smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

Olozaga, ex-Ministcr of Isabella and one Of
the shrewdest politicians in the Cortes, an
nounces his belief that the election OF king
for Spain is at this time impossible. Scuanos
Regency !or virtual Presidency is therefore a
foregone conclusion. and TO this extent the Re
publicans of the kingdom have gained a march
upon the Monarchists. The best chances for
the crown still belong to the Duke who fur
nished the powder to blow up the late establish
ment of royalty, but even Montpensiers chances
are not for a surety good. In the indecison Of
the Cortes as to a king, the Regency will present
something like firm ground-a basis whcrcon TO
erect either the Monarchy or the Republic 1t
is to be seen whether the Regency will be more
regal than republican; but so long as Spain re-
mains without a king, We apprchend that the
republic will be tolerable in proportion as the
regency is sufferable.
Year: 1869

We are glad to hear that Mr.. Sumner pro-


poses to visit the Pacific Coast, as we should
be glad to hear that many more Of our prom
inent statesmen proposed to improve their Op-
pOrtunities to become acquainted with the wants
of that distant but most important part of our
common country. But we are not disposed to
accept the current gossip about the political
importance of Mr. Summers visit. The politi-
cal campaigns in the various States this Fall
are about as likely to be waged on the Fenian
issue, or on the principle of Secession,
or the rightfuness of Human Slavery, as on the
matters at issue between our Government and
that of Great Britain. When Mr.. Sumner
reaches California he will find the Chinese
question much more absorbing topic than
the Alabama question. and one quite as likely
to tax all the resources of our craftsmanship.
Year: 1869

This important and much-needod public
work is making rapid progress. Along almost
its whole line the grading and masonry is
going ON, while from Sidney to Oswego and
from Sidney to New-B Berlin the tracl-layers are
at work. This part of tho road, embracing
about $50 miles, is to be ready for the cars on
the 1st OF September, and the work is now so
far advanced that there is no doubt the con-
tracts will be fulfilled. From Sidney east the
heavy work is in progress on the greater part
Of the line, and though through Delaware and
Sullivan Counties the construction involves
large outlay, the Directors feel entirely
confident that their cars will be running from
Oswego to New York two years from the COM
ing Fall.


The Importance of this road to the people
of our city is hardly yet understood. We
have often before inquired why almost all the
people Of Central and Western NowYoIlS, as
well as Canada and tho Great West, should
travel from CITY " ono hundred miles further
Year: 1869

Some Of our officials are complaining that the
present appropriation is not sufficient to give
us clean streets. This clamor probably means
that the contractors want more money for doing
less work. The sum Of 100000 is ample to
keep our city perfectly clean and healthy The
fact is that the contractor has been spending
not more than 100000 year. if so much, in
his work. and this system Of pockcting enOr-
nous profits has been going on year by year
1t is not because 100000 is not sufficient to
keep our paved streets clean that few of our
officials are complaining, but it is because they
want still more prOfts-mOre plunder If the
contractor would content himself with q reason
able proft--say about $4,000 per annum-we
would have clean streets; but of course he
must expend the remainder-Slj0,0O 0,0OO-upon the
the streets, Doubtless the present appeal is
traccable to one of two motives: either those
now interested with the contractor want more,
or the "Ring" is to be enlarged to let in
Others to share in the spoils.
Year: 1869

The logic Of the Lards may be defined as
meaning that because England has done us
publc wrong therefore she has rs publicly
done right We do not see how otherwise to
interpret the argument by which these amiable
Brtons explain the notoriety of their transac-
ton in the case of the Alabama, and what
they esteem n justiiable failure in the En-
gsh law officers to prevent them. But they
have done us unwittlngly good service. In
saving that they should not have built the Ala
bama had public opinion in 1861 been what 1t was


in 1854, they supply evidence for one of Mr..
Summers points. They do even better in their
demonstration Of the publicity that attended
the building Of the Alabama and of
the accurate information supplied to the
British Government both as to her
character and her approaching depart
urc She was constantly inspected, say
her builders, by the officers of Her Majestys
Customs, and moro than fortnight before
her departure went into the public dock at
Birkenhead, to which everybody has access,
there receiving Goals and provisions for her
voyage. "ITad there been anything Illegal"
they say, ain the build or the fitting of the
"ship, there was ample time and opportunity
"for the Government then to have seized her.
"They did not do so, although they were
Uniformed on the 91st Of July by their officers
"that the ship appeared to be ready for sea,
"and might leave at any hour she pleased"
She did not leave till the Goth. There is
nothing new in this statement but its effect
should be considerable. The English have n
convenient habit of discrediting testimony and
forgetting facts which tell against them. Here
is n statement from the actual builders of the
Alabama, throwing upon the Government the
whole responsibility for its sailing. The Lairds
themselves turn States evidence, and there
neither is nor can be any reply whatever to the
testimony on this point The effect Of it is
distinctly damaging to the English case. This
is to be perceived from the language of tho
leading Tory organ, which is not i'll pleased
to have the blame thrown on Lord Russells
shoulders, and admits for the first time, that
it is evident the Government could have
stopped her, and adds: at is no excuse for
"breach of international obligation that our
laws arc inadequate to enforce it; for the
charge lies against us rs q nation, and cannot
" be answered by reference to an omission in
our national legislation" Exactly, but that
is what heretofore the English advocates have
steadily denied.
Year: 1869

to get to New York than they need, were
road built from Norwich through Delaware and
Sullivan to this city; but the objection has al
ways met us that no feasible route could be
found through the last named counties, and
that we must therefore, for all time, re-
main sixty to eighty miles further from
Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, and Oswego by
railroad than we were by actual distance. The
Directors of the Midland Road have under
taken to solve this difficulty, and are tunneling
through the mountain which former engineers
had found it impracticabe to run over. We
think they will be uccessful-certainly they
will be with proper encouragement from our
city-and we shall then have third great line
of railroad to the Northwest.
Year: 1869

There ought to be a law regulating the sale
of kerosene upon the basis of such facts as we
publish to-day The Health Board, in con-
function with the Fire Commissioners, have
found out that not more than one in ten of a
great many samples of this oil, tested under their
order, can be considered safe to burn Such a
revelation as this should arouse judicious alarm
To meet the general risk which it points out,
good legislation is needed speedily. Meantime,
where are those people, of whom correspond
ent lately advised us, who claim method Tor
making kerosene absolutely non-cXplosiycF
Year: 1869

1t is poor comfort to be told that other States
are learning to initiate the doings at Albany;
but such as it is, our readers are enabled to-
day to enjoy it. The joint special Committee
of the Massachusetts, Legislature makes a
solemn report recognizing the existence OF the
Boston Lobby declaring that large sums OF
money are spent therein TO influence the legis-
lation of the State, and-virtuous souls that
they are-that there is no reason to suppose
any member of this, or any previous Legis-
lature, to have been influenced by their
arguments Happy Legislature Happy
Lobby! The only people who seem to have
cause to complain are those who mstook the
legislators for rogues and the lobbyists for
honest men
Year: 1869

We Welcome another order from the Treas
ury Department reducing the number OF the
employees Up to a certain point we have very
little doubt that the thinning out Of clerks IN
that. and in most Of the other Departments, will
tend TO material improvement in the transaction
of the public business. Let us have fewer
officers, more rigid requirements as to capacity,
and better work. When Congress shall be sat
isfed that these points have been attained,
Washington clerks may find less difficulty in
securing at least patient consideration for their
cloiue
Year: 1869

The Archbishop Of Canterbury is a sensible
politician. He advises the House Of Lords not
to oppose the overwhelming sentiment in favor
Of the Irish Church bill, and thereby make
stand against a fOregOne conclusion. The Arch
bishop has foresight to perceive that the obsti-
macy Of the Lords against disestablishment in
Ireland will not greatly help the establishment
IN England Of Lords either temporal or spirit
pal, 80, too, think the twenty five conserya-
Year: 1869

1t is to be hoped that the Sub Committee on
Elections, now supposed to be in session on
public business at New-Orleans, is mis-
represented in the stories concern
ing it; but we confess we are
not very sanguine about the industry
of any Of the wandering Committees which
the last Congress authorized to roam over the
country at the public expense. We hope for
some good fruits this Summer from the sys-
TEN, but as a whole it is not a good system.
Year: 1869

ConceiyiDg that the British Legislature in
America hasno power to tax the Nova Scotia,
Attorney General of that Province vigorously
maintains that It has no more right to alter her
Constitution, and hold her as a member Of the
Canadian Confederacy. Only in the case that
the Nova Scotians fail to obtain a divorce Of
what he considers an illegal marriage of States,
does the Attorney-General advocate recourse to
extreme measures. His speech is alike threat
ening and promising.
Year: 1869

What a sensation VIC should have in New
York if the Philadelphia society should look
after our street railroad animals as well as its
own! Which animals-those in harness OF
those in the cars-are more to be pitied
we can hardly say, but, more's the
pity neither seem likely to be blessed with the
humane interference that has descended upon
Year: 1869

The first chapter in Western novel ha,
the following "All Of sudden the fair Qirl
continued to sit on tho sand, gazing upon
The briny deep, on whose bosom tho tall
ships went merriy by, freigbted-ab Who
can tell with how much JOY and SORROW, and
pine lumber and smigrauts, and hopes and
salt fish"
Year: 1869

A CORRESPONDENT who seems anx.
ious to tell something new about Grants
interview with Lee, says they did not
talk about Virginia politics or the plan
of civil reconstruction for the State, but
about the weather and such things. AS
several hundred thousand people must
have given General Grant their views
about the weather lately, it is strange
that he should have sought Lees ideas
ahnOt IT.
Year: 1869

! This is a simple song, It's true,
| And songs like these are never nice;
| And yet we'll try and scatter through
A pinch or two of good advice.
Then listen, pompous friend, and learn
Never to boast of much renown,
For Fortunes wheel is on the turn,


And some go up, and some come down,
We know vast amount of stocks


A vast amount of pride insures;
But Fate has picked SO many locks,


We wouldn't like to warrant yours
Remember then, and never spurn


The one whose hand is hard and brown,
For he is likely to go up,


And you are likely 10 come down.
Another thing you will agree,


(The truth may be as well confessed,)
The ''codfsh aristocracy'


Is but scaly thing at best
And though the fishes large and strong


May seek the little ones to drown,
Yet fishes all, both great and small,


Are going up, and coming down.
Our lives are full of chance and change,


And chance you know, is never sure;
And 'twere e doctrine new and strange.


That places high are most secure.
And though the tickle god may smile,


And WELD the sceptre and the crown,
'Tis only for little while


Then B. goes up and A. comes down.
The word for you and me, my friend,


Hath something more than pounds and pence,
Then let me humbly recommend


a little use Of common-sense.
Thus lay all pride of place aside,


And have a care on whom you frown,
For fear you'll sec him going up


When you are only coming down.
Year: 1869

Old Deacon Hopkins was {


worthy soul and very generally


respected for his outward show of


piety and religious zeal; and


have no doubt that he felt al


heart most of that which he pro


tessed. In a certain direction he
| was troubled with a morbid desire


to steal. His chief employment


was the making Of soap from ash


es which he gathered in the neigh,


borhood; and making his soap,


he was obliged to keep two or three


big kettles Of ley boiling, to which
end abundance of fuel was neces-
sary.


Now it SO happened that the
deacon's nearest neighbor was
Captain Jack Payson, whose call
ing kept him upon the salt water
the greater part of the time
Captain Jack was great hand at
keeping his family supplied with
well seasoned wood, as he owned
an extensive wood lot; he often
had vast pile oft cut and hauled
to his house and there worked up
and stacked. It furthermore
chanced that the rear door of the
good deacon's soap-house opened
directly upon the rear of Captain
Jacks huge wood pile The temp
tation was strong. Surely there
could be no harm in taking a few
scattering sticks; the captain
would never miss them. But the
disease grew with the necessity of
feeding the fires, and he fancied,
kind soul, that the captain would
never miss the distracted fuel
But he was destined to rather an
unlocked for and unpleasant en-
as we shall see.


The question was up before the
church, on introducing instru-
mental music into the choir. One
of the singers had a bass viol
which he was willing to play, if
brethren would permit; and both
he and the chorister declared that
it would help the singing wonder
fully. But this was before the
days when fiddles were tolerated |
in sacred places, and several Of
the brethren objected. Deacon
Hopkins was emphatic and bitter
IN opposition. At a very tuli
meeting of the church he ex-
pressed himself decidedly. Cap |
.ain Jack, who chanced to be on
shore, was present, and favored |
.he introduction of the viol.


"Bring it in,'' cried the deacon
'and III go OUT won't be seen
where that big fiddle is tolerated"


"Will you stick to your pledge,
leacon?" asked the captain.


Eyes, sir!" replied the irate
unctionary.


"Then," !" said Captain Jack,
With a curious twinkle of the eye,
you shan't be troubled with the
iddle in the church. I'll buy it
md hang it up on my wood pileP


The poor deacon shrank away
,ehind his enormous shirt collar,
While the friends of the ''big fd-
lie" carried their point.
Year: 1869

A few days since we were In
formed by the cable, that Napo-
leon had demanded an explanation
of the King of Prussia OF the mo-
bilization of troops in the Western
provinces, and now we learn from
the same source that officers and
privates of the French army absent
on leave were ordered to rejoin
their regiments by the first OF the
present month.
Year: 1869

Some days after one of the Eng


liSh steamers had left Liverpool,


says the Boston Post, a bright


looking boy, about eight years old,


was found aboard, who had been


concealed in the vessel since she


left port (which, by the way, is a


common occurrence He was


questioned by the officers as to


how he came there. He stated


that he was an orphan, and had


an aunt living in Halifax, and that


his uncle in Liverpool being poor


and unable to support him, had


hid him, in the vessel just before


sailing SO that he might go to Hal
ifax and live with his aunt. 1t


seemed like the old story to the
officers of the vessel, and they


accusedshim of being helped by
the crew, and tried their utmost


by coaxing and threatening to
have him divulge that some of


the sailors had taken him aboard


and gave him food. But they
availed nothing-the little fellow


would tell no other story. At
last one of the officers, feeling
sure that the boy was deceivipg,
took him by the arm, and said,
81 am going to make you tell the
truth"-and taking him to what
is called the bridge says, "In one
half hour | shall hang you unless
you tell me which one of the
sailors has been feeding you. =
1t was of no use--the boy would
not lie; and when the officer told |
him sternly that he had only |
two minutes to live, the little fel-
low said, "Sir, may | pray?"-and |
Immediately sunk on his knees,
and lifted his little hands in all
Of prayer, slowly repeated |
the "Lord's Prayer" amid the up
turned faces Of the passengers
and crew of the vessel who had |
been anxiously watching the re-
suit of the officers experiment;
but on seeing the brave boy whose
love Of truth was stronger than
that of life, and hearing him SO
warmly repeat his prayer, it. was
too much for their doubts, and
caused a very affecting scene, and
the apparently rough officer burst
into tears and caught the little
fellow in his arms and hugged him
as though ii reality he had just
escaped death. After this event
the boy was young hero in the
ship. he was praised and treated
with dainties, each one anxious
to do.something for such a noble
boy; and when he arrived In Hal
fax he was taken by the same
officer who had doubted him, and
fitted with a nice suit of clothes
and carried to his aunt, with
hearty Gods blessing for his fu-
.ure career.
Year: 1869

Reports from all sections of the


western States indicate the largest
yield of wheat in proportion to
the population for many years.
All sections report the same story
as to the glorious prospect. All
the wheat States have not only a
a splendid promise for fall wheat,
but the farmers are preparing for
a large sowing of spring wheat.
The season is late and wet, but
still large breadths will be sown.
Year: 1869

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
has declared the registry law adopted by
the late loyal" Legislature of that
state to be constitutional. The Court
STOOD three to two, the casting vote be-
ing gwen by WILLIAMS, the present
Haa'caI candidate for Supreme Judge,
VINO was appointed to his place in lieu
~ more scrupulous "loyal" Judge,
not long since induced to resign. Will.
LIAMs was selected for usefulness in this
line, and he is vindicating the wisdom
of his own selection. By his decision he
has indirectly cast several tbonsand
votes for himself, or what, is the same
thing, legalized the illegal disfranchise.
ment of that many Democratic voters
In all probability, he proceeded upon
the principle that candidate who won't
vote for himself, directly or indirectly
has no right to expect ether people te
do so.
Year: 1869

It is a well established fact that fully one.
half of the female portion of our population are
seldom in the enjoyment of good health or, TO
use their own expression, never feel well. "
They are languid devoid of all energy, extreme.
ly nervous, and have no appetite.


To this class of persons the BITTERS, or the
TONIC, is especially recommended
Year: 1869

PERSONS ADVANCED IN LIFE,
And feeling the hand of time weighing heavily
upon them, with all its attendant ills, will find
in the use of this BITIERS, or the TONIC, an
elixir that will instil new life into their veins,
restore in n measure the energy and ardor of
forms, and give health and happiness in their
remaining wears
Year: 1869

quickly. o, if it be in your power to
save one young man, do it quickly.
Run and speak to that young man.
He will thank you for it. His faith
er will thank you. His mother will
thank you. His sisters will thank
you. His immortal soul, rescued and
saved, will love you for ever.


W. @. NYE.
Year: 1869

A PRETrY RoMASCE.-Mnny years ago there
lived in an Andalusian town German toy
maker who had IL charming daughter. This
young maiden was famous for her beauty and
virtue, both Of which attracted the attention,
and eventually won the love of the young son
Of the Count Montijo. She met his advances
with the cry-"Marrnge before love" His af-
fcction for her was AN honest one, and, in
spite of his fathers obstinate refusal he mar
ricd her. The old Count refused the young
pair any assistance, so that their sufierings
promised To be very great. But the two eldest
brothers Of the Young husband bying, the old
Count had but the prodignl child, whom he
took back TO his heart and purse. This Count
css Of Montijo was the mother Of Eugenic OF
France.
Year: 1869

PATRICK saw a bull paving in n field and
thought how amusing it would be To jump
over, catch him by the horns, and rub his nose
in the dirt The idea funny that he
laid down and laughed to think of it. The
more he thought of it the funnier it seemed
and he determined to do il. BOWS quickly
tossed him over the fence again. Patrick leis-
urely picked himself up, with the consolatOry
reflection: "Well, it is mighty foine thing I
had my laugh fOOrst."
Year: 1869

Every farmer (or mechanic who has
the facility) should produce his own
mutton, With which to supply fresh
meat 80 his table Procure two or
three sheep, put them in clean and
comfortable place, feed them from
one to two pounds each Of corn and
oats daily. This will fatten them in
a few weeks.
Year: 1869

Keep not standing fixed and rooted,
Briskly venture, briskly roam;
Head and hand wbere'er thou foot it,
And stout heart are still at home.
In what land the sun does visit
Brisk are We whate'er betide;
To give space for wandering is #
That the world was made so wide.


GOETHE.