smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

The numerous accidents on railroads
in all parts of the Middle States, in COR
sequence of the heavy rain storm OF
Thursday evening, shows the necessity
of much greater care in the building OF
culverts, to prevent them from being
washed out. They ought to be made
larger and built with the best cement.
In many places the road beds have been
washed away where there was no cul-
vert, admonishing the companies that
the beds of roads ought to be made much
wider. Frequently on new roads it may
be observed that the top of bed Of the road
is not more than foot or two wider than
the track. This is running too much
risk. Now that number of lives have
been lost by badly constructed roads, we
hope that more care will be taken in the
future. 1t would cost less to build cul-
verts large enough at once, One acci-
dent may cost five times the cost of a
culvert, even where no lives may be lost,
and only injury to cars sustained.
Year: 1877

STOKES, the least guilty. of the Morton
fraudulent stock combination, is in the In
sane Asylum; the chief of the offenders is
held in $1,000 bail as a witness, while
HUM and Nagle, two guilty subordinates,
are required to give $50 ,0V0 security to an
swer for the crime. That sort of crooked
ness will pretty certainly straighten itself
somewhere around the altar of Justice
Philadelphia Times.


If there had not been an entire want
of equity and honor around tie ''altar of
justice" in Philadelphia so scandalous a
conspiracy against the West Philadelphia
Passenger Railway Company could not
have existed so long as it did. 1t is diff
hcult TO understand how all the parties to
the transaction should have maintained
secresy so long. And one of the most
astonishing things Is that the press of
Philadelphia, including the Times, should
deal so gently with all of the parties con-
cerned, and be so tender in its illusions
to Morton, the head rascal to the fraud.
After this scoundrel has thus disg-aced
the name of his grand father with so
little lmpunity, the people may well ask,
"who can we trust 2" In this case more
shares of stock were stolen and sold BY
Morton, the President of the Company,
with the knowledge of the Treasurer,
Secretary, and several other persons, than
all the stockholders held beside, and vet
no punishment is meted out to him, and
his confederates in crime are walking the
streets under bail


What now is to prevent the officers of
the great railroad lines from doing as
Morton did? He was ograndson of a
signer,' and that was enough to give
him credit, it seems, in PHILADELPHIA.
He does not seem to be hurt in Phila-
delphia, and If he could fall from so
high position as the "grandson of a
signer'' without feeling any more than
he does, why should the great railroad
kings fear to fall? To come down to
plain facts, is not there real danger that
million or two of dollars for defence
would wipe out all fear of legal punis j.
ment in the courts of PENNSYLVANIA .
Under the circumstances is there any
wonder that stock should be low while
the banks are full of money?
Year: 1877

PLEASANT FoR HARD DRINKERs.-
The Louisville Courier journal, which
iS published in a State where whisky
ought to be good If anywhere, confirms
the statement that probably nine hun.
dred and ninety-nine gallons out OF
every thousand that are sold as brandy
are made from Q vile compound Of
whisky swill, distilled spirits and chem
icsl denominations, and adds: "And as
h is also equally true Of whisky, what
in the name Of goodness are We all TO
do for something to drink? It looks
as II we are TO be driven TO the pump
In spite of US. II the world at large
knew of what villainous stuffs brandy
and whisky snd wines are made oi, the
present crop OF drunkards would be
about the last, or at any rate, all future
crops would be small. Nearly or
quite all the liquors that are retailed
nowadays are undoubtedly slow but
sure poison, aud 10 drink them habitu.
ally ls simply o roundabout way OF
committing suicide, and unless you
guard yourself carefully the way is not
so very roundabout either"
Year: 1877

OvE Of the South Norwalk Conn. }
clergymen barely escaped being caught
in a trap Of his own setting last Sum
day morning. The Sunday before be
announced that the church door would
be closed at half.part ten O'Clock, and
remain closed until after the singing BY
the choir OF the opening piece, to pre-
vent the annoyance OF persons coming
in during that time. The next Sunday
morning be himself got delayed, ant
reached the church only one minute
before the church doors closed. Hi
wife, one of the church deacons ant
q large part Of the congregation, how
ever, were shut out.
Year: 1877

The architect of the Stock Ex-
change in Pine street, San Francisco,
is not lover of fair play. On either
side of the alcove above the callers
rostrum is wooden image of bear.
"It gals me like thunder" remark
ed veteran financier, when Ophir
was going down in a run about fort
night ago, land there was collapse in
mining shares, ssto look up thar and
see them two fggers grinnin' down
into the centre. They look as if they
knew the hull thing was a-commin'
and were shakin' their sides a-laugh-
in to think they had things their own
way" This seems to be a real
grievance. One of the wooden bears
ought to come down and bull with
brass horns be set up in its place, so
that every stock-gambler can keep his
own idol under bis eye.
Year: 1877




The military chiefs--at Washington
struct Congress In regard to the appro-
priations for the army. General Sher-
man said:


"What is wanted of Congress is an ap-
propriation in bulk. The Secretary of
War and the General of the army are the
best Judges of circumstances as they arise.
Thirty millions of dollars year net would
place the military establishment on a be-
coming basis. i.io f....i


Congress ought in my judgment to
pass the army bill at once without any
special legislation on it. The army needs
the money, and nothing should be added
to the Appropriation bill that can occa-
sion debate"


So it appears that the people who pay
the taxes and bear the burden of sup
porting a large standing army ought to
have no voice before Congress, because
"the Secretary of War and the General of
the Army are the best judges" of what
the legislation should be- They want
thirty millions year net, and In bulk,
without any question being asked, to
spend as they think best. A mere baga-
tslle of thirty millions a year Only the
interest on 5000 100000 of five per cent.
bonds, mere trifle in the estimation of
Gen. Sherman 'fHH-i '"..-


Then Congress is told that nothing
bill that can occasion debate, because de-
bate, perhaps, is not convenient, and lets
the cat out Of the bag too often for the
comfort of the military chiefs who lounge
about Washington, get up Presidential
cabals, and draw princely pay. We shall
soon see whether Congress will obey these
general orders.
Year: 1877

SEARCH FOR WIvEs.-Where do men
usually discover the women who after.
ward become their wives is the ques-
ton we have occasionally heard dis
cussed, and the result it invariably
comes to is worth mentioning to our
young lady readers. Chance has much
to do in the affair but then there are
important governing circumstances. 1t
is certain that few men make q selection
from ball rooms. or any other place Of
public gayety and nearly as few are
Influenced by what may be called show
ing of in the streets, or any allurement
of dress. Our conviction is that ninety
nine hundredths of all the fnery with
which women decorate or load their
persons, go for nothing, as far rs hus-
band-catching is concerned. Where and
how, then, do men find their wivosf In
the quiet homes Of their parents or
guardians at the freside where the
domestic graces and feelings are alone
demonstrated. These are charms which
most surely attract the high as well as
the humble. Against these all the finery
and airs in the world sink into insignih-
canco.
Year: 1877

Cheap Gas! Can it be possible that


the winter of our discomfort is to be


gloriously frightened BY cheap gas?


After long, weary years of anxious wait


ing: long, weary years Of anxious plead


ing; long, weary years OF expensive


lights-so long and so weary that the


heart had grown sick and deep-seated
despair had clouded every hope-yes
at length the city fathers have relented,
and in the generosity o: spasmodic re-
lenting have absolutely reduced thep price
of gas. 1t is no ordinary reduction, no
doing of thir g on a small scale, no
miserly scaling of prices-but on the
contrary jump, leap, plunge, and
wonderful one at thst-a reduction OF
F1Frx CENTS a thousand feet. Goodl
Gas that was and has been from time
when the memory of man runneth not
to the contrary; yes, gas that was worth
or we mean that cost-$2 30 per
thousand feet, has been reduced to 81 ~,
and when paid on time and the ten per
cent discount allowed, to 81 81. Just
think of it-gas at 81 81. What
luxury and how cheap. Oh, how
the heart will swell with joy
and the eye sparkle with glad
pess when the news is proclaimed to
the tax-ridden housekeeper, that his gas
bill is reduced-thst the price OF gas has
declined, and that he cap afford to spend
the entire night In reading his fsvorite
book, and it will cost him comparatively
nothing. In behalf OF the long suffering
and bedarkened people of the city whose
purses were not plethoric enough to
justify light in the house later than nine
o'clock, we extend the expressions OF
grateful hearts to the fathers of the city,
who have endeared themselves to an ap.
precistive public by giving them cheap
gas.
Year: 1877

II meant to have told YOU of thai
hole, $ id a gentleman to his friend,
who VAS walking with him in his gar
den, and stumbled into a pit fall of
water, "No NATTER said the friend,
blowing the mud and water out of his
mouth, II have lounl it.
Year: 1877

HEEolc.-A story is told Of our ma.
tional bird whicE Is worth repeating
mo e than once. A party ol travel
ers, visiting the Yellow Stone country
one evening fired several shots at an
eagle sitting upon her nest in u cotton
wood. Only her head could be seen !;
bat that never hinched or moved.
though the marksmen telt sure that
they must have hit the bird. At last
they gave np in chagrn md went to
supper. In the morning they saw the
eagle, still unmoved, upon her nest,
and they resolved to understand the
m, s cry, and finally succredt d in over
turning the nest, wien down Huttered
The IulI Hedged eaglets alive, and the
mother bird rildieI with balls. She
had taken her death in silence, and
covered her young to the last.
Year: 1877

Who cares for nothing alone Is free
SIT down. good fellow and drink with me.
With a careless laugh and a merry eye
He will laugh at the world, as the world goes


by.


He laughs at power and wealth and fame;
He laughs at virtue, he laughs at shame;
He laughs at hope, he laughs at fear
At memory's dead leaves, crisp and sere;
He laughs at the future, cold and dim
Nor heaven nor earth is dear to him.
Oh, that Is the comrade fit for mel
He cares for nothing; his soul is free.
For heed not custom, creed nor Jaw;
care for nothing that ever / saw.
am free as the soul of the fragrant wine
Sit down, good fellow; my heart is thine.
In every city my cups quaff
And over my liquors riot and laugh.
laugh like a cold and turbulent wave;
laugh at the church, 1 laugh at the grave;
laugh at JOY, 1 laugh at woe
merrily, merrily laugh, know.
terribly laugh with an oath and n sneer,
When think that the hour Of death is near.
For know that death is guest divine,
Who shall drink my blood as drink this


wine.


He cares for nothing-a king is he;
Come on, old fellow, and drink with me.
With you I'll drink to the solemn past,
Though the cup drain shall be my last.
I will drink to the phantoms of love and


truth,


To ruined manhood and wasted youth.
1 will drink TO the woman who wrought my


woe


In the diamond morn Of long ago;
To a heavenly face In sweet repose;
To the ily's snow and the blood of the rose;
To the splendor caught from the Orient skies
That thrilled in the dark of her hazel eyes
Her large eyes wild with the fire of the south
And the dewy wine Of her warm, red mouth
1 will drink to the shadow of coming doom;
To the phantems that wait on my lonely tomb
will drink to my soul in its terrible mood,
Divlnely and solemnly understood.
And, last of all, to the monarch Of sin;
He has conquered my palace-he reigns


within.


My song is passing; IL dies away.
can not TELLS 1t night or day?
Ny heart is burned and bIackened with pain
And terrible darkness crushes my brain.


can not see you-the end is nigh,
But wen laugh together before die.
Through awful chasms plunge-I fall;
Your hand, good fellow-I die-that's ALI
Year: 1877

good" A manly, strong arm clasped him
for moment, and his father, with half
broken accent, whispered tenderly, my
boy, we will try together"


Some OF the people smiled, but mzny
fathers heart beat painfully, remembering
his own erring boy, and many a poor mother
prayed God 10 save her son and bring him
back to her. Honest Jack Kelly went horne
happier than he had ever been before in his
lie, thankful that he had done something
to save a man from destruction. Have you
done as much2
Year: 1877

A flush of green is on the boughs-


A warm breath pantenth In the air,


And In the earth n heart pulse there,
Throbs underneath her breasts of sne~ss.
Life Is astir among this woods,


And by she moor, and by the stream,


The yesr, as from a torpid dream,
Wakes In the sunshine on the buds
Year: 1877

The Supreme Court Of the United States
has lately made division which must
very materially affect the status of all the
insurance companies chartered by other
States, that are now doing business within
the State Of Delaware. We have no de-
sire to unnecessarily alarm persons in
sured in foreign insurance companies who
are without positive and specific recogni-
ton by the Secretary of this Common
wealth, or some State Officer duly author
lied to permit them to do business here.
The decision we refer 10 so broadly denies
the right to Corporations to transact bust
ness in any other State but that wherein
they are chartered, that is if it appears
they have not such authority to transact
business elsewhere, they may avoid their
risks, other than in their own States if
they so elect. Such of citizens as have
insurance in foreign corporations ought to
take steps and satisfy themselves that the
companies advertised by our resident
agents have authority such as is contem-
plated by the decision of the Supreme
Court already alluded to. 1t amounts to
this: There is broad distinction between
the rights of persons and the rights of cor :
poralions, which should be understood and
rendered. A citizen of the United States
has right, under the Constitution, to go
into any State, and to transact business
there. The State to which he removes
cannot interfere with him. He franchises
are guaranteed. But Corporation has no
constitutional right in the premises. This
is principle Of the highest Importance
which may at some time hereafter produce
unexpected effects.


We hail this decision as step in the
right direction, showing that the we'll
ordered judicial minds of the country are
intent upon restoring the independence
and sovereignty, of the severalStates in all
that pertains to proper exercise of State
Sovereignty.
Year: 1877

WHEN the sea shell is held up to the
ear there is a peculiar vibratory noise
which children assure each is the roar Oh
the sea, however distant they may be from
it. PhilosophicalIy investigated the pecu-
liar sound thus recognized is phenome'
non that has puzzled scholars for long
time. The experiment is easily made by
pressing spiral shell over the cerebra OF
either ear. If large shell, the sound is
very much like that of far.ot cataract.
Now, what causes it Every muscle OF
the body is always in state OF tension
Some are more on the stretch than others,
and particularly those Of the finger. 1t Is
conceded that the vibration of the tibres
of those in the fingers being communica-
tive to the she'll, it propagates and intensl-
ties them as the hollow body Of the violin
does the vibration of its strings, and thus
the acoustic nerve receives the sonorous
expressions. Muscles Of the leg below the
knee are said to vibrate in the same way,
and, if conducted to the ear, produce the
same result.
Year: 1877

One of the most disgusting, indecent and


irreljgious mockeries Of the marriage GER
emony, came off in a place of worship
known as Strawbridges Methodist Chapel,
in Newark, New Jersey. There was a
musical and moral entertainment at the
Chapel last Thursday evening, concluding
with mock marriage. A male and fe-
male Of about forty years Of age, in full
Year: 1877

"Resolred, That the Superintendent be
and is hereby instructed and directed to
promptly enforce strict compliance
with the provisions of article 4 OF the
general rules and that the Board shall
not be deemed to have given any con-
sent except as may hereafter BE- shown
by resolution, and that tho SuPeTln-
.endent report his action hereunder at
rhe next meeting of the Board
Year: 1877

The Innovation {" at the Last Mozart


..at ~... Musicale.


To the Editors of the Dispatch:


In replying to the structures Of ga Mem
ber" upon the propriety OF allowing "read-
ings" to be included in the entertainments
of the Mozart Association I do so more
with the object Of placing Professor Will
liam Valentine in proper position than OF
iustifying the action Of the Board OF Gov
ernors. From an aesthetic point of view it
may have been blunder on their part, but
when the proposition was before them they
were unanimously OF the opinion that such
feature would add greatly to the attrac-
tions OF an evenings entertainment. No
objection was then made to it, nor was any
made by any member who afterwards heard
OF the proposed arrangement.


In Justice to Mr.. Valentine 1t should be
stated that when he was approached with
this object in view it was with the greatest
reluctance he consented to the proposal.
Suffering from an annoying indisposltion,
he would gladly have escaped from such
tax upon his physical and mental energies;
and only yielded after the most urgent solt-
citation, thinking he would be lending his
aid In the cultivation of gsthetic taste in
our city. .


Alp or us understand that it is not Mr..
Valentine that was objected to, nor the
manner in which he acquitted himself; but
it was the fact Of allowing any kind OF en-
tertainment on our programmes other than
musical that has been criticised as blum
der on the part,of the Board OF Governors.
In this connection have to express my re-
gret that newspaper should be the medium
OF communication between the members
and its Board Of Governors instead OF ad-
dressing remonstrances or making sug-
gestions Immediately to the latter. Ours Is
o priudte association, and the public has no
business with its affairs; and In this case, II
an error has been committed in allowing
readings to be included in one evenings
entertainment, there was really no necessity
for its becoming matter Of public noto-
riety.


In conclusion, / wish to place the respon-
sibility OF this act where 1t belongs instead
Of upon oil OF the members Of the Board.
II was through the writer that the arrange
ment was made with Professor Valentine,
and I have to express my sincere regrets that
an effort well intended should have taken
such a direction, and that, however nueh
his readings may have been enjoyed by the
large and refined audience on the occasion
referred to, the structures publicly made 10
Year: 1877

FATAL ACCIDENT. yesterday evening
Mr.. Halleck, resident Of Chesterfield coun-
ty, near Hallway station, on the Richmond
and Petersburg railroad. in drawing load
from an old musket accidently discharged
the same, four buckshot passing through
his body in the region OF the stomach, kill
ing him instantly.


Mr.. Halleck was an energetic northern
man, who had but recently purchased the
farm on which he lived at the time OF the
accident. His untimelY end casts a gloom
over the community in which he lived.
Year: 1877

SUITS AGAINST. TRANSFORMATION CoMPA-
NIEs.-The Circuit Court of Richmond was
engaged Yesterday hearing the case Of the
Commonwealth rs. The Potomac Ferry
Company, involving the question OF the
power Of the State to tax q transportation
company which is chartered by another
Sfota b.
Year: 1877

THE FEAST AT TRINITY CHURcn.-The
ladies' feast at this church has been quite
success. Large crowds of young ladies and
gentlemen gathered nightly to partake OF
the good things, and all were made happy.
The feast will close tonight. and as the
ladies have plenty of good cheer. on hand
they hope that their friends and the public
generally will give them call.
Year: 1877

sportsman. which took place few days ago, with
in the limits of our city. This young man, like
many others before him, went out to shoot par
tridges, accompanied by . dog. Unfortunately
before reaching the hunting ground, he was
obliged to pass through a pasture, where was in
pocently grazing, Q COW. As intelligent people
know, the bovine and canine are often liter enc
mics. And the natural instinct of the two animals
arose in this instance the COW attacked the dog.
the dog was firmly attached to his master, and
clung closely to him, which made it hard work for
The man to keep from the horns of the COW, and
caused him to make rapid trip over the field,
and, being unable to avoid the misfortune. was at
last forced into brook, where he was considerA-
bly wet. The young man says he is no coward.
but be went out to huut-not 10 be hunted!
Year: 1877

A family of Indians passed through this city a
few days ago, and stopped while the train was
waiting upon the platform at the depot. They sp-
peared hardly natural in their clothes, initiating
the white people, and the head Of the family look
ed as if he might be more at home on the "war-
path," than thus tamely travelling in citizens
clothes. They seemed to look with disgust upon
the lighter hued persons around them
Year: 1877

A new animal has been discovered in Strongly
Peter Corbet of that place. This animal is small
one, and has two tusks from the lower jaw, and
they form curve up the nose and back
towards the face, similar to the animal balirousa
He opens and shuts his tusks like shears. without
moving his jaws. Though entirely different from
any animal known, yet it is said in slight degree
10 resemble the woodchuck. No doubt there are
many showmen who wouldchuck-le to possess this
rare specimen.
Year: 1877

A newly married pair were on their way
to New York from Buffalo on The cars one
night lust week. when tho husband took
from his pocket roll Of brawn paper.
which the bride snatched and threw ont of
.Le window, remarkipg: You said you'd
quit chewing tobacco when married you
As gently as he could under the circum-
stances the husband remarked that the
brown paper contained ros tobacco; but
500 in bills.
Year: 1877

SPORTING.
The Snide Match Between Great
Eastern and Smuggler


Exposed.
Proposed Meeting for Colts at
Dexter Park Next Year.
where the Great Trotters and
Drivers Will Spend the
Winter.
Year: 1877

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE THEATRE.-The
entertainment by the pupils OF, Professor
Thomas J.. Minor for the benefit OF the
Eleyenth-Street synagogue will take place
at the Theatre on Thursday evening next.
The Professor has spared no expense in the
getting up OF the scenery, costumes, and
general appointment, and it is to be hoped
that in view OF the object for which it Is
given this grand variety entertainment will
be liberaily DatroniZed: