smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

PASSENGERS on the deck of large pleas
ure steamboat, running through the narrows
of New York Harbor, several years ago,
were amazed and greatly alarmed by seeing a
large cannon ball pass over the boat. The
ball was from a cannon in Fort Hamilton,
which the gunners had supposed was aimed
at target nowhere near the boat. The res
idents of the quiet village of Minton, in
England, have also had an experience OF
bombardment in time of peace. At midday,
a sixteen-pound shell fell in the middle of the
main street, and ploughed up the turf long
distance. Another shell soon fell into gar
den near by, and a third, entering the roof of
barn, utterly demolished the building. The
frightened villagers fed from their homes to
the open country. 1t was soon ascertained
that the Royal Horse Artillery were practis-
ing gunnery upon lofty eminence some two
miles distant, and that the gunners had put
their targets in a line with the village. A
mounted messenger informed the officer In
command, of the village catastrophe, and the
firing ceased.
Year: 1877

we do not read anonymous etters and c'Jmmuni
cations. The name and address of the writer are in
all cases Indispensable not necessarily for publication
but as guaranty of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
munications that are not used.
Year: 1877

Around the corner from Canal street, at
Goldthwaite's bookstore, in Exchange al
ley, Mr.. staub is by every mail in receipt of
all the latest and best in the matter Of
daily, weekly and monthly publications.
Harper's Monthly for March was received
yesterday, and the other magazines are
due this week.
Year: 1877

We hear from what We deem reliable
authority that an engagement occurred
yesterday between Mike Shields and John
Cardinel. two residents in the vicinity of
SpoOner's bridge. We understand that
they had some trouble about some
fence, or COWS, or something of that sort
which trouble came to blows, and Cardi-
mel was left OH the field and was not
found for several hours. He was then
taken to his house and cared for. and ac
cOrding to our informant, physician
summoned, but an interview with each
medical gentlemen this morning shows
that none had gone up to that time. We
understand that Cardinel was struck
across the breast with club, and badly
injured.
Year: 1877

The lecture OF Rev. r. M. Thompson
on temperance at the Congregational
church last Thursday evening was rich
treat to all who were present. and the
church was we'll filled, although many
more would have endeavored to have
been present had they realized the value
of.the lecture. Never before has such a
torcible temperance speech been made in
this place. 1t fully convinced Mr..
Thompson's many friends that he was
equally mt home on the lecture platform
as in the pulpit. We have no doubt but
much good will be accomplished by the
lecture.
Year: 1877

1t was announced that the meeting of
the reform club Tuesday night was to
be purely business meeting, the main
business being the consideration of the
reading room project. 1t would be sup
posed, from the interest which had
been manifested in this, that there would
have been a full attendance, but it SEEM
ed as if it had the contrary effect. Very
few were present. Whenever it is an
nOunced that somebody will speak, the
hall is crowded. but when business mat
tiers are mentioned, it seems as if every
body LETT it for somebody else to look
after. This will never do, if the enter
prise is to be successful. The reading
room can be made a success if a little en-
rgy is put in it, but none must ha ng
back.
Year: 1877

Mr.. PLUMB, of Nelson street, having a
strong desire to own dog has been
banked in its qualification by the obsti-
macy of Mrs Plumb. Mr.. Plumb wanted
a dog for the protection of his property.
Mrs. Plumb was just as desirous as he to
keep the property from the hands of rob-
bers, and was perfectly willing to secure
that object through the instrumentality of
a dog, if the dog didn't bark so. But the
racket in the night made her nervous, and
through the day it irritated her. A dog
could not, of course, keep off burglar
without barking, but it was the want of
discrimination in the animal that disgust
ed her. He barked at everybody coming
on the premises. Mr. Plumb must have
had on trial a dog month for the past
year, but none suited. They mould bark.
About week ago Mrs. Plumb heard of
dog that would answer the purpose. He
would allow any one to come on the prem
ises, and would not molest him, but he
would not allow him to leave until his
owner came. He carried the idea that
there was no harm in receiving visitors
providing he did not let them depart un-
til they were seen by the proper persons.
We never before heard of dog of that
kind. Neither had the Plumbs. Mr..
Plumb fastened away to see the owner
after hearing the news from his wife.
The dog was just as represented, and he
bought him, and located him in the wood
shed where he made bed for him. The
next day was Saturday. Mr.. Plumb went
down town about eight O'Clock in the
morning. Mrs. Plumb was busy with
her baking and her dinner. 1t may be
well to mention that Mrs. Plumb is
model wife. Her house is as clean and
bright as house can be made, and she
prides herself on her cooking. In addi-
tion to the baking she was preparing an
extra fine boiled dinner. About ten
o'clock finding the oven little slow she
went to the wood-shed for basket of
light wood. Pinch, the dog, was there.
If Mrs. Plumb had not her bread in the
oven she would have stopped to have made
his acquaintance, but she was in too much
of a hurry to bestow more than word on
him. She filled the basket, and started
for the door, Then she particularly no.
ticed Pinch. He stood facing her with
his tail to the door, every hair on his back
standing straight up, and the skin about
his neck drawn very unple- e-.santly forward.


Mercyi" CALCULATED Mrs. Plumb, has
tiIy stepping back.


The hair on Pinch's back softly settled
down.


@ Pretty doggy observed Mrs. Plumb,
in conciliatory voice.


Pinch made no reply, but stood there
looking at the lady.


''Nice doggy added Mrs. Plumb,
endeavoring to diffuse smile over avery
Year: 1877

white face, and taking step forward at
the same time.


In an instant every recumbent hair on
the dogs back lifted itself, two rows of
teeth glistened forth, and a most de-
pressing growl escaped therefrom.


The unhappy woman gave cry of
alarm, dropped her basket and scrambled
with all haste to the top of box. There,
having drawn her limbs in under her for
better protection, she sat and trembled
and looked


The sagacious dog made no attempt to
retard this movement; on the contrary he
appeared to be highly in favor of it, and
when it was over he squatted down at the
door and, fixing his eyes upon her, licked
his chops in painfully suggestive way.


Poor Mrs. Plumb Her bread was in
the oven, her dinner ON the stove, and
there she sat an object of attention to an
intelligent and faithful dog, and prey
TO the most poignant emotions. Several
times she offered him a sop in the shape
of pleasing title. He made no mani
festation of disapproval to this course,
but when she sought to follow it up with
her body, the hairs on his back sprang
to their feet, the wrinkles flowed up his
neck, his teeth appeared, and the growl,
deep and ominOuS, followed.


1t was no USE There she was, and had
she been under a ton of iron she could
scarcely have been more a prisoner. She
thought of her bread and the dinner until
the tears cOursed down her pale cheeks
in unbroken streams. Once in while a
subdued sob would break from her bosom.
Her face grew whittier and whittier as the
moments rolled by, and the despairing
ache in her heart grew more intense. But
there was no relief. The cold was be-
numbing her body, while the pain was
rending her soul. Her reflections finally
grew so bitter and agonizing that she hid
her face in her apron and sobbed outright.
And there she sat and cried, and there he
sat and watched, true and faithful to the
last. And there Mr. Plumb found them
two hours and a quarter later when he
came home to dinner, and after a nervous
search for his wife Mrs. Plumb had to
be lifted bodily from the box and carried
into the house, her long position in the
cold having rendered her limbs almost
poWerlcss. She never had been so glad
to see her husband since the time when
Sunday nights were a specially with the
twain. but she could not look pleased,
she could not utter word. The pain In
her heart was too great. There was no
need of flying to the oven to see the bread
nor to lift the lids of the pots TO observe
the dinner. Everything in the way of
baking and cooking was manifest to the
most casual observer on entering the
kitchen. 1t was the event of Mrs. Plumb's
life. Her brown hair has become
snowy white, and her face looks ten years
older


Pinch is working in a brickyard for his
board.-Danb1tTy Neaos.
Year: 1877

The Committee on the Powers and
Duties of the House in Counting the Electoral
Vote had Louis kenner, of the Louisiana Return
ing Board, before them on the 27th: in reply to a
question why the fifth member was not elected


the witness said because of disagreement on he
part of the Board; of the returns of the cleo


ton had been destroyed as far as witness knew;
Mr.. Field showed witness a certain copy of the
returns of the Parish of Vernon, in which 17S
votes had been given fer Hayes, while in the
original returns two votes only were given to
Hayes; witness having been asked to explain the
difference, said that if any returns had been
thrown out he was not aware of 1t; 1t did not
take place while he was in the Board; Mr.. Field
directed the witness to look with a magnifying
glass at the original papers and find whether here
had been any erasures or alterations; witness,
after scruinizing the figures. said it looked as if
something had been done, as the figures had been
written over erasures. The Committee then took
recess. and the four members of the Louisiana
Returning Board were presented at the bar of the
House, and, in reply to question by the Speaker
as to what excuse he had to OTTER Mr. Wells stated
that two members of the Board had just arrived.
and asked time for conference to make their
swer. After some discussion, half hours time
was given, and the four witnesses retired for
consultation, and afterward made answer in
substance that in every one Of their acts
they had acted with the most sincere respect and
Difference to the dignity and authority of the
House and its Committee; that they had not
in law or in fact violated any privileges of the
House, nor rendered themselves in any way justly
amenable to be treated as In contempt of its
authority: they ted that until the full canvass
of the election in the State was completed con-
rinuous control of the papers was absolutely in
oispensable. and that the moment these duties are
ended all such papers regarded to be deposited
with the Secretary OF State: this was done on or
about the 5th of January, 1877, and the papers had
since remained there, without these witnesses
having any control over them; they declared that
neither of them knew of any fraudulent or
false returns on which they based their
action but that, on the contrary, in every
act and conclusion of theirs they acted to the
best OF their knowledge and according TO law
and right: they fur her said it was not in their
power to surrender the papers called for. A reso-
luton was then adopted by the House-145 to 81
Year: 1877

The Senate and House met in Joint
Convention in the Chamber of the House of Rep
resentatives on the let at noon count the Elect


oral vote and were called to order by the Presi-
dent of the Senate That official then said: - In
compliance with the law, the President of the
Year: 1877

The New York Words St. John N. F. ) cores spondent gives the following account of the capture of the monster deFil-tish which was recently washed ashore by d gale ol the Newfoundland coast, and which has since been sent to New York and plac- ed in theocity aquarium:

 "This wanderer of the deep was driven ashore in an exhausted condition at Cata- lima, on the northern shore of Trinity bay. When stranded it was still alive, but died soon after the ebb ef the tide, which left it high and dry on the beach. Two fisher men took possession of the treasure tr3ye," and the whole settlement gathered to gaze in astonishment at the monster. As soon as the news spread an eager desi:e to view the monster was awakened, and the fishermen were advised to exhibit it before the public. The Government granted the use of the drill-shed for the purt O. e, and on tae floor, supported by boards, the creature was laid out in all its gigantic proportions. The lucky fishermen reaped a golden harvest and found the big scuid by far the best catch they had ever madt :. When taken from the water the color of the squid was dusky red, but that has disappeared, and the body and arms are now perfectly white. There is the usual horny beak, the parrot-like mandbles which project from membraneous bag in the center of the mass which constitu- radiate. Certainly the idea of being clutch ed in those terrible arms, from which there could be no escape when once they had closed, and then torn and rent by the for midable beak, is enough to send shud- dering thrill through the stoutest heart. Looking at this creature, one can under stand that the wild tales told of krakens and other great cuttles in the Indian seas, through greatly exaggerated, had very substantial foundation in fact Posterior to the head were a pair of huge staring eyes, the sockets being eight inches in diameter. Their expression, when the creature was alive on the beach, is said by the fishermen to have been peculiarly fe- rocious. The governor, Sir John Glover, visited it, and declared that in all his heightened experience in Africa he had seen nothing half so wonderful. It is-very
Year: 1877



 The road to justice in TeXas is sometimes very short and attended with very little expense, as was Illustrated by an occur renee in Jefferson snort time ago.

 A gambler had bee bathing in the river in company with some others of his ilk, who had drivel1 down in an express wagon. Wishing to ride up to town he proposed that if they would take him up he would treat, an offer wh ch was accepted. When they reached the square they went to d saloon, had their drinks, and then the gam bier diseoeere. that he lack, d fifteen cents of having money enough to pay the bill. The barkeeper became quite noisy about the shortage, insisting that the drinks should not have been ordered until the purchaser knew the exact state of his cash account. The gambler remarked that he thought the barkeeper was making d-d sight of fuss about fifteen cents, and turned to Col Long, U. s. Commissioner, who was sitting at table, and asked him if he did not agree with him. He replied that he thought man should pay for drinks when he ordered them.

 Well" replied the gambler, 6 will be back in few minutes and settle this mat ter" an1 passed out.

 In less than five minutes he returned, and as he entered the door drew revolver fired at the barkeeper, striking him in the arm. He fired again tut missed the barkeeper, but the shot took effect in the shoulder one of his best friends. He then turned and fired at Col. Long, who was still sitting at the table, the ball entering his breast and lodging near the spinal column. Col. Long rose up, walked two squares to his home, laid down on bed and died III minute.

 After firing the three shots the gambler fled across the bridge into the timber in the bottoms on the west side. The yells of the barkee CT drew large crowd who at once started with policeman ill pursuit As they gained upon the murderer he turned and fired upon his pursue"s, which had a tendency to decrease their arder in the chase; but just then a cowboy mounted on a pony, rode up and told the policeman to give him his pistol and he would capture the man. The officer complied with hls request and the cowboy commanded the gambler to halt but the command was re- sponded to with shot. When the heT-dcr found himself within range he brought his pistol down with d jerk and fired with fatal effect. The gambler ran few steps and fell &ehd, and his pursuer coGlly rode up and dismounted, took the dead mans pis- tols and returned to town to learn that his victim had killed one of the best citizens of the city.

 saw the cowboy about 10 o'clock that night, and heard hlm remark that he thought the county ought 10 pay him five dollars anyhow, as he had saved it the eX- pense of a trial"- Cincinnatti Enquirer.
Year: 1877

Itis one of the anomalies which it
would take q imetaphy ysician to ex-
plain that while hall loaf is better
than no bread, . Continuous loaf is
to no bread. Just loaf for
few menths and see if it isn't.
Year: 1877

That the propensity to steal is inborn' In
some cases, there is not the shadow OF q
doubt though some people scout at the
disease Of kleptomsnia. A case OF this KIND
came within my own observation. A young
man was arrested for stealing, much to the
grief and horror of his friends, as he was a
church member in good standing. His con-
fession to his lawyer was curious. He said
that he had been in tho habit of stealing
everything whether he wanted it or not;
that he would 60 to prayer meeting, ana
sometimes on the way home he would be
inspired with a devotional feeling and would
kneel down in tho corner of the fence,
alone, and pray; he was sincere in his de-
,otions; yet, after season of prayer that
WAS sweet and heavenly to him, strange as
4 may seem, If he saw hoe hanging on "
srmsr's fence, or whifae-tree chain, or
pin Of cart neap, or abeetle and wedges or
an old axe half worn, he would steal 1t, ana
afterward il would occur to him that ne
could not use the articles, nobody would
buy them, and his only way was to conceal
them; and he remarked that there was
hollow log lying in small piece OF wood
In which he had secreted the articles which
he had stolen, because he dare not carry
them home, nor offer them for SALE. But Ii
seemed to him tkat he could not help steal
inc them; when the impulse came on it was
irresistible. Twenty-Five years ago ther'
vws well-to-lo farmers wife in CONNECTICUT
who had an impulse to steal only one kline
of article, and that was blue stockings Il
abe was driving, in the middle Of bright
afternoon, mile from home, where she ano
the horse and wagon were well known, and
she caught sight Of pair Of blue stocking
hanging On line in the yard with othel
clothing, she would stop her team, get out O.
tic wagon, 60 into the yard right in from.
Of the rooms where the family were work
ING, and jerk those stockings off the line
leaving dozen pair Of other colors, return
to her wagon, whip up the horse, and ge
out of the way. Il she had been strange
whose popularity was unknown, she woul'
have been followed and arrested and pun
ished; but everybody knew that she ha'
that queer monomania for blue stockings
Another case was that of minister, wh'
made confession to an intimate friend 0
this peculiar weakness. "An my lie lens'
he said, II have been tempted to steal' an


in nv parochiA visits often have An impuls
come over me to take something; and
left alone in room do take it; and som'
times it requires half an hour to fnd a CO..


venieu opportunity to get the article 'h'


taken out of my pocket and back upon II


shelf or table where it belongs. II may


she'll which every Sunday-sehool child


the parish knows; it may be an old hgr


book With . name written in it. and h


worn out-things which I do not need, al


could not use, If 1 did reed them, visho


the theft being detected
Year: 1877

The social and financial condition Of our
country is 30 unsettled as to be just cause
of anxiety to all thoughtful and patriotic
citizens. The origin of these troubles Is
very deep seated, and it will require great
deal of very patient investigation to ascer-
tain their real cause and apply an adequate
remedy.


We would, therefore, suggest that com
mission should be appointed to visit the
various cities throughout the country for
the purpose Of thoroughly investigating
this subject. They should inquire into the
cause of the deranged relations Of labor and
capital. They should ascertain how the
industry Of the country is affected by our
present internal revenue and tariff laws.
Some fixed and stable financial system
should be recommended for adoption by
the Government Some plan should be
devised by which the provision Of the
Constitution authorizing Congress to regu-
late commerce among the several States
could be carried into effect by regulating
the great through lines Of railroad.


The English Government, which has n
great deal of very wise and practical legis-
lation on these subjects, has obtained a
great deal of the information by which it
has been guided by means Of commissions
like that proposed above. The country
would, we doubt not, welcome the appoint
ment of such commission by the President
as an indication that he fully sympathizes
with the sufferings which the present busi-
ness depression has brought upon 80 large q
portion Of the people.
Year: 1877

1t will be seen from our telegraphic re-
port of the proceedings of the Ohio Repub-
iican convention that that body yesterday
unequivocally indorsed the policy of con-
ciliation and civil service reform adopted by
President HAYES This fact clearly indi-
Gates that the tide of public sentiment in
the North has turned. Henceforth the
President will daily grow stronger in the
confidence Of the people Of both sections
and the efforts Of evil-disposed persons will
be of no avail to prevent the reign of peace
and good will throughout the land.
Year: 1877

these days honesty is an important element
of character in winning popular support.
The Republicans Of the nation need not now
have any fears rs to the result in Ohio, for
Judge WEST will carry the State by an
overwhelming majority.
Year: 1877

Brandon Republican.


Quite a number of our State ex.
changes are in favor of convention
TO change the constitution. We
would like to see some change made,
but the expense would be to heavy
for our present financial condition.
The election of delegates, the hold.
ing of the convention. and the
ratification of the new constitution
would cost more than two hundred
thousand dollars. Let US get out
of debt first.
Year: 1877

A little Ottawa miss was taken
to church for the first time, after
being duly impressed with the me-
cessity that she should keep "as
still as q mouse" She behaved her,
self very we'll until the preacher
became warmed up to bis work,
and then thinking he was going too
far, she raised her finger. and look
ing straight al him, cried: See
here, don't you make so much
noise"
Year: 1877

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
New York Herald.


Had the republican leaders corr
daily accepted the policy of Presi~
dent Hayes. and worked in Jealous
concert with him, the republican
party even then might bot have been
saved. But whatever little chance
of life it had lay in discarding efete
issues and establishing a genuine
policy of official reform and indus.
trial reconstruction.
Year: 1877




BRAVE RESCUE.


Yesterday afternoon, as Frank Cook, q
boy about 10 years of age, was fishing on
the wharf at the foot of Orange street. his
line became caught, and in endeavoriDg
to pull it loose he fell into the stream
The water was quite deep. and the boy
being enable TO swim, would have been
drowned had it not been for the brave
action of Mr. James A. Plunkett, who
happened to be near by. Mr.. Plunkett
threw off his coat and boots and plunged
in after The lad, whom he siezed and
lifted into boat just in time 10 prevent
him from sinking the last time. The boy
was badly frightened, but he fortunately
sustained no serious injury, and was soon
able to proceed to his home on Wollaston
street, bet ween Seventh and Eighth.
Year: 1877

A farmer who cut and bound one
hundred aud thirty five acres Of grain
last year with SELF binder. u ing wire
bands, estimates, that the actual cost
tor wire is just thirty Eve cents an
acre. A man who has hundred acres
Of grain TO cut will save nearly the
cost Of the binder aud wire in on, sea.
son over hand binding