smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

Something like month Ego, at pub
lie school meeting here, our citizens v1-
ted to build good school house, and &C.
lected site for that purpose; :incs thai
meeting We have seen nc indication Of
any movement looking to the carrying
out of the wishes Of the people IS ex-
pressed by that vots, and xe naturally
wonder ct what particular part Of the
programme the brake has been applied.
That We need a good schoolhouse is to-
patent fact to admit of argument, and
to neglect it longer is simply a great fun
damental wrong to society as we'll as a
direct wrong to the youth Of our city.
That ~ have no time te attend to it is
no excuse; cur first duty lies IN the prop
er care and culture Of our children, and
the people having voted for 4 school
house we hope the officers whose duty it
is to carry out their wishes will proceed
at once with the enterprise or winter will
find us without building suitable for
school purposes in cold weather.
Year: 1877

Congress: convenes on the 18TH OF Oc-
tober next, when We may expect to see


the political gladiators of both parties en-
ter the arena stripped for the race Of max
ing each other odious before the people
of this country, and, we presume, not
withstanding the efforts towards concili-
alton by President Hayes, that As usual
the best energies Of our paid representa-
tives who are supposed to work for the
best interests Of the whole country, will
be absorbed in advancing party interests.
We sincerely hope the steady hand of
the president and his able cabinet may
be successful in holding in check rash
partisanship,and in directing the abilities
of our national congress to the solving of
some of the momentous problems now
agitating the country. Personal and par
ty aggrandizement have too long been


accorded primary importance in our gov
ermental affairs, while questions vital to
the intesests Of the masses have been
smothered as illigitimate or wholly igno-
red. The natural result eliminated in


the late strike, which hung for while
like dark cloud over the land, but it
will prove to have silver lining, by
it the law-making authorities at Wash
ington have been startled from their Rip
Van Winkle slumber over the rights of the
masses, land are convinced that their entire
duty is not fulfilled by legislating in the
interests of corporations only, Or for the
perpetuation of party. But we do not ex-
pect the full fruition of this much to be
wished forresult, but we hope the united


press,est TRY will, while condemn
ihg all f1Wfessness in whatever shape OF
Year: 1877

We have Hot had much of a dry spell,
but the present indications are that 3
shower is on the bill of fare soon to be
served. That is tke beauty of this
country, our showers come SO regularly
that we seldom feel the need of them.
Year: 1877

The extraordinary persistence of
early impressions, when the mind
seems almost to have ceased to register
new ones, is in remarkable accordance
with the law of nutrition. 1t is a
physiological fact that decline essential
ly consists in the diminution of the
Now it is when the brain is growing
that definite direction can be most
strongly and persistently given to its
structure. Thus the habits of thought
come to be formed, and those nerve
tricks laid down which Gas the ply
siologist believeO constitute the me-
chanism of association, by the time the
brain has reached Its maturity; and the
nutrition of the organ continues to keep
up the same mechanism in accordance
with the demands Of its activity so long
as it is being called into use. Further,
during the entire period of vigorous
manhood, the brain, like muscles, may
be taking on some additional growth.
either as whole or in special parts,
new tissue being developed and kept up
by the nutritive process, in accordance
with the modes of action to which the
organ is trained. And in this manner
a store of ''imprcssions" or traces is
accumulated which may be brought
within the sphere of consciousness
whenever the right suggesting strings
are Touched. But as the nutritive ac-
tivity diminishcs, the "waste" become
more active than The renovation; and il
would seem that while (to use a COM
mercial analogy) the "old-established
houscsu keen their p-round these latar
firms whose basis is less secured are the
first 10 crumble away-the nutritive
activity, which yet sufilces TO maintain
the original structure, not being capable
of keeping the subsequent additions to
1t in working order. This earlier
degeneration of later formed structures
is general fact perfectly familiar to
the Observation-Disclosures Mirror.
Year: 1877

\ new movement has sprung up, in
New York, and known as the "Crosby
society for the prevention of crime"
and the prevention is, the closing of the
liquor saloons. II is styled a temper
ance order and is likely to have a large
membership, as il does not exact total
abstinence pledge.


Chancellor Crosby, the originator OF
the society says, he shall have branch
society in every ward of the city by fall.
If had such a society here, perhaps
Year: 1877

Vermont came near hanging man Friday
of whose guilt there are now grave doubts.
On the very day appointed for the execution
statement made by the condemned, pub
lished in Boston newspaper, the Globe, fell
into the hands of man who believes that he
journeyed with John Phair on the 10th of
June 1874, the date of the murder of Mrs.
Frieze, between Providence and Boston.
This belief, if established as a fact, wo uld
prove Phair's innocence. The new testi-
mony was at once forwarded to the Cover
nor Of Vermont and the condemned man
reprieved a bare half hour before the
time fixed upon for leading him out to execu-'
tion.


So strong was the circumstantial evidence
which pointed to Phair's guilt that so late as
the 21st of last month the Governor, after a
full consideration of all the circumstances and
a patient hearing to all the pleas which could
be advanced in behalf of the prisoner, re-
fused to grant reprieve. Indeed, his guilt
seemed clear to all who read the report of the
trial. And yet Vermont came Within thirty
minutes of another murder-a murder under
the forms Of law. Had the publication of the
statement OF the condemned man been post
poned a day, had Downing happened to be
away from town that morning, or being in
town failed to read his Globe, Phair would
have been hung, and the clearest evidence of
his innocence, day late, would have availed
him nothing. The chances were greatly
against the happy discovery. He had been
over two years under conviction, over a year
under sentence of death. His defence had
been conducted by able and devoted counsel,
who did not relax their efforts in his behalf
even after conviction. Yet during all that
time no hint appeared of the missing evil
dence and its discovery was the merest acci-
dent. Perhaps two-thirds of the men under
sentence of death in the United States to-
day have been convicted upon no stronger
evidence than was Phair. There is posi-
bility, too, in each case that proof of inno-
cence may appear, and a strong probability
that il will appear too late. Would it not be
well to dispense with the halter and the hor-
rible injustice it may work, and give society a
chance to recall its action, if that action be
wrong. The injustice of condemnation and
long imprisonment for the innocent man
may not be undone, but the community will
be saved from all reproach of having done
murder in the name of law.
Year: 1877

DIR. SIEMENs, in an address before the
Iron and Steel Institute at Sheffield, suggests
the utilization OF Niagara Falls by dynamo.
electrical machines for supplying unlimited
power long distances. The utilization of the
electric currents for the production of motive
power is not the most economical method Of
using them, generally speaking, but where
power is to be conveyed long distances from
its source it may be transmitted (so it is sup
posed) with least loss after conversion into
electricity. The motive power at Niagara
Falls would not be costly, so that the certain
loss of large percentage of it in converting
it and transmitting it to distant places where
it would 'do the most good" would not be
conclusive argument against the adoption of
this novel idea.
Year: 1877

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The name and address Of the writer are in
all cases Indispensable, not necessarily for publication
but as guaranty of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or reserve commu-
ncatiOns that are not used.
Year: 1877

The MAINE MILITIA.-A plan Of organiza-
ton is proposed which provides for three bat
talions of infantry-east west and centre, with
platoon or battery of artillery attached to
each battalion, the artillery to constitute of
itself battalion commanded by Major.
General Chamberlain and oiher officers OF high
rank are desirous that the militia law of this
state should be made to conform to the United
States rules Last year the encampment of
our volunteer militia took place at Brunswick.
During the present year it is not unlikely that
it will take place in Augusta on the state
grounds aud adjoining territory, which will
afford o fine field for tactics and maneuvres.
At the coming encampment it is proposed to
have the troops pay more attention to target
practice than has been the case heretofore
Year: 1877

Pretty women are spoken Of as it
they, of all Others, were the elect; as
if woman's sole claim to admiration
rested on her possession Of fine eyes or
luxuriant hair. rs she pretty?' is
the first question asked concerning a
new acquaintance, as though that en-
braced the whole subject. If a man
likes woman he generally considers
her "pretty,' for the term is merely
conventional. A pretty woman, in
the private lexicon Of masculinity, sig
niiies woman interesting from what
ever cause. Who has not known wo-
men to be called pretty that could
hardly boast of a single handsome tea-
ture? Who has not been acquainted
with those enjoying n wide reputation
fer prettiness that had almost any 9th
er than a physical charm? She who
has distinctly graceful manner, or
an elegant air, or fine tact, or talent
for conversation. or quick sympathies,
or cordial ways, or the art oflistening
well, albeit plain in face and an ordinary
figure, is frequently styled pretty, and
the adjective is repeated until it is fas-
tened upon and constantly associated
with her. Merely pretty women can
not rule society-never did and never
will. When beauty is allied to pleas
ant manners,or accomplishments, tact,
quick wit, then indeed it is all-power-
full; otherwise a really plain woman
who has conspicuous graces of mind
and manner will prove more than a
match for her beautiful, insipid sis
tiers.
Year: 1877

The following graphic passage is
from the description of a scene wit
messed by Mr.. Campbell aud his par
ty in the North Of Norway, from a
cliff one thousand feet above the sea:
The scene stretched away in silent
vastness at our feet; the sound Of its
waves scarcely reached our airy look
out; away in the North the huge old
sun hung low along the horizon, like
the slow beat of the pendulum in the
tall clock Of our granfather's parlor
corner. We all stood silent, looking
at our watches. When both hands
came together at twelve, midnight,
the full round orb hung triumphantly
above the wavss; bridge of gold rum
ming due Nor,h spanned the water be-
tween US and him. There he shone
in silent majesty which knew no set
ting. We involuntarily took of our
hats; no word was said. Combine, if
you can, the most brilliant sunrise
and sunset you ever saw, and its beau
ties will pale before the gorgeous col
oring which now lit up the ocean,
heaven and mountain. In half an
hour the sun had swung up percepti-
bly, on its beat; the colors changed to
those of morning; a fresh breeze rip
Piled over the food; one songster after
another piped up in the grove behind
us. We had slid into another day.
Year: 1877

The Toronto Globe says that little
girl, eleven years old, very lightly clad
and barefooted, applied at the Jail at
Goderich, one Wednesday forenoon re-
Gently, to be permitted to see her father,
George May, from Exeter, who was serv-
ing term of one month for abusing his
wife. She was at once admitted,
and the fathers surprise and pleasure
were genuine, and the more SO when he
had discovered that the little one had
walked a greater portion of the way.
The girl left her home on the previous
Monday evening and walked along the
track toward Clinton until it got dark,
when she lay down in the grass by the
way and slept till morning. The jour.
ney was resumed early on Tuesday and
maintained until the vicinity of Clinton
was reached, late in the evening. Dur
ing the day she had nothing to eat but
beech nuts, which she had gathered il
the woods, but at evening she was taker
in by the kindly wife of farmer, KEEP
over night and forwarded to her desti
nation the next morning in buggy
She was kept for a short time in the Jail
where she made herself very useful, AM
proved bright, intelligent little one
On Thursday the mother arrived an,
took the child, much against her will
home again.
Year: 1877

The women on holidays turn out in
the old Morse costume, the chief feature
of which is the bodice, which is often
made of some bright colored velvet,
turned down in front with white silk,
and laced before and behind, according
to our author, with several yards of
fine silver chain, each chain ending in
silver bodkin, in order that they may be
the better threaded through double eyes
lin themselves strikingly pretty articles
of silver), that run in four lines up the
back and front of this snowy piece of
Scandinavian haberdashery." Both men
and women are fond of large bright but
tons and of silver or plated ornaments.
A Morse wedding is always preceded by
a series of presents from the bridegroom
to the bride. First, there are about two
dozen meat tubs of various sizes, elabor-
ately painted; and last and crowRing
glory of the trousseau, there is a won
derful clothes-press. Inside, as far as
regards drawers large and small, and
brass pegs and racks for crockery. it is a
marvel Of ingenuity; while outside it is
a perfect triumph of art. The ground
tint is warm bright vermilion, painted
all over with green and yellow scrolls,
enlivened with wreaths of gorgeous
flowers and piles of brilliantly hued
fruit, pleasingly interspersed with quaint
lovers knots and bleeding hearts trans
fixed upon Cupid's darts, in the midst o.
which are the names and birth-dates o.
the liberal donor and blissful recipien
of this magnificent wedding-gift. A
Norwegian maiden, who is generally a
sober as linnet in her ordinary attire
appears on her bridal day glittering il
all the colors of the rainbow. On he


long fair hair is set an antique crown o
silver gilt; and her bodice, stiff as cui


rass, is thickly studded with beads, sill


ver-gilt brooches, and small mirrors


The bridal adornment is too valuable t


be the individual property of any Nors


belle, but belongs to the district, and


hired out for the day.
Year: 1877

CAPoUL, the tenor singer, iscontinually
pestered by the attentions of a crowd of
female admirers. The other night,
while he was singing in Virginia, a
Partisan duchess, who was tired of
writing him letters which he would not
answer or return, flung crimson
bouquet at him. He paid no attention
to it till his part of the scene was over,
when he rose and coolly and con-
temptuously drove, with a single kick
the bouquet into the wings.
Year: 1877

made of obsidian, as all the prehistoric
implements from this locality were
made of this same substance, volcan-
ic rock, which appears in abundance
all about. There is no mistaking the
fact that the cutting was done before
petrifaction began, as the cuts occur at
different angles to the grain of the wood.
The deduction is inevitable that man
was in California before the birth of
Mount st. Helena even, and also that
he was of type superior to the people
who inhabited it at The advent of the
European, for he knew how to fashion
cutting tools.
Year: 1877

BY advertisement in the official column of
to-day's issue it will be observed that the
Government has come to the very sensible
conclusion to offer Its feet of steamers, old
and new, Tor sale. Proposals for purchase
will be received at the Interior Office up to
Thursday of next week. II is reported that
there are several parties in the country who
propose to bid for the boats, in which case the
Government will at all events be able to re-
fund 10 the Treasury all that the steamer
Likelike has cost the nation.


We have always maintained the principle
that the Government should not engage in
enterprises outside of lis legitimate sphere
any further than was absolutely necessary to
promote the public good. Steam communica-
ton between the islands of this group is
essential to the interests of commerce and
trade, and up to the presen: time private par
hes have not been able to engage in il with
remunegative results: but with the late change
in the conditions Of business here there comes
q probability that . steamer may be run with
. handsome profit. Consequently the Govern
ment has an opportunity to retire from oompe-
tition with private interests, which all will be
glad to see II avail itself Of.
Year: 1877

THE great strikes which swept across the
United States last month, resulting in many
instances in riots, have ceased, and quiet and
order have been restored, and the strikers
with the exception Of those in some OF the
Pennsylvania mining regions-have resumed
work. The cause for the strikes may be
found in the fact that Tor year or two past
there has existed all over the country great
prostration OF business, and, as is usually the
case at such times, the laboTing class has been
TIC first 10 feel the pressure, and has suffered
the most from its effects Men who, three or
four years ago, were receiving two aud three
dollars s day, are now thought fortunate If
they can obtain fifty cents, while thousands
are out Of employment AS natural conse-
qnonoe Of this state Of things Tufiauism and
vagrancy abound The feeling Of hatred and
jealousy, which is probably always latent
among the poor against the rich, is excited
and famed into fame at such periods, and i'll
considered and rash Indulgence in excess and
acts Of desperation are natural sequence.


Il is pleasant to note in connection with the
late riots the vast and prepOnderating iniiu-
ence exe-ted on the side Of order and law by
the people,-ShAt class who are-the custodians
Of intelligence and oOmmOn-sense, and VINO in
every enlightened country constitute moral
majority, which is IS solid and impregnable
as the rocky barriers on the coast, against
which the waves Of disorder and turbulence
nay dash in vain. In the words Of Harper's
Weekly = the 6rss and most obvious moral Of
the events Of the month is not thar an army is
able to subdue an insurreciioa-a truth which
is often demonstrated in Europe-but that an
insurrsction more general and formidable and
organized Of its kind than Europe has seen,
Year: 1877

IT is TO be hoped that there will be radi-
cal change made. with the commencement of
new epoch in steamboating in Hawaii, in re-
gard 70 the loose discipline which has pre-
vailed en- board the kilauea in the matter of
passengers. Not a trip has been made by
that boat for long time in which cabin pas
sengers have not been subjected to great
annoyance by the unrestricted way in which
deck passengers are allowed 10 wander aft
and into the cabin, and in many instances TO
spread their mats and lay themselves down
to sleep, within those precincts which are
understood to be reserved for those who pay
full rates. What justice is there in oompell-
ing one man, whose skin is white, to pay six
dollars FOR a ticket to Lahaina, and then to
grant him no privileges or immunities which
are not held by the native who pays only two
dollars? The present system of charges for
passage on the steamer is unfair, being based
on the idea that the native Hawaiian, by vir-
tue Of his birth, Is privileged character.
Why should a poor Chinaman or Portugee,
because he was SO uulucky as not TO be born
= AaI.ah1, be obliged, without regard to his
poverty, TO pay for cabin-ticket. he may
prefer to sleep on the deck forward, and to
eat his own food, but he is under the ban-he
Is foreigner, and therefore he must pay for
luxuries which he cannot appreciate and which
he viii not use. We beg to suggest that It
would be an Improvement which the travelling
public would fully appreciate, to make the
line Of demarcAtiou between deck and cabin
passengers more marked, and to jealously
guard against any good natured or careless
neglect TO enforce whatever rules may be
judged proper. We would also advocate a
graded scale OF charges for deck passengers,
corresponding to the charges for cabin pass
/ age, and an adjustment of all class pri-
vileges founded on color. or birth. Let any
man Of whatever nationality purchase deck
ticket if he chooses, but let it be distinctly
understood that it does not convey any cabin
Z privileges.
Year: 1877

HER MAJESTY Queen Kapiolani embarked
on Monday evening last, under the usual
salute from the Punchbowl Battery, on board
the new steamer Likelikes for the island of
Hawaii. A large number Of passengers, en-
bracing about ninety cabin and two hundred
and fifty deck also took the steamer for vari-
ous ports Of Mani and Hawaii. Several thou
sand people collected on the wharf to witness
tins her FIRST departure for the windward.
Year: 1877

0eeurrei in the mosth Of July il the regular steam
communication lOug established between San
Francisco and your port. The new Hawaiian Steam
er Advertised to sail in the middle Of July but
work or her was not finished in time and her trial
trip rot made until August 2nd.


The re establishment of the steam line TO Honolulu
with the prospect Of an increased number of monthly
trips will rejoice every interested in the advance
ment Of YOUR Commercial Affairs
Year: 1877

IMMENSE LANDHOLDERs.-A correspondent
OF the Stockton Independent writes as follows
OF the immense landed and other posses
slonS OF Miller u Lux. 1t is impossible to
estimate, but it is said they have 7O0OOO
acres in all in California, an area nearly as
great as the State of Rhode Island. There
must be at least 100000 acres in one BODY,
running in strip ten or twelve miles wide
ana sixty miles long from Hills Ferry
southwark. The canal farm is. therefore.
very small proportion of it. 1t is covered
with tarmhouses as well equipped in all
respects as the canal farm. They own
ABOUT $4,000 head of cattle, and last year
Their newborn calves numbered 25.OOO
head. Of sheep they have a vast number.
as well as of hogs, and they furnish the
largest share of fresh meat for the San
francisco market. They can start herd
from Kern county and drive it through to
San Francisco and have good pasture on
their own land for the cattle to feed on
every night on the route.
Year: 1877

HORSE KILLED BY RATTLEsNAKE.-Tbe
Reading Times and Dispatch says that a
horse belonging to Mr.. Wilson German, of
Lynn township, being pastured in field
along the Blue Mountains, was bitten by a
rattleesnake, and from the effects died a
lew days afterwards. The reptile was upon
bluff up which the horse was going
rapidly until the snake ratified, when the
animal heard the mysterious noise, stopped,
ana would not move. In turning his head
down hill he brought the front of his fet-
lock within reach of the serpent, which
stuck its fangs full in the joint. The limb
commenced Immediately to swell, and the
poison moved with great celebrity through
out the entire body. The animals blood
seemed to stagnate, and to settle in spots
all over his body. This continued for
several days, when death resulted.
Year: 1877

Milk men are too, careless about the
condition of their cows. A good flow Of
milk and sweet healthy butter can only be
produced when the Hood and system of
the COW IS pure and healthy. The milk
men of New Jersey saw from actual ex.
perience) Foutz's Celebrated Horse and
Cattle Powders if used according to direc.
tions have the desired effect beyond the
most sanguine expectatios