smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

In many of his articles in broken Eng
lish josh Billings" surpasses all who
have tried that class of writing. But TO
fully appreciate him, you must see and
know him. He Is about forty eight years
old, and is the quaintest specimen of hu-
manity with which we have ever met


Five years ago he was an auctioneer in
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He has since moved
to New York city, where he keeps board
ing house amused by his irrepressible od-
dities. As he passes down Broadway he
cannot escape observation. His broad,
bent form, his immense hat, and his large,
eagle-like features, are always noticeable.
His weakness is for chewing tobacco and
telling stories. Such quaint, laughable
yarns as he can spin are not easily put in
print. When the lecture season is at hand
he sends out humorous prospectus. He
makes from three to four thousand dollars
o year from his lecturing, and as much
more from his newspaper work. Always
cheerful and genial, always witty and yet
kind, he is liked exceedingly by his circle
OF friends. Perhaps some of our readers
will remember the publiciy that was
given a little time ago to the marriage of
one of his daughters, whose beauty had
become notorious. She was as handsome
as he was ugly.-St Paul Dispatch.
Year: 1869

TIM greatest depth to which diver can
descend, with the greatest appliances OF
safety, Is about one hundred aud sixty
feet, and for this a bunch Of hundred
weights must be disposed about his per
son. The average depth at which he can
work comfortably is about ninety feet,
which was near the depth at which the
operations upon the Royal George were
conducted In the water, from sixty TO
seventy feet deep, the men can work for
two hours at q time, coming up for ten
minutes rest, and doing days work OF
six or seven hours An English diver,
encased In one of Siebe's dresses, went
down In the Mediterranean TO depth of
one hundred and sixty five feet, and re-
manned there for twenty Eve minutes; and
we have heard that Green, the American
diver, inspected a wreck in the Canadian
lakes at the depth Of one hundred and
seventy feet; but his experience was
enough TO convince him that he could not
work on 1t without danger OF life. At
this depth the pressure Of water on the
hands is 80 great As TO force the blood 10
the head and bring on fainting fits, while
the requisite volume Of air inside the dress
TO resist the outward pressure Of tho water
is 80 great that It would speedily suffocate.
Means have been tried 70 obyiate these
difficulties, but for the present limit has
been set 10 the extent TO which man may
penetrate the secrets of the deep. An in
genious Italian workman has brought TO
England a sort Of armor dress which
would resist the pressure of water but
our submarine engineers think that thi.
would not Obviate the difficulties arising
from the limits placed to human endurance
--Ebohan0e.
Year: 1869

The Shanghai Netes Letter says the fol
lowing story has obtained large credence
among the Chinese recently and is inter
esting as showing the ease with which the
Chinese mind grasps superstition:


- IL appears that sometime since a man
and his wife, who together opened bean
shop in the city of Tai-tsan, some forty
miles distant from Shanghai, had do.
mostic imbroglio, which resulted at
length in the death of the husband by suf.
location, which the wife by combination
Of means effected. The body was con
ceeled for a long time, coffin provided,
and at suitable hour in the night, was
placed on board a boat and sent to GER
tain place in the canal and sunk, a large
milestone from their bean shop being
used for the purpose. A few nights after
the city magistrate was awakened from
his slumbers by fearful noise, as of some
one beating on the Distress Drum at
the eAtranoe of his Yamen. Next morn
ing inquiries were made, but no one
seemed TO have heard the alarms but him.
self The night after It was heard again,
bat no person was seen. The third night
watchman was stationed to observe
what took place. The noise came again,
but on being questioned by the mag
istrste, the watchman said it was the
wind Go and arrest the wind, then, he
said, and forthwith issued warrant for
the apprehension of the disturber. The
man charged Herewith protested his in
ability to accomplish such @ task, how
ever, but departed on his rambles and
allowed the wind to snatch his warrant
from him and dash it into the canal. Fol
lowing close after, he secured it again,
and bore 1t all wet to the mandarin, and
told him that the wind had taken refuge
in the water. WhsreS exclaimed the ex-
cited button go forthwith, and dig him
out Away went the man again, armed
and equipped for q contest, this time with
both the .fang (wind) and shui (water).
he probed and exerted himself but a
abort while, before discovering its refuge
twas curious something, but on being
hauled up to light was found TO be coffin,
containing a dead man and weighted
down by a mill stone. The mandarin came
and held aninquesti no marks of violence
were discovered, but all the circumstances
were so suspicious that the mandarin at
once, taking the milestone as an index,
ordered search for the perpetrators A
bean shop was soon found, and a woman
in mourning for her husband, and as the
other stone OF the pair was wanting in its
place in the mill. and no satisfactory ac-
count could be given of it, comparison
was instituted by producing the one found
attached TO the coffin. No evasion could
satisfy the officer that she was not the per-
petratOr of the foul deed, so mysteriously
communicated 10 him in the watches ofthe
night by the spirit of the departed She
was arrested and dragged to prison, there
to await sentence, which, according to
Chinese law, is decSpitation. The above
has recently traspired, and obtains large
credence among the ignorant Chinese. II
is on such slender threads that the great
superstition JEng Ghui hangs, and not un.
frequently by such reports that mandarin
succeeds In bringing himself into notoriety
and securing promotion"
Year: 1869

A DIsIRR.-It has long been a desire with
medical men TO have an agreeable tonic, which
will act benehcially upon the different func.
tions OF the system without deleterious effect
Speer's STANDARD Wine Bitters" fully meet
the want SO long felt. Their base Is his pure
wine, without any medication, except by herbs
and roots. Sold BY Druggists. was
Year: 1869

THE MEDICAL DBPARTMRNr OF GEORGE
TOWN COLLEGE had their opening meeting last
night, at their hall, corner Of Tenth and E
streets. The public having been invited, the
hall was crowded TO its full capacity. A large
number Of ladies graced the occasion with their
presence. Professor Noble Young delivered
the Introductory TO the regular course OF lec-
lures Of the session. He addressed the audi.
ence upon the necessity OF primary training
and education Of the youth intended for the
medical profession, and sketched the course Of
studies he should pursue TO become efficient as
apractitioner. After describing the nature and
character Of this training, ana the difficulties
and anxieties the student had to contend with
before entering upon the actual practice Of his
profession. he alluded to the brotherhood which
had ever existed between the members Of 1t
from all sections Of the country, and which
was not disrupted even BY the late war, while
all other professions, and even the churches,
had been divided by that unhappy conflict
DIR. }. Harry Thompson, professor Of physiol.
ogy, will deliver his opening lecture to the
class in the same place this evening at O'clock
The meeting will be free 70 the public.
Year: 1869

One of the correspondents at Washington
details a recent conversation with Gen.
Grant. The following reference to Me
Clelan is creditable to the President elect :;
In answer to the inquiry about the news
paper story that he had offered cabinet


portfolio to General Mcclellan, Gen. Grant


said: s'Therc is no truth in the report that
| have offered Gen. Mcclellan a place ID
my cabinet After moments reflection


he added: 'I do not say that | have not
thought of doing it, and if do it know Of


no one who has right to object When


am inaugurated | shall be President Of the
United States-not the head OF a party. |
shall be the executive officer OF the whole


people-not Of a mere majority. McClel


Ian, continued Gen. Grant, is an able sol
der, good citizen, and pure man The


army OF the Potomac was the best organ


lied, the best equipped, and the best dsol-


plined army the world ever saw For ac-
complishing this at least the country is in-
debted to Mcclellan. Another remarkable


fact is that, while to a large extent, McClel-
Ian lost the confidence of the country, he
never lost the confidence of his army.
know full well that when | succeeded 70 the
command Of that army | did not supplant
him in its affections. He was its FIST love


1t was natural and just, | should dislike to
think that was suppanted in the affections
OF my old army of the Tennessee by either
of my worthy SUCCESSORS
Year: 1869

1t is difficult to imagine a sadder story or
one better calculated to rouse a Just indig-
nation, than that related before the High
Court in Edinburgh, Scotland. The barest
statement of facts is sufficient to draw tears,
or rouse decent men into fever OF indig-
nation. Last April, five lads Of Greenoch
three Of them quite children, resolved in a
passing caprice, to enjoy q pleasure sail,
and slowed themselves on the Arran, ship
bound for Quebec. When they were fairly
at sea they revealed themselves, to the
great aud not unjust Indignation Of the mas
ter, Robert Watt, and his mate, James
Kerr, who avenged themselves for a month
by inhicting a curious variety OF tortures


All seemed to have been half starved, and
one was repeatedly tiogged, soused in ice
cold water, and ordered to stand naked in
the Arctic cold, at the torecastle head. BY
May the Arran was off the coast Of New
foundland, from fifteen to twenty miles
from shore, imbedded in the ice, and the
expelled from the ship. Two Of them were
only eleven and twelve years Of age, half
clad, with no shoes, and ont Of condition
from continued hunger, while one, ga nice
wee bit Of u fellow, but not strong says
his mother, was splitting blood.


The ice was most unsafe the shore was
scarcely visible, and the Arran was lnll of
provisions but, no matter, the boys must
go, and crying and frightened, they went.
Three OF them were saved almost by mir
acle, getting 50 far on the ice that they
were seen from the shore but the two lit
tie shoeless lads perished One fell into
the water almost at starting, the ''ice Just
closed over him, and he was drowned
The other, McGlnnea, the youngest OF all,
walked on for two hours or more, and then
unable 10 exert himself, with his feet cut
and his legs swollen, and that dreary waste
of ice all round, he sat down to die. His
companions did what they could to urge
him on, but the lad could only sob, still, as
they testify, "they heard him greetin when
they a long way off, and so, still in sight
of the ship froze to death.


If ever there was murder done on earth,
that lad was murdered, but the Edinburgh
jury found that the Captain had q repu:a
ton for being ''kind and gentle indeed,
that reputation had originally tempted the
lads-and they added a recommendation to
mercy in their verdict of culpable homicide,
and Lord Justice Clark, who had charged
dead against the Captain sentenced him to
eighteen months Imprisonment, the most
astounding failure of justice in a British
court it has ever been our lot to record, the
more astounding because Watts only de-
fence, that he urged the boys on to the ice
in the full expectation that they would re-
turn, was exposed by the learned Judge
himself
Year: 1869

THE FIRST LONG TAILED coAT-GoING HOME


Win TIE GIRLS.


We do not think that any boy ever put on
his first long-tailed coat without a sense of
shame. He first twists his back half of look
ing in the glass, and then, when he steps out
Of doors, it seems as if all creation. was in a
broad grin. The sun laughs in the sky the
COWS turn to look at him there are faces at
every window his very shadow mocks him.
The very boards creak with consciousness of
the strange spectacle, and the old pair of pan
falcons that stop light in the garret window
nod with derision.


If he is obliged to pass group Of men
and boys, the trial assumes its most terrible
stage His legs will get mixed up with em-
barrassment, and the flap of the dangling ap-
pendage is felt against them, moved by the
wind of his own agitation he could not
feel any worse were it dish-rag, to be worn
by him as badge of disgrace. 1t is hap
py time for him when he gets to church and
sits down with his coat-tail under him but
he Is still apprehensive with thinking Of the
Sunday school, and wonders if any of the
children will ask him to swing his ong-taied
blue.


The entrance into society may be said to
take place after boyhood has passed away,
yet multitude take the initiative before
their hearts are presentable. 1t is a great
trial for a tender or tough age. For any
oyergrown boy to go to door, knowing that
there are a dozen girls within, and knock or
ring with absolute certainty that in two min
utes all their eyes will be upon him, is a Sc
we're test Of courage. To 60 before these
girls and make satisfactory tour Of the room
without stepping on their toes, and their sit
down and dispose Of ones hands without put
ting them in ones pockets, is an achievement
of which few can boast. If boy can 90 so
far as to measure off ten yards of tape with
one of the girls, AMI cut it short at one end,
he may stand chance to spend pleasant
evening but let him not hatter himself that
the trials of the evening are over. There
comes at last the break up, The dear girls
don their hoods and put on their shawls, and
look saucy, so mischieyous and unimpressible,
as if they did not wish any one to 90 home
with them. Then comes the pinch, and the
boy having the most pluck makes up to the
prettest girl, his heart in his throat, and his
tongue olinging to the roof of his mouth,
and crooking his elbow, stammers out the
words, " Shall | see you home ~ She touches
her fingers to his arm, and thus they walk
home about foot apart, feeling as awkward
as goslings. As soon as she is safe inside
her own doors, he struts home, and really
thinks he has been and gone and done it.
Year: 1869

A short time since at wedding in South
Carolina, young lawyer moved that one
man in the company should be selected as
President; that this President should be duly
sworn to keep entirely secret all the commu-
nications that should be forwarded to him in
his official department that night that each
unmarried gentleman and lady should write
his or her name on piece of paper, and un-
der it place the name of the person they
wished to marry, then hand it TO the Presi-
dent for inspection, and if any gentleman and
lady had reeiprocally chosen each other the
President was to inform each Of the result.
and those who had not been reciprocal in
their choice were to be kept entirely secret.
After the appointment of the President, COM
munications were accordingly handed up to
the Chair, and il was found that twelve young
ladies and gentleman had reciprocal choices,
and eleven Of the twelve matches were solem-
lied
Year: 1869

guess twas because We went down there after
you told Us not to. But I'll never, never do
so again. I'll never 60 again without you are
with u.s. o the dreadful water--it hurts me
so !" and he put his hand to his stomach and
opened his mouth, as if he could not get rid
Of the sickening sensation.


lie kept his word with his teacher until he
earned to swim, and thcn he was a sort Of
protector over the others.
Year: 1869

In the SIM air the music lies unhcardi


In the rough marble beauty hides unsccui
To wake the music and the beauty needs
Tho masters touch the stulptofs chisel keen
Great Master, touch us with Thy skilnil hand
Let not the music that Is In us die.


Great sculptor, how and polish us. nor lot,
Hidden aud lost, Thy form within NJ lie.
Spare not the stroke do with us o.. Thou wilt
Let there be nought unfinished, broken. marred
Complete Thy purpose, that We may become
THY perfect image, O our God and Lord
Year: 1869

PRENTICE.-The editor of the Mont.
gomery Daily Mail, writing from
Louisville, says:


yesterday had an interview with
Mr.. Prentice. He is not the man he
was ten years ago. Indeed his genius
is gone and his person mere wreck
His family broken up-his wife dead
one son killed on the confederate side
another settled on a farm down the
river-and the old man verging on
three score and ten, cooks his break
fast and dinner in his little room OF
the third floor of the Courier building
and lives only in conversations about
the past. This man once welded ar
imperial power with his wit and his
muse. Now the world has whirleC
past him, and he now lies on the shore
mere stranded wreck.
Year: 1869

A fellow in Ohio, who wasn't used
to getting married, recently had the
knot tied in Oakland, and proceeded
to the hotel, where he seated himself
with his bride in the parlor. AS it
grew late in the evening, he ventured
to inquire of waiter chow soon their
bed would be brought in." He was
instructed in the proper method Of
procuring sleeping apartment, and
safely slowed away. An hour or two
after, strong smell Of gas sent the
night watchman hunting for the leak
1t was traced to the room of the new
ly married pair. Demanding admis
sion and asking the cause of the es
Gaping gas, the rural swain replied
pointing to the gas burner, that "he
blew it out, and then the darned thing
smelt so bad that he put his stocking
over it." Sure enough there was the
stocking drawn over the burner and
tied down with a shoestring.
Year: 1869

The Pope is said to entertain the
intention of comforting on the Prince
Imperial of France the title of Roman
Panice, which was once destined for
the Emperor himself, and which was
last borne by Charlemagne.
Year: 1869

LEVY BROTHERS, from all appearances, are
doing larger business than ever We had occa-
sion to call ut their store yesterday and though q
rainy day. we found many purchasers. We took
occasion to look around their stock, and found one
Of the most complete assortments we ever saw III
this city. They have so well established the one
price system that 1t is seldom customer ASKS l"r
an abatement In price. feeling satisfied that the
price asked Is as low as the article could be afford
ed at We advise all In want OF dry goods 10 call
at LEVY BROTHERS. old southern dry goods store
before making their purchases.
Year: 1869

THE FAIR AND FEAST at the Methodist
church, Union Hill, is still in successful op-
Grafton; but the ladies, though much en-
couraged by their success thus far. have not
wearied with their work. and will keep it
open some days longer. They promise their
patrons full return for all the money they
spend there. Oysters and all the delicncics
OF the season may be found on their tables.
Year: 1869

WANTED, A COLORED WOMAN TO


w COOK AND WASH for n small family In
the country. 4 woman with u daughter to serve us
chamher-Inaid will both find cmploym cnt In q good
home. Apply at This office. oc 2l-3t
Year: 1869

Late developments dispel much of the mys-
terry which yesterday seemed hang over the suicide of
young Armstrong at Greenve ON Monday evening. The
link wanting TO mark the as suicide was the
apparent absence Of motive. That link has been fur
nished by the publication OF notice OF the marriage
the Slst of May last OF the unfortunate man to Miss
Woods Of Brooklyn, simultaneously with a notice
OF his death That this marriage had some near
tOn with his death. to be admitted on every side
but the statements concerning the nature OF ta connec
tOn seem to be quite as those concerning
the details Of the shooting. One OF these represents
that the marriage was the work OF a momehtary
impulse, and that it was as quickly repented as
done; another that it was contracted WItnods .hni
the knowledge Of his parents, and that thelt
subsequent dispeasure operated upon his sehsuve
nature to supernduce melancholy. IL WOuld seem
from other accounts that engagement when ne nhu
previously contracted with another young lady had Dee1
broken by the parents OF that lady that he then naeu
his present widow; and that be was subsequently IN
formed by his first afi9pced that had he been less
hasty her parents w6 6ud have withdrawn their
objections TO the cOnsunmatiOn OF their engagement
that this information led 10 regret Of his marriage Win
Miss Woods which soon passing through the stages first
OF melancholy then OF despair eliminated in the act OF
sefmurder The remains will be inferred to-day from
the residence OF his parents at Greenville
Year: 1869

Mayor Hall has sent to the FIRE C0mmls-
so,ers letter. in which he declines to act as member
Of he Board Of Estimates OF the Fire Department Con-
troner Connolly In the views OF the Mayor The
Mayor declines 10 serve member OF said board be
eaIe the local authorities robbed Of all jurisdiction
over tho department. II Is Albany commission and
the members constituting II should take upon themselves
the responsibility OF its management and support with
ant calling In the aid OF the Mayor and Controller
WIN have no power except 20 sit as n minority
in n Board OF Estimate. IL is true, Mr.. Hall says
that the law makes the Controller and the Mayor
members OF this Board OF Estimate. Their at
teniance however, Is not necessary 70 make quorum


Tbey might be ever much opposed To


what the Commissioners wish; nevertheless, the latter
woad have the power Oyerrule them Therefore, the
Toard can lose nothing by their absence The declna


lion s neither dsrespectfnl nor revolutionary 10 was
Certainly very kind OF the Legislature TO give the local


authorities the Of sharing In the responsibility Oh
Tasng money which they neither TO audit nor 10
snend after was raised and then TO deny them any


voice IN the discipline government OF the Fire Board
or nm It's dOings The Mayor then refers TO the charges
MAT he helped 10 frame the Metropolitan Police law


He does not deny that he did, but on tho con
trary asserts that when he assisted In drawing
tbe bill the local officials OF the city were
sliowed a voice in tho management OF the Depart


ment and IL was expressly stated In the provisions that


the Police Department should enforce aud obey all cor


noration ordinances applicable TO Police and Health The
Tords 70 obey were subsequently, stricken out and the
Year: 1869

A meeting of this association was held at No.
40 Burlingsp yesterday afternoon James r. Taylor In
the chair George W. Blunt acting as Secretary. During
the session. which was short one Mr. Blunt remarked
that he mad written TO the Secretary Of War; requesting
that a copy OF the official report on the East RIVER
Bridge be forwarded 10 the Association. When this d0cu-
men received immediate action will be taken upon it,
made induce the Secretary OF War to order
the hight Of the bridge above the water
surface IL is believed that 135 feet space not sum
Client for the passage OF certain large ships without the
lowering Of their topmass, troublesome and expensive
operation


Mr. Blunt read letter from of the officers Of the
Coast Survey, from which we make the following ex'
tract


Mr. Mes win begin at re-survey OF the channel
between the Point OF Sandy Hook and Fynns Knoll IN
cludiDg say mile each way from the Hook-also the
Scotland ShOa"


The Diamond Reef between Governors IslaDd and the
Battery and COenes Reef, off Coenties Slip are now be-
ing surveyed also several large Hell Gate rocks Fry
ing Pan and Pot Rock still obstinate. even under the
drills and other destructive apparatus OF shelDune,
OF the contractors but 10 Is hoped that during the
season. through the efforts OF Gems Humphres and New
ton much progress will be made in removing the Obstruc


ons and that with the requisite aid from Congress IT
will be long before the channel OF the East RIVER VIII
be safely navgabe that Of its sister stream on the
other side Of Manhattan.