquarters. From the
General to the youngest officer We have
never received anything but the most polite
treatment, and every facility has been ex-
tended to US in our reportorisl capacity.
We return our thanks to Colonels Chalin
and Stone, Captain Johnson, and Lieutenant
Burton. These gentlemen, by their quiet,
unobtrusive, and digniied demeanor and
high official character, have won the respect
and esteem Of all our citizens, who were
often brought in contact with them. Those
of them who are about to leave the city
bear with them our highest regards and
best wishes.
Year: 1869

SKIFF AND GAYLoRD's M1NsTRELs.-
This celebrated troupe will commence q
brief season at the Metropolitan Hall on
Thursday evening next. They come among
US with good reputation and @ pleasing
entertainment, and we doubt not but that
they will be well received.