smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

The following is copy of petition
passed by the Board Of Directors at their
session this evening, to the County Court
Of Pulaski county, which will be present
ed at its first session:


To the Honorable County Court OF
Pulaski Comfy, Arkansas:


The President and Directors Of the Lit
tie Rock and Fort Smith Railroad Com
pany have the honor to represent that
such arrangements have been made
with highly responsible parties as will in
sure the speedy completion Of this rail
road 10 Fort Smith That the contract
for the construction of said road requires
that said company shall procure sub
scriptions from the several counties up
ON the line of said railroad to the amount
of at least 100000, in the bonds Of said
counties. That your petitioners deem it
unnecessary to recitc in detail the mani
fold benefits and advantages that will
accrue to this State and more particular
" to the citizens Of Pulaski county from
the construction and completion of the
Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad
or TO set forth the reasons why in the
Judgment of your petitioners, the stock
of said Company must within a very short
time after the completion OF said road
prove a profitable and productive invest
mcnt Aside from the purely local bus
mess which will necessarily be developed
by the construction Of said railroad and
the invitation thereby extended to imml-
gra,ion and to the influx and investment
of capital for the development of lands
and resources of the Staff hitherto neg
lcctei for the want of cheap. certain and
rapid means Of transportation at all sea-
sons ofthu year, and the greatly increas-
ed value which will thereby be given to
our lands and their products, in all the
benefits and advantages of which the cit
zens Of Pulaski County will be large par
tcipators; it is believed that the advan-
toces which will be derived from having
this road constitute link in the great
Southern Railway route to tho Pacific
coast will far outweigh in importance any
other railway that can be presented to
the citizens Of the County or State In
order To secure the last named benefit 1t
is necessary that the railroad to Fort
Smith should be completed Mt the carli-
est practicable day or the citizens OF some
more eutcrprising State will wrest them
from MS


II is the intention Of your Petitioners
IN order that the citizens of Pulaski
County may derive all the accommoda.
tion possible from the construction OF
the Little Rock aud Fort Saith kallroad
to cause bridge to be built across the
Arkansas river at point near where th'
present ferry is established or any othel
Year: 1869

The counties traversed will be asked
to subscribe for stock in the road-a
measure that will doubtless meet with
popular favor, as the people will thus
become parties directly interested in its
success, and be entitled to voice in its
management. Great public enterprises,
in which the inhabitants of the immedi-
ate vicinity have peeuniary interest in
their success have always been found to
prosper better, than in cases where the
profits and the management belong to
individuals, or corporations abroad hav-
ing no interest in the community other
than to make money. Should the peo-
pie respond in this, instance, as it is be-
lieved they will, literally, the Little Rock
and Fort Smith road will become one of
the institutions of Arkansas in which Ar
kansans have an interest and voice in
its management. There are, also many
other considerations which render libe-
raj subscriptions by our people desirable
and to which it will be onr pleasure to re-
fer hereafter.
Year: 1869

1t is proposed to construct without
delay, railroad bridge across the river
at the point known as the "point of
rocks" at the foot of Rock street, ample
enough to afford means of crossing for
vehicles and footmen. This point pos
sesses the advantages Of much narrow
er river, it being 975 feet across, while
the channel is Interchangeable at all sea-
sons and the banks are better adapted for
the foundation. This the company pro
pose to do WITH THEIR OWN FUNDS.
Year: 1869

Elsewhere in this issue will be found
advertisements for proposals to be omen
ed on the lst of October next, for the
construction Of a bridge across the river
at this point, and also for the construc-
tlon OF sixty additional miles of the Lit
Tie Rock and Fort Smith Railroad These
active steps taken for the prosecution of
these great enterprises will be hailed
with inexpressible JOY by every friend of
progress in the State. Both cnterpri.es
have been the subject of discussion for
the last twenty years, and periodically
there have been promises, and occasion
ally grounds of probability that the work
would be accomplished, but all have alike
failed, and it has been reserved for the
present hour for the people to witness
preparations that give the most positive
evidence of purpose to accomplish the
end sought without delay.


THE COMPANY,


Which was composed of citizens of our
own State mainly, who had undertaken
the building Of the road before the war,
is enlarged by the apdition of a number
of eastern capitalists, with ample means
to meet the expense. They propose to
build the road and the bridge, with cash
in hand and reserve all stocks and Sc.
cnrities until the road shall have been
running for one year, and all its stocks
are worth their face at least, in cash, in
the markets of the world.


We are led to infer from the present
activity, and from the backing of which
the commencement Of the long talked of
Both parallel route to the Pacific coast,
and that large share Of the accumulated
capital of the east is pledged to the com
ulptiOn of the entprprisc
Year: 1869

A CHINESE PRoDJGAL. The Chinese pa
pers report a curious and touching scene which
lately occurred in the Shanghai mixed courts.
\ dissolute prodga, having chain round his
neck, to which his hands were fast, was brought
up by his father The father, very respecta,
bi. looking man, declared he could make moth,
ing of the prisoner. He had tried ell means
To- cure him OF his propensity for smoking
plum, but without effect. il he gave him
money, it went in opium; clothes were at once
been chained up in hsuse to see what effect
that would have, but his appearance on that
3c,asion was because he had broken out and
mad been picked up by policeman In iaei
the father declared that he would be glad II
the court would take him in hand and give hun
severe punishment. The Judge ADVISED hil
to give HI, on another trial, and added that, a
~lter one punishment he was still lncorriglple
chinese law would permit decapltatlon on con
sent OF the father.
Year: 1869

We have just received a large lot of the above
very complete These goods were bought be-
fore the recent advance; we can, therefore.
offer special inducements in this line


iel8 WITMER 81 SLAY Y MAKER
Year: 1869

A HISTORICAL DAY-To-day, May 10th.
I-69, witnesses an event which must pass into
history as one of the most important of the GEN.
fury. as well IN respec; 70 its immediate as Its
future efeetsupon this country and the human
race We refer, ve need hardly say, TO the
laying OF the last raIl of the contin uous line
which spans the continent, and connects the
Atlantic and the Pacific oceans by an IRON
track. over which the transit may be made
without necessary change of person or freight
TINS contamination, which but few years ago
seemed so far of, occurred at 2F wash
IEgtOn timel this afternoon. as will be seen by
reference TO the report of the incidents attend
iug IL, which will be found in another column.
IL only TeuaIns for us 10 congratulate the enter
Trising and liberal spirits who conceived and
executed a work at once so useful and So
grand and the country which is to ENJOY Its
golden and perennial fruits. A more pleasant
duty we have rarely had TO perform.
Year: 1869

The wisdom Of reducing the internal re evenus
tax on distilled spirits is pretty well estao-
lished by the amount received from that source
with the tax at fifty cents per gallon, as COM
pared with the receipts when 1t stood at two
dollars The books OF the Internal Revenue
once show that during the first month after
the reduction there was little or no change as
contrasted with the same month of the previ-
Gus year. but after tha. time the receipts from
mat source ran up TO double the sum formerly
collected, and they have averaged that ratio
ever since-some months standing below, but
generally standing above, twice the amount
reaiized during previous corresponding peri.
DDS Indeed, It is thought that the revenue for
the whole fiscal year with the tax at Il fly cents
per gallon Will considerably more than double
the reee-T's for the last year. when it stood AT
Two doliars. This result will, we apprehend
more than meet the expectations of those most
warmiy IN favor OF the reduction.
Year: 1869

On Thursday, abont noon, a ssalwart
chap, bearing evidence of rustic birth.
was standing quietly in front of
bibulous temple on St Clair street.
with his hands in his pockets, when
three or four fellows who had been play
ing court at the shrine of Baeehus aD-
preached him and essayed to have a
little fun at his expense. One of them
stepped up to him, and hourishing his
"mauleys" in a hostile manner, declared
that be was just the man he had been
looking for for a week past and he
wanted to have that little affair settled
then and there. Our rural hero OWNED
their purpose and determined to bring
matters to a focus at once. As quick
as thought, and before the bully could
realize the situation, he whipped out
his right hand dealt him a sledge ham
mer blow in his optical regions that
sent him sprawGng to the earth. Then
coolly turning to the others of the party.
he inquired: Il say have anv Of the
rest of yew fellers been lookin' fur me T'
They wisely concluded they hadn't, and
assisting the fallen warrior to his feet.
they hastily quit the feld.-Clsgsland
Herald
Year: 1869

We NEED VARlErY.-Monotony is destructive
The sea has nothing but itself-the desert the
same. But the country has variety, and here is
The charm of life In all our enjoyment there
must be variety. For instance, how keen are
the irst enjoyments-the first glimpse of spring,
the first airs Of autcmn-any pleasant event
long delayed If man has not heard music
for long time, the sound even Of jewsaarp is
welcome.


Now, the wisdom of life Is to take advantage
of these things enjoy ore, and then the ether !;
thas each one will De fresh, if time be giyen the
chords of the mind, SO to speak, to gather keen
ness. Hence, there is constan. round of more
or less enjoyment.


This is tie best that can be done with life ac-
cordng to the best minds. And when the pro-
sale moments must intervene, to still further
make up the variety.
Year: 1869

4 very good story is told Of the old
embargo times and The war Of 1872.
Under the impulse of the removal of the
embargo there was sudden rise III the
value of property, and such demand
for it that merchandise was sometimes
carried off from vessels before the owners
arrived at their places of business; and
the parties taking it me in afterward
TO say that they were at the owners
mercy and must pay what they choose to
ask


A brig was lying at Boston harbor
which had come from Plymouth just
before the embargo was laid, ft for sea.
The Plymouth owner thought it was a
good time to sell the brig, and sent his
son up for the purpose, telling him to
demand eight thousand dollars for her.
and not take less than six thousand dol
lars John went to Boston, found how
things stood, sold the brig in moment,
as it were, and hurried home, elated with
his bargain. As he ncared the house,
he saw the old man marching up and
down the piazza, and presently he hasten
cd out to meet his son, and hear the
result Of the sale.


"Iave you sold the brig, John?''


"YAs, father"


'For how much:'
',Ten thousand dollars.
''Ten thousand dollars cried tle old
man, with staring eyes, at hearing price
more than double what the vessel cost
'tI'll bet you have sold her to some
swindler who don't care what the price
is, and never means to pay his notes"
'.Notes, did you say. father? Why,
there are no notes in the case. l got
the money and put it in the bank. Draw,
and you will get It."
The old gentleman's excitement was
suddenly cooled, and as the ruling pas
sion arose in its place, he said:


II say, John couldn't you have got a
| little more?''
Year: 1869

The NEW VELOCIPEDES.-A ship
ment OF velocipedes, which have become
so very popular in Paris, may be soon
expected in this city. The three wheeled
yelocipedes used by boys, have been in
use for twenty years. but the kind in
question are an invention Of only three
years date, and have but two wheels,
one of which immediately succeeds the
other in straight line. a saddle is ele-
waited above them, and stirrups are used,
which. by a movement of the feet, create
a rapid action of the apparatus, with an
effort far less fatiguing to the limbs than
walking. The mode of mounting is first
to push it, accompanying the action by a
movement of the foot in the left stirrup,
and then suddenly to spring into the sad
die and use both stirrups. Fully week
Of practice is required, as the difficulty
to the rider of balancing himself is
great. A fall, however, is without dan
ger, as his foot is always near the ground,
aud he has only to disengage it mo-
ment from the stirrup to recover him.
self.


The movement Of the instrument is
very rapid. It can be propelled at the
rate of fifteen miles an hour, and races



For these the length of the Champs
Cloud, a distance of eight miles, is the
favorite route. Its height is three feet,
and length nearly seven feet. This last
is an objection to its use in crowded
streets. Otherwise it might be very use
full to men whose avocations require
much walking. The cost in Paris ranges
from 800 to 700 francs, according to fin-
ish. It promises to be extensively in
use here among young people, and will
be prominent feature of the Central
Park. It is commonly seen on the pleas
ure drives of Paris, and ever in the
streets, and is great favorite.
York Globe Aduertiser


When the celebrated engineer Brun-
mel, who accomplished the desperate ex-
pertinent of tunneling the Thames river,
was brought before committee of the
British Parliament, he was asked if the
speed Of eighty miles per hour on GER
tain railroad would be much more dam
gerous to the traveller upon it than the
| speed of forty.


1T would be just the same," said he
"And speed of ninety miles 2"


"Just the same"


"And speed of one hundred miles p
"Just the same! for added he, if the
cars should run off the track at the rate
OF forty miles per hour, the passengers
would all go to the d-l, and at one
hundred miles per hour, they could moi
conveniently go any further"


/ A New York lady offers $50 reward
| for her lost parrot,
Year: 1869

PER CENT OF the money voted to be ap-
prOprated TO such railroad company be
donated and paid over to the company
until the iron is laid on the road and q
train Of cars shall have passed over the


entire length thereof in such county or
township, as the case may be.


Section II. After the money author


lied by this act TO be appropriated shall


have been levied and collected rs afore-
said, and the subscription shall have


been made on behalf of the county or
township. as the case may be- the rail-
road company, for whose aid the same
shall have been so levied and collected.
having fully constructed the railroad
contemplated in said petition. so that
trains of cars shall pass over the same.
shall have the right to demand and have
said money paid over according 10 the i'm
tent and meaning of this act: and any
one OF said petitioners or any TAXPAYER
Of the county or township, as the case
may be.may compel the same to be done
by mandate against the County Commits
sioncrs.


Section is. A failure on the part of
the railroad company to commence
work upon the railroad in said county
within one year from the lcvying Of such
special tax. or failure TO complete such
railroad ready for use within three years
from such levying. shall forfeit the rights
OF such company to such donation, unless
the County Commissioners. for good
cause shown, shall give not to exceed
one years further time i'm which to com
plete the same. and the money raised bv
such special tax shall 20 into the general
funds of the county Or township. as the
case may be, and be used accordingly.


Section -. The officers conducting The
elections, provided in this act. shall be
allowed the same pay as is allowed for
like services in case OF q general cleo
ton. Should the election result i'm favor
of railroad appropriation. the ex-
penses of the election. after being paid
by the county or township, as the case
may be. shall be charged against the rail-
road company benefited, and deducted
out of the first moneys collected by yir-
tue Of the appropriation.
Year: 1869

individuals here ana elsewhere who are asserting
that General Grant hes limited 70 three or four
favored persons that this man that man has been
selected for Of the places. One citizen Of Massa-
friends conhdentally that Cabinet positions are at
their disposal would seem therefore TO be laboring
under deuslon.


Attempt 70 Defer the Meesins or the Next
Washington Dan. 2S correspondents Boston


A vigorous attempt will soon be made In the
House 70 carry the repeal OF the act providing f01the
meeting OF the next Congress ON the 4th Of March
next The Judiciary Committee agree TO report the
resolution and the feeling In favor OF u has strength
ened during the past week. There is but little
chance, however, OF its adoption.
Year: 1869

Fox Never within the me-
mory Of the oldest hunters in the country
below Richmond have foxes been 30 hume
rous as now. The country is swarming with
the game, and the many who are fond of the
exciting sport Of fox-hunting find now
abundant opportunities to pursue it. We
are told that frequently the dogs while on
the track Of one fox are diverted by an
other crossing its path and this occurring
frequently during the day, the dogs, tired
and tagged out, arc taken from the field
without having gained single trophy. A
gentleman who enjoyed a hunt in the
neighborhood of Dutch Gap few days ago
states that while waiting for the dogs, in
a. very short space; of time he saw seven
foxes cross the road Immediately in front of
him
Year: 1869

Rip VAN WINKLE.-Rip makes another
appearance this evening at the Leigh-street
Baptist church, where he will relate his
experiences for the benefit Of Fulton Sab
bath school. His entertainment is one Of
the most pleasing we have ever attended,
and We bespeak for him full house. D..
Year: 1869

/ OF in q dark corner she saw several
stone jars, over the mouths Of each was
a rongh square board, and upon each
board . brick-bat rested.


With WOman's curiosity the widow
pulled one Of the jars to the light emitted
by a small aperture in the gable end OF
| the attic. What was her establishment
to find the jar almost full Of gold and
silver coin. 1T was before the days Of
green baeks.) Upon examining the Of
her jars they were all found to contain
specie. Here then was DICK NIARCY's
BANK; the place where the contempti-
bic miser had boarded his money.


Almost up to the moment ofhis death,
Dick believed he would recover, and
this is why he did not disclose the place
where his treasure was secreted.
Maggie called to the men below, who
assisted her in removing the jars to the
shop. When the coin was counted there
proved to be just sir thousand dollars in
gold and silver. It is natural to suppose
that with her buoysnt disposition Mag
gle enjoyed her unexpected good for
tune.


n 0 one was surprised two years after
the death Of her husband when Maggie
bestowed her hand upon q gentleman
as unlike Dick Marcy, as it was possible
for two men to be and the happiness she
enjoyed in the companiOnship Of one
50 cOngenial, repaid her for the sterile
waste Of years she had spent with the
man whose bones were resting in the
church yard, while others were reaping
the benefit Of his labor.


II Dick had cultivated a spirit Of liber-
Rlity, and kindness to others, he might
to-day have been living surrounded by
q family that in his old age would have
been a comfort and staff to his deelin-
ing years. ....


Nay the Dick Mareys who read this
sketch profit by his mistaken and
unthsnkful course, and thereby prevent
other men from enjoying that for which
they are now perhaps toiling, for be as
sured As long as the world stands, wild
oWs will marry q second time. We all |
know, doubtless, some who have taken
even the third, and fourth husband to /
their bosoms.


he who builds upon a widows constan-
ey has frail, and uncertain founda-
ton.
Year: 1869

The March number Of the Eclectic


Magazine has in it an account Of Ole


Bull and his first attempts At public
performances at Milan, he gave . con-
cert and gained great applause; but a


lew days sfterward q severe NEWSPAPER


criticism attracted his attention which
contained these words. "NIr. Bull plays


Spohn, Mayseder, Paganini etc., With
out knowing the true character Of the
music he plays;psrtly spelling it by add
ing color Of his own.


He has not formed himself; in fact,
he has no style; he is an uneducated
musician"-startled him, and brought
him to reflect upon the real state Of the
case, which he confessed to be precisely
that the critic had stated. He sought
out the critic and was by him advised to
study vocal music for the better under
standing and management Of the violin.


This, Bull did, and for six months de-
voted himself closely to song. The result
Of this study was the development Of his
own peculiar powers, the attainment Of
a style especially his own. His next
public appearance decided his European
reputation" I will conclude this part Of
my subject by saying that it is not my
object to depreciate natural talent for
singing. This is Of course, a great ad-
vantage, but those who have to work
hard for improvement, often surpass
those more highly gifted by nature, and
this is SO often the case that Pm tempted
to define genius, as a compound Ofindus-
try, energy and perseverance. Ny sd-
vice to all, is to learn what we can and
all we can in vocal music, and we shall
find it a great assistance in learning to
play on any instrument, giving an ex-
pressive finish and style to all our
music.
Year: 1869

IMPORTANT TO MAN.-Why is il that
the rainbow and clouds come over US
with q beauty that is not of earth, and
then pass away and leave us to muse on
thei rfaded lOvelinesS? Why is il that
the stars which hold their festival
around their midnight throne, are set
above the grasp of our limited faculties,
forever mOcking US with approaching
glory? And why is it that bright forms
of human beauty are presented to our
view and taken from US, leaving the
thousand streams Of affection 10 flow
back in alpine torrents upon our heart A?
We are born for q higher destiny than
that of earth. There Is a realm where
the rainbow never fades, wheFo stars
will set out before US like islands that
slumber on the ocean, and where the
beautiful being that now passes before
us like the meteor, will stay in our pres
enCe forever.
Year: 1869

Autographic eccentricity is having run of
bad luck. We announced the other day the
misfortunes of Perry Fuller. We now have to
tell the sad story of his brother in PhOnetics,
the Chicago Sprague. On the second page of this
paper may be seen how tenderly Sprague was
wooed, and after what independent literary
fashion he returned the tender approaches. lie
has been on trial in that easiest city for such
trials, Chicago, and, in spite of the most vigor-
GUS defense, jury of his peers has sentenced
him to pay One Hundred Thousand Dollars for
his love letters. We should call them dear at
hundredth part of that sum; but we make
no doubt that he and the fair one who is not
his agree most heartily in jointly regarding
these sweet missiyes as very precious.