smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

Although in Paris, and perhaps all over
the Continent, our country is popularity
supposed to be the training school for the
ablest thieves; and the headquarters of the
ptque pOQuetteS, there are evidences that
the French capital can produce in abundance
hardly inferior article. Glancing at ran
dom over the columns of serious and
well-informed Paris paper, we find three
paragraphs close together, each containing
an account of robberies effected in mas
terly style which would do credit to the
East end of London.


An individual arriving at the Orleans ter
minus fell in with a man who represented
himself to be boot-maker from Bordeaux.
They walked into the town together, and
were presently met by Pole, carrying
heavy handbag, full, he said, of gold and
banknotes. The latter soon found an ex-
cuse to leave the precious bag in charge of
his new friend, exacting ut the same lime
the deposit OF his purse "as guarantee of
good faith" 1t is unnecessary to add that
he never returned, and that the bag, on be-
ing opened w6s found to contain lead and
rubbish. .....


On the same day, IN cafe in the Boulc-
ward St. Michel, three or four persons sat
down and partook of some refreshments
after which one of them went up to the
counter and asked for change for a 100
franc note. The five gold pieces were duly
counted out to him, and he duly took them
up, holding the note in his hand all the
time. The moment he had safe hold of
them, however, he rushed out suddenly by
the door, and was quickly in cab which
his companions had brought to convenient
place outside This is said to be the fourth
time that the same trick has been success
fully played quite lately in this one
boulevard


The last of the cases reported, and, per-
haps, the most ingenious, is that of a mes
senger sent out to deliver a valuable packet
from one of the ladies' shops to a customer
at Nincennes. He was oppressed with the
heat of the day, and sat down on bench,
when an individual accosted HIM with the
question "whether he would like TO be
mesmerised." The obliging offer was de-
clined, but the meSmerist would not take
any refusal, and begau to ''make passes"
over the face of the victim, who soon sue
cumbed TO the charm. When he awoke he
found himself deprived not only of his
bag of merchandise, but also his gold
watch and chain, his hat, and even his
boots. The charmer must be magician
worthy OF a place in the Arabian
Nights"
Year: 1879

AS a feeder the snake is mighty irregu-
/ lar, and his appetite is always about four


times too large for his organs OF digestion.
/ They have long since found this out at the
! Philadelphia "Zoo," and the superintend-


ent is just now in dilemma to know how
/ he will be able to find the proper food for


the serpent family under his care The


small species Of land snakes feed on toads.


lizards, grasshoppers and other members of


the insect and reptile world, and at times it


is very difficult to supply the demand Of


these insatiate ''varmints. The king and
calico snakes belong to this same class, but


if famine should occur these two species
are canni0alistically inclined, and would


weather the hard times by swallowing each
other. In the big case in the snake house
are twenty-siX boas, the largest of which is


l {! feet in length and % inches in circum-
ference. The business of the boa is SIM
ply TO load his stomach to repleton, and
then to tie himself up in a graceful knot
and doZe calmly for several weeks, while
the spectators gaze on him and speculate
on his easy job, and what they would do
were they to encounter him alone in a iun-
gle with nothing but a Barlow knife as
weapon of defense. Though not particular
to a shade as to what their diet shall be,
yet your geological boa is something of an
epicure IN his way. Nature has provided
him and other members of the reptile FAM
lily with an accommodating head, the roof
of which in manner lifts off and allows
the introduction of toothsome morsels that
would crowd a quarter peck measure to
hold. Up to the present time these mon


ster boas have been fed upon rabbits and
rats, and just now rabbits and rats are be-
coming scarce. Fhey have been tempted
with sportive and innocent little kittens, and
an occasional pup has been placed at their
disposal, and at times spring chickens and
pigeons but the boa cannot stomach cat
has little appetite for the dog, and goes
square back on the feathery tribe. Hence it
is that his diet is reSiuced right down TO
rats, with now and then a rabbit to regu-
late his liver. Every geological garden
grows immense crops of rats, and rabbits
are popped into the word in astonishing
numbers. But the appetites of the snakes
at the Zoo have been telling on both FAM
lilies, and the prospect is that shortly the
supply will have to be obtained from the
outside. Each of the twenty-siX boas con-
sumes from three to four a month, and in
the course of year they manage to con-
sumo about four tons of these little animals
Not long since prairie dog was forced
into the cage, but the big snake only wink
ed at him and allowed him the liberty of
the cage without molestation. Having
coiled its body about its little victim, and
squeezed the life out of it, the snake pro-
ceeds to swallow it leisurely. Having got
it back of its jaws, it coils up gracefully,
drops into torpid state, and remains OBJ
livious to the peanut munchers and nervous
old ladies who peep at il through the glass
from day to day.
Year: 1879

A shute is laid from the rivers brink up
the steep mountain to the railroad, and
while we are telling it the monster logs arc
rushing, laundering, flying, leaping down
the declivity. They come with the speed
of thunderbolt, and somewhat of its roar.
A track of fire and smoke follow them
fire struck by their friction with the shute
logs. They descend the l, 700 feet of the
shute in fourteen seconds. In doing so
they drop seven hundred feet perpendicu-
larly. They strike the deep water of the
pond with a report that can be heard a
mile distant. Logs fired from a cannon
could scarcely have greater velocity than
they have at the foot of the shute. Their
average velocity is over one hundred feet
in a second throughout the entire distance,
and at the instant they leap from the
mouth their speed must be fully two hun
dred feet per second. One log, having
spent its force by its mad plunge into the
deep waters, has floated SO as to be at right
angles with the path of the descending
monsters. A huge log hurled from the
chute cleaves the air and alights on the
floating log. You know how bullet
glances, but can you imagine a saw-log
glancins2 The end strikes with heavy
shock, but glides quickly past for short
distance, then q crash like reverberation
of artillery, the falling log springs one
hundred and fifty feet vertically into the
air, and with a curve like rocket falls
into the pond seventy yards from the log it
truck.
Year: 1879

He was young man of striking appear.


ance. He wore greasy suit of miners
overalls, heavy flannel shirt, and white
felt hat with no end of q brim. His pants


were turned up at the bottom, revealing
large but not ungainly feet. There was a
careless look in his face and hickory nut
in his hand as he stepped out of the Times
elevator at the fifth story. He was not long
in declaring himself the Whistling Cowboy
of Colorado, and it was but a short time
before he convinced everyone that his name
was we'll applied. Hewhistled on landing


He whistled on introducing himself. He
whistled while the other fellow was talking


He was perpetual whistler. He told his
storyb y means of a whistle in a miner key.
1t was not bad whistle, by any means.


What it lacked in musical pathos was made
up in shrill force. The rhythmical swell of
his themes was not altogether according to
theoretic principles, but the abundance of
trills and cadences made up for my trivial
defect of that character. IT was great
whistle, and in some respects diabolical
whistle. 1t was whistle which would at
tract attention under all and any circum-
stances. .rf~ .-.t. 81. -.


His story, as whistled, was brief, but
pointed and interesting. His name was Dan
w. Reed, and he had travelled sllover these
United States He had sailed the briny
ocean, scared among the little stars in bal
loon, tramped the broad prairie, and stood
off the train-conductors in the most approx
ed manner. Twenty years were all that he
could boast of, but during those years he
had compressed into his own life the his
tory and experience of twenty adventures.
He walked once from Galveston to Boston,
whistling all the way, and was newspaper
hero for brief period. During this trip he
was chased by wolves, bitten by rattle
snakes, frozen to death, an put in divers
bridewells as a vagrant. In 1876 he went
to Washington to interest himself in the
pardon of friend in Jail for some ofense
or other. He bearded Grant in his den.
He whistled for him. Ulysses was captur-
ed at one. He deducted six months from
the time of the whistler's friend, gave the
whistler five doller BILL and advised him
to visit and whistle to Gen. Butler. But
the whistling cowboy didn't take the bait.
He engaged himself with some Brooklyn
people and whistled seconds to Arbuckle's
cornet at concerts, for while. Talmage
wanted to capture him, but the boy want
ed to come west. He came, and was CAP
tured by come ranchmen at Hugo, Col. His
visit to Chicago is easily explained. The
boss of the ranch sent some cattle here in
charge of the whistler and another fellow.
The other fellow was the financial man. He
carried the return tickets and had general
charge of the spondulicks. He has been
missing since the cattle were sold, and the
whistler is busy devising means for speedy
return to the western wildS.
Year: 1879

This morning at the police court the
name of Isabella Lehner was called and
a neatly dressed woman, pale and ner-
vous, entered the dock. She was ar.
raigned for disorderly conduct. 1t will
be remembered that she was the wo-
man, who, contrary to every motherly
instinct, cruelty deserted her child
soma weeks. This child she had with
her when brought into the deck this
morning, tightly clutching it by the
wrist. Upon being asked if she was
ready for trial she seemed bewildered.
At the suggestion of some one near she
finally plead guilty, arising from her
seat as she did so. As she stood up she
tottered and convulsvely clutch-d the
railing OF the dock. A fine of 81 and
costs was imposed and she was taken
back to the cells to Recover from her
indisposition.
Year: 1879

A horse attached to q milk wagon
belonging to Robert Porter OF Mill
Creek Hundred, dropped dead this
morning on Eighth street between King
and Market streets. The horse was in
the pasture field during the night, and
appeared all right when he left home.
The caroase was taken charge Of by A.
D. Vandevsr, who had it placed on q
dray and carried of.
Year: 1879

Lotta Short was ths last prisoner
placed in the dock, last evening. The
charge against her was for being drunk
and disorderly. As the parties who
prefsrred the charge did not put in an
appearance, the case was dismissed. 1t
appears that this is not the first time
that parties have brought charges
against the defendant and then failed
to appear. His honor ordered the Chief
to lock up her witnesses when they
next prefer charge against Lolita.
Year: 1879

At a meeting of the First Ward Re-
publicans the committee appointed to
select candidates reported that they
could not find a suitable man that
would run. 1t was then decided for
the present to nominate no candidates.
Year: 1879

The absvs word was formerly synon.
omous with Jew Clothiers, but it has
lately adapted itself to another bust


ness 1. 6. lager beer. The" beer barker
is very different kind of an animal
from the clothing house barker. The
latter Is generally found in front of the
house he is hired to bark for, and gen.
orally knows what he is talking about,
but the " beer barker has no regular
place to be found at only in front Of
some bar. 1t is very amusing to hear
him commend the very beer which
he intends to condemn, when he does
not know the difference, which occurs
very often indeed. ALERT.
Year: 1879

denies the report that he is about Il
erect a $3.50, 900 residence at Washing
ton. He has for some time, however
had negotiations pending for the pur
chase of suitable residence. Since his
residence at Washington the Senator
says he has paid out enough money fol
rents to have bought and completely
furnished an elegant house, and now
thinks it advisable to either buy o,
build proper residence, which should
he retire from public, he can dispose Of
at not less than 1t cost him.
Year: 1879

Some Of bis friends onIa asked Ad.
miral Farragut how II was that no had
such successful life / and this Ia the
account no gave Of hia starting right
or how he gave up his own wrong
plan Of life and came down TO better
and wiser one. "My father" no said,
"was sqnt down TO New Orleans with
little navy We then had TO look after
the treason OF Aaron Burr, ] accom-
panied him as cabin boy, and was ten
years ofage. had some qualities
which thought made man OF me.
| could swear like an old salt, could
drink stuff glass OF grog as i'll had
doubled Cape Horn, and could smoke
like a locomotive. | was great at cards
and fond Of gaming in every shape
AT tho close Of tho dinner one day my
father turned everybody out of the
cabin, locked the door aud said to mo
David what do you mean to be 7 i
mean to follow the sea, said |. 'Fol-
low the sea 2 said my father. Be a
poor miserable, drunken sailor before
the mast, kicked and cuflcd about the
world, and die in some fever hos
pital in foreign cline 2 NO, |
replied, I'll tread the quarterback
and command the same as you do.
Never David, my father answered;
mo boy ever trod the quarterback
with such principals as you have, and
such habits az you exhibit. You'll have
change TO your whole course Of lite
If you ever become man. My father
left me and went on deck. l was
stunned by the rcbuke and overwhelm.
ed with modification. "A poor mis-
cradle, drunken sailor, kicked and
cuffed about the world, and die in
some fever hospital d! Thata my fate
is it I said to myself. I'll change
my life, and change it at once. I will
never utter another oath. l will
never drink another glsss ofintoxicat.
ing liquor. l will never gamble And
as God is my witness I have kept
those three VOWS to this hour. And
this is the way l became Christian.


Children, that was the way the
noble Farragut gave up his
bad habits as boy, though he never
deserted his country or gave up his
ship. That was the way he gave
up his false life-without giving up
his country's service. And though he
came down from wrong idea Of life
to true one he didn't come down
from the foretop Of the "Hartford,"
when he brought his fleet through the
fires of the forts with his flag flying
to New Orleans.


He came down the right tree, the
tree of his bad habits, as boy, and
this enabled him to conquer as he
stood up through all that fearful fight,
on the foretop of his vessel, and drove
his ship safely into the harbor.
Year: 1879

"Goodness gracious, Isaac You
don't mean that you are going to give
up all that money just for the sake Of
getting that thicving jade out of pris-
on, do you 7"


The old man who sat in his arm
chair busily counting over few bank
bills, looked up fom his occupation,
and there was beautiful light all over
his face as he turned toward the wo,
man, who had made the sneering in
qury.


"Yes, l do, Sarah" he replied with
a resolute yet beaming look, "and /
don't feel the least regret in doing SO
Tor ] can look back upon the time
when l loved the poor orphans dead
father. He wasn't a degraded drunk
ard then, but as smart and generous a
fellow as ever lived"


swell broke in the wife sharply,
and sinking into o seat opposite him,
81 should like to know what that has
to dc with you making tool of your.
self, and sacrificing your hard earned
money? She'll never thank you for
it,"


"The facts ofmy being her fathers
friend has much to do with my showing
feelings for his poor, forlorn and pen.
niless child" returned Isaac with
molstncss in his eyes, "and after all
added he, Lucy Arle has only stolen
bread from the baker to keep her from
starving. If she had only let me
known, I would have given her the
last cent to have prevented her from
the action, which III warrant she
is mourning to death over. So hope
when bring her home"


"Bring her home!' said the angry old
lady, "bring the hussy home ? never


"Come now, wife," spoke Isaac,
persuasively as he arose, ''don't be SO
severe on the girl, but just make up
your mind to greet her kindly, for J.
know she'll bring a blessing with her.


The old lady yielded to The persua-
sion of the kind hearted husband, and
as the angry look died out of her face,
she answered, "Well Isaac you are
good and I'll try for your sake to be
good to the girl. But you will get no
thanks from her or anybody else you
may depend


"Cast your bread upon the waters
was the quick reply Of her husband,
as he hastened of.


= n


So you want the gal that stole the
bread do you Uncle Isacc? Well I'm
proper glad some one has mercy on
the poor young thing, she's nearly
cried her eyes out since We put her in
the CELL" and away the jailer fastened
with Isaacc Sims behind him, to liber-
ate the forlorn scautily clad prisoner
who was moaning in desolation of
heart over her first petty crime.


Lucy come here, poor child! l
loved your father, and if l can help it
you shall never know this temptation
and sorrow again."


The girl was sitting on one of the
cell stools, her back to the new conner
her face buried in her hands, she knew
that kindly voice, for she had heard it
more than once imploring her drunk
en- parent to become man. And
now she sprang up aud turned toward
Isaac, exclaming in broken surprise
and joy.


"Oh! am free! God bless you
God bless you dear Mr.. Sims y and
as her trembling hand met the warm
fatherly clasp of his own, her white
lips uttered resolate and sincere pro-
ise to her deliverer that she would
never SO disgrace herself again as to
Year: 1879

It is an open question whether it is
more natural for man to breathe than
it is to put his hands into his pants
pockets, when the first chilly blast
hits him. A man without any pocket
about his clothes would probably be q
lunatic in month.-Syracuse Sunday
Year: 1879

The Committee OH Bridges recommended
the construction Of a bridge over Mont
eomery Road, to connect Kenton street and
Gilbert avenue at cost not to exceed the
estimate of the Engineer-$28,7 The
and specifications for the construction Of
the same
Year: 1879

There was complimentary party ten
dered to Miss Lou. Schneider last evening
in honor of her birthday, by her many
friends at her residence. at Schneider'l
Hotel. corner Second and Broadway.
Year: 1879

Coroner Carrick's verdict in the case of
Fayette Smith, Jr., who was found dead
Yesterday, is a, follows: death from the
effects of an opiate taken while suffering
from mental depression. but whether with
suicidal intent or US a sedative am unable
to determine"
Year: 1879

The case of this miserable man seems and very iustly-to be exciting much at tention theologically and otherwise. That It will bring considerate and honest minds to improved conclusions, Tn regard to faith, is one of the consolatlons afforded by ter rible lesson,

 The question, What shall be done with this man of blood, is addressed to the law of men and soclety, rather than to the high CT, or law of conscience, Many will admit that an evil act with good intention may be excusable in the eye of heaven, while none believing in the necessity of sooial law, would for 8 moment nationally con sent te pardon the convicted offender upon the plea of consclence. For let this princi- pie prevail, and all government would end. As governments are instituted for the gen. eral safety, therefore according to the lower law, he who endangers society by di rect act, no matter how conscientious he may be, should suffer the common penalty for his deed. It may be urged that the fe-taker is led by an unfortunate belief or notion. which should excuse him. Ten thousand murderers. justly wrought up to excitement by real wrong, may thlnk it no crime 10 moral sense to rid the world of an epemy ;'and yet they expect to answer to the law if convicted of the act.

 Freeman, of Pocasset. was unfortunate. He believed himself responsible to su-
Year: 1879

"A Berlin dispatch to The PAll Mall Gazette says: The German government has decided to address the other European Rovernments on the subject of improper end in ssme cases inhuman manner ID which the war in South America IS carried on by belligerent states ana 'e surrest joint interference.
Year: 1879

a.a We shall feel greatly obliged to any of our friends in the county, or elsewhere, who will send us particulars of any occurrence o1 interest which may come under their not1ce.

 aE CoRREsroNDENrs are requested to send | in their communications so as to reach us on insertion of any correspondence received after that time.
Year: 1879

Knowing as we do the mighty power of silent and unseen electricity and gravita- tion, to which we may add polar magnet irm, is the thought very strange or un- natural that our present existence may be in the midst of spirit world peopled with intelligent beings-perhaps the graduates ef sarth-who are cognizant of us, and to whom we are to be introd ucsd by what we call deathf SEARCH.

 If thou wouldst put myself upon the lew sl ef vain aud foolish debater, see to it that thou art thoroughly ignorant of the subject of debate, then treat thy opponent with ill-nsture and narrowness, and thou wilt most surely succeed.

 <DR. LONGFELLow.
Year: 1879

"A Hartford grocer of respectable family, who sails liquor in his store, has been ln court repeatedly for intoxication, but he has been as often discharged on promises to reform. Thursday he was up again and was given another chance on his signing the pledge and promiaing to keep away from his store for week and get out of the liquor business as soon as possible.
Year: 1879

"A New Haven man recently allowed one of his employees to occupy his large residence on one of the principal city avenues, and noticing that he was always after that received st the rear of the residence, he pushed his way to the hont and found COW in one parlor and hens ia tke other.