smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

THE BABY AT SCHOOL
The baby has gone to school, ah mel


What will the mother do,
With never call to button, or pin,


Or tie little shoe?
How can she keep herself busy day by


day,


With her little "hindering thing" away.
Another basket to fill with lunch,


Another "good-by" to say,
And the mother stands at the door to see
Her baby march away;
And turns with sigh that is half relief
And half, something akin to grief.
She thinks of possible future morn


When the children, one by one,
Will go from their home out into the world
To battle with life alone,
And not even the baby left to cheer
The desolate home of the future year.
She picks up the garments here and there,
Thrown down in careless haste;
And tries to think how it would seem


If nothing were displaced;
If the house was always still as this.
How could she bear its loneliness?
But mothers have no time to dream


Of future griefs or joys;
She's very sure that night will bring


Home hungry girls and boys,
So casting useless fears away,
She labors cheerfully all day.
Year: 1877

The fear of military service
in France often leads conscripts
to employ various ingenious de-
vices to escape from their tolls.
A conscript not long ago, ac-
cording to one Of the French
papers, feigned paralysis of the
right arm. After all other
means were exhausted to ex-
pose the fraud, it was proposed
to amputate the useless limb, in
the hope that rather than be
manned for life the malinger
would confess that he was
shamming. He was according
ly conducted to the operating
room, where there was made an
imposing display of the requis-
ite Instruments. The tourni-
quet was applied, the knife was
in the hand of the surgeon but
still the conscript did not finch;
andit became necessary to in
vent some excuse for not pro-
ceeding with the amputatiOn.
This was done by directing his
removal to a neighboring hos
pital. To get there a river had
to be crossed, and it was ar
ranged with the attendant that
at given signal the conscript
should be pitched into the riv-
er. The scheme was carried
out, and the unfortunate con-
script suddenly found himself
compelled eitherto sink or swim.
For some time he managed to
keep himself above water with
his left arm; but at last he gave
in, and struck out manfully with
his right arm to save his life.
Year: 1877

From the HoughtOn Mining Gazette.


Harry Odgers, a miner from
Truro, Cornwall, England, ar
rived in Michigan about five
years ago. AT home he loved
the only daughter of an inn
keeper, to whom he proposed
marriage, but was rejected
Two years ago Harry, who was
employed at the Delaware mine,
met with an accident by which
he lost his. eyesight. The news
of his terrible misfortune didn't
reach the ears of his Truro
sweetheart until recently. She
thought of the man who once
told her he loved her, and her
woman's heart softened. She
wrote to a friend in Keweenaw
county, and in. time got a histo-
ry of his condition and the sad
plight he was in on the distant
shore of Lake Superior. The
other evening quiet little wo-
man arrived on the stage from
DAnse, and before many hours
she was at the house where the
blind and MANNED miner was.
She had come to take Harry
back to England, without any
fuss or noise, and if he'll allow
her, she intends to care for him
as his wife the rest of his DAYS.
Year: 1877




Don't work too hard. Don't
work SO hard that you can't go
home at night and jaw around if
supper isn't ready, and have
strength to kick things around,
and get up after supper feeling re-
newed strength aud go down town
and play billiards till one o'clock
and come home and sleep till nine.
No, don't work too hard. 1t is
best to have little pleasure as
well as work in the world be-
sides, work breaks down the con-
stitu,ion.
Year: 1877

A gentleman, residing in a
neat, modest cottage in the sub
urbs, caught a tramp prowling a.
bout his back yard, evidently try.
ing to steal something "Why
don't you come to the front door
if you want anything indignant
ly roared the proprietor. "That's
what was looking for" was the
impudent reply. "Didn't you see
it on the other side of the house?"
retorted the gentleman. "How
was I to know that was the front
door? No silver door plate, no
bell, no telephone, no statuary,
no servant to take your hat and
cane. Tell your boss there is a
gentleman out here who is wait
ing for his breakfast. When
the gentleman got back with his
shotgun, the tramp was not there
any more.
Year: 1877

From the Nashville Banner.


The first court of the Indc-


pendent Order of Foresters Or


ganized in Tennessee, occurred


on the 9th of February, 1877.
Since that time the Order has


been steadily on the increase in


this city, new members coming
in by the score every meeting
night. Though there have been
no new courts formed since, yet
there are two now getting ready


to organize in the city, and one
or two are in progress Of form
ing in our sister city, Edgefield.
The Order is several years old,
and is in fine condition, both
financially and in the way of
membership. Within the past
two years over one hundred
thrifty working courts have
been formed, and still more are
forming, and to-day the Order
of Foresters is said to stand
second to no other Order in A
merica. The question is often
asked: "What is Forcstry?"
We are informed by a member,
that it obeys the laws of our
land and respects the flag which
gives it Liberty. II is an Or
ganization of men banded to-
gether for the mutual protection
of each other, to aid each other
in obtaining employment; to
relieve the distressed, care for
the sick, bury the dead, COM
fort the mourner, protect the
widow and educate the orphans
Of deceased brethren. In unit
ing with Forestry, no man COM
promises his sect, party or creed,
as it does not enforce creed
in religion or code in politics;
hence the portals are thus open
to all; and all who can should
avail themselves Of the oppor-
tunity of thus providing for
their widow and orphans the
great benefit which the order
offers. Upon the death of a
member in good standing, his
widow, children or next of kin
receives one thousand dollars,
and the death assessment is OIL
ly ten cents, making it one of
the most economical endow-I
ment plans in the country.
Weekly sick benefits are al
lowed, as also a physician and
medicines free. The order is
very favorably known in the
North and West, and is now
spreading rapidly in the South.
Year: 1877

A Judge in West Texas on
taking the bench one morning,
directed the Clerk to read the
minutes, when bis honor was in.
formed there were no minutes to
read, that his honor was drunk
the day before and no court was
held. WhereupOn the Judge or
dered a fine of $25 to be entered
up against himself, which was du-
ly paid.
Year: 1877

"Stonewall" Jackson was one
of the most courteous men imag-
Unable. His wife says "He new
er passed a lady on the street,
whether stranger or not, without
raising his hat. One thing l re-
member of him, he never looked
into a room that he happened to
pass when the door was open
not even my own"
Year: 1877

The Rome Sellinel man re
marks that children are sent into
the world to teach US how lovely
angels are; but when Il man finds
himself pasted to the seat OF a
chair by piece Of spruce gum he
never thinks of this.
Year: 1877

turned to his seat, and when he next spoke,
it was, to address some trivial and convention
al question to her in the most formal Of
tones. Geraldine inwardly repented of her
hasty movement, but was too proud to en-.
deavor to conciliate him. She assumed as
distant manner as his own, and breakfast
passed off uncomfortably and stifay enough,
neither of them making much effort to sus-
tain a conversation. When it was over, the
Earl took up his hat, remarking that out
door business demanded his attention, but
that he would probably return by one o'clock
"We shall then have luncheon" he continued,
"aud in the afternoon, if you please, I will
take you either to ride or to drive, aa you may
fancy, and show you something Of the place.
In the meantime, hope you will not find
you. solitude very irksome. There are books
of every sort and description in the library,
and you will find in my table drawers = port
folio of engravings which may amuse you.
Remember that you are at home in every
part of the house, and at liberty to explore
everything. I only regret that you are out
of the reach of agreeable society, but here we
are, unfortunately, almost completely seclu'
ded from the world"


II care very little for society" replied
Geraldine, land with entertaining books for
my companions, desire nothing more"


"That is fortunate" was his lordship's re-
ioinder. II shall feel the less compunctioni in
leaving you alone. Adieu, then, until the
afternoon" He opened the door as he spoke,
and went out into the hall but almost i'm.
mediately returning, approached her as she
stood near the window, lightly kissed her on
Year: 1877

had no intention of becoming suppliant for
his affection. Nor did she care to win his af-
fection-at least, so che told herself, resolute-
" forcing down the swelling at her heart.
All her life, she had lived without love- It
was late for her to begin to crave it now.
Here, in this luxurious home, she could sure
ly find enough to occupy her time and awaken
her interest, to drive away ennui and keep
her from foolish, sentimental thoughts. She
would read, practice, walk abroad and visit
the poor, finding her happiness in dispensing
charity and comforting the needy; and when
it was her husbands pleasure to have her
with him, would endeavor to prove herself an
agreeable companion, and to demonstrate by
her cheerfulness. that she was perfectly con-
tented and happy in her isolated position.
When his friends we're invited to the castle,
she would receive them with the dignity be-
fitting her new rank and the courtesy due to
them as his guests, giving him no cause to ind
fault with the manner in which she filled her
post and presided over his household. She
would, in short, conscieutiously discharge all
the duties of her sphere. and putting aside all
thoughts of other joys, seek only the appro.
val of her own conscience as the highest re-
ward in life. Desiring nothing more, she was
armed against disappointment. Caring for
no one, it mattered not that no one cared for
her, or was likely ever to do SO. ..


And yet? .-... ... -.... ....


All! Geraldine, why those sorrowful tears
bursting forth, despite your efforts, despite
your brave resolves? Why those deep sobs
as with bent head and face concealed, you
wrestled with some inward anguish, piercing
your very soul? Was it some memory of BY
Year: 1877

Vote for the S531, 600 StateHou appropria-
ton, and against the $500, COO county bonds, next
Tuesday.-Erening journal.


The safer course is to vote against both.
There is no particular hurry or necessity for
finishing tie ornamental and fresco work
on the State-House- It can be postponed
until JAKE BUSs's Board of Extrayn-
gance and 3Iismanagement, who have al-
ready squandered n million of dollars on
the work, shnll tender their designations,
and step down and out. The Legislature
last winter would have abolished the office to
get rid of those barnncles, had it not been
that their whitewashers on the floor prom
ised the gang would resign on or before the
1st of July, 1877, which they have not done.
They are holding on for the purpose of
handling the little half million extra The
best thing the people can do is to vote
against the ta1, and keep the cash in their
own pockets until that squandering Board
are forced to resign and get out Of tbs way.
They will sare money By so doing.
Year: 1877

The Hon ToN EWING Is having rather q
hnrd time with the pettifoggers Of the House,
who' harine stuck his bill for the repeal of
the Resumption act into that self-adjustinp
steel-trap known as *sthe morning hour. :"
a-e laying an kinds of parliament
aly stumbling blocks in the way
OF passing the measure. Friends Of
tie bill entertain hope or two that to-
morrow they will develop enough strength to
secure q suspension Of the rules, and start
the measure on its final passage with all sails
set and colors nailed to the mast. DISPATCHES
indicate that these hopes are groundless. and
that the bill is doomed to burial in that nm
fortunate pit known to its friends as literally
the mourning hour"
Year: 1877

relieve them, but only give that additional
fund over to plunder.


These are the conditions surrounding the
proposed issue. AS we have said, IN assur.
ance Of Reform government would suggest
the voting of the bonds, because they would
then serve to reduce taxation but the dan
ger that the Democrats may elect part OF
their ticket in the city should caution doubt
full voters to oppose the issue, as it would not
reduce ta1ation under Ring government out
only pile up the material for official robbery.
Under these circumstances, every citizen who
has any reason to suspect that the city Will
not go Republican by d majority large
enough to carry through all Of the comm's-
sioners will find it more prudent to vote
against the bond issue, in order that the
County Board shall be limited at least to the
lawful tex-levy.
Year: 1877

The Medical Inspector of the South Di-
vision has submitted to the Commissioner Of
Healt.4 q report upon the purity Of the milk
supply of this city which should ut once en-
gago the attention of the municipal au:hori-
ties The report, which was printed in our
last issue, sets forth the results of detailed
Investigations of several samples of milk
from several stores, hotels, and other sources
of supply, as compared with pure milk.
"It is shown" says the report, t. that Of all
the product sold as milk, 23 per cent, or
nearly one-fourth, is added water; second,
that the milk has been deprived Of 4G.7 per
cent, or nearly one-llalf Of its cream; third,
that only 20 per cent, or one-fifth, of the
supply is genuine milk" This evidently
refers to the average supply. The Medical
Inspector might hive gone still farther in
his lacteal Investigations, and he would have
found milk SO villainously adulterated-
drawn from COWS that never see an open
field Of grass through the summer-as to be
almost directly poisonous.


The shameful fraud practiced in the milk
supply of Chicago is not new one. 1t has
cOul8 up pe44oultt1A45 AL tAo Aho1 1"cAe]
years, and it has been proved over and over
again that adulterations of all sorts are
openly practiced, and yet nothing is done to
remedy the evil. The practice of supplying
impure milk is otonly a fraud, but n serious
crime It would be Il matter of compara-
lively light consequence if the consumer
were simply swindled By being compellefto
pay for cream he never gets, and to pay the
milk-dealer more for water than he has
to pay to the Board Of Public Works.
There is graver sido to this infamous busl-
ness. The milkman who denis out this
spurious stuff is practically guilty Of infanti-
eide. As the report says, it is only the
physician in daily communion with disease
who can appreciate the fact OF the terrible
rate of death among infants who depend for
their sustenance upon this impoverished aud
adulterated milk. The Medical end Milk
Inspectors have done their duty in calling
the attention of the authorities to these in
famous practices. It now remains for the
authorities not to take this report, senti-
mentalize over it, and tuck it away in a
pigcon-hole, but to follow up these crooked
and swill milkneu, arrest and punish them
with the sevcrest penalties of the law, and
if there are no laws capable of reaching
them, then make some that will. It is time
this infamous business was stopped.
Year: 1877

On Tuesday the people Of this city and
county will have the opportunity Of choosing
between an honest md a dishonest County
Government, and every citizen should vote,
feeling that BY his vote he is making that
choice. It is no mere choice between caudi-
dates of one party or the other; it is not
mere choice between men, as to which shall
have the emolumcnts of Office but it is a
choice between continuance Of the con-
fessedly dishonest Government which has
been plundering the public tor several years
and n complete and radical change. In all
matters thus affecting public interests mere
party considerations are of little concern,
because the mass of men of all parties hold
official integrity and IN honest administra-
tion OF government above all other political
questions. Whenever public safety de-
mands a sacrifice Of mere party feelings, the
people of this city have rarely failed to
unite for the common defense. The peril
and the common danger should now unite
the friends Of honesty and fidelity in Office,
and we have no doubt but they will SO unite.
It is hardly necessary to call the attention
of the people Of this city to the condition of
the county finances. Certain specific facts
are not only established, but admitted.


1. The taxation for county purposes is at
the extreme point permitted BY the Consti-
tuition, and yet there is a deficiency Of half a
million dollars between the revenue and
the expenditures; thereis another deficiency
Of several hundred thousand dollars of un-
collected taxes; making total OF over $780,
900 expended beyond the revenue.


9. The County Government ask now a
popular vote to authorize them to issue bonds
to the sum of $780, 1000, nominally to expend
on the Court House, but really to pay the
contractors on that building for work al
ready done, and to pay of the HARMS,
WALKER, and SEXTON claims for extras. Not
one dollar Of the half million, if voted, will
be available for new work, will be used
to pay debts already contracted.


3. The revelations in the various trials and
Grand Jury investigations show that the
Board OF County Commissioners have for
years been IN corrupt alliances with outside
Parties, whereby the County Treasury has
been robbed, aud the poor, the insane, and
the sick have been deprived of the food,


clothing, and medicine paid for by the public
1or their uses. So notorious were these
facts that not one Of the present Commits
sioaers has been nominated for re-elect;on
no party daring to indorse any one Of them.
T. The hold-orers in the Board who are
Year: 1877

The citizens of Cook County will be called
upon to vote next Tuesday either for or
against the issue of $780, 900 of county
bonds, to be devoted to the construction Of
the Courthouse. If it were certain that all
five of the Republican Reform candidates
for the County Bonrd will be elected (wherc-
by the Ring would be broken) it would be
advisable to vote for the issue, as an honest
Board would reduce the ta1-levy for 1877 in
that proportion, and expend the amount
realized from the bonds economically and
fairly. Unfortunately, such result cannot
confidently be predicted The Republicans
may elect the general county ticket by a
majority Of several thousand. and
vet lose four Of the Commission
ers by failing to secure majority
in the eighteen wards of the city, the vote Of
which determines the election Of four of the
five Commissioners. IF the Democrats have
a majority in the aggregate vote of the city
of only Il dozen, their four city candidates
for the County Board would be elected, and
there is now no doubt that such result
would give the County Ring new lease of
life, rs it only requires one new member to
maintain its majority in the Board. Every
taxpayer who is convinced that the Repub-
licans will carry the city us well as the coun-
ty will be justified in voting for the issue,
but every one who entertains the slightest
doubt about this should vote against 1t, for,
in the event Of the city being carried by
LEES bummers, there is no reasonable q1es-
tion but the $500, 900 will be squandered and
stolen.


No special injury, Inconvenience. or delay
in the building Of the Courthouse will be
occasioncd by refusing to sanction the issue
of bonds for that purpose, The county tax
levy for 1876 was 81, ,6o1, GOO, and out of this
there was an appropriation Of $4o5,ooo Oh
account of the Courthouse construction,
which has not yet bsen entirely exhausted.
On this years valuation, the - cents limita-
ton Of tax, along with the extra tax that
may be levied for payment OF interest on
old debt, will yield levy of $500, 900;
maintained nt the same enormous rate as
during the last two years, would
afford from 100000 to $3.50, 600 for
the Courthouse. In addition to this
amount, there will be large contribu-
ton from back taxes, which will begin to
come in next summer. It is expected that
oil the back taxes that are collectable at eli
will be placed in process of collection next
summer, and be paid into the Treasury within
the year. If all five Of the Republican
Reform Commissioners be elected, they will
proceed at once to notable reduction Of
current expenses in the County Clerks Office
and the various departments, and it will
probably be possible for them to set aside
$500.0o0 for the Courthouse construction
and still keep down the tax-levy below the
constitutional limit. But if the Ring be
granted an extension of power, either by the
election Of the four Democratic candidates in
the city or Ton HOGAN from the country, the
taxpayers may expect that the full amount of
taxes allowed by law will be exacted from
them, and q vote Of the S500,o00 would not
Year: 1877

During to-day and few hours tomorrow
morning the remains of Senator 1onroS
will lie in state at the Courthouse in In
dianapo1is, to afford the people an oppor-
tunity to testify their respect for the life and
services of the iuustrious dead Extensive
preparations for q grand funeral have been
completed, and number of the more prom
inent men of the nation have signifed their
intention of attending the obsequies.
Year: 1877

to stop said nuisance, and that said. hogs be
enjoined from being slaughtered and put
upon the market" It is questionable II
the parties in interest will inter-
pose any defense to the application
for an injunction, for whatever other
qualifications in the way of obstinate
disregard for the prejudices of civilization
the hog may boast, he will scarcely dare
obstruct Court process which solemnly
obligates him to existence in this sphere
rather than hurry to another from whose
bourne no wen-regulated hog has returned
up to the time we go to press.
Year: 1877

"Count the money" in the hands of the
County Clerk will not be possible unless a
new Clerk be elected, to whom LEE will
have to pay over the money supposed to be
in his hands. Remember GAGE and VoS
Ho1LES, and then by your votes require that
the County Clerks money shall be counted
Better count the money no.D than wait to
hare defalcation discovered hereafter.
Year: 1877

When the polls close next Tuesday night
there will probably be not less than 5'ooo
Republican taxpayers in this city who will
have neglected to vote. Each one OF these
men complains of the weight of his taxes.
If half of those careless, derelict absentees
would vote there would be not the slightest
danger Of the defeat Of the four excellent
candidates for County Commissioners, who,
if elected, will save this county half million
q wear which otherwise will be stolen and
squandered by the County-Ring thieves. 1t
is perfectly astonishing that the taxpayers
do not turn out to the last vote to protect
their own interests. If the four Reform
Commissioners are elected next Tuesday, no
thanks will be due the sinks who were too
apathetic, inert, and lazy to vote.
Year: 1877

GIN. MmEs's men have shown admirable
pluck and fortitnde, and have taught the
savage some of the amenities of war. We
are told OF a mortally wounded soldier who,
as the surgeon came to amputate his arm,
said, ATTEND to that chiefs leg first and
in the same paragraph we read of chief,
stealthIly creeping over the battlefield at
night, encoantering wounded soldier, put
ting blanket under his head and leaving
him with the words, Poor boy You too
young to go to war Me no kill you -
GrdplI,