smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

Washington is a great big pauper
house for young clerks, anxious to
grow gray in the positions they hold,
because they have become untitled
for anything else. They have lost
their individuality at home where
they might have had ambition, and
they are simple menials here. At
first they meet the member of Con-
gress from their district with ''gOod
morning." feeling that they are of
some Importance, as they had helped
to elect him to Congress, but this
soon wears of, as the member soon
learns that they have no longer in
fluence at hOme-that they are in
banishment-and they gradually learn
that they are only expected to touch
their hat 10 the member, for he is all
powerful TO keep them in the places
they hold. Their ambition and pride
soon lower them, for once clerk
never above a clerk here. In little
while a new member appears from
the district, and the clerk is not even
recognized. If he retains his place,
for which there are always new
score of applicants, sympathy keeps
him, or he is accidentally overlooked.
If he lOOses it, and has saved enough,
and gets back to his old home, he
finds he sis played''-he has not pro-
gressed with the age-his old associ-
ates are in prosperous business and he
is a pauper, with no show for
employment. There are scores here
who have lost their places and are
ready to do any kind of work for a
living, having toiled, some of them,
for months and years to get out of
debt and save money enough to get
home-fOr they will continue to call
the place they originally came from
home; yet they would be strangers if
they could get there.
Year: 1869

An agent of the Union Pacific Rail-
road engaged in getting out ties, near
the Wyoming, in that territory, found
it necessary to build dams at certain
points, intending soon to hoist all the
gates. in order to create a flood that
would enable him to float the ties
down the Laramie river. When the
dam builders left their work the inst
night, the beavers commenced work
where the men had left of, and con-
tinued working on the dam during
the hight, accomplishing a vast
amount of work in a satisfactory
manner. Not only this, but in two
or three instances, where breaks have
have occurred, the beaver have repair
ed them in wOrkmanlike manner.
This story comes from highly respect
able authority.
Year: 1869

The New York Times, of Wednes-
day last says: 1--WE hear that horses
are now seized with a disease that
makes short work with them, and
puzzles the skill of the best veterinary
surgeons. Within few days sever
able valuable animals belonging to a
gentleman in this city have sucrumb-
ed to the disease, which is so rapid in
its effects that the suffering horse
never survives the first symptoms of
the malady more than twenty-four
hours. The trouble in its general
character is not unlike that which
played such havoc among the Texan
beeVes.n
Year: 1869

What would the young men of the
present day and generation, who will
wear nothing but the best of broad
cloth, say, if they were obliged TO
dress like some of their ancestors.
AS soon as youngster wanted to
learn his trade, lie was fitted ont
with a pair of leather breeches, which
generally lasted him, with care and
patching and mendiDg, until he was
free. He then had another pair for
his freedom suit, which very often
served him through life.
Year: 1869

section of the country, removed to another leaving
his wife behind him. While away, he proposed
to a young lady and was by her accepted, and the
marriage day announced. Hereturned to his wife,
spent few weeks with her, and tenderly bade hsr
adieu, sought the house Of his expectsnt bride,
and married her. A few weeks after the marriage
he obtained divorce from his absent wife. which,
being discovered by the newly made one, was made
the occasion Of new marriage ceremony, after
which the now repudiated husband went to the
home Of his divorced wife, who, ignorant of his
conduct still lives with him, while the other sought
her redress in court Of equity.


think 1 hear some lawyer say that that could
have been remedied by personal service Of the
notice. A friend Of mine relates the following in.
stance as illustrative of the frauds which may be
prscticed in this precaution, even: A poor, igno-
rant girl unfortunately married to scoundrel, was
served with notice informing her that her hus-
baud would apply for divorce for adultey-the
word adultery was "tbumbed' in the reading.
Too ignorant to demand copy of the notice, or to
seek legal counsel, she asked her husband what it


meant, and rested satisfied with bis assurance that
it was nothing dishonorable to her anyhow, until
he ordered her to leave his house, assuring her
that she was no longer his wife. "a mother, but
not wife, means something not only to the ru-
ined woman, but to the divorced one also Divorce
laws are bid to perjury, and a constant offer to
both parties that they can marry again ct pleasure;
but With deal more of red tape" than at first.
There are not many instances Of divorce in which
the plaintiff or defendant have not found out that
they could not marry happier, and are only wait
ing for decree Of court to do 80. A case some
what notorious is reported as follows: A young
mon married young woman, and after residing
with her some time concluded that he had made
mistake, and proposed another marriage. Having
MEANS he sent his wife away on visit, and while
she was gone obtained divorce. She came back
only to find him the husband of another. Oh!
what trivial causes are alleged for the dissolution
of an institution ordained by the Almighty as the
first important event after the creation!
Year: 1869

AN eminent minister of the church,
once made this fine observation: "We
will says nothing of the way in which
that sex usually conduct arguments ; but
the intuitive judgments of women are
often more to be relied upon than conclu-
sions which we reach by an elaborate pro-
cess Of reasoning. No man that has an


intelligent wife, or is accustomed to the
society of educated women, will dispute
this. Times without number you must
have known them to decide questions on
the instant, and with unerring accuracy,


which you had been poring over for hours,
perhaps with no other result than to find


yourself getting deeper and deeper into
the tangled maze of difficulties. 1t were


hardly generous to allege that they


achieved these feats less by reasoning than
a sort of sagacity that approximates to
the sure instincts of the animal races ;
and yet there seems to be some ground for
the remark of witty French writer, that
when man has toiled, step by step, up a
fight of stairs, he will be sure to find q
woman at the top; but she will not be
able to tell how she got there. How she
got there, however, is OF little moment.
If the conclusions a woman has reached
are sound, that is all that concerns us.
And that they are very apt to be sound on
the practical matters Of domestic and
secular life, nothing but prejudice and
self-conceit can prevent US from acknowl'
edging. The Inference, therefore, is un


avoidable, that the man who thinks it be
meath his dignity to take counsel with an
| Intelligent wife, stands in his cwn light


and betrays that lack of judgment which
| he tacitly attributes to her." 4aa9 .
Year: 1869

THE blind boys in school know the step
of all their school fellows with unerring
certainty. Thus, boy having missed his
friend at play, he watches for him as the
ranks file past, walking round the green
sward, or marching in to dinner He
hears the tramp of his friend amid the din
and the scufle of the other boys long ere
he has reached him, and pounces upon
him with the same certainty as though he
saw him. Indeed, the blind speak of
hearing as seeing. If from the sound, they
know that the master has left the room,
they say, "I saw him go out" 1t is q
curious fact that blind people never run
up against each other. Thus, when play
ing prisoners base-a game which leads
to some rough jostling, even amongst boys
gifted with their eyes-those sightless little
fellows but rarely come into collision with
each other. Each boy, when he enters the
workshop in which he is employed in bas-
ket naking--a room twenty feet wide by
one hundred and fifty in length-marches
up to his own seat and box, never by any
chance mistaking his place If they are
in search of friend and they happen to
call out his name in an empty room, they
never stop for an answer, their sense OF
hearing telling them that there is no one
in it, Mr.. Anderson, of Edinburgh, tells
us tale which well illustrates this point.
I had OCCASION" he says, "to send out a
blind man with mattress; gave him a
bill with it, that he might receive pay.
ment. But, to my surprise, he returned
with the account and the mattress too.
I've brought back bath, ye see, SIR said
he. How SOP Indeed, sir, didna like
to leave't yonder,. else am sure we wad


meier see the siller-there's nae stick of
furniture within the door How do you
come to know that?' Oh, sir, twa taps
on the door wi my stick soon telPt me
that 7" and the nan's estimate proved to
he POrrect - E}Ychn730St s5letfs zsf-lf 10 90
Year: 1869

written carelessly Gas they nearly always
are), are very different reading from notes
taken in the same manner in the ordinary
writing. But then, it is true that a good
reporter should be able to write out his
notes when they are old; as an amusing
friend of mine expresses it, reporters
should be able to write out a thing after
it gets cold" Very few possess this desira-
bic qualification. Only great experience
and constant practice in the art of report
ing will enable a reporter to correctly
write out notes long after they have been
taken. -.-t..-t ~


You can generally tell a reporter by his
looks and manners OF course he has q
quick eye, being always on the lookout for
news, or sensation" and like Micawber,
waiting for something to turn up "
oftentimes in double sense. He has only
s. limited supply of money in the very best
of tiD,as-more often none at all You
never heard of reporter who lived in
mansion, unless in the direction of the
skies, otherwise a garret; or building a
private theatre,tor owning a race-horse, or
having brown-stone house or a gold
watch presented to him; or investing in
lots near Central Park; nor would you
expect him to make magnificent endow-
ment to college or seminary. He does
not dress very well-in fact looks shabby,
because he is poorly paid-less probably,
according to the amount of work he does,
than persons in any other business orpro,
fession in New York. A journalist who
generally had a pretty seedy appearance
tells this story of himself: al went
to the drugstore early one morning
for dose of morphine for sick friend.
The night-clerk objected to give it to me
without the prescription, evidently fear.
ing I meant to destroy myself 'Pshaw,'
said I, do I look like a man who would
kill himself?' Gazing at me steadily for
half minute, he replied, Il don't know.
Seems to me if I looked like you should
be greatly tempted to kill myself"
Year: 1869

\ GooD DoG.-An intoxicated man re-
Gently lay down on the railroad track near
Covineton KY, and fell asleep, \ little
dog belonging to house close by, seeing
a train approach, ran and jnmped upon his
face, and barked and scratched him until
he awoke, just in time to get out Of the
way of the cars. The man, believing this
to be divine warming to abstain from
drinking, took the pledge forthwith
Year: 1869




For The frat time since the adoption OF
the infamous disfranchising measures, de-
priving them Of their constitutional rights,
the people of Tennessee-the intelligent,
tax-paying citizens Of the State, or at least
great majority Of that class-have had
the privileges of citizenship restored TO
them, one of the highest and most cher
ished Of which they will tomorrow exer-
else at the ballot-box. Knowing full well
the spirit of liberality and fairness which
has ever characterized the action of our
people while engaged in political contests,
and the Difference they have hitherto given
to an honest difference of opinion among
themselves as to Whist men and measures
were best for the public good, We feel al
sured that the conduct at the election to-
morrow Of those who have been lately
vested with the elective franchise will be
considerate, just and liberal. A contrary
course on their part would not be in keep
ing with their previous connection with
the political affairs of the State or worthy
the political history of their ancestors.
While it behooves them, like all people
jealous of their liberties, to guard the bal
lot-box with tireless Watchfulnesa, and see
that no frauds are committed, they will
readily appreciate the justice and impor-
tance of seeing that all men who are le-
gally entitledto..vote, no matter what their
station in life or for whom they desire
to cast their ballots, are allowed that priv
iIege, and if necessary protected in its ex-
ercise. Let the friends Of suffrage and
peace in the political contests Of the present
and future abide by the Wholesome pTinci-
pie: "Do Justice to all-exact justice of
Year: 1869

Release was HMeetcu'


A Macon correspondent of the
Augusta Chronicle says: a
Your readers were doubtless sur
prised at the release of Turner. As
q week has now elapsed since the
trial and nothing further has been
heard from the boast of the Tele-
graph that Turner would certainly
be turned out of the postoffice, l
propose to give you and your read
ers slight insight into these farei-
cal proceedings.


It is we'll known here that when
the case was first closed and the
Commissioner took time to consider
the evidence that he had made up
his mind that the evidence required
that Turner should be committed
for trial. Indeed, a written de-
cision to that effect was drawn up
by the Commissioner to be deliv-
cred upon the re-openiDg OF the
court. ~.


In the meantime Bullock and the
Radical wireworkers at Washing
ton were actively engaged in press
ing the administration to ease up
the prosecution for the sake Of the
party. Constant communications
are being sent back and forth from
Atlanta and Macon to Washington,
and the several postponemeRts were
made with . view to instructions
from the Postoffice Department at
Washington. Letters and kilograms
were sent by Sumner and other
leading Radicals, insisting upon
rs release. Sumner wrote a long
letter to Swayze, urging him to hold
up and let Turner off, and, finallyii
the whole of Grants administration
were thrown in the scale for Turner,
and the prosecution, as might have
been expected, kicked the beam
went up-collapsed. .E


While this correspondence was
going on skillful and INSCRIPTIONS
agents were set to work on the
mulatto woman, Harris, and large
promises were made to her in order
to induce a retraction of her first
and truthful statement, which, une-
quivocally, implicated Turner as the
thief and forger of the stolen notes.
How we'll they succeeded was
shown in the very remarkable tale
the woman told when under exam
ination during the trial.


The whole trial was u miserable
farce from beginning to end. But
the evidence was so strong against
Turner that he would undoubtedly
been committed but for Atlanta and
Washington influences. A letter
has been discovered written by
Turner to a negro preacher at Mari
etta-a presiding elder, believe
which, for low and filthy
obscenity and utterl y de-
praved sentiments exceeds any
thing l have ever seen in the
English language. This letter was
written in reply to one asking Tur"
ner to procure for the writer a free
pass on the State road. The origi-
nal letter, learn, has been sent to
Washington, and it is thought when
Creswell peruses its contents that
even his stomach-known TO be
very strong-will revolt at its con-
tents, and that his dear friend Tur-
ner will be removed fr ON Office.
Year: 1869

Large numbers of spurious ten-dolIar
notes are coming into the Treasury from
all the Northern cities, especially from
the New York city banks. They are
so nearly perfect as to make their detec-
ton by the government experts diff
Guilty matter, and are supposed to be
printed from electrotype plates made
from lead impressions of the genuine
plates, by collusion between the printers
in the two bank note offices in New
York where the government note
printing is executed.
Year: 1869

The colony of Japanese in California IS
doing well. The Japs are experiment
ing in tea culture in this country, and
have high hopes of success. They are
also raising mulberry trees, and next
wear will plant rice.
Year: 1869




When the canvass for Governor was COM
menced, Joe Williams, who imagined that
Gen. Stokes designed taking liberal posi-
ton on the franchise question, made
speech in which he said that, as there was
no Democratic candidate in the field, he
should vote for that person. But since
that time, in fact Immediately after, the
feathers of the "Bald Eagle" were
fully exhibited, and none of
them pointed in the direction
of Joe's favorite idea Of universal suffrage.
For this reason he recanted his Stokes
speech and earnestly advocates the election
of Gov Senter and the suffrage ticket of
Davidson county. We say this much in
justice to a colored man who feels that be
is slandered by the imputation that he ems
dorses the illiberal policy of the other side.


Guard Against Fraudulent Voting.


There is reason to apprehend that the
supporters of Stokes are so farming Out"
the numerous nonresident negroes, now
being brought here 10 aid them in the cleo
tion tomorrow, as to have many of them
vote at the country precincts near the city.
Knowing that they are TO be closely
watched at the ward polls, these uDPrin-
cipled men will no doubt attempt to use
their ignorant dupes at places where they
are not so strongly susPicioned. The at
tention of our friends in the country is
especially directed to this point. See to it
that no man casts ballot at your precinct
who has not been bona fde resident Of the
State and county the length of time re-
quiIed by law.
Year: 1869

Again we would most earnestly
urge upon the Republicans of this
County, and especially upon those
VINO will meet in the Convention on
the 20th inst, the vital necessity of
wise selections of candidates. If each
party polls its full vote, we have
probably about 100 majority in the
County. But this majority, even If
a comparatively sure one, Is too small
to speculate on amid 50 large vote;
and besides, the changes made by
immigration and emigration are
such that the actual comparative
status is not positively known. And
experience, with bitter lessons, has
taught us that the strength and
mearnes IS of the Democratic party
in low are concentrated in but few
Counties, Of which this is unfortu-
nately one. at


There is no use in Disgusting the
fact that our opponents are in high
spirits, and confident of success this
year. Why is it? Really and truly,
they are in the minority in the
County; and they know that as we'll
as we. But they count on ill-chosen
nominations and discomfort in our
ranks 10 help them. Let it hurt whom
~ mag, ,nis 10 llie truth. Dut sn;,II
they be gratified? See to it then,
Republican Delegates and voters,
that theyare not. Nominate no man
simply because he is candidate.
There are always candidates. Pick
the very best man in the County for
every single Office, whether he wants
it or not. Apply the good old 8 .
of honesty and capability in their
strictest sense, and then consider
whether the man can poll the full
strength of the party. If he fills the
whole bill in all these respects, he is
the right man; If not, find another.
we mean no personal application
here to any candidate now known
either for him or against him, or re-
ferring to him in any way more than
to all-but we do urge these general
principles; and the common sense OF
the people will endorse them.


And we may as well understand
now as afterward, that unless we do
pick our best men, and then stand
by them faithfully, we are beaten
this year; but if we do this, we shall
win. The matter SINNERS right
down to this and nothing more.
Gentlemen Of the County Conven-
ton, see yc to it.
Year: 1869

From the Chicago Evening Post.


One OF the saddest cases OF the
many terrible doings of rum came
accidentally to our knowledge yes,er.
day. As we were passing up Dear
born street, we observed a miserable
looking man staggering iiagonally
opposite the Tribune building. His
clothing was dirty and ragged. His
boots had been worn out some time
ago and were only held together In
places. A slouched Int, long since
UNIT for wear was the covering OF
his head. As we approached near
him, we discovered that he was an
old acquaintance but that in his be.
sotted condition of drunkenness
and IL was not yet ten o'clock In the
morning did not recognize US at
all. We were deeply pained at the
spectacle. Upon nearer inspection
we observed that he was without u
shirt. He staggered along the street
and down Dearbon, to u place where
rum is sold. and went In and taking
q chair, soon became lost to his sur
roundings in a stolid condition OF
complete intoxication. We have not
seen a more complete wreck ia many
years, and doubt whether there is In
the whole city Of Chicago, single
man who, seen on the street, would
be taken as more thorough repre-
sentative of drunkenness-of the
gutter than this poor, shirtless, ob
ject man. ..".


Ten years ego we knew that man,
a popular and prominent member of
the Legislature of cur great North.
western States. Soon after we met
him in the great Chicago Wigwam
of 1858, member of the Convention
which first nominated A braham Lin
coin for the Presidency, Again we
met him in Washington, where he
had much Influence with the delega-
tion from his t-tut~. He went INTO
the staff department of the army
some time during the war, and i'm
mediatcly after its close made some
fortunate speculatious 10y which he
became a rich man. But abont two
years ago he entered into speculations
which turned out badly, aud he was
swamped in business. A few months
after that, we met him ut the Briggs
House one evening, and though he
was slightly under the influence OF
liquor we had no idea that lie had
begun to move down that inclined
plane which has now brought him to
the gutter and life OF unutterablc
misery. He is the husband of an
intelligent, cultivated lady, aud the
father Of children who, few years
ago, were as happy as any now living
on Wabash Avenue. Whether these
have been dragged down to the fa-
ther and husbands degradation, we
do not know. oh! thou invisible
spirit of wine. if thou hast no name
20 pc Known by, let US call thee
devil!
Year: 1869

From the Boston Herald.


In clearing up u United States pos
tai ear that il run over the Spring
field route TO New York, few days
ago, two of the employees OF the
Post~otfice Department, who have
exclusive charge of il found large
number of letters beneath and at the
sides of drawer that had not proba-
bly, been entirely removed from its
chest since the car was built. The
envelopes were pOstmarked with va
rious dates, covering several months.
Instead of turning the letters into
the mail, as they sholud have done,
fearing charge of carelessness that
might be made against them, they
consulted together, and concluded to
hush the matter up by destroying
them which they did by burning
Unfortunately for the agents, one ol
the pair proved TO be u "leaky YES.
sci, y and let the secret out TO a friend
and the affair finally reached the ear
of detective, ut whose instance the
guilty parties were suspended from
office until an Investigation shall
take place Doubtless many valua-
BILE letters that are missed from the
mails could be accounted for In sim
liar ways. The matter has been
kept very quiet, but one or two arms
who have lost letters of consequence
are determined to probe it to the bot.
tom.