smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

There was surprise, and We cannot doubt
agreeable surprise, in the Surrogate's Court
yesterday, when Judge Black, on behalf Of
the Vanderbilt will contestant, made the
unexpected apnouncsment 'The contes-
tant rests her case" No wonder that Mr..


Henry L. Clinton sat in speeohlass amaze
ment for o few moments before moving an
adjournment until to-day, or that the usu-
ally sedate and decoroIs Mr.. J. H. Choate,
as he left the court, gayly tossed his bun
die Of papers up to the ceiling and
caught it as 1t descended. The silence
Of the one counsel who is generally
not averse to talking, and the playful,


baseball-like performance Of the other
counsel, who is usually the gravest Of the
grave, are significant Of the qualification
with which Judge Blacks brief sentence
was heard. The contestant rests a case of
which the people are weary, and which
ought never TO have been started on its long
and tircsome career--a case which has
throughout been prolific OF scandal and
suggestive of cupidity and falsehood. 1t is
TO be hoped that the further proceedings
will be brief. There does not, indeed, ap-
pear to be any reason why they should be
extended, and the unfortunate controversy
cannot pass out Of the public sight too soon.
Year: 1878

This is an age that threatens to overturn
oil our conceptions of the stability Of
things. Even the cast iron mechanical
laws that are believed to govern the equi-
librium Of the universe are in danger Of
being set aside by those untiring investi-
gators of the mysterious secrets Of
nature who are bent on showing that the
word impossible must be expunged from
our modern dictionaries because IL belongs
to dead language. The telephone en-
ables us to hear q friend speaking
five hundred miles away. the pho
nograph makes word uttered an
eternal physical record Of nm idea, and now
comes an application Of the magnet as q
motor that promises TO cause . revo-
luton in mechanics such rs the wild
est dreamer had not imagined. Such,
at least, are the opinions Of practical
men who have had opportunities Of exam
lining the operation Of this new motor on o
small scale. That there exists an irresist-
ible, If unregulated. force in magnetism has
not been denied by scientists. The nature
Of the power exerted proves plainly


enough that our present appreciation of
ii cannot measure what may be exerted
to an unlimited extent when un-
known agencies cause development of
its latent forces. The steam that only
lifted the lid Of Watts kettle has been ap-
piled to the Corliss engine. So can the
subtle power exercised In raising .
needle by magnet be developed 10
degree equal to the movement of an
ocean steamer. That Miss Hosmer should
be the discoverer Of some Of the secrets of
this mighty force is matter Of which her
Year: 1878

A suit WAS brought at Middletown, in
this State, in 1876, against the landlord
and tenant Of liquor saloon, for damages
caused by the loss of horse which
was driven to death by the plaintiffs
son while intoxicated by liquors supplied
to him at the saloon. The plaintiff OBJ
tanned verdict in his favor, which was
confirmed at the General Term, and the
landlord carried the case, so far as he was
concerned, to the Court of Appeals. The
action was brought under the law Of 1873,
known as the Civil Damage law, which
makes the owner or lessor of premises on
which Intoxicating liquors are sold
jointly liable with the tenant for
any damage done by an intoxicated
person who has been supplied with
liquor on such premises. The Court
of Appeals now afirms the Judgment
Of the lower courts, thus establishing the
liability of owners or landlords Of any
premises in the State used in the liquor
business tor damages done by any drunken
person who may procure liquor at such
places. Ifs man should get intoxicated in
a New York saloon and commit murder,
infict wound or do any injury to person
or property while in that condition, the
landlord or owner of the premises would,
under this decision, be liable not only for
damages actually sustained by the parties
in interest, but for exemplary damages as
we'll.
Year: 1878

The next Board Of Aldermen will have
majority Of four against the Tammany DEM
ocrats in that body. The division stands
nine Tammany members. seven anti-Tam-
many and six republicans. The orgnniza-
ton of the Board will, of course, 90 to the
opponents Of Tammany, and there is some
discussion as to whether the President
shall be accorded to the republicans or to
the anti-Tammany democracy. The con-
test for the honor is said to bo Of a friendly
character, and the decision will probably
turn on the question of the construction Of
the next Board Of Apporiionment. The
latter Board is composed Of the Mayor,
Comptroller. President Of the Depart
Year: 1878

enough with them to enable their leaders to
silence the iniiationists on their side. As
TO the democrats. they must see by this time
that they have loA seriously by allowing
their party to be ruled and led astray by
ignorant demagogues like Ewing and yoor-
hees. If they are wise they will do all they
can to get the currency question out of pol
itics and thus enable themselves to turn the
attention of the country to other questions,
with which they have chance to regain the
favor they have foolishly lost.
Year: 1878

The Reciprocity Convention at Chicago.


A large body of influential merchants and
shippers from all parts Of the United States
assembled yesterday in Chicago to discuss
questions connected with the mutual ex-
tension Of commerce between the leading
countries of the Western Hemisphere. This
Convention did nothing yesterday beyond
organizing and appointing commit
tee on resolutions. In looking over
the list Of the officers, and espe-
cially of the numerous vice presidents,
readers will recognize the names of SO many
gentlemen distinguished in the commerce
Of the country as to justify an expectation
that the proceedings to-day will not be
so empty as were the speeches spoken yes
the three hundred members there should
be some who bring with them fresh sugges-
tions based on accurate knowledge. The
extension of our trade with the nations that
lie at our doors and with oil parts of the
American continent is subject Of the first
magnitude, and convention assembled to
consider it should keep clear of claptrap
and enlightsn the country by the promulga-
ton Of sound views resulting from wide
information and careful reflection. Such
views cannot be extemporized on the spot,
even by the ablest men in the Convention.
The only use Of such an assembly is 10 test
by discussion and publish to the world con-
clusions which have been reached by previ-
ous research and preparation. IT anything
worth saying is sent forth from this Con-
vention it will easily command the atten-
ton of the country.
Year: 1878

SoME or THE LEADING CITIZENS Of Newport
have determined to form a sanitary association
on the plan Of similar society in Edinburgh
If either Of these cities needs organization Of
this kind a. much as we do il must be badly of
ind. cd
Year: 1878

ANOTHER PRoPosITIoS to heat the city by
steam has been made to the Aldermen This
makes the fourth application. Ii we must be
blown up scalded let the privilege Of doing
30 90 to the highest bidder.
Year: 1878

IT Has BEEN DETERMINED BY the committee
OF the Bar Association to lay the charges of the
alleged exaction Of illegal fees by the sheriff,
Register and County Clerk before the Grand
Jury, which meets next Monday.
Year: 1878

If THE IMMIGRATION STATISTICS for the past
thirty two years are correct Germany is slightly
ahead of lreland-two million from Ireland and
two million one hundred thousand from Ger.
many.
Year: 1878

IN THE MARINE Court yesterday Judge
McAdam eloquently laid down the law on the
dog question. lie holds that every citizen Is en-
titled to life liberty and, in the pursuit Of hap
piness, to the inesimable privilege of keeping
DO
Year: 1878

MEXICO is endeavoring to secure q little Gus
tom House reform. Were not the meeting Of
Congress so near we might let them have Mr..
Wood for q couple Of months to do little in
yestiyation
Year: 1878

amendments of the silver law. Fortunately
the events Of the last session showed that
in the present Congress the infationis.s are
not strong enough to adopt any legislation
which would embarrass the Treasury in


resuming or limit the Secretary's necessary
powers. Mr.. Sherman has and will retain
full powers. He has only to act with
courage and decision to secure q sound and
stable currency. and it will be our singular
good fortune thus. in spite OF much igno-
rant and mischievous legislation, to escape
the perils of both silver and imitation. The
result of the fall elections gives us reason TO
hope that common sense will prevail in both
parties in. Congress. When it has been
made freshly apparent that the country
repudiates the repudiators of all national
obligations and the crazy notions of the
currency empires, il would be as indecent
as it would be impolitic on the part Of an
expiring Congress to even attempt legisa-
tion in the direction of imitation. IL may
be too much to expect that Representatives
like General Butler, who are committed to
imitation and who are not elected to sue
ceed themselves, should respect policy
whose carrying out will not be their con-
Germ: but such men cannot expect to reve venge
their home defeat upon the nation or 10
affect the course of either Of the great parties
on this question. The republicans have
already committed themselves as party to
resumption. and party discipline is strong
Year: 1878

They never quite leave us, our friends who

 have passed Throu- h the shadows of death to the sum-

 light above; \ thousand sweet memories are holdinp then,

 fast

 To the places they blessed with their pres

 ence and love. The work which they left and the books which

 they read

 Speak mutely, though still with an elooueuce

 rare, And the songs that they sung, and dear words

 that they said, Yet finger and sigh on the desolate air. And oft when alone, and as oft in the throne. Or when evil allures us or sin draweth nigb whisper comes gently, May, do not the

 wrong,"

 And we feel that our weakness is pitied on

 high. In the dew-threaded morn and the opaline eve When the children are merry or crimsoned

 with sleep, we are eomforted, even as lonely we grieve, For the thought of their rapture forbids us

 to weep. We toll at our tasks in the burden and heat of mes passionate noon. They are folded

 in peace, It IS well. We erejoice that their heaven is sweet And one day for us all the bitter will cease. We too will go home OCT the river of rest As the strong and the lovely before us have gone. Oor sun will go down in the beautiful west. To rise in the glory that circles the throne. onth then we are bound by our love and our faith To the saints who are walking in Paradise fair; They have passed beyond sight, at the touch ing of death, But they live, like ourselves, in Gods in- finite care.
Year: 1878

It appears that the new evidence, on the strength of which the States lawyers procured the rearrest of the Rev. MT. Hayden, was the alleged discovery in the stomach of the dead girl, Mary Stannard, of large quantity of arsenic large enough, our report says. to have killed all the people of the hamlet. MT. Hayden bought arsenic in Middletown on the morning of the murder-as he says in order to kill rats. He admitted the purchase on the witness stand and said that he had concealed the poison in his barn, lest the children might get hold of it. Search was then made for it, we believe, but it could not be found Of course the theory of the prosecution is that he bought this arsenic intending to give it to Mary Stannard, and carried out his intention. But now it is re- ported that a neighbor and friend of the Rev. MT. Hayden found the arsenic in the barn where the latter said he had placed it; and that this original package, as it was put up by the Middletown druggist, is at this moment in the hands of the Rev. MT. Hayden's lawyer.
Year: 1878

despise stingy man, says lecturer. I don't see how it is possible for man to die worth $50, GOO, 900 or $1O,O0O, ,OO0, in city full of want, when he meets al most every day the withered hand of beggary, and the white lips of famine. How man can withstand all that, and hold in the clutch of his hand $2O, ,OOO,- 900 or $30,O0O,0O0, is past my compre- hension. I do not see how he can do it. I should not think he could do it any more than he could keep pile of lum- Der when hundreds and thousands were drowning in the sea. Do you know l have known men who would trust their wives with their hearts and their honor, but not with their pocketbooks-not with a dollar. When I see man of that kind, l always think he knows which is most valuable. Think of mak- Ing your wife beggar Think of her asking you every day for a dollar or two dollars, or to humbly beg for fifty cents. "What did you do with that dollar I gave you?" Think of having wife that is afraid of you! What kind of children uo you expect to have with beggar and coward for their mother? Oh, I tell you, if you have but dollar in the world, and you have got to spend it., spend it like king spend it as though it were dry leaf and you the owner of unbounded forests. That's the way to spend it. I had rather be beggar and spend my last dollar like king, than to be king and spend my money like a l beggar. If it's got to go, let it go. Get the best you can for your family-and look as we'll as you can yourself. When you used to go courting, how nice you looked An, your eye was bright, your step was light, and you just put on the very best you could. Do you know thai it is insuferable egotism in you to sup. pose that woman is going to love you always, looking as bad as you can. Think of it Any woman on earth will

 be true to you forever when you dc your level best.
Year: 1878

A man out ln Burlington, tho HdtOk- eye says, had reason to believe that his superintendent of cuisine was in the habit of using kerosene to start the morn ing fires. He placed his suspicious in the form of a charge, which was indig- nantly denied, and proof demanded. He wasn't ready with his testimony and the ease was dismissed for lack of evidence. But his suspicious increased, and he ordered secret investigation and ap- pointed himself chairman of the commit tee, with power to send for persons and papers. He laid his plans with care, and the next morning he followed his maid servant down stairs at 8 careful and re- spectful distance, and hid himself near the kitchen door, where he could not see nor be seen, while he could hear very distinctly whatever was said or done. The rustic of paper and the rattle of dry, light wood was succeeded by nasty steps toward the closet in the cellar-way. Then he heard the gurgling of liquid, as though it was bubbling out of small tin spout. He heard the can set down, and then the scrape of match.

 "H'm," he heard the maid-servant re- mark. Then another match snapped, and a barely audible fzzle ensued. Grimly smiled the silent man by the outer door.

 "H'm," remarked the maid-servant, little petulantly. Another match snapped and blazed up. Another sound as of sizzling. The smile on tbe face of the man deepened into grin.

 "Well, never did l" came from the kitchen, and there was heard the sound of more pouring on the light wood. An other match and more silence.

 "Well, did you ever?" queried the queen of the range, evidently anxious to obtain testimony corroborative of her own experience, as set forth in her pre- vious statement that she never did. The man sitting outside the door throttIed himself with both hands and softly pounded the ground with his heels. Something evidently excited him, and when the next match snapped he caught himself by the legs and bit fiercely into the corner of the door frame in frenzied effort to smother hollow groan.

 "The old scratch is in the oil, I do believe" said troubled voice from the kitchen, and more pouring ensued. An other match, another, another. And the man crawled off behind the cistern- box and hugged his knees with many insane expressions and silent demonstrations of interest, when he he ard the angry voice 1n the kitchen say:

 "Plague on such oil I'd like to pour it all down Will Darling's back p

 Another match, and then a confused sound of rattling and scraping and tear full woman came to the door and hurled an armful of soaked paper and light wood out into the yard and kicked an oil can after it. The smiling man crept back up stairs unseen. Breakfast was late that morning, and when the queen of the kitchen was asked the cause therefore, she said somebody had left the she'd door open and all the light wood was damp. And no man that ever filled an oil can with non-explosive cistern water ever looked half so innocent as the man who sat at the head of that table, chok- ing over @ graham muffin.
Year: 1878

BRAIN ST1MULANT.-The best possible
thing for a man to do when he feels too weak
to carry anything through, is to 60 to bed
and sleep as long as he can. This is the only
recuperation of brain.power, the only actual
recuperation of brain.force; because during
sleep the brain is in state of rest, in con-
dition to receive and appropriate particles of
nutriment from the blood, which take the
place of those which have been consumed by
previous labor, since the very act of thinking
burns up solid particles, as every turn of the
wheel or screw of the steamer is the result of
consumption by fire of the fuel in the furnace.
The supply of consumed brain-substance can
only be had from the nutritive particles in
the blood which were obtained from the food
eaten previously, and the brain is so consttu-
ted that it can best receive and appropriate
to itself these nutritive particles during the
state of rest, of quiet, and stiffness of sleep.
Mere stimulants supply nothing in them.
selves they goad the brain, force it to great.
er consumption of its substance, until it is so
exhausted that there is not power enough left
to receive supply.
Year: 1878

THE YOUNG WIDOW.
She il modest, but not bashful,


Free and easy, but not bold;
Like an apple, ripe and mellow,


Not too young and not too old:
Half inviting, half repulsive,


Now advancing, and now shy
There is mischief in her dimple,
There is danger in her eye.
She has studied human nature;
She is schooled in all her arts;
She has taken her deploma


As the mistress Of all hearts.
She can tell the very moment
When to sigh and when to smile;
Oh, a maid is sometimes charming;
But widow all the while.
Are you sad? How very serious
Will her handsome face become!
Are you angry? She is wretched,
Lonely, friendless. fearful, dumb
Are you mirthful? Z? How her laughter,
Silver sounding, will ring out
She can lure and catch and play you,
AS the angler does the trout.
Ye old bachelors Of forty
Who have grown so bald and wise;
Young Americans Of twenty,


With the love. look in your eyes;
You may practice all the lessons
Taught by Cupid since the fall;
But know a little widow


Who could win and fool you all.
Year: 1878

Be FA1THFUL.-A man cannot afford to
be unfaithful under any circumstances; man
cannot afford to be mean at any time;a man
cannot afford to do less than his best at all
times and under all circumstances. No mat
ter how wrongfully you are placed, and no
matter how unjustly you are treated, you
cannot for your own sake, afford to use any
thing but your better services; you cannot
afford to lie to liar; you cannot afford to
be mean to mean man; you cannot afford
to do other than deal uprightly with any
man, no matter what exigencies exist be.
tween him and you. No man can afford to
be anything but true man, living in his
higher nature and acting from the highest
considerations.
Year: 1878

FoR MOTHERS TO READ.-Mothers should
look we'll after their children in the spring.
The sun may be very warm and the atmos-
phere genial, but it is the time when heavy
clothing is cast off and the halfclad children
permitted to play in the lawn, yard or public
highway We may add, however, that this
warning can be applied to adults as we'll as
children. Ask any experienced physician
and be will tell you that this is the time
when you have plenty to do. But many
parents and others will never take warnings
until it is too late and the consequences may
be fatal; or, if this should be escaped, q
heavy doctors bill will be forthcoming.
Year: 1878

The wheat crop of this year, it is
thought by the Department of Agricul-
ture at Washington, will reach 100000
900 bushels. This is the largest crop
ever grown in the country. The yield Of
1870 was 287 7,745, ,626, according to the
census reports. 1t will be of interest to
note the increase over the crop of 1860,
which was l73, 104, 924 bushels.


This wonderful increase is due in part
to the settlement of the Western country
and the opening up Of new wheat lands,
but much of it is the result of improved
machinery for putting in and harvest.
ing the crop. The reapers now common
on most every farm save perhaps five
per cent more grain than could be gath
cred by the old process of grading; then
the threshing machines now in use
throughout the country save much more
grain than was saved by the old process
Of tramping out by horses. Upon the
whole the increase in the crop is not in
reality as great as it appears, for much
is no doubt only saving of what is
grown on the land. If the present enor-
nous yield can be repeated year by year
it becomes evident that America is to be
the future granary of the world. Will
this be done2 Experience admonishes
US that after few years our best new
lands will begin to fail in productive
capacity, but to meet this science lends
helping hand, and by use of proper
means of fertilization the production can
be kept up. Since there seems SO limit
ed demand for the hog product, farm
ers will do we'll to turn attention to such
productions as are more sought after
Wheat seems to be one for which there is
always foreign demand. Let our farm
ers then pay attention to the best way OF
growing wheat. Let them study the ma
ture of the plant and its enemies, and the
best means of protection against the raw
ages of nOxious insects. Then farmers
should know what food the growing
plant requires, and see that it is provided
in the soil. The study of these subjects
by farmers should be pleasure, as it j:
so full of interest and so fraught will
Importance.