smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

Albert G. Drecker is the bridge
tender at the Passaic river draw
bridge, on the Newark & New
York Railroad. On Friday alter
noon, just previous to the time for
passenger train to reach the
bridge, the draw was open. Mr..
Drecker knew that the train was
coming. He began to turn the
bridge, SO as to close the draw be-
fore Its arrival.


At this moment he saw his lit
tie son, who was only ten years
old, and who was not far from him,
fall from the bridge into the river
below. lie saw the train coming
swiftly toward the bridge, and
knew to do his utmost there was
barely time to close the draw. In
the water below him his boy was
struggling for life. A leap. into
the stream at this moment, and he
could save his child. But the
train came laundering down, and
he knew if be left his post ior
even a single instant, hundred
lives might be sacrificed. He
staid. Slowly the bridge was
swung into position, and the train
passed safely over; and none Of the
passengers knew what their safety
had cost the poor workman who
sprang into the river only to take
from thence the lifeless body Of
his boy.


Is there any story Of heroism to
surpass this (? Think, if you can,
of the terrible alternatives of duty
that were presented to this man.
There was no time to deliberate.
His sDn was dying. He could ca
silly rescue him by leaping into the
river beneath. But that leap
must have cost many other prec-
iOus lives-perhaps hundreds
and had be a right to imperil
these? The agony of a Lifetime
of suffering must have been COM
pressed into that moment of doubt.
With sublime and heroic fortitude,
this noble father resolved to do his
highest duty; and to that duty his
son was sacrificed. How many
of us would have done the same?
-NeaC York San.
Year: 1869

man would walk back and take a
seat, he would send for the girl,
The old gentleman took the prof
fered seat, and in a few minutes
the girl came in. She looked
weak and feeble, though young,
and when questioned about the
watch did not eyince the least
want of compOsure, but without
hesitation proceeded to give in
answer to questions the following
narrative:


She was born among the noun
tains of East Tennessee, and when
she was about eight years old her
parents removed to Memphis,
where they remained three years ;
then they went to St. Louis,
where they lived until both her
parents died-her father died first,
and about one year after her moth
er died; the watch had been In
possession of her father all her
life she could rceollectseeing it In
her youth distinctly; that her IA
ther, when importuned to sell it
by visitors, invariably refused,
saying that it had been in his fam
lily many years, he having re-
ceived it on the death of his faith
er, with positive instructions not
to sell or dispose of it, but to
keep it in the family; her mother
had charged her not to sell it, but
keep it. She was then saving
money to redeem the watch
would not have pawned it, but
severe fit of sickness had reduced
her to such straits that size was
obliged to resort to the watch to
ruise money for absolute necessa-
rlcs to sustain life.


The old gentleman heard the
girls story with astonishment,
and being satisfied from her man.
ner that she told the truth, he
felt convinced that the theft of the
watch was still a mystery-or, at
least, it would be impossible after
SO many years to learn who COM
mitted the robbery.
Year: 1869

came back with ropes and drew
me out of my living grave,
and, thank Heaven, l came in
time to save an innocent mani" con-
tinued the girl, who was a servant
at the st. Charles Hotel.


Scarcely had she finished when
the minors dragged John Clements
out of the log house towards the
large oak near the hotel. In vain
were his pleadings for compassion.
The crowd -cf eXasperated miners
knew no mercy. Ten minutes af-
ter hiscorpse was dangling from the
limb Of the oak.


The writer Of the above nara
tive was mere boy when he wit
messed the principal events desert
bed, but the terrible scenes still
remain distinctly impressed upon
his memory. The names of the
locality and of the persons are as
sumed, but the main occurrences
have been given US they actually
transpired.


But little more remains to be
said. Long did Herbert Tudor
mourn the untimely death of Ella
Tracy. At length when his fair
deliverer had grown up to woman
hood, she became his bride.
Year: 1869

They have smart young men at
Crown Point, Indiana. One OF
them-a most estimable youth
went out hunting, and in loading
his gun, put the shot in first
Having with him no instrument
with which he could get the shot
from the gun, he heated on iron
rod, inserted the iron rod in the
gun, hot end first, in order, as he
said, to "burn out the wad," when
to his great astonishment, the
powder exploded and came near
tearing off his hand.
Year: 1869

An old trapper, who crossed the
plains thirty-fve years ago, says
there was no grass at all, but on
ly a few sage bushes and cacti.
Now there is a thin soil formed
over the sand and gravel, and
grass covers the entire surface.
And it appears that this enriching
progress goes Oh from year to year.
This is why SO many people have
been astonished at finding no
Great American Desert" and con-
clude that it was only a myth.
The truth is that it did exist, but
like many of the things in this
changeful America, it has passed
away.
Year: 1869

A negro at Danville, Va, snap
ped his pistol at a dog bntit failed,
when he locked down the muzel
to see what was the matter He
saw it. The pistol went off, and
SO did the top of the colored mans
head.
Year: 1869

That was a laughable occur
renee at Davenport, Iowa, of a
husbands taking magnesia and
making his wife think it was pois-
on. She had him stomach
pumped within an inch of his life,
in spite of his explanation to the
physician,
Year: 1869

There's room enough in the msery now,


Twas crowded a little before
For when the crib in the corner sat


The rocker came close to the door;
Butthe light was sweet, and the air was soft
For all the air was filled with cheer,
For we all were chained to the little spot


BY the voice Of the baby dear.
Where is the sunshine-where is the noise?
Where are the playthings gone?
What shall do with my empty arms


Sitting alone, alone?
What shall do with my empty crib?


Where shall set his chair? down.
Must the darling little ones clothes come


Oh, let me leave them there!
Nay, fold them up softly and lay them by,


Life is hOlier through this pain:
Lay up the carriage-check the deep sigh,


Take up life's duties again;
Turn the face fully toward Heaven and God
His sweet peace shall keep thee still;
Bow low before Him, kissing His rod,


And murmur, love-"Just as God will"
Year: 1869

"Excuse me for troubling you" +"
said a gentleman one day to a
noted Boston philanthropist, "but
there is in Your neighborhood a
poor woman in the last extremity
of misery. If she has not the nee
essary sum TO pay her rent to-day,
she will be turned into the street.
The sum needed is twenty dollars.
The philanthrophist took the reg
uisite sum from bis pocket, and
asked the poor woman's address.
You can give it to me-" he re-
piled, taking the money and put
ting it into his pocket, u am her
landlord. Here is the receipt for
the rent. How joyful she will be
when you give it to bert
Year: 1869

Don't crowd; this world is broad enough


For you as well as me;
The doors of art are open wide


The realm of thought is free;
OF all earths places you are right


To choose the best you can,
Provided that you do not try


To crowd some other man.
What matter though you scarce can count


Your piles of golden ore,
While he can hardly strive to keep


Gaunt famine from his door?
OF willing hands and honest heart


Alone should man be proud;
Then give him all the room he needs,


And never try to crowd.
Don't crowd, proud Miss; your dainty silk
Will glisten none the less
Because it comes in contact with


a beggar's tattered dress;
This lovely world was never made


For you and | alone;
pauper has right to tread


The pathway to throne.
Don't crowd the good from out your heart


By fostering all that's bad,
But give to every virtue room


The best that may be had;
Be each days record such a one,


That you may well be proud;
Give each his right-give each his room


And never try to crowd.
Year: 1869

Creswell, Grants Postmaster
General, who SO fiercely demands
that no person elected from the
South shall take office without
first taking the iron-clad oath,
couldn't take it himself except by
committing perjury. After the
commencement of the war he was
one OF the iiIst to raise recruits in
the State of Maryland for the
Southern Confederacy.
Year: 1869

SELLING OFF AT Cosr.-It will be seen by ref
erence to our advertising columns that Hoslinger
Einfalt propose to sell their entire property at
this place absolutely aud upon short notice.
Our citizens will not be slow to avail themsel
of the opportunity offered to buy goods at cost
prices, and a rare opening is presented for a
good shoemaker with moderate capital to step
into fourishing business which at present
employs three hands at Job work alone
Year: 1869

How HAS 1T HAPPENED ?-At the time Of his last
trip to this place the Humboldt mail-carrier in
formed the citizens of Weayervlle that the Fed
eral taxes were due upon the assessments made
penalty of having five per cent. added thereto
This announcement took our people by surprise,
being the first and only notice received by them
in this matter other than the statements of the
Deputy Assessor at the time OF requiring and re-
ceiving their assessments. The Deputy Assessor
informs US that the taxes are now due, and must
be paid by the 3lst day of this month, or FIVE
per cent. will be added to the amount of the
original tax. In that event the money forwarded
next week by the Humboldt express will proba-
bly, reach Arcata in time to avoid the penalty.
We slow to believe that this information is
correct or that onr people will be treated as de-
linqents without other and further notice than
has been given in this business. If the state
ments referred to are true, many, perhaps the
most of our citizens, will not be able to send to
Arcata in time. We are inclined to believe that
there is some misunderstanding about this mat
ter, but nevertheless only those who send the
money will be on the safe side. In the mean
time we intend to give the subject thorough
investigation, and if the action of the Collector
results in cost to our citizens, the public shall
know how if has happened.
Year: 1869

WILL REPAIR.-We understand that negotia-
tions are pending for the purchase of the Durkee
ditch near Northfork, with the intention of put
ting it into complete repair. This ditch is said
to be of large size and covers good mining Sec
Year: 1869

by incurred omeintense hatreds. These
do not and will not fail; and his Ad-
ministration will prove at least equally
vital. We shall hear lamcntation al
ter lamentation over his failure, from
those whose wish is father to the
thought; but the American People let
them pass unheeded. Their strong
arms bore him triumphantly through
the War and into the White House,
and they still uphold and sustain him.
They never failed and they never
will New York Tribune.
Year: 1869

A New Hampshire editor, who has been
keeping record Of big beets, announces at
last that "the beet that beat the beet that
beat the ether beet, is now beaten BY beet
that beats al the beets, whether the original
beet, the beet that beat that beet, or the
beet that beat the beet that beat the other
beet"
Year: 1869

Coon SENSE AMONG THE MoRMoNs.-
In all the Mormon schools there is depart
ment which relates entirely to instruction in
the every day duties of business men, and is
similar TO the commercial colleges in this part
of the country. There is a post Office, a
telegraph office, an express Office, tithing
Office, Offices for banking, insurance, and the
sale Of railroad tickets, in short the endeavor
is to teach pupils what they will need most
to know upon undertaking the actual duties
of life.
Year: 1869

THE Ohio democrats have put in nomina-
ton for Governor the patriot soldier Ross>
Grams, than whom they could not have made
more fortunate choice. His characteristics
as a public man require neither recital nor
adulGtion. With vigorous popular backing
he can unquestionably complete the demo


cratic programme in Ohio by harmonizing
the political character Of the Legislature and
the gubernatorial Office. With statesman
like soldier like Rosecrans for the'demoeratie
candidate in Ohio, and another like Hancock
10 Pennsylvania, and Hoffman in the EEecu'
tive chair in New York, the sentiment OF the
country is likely to End palmer and more et-
fecLive expression than it has of late, and the
great Middle States will be able 10 erect
something like a fixed barrier against the
further invasion Of the tide Of radicalism.
The Ohio democrats are awake to the issues
of the day, and determined to force an earn
est contest for better practices in government
a wise public policy and sound Constitutional
principles. Their entire ticket cOmmends
itself to the confidence and support of the
people Of the State.-BostOn Statesman.
Year: 1869

AN HEIREss IN DIsGUIsE.-The St.
Joseph (Mo) Gazette of a recent date re-
lates the following somewhat romantic story
Sometime last fall young lady came to St.
Joseph from the East to spend the winter
with relative. Unassuming, handsome,
graceful and intelligent, she created q most
favorable impression with those who enjoyed
the pleasure of her acquaintance, and formed
an agreeable addition to the social circle in
which she moved. She was remarkably re.
tired and quiet in her manners, and studious-
ly sought to avoid all ostentatious display 10
her apparel, but at the same time exhibited
in her dress the most exquisite taste, and in
her manners the most elegant refinement,
Shortly after the lady's arrival she was call.
ed upon by young gentleman "a resident
of this county,, who had formed her scqusins
lance in the East, and soon thereafter his
visits became frequent and his attentions
marked and devoted. II was noticed as the
friendship Of the two ripened into intimacy,
that the lady began to institute, in very
cautious manner, inquiries for the purpose Of
asceriaiuing whether the gentleman had the
least idea of her history AID condition, and
particularly Of her financial Gfairs. These
inquiries were prosecuted for some time, and
seem to have resulted satisfactorily, AtlsGst,
after courtship Of some months, she COM
mitted her happiness and fortunes to the care
of the gentleman alluded to, and the csls>
bration of the nur'!als were duly recorded in
the early part of the present spring. The
happy couple Immediately started for the
East, and are now residing st the former
home of the bride. And now comes the 50.
quel. The quiet and unassuming young lady
was in reality the pOssessor Of immense
wealth, and the uudOu6ted heiress Of an eS-
tate worth over 81 1000, ,OOO-a fact wholly
unknown at the time even to the gentleman
who had sought her hand and heart. She
had taken this method to test the sincerity
of her admirer, and finding bis heart the truO
gold, had committed unhesitatingly golden
treasure and pure warm heart to bis keep
ing. without even permitting the many gal
lant youths of St. Joseph, to catch the faint
est idea of the glitteriDg prize apparently
within their reach.
Year: 1869

A NEW THEoRY-Considerab curiosity
has been excited in Germany by pamphlet
entitled "The Earth to Receive a Second
Moon, at less distance from it than the
present one." As the pamphlet has reached
second edition, we may give short extract
from it. Chapter VI. is headed: "Newest
assertion. The Zodical light is a ring of
gas surrounding the earth, and but few
thousand miles distant from it," while the
previous chapters treat of ge0eralities only.
The author asserts that the said gaseous ring
is no longer burning, but slowly cooling of,
invisible while the sun is below the horizon,
of different density, interrupted by the
shadow ofthe earth, and depending in height
and duration upon the suns distance from
it. Just as the rings of Saturn, as admitted
by all astronomers, having become cold, are
the precursors of moons, he claims the same
result for the so,called Zodiac. The new
moon being comparatively close to the earth,
will cause many partial and total eclipses.
The author thinks that the catastrophe OF
the bursting of the ring may be consum'
mated in our time or that Of our children.


He winds up with the assertion that no
doubt many thousands of years have elapsed


to bring about this approximation but, says
he, experience teaches US that the duration
of pregnancy is a thousand times longer than
the act Of parturition, and this fact he ap-
plies to the forthcoming of the new moon.
Year: 1869

THE cIsTFRs' FAIR.-Tho ladies' in charge
of the fair to hc given for the benefit Of st.
Joseph's Orphan Asylum in November
next arc making extensive preparations to
make it most complete affair. The object
Of this festival * one which should 1T once
suggest itself to the favorable consideration
Of all charitable minds: and we trust that
there will he no need for further appeal for
assistance for the ladies in their efforts. ANY
contributions or aid in behalf Of the fair
will he gratefully appreciated by them.
Year: 1869

We get the following from the
Louisville Democrat of Saturday !:


There was a genuine sensation
created In certain circles IN this
city yesterday by the circulation
of report to the effect that a do
mestic petard had exploded in q
Main street merchants home in
the east end OF town, which prom
ised to result in TIE permanent
separation of the aforementioned
merchant from his wife.


Rumor gives the following YER
sion of the affair, and from the
fact that we have but that old gos-'
sip word to depend upon, we re-
frain from publishing the names
of the parties, least an injustice be
done to two persons who have
hitherto enjoyed the respect and
confidence of every person who
knew them.


Two or three weeks ago the
husbands jealousy was awakened
on returning from short trip to
Frankfort, by finding the photo
graph of young gentleman under
his wife's pillow. From the fact
that the original Of the photograph
was frequent visitor to the house
and a pretended intimate friend Of
both, Suspicion of his wife's virtue
";as aroused, which, however
fiercely it burned, he had the good
sense to conceal for the time being.
He nevertheless kept q strict
watch on his household, and, az
the story goes, he came home on
Thursday evening at about ten
o'clock and found the psrlor win
dows darkened by the curtains,
and the door securely fastened
within. He attempted to shove
it open, but failed, when he heard
hustle within the apartment and
the next moment his wife opened
the door. He rushed past her
and into the dining-room, where
be found the young man he sus-
pected trying in q hasty way to
arrange bis rather disordered cos
tune. On seeing the now enreged
husband, this gay visitor ran out
of the house and escaped, leaving
his feminine victim to breast the
storm as best she could.


There was a scene, of course,
and the outraged husband notified
the guilty woman of his intention
to procure a divorce at once.


The lady, we understand, il
about to return to Nashville, hes
former home.
Year: 1869

You may sing of your dog, your bottom dog,


Or of any dog that you please;
I go for the dog, the wise old dog,


That knowingly takes his ease,
And. wagging his tail outside the ring


Keeping always bis bone in sight
Cares not a pin in his sound old head


For either dog in the fight.
Not his is the bone they are lighting for,


Aud why should my dog sail in,
With nothing to gain but certain chance


To lose his own precious skin?
There may bea few, perhaps. who fail


To see 1t quite in this light,
But when the fur flies had rather be


The outside dog in the fight.
know there are dogs-injudicious dogs


Who think itquite the thing
To take the part Of one of the dogs,


And 60 yelping into the ring:
But care not pin W hat all may say


In regard to the wrong OF the right,
Ny money goes. as well as my song,


For The dog that keeps out Of the fight.
Year: 1869

A gentleman in Auburn recent
ly dropped his wallet and several
hundred dollars in the morning,
while going out of his yard. His
dog saw it drop in the snow, and
stayed by it all day, until the
masters return home, when the
faithful animal attracted his at
tention, and paved it from under
the snow.
Year: 1869

A lost art has been discovered
by accident. A gentleman, while
experimenting, immersed a piece
of marble in kerosene. Shortly
afterward he discovered that the
marble was thoroughly permeated
with the oil. Upon experiment
ing he soon learned that marble is
capable of receiving nine different
tints by the use of kerosene oil.
Year: 1869

One of the most prominent rem
edies employed at the Michigan
Lunatic Aslum is a greenhouse.
where exotics are in perpetual
bloom. Delirium is often begulled
by boquets, and when these fail,
music is frequently found to have
as many soothing charms for the
maddened mind as for the savage
breast.
Year: 1869

A few days ago a passenger on
a train near Chicago was ap-
preached by astranger, and inform
ed that the conductor wished to
see him Immediately in the bag
gage car. The passenger started
for the baggage car, followed BY
the stranger, and when he had
reached the platform of the second
car, he was set upon by a gang of
three or four men, who garroted
and robbed him Of 5000. The gang
then jumped off the train and
made their escape.
Year: 1869

The following story, as was told
to US, happened near Lake City,
Indiana, where there lived, at the
breaking out of the war, wealthy
farmer whom we will call Blank.
This man kept large number of
servants; among them was good
and religious young girl, possessing
unusual personal attractions
She was courted by an officer of
some rank in the Federal army,
while at home recruiting for his
regiment. When the day of his
departure came, he made known
to the servant girl how deeply she
had interested him, and begged to
know if there was any hope. She
confessed that his attachment was
reciprocated, and they were at once
affianced.


"Should Mr.. Blank" said Jen-
ME, "come to know of this, l
should at once be discharged. He
believes that it was his daughter
for whom your visits were intend
ed"


"ShoHld this be so" returned
the fond lover, "only write and let
me know, and you shall not suffer"


With an affectionate kiss, and q
promise that both would be pune
tual in their letter writing, they
separated, he to join his regiment
among the boys of the Potomac.


He waited long and anxiousIv
for tidings of Ii lis loved one, but
not orc word was received to ease
MS troubled mind. Finally. his
own letters were returned. What
could it all mean? Was Jennie
false? lie could not believe it.


After the soldiers departure,
Mr.. Blank took Jennie into room,
fastened the door, and, with a raw
hide in his hand, commanded her
to tell him if she was betrothed to
Colonel C. When the poor
girl had told him all, be had her
blindfolded, taken to the great
city of Chicago, and there left,
without friends or money.


He reported that she had died
of cholera, and, to make the decep-
ton complete, built a false grave.
When the war was over, and
Colonel returned home, he
made his way at once to the old
graveyard, and sought out that
of his lost Jennie. After bathing
the little mound with tears, he
made his way to the house of Mr..
Blank to learn the particulars.
While he was there the guilty man
ordered the tombstones for the false
grave. In due time they came,
and were placed at the supposed
grave with some evergreen ffow-
ers. COL had been a mourner
from two years before the war
closed until December, 1868, when
business called him to Chicago.
There, in a street car with a bun
die Of sOiled clothes which she was
taking home to be washed, he
found lis buried Jennie. He flew
across the car, taking her in his
arms and almost screaming with
JOY. He could scarcely believe
his eyes, but it was Jennie, and no
mistake. He had found her at
last.