smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

The st. Lo;.is Academy of Sciences has
been throwing light upon the lightning
rod, concerning which, said Professor
Nipher, there are many popular delusions.
One is, that if one of two rods containing
IN equal amount of metal be followed out,
thus giving it Il greater expanse, its con-
ductive power would be greater than that
of the other. The truth is that they would
be equally AS good conductors. Another
erroneous impression which the Professor
proceeded to dispel was, that current of
electricity runs along the surface of a wire
In reality it extends through the entire wire
when the circuit is made. Mr.. Nipher said.
but when the circuit is closed, it accumu-
lates upon the surface of the conductor.
A strong point made was that lightning
rods do not attract lightning. They are
splended conductors, much better than
wood or air. and lightning strikes them
because they offer the least resistance to
the passage of the electric current. 1t
makes no difference whether point be on
a lightning-rod or not SO tar as the protec-
ton of buildings is concerned. The posi-
tive electricity in the earth will flow
along on the wire and accumulate at the
point, if there be one, making the tension
and the conducting power greater and en-
CHANGING the probability of lightning strik-
ing that rod in preference to another which
has no point but has the positive current
through il equally
Year: 1879

/ believe that writer's upon English
country-housc life always praise it--but
one privately meets many persons
IN England who confess to you that
they do not admire it as much as
it is admired in books. \ friend of
mine, who is never content unless his own
house is full. cannot abide going to the
houses of other people. An old lady. ex-
cessiycly fond OF society, assures me that
country-houscs are too social for her and
a young lady says that at the end of three
days spent in one of them she is quite ex-
hausted with the efforts to be agreeable.
Energetic people are perhaps less apt to
like them than quiet people The num-
bcr Of English people-and very social
people-who tell me that they do not COM
monty enjoy country-houses, would sur
prise me did not know that nothing is so
perfect that it will not be quarreled with,
and that half the grumbling is done to
make conversation. The excuses of peo-
pie to get away before the time appointed
for their departure are among standing
jokes. Yet it is doubtful if the most skill
full excuses of guests ever deceive hosts
who have been bored themselves and
who are profound critics of boredom.





point upon which the admires of coun-
try-house have said too much. | refer to
the vaunted liberty of country-houses.
They are beautiful they are charmingly
appointed; they are anything else you
like but they are not rs a rule, as free as
they are said to be. Things are made for
you to do. There is rowing on the lake,
there is lawn tannis, there is shooting at a
mark, drives and walks to various water
falls and other wonders of the neighbor-
hood. OF course it is open to you not to do
these things but you feel that it would be pc
cular and unsocial not to do some of them.
There is, indeed, a rigidity in those very
customs which are supposed of themselves
to mark the freedom of country houses.
The life seems to be characterized by en-
forced freedom. For instance. You must
wear a rough shooting-coat until dinner
time; you must wear Il ''billy-cockn had
except at church OH Sunday whed YOU put
on Il black coat and high hat. At break
fast, in some houses, you must pour ont
your own tea and help yourself from the
sidcboard These are peculiarites of
country-house life which makes it irksome
for you until you have got hold of the real
meaning of this life, and have grasped it
by the right handle e.-From "7hree Duys
IN Sussex "ScribRer for Mdy.
Year: 1879

This morning James Hanna was before
Acting Mayor O'Nsill, charged with.as
sault and batteryon Mrs. Sarah Mclingh
who keeps saloon at Eighth and
Church.


Sarah Mcllugh being sworn, testified
to the prisoner calling fora drink and
upon refusal, slapped her in the face,
but he was intoxicated when h- did
it.


Th. prisoner stated that he was in
the saloon drinking, and when they
had seen him spend the last cent the
whole crowd got after him.


Jane McIIugh, testified to her daugh-
ter calling her in the room, when the
prisoner attempted to kick her, but he
was prevented from doing so by man
who was present and who managed to
keep him from doing any harm. The
prisoner broke over dozen window
panrs.


The Acting Mayor stated that the
prisoner was one not fit to sell liquor to
rs the law does not allow any person
to sell liquor to a man like him, he not
being accountable for what he does.
The prisoner has been arrested frequent
ly aud the Mayor knew him. The wo-
man stated that she never sold him any
liquor.


The prisoner was fined 81 and cost.
Year: 1879

The reason which lies at the bot
tom of the general belief on the
continent of Europe that lightning
strikes the LOmbardy poplar tree in
preference to others is explained BY
Prof. Asa Gray, in the Fdrn9er and
Wecharaic. He says that green herb-
age and green wood-sappy wood
are excellent conductors of electrici-
ty. A tree is shattered by lightning
only when the discharge reaches the
naked trunk or naked branches,
which are poor conductors. An old
fashioned Lombardy poplar, by its
height, by its complete coming of
twigs and small branches, and their
foliage, bown almOs: to the ground,
and by its sappy wood, makes a cap
ital lightning-rod, and a cheap one.
Happily no one can patent it, says the
Professor, and bring it around it a
wagon and insist upon trying it on.
To make this unpatented conductor
surer it is advised that the tree
should stand in moist ground or near
water, for wet ground is a good con-
ductOr and dry soil a poor one.


The notion that eVergreens serve
not only the purposes of ornaments
tion and shade butaas protection
against lightning, is a very popular
one in this country, and many per-
sons believe that a dwelling or out
house surrounded by evergreens is
comparatively free from danger of
injury by lightning. The usual ex-
Planation given by advocates of the
evergreens as rods is that living ev-
ergreens present such an array of
minute points in their pointed foil
age, each of which is an attractor of
the electric fluid, that they imper-
ceptibly draw out this subtitle fluid
from the surcharged cloud, while the
resinous character of the evergreen
wood, from its being a nOn-conduc-
tor, does not admit the volume of
electricity, thereby endangering its
tissues, but causes the same to flow
down over the exterior surface of the
tree, in silence and unaccompanied
by danger, to the earth below.
Year: 1879

DRINKING PRoDUCEs APOPLExY.-
1t is the essential nature of all wines
and spirits to send an increased
amount of blood to the brain. The
first effect of taking glass of wine
or stronger form of alcohol, is to
send the blood there faster than
common; hence the circulation that
gives the red face. 1t increases the
activity of the brain, and it works
faster, and so does the tongue. But,
as the blood goes to the brain faster
than common it returns faster, and
no special harm results. But, sup
pose the man keeps on drinking, the
blood is sent to the brain so fast In
such large quantities that In order
to make room for it the arteries have
to enlarge themselves; they increase
in size, aud in doing so, they press
AGAINST the more yielding haccid
veins which carry the blood out Of
the brain, and thus diminish their
size, their pores, the result being
that blood is not carried to the arters
les of the BRAN faster than is natRF,
al or healthful, but it is prevented
from leaving it as fast as usual; hence
a double set of causes of death are


operation. Hence man may


-nough of brandy or other


few hours, or even min.


g on fatal attack OF


his is, literally, being
Year: 1879

For long time a lump has been
observable in the side of the jaw
of horse belonging to Superinten-
dent Osbiston, of the Gould and
Curry and Best and Belcher mines.
Yesterday a veterinary surgeon
made an incision, and to his aston
ishment brought to light a hard and
smooth stone, about two inches
long and one inch IN diameter.
The stone was of yellowish white
color, and apparently as hard as
marble. In order to make sure as to
the nature of the stone, Mr.. Osbis-
ton took it to q iewelry store and
had it sawed in two lengthwise.
When it was cut there was seen in
its center what had once undoubted-
Neen a grain of barley, half of


vas visible in each piece of


the grain looking


tri6ed. Around


tone had fo


DF gro"
Year: 1879

Long met Frank Gaddy on the road, and IN
alteration resulted about the right of way,
when Long drew a knife and inflicted
wounds from which Gaddy died. Long is q
Baptist preacher, and is now under arrest
Year: 1879

ine DeOt question IN virginia.
THE COLORED VOTE OF KING GEORGE COUNTY


SOLID FOR REPUDIATION.


KING GEORGE Co., VA.


Editor Star:-The "readjusters" majority in
this county of over 400 was just about the meas
ure of the colored vote, which was out in full
force and cast ''solidly" on that side. The white
republicans, almost to a man, sustained the
McCulloch settlement as being as favorable an
arrangement as could reasonably be asked, and
In leaving them the cOlored voters not only left
those who have heretofore stood by them to
their own personal disadvantage, but passed
over to the lead Of the very men who, by abuse
and all the 'sbull-dozing" that the degree OF
latitude would allow, have made their approach
to the polls at least uncomfortable Their vote
for readjustment meant reputation, and there
was no attempt to conceal 1T. 1t has been
preached into them by their preachers and har--
angued to them by ambitious cOlOred takers,
that the debt was created while they were
slaves, and while they stood as sort of securi-
" FOR its payment. and they were under no OBJ
legation to contribute to its liquidation, and
such Specious logic Ginning in exactly with
their desire not to pay, leaves but little ground
to expect that they will soon come to entertain
tunate state of affairs when those who own the
property and pay the taxes are debarred from
maintaining the honor OF the state by those who
have but small pecuniary interest In the mat
ter; and II In the future the color line is more
tightly drawn by those who mean to retrieve
the credit of the commonwealth II it be possible
the blame will have to lie with those who first
arrayed one color ''sOlid" in favor Of soph1stry
and dishonesty. OBSERVER.
Year: 1879

JUDGE SAMUEL F. RICE, Of Alabama, who wa :
an Independent candidate for Congress, on the
republican ticket In the Montgomery district
was recently In the city. He gave it as his opin
ion that If General Grant is a candidate befor
the republican nominating convention he viii
have the almost solid support of the delegate
from the south,
Year: 1879

PITTsBURG, Nov. 12.-Mrs. HOlStein, national
regent of the Valley Forge Memorial ASsicta-
ton, arrived in this city this morning. The
western division of the association will give her
a reception at the Monongahela House this
afternoon. Great interest is being taken In the
movement in this CITY,
Year: 1879

THE WALLACE-RANDALL FIGHT.-It Is appar-
ent that the Wallace wing of the democratic
party in Pennsylvania is not heart-broken at
the recent overwhelming victory OF the republl-
cans In that state. They charge the disastrous
result upon Randall and his followers who in
sisted upon taking hold Of the party machine In
Philadelphia One OF the most active and hith-
erto successful democratic managers of that
cfty-and devoted adherent OF Senator Wal
lace-sa1d yesterday: 1--WE could have held our
own In Philadelphia, and had arranged to do iC,
TOO. we could have nominated q city ticket
that would have been elected, but the Randall
men thought they could do better. They wanted
TO DO something to make Randall prominent
presidential candidate, and were not willing to
leave the party management in the hands
or men Who know how to elect ticket I'm
Philadelphia. So we Just let them have
their way and make their fight We knew from
the first what the end would be. They got
badly beaten, and hereafter they will let those
who can elect democrats to office have their
own way. Thousands of democrats didn't
vote. AS the Randall men undertook to man.
age everything we thought we would leave
fies nothing as to what will be the result next
year. The party will be thoroughly organized
and every vote will be brought out"


The opinion is quite generally expressed that
Mr.. Randall has weakened his chance OF re-
election to Congress next year, but II he stands
out OF the way of Mr.. WallaceS return to the
Senate-Or rather his effort TO return-it Is prob
able the latter will agree to help the Speaker to
again get his seat in Congress.


THE CONSTELLATION went to sea on Monday
for Europe, taking out a crew OF Officers for the
trenton. She will bring back the Trenton's
Year: 1879

A Vermont man has advertised a
card in the paper in his town, which
read: "SOme people have the vul-
gar habit of calling me Bill. That
Is not my name nor any part Of it,.
My name is William Parker. 1
forgive all past Offences, but if any
person ever calls me Bill after the
publication of this letter, 1 shall
take it as downright insult. and
just as much OF an insult as though
he had called me by any other hate.
full name that Is not my own.n
Year: 1879

The facilities of the HERALD Steam
Printing House for doing job work are not
surpassed In California outside OF San
Francisco and Sacramento. All work en-
trusted to US will be executed with neat
ness and dispatch at the lowest living
rates
Year: 1879

TIE POSTAL SEayicE-The rcfnrmers
in the house are showing greatercapacity
for common sense than any one expected.
Last We K when the postal bill was up for
consideration III committee of the wi.oie,
the appropriations for the various branch
cs Of mail service were increased to the
figures asked in the estimates submitted by
the department, and ii Is quite certain Ron
that parismony viii not be permitted t.
cripple the service. This is as it should
be- The people of this country want fire.
quent and fast mails, and they are both
able and willing 10 pay Tor what they want
The departmental authorities are as much
Interested as anybody in keeping expenses
within REASONABLE, bounds, and It is not
likely that they would ask for more money
than is needed to MAINTAIN the service ef-
iciently THIS being the case, their esti-
mates should be accepted by congress un-
less excellent proof is produced to show
that the amounts asked are eNhorbltant-
The old way of cutting down all estimates
from to % Ter cent IS wholly wrong We
cannot put a Quart OF milk in a pint cup,
and 1t is quite as foolish to undertake to
pay FOR dollars worth of wOrhn with
10 cents.
Year: 1879

The first controller of the treasury, IN
answer TO delegate Fenns enquiry respecting
the prospects OF an Increase over the ~ oO
per diem for members OF the legislature, says
that the reduction was not made hastily, but
after due consideration and reflection, and
can see no reason why the attorney general
should be asked for an opinion.
Year: 1879

THE GASSAcEs.-From Fort Hall we Learn
by private letter, that over 800 Banracks,
who left the reservation last summer, and
took to the war path, are ssh out and have
not came in for their regular rstlons. They
doubtless subsist Icy hunting on the head Wa
ters Of Snake and Salmon rivers where snow
peldom falls. Their rendezvous IS not exactly
known at prescnAhat there is little doubt
but we shall hearI. them when spring opens.
Year: 1879

Senator Christiancy was evidently not very
badly wanted in the senate chamber With
in an hour his nomination as minister was
submitted and confirmed, and his substitute
on leading committee was announced
This change means Zach Chandler returns
To the senate
Year: 1879

Their Republican, returns were always doctored
and counted while Democratic returns were scruti-
nized and rejected. Surprising this statement is
it is nevertheless true. and is substanated by the
oath of Mr.. Pshon the clerk who was ordered to do
the work. and who, acting under instructions direct
from the Council chamber, executed their COM
mands. Furthermore, returns have actually been
burned in the Council room and new ones manufac-
tured in the place without the faintest shadow
of legality have been substituted and counted. This
outrageous proceeding can be proved beyond doubt
by the oath of more than one person, who witnessed
the infamous proceeding. Standard,


Now let Pishon go one step farther and state
under whose instructions direct from the
Council chamber he acted. Let him state
the names of those who ordered this done, the
times when and under what Secretary of State.
The statement of Mr.. Chadbourne, Ex-Secre-
tary of State, in our columns this morning is
conclusive with all who know Mr.. Chadbourne
that such acts were not done under his admin
istration. Ex-Secretary Stacy can speak for
himself. We should like to hear from him.


The assertion of the Standard that records
shave actually been burned in the Council
room and new ones manufactured IN the same
place. is positively and solemnly denied by
Mr. Chadbourne. What does Mr.. Stacy know
about that? If such thing was done who did
it and when? Let us know the whole truth.


Besides the denial of Mr.. Chadbourne of the
charges alleged, there is the fact evident to
everybody that Republicans had no occasion
during the long term of years they had control
of the State government, to doctor or burn re-
turns as charged by Pishon and the Standard
They had a large and undoubted majority in
both branches of the Legislature in every year
from 1856 to 1876 They had no necessity to
count out men elected and count in others who
were not elected for the purpose of retaining
control of the State government. They had
the Legislature fairly, lawfully, and it is be-
yond the possibility of belief that they altered
returns or burned them as the newspaper Or
gan of the robbers at the State House asserts.


On the other hand, the conspirators engaged
in the attempt to steal the coming Legislature
had the most urgent need to "doctor" and
change their returns, and they have done it,
too They could not otherwise have accom-
plished their Job.
Year: 1879

TINS is what the Philadelphia Press has to
say concerning the theft in this State: The
men who have done this are criminals who de-
serve the highest punishment which the law
can inflict upon betrayal of trust. 1t is not a
question of partsanship; it is a question
whether we are longer to have government
to be regulated by popular elections or by
the infamous practices of deprayed and un-
scrupulous partisanship. No party ought to
survive the commission of such an outrage
upon popular rights.
Year: 1879

From the American Book Exchange, New
York comes volume of their Aldus edition of
Chambers Cyclopedia of English Literature. 1t
has been known for many years as a notably
complete and valuable work of its kind; and
the fresh editions which public demand renders
necessary from time to time, prove the lasting
worth of the Cyclopedia. The Aldus edition is
bound in half Russia, with gilt top and is well
printed on good paper, though the type is rath-
er small. But it is clear and readable; and the
amount of standard literature contained in this
volume, at the price of one dollar, is some
thing remarkable, even in these days, when
publishers emulate each other in placing good
literature within the limits of the popular
purse. The Cyclopedia is also printed in the
Acme edition, which differs from the Aldus
in paper, binding, etc., and is sold at two and
three dollars for the four volumes.
Year: 1879

voice. The New York Star condemns the
counting out and says: Eve sternly CON
denim every act which is intended to over
ride the will Of the people as expressed at
the polls. Such crime is doubly heinous,
because it not only deprives citizens of their
rights, but is deadly blow at liberty itself.
1t is Of the essence Of tyranny to count in
defeated candidates.O
Year: 1879

BosTon Herald: If the Governor and
Council of Maine had any doubts about the
effect of their swindling the people, the ex-
pressions of opinion coming in will settle
them. Even the believers in fiat money scout
the idea of fiat elections.
Year: 1879

IT seems that the Democrats are really in
earnest in pressing Garcelon for the Presi
dency. They admire man who has nerve
enough to steal a State. About the only OBJ
lection they ever had to Tilden was his fail
ure in that line of business in 1876
Year: 1879

His Majesty Myself is new volume of
Messrs Robertss No Name Series portland:
Loring, Short & Harmon) 1t is fine and an
unusual novel, with more scope and purpose
consistently carried out than is often the case
in fiction. The scene is laid in Princeton,
N j., and the characters are students in the
theological seminary of that town-not very
likely personnel for a novel, one would say.
Intellectual selfishness is the sin which the
story is written to denounce-the egotism of
the cold brain and Unconditional nature, the
worship of mind that leads to nothingness.
The lesson is well enforced; and the power
and originality of the story will win it much
praise. 1t is not precisely an attractive book,
but is one very well worth the writing and the
reading; novel that will do much good to
persons prone to overexalt the intellect; and
its decided literary merit will appeal to their
critical judgment. 1t is curious that novel
should require review from this standpoint
but its strength Of purpose demands that it
receive different treatment from the common
run of fiction.
Year: 1879

which he was the chairman. Mr..
Wilson is one of the ablest young men
of the State, One-armed Confederate
soldier, fearless, incorruptible and i'm
movable in what he regards as the
right. His labors during the session
of the present general assembly will
have great bearing upon future legis-
latiOn. His speech is unanswerable,
and it should have a wide circulation
among the people, that they at least may
have the opportunity of hearing both
sides of the question in which they
are so vitality interested. This speech
will be read with no common interest,
as it throws a food of light upon cir
cumstances which have been kept in
the dark, or totally misconstrued and
misrepresented.
Year: 1879

THE Greenbackers in Congress have
affiliated with the Democrats, just as
we expected, and the Greenback
papers have scarcely noted the fact.
The support given the National and
Greenback movement by Republican
organs and sympathizers, with view
Of splitting the Democratic party, is a
total and an ignominious failure. The
two old parties will fight it out as
usual in the next Presidential cleo
ton, and there will be no third party,
nor room for one, in the race.