smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

-Four years ago Edward Parker was a
freight engineer upon the Sacramento di-
vision Of the Central Pacific road, and,
once each day, dragging the lo g line of
loaded cars up the steep mountain side,
or with an equally long line sliding care
lessly down, he rounded the dreaded Cape
Horn. The up trip was safe enough, but
the return, with the immense weight and
momentum of score or more of heavily
ttaien cars combined to push the engine
onward, was dangerous indeed, and Par
ker knew it.


One morning in November, 1878, Par
ker started with his train from Truchee,
the station on top of the mountains, for
Sacramento. There were thirty cars to
draw, more than one half OF them loaded.
The train crew consisted OF fireman and
three brakemen beside himself.


As in the early dawn they switched from
the siding and moved out upon the main
line, the snow lay ten feet deep all about
them, while a heavy fog turned the tower.
ing trees upon either hand to gigantic
specters, and the overhanging rocks to
cloud-born castles, gloomy and grand.
But Parker cared little tor the beauty or
phantasmagoria of nature he knew that
before night, if all went well, he should be
in a land of fruit and flowers, and the
broad valley Of the San Joaquin would
spread in wide green beauty upon either
hand, while the soft air brought to him
delicious perfumes, and the snow-clad
mountains glistened in innocent purity far
behind SO great is the change from the
Sierra SUBMITS to the harpy California
below. Now, however, his only trouble
was the dense mist which filled the air,
choking even the engine, which wheezed
and coughed in clouds of half-condensed
steam, rendered it almost impossible for
him to see any distence ahead, or so far
behind as the caboose of his own train.
With great care, therefore he opened the
valves and slid down the ringing rails


The distance from Truckee to the Horn
is some sixty miles, and the day was al
ready half spent when, with every nerve
upon the alert, his head out Of the cab
window and his hand grasping the throt-
tie, Parker found his train at the summit
of the sleeper grade which would sweep
him around the the terrible cape, around
the double curve below, crossing the slop-
ing lrestle, and at last into the little
town OF c. II. Mills. Still the fog contin-
ued. As the rumbling cars passed one bv
one the point where the heavy grade
commenced, Parker, standing upon his
engine, could easily note the increasing
force with which he was urged forward.
until the entire train shot onward with
highly accelerate speed.


AT this point it was the duty of the
train hands, without warning from the en-
glneer, to set the brakes SO that before
, reaching the Horn the train would be
, moving at not more than six miles per
j hour. But upon this dreary morning this
duty was not performed, the brakes were
'inot set. AS this fact aased acoss Parker's
Year: 1878

People who cross City Hall square at
night have noticed a little old woman
dressed in an old brown gown, tight
sacque, and white frilled cap scrupu-
lously clean. She walks the square from
9 P. NJ. till past midnight, to and fro scan
ming every mans face, land after many dis
appointments every night goes slowly,very
late, up to her home in Mulberry street.
About four years ago John Reilly, her
husband, was employed in the press-room
of the Herald. About 9 O. clock every
night he met his wife, who brought down
his lunch and carried back the dishes.
One cold dark night he did not meet her,
ani as she did not know the way
way to the press-room, she waited some
time and then went home. In her room
she found his dead body upon the bed.
He had been killed by the falling of roll
of paper. She did not die, though she
was near dying, and she still waits every
night to meet her husband. Winter and
summer are alike to her, and no weather
delays her though she sixty years of age.
-Ne7o York Wotzd
Year: 1878

1t is those born in America who are
ignorant and idle. Il is the false notion
that man does need to labor, or that he
can get his living by his wits, that causes
large part of our idleness and distress
Begin at once to learn something no
matter your age, learn some practical
pursuit at once.
Year: 1878

Russian marriages are generally arranged
through priests A we'll bred bridegroom
must present gift to monastery and an
other to his parish church; the bride,
through her friends, is expected to clothe
some stature of virgin with gown Of
silver brocade, enriched with more or less
jewels, according TO the piety ofthe doner;
and in some barts of southern Russia she
adds a gift or two white doves to the Pope,
which looks rather like a relic of the wor-
ship of Venus. The consent Of parents is
necessary for marriage until the age of
thirty-si in the case of men; but young
people are at liberty to appeal to the civil
authorities if consent be arbitrarily with
held. In this event the parents are called
upon to show reason for their refusal. The
reason must not be mercenary, unless one
of the young people be heir to landed
estate; then the question is referred to
Marshal of the nobility in the district,
whose decisions are based upon expedien-
cy rather than upon fixed principles
These appeals are rare, because the Rus
slams are marrying people and dispose
of their children early In the middle
and lower classes men marry at 20 when
not drafted by the conscnption. In the
higher aristocracy young man goes the
"grand tour" before settling down, but
he is often betrothed before starting to a
young lady not yet out of the school-room.
There is no country that has SO few old
maids as Russia. When girl has reached
the age of Is without finding a mate, she
generally sets out on what she calls pill
grimage if poor, on round of travels if
rich, and IN either case she turns up some
years later as a widow Widows are as
plentiful as old spinters are scarce, and
widows whose husbands were never seen
are more numerous than the rest Ell
quette forbids illusions to a lady's dead
husband in her presence, and this is some
times convenient When a couple are
engaged, betrothal feast is held, and the
bride elect has lock Of her hair cut off
i'll the presence Of witnesses and given to
the bridegroom, wfo in return presents a
silver ring set with turquoise and, al
mond cake and gif. of bread and salt
From this moment the two are plighted;
nor can the relatives break the match ex-
eept with theconsent Of the parties them
selves, which signihed by a return Of the
ring and lock of hair. So much impor-
tance is attached to the ring that among
poor people who cannot afford silver and
turquoise, tin and bit of blue stoae are
substituted. These betrothal rings are
kept as heirloom S, bat must not be made
to serve twice-a son cannot give his bride
the ring which his mother received, for
instance, though why this should be SO is
a mystery which the clergy, who sells the
ring, could best explain. On the wedding
day the bride comes to church dressed in
white; but it is only among the highest
classes that the bridal costume is entirely
white, and that wreath of orange flower
blossoms is used.
Year: 1878

A very useful article in house


where there is family of children,


is q blackboard. 1t might he put


up in the dining-room, which is


always warm, and it would be


found extremely handy. The little


ones will learn to form letters, make


pictures and write, and viii get a
good deal of both profit and enjoy
ment at very small cost. A pint
of liquid stating will make about
ten good blackboards yard square.
To make the stating, take pint of
alcohol, two ounces shillac, two
ounces lamp black, and half an
ounce of rotten stone. Mix the
first two and let them stand over
night; then stir in the others, and
stir well before using. Apply with
common paint brush either to
smooth wall or to board. Common
black paint for blackboard is no
better than boot blacking. All
the blackboard material on the
boards in our school rooms is made
as above. All the ink used there
is made as follows: To five gal
Ions of hot water add half pound
extract of log-wood, one ounce of
chromate and one ounce of prussi-
ate potash. This ink costs about
six cents q gallon.
Year: 1878

Hungary is to have the deepest
artesian we'll in the world, but the
people of Hungary will never know
the bliss of drinking well water
from an old dipper with the handle
broken off.--Free Press.


But what good would your old
dipper be to Hungary man.
Philadelphia Bulletin.
Year: 1878

III 49, Asis not easily earned in those timcs.
VI but il can be made in three months
MI by any one of either SEX in any
su part of the country, who is willing
y TO work steadily at the employment


we furnish. s66 per week in your
own town. You need not be away from home
over night. You can give your whole time TO the
work, or only your spare moments We have
agents who are making over 600 per day All
who engage at once can make money fast AT
the present time money cannot be made 40 easily
and rapidly at any other business IL costs MOTH
ing 70 try the business. Terms and as outfit free
Me. siiyi.
Year: 1878

A pot Of lard exploded at Kings
ton the other day, and lean wo-
man Immediately got fat. She got
it all over her, from head to foot,
and looked as if she had just TAX
en- trip to Greece.-Norristown
Hanrld
Year: 1878

wAsmxoroS, Feb "a, 1878.
PROSPECTS or THE SILVER BILL-TENoR OF


THE VETO MESSAGE FoREsHADowED.


The chances OF tho Silver bill becoming Law have
boen generally and widely discussed to-day The
House will undoubt tedy and by considerable major
uty pass the bin the veto. The Senate is not
equally certain. The vote is very close there and
change would beat the bill The bill goes
10 tho President afternoon. There Is somc
reason to believe that the veto will not be long delayed


The Message will probably show thar for the pur-
pose OF getting silver INTO the currency, tho Dill Is
useless and that defeats tho desires OF those who
honestly wish the silver dollar to become part OF the
circulating medium OF the country and ought to be op
posed by sincere silver men; that It wantonly and
uselessly nnicts a stain the national
credit and good name and that its eff
iscts, beyond this will be only to give a
further shock to confidence. still greater busi
ness deran IN ents and intensity tho suffering OF the
country without in fact bringing silver into general
prcuiation IL is possible that the Message will
advocate bi-mctallsm and tho re-cstabhshment
Of silver the broadcast basis as the
equal OF gold in the currency, but Will ex'
plain that IL is impossible for. ono nation to
accomplish this without the consent and cooperation
OF at least two Others and urge that the ques
tiou of general remonetzation must necessarily be
loft to the results OF international conference, In
which representatives Of the United States shall
be the advocates OF silver, and that, meantime, as
.the min,s can coin in year only very limited
quantity of dollars, Congress shall authorize
the coinage OF $2oO 900 even $4o.ooo.Ooo
as subsidiary coin to issued In exchange for legal
tenders to be legal tender to the amount OF s25
or $780, but not for the payment OF interest on tho
bonds; that such act would really bring silver
dollars into use and that in a manner which would
iea7e II optional with the people to use them not.
and thus conduct what is, as all prudent men admit
very grave experiment with caution betting it,
importance
Year: 1878

SOME OF our young boOds have about
all they can do killing grouse now days.
One morning last week (atter few prev
ious mornings being unsucceSstully spent
in the same way a party Of four of them
treed a poor lone grouse that had evident
ly been ailing for long time with the liver
complaint and bronchitis. Well, just be-
fore their ammunition gave out, a stray
shot actually brought down the game. 1t
would have done any ones soul good to
notice the elsted and triumphant look
which illuminated the features Of those
boys when they returned to town.
Year: 1878

The California on her last trip from
Portland put of at this place two large
tanks, intended for the Hoko Salmon Can
nery, at Clalam Bay. They were made in
Portland, and are strongly constructed.
We are gratitied to note that our fishing
interests are succeeding so well. And
those who have had the business courage
TO first embark in the enterprise, are not
only deserving Of success financially, but
of much credit for the stimulation they
have given to this industry.
Year: 1878

On Saturday morning last, the body OF
a man was picked up floating in the bay
II hundred yards or SO above the outer end
of Union Wharf Coroner Dalgardno
held an inquest after it was towed ashore,
IN the course of which it WAS identified as
nearly as possible as the body Of the fire
man White, belonging to the tug Blakely,
who fell overheard while trying to walk 4
plank at the end Of the wharf one night
about a month ago. 1t is supposed the
hOdy got entangled among the piles under
the wharf which kept it from coming to
tine surface before.
Year: 1878

OUR town is NOW safe, for Baron RothS-
child has returned from San Francisco
and is as busy ~ two bees. The firm has
purchased very extensive assortment Of
goods, comprising the best and latest
styles of clothing, ladies' dress and fancy
goods. They have received the largest
stock of fine carpets ever brought to the
market. which they are determined to sell
below any former figures Offered to the
Sound people, Their stock of groceries is
excellent, being just from the factory,
fresh and good. This house has purchased
such Il large stock that they are determined
to sell at low figure.
Year: 1878

WE learn that Mr. +. A. Huffman, for
mer principal OF the public school at this
place, has improved very much in health
and is expected to leave the East Tor this
place, some time during the latter part Of
the month. when lie will take charge Of
the school here again. He will be well
coined back again by many friends.
Year: 1878

BUSINESS seems to be suffering consid-
erably just now; bnt with prospective
new enterprise and the conditiOnally
promised disbursement OF so much money
in our midst, there will doubtless soon be
\ powerful reviving influence at work.
is long way off yet.
Year: 1878

DIR. n. ID HILL is heautifying his
residence by building fine portico on the
front and side OF the same. The paint
and whitewash brushes are doing good
service in many parts Of the town, and
is the order of the day,
Year: 1878

IFyou are out walking aud want to make
her smile tor week just coax her to take
peep at the beautiful flowers blooming
in the garden of Mr., James Smith OF this
place. 1t is indeed lovely sight.
Year: 1878

HOMFwARp.


The day dies slowly in the western sky,
The sunset splendor iades, and v an and cold
The far peaks wait the sunrise cheerily
The goat herd calls his wanderers to their fold


My weary soul, that iain would cease to roam,


Take com Ort evening bringeth all things home.
Homew ward the swiit-winged gull takes its flight
The ebbins tide bresks softly Un the sand
The rcd-sailcd boats draw sLUrewafd Tor the night
The shadows deepen over sea and land


lie stlll my soul, thine hour shall also come,


Behold, one evening, God shall lead thee home.


Popular opinion is the greatest lie in the
world. Carlyle.


Never despair but ii you do, work ON in
despair Burke.


Our dead are never dead to us until we
have forgotten them. Geo. Eliot.


When We know how to appreciate = merit,
We have the germ of it within ourselves
[Goethc.


The ordinary employment of artihce is the
mark of a petty mind and 1t always hap
pens that he who uses it to cover himself IN
one place uncoyers himself in another
[Rocheioucauld.


The happiness of your life depends upon
the quality OF your thoughts. therefore guard
accordingly, and take care that you entertain
no notions unsuitable TO virtue and unreason-
able to nature Marcus Antonius.


have known vast quantities of nonsense
talked about bad men not looking you in the
face. Don't trust that conventional idea.
Dishonesty will stare you out Of countenance
any day III the week II there is anything to
be got 10y it Dickens.


Remember that the secret stddies of an
author are the sunken piers upon which is to
rest the bridge of his fame, spanning the
dark waters of oblivion. They are ont of
sight hut without them no superstructure
cand stand secure Loneiellow.


However early in the morning you seek
the gate OF access. you find it already open
and however deep the midnight moment
WHEN you find yourself in the sudden arms
of death, the winged prayer can bring an in
stant Saviour near and this wherever you
ale-T Hamilton.
Year: 1878

The Catholics are making arrange
ments to erect a church this spring, be
fore the seaside season opens at Ocean
City, Md. The edifice is to be substan.
tial and elegant and is to be paid for as
soon as finished. A large number of the
people from Baltimore who visit Ocean
City during the summer are Catholics,
and quite a large congregation would
worship at the chapel if built. The Bal
timore folks have promised to assist in
paying for the erection of the building.
Year: 1878

The seventh annual ball of the Buffa-
10 Library Association takes place this
evening, at the Institute Hall. 1t is in
tended by the members that this ball
shall not only eclipse their former, but
shall be the largest one given in this city,
this season. The room will be hand
somely decorated, and no efforts spared
by the committee oa arrangements to
make all who attend enjoy themselves.
The grand march will take place short
ly after 0 o'clock.
Year: 1878

IL will therefore be seen from the above
figures that the earnings of the steamer


were largely augmented each year.
These receipts were mainly from pas


senger travel, a very small percentage


being freight, as most of The freghting at
That time was done by sail packets, The
fare between Lewes and Philadelphia


was only So, 1t is now 81.
Year: 1878

and made furious attack upon the bar
racks.


Oriondo Bayos and Luguia were at the
house of the first, but, when they heard the
row, rushed from the house and crept down
back street to the church, the iron door OF
which being opened to them by a priest,
they quickly clambered up stairs and took
refuge behind the parapet of the aScotea.
where, in much trepidation, they awaited
the result of the fight.


Allover the city fighting on through
out the night and the next day, both in the
streets and on the flat tops of houses; but
gradually and surely the fire of the REM
ingtons drove the rebels from their posi-
tions, and finally after fifty-five hours
struggling, they fled from town, leaving
twenty-one killed and forty-eight wounded
behind. Nine soldiers were killed and sew
eral wounded.


The leader of the rebels, Iturrashe, was
shot through both legs and was saved only
by the devotion of his followers, who bore
him off helpless from the strife.


When all danger was over Gov. Oriondo
left the friendly shelter of the church roof
parapet and took the command. All the
Insurgent dead were carried off and inferred
in ditch
Year: 1878

The Board met in regular session, all the
members present and President Bell in the
chair


Three dozen wooden chairs were ordered
for the music stand at Burnet Woods Park.


Leave of absence was granted to j. :,
Reynolds for three days and to VIM. Kir-,
ton for two days.


The Committee on Grades and Improve
ments were directed to contract with Henry
Dickinan for three thousand cubic yards Of
earth to be dumped on Mclean ayenue,


The Sewerage Engineer was directed to
abate the nuisance at Freeman and Liberty
streets forthwith.
Year: 1878

National Associated Press to the Star


BALTIMORE, May 29.-The opening of the
Maryland Musical Festival last night at the
Academy of Music was a most fattering
success, and was attended by most fash
ionable and brilliant audience The Or
chestra numbered sixty performers and was
surrounded by a chorus of three hundred
voices, ss-
Year: 1878

him, and asked permission TO win
Lee for his wife. The young man
was rich and a gentleman, SC
there could be no objection to him
and with pain in his heart that
few can ever feel, he gave his con.
sent.


Then for once he laid down
brush and colors, and sat gazing
out of the window with eyes full
of stern sadness, and lips closely
compressed.


His love was no light thing. 1t
filled his heart and life. He had
never loved any woman before,
and thought he would rather Lee
was dead than the wife of another.


Dusk came on, ard Lee Hens
Ice sat in the warm, dimly lighted
library, thinking so deeply that
she did not hear her guardians
step nor was she conscious Of his
presence till a deep voice said


What arc you thinking of Lee,
that you shold look so grave?'


OF the Christmas eve six years
ago, when l asked gentleman
for q penny and he gave me e.
home


Unsuitable thoughts for this
evening"


why p


why haven't you just sent
Ralph Hawthorne away distract
edly happy, with tho promise of
this little hand?' touching the
slender white fingers toying rest
lessly with the leaves Of a book
lying on the table by her side.
you see [ heard him leave just
now, and have come down to offer
nv congratulations


is quite unnecessary


'Whatlyou haven't refused'him?'


Yes


what are your reasons? He is
rich and handsome.'


Il didn't love him.


xThat is not necessary in this
progressive age


DO you want me to marry, Mr..
Danforth p


Yes smiling.


lice, come here


The words BROUGHT her back to
where he stood leaning against
the mantle piece. Lifting her
eoca in h;s hands Rex said:


swas that the only reason you
rejected Ralph ? l do want you
70 marry. Lee. but not him or any
ono else hpt vour guardian. Lee,
Lee. nv dear little girl, thought
this evening that 7 had lost you
fovaver hut 7 hayn't. nv darling
houor%


sOb M,


Ho folded her close, and with
Year: 1878

General Gibbon, of the army, has
written very pointed letter to Bound
ing Banning, the great army reducer,
In regard to the Misrepresentation
made in the recent speech of Ban
ning's regarding the reduction of the
army. In his letter he says: In
your general statement that our army
is over officered, you state the ratio at
about one officer to eleven, but in sup
porting your statement by referring
to the muster rolls of the army you
select special cases, and by means of
them make the facts to appear even
worse than they are, and then say
that this simple statement of the con-
dition of our army, under its present
organization, presents an uuanswera-
BILE argument in favor of reorganiza-
ton. To make the dispropOrtion be-
tween the officers and men greater
you enumerate noncommissioned Off
GERS with officers, forgetting or ignor-
ing the fact that every one of the for
| mer and most of the latter are soldiers
with rifles in their hands, who per-
form exactly the same duty In an In
dian fight as a private soldier 1t
seems that Banning took Gibbons
regiment, the Seventh Infantry, as an
example in his speech to prove the
truth Of his assertion, and took its
muster-roll at date Immediately af-
ter its fight with the Nez Perces In
dians last summer, in which fight
about one-half the regiment were
either killed or wounded. General
GibbOn goes on to say: IF gentle
man like yourself, occupying the
high and responsible position of Chair
man of the Military Committee of the
United states House of Representa-
tives. spreads broadcast over the coun
try such partial statements as these,
giving only one.side of the question,
and representingithe depleted condi-
ton of the Seventh Infantry as the
result of our defective organization,
Instead of being as it was, the imme-
diate effect of severe Indian battle,
how is it possible for the people of the
United States to gain knowledge of
the actual condition of the army? l
know of no better way than for those
who are cOgniZant of real facts, to
adopt the same plan that you have
made use of, and make an appeal
through the public press of the coun-
try, and d.every fair-mind ded man, am
sure, will see the absolute necessity
for what is termed an open letter,
since If L were to write to you a closed
one, it would never see the light,
simply because it contains matter
which, as a lawyer. you must con-
denim as not on your side of the ques-
tion.'