smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

While hunting near the coast, few
days since, it was my misfortune to wit
ness sicE1ening and heart-rending scene
near bayou. Ny companion and self
had been hunting two or three days pre-
viously near the locality and shot four
deer, and one of which ran toward that
spot, so badly wounded that / thought il
would fall within a hundred yards Of
the place at which it was shot but SIS
we had as many as we desired for that
day We did not trace it. On our return,
two days afterward, to hunt near the
same place, noticed buzzards flying
near the spot where supposed the deer
had gone, and suggested to my eompan-
ion that We go to it, just to satisfy my
self that was correct in my surmise,
and also to show him how accurately /
eeuld shoot, for he continually taunts
me with the number of deer that carry
with them evidences of my poor marks
manship. On approaching the spot the
stencil was so unpleasant that we were
in the act of retracing our steps When
we noticed buzzard hop as if chased,
and insisted or going far enough te-be
satisfied that it was correct. On nearer
approach a most horrible scene was be-
fore US. About twenty PAGES from a
bayou a number of immense alligators
were keeping off flock of buzzards from
partially eaten and decomposing body
of human being, and near by the car
cass of pantherl The head and limbs
of the human being were severed from
the body, and were scattered over an
area of fifteen feet. The head was
bruised, scratched, swollen; and eaten so
that ii could not be recognized, except
that it was white mans. Nearly all
the flesh was eaten off the bones, and so
recently too, that traces of large teeth
were noticeable. The carcass of the
panther was also much devoured. A
large heavy sailors knife, stained with
blood, was near the trunk of the human
being, and other evidences of desper-
ate struggle for life between the man and
the panther. As we approached, none
of the guardians over the dead moved un-
til my companion threw a heavy pine
knot into their midst, when the smaller
retreated in to the water, the larger
moving sullenly IN that direction, but
never going farther than the edge, all
| the time watching every movement we
made.


When my companion commenced to
collect the bones of the man for inter-
ment, while held both guns, the alli-
gators near the edge became ferocious,
and about ten rushed madly toward us.
We stood our ground, and fired four
times, fatally wounding, if not killing,
as many alligators looked toward the
bayou and its surface was covered with
alligator heads as far as the eye could
reach, which came to the shore, / sup
pose, to learn the cause of the alarm. As
we did not wish to wage war with the
alligator kingdom, amid the stench
which was nearly sitting, we retreated.


All inquiry has failed to furnish any
information in regard to the man, excep
what has been detailed above. 1t is
coniectured that it was an unfortunate
sailor who had been shipwrecked and
cast ashore, and who, in seeking to reach
some habitation of man, was overtaken
by the sad misfortune which befel him
Year: 1874

As Officer Fullmer, of the Twenty
third Precinct, was making his rounds
on Friday afternoon he saw something
looking like heap of old rags lying on
a stoop at Ninety-fourth street and Fifth
avenue. The officer soon reached the
place and discovered an old woman evil
IDENTIFY in the last stages of destitution.-
He was about to take her to the station
house, when, perceiving his intent, she
strongly objected. She said she was not
vagrant, but had home in One hun
dreth and sixteenth street, near Fourth
avenue. She had only been sitting on
the stoop to rest Under these circum-
stances the officer allowed her to depart.
Coughing dreadfully the old woman be-
gan to pick her way down the street, but
after proceeding few PAGES was obliged
to desist. The officer who had watched
her movements, perceiving her wretched
condition, obtained horse and wagon,
and with roundsman, who came along
at the time, conveyd her to the station
house in East Eigty-eighth street. Here
she said her name was Margaret Fitz-
simmons, and her age sixty-two. She
stated that she had been twenty-three
years in this country. She refused to
go to the hospital, and Seargent Hicks
sent for Police Surgeon Steinert, who
said that she had consumption and asth-
ma. She was unwilling to go to the
Bellevue Hospital, and remained at the
station house over night. The Sergeant,
observing that she looked wan and
starved, sent for food, which she seized
upon with great avidity. Owing to her
opposition she was not taken to Belle
vue Hospital until Saturday evening
The Surgeons found that she was suffer
ing from general debility produced by
starvation and exposure. She was too
weak to endure bath, and her clothes


were simply taken off, her dress being
put beside her bed Her clothing was


black with dirt and filled with vermin.


While the nurse was undressing her, she


threw aside the dress, when suddenly the


old woman sprang out of bed and fierce


ly resisted her. Warden Brennan then


examined the dress and found that it
was absolutely quilted with money. 1t


contained nineteen pockets, each OF


which was filled with money, from PEN


nies up to dollars. About three hun
dred dollars, including eight dollars in
pennies and forty six dollars in old City


and State Bank bills were found, with q
large quantity of bank bills which were


absolutely rotten and crumbling to pie


ces. 1t took the Warden over two hour
to count the money. Meanwhile the ole
lady was growing worse, and early yester
day she died.


The old woman had no home, and hat
been sleeping one night in one shant.
and another on door step, depending en-
tirely upon the charity of the very poo
for food and lodging. She had evident
: ly been begging and starving hersel
for years, while she was seraping togeth
l. er the three hundred dollars which wa


found in her worm eaten dress.
Year: 1874

A FRIENDLY HoRsE-A few days
since, as we were leaving our residence
on our usual morning visit to the Office,
a sorrel horse belonging to us, galloped
up and caught our arm, and made an at
tempt to pull us in the direction he
wished to go. He then left, and went
off at quick gait toward pasture on a
farm about quarter of a mile distant
from our residence. In few minutes
he approached us again, making an un-
usual noise, and seemed by his actions
to want us to follow him. This we did ;
and. when we reached the pasture, we
observed the mate of the horse entangled
in a bridge, which had broken through
with him. After we had extracted his
companion from his dangerous position
the horse which had given us notice Of
his companions danger, came up ano
rubbed his head against US, showing
signs of great satisfaction.-Ch Christion Ad
/ goCute
Year: 1874

must glide into the dark. shadows of
death


So felt summoned all the physical
and mental power l possessed. called
soul and mind to my aid, and soul and
mind responded, and with one superhu-
man effort l broke the demons manacles,
and started up in bed with a shrek of
terror, I sprang to the floor, my knees
shook beneath me, cold drops of sweat
stood upon my brow. turned to gaze
for the grinning fiend that stood at the
head OF my couch, it was gone, but
through the silence of the room a sound
came to my ear. 1t did not seem like a
voice, a1d yet it uttered one word, and
that word was-AGAIN. l lighted my
lamp and examined every corner of the
room. Nothing was there. The doors
and windows were fastened, as l had left
them. 1t seems a strange story, to
strange to be true. The reader will say
I am a lunatic or fool. 1t may be l
am; but, reader, go back over your life
path, and see if you cannot perhaps re-
member one circumstance in your own
experience that has always seemed a puz-
zle to you,-something for which you
cannot account.


This experience of mine seems strange;
the picture seen when child filling me
with terror; long wears after, the same face
appearing as 1 have described, and that
word AGAIN sinking like aEelght on my
soul. That word-what did it mean?
Am l and that terrible face to meet once
more? do not know it, but in my very
soul feel that we will meet again for
the last time; but when, or where, or
how that meeting will be, is an unknown
secret; it is-A Mystery.
Year: 1874

anyhow And he went around telling
everybody he saw, I'm going TO mary
that girl.


The preparation continued during the
three weeks required by law to have the
bans published in the churches. Fishes
were caught, stores for the feast laid in,
beer brewed, and whisky purchased.
Wedding Publications are indulged in
for week This couple were married.
They went from the church to the house,
and the brides maids locked the bride
in her room. The groom knocked at
the door. How much will you give to
come in? Two cows and So That's
not enough Three cows and SO. 'Oh,
you are rich; you must give more than
that Five COWS and S25 was the final
offer, which was accepted. In writing
to lady you do not use the name but
address it to her father, like this: "John
Jones daughter and add the name of
the farm.


Many have the impression Lapland is
dark in winter, but that is an error. The
country is illuminated by northern
lights every night. l wanted to see the
Laps and drive reindeer. They can
go fifty Aailes- an hour for two hours
daily. The sledges are narrow, have an
oscillating motion, and one unaccustom-
ed to them will tumble out in all direc-
tions You drive with one line only;
that reaches from the animals horns,
and is tied around your arm. After you
get pitched out, the reindeer stops when
he gets tired of dragging you through
the snow. Sometimes they about face
and buck you out, and not unfrequently
perform that task by kicking. l was
keeled out by kick and snatched along
two hundred yards at the rate of nearly
a mile minute We drove TO an ac-
quaintance who owned four thousand
reindeer l went into his tent, and
found men, women dogs and other ami
mails sleeping together and found SO
many heas that took my bag and went
out TO sleep in snow bank. All the
Christians read and write. They wear
snow shoes ten feet long, and go gliding
about in a comical manner.


The journey from New York to
Christiana can be made in twelve days.
The summers are warm, the winters are
cold, but charmingly healthy. The ho-
tells cannot be surpassed, and their
charges are very moderate.
Year: 1874

SOARING THE TANKs.-"Soaping the
tanks" is an old trick of striking rail-
way men, and one that it would take lit
tie stretching to bring under the head of
murder with malice aforethought."
The results followed are much better
understood than the cause. Eeveryone
has noticed that when water is dropped
ON very hot stove, occasionally small
globules will form and roll rapidly about
the serface without giving off steam. So
when soap is put into the water Of a
boiler, the globules will sustain and alb
sorb very great degree of heat without
yielding much steam; and when the
steam does get loose it gooes with rush,
generally taking the engineer with it. 1t
is now believed, in places Of high au-
thority, that many of the hitherto mys-
terious boiler explosions have been ow-
ing to soap or grease accidently mixed
with the water.
Year: 1874

Sir Walter Scott says: "The Almighty
who gave the dog to be a companion of
our pleasure and Of our tolls, hath in
vested him with a nature noble, and in
capable Of deceit. He forgets neither
friend nor foe; remembers, and with ac-
curacy, both benefit and injuries. He
hath share of mans intellect, but no
share of mans falsehood. You may
bribe a soldier to slay a man with his
sword, or a witness to take life by false
accusation; but you cannot make a
hound tear his benefactor. He is a
friend of man, save when man justly in
ours his enmity."
Year: 1874

The Professor of Natural Philosophy
in certain college recently gave the
class problem to think of during the
night, and answer the next day. The
question was thus: "If a hole were
bored through the center of the earth
from side to side, and ball dropped in
to it, what motions would the ball pass
through and where would it come to a
state of rest?" The next morning a stu
dent was called up to solve the problem
"What answer have you give to the
prohlem?" asked the Professor. "Well
really" replied the student, 81 have not
thought of the main question, but of 6
preliminary one. How are you going
to get the hole bored through"
Year: 1874

Boston seldom sees a more generally
disgusting little crowd than was gather
ed at point in State street on Wednes-
day. A man engaged in cleaning snow
from a roof slipped and fell over, but
caught hold of the gutter at the caves
with one hand, and there hung until he
was taken in at window. The crowd
below at that moment discovered that il
was rope around his body which had
prevented his falling TO the ground, and
that the escape, consequently, was not
''thriliing" AZ all.
Year: 1874

AN express train moving at fifty
miles an hour may knock man down
without hurting him, but it is a danger
Gus experiment. But in England, re-
Gently, the driver Of an express, on
reaching Wolverhanlton, reported that
as he shot through Ettinghall Station,
his engine knocked man OF the track
and down an embankment, which Is
nearly twenty mine yards deep. Il was
found that signal man named Henry
Bradley was about to cross the line when
the express came up. The buffer struck
him at about the hip, whirled him
round, and sent him over the cmbank-
ment. Alighting on his feat at the bot
tom, Bradley found himself but little
the worse for the accident.
Year: 1874

The discussion of the uses and limitations
and abuses of the caucus. which the candidacy
of Senator Hamlin for reelection in Maine
gave rise to, is continued In the columns of
the State press. An article in The Rennebec
Journal, formerly edited by Speaker Blaine,
and it is fair to presume still under the infu-
ence of that gentleman, presents the argument
in behalf of the caucus and its binding force
upon individual members of the party quite
temperately and plausibly. The caucus, it
says. is simply a necessity not only in pOlii-
"cal organizations but in all other associations
"where division of sentiment arises, and where


"those thinking alike wish to consolidate their


"strength and make it effective" The choice
of Presidential candidates is cited as the best
illustration of the uses and the necessity for
the system. the National Convention being a
"caucus on q large SCALE" "born of an indefl-
mite series of caucusesr The custom of put
ting forward candidates for United States
Senator by Legislative caucuses Of the dOmi-
nant party, it is urged is an immemOrial one,
and could not be dispensed with. The limlta-
tiOn of the caucus is put "whero the end is
"carried by unfair and corrupt MEANS or where
"the nominee is a corrupt and unfit man.


IL .DrnSQn-
tation of the argument in favor of the caucus.
1t does not descend to the low ground of its
necessity to the party rs means purely of
party discipline and of perpetuating it in
power. 1t Omits the usual nonsense about the
party being like an army going into battle,
and the necessity for perfect subordination
and united front, and treats the system sim.
ply as method of arriving at an agreement
upon representative of certain principles by
those who believe in those principles and are
striving to make them effective. And this ia
all very well. SO long as the caucus was used
for that purpose it was not Objectionable in
its processes or its results. AS means of
reaching an agreement upon matters wherein
the differences were minor and unmportant
in order to have organized and harmonious
action with reference to the questions which
were engrossing and important, il was useful
1t answered a wise and convenient purpose so
But when it came to be held as tho suprcme
council Of the party. its action binding the
conscience and the judgment, leaving no free
dom of individual action, and allowing no ap-
peal from its dictum and no escape from its
DEGREES, it ceased to be convenience it was
then a mere despOtism. Such an instrument.
cruel as the InlusitIon and infiexible as Fate.
could be made in the hands of bad man
a tremendous engine Of wrong to tho country
and the people.


In the view of Speaker Blaine-for we pre-
sumo the Augusta newspaper utters his senti-
Limitation Of tho caucus. that IL
Year: 1874

Seven centuries have passed since the era
when the civilized States of Europe, under the
influence Of O sublime enthusiasm, combined
in expeditons TO the Orient, frausht VITA
hardship and peril All ChristendOm has
again united at the present day in sending
forth expeditions to further and less civil
lied East than was sought by Godfrey Dc
Bouillon or Richard Of the Lion Heart. TheN,
the pale light of the crescent hOvering over
Jerusalem, was the center around which the
nations gathered; now, it Is the twilight star.
suspended against the sun, shining over the
isles of the Pacific and the borders of far
Cathay; that attracts them. The crusade Of
the middle ages was inspired by religion;
that of the nineteenth century Is animated sy
science.


On the night of next Tuesday, which will
be daylight in the Eastern hemisphere, there
will be pointed at the sun more than fifty
telescopes from widely separated points on the
Asiatic coast, from little specks of islands in
the Southern Pacific, from obscure hamets in
Siberia unknown to the makers of aliases.
At each of these stations a corps Of men
eminent in the science Of the stars, or well
practiccd in its arduous details, has for sew





means of costly instruments aud frequent OBJ
servatiOns the exa t position OF some insig-
nifcant place on the eartIs surface. Their
labors will all eliminate in the few hours OF
observation that they will have in the day
light of our Tuesday night. When these men
of science have expended so much OF their
time, and not little money, and the busi-
ness is finished, what have they done
What did they hope for, and what
is the result Their reply will be simply and
solely, "We have ascertaned more accurately
" than before the distance of the sun from the
"earth. This is all.r How much other knowl-
edge depends upon this how the observations
on the transit are to be used; what the
methods and intentions are, will be found very
fully related in other columns of tO-day's
TRIBUNE. An effort has bee1 made to explain
these matters without technical detail, and in
words that are familiar The statement Of
Delisle's method is notably simple, and, it is
hoped, will make every reader with IN average
schoobOy's knowledge of figures to cOmpre-
hend one mode by which the transit is used
to ascertain the distance of the sun.


While the utilitarian may grumble over the
loss of time and money, when ne learns thas
none of what he calls "practiclp results is
to be attained by the observations of tho
transit of Venus, it is from u larger point Of
view a matter for great cOngratuiation that
so general and so deep an interest is felt in
the subject. That thirst for knowledge OF
which it is such a remarkable evidence, is the
highest attribute of man. In this case there
is no taint of any uIterior object. The men
who have gone out on this quest, the nations
that have aided it, are not to be made richer
or stronger by its discoveries. But they hope
to be wiser and sharing with them this hope.
let us all wish that they may have fair
weather for observing Venus while she passes
over the flames of the sun.
Year: 1874

Marshal SerranO is reported as just starting
from Madrid to rOut once more the thrice


routed Carlist insurrectiOn. He will have
probably about the same experience which
eager English hunters meet with, who come
to this country to shoot the famous mountain
sheep of the Sierra They rarely damage the


sheep, but they always see great quantity of fine


mountain scenery, enjoy some weeks of active


exercise, breathe pure air. and go home with


their ideas of the world more or less enlarged.


There is no reason why the Duke de la Tore


should not have pleasant jaunt among the
hills of the picturesque Basque country. or
pass few days on horseback among the
winding and snow covered roads Of Navarro.


The trip may be of advantage TO him in many


ways, even if he does not succeed i'll bagging


the rebellion. This he will scarcely do. The
army of Don Carlos viii be apt to melt into
o loyal farming population wherever tho Pres


ident passes with his forces and to spring up
into lively bands of guerrllas as soon as he
has gOne by. The rebellion, it is true, has
shown moro signs Of definite weakness this
season than ever before, but there is as yet
no reason for believing that it is ready to
djsband or surrender. Don Alfonso may re-
sign, Gems. Dorregaray and Saballs may throw
up their commissions, but there is no GER
tainty that they will not all be in the field
again next week. Even if they went over to
SerranO, they could scarcely be counted upon,
and if they were killed their places would be
filed as fast as the heads of the hydra were
reproduced. The Carlist war is not one of
the things which anybody can bring to close
until it runs its course.


But there Is suggestion in the telegram
announcing tho intentions Of the President
which shows that public opinion recognizes
another more immediate and pressing danger
to his authority than the Carlist insurrection.
1t is stated that he has taken great care to
weed out of his staff all persons who could be
suspected of leanings toward the restoration
of the Bourbons to the throne. 1t Is undeni-
able that there is more apparent possibility of
the return OF Queen Isabel than there is of
the capture of Madrid by Don Carlos The
former has a strong party, both among the
soldiers and the politicians of Spain and the
latter has no reliance except on fanatical
peasantry and the covert sympathy of Dor
ton Of the priesthood. A successful conn
d'etat or prOnunciamientO might bring back
the Queen, to remain until another one drove
her away again. 1t is therefore extremely
judiciOus for the Duke dc Ia Tore to examine
his staff with care, to see il it contains any
elements capable of being used in the Bourbon
interest against the peace aud dignity of the
Republic.


1t will not, however. be the easiest thing in
the world to do. as 1t will be embarrassing to |
draw the line between 4 SelgAaist and Au |
Year: 1874

Isabelino. Tho Marshal himself is not wholly
free from suspicious which are more honorable
to the memory Of his heart than they are to
his political integrity. No one would be
greatly surprised to see the Duke de 10 Tore
embracing once more the cause of the Queen
to whom he was once so intimately devoted,
If the sudden mutations OF politics in Spain
should make it more expedient to share in a
restoration than to struggle for the mainte-
nance of Republic. 1t is by no means certain
that even the Marshal himself is sure OF bis
intentions in all contingencies, and it is highly
improbable that others are aware of them. 10
can we'll be imagined therefore that an inqui-
sition into the views of his military associates
in reference to a possible restoration of the
banished dynasty, would prove severe ordeal
to many officers, who would like to stand
well with Serrano as long as the present state
of things continues, and who would not relish
the royal disfayor if the Queen should again
be the dispenser of grades and salaries In the
Plaza del Oriente.
Year: 1874

Canada is to be detained long enough to
enable United States Inspectors to ascertain
whether the goods agree with the bills of
lading. 1t is to be hoped that this can be
managed SO as to occasion little delay, as
otherwise it will make the law odious.
Year: 1874

Tho Berlin letter, published on our fourth
page, treats of the capacity of Count Won
Arnim to fill the post of German Chancellor
which he so much covets Resting his hopes
for attaining that position upon court intrigue,
he has hitherto been no more successful IN
that direction than he would be in office with
only Conservatives to support him in Liberal
Parliament