smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

It is a curious fact that appears from
a report of the Secretary of the Interior,
that while there is but one revolutionary
soldier now living, Che lives in New
York and drawing pension, there are
at the present time on the rolls the names
of 888 widows of revolutionary soldiers.
The mothers of the revolution were evil
IDENTIFY younger than the fathers, or else
they live longer.
Year: 1869

A country sculptor in England was or
dered to engrave upon stone ia virtuous
woman is a crown to her husband" but
being pinched for room, it was contracted
thus-''a yirtuous woman is 5s to her
husband"
Year: 1869

A business man in town lost his pock-
et-book containing valuable papers He
sought high and low, but did not find the
property until he advertised, when he
found it at home behind trunk.
Year: 1869

A gentleman who recently travelled
over western railroad, declared his opin-
ion that it is the safest road IN the coun-
try, as the superintendent keeps boy
running ahead to drive off the cows and
sheep.
Year: 1869




We give notice to the public that hereafter
monthly subscriptions will be received for the
NEW YORK HERALD. The subscription will be
one dollar month. Many complaints have
been made from purchasers of the HERALD
outside of New York that the price charged
by newspaper dealers and venders is too high,
varying from five to twenty-five cents copy,
according to distance from the city. AT even
short distance ten cents copy is charged.
In fact there is no rule Of charges by news
men, who, taking advantage of the eager
demand for the HERALD, ask all sorts Of
prices for it. To remedy this evil and to
accommodate the public, therefore, the price
will be one dollar a month--about the same
for country subscribers, at whatever distance,
as for those in the city. The postage being
only thirty-fve cents a quarter, the cost con-
sequently to monthly subscribers in the country
will be little more than four cents copy,
which is the retail price in New York city.
Monthly subscriptions will be received from
this date
Year: 1869

good Sign. We hope II win prove TO be .
foreshadowing Of . general line of action on
his part looking to something broader and
higher in his execution Of the duties Of the
Mayor than the mere signing Of the bills and
drafts upon the treasury Of our Corporation
rings. In this view we are in no hurry for the
Mayors message. Let him take his time, but
let him remember that we consent to this delay
only because we expect q message that will
bear good fruit
Year: 1869

A Chicago paper some time ago published
report of q police case in which situation
.aagrants delicto was alleged against certain
parties. The latter brought suit for libel, and
the case has just been brought to close in y
verdict of seven thousand five hundred dollars
damages against the defendants. The editors
and proprietors OF the paper showed that the
publication was made against their express
directions; that it appeared through the negli-
gence of the reporter and foreman of the office,
and that every retraction possible was made
after its publication. These pleas ought to
have had some effect upon jury, and no
doubt they would had the paper in question
reporting the trial. 1t was there motive was
shown, If not in the original publication. But
the whole thing shows that the law Of libel Is
wrong in many particulars. In some cases it
is too stringent, in others too lenient. The
proprietor Of newspaper should not in justice
and equity be held responsible for every line
thatappears in his paper. He has to trust to
the vigilance and fidelity Of subordinates; and
where it is clear no malice is shown, and, in
fact, where it is proven that an alleged libel
lous report has appeared against his express
orders, it certainly seems that common sense
should exonerate him from blame. The Chi
cago case, we see, is to be carried to higher
court, and we suggest that the proprietors of
the paper allow it to be tested upon its merits
alone, without bringing extraneous influences
to bear one way or the other, right or wrong,
upon the judgment of the jury.


While on the subject of libels and libel suits
we may state that we understand a dozen or
more suits have been brought against those
Bohemians who have recently been busiiy
engaged in this city in calumniating the char
acter Of some of our most worthy grocers and
dealers. The developments on these trials
will be curious and interesting And, further
more, we understand that Hon. Reuben e.
Fenton, late Governor of this State, will bring
suit against Thurlow Weed for the publica-
ton in his paper in this city of one Of the most
atrocious libes that the soured brain Of dis
appointed lobby manager ever conceived. The
disclosures IN this case when brought to trial
will be highly refreshing, and no doubt illu-
inmate the entire tricks, lies. intrignes, back
bitings, double dealings and the myriads of
other rascalities which have won for the
Albany lobby an unenviable notoriety all over
the country.
Year: 1869

ANOTHER SOP FOR THE LAwyERs.-Wit-
nesses have been summoned again before the
Grand Jury with view to obtaining another
indictment against John II. Surratt. II is said
that the former trial Of Surratt and the prepa-
rations for second one cost the government
about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
The public lost all interest in this case when
1t was last dismissed, and the Washington
lawyers revive II, perhaps, only because there
is another sop In II for them. They resemble
those New York pettifoggers who daily study
the newspapers for no other purpose than to
find chance for either concocting or COM
pounding libel suit or divorce suit. Either
suits them so long as they can turn penny BY
the operation.
Year: 1869

ABUSE OF THE FRANKINe PRIVILEGE
We are in receipt Of variety Of commu-
nications complaining about the abuse Of the
franking privilege. If Greeley win send over
o wheelbarrow he shall have them free Of cost.
Year: 1869

Crime, and particularly crime against the
person, as that Of murders and bloody
assaults, seems to be an epidemic at times
and to rage like some fearful disease. Judg-
ing from the daily record Of murders and
other dreadful crimes in the newspapers, we
appear to be in the midst Of such an epidemic
now. Nor are these crimes committed only
in ut~of-the-way places, where there is little
or no means Of protection, but in this crowded
city, on our public streets and even at our
very doors in broad daylight. The murder Of
respectable and an inoffenslve citizen, Mr..
,.c.s, 1c-srs q. nniis own door, ia the nears
Of the city and centre of vast moving popu-
lation, the other morning, is fresh in the
mind Of every one. We hear a great deal Of
Italian banditti, Of Mexican bandits and of
highway robbers in remote country parts here
and elsewhere, but the streets Of our great
cities have become more dangerous than the
mountain passes of Italy or the roads Of
Mexico. The boldness of criminals here Is
surprising. We have in New York a large
and an expensive police force, yet the most
daring and dreadful crimes are committed in
open day. This ought not to be. II is said
many of the police are employed in other
ways than in guarding the city and people
as in performing duties FOR the various civil
departments and commissions. This is wrong.
They should be confined strictly to their Iegiti-
mate duty Of protecting the public from crime
and violence. There is certainly want Of
efficiency in this respect now and we ear
nestly call the attention Of the Police Commits
sioners to th 9 fact.
Year: 1869

Iurs Opdyke Om ResumptlOn Ot Specie


Payments.


We publish in another part of the paper
a letter from Mr.. George Opdyke, addressed
to Senator Conkling, on the question of
resuming specie payments. Mr.. Opdyke
takes sensible view of the subject on the
whole, and gives very interesting historical
and practical analysis of it. He comes to
the same conclusion we have-that mastery
inactivity" is the true policy with regard
to resumption. We have advocated this
all along, and have shown that the
country will grow up to specie payments
in the natural course of things and through
the laws of trade If the currency be left as it
is, and that any other course must bring dis
aster. We think he over estimates the volume
of currency in actual circulation, as a large
portion Of the greenbacks are locked up as a re-
serve in the banks and remaining inactive in
the Treasury. But even with his statement Of
seven hundred and forty-four millions Of cir
culation, he admits that we shall reach specie
payments in seven years by the natural growth
of population and commerce. He thinks it may
be in five years, and that without any shock to
trade, If the government should neither ex-
pand nor contract the currency. Still he argues
the government might contract the legal
tenders at the rate OF ten millions year with
out injury to trade. This Is small amount,
but, after all, it would be best undoubtedly to
carry out fully the principle he lays down Of
mastery inactivity" We commend the SEN
sible views of Mr.. Opdyke TO the consideration
Of Congress and the people.
Year: 1869




Oakley Hall, our new Mayor begins his
administration like man who means to do
something. The usage so far with the Mayor
has been to have his message to the Common
Council already cut and dried for delivery the
first thing after his New Years reception, With
any quantity Of statistics Of receipts and ex-
penditures, and explanations and recommen-
dations concerning this and that department,
all signifying nothing but steady enlarge
ment Of our city taxes and the pckings Of the
rings and the perquisites of all the officials
concerned. Mayor Hall, we are inclined to
think, is going TO turn over new leaf. He
did not deliver his message to the two Boards
yesterday, because, az we understand, he was
not prepared to sum up his case until he had
looked over the testimony--that Is, he wanted
TO examine carefully the reports from the
several departments before submitting his
opinions in reference TO their operations during
the past year. This 10 good beginning and
Year: 1869

Mayor Hall, very wisely and properly as we
think, has declined to make any recommends
tions to the Common Council in the shape Of
an annual message until he shall have reviewed
and carefully examined the reports Of the
several city departments, in order that he may
form an intelligent judgment as to what mea-
sures he may deem desirable to be brought be-
fore that body. In the absence Of his ex-
pected communication we beg to call the atten-
ton Of the honorable Aldermen and Assistant
Aldermen, IN newspaper message, to a sub
ject which has heretofore received sue consid-
Grafton from the presto wit, the presens
condition and future management of our piers
and wharves Probably some of our city
fathers may have already learned that the
piers and wharves along our river fronts are,


with few exceptions, a mass Of tumble down
ruins. collection Of rotten wooden
structures entirely incapable of supplying
the wants Of our growing commerce
and unsafe for the shipping in the harbor.
They may have heard Of other ports where
the docks are solid stone structures and where
safety and facility are afforded to vessels,
although the commerce is not nearly so great
or so important as that of New York. II is
just possible, also, that they may be aware Of
the repeated attempts OF jobbers and lobby
men to get hold Of our piers and wharves
under the pretence Of improving their condi-
ton, but in reality for the purpose Of preying
anon Tho comrncrcc of the citv and obtaining
possession Of valuable property for nothing.


II they are well posted on all these points
they will scarcely need TO be told that the
present condition Of our piers and wharves is
disgrace to the city, and that no more i'm
portant subject claims thair attention than
Year: 1869

dler the day before aud that we wished
to settle with him


Got cheated, warrant" said the
bluff old man; but no such man came
to this house yestard y | do recollect
now that black Joe, my hosiler, said he
thought fellow with biz black bun,
die came ap the bank from the creek
just after The stage pass ed but | didn't
pay any attention to him"


My father gave up all hope ut once !;
but could not believe my fortune Sas
gone Father tried to comfort me BY
saying was just as well off as before,
and had II new dress in the bargain
How | hated the site Of my beautiful
meriDo just at that tim,


Well, it is no use TO prolong my story,
or tell you OF all the efforts made to
catch the adroit ihict He was no ped
dler, but clerk in that very law Office
from which the letter was seut telling
ue of the diamond and he managed to
delay the letter some days, hastoned
away himself, and only arrived the very
same day with the latter, the same mail
coach bringing both To our town. The
woman who had given the pin to my
mother to Keep or me WIS not aware
Of lis value it had been given to her
by poor, fuolish youth, who had taken
it up from his mothers dressing table
because II was bright, aud he gave 1t
to the first person he CHANGED TO meet ;
aud she, thinking II only bright little
TOY, given 10 amnse him, accepted 1t,
aud brought It with her to America.


For years the pareuts Of the poor in-
beetle had sought in vain for the prec.
lous pin, Offering great reward for its
discovery by mere accident, they
learned that lady, stopping ut the
same hotel in New York with my god
mother, had heard her speak OF the
child she had called Mabel, because she
had owned pin with that name on it.
Year: 1869

WORTH FAR Mons THAN II CosT -
A recent case occurred where farmer, to
save expense. omitted to take his local
paper for year He went to market
on Monday with load of 80 bushes of
wheat, and sold it 10 the first one who
offered him lc. more per bushel than
be got the week before. With part of
the money he bought p.eee OF AZ
yards of muslin at IL cents per yard.
At night he met neighbor who had
sod his wheat Of the same quality at
10 cents a bushel higher, aud bought
the same kind OF muslin for Is cents.
His local paper Of Saturday had told
him OF an advance of 10 cents on wheat,
aud who paid it, and he stuck for that
price and got it The same paper con
tlined an advertisement Of dealer who
sold the. cotton goods at Is cents, and
he bought them there. He made, or
saved So 81 on that days trip, from the
information gained from one number OF
his paper, while for a whole year it cost
him only 81. The single number, cost
ing 4 cents, was worth to him Sl.Sl
above years subscription. And SO
it will often be all through the year
not to mention the fact that his chill
dren are growing up intelligent--they
lesrn to read in reading the paper. aud
thus save time and expense at school !;
aud they know what is going on 10 the
world.
Year: 1869

A SHORT time since. at wedding in South
Carolina, a 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
Communications that should be forwarded
to him in his official department that night +:
that each unmarried gentleman and LADY Y
should write his or her name on piece OF
paper and under it place the name of the
person they wished to marry. then hand it tc
the President for inspection, and if any lady
and gentleman had reciprocally chosen each
other, the President was to inform each o.
the result and those who have not been recip
rocaI in their choice were to be kept entire
ly secret. After the appointment of th'
Preside Communications were accordingl,
handed up to the Chair. and it was fount
that twelve young ladies and gentlemen hat
reciprocal choices, and eleven of the twelv
matches were solemniZed.
Year: 1869

attracted by the oucres and resistance 9t the child who
was very much terrified at being In CUSTODY ana on earn
ING from her that her mother had intended TO visit Stew
arts store at Broadway and Ienthst, they TOOK the
frightened girl I'm charge aud attended her there After
waiting few minutes the mother Of the child made her
appearance and thanked the ladies for their kindness
She had missed the girl after she was taken INTO Gus


odv Inv the officer and had vainy searched along Broad
way for her The complaint In the case was taken and
the case set down for hearing DeIOre the Commsone
Monday next.
Year: 1869

who are occupying or who may occupy Safes In
said Vault are informed that two cspacious Safes.
6xs feet set aside for the atuitOus storage OF
SILVER WARE and other VALUABLEs, while tho
owners are absent from the city. To those desrous
Of obtaining the greatest security for their valuable
papers we would state that there are still few
Safes to be rented in the SAFE DEPOSIT VAULT Of
this Rank,
Year: 1869

A WONDERFUL SILVER CAVE DISCOVERED
IN NEvADA.-Thc largest, or rather the
longest, deepest, and most brilliant cavern
vet struck in Treasure Hill was opened by
the south ore breast, fortyfoot level, south
east of the Belmont shaft of the Consoli-
dated Chloride Flat Company, few
days ago. The cave is about four feet
wide, three feet high, dips to the south at
on angle of forty-tiye degrees, and may be
descended to depth of one hundred feet
At this point the cavern is choked or partly
obstructed by loose rocks and detached sta
lactites and masses of oriental alabaster.
To what depths it descends below this point
is unknown, but it will be opened within O
few days and explored thoroughly.


The face Of the ore breast around the en-
trance to this cave is similar in appearance
to other portions of the mine in the same
vicinity-ore extending down the wall for
several feet. Next comes ten or twelve
feet-top, bottom, and sides--of compact
and capillary alabaster, partially altered
to quartz then vein crossing to the south
west at an angle of fifty degrees OF stern
bergite or flexible silver ore, implanted IN
crystals, forming fan-like aggregations com
mon to silver ores of this character. This
takes us twenty feet down from the ore and
sixty feet from the surface. Here the com
pact Opaque alabaster gives way on oil SIDES
to coralliform stalactites, and the sulphate
to carbonate Of lime; passing rapidly from
the milk white selenite to the golden-hued
masses of capillary dendrite, which CHS
ten by candle-light like the pendules OF a
chandelier.


Here, too, small and great arches swoop
over masses of the nearly even root, ana
reappear in the main cavern far below, the
roof proper maintaining its height from
the floor with great regularity. Some OF
these arched cavities would permit the pas
sage of man ten or twelve feet to the top
of the arch and down to the main opening
again, thirty feet from the starting point,
while others are so short one can hold
candle at arms length and see the light OF
it through the arch. Much of the compact
alabaster, where broken, is dendritic and
beautiful as moss agate. The cavern is
nearly uniform in size down to the depth OF
one hundred feet, but in places where the
floor is covered with debris one is compelled
to crawl through like snake. The air is
pure, and candles burn freely to the great
est depth explored.


Stopping for moment to gaze on the
wondrous beauty around us, ticking, like
that of the death-watch, attracted our at
tcntion, and we inquired of Sam Ferguson
Year: 1869

HIGHEST PRICE FOR Misunderstanding
wheat sold at the Corn Exchange for $l.SO
per bushel. This price was obtained Tor
l75 bushels of very superior white, and is
the highest point reached this season.
Year: 1869

PLEASING FACTs.-The James River
Brewery lately received an order from a
New York dealer for eighty barrels of beer


Rison received an order from California
last week for twenty gross Of his tobacco
antilOte
Year: 1869

THE CITY RAILWAY EXTENsToN-THE
WORK COMMENCED. Testerday morning
the workmcn commenced their labors on
the city railway extension to Hollywood ut
the corner of First and Broad streets. The
timbcrs were all in place, and as fast as
the ground was broken were put down. The
scene at the place of working was curious
and amusing. About forty workmen were
required for the work and these could not
he permanently engaged, as the capacity OF
the applicants for employment could not be
asccrtaincd except by actual test. Forty
active men went to work with their picks
and shoyels in the liveliest manner. Many
of them were evidently young men who
had been unused to labor of this kind. That
they could not stand their work soon be-
came apparent in many instances; for ever
and anon some young fellow would give
away under the influences OF the sun and
hard work. The ground was so hard from the
excessive drought that it was difficult that
it could be broken. This, however, did not
deter applicants for the places of those
whose strength had failed them. There
were over hundred of these present, wait


ing for the fall of some willing but too
weak worker. At least n dozen gave out
by o'clock. The workmen who will be
able to stand the test of this oppressive
weather will be worthy of retaining their
places.


1t is calculated that the road to Hollywood
will be finished in three weeks or a month
The company has elected the following route;
From Broad to Grace ria First, along Grace
to Quinn opposite Elba Park, along Quinn
to Grove street, along Grove to Poplar
along Poplar to Ellwood or Main street
along Ellwood to Reservoir street, ano
thence to Hollywood. Fifteen cars will be
used by the company, to be be run rcgu
larly between Rockets and Hollywood, ano
should the business justify it the number
will be increased.
Year: 1869

pI DR.. Kane, finding flower under
Humboldt glacier, was moro affected by it
because it grew beneath the lip and cold
bosom of the ice, than he would have been
by the most gorgeous garden bloom. So
some single struggling grace, in the heart Of
one far removed from divine influence, is
dearcr than whole life of virtues in one
favored Of heaven.
Year: 1869

The London Star, of the 22nd, praises the
United Stated government for its consistency
in taking measures to prevent the departure
Of filibustering parties for Cuba, and says
that the arrest Of the Cuban iusurgent junta
in New York is satisfactory. "The more
vigorously the neutrality laws are enforced
at the outset the more easily will the public
mind he led in the right direction. SymPs'
thy for a nation struggling for freedom Is
natural to Americans as well as Englishmen,
but the sooner the people are reminded that
a neutral country has duties incompatible
with the sending out of privateers and war
like expeditions, the better Neutrality is not
likely to exist, unless the laws, as they now
stand, are enforced, and when the laws are
insufficient they ought TO be amended
English lawyers and statesmen may watch to
their own advantage and instruction the
result Of the proceedings institused in the
United States, for the American statute oi
dealing with the subject is almost identical
with the English law. The case will form q
precedent Of policy worthy Of consideration
1 and imitation" -s rasza
Year: 1869

Cornelius ODowd thinks Irritation not a
bad pastime. He says; "As for Irritation,
l maintain it to be not only an innocent,
but an improving pastime. Just as certain
games with wooden segments of countries
instil notions of geography, Irritation ID
reading made easy of love-makiDg; and
as there are vast numbers of people who re
quire that all this instruction should be
given in some easy and agreeable mode
this practice is by no means to be con
Damned y
Year: 1869

A Chicago Journal announces the arrival
there last week of the frst baby over the


Pacific railway from San Francisco. It is
eight weeks old, and made the trip in five
DAYS. 1t came to look after its father and
and mother, Charles Hubbel and wife, who
are not in the habit of crossing the cont.
Year: 1869

PRINTING INK.-We have tried most
of the first-class printing inks made in this
country, and know whereof we speak In
recommending that manufactured at the
Gray . Ferry Printing Ink Works, of Phil
adelphia, as superior to any IN use. 1t is
easily worked in all weather. IS clear.
clean, and pretty, and In many ways far
ahead OF inks sold at higher prices. We
are seconded in this RECOMMENDATION by
our pressman, In the correctness OF whose
judgment in matters pertaining TO the
pressfoom we have unlimited confidence.
f-LPittsburg Daily Gazette.