smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

The order issued in the Prussian army is
a significant part of the days news. 1t for
bids officers on the active list from taking
service in the Russian army. This implies
that there is some more or less active move
ment of that sort on foot with Prussian
officers, and that all others may take service
except those on the active list 1t also i'm
plies that the authorities in Berlin.
though resolved not to spend thaler
of German money unnecessarily, nor
to venture in the quarrel between
Russia and Turkey "a single bone Of a
Pomeranian soldier" are yet 80 uncertain
of the direction events may take that they
deem it necessary to keep their actual army
in thoroughly effective condition. II is not
in the remotest degree possible that any
strictly German interest can be involved
while the war retains the character OF con-
hict strictly between the two nations. But
there may be revolt in the Polish prov
inces of Russia, which Germany. out of re-
gard to her own tranquility, would doubt
less be willing to suppress. Austria may
also forget political discretion so far as to
be led away by the Hungarian enmity to
Russia. In either of these contingencies it
would be proper to have the Prussian army
ready.


In this as in nearly every incident re-
ported from day to day in the foreign news.
the common presumption is that the nego-
tiations will end in war. Indeed, the Con-
ference may be regarded as body called to
endeavor to prevent war otherwise newt
able, and, so far as now appears, to have
failed in its mission. Turkey, under the
influence probably of English advice, is
convinced that her military resources are
fully equal to conflict with Russia, and
is disposed to make the experiment.
In former collisions Of those Powers
Russia, when successful, has had SO
little to spare that a knowledge on
the part of her opponent of her real con-
dition might have induced persistency
that would have changed the result, and
the collapse Of Turkish power has been due
never to the want of warlike spirit, but al
ways to the failure of the organization Of
really great military resources. With her
struggle directed, as it evidently will be, by
highly educated and capable English Off
GERS, there is little reason to believe that
Turkey will fail through any of the causes
that have effected her failure hitherto, and
the war. if it begins will certainly be we'll
sustained conflict.


No adverse decision has yet been made by
the Sultan's government on the PROPOSE
tioDc of tho Coufararca md thic ;c co for
as it goes, favorable sign; but the likeli-
hood is that the Grand Vizier, encouraged
by English opinions of Turkeys military
resources and sustained by the unyielding
element of Moslemism, has determined not
to accept the scheme of reforms proposed in
their actual shape, and the Conference
cannot SO far abandon the position it has
taken as to modify them to such an extent
as would make them acceptable.
Year: 1877

A few weeks ago the papers published an
notorious Bowery saloon, during which a
number of shots were fred, unfortunately
without taking effect on anything but the
walls and furniture. The doors were closed
and fastened inside by the interesting
patrons of the place, in order that the fun
might be uninterrupted, and the police were
compelled to break their way in to stop the
fracas and arrest the parties. A day or two
afterward another licensed den was entered
by officers and found elaborately fitted with
"panel' cupboards and other secret hiding
places, all of which were we'll stored with
stolen goods, the proceeds of burglaries and
shoplifting. At an early hour yesterday
morning the frequenters of the first named
Bowery saloon indnlged in free pistol and
knife fight on the sidewalk in front of the
house, and at least one man was severely
wounded.


The present Excise law requires that the
Commissioners Of Excise before granting
license to sell liquor shall satisfy themselves
that the person applying for the same is q
respectable citizen of good moral character.
If license should through deception or
oversight be placed in the hands of an i'm
proper party it is made the duty of the
Commissioners to revoke it. We are not
sure what may constitute good moral
character in the estimation Of the present
Excise Commissioners, but we should
scarcely think that the proprietor of this
Bowery saloon and improvised shooting
gallery can come up to their standard.
Why does he enjoy license? Why is his
disreputable den allowed to exist under the
cover of the Excise law, to the terror of the
neighborhood and the peril Of the public?


The proposed new Excise law seems to be
Objectionable in many Of it's features and
designed to make the whole licensing busi-
ness o farce. 1t is less stringent even than
the present law in its provisions regarding
the good character of the persons receiving
licenses. If we are to have any new legisla-
ton on the subject it should seek to make
the Commissioners more directly responsible
for the good conduct Of licensed houses.
But it is clearly an offence on the part Of
the Commissioners under the existing law
to license such places as this Bowery saloon,
which is notoriously the resort Of thieves
and rufiians, and Mayor Ely should apply
the remedy. If we live faithfully up to the
laws we have we shall do we'll enough, with
out trying new and doubtful experiments.
Year: 1877

One of the favorite commercial dreams of
the last thirty or forty years, and the most
fascinating and magnificent of them all
a dream destined to be some day trans
formed into glorious reality-is that of di-
viding the isthmus which connects the two
grand divisions of this Western Continent
and dispensing with long, dangerous
voyages around stormy Cape Horn. This
dream is suggested by the barest inspec-
ton of a map of the world, and it's realiza-
ton has been postponed only by the cost
of the work and the small population
of the Western coasts Of America.
But the time is nearly ripe for this grand
undertaking. The Pacific Railroad has
given such an impetus to the growth of our
settlements west of the Rocky Mountains
and to the trade with Eastern Asia,
and engineering skill has within the
last few years accomplished so many
great, though minor feats, with salts
factory prospects of pecuniary profit,
that this majestic and crowning enterprise
cannot be much longer deferred. The de-
pressed condition of business throughout
the world may cause postponement for n
few years more, but one of the first great
enterprises likely to be undertaken on
the general revival of prosperity is
the construction of ship canal
connecting the waters Of the Carib-
bean Sea with those of the Pacific Ocean.
1t is important to improve this interval in
perfecting the explorations and surveys
and making the treaty arrangements which
will render the embarkation of capital
safe when the time comes for beginning the
work.


Since the negotiation Of the Clayton Bull
wer treaty in 1850 ship canal has been an
object of lively interest to our people, and
our government has caused several surveys
to be made in order to discover the most
feasible route. The most satisfactory of
these surveys is the most recent The
ablest engineers in our national SER
vice have been employed in tho task,
and the result of their labors is a
strong preponderance of opinion in favor
of the Nicaragua route. Secretary Fish is
accordingly arranging a treaty with the
Nicaraguan government for securing advan-
tages, with view to future action. One
object of the treaty is to secure perfect pro-
lection to capital devoted to the enterprise,
and another to establish region Of neutrality
around the canal. The Nicaraguan govern
ment is to grant belt of one hundred miles
on each side, which is to be neutral terri
tory in case Of war, and the waters for con-
siderable distance from the harbor at
either end are to have the like charac-
ter of neutrality 1t is expected that
other nations will come into the
arrangement and that all the commercial
Powers will bind themselves not to modest
ships in time Of war within the distance of
hundred miles from either end Of the
canal. 1t is to be hoped that all such
preliminarics may be settled in this period
Of commercial stagnation, SO that when
prosperity revives capital may be boldly
and safely embarked in this great enter
prise.
Year: 1877

THE WEATHER.-As the western depression
moves eastward an increasing cloudncss takes
the place of the clear blue skies and compara-
lively high temperature succeeds the bitter cold
Of the last few days. Very little rain or snow
fell yesterday in the northern part N the United
States, and only at widely scattered points. The
high pressure is moving off the coast of New
Jersey and Long Island, leaving the course
open to the advancing depression already referred
to. In the South the area of low barometer
which we announced several days ago as adj
vancing from the Gulf, has reached the
Louisiana and Texas coasts, and heavy rain has
fallen at New Orleans and vcksburg. 1t is
probable that the storm will commence its move
ment toward the Atlantic coast night. and will
then follow the track VIC have already announced
for it. Tho temperature has risen decidedly
westward Of the Alesharics and along the South
Atlantic coast, but continues low in the ST. Law
renee Valley. A brief synopsis of last years
weather appears in our columns today. Tho
wcathcr in New York today will be warmer and
partly cloudy or cloudy, possibly with light rain
or snOw
Year: 1877

CONGRESSMAN FIELD, Just elected by demo-
Gratis, praises the republican Senator Conllling
and nobody accuses him of treason. If this sort
Of thing is allowed to go on party whips might
as well be sold to mule drivers and partisan pol
iticians will have to work for their living. Field
must be suppressed.
Year: 1877

WALL STREET YEsTERDAY.-Stocks were active
but irregular with considerable strength shown
in several Of the old favorites. Gold declined
from 1O6a4 to 1O6le Money on call loaned at
2 and per cent. Government and first class
railway bonds were in demand and firm.
Year: 1877

EVEN IN DYING the Vanderblts are remark
able. So strange a coincidence the decease,
within twcnty-four hours of each other, of the
old Commodore and his older sister has seldom
or never been recorded.
Year: 1877

Tnup HOLDERS OF BANK STOCK will not sleep
any more peacefully after reading "a Lesson to
Bank Directors in court reports and the
same story will lead woud-bc investors to won
der how to detect corporations given to ways that
are dark
Year: 1877

Lx1 IT BE SroPPEp.-Thc factious fight made
arainst rapid transit by the Sixth Avenue Street
Raflroad Company has drawn attention to the
eharter Of that corporation, which contains a
clsnse By which the city may at any time take
possession Of the road paying ten per cent
above its actual cost TO tho company. There can
be no doubt that tho Common Council and the
Mayor have great power over the street railroads
independmtly of this special provision in the
Gtxth Avenue charter. The Board of Alder
s,en. under section II OF the city
charter. has absolute authority, among other
thine, ITO regulate tho use of the streets. high
ways, roads and public places by foot passengers,
suiuals, vehicles, cars and locomotives and in
apy firht drawn on By the selfish determination
Of the rnilroad companies to obstruct the accom-
pIishnent of great public work demanded by
the voice Of the whole people those corporations
would find their interests seriously damaged.
The sixth Avenue Company is backed up IN its
unfair opposition TO rapid transit by the great
wealth of the Thirl Avenue Company and ny
oshcr ro;sie, md the Aldermen cannot too soon
make e,i1GIe their determination to put stop
70 this sort VI warfare against tho public III
tercstA
Year: 1877

correspondent writes US communication three
solid pages Of cap paper in length, to correct an
error in local, ten lines long. which appeared
in the DEMOCRAT yesterday, headed ''A Race for
Tug" We will make the correction for our
friend, the deputy sheriff referred to, more
briefly. The deputy sheriff was not beaten by
the deputy marshal, as stated. The deputy
marshal got his writ twenty -four hours earlier
than the deputy sheriff. The deputy sheriff did
not wait on the landing for the Kaiser, but took
passage in pursuit of her on the only boat to be
had; he met the Kaiser. boarded her, served the
writ. returned to the city on her, and remained
on her until it was decided who had q right to
the possession-the marshal or the sheriff.
Year: 1877

only few OF his Intimate friends knew of the
Mr.. Ross believes that Kendall Is living about
the matter, he thinks 1t might be possible
TO obtain slight clue to the missing child
from some Of the Information impaired by
Kendall, ana Will endeavor to work the case
up with the aid Of detectives
Year: 1877

The OUTWARD DEMEANoR.-Much
Of the happiness Of life depends on our
outward demeanon. We all have ex-
perienced the charm of gentle and
courteous conduct we have been
drawn irresistibly towards those who
are obliging, atfable and sympathetic
in their demeanor. The friendly
grasp, the warm welcome, the cherry
tone, the encouraging word, the re-
spectful manner, bear no small share
in creating the joy of life, while the
austere tone, the stern rebuke, the
sharp and acrid remark, the cold and
Indifferent manner, the curt and dis
respectful air, the supercilious and
scornful bearing, are responsible for
more of human distress, despair, and
woe than their transient nature might
seem to warrant.
Year: 1877

SOMEBODY in the London Times
suggests way to prevent sutocation
by smoke. If your house is on fire
and your room is filed with smoke he
suggests that you take your pillow
case saturate it with water, making
a small hole in it to look through,
and place it over the head This, he
says, will make an admirable im-
promptu respirator in the densest
smoke. He speaks OF its success in
many instances.
Year: 1877

IRAscIBILITY OF TEMpER.-The
greatest plague of life is a bad temper.
1t is great waste of time to complain
of other peoples the best thing is to
amend your own and the next best
quality is to learn to bear with what
we meet in Others Feasibility is very
injurious to health, and so, in fact, is
every morbid indulgence of our infe-
rior nature--low spirits, melancholy,
difhdence, disiaclination for ordinary
duties, discomfort fretfulness, even
down to mental lassitude, Incidence
or despair-are very inimical to en-
joyment in life, and every possible
effort should be made to cast them all
to the winds, and look unblushingly
into the truth Of the fact. tbs aston
ishing what little reflection will do


tile fears are mostly imaginary, and
with one dash of resolution may all
be overcome.
Year: 1877

"Cot my hair" said the customer
as he seated himself in BARRIERS chair,
land be sure you let it run down the
back of my neck, referring, Of course,
to the particular style of the cut.


The barber was a Western artist,
having lately arrived in Oil City from
ST. Louis.


After clipping away for some time
he concluded that perhaps the hair
wasn't running down his customers
neck as fast as that individual might
desire it-although Tor the life of him
he couldn't see why he should want
it to run down at all-and when
quantity had accumulated inside his
shirt collar the accommodating barber
showed it down and out Of sight with
the handle Of the brush.


This performance was repeated two
VI llllee times, ana me customer be-
gan to realize what was going on.
HenceIorUaro he took q lively inter
ests iii the proceedings. He said


"What in the name of The bird will
the broad and sweeping wing are you
doing?''


ut didn't seem to run down. said
the barber, apologetically, $50 I cram
med it down with the brush"


The customer acted like man who
had just made the discovery that cat
had built nest between his shoulder
blades and had kittens there, so he
yelled:


Gram your crammed head to cram
nation!' and then turning double
sommersault out of his chair he kick
ed at the reaec; ion of 'he ba, ber in
the loking glass. The barber escaped.


OF A CUP OF CoFFEE.--It has been
truthfully said that even in these en-
lighened days, and in tie lands most
blessed by the influence of civi'iza-
ton, there are thousands upon thous-
ands of persons born into the world
who live long lives and then go down
into their graves without ever having
tasted a good cup Of coffee. There
are many reasons for this. and the
principal one, of course, must be that
few persons know hsw to make good
coffee. And yet there have been
thousands of recipes and directions
published which teach US how to make
good coffee by boiling it by not bill
ing it by confning the essence and
aroma by making it in an open ves-
sell by sleeping it; by not sleeping
it by grinding it fine; by grinding it
course, and by many other methods
opposed to each other and to all these.
Now we do not intend to try to tell
anybody how to make good coffee, but
we wish to say word about the treat
ment of the coffee after it is made.
And on this treatment depends it's ex-
cellence, brew it as you may. The
rule is simple never deca1at 1t, What
ever else you do about it bring it to
the table in the vessel in which it
was made. A handsome urn or gor-
geous cofee-pot is the grave of good
coffee. Of course, if it is considered
more desirable to have the pot look
we'll than to have the coffee taste well'
we have nothing more to say. But
when hot coffee is empted from one
vessel to another, the kitchen ceiling
generally receives that essence-laden
vapor which should have found its
way into the cups on the breakfast
table. And one word about these
cups. When the coffee enters them it
should find the milk or cream already
there. By observing these rules, Or
dinary coffee, made in almost any way,
is often very palatable indeed.
Year: 1877

The greatest attribute of Chinese
General is considered to be his STRAIT
egy. He is worth nothing if he fails
to lead his enemy into making false
step. The hero of the hour, on this
account, is a general who led a body
of troops against a walled city held
by the insurgents. He besieged them,
and in due course of time they plead
ed for terms. Laudable promises
were made by the dozen, the "sine
qua non being they should lay down
their arms. This was done, when the
generals dispatches inform us, they
were massacred as fast as it was pos
sible to do 80, but the leader was put
to death by the extreme torture"
This consideration in winding a wire
very tightly about the entire head and
body TO the feet, intervals of an inch
beng lef. between each turn. This
brought the flesh into wales which
were quickly and neatly sliced off by
keen knives. The scene ended by de-
capitating the still living skeleton.


A very great deal of evidence in
criminal cases elicted by the torture,
unless that given comedies with the
ideas of the magistrate.


Kneeling on chains for many hours,
the lash descending at the slightest
change of posture, pinching the fng-
ers in vices made of split bamboo; en-
twining metal tubes about the body
and extremities, in which boiling flu
id is poured, soaring the flesh where
ever it touches; wearing three feet
square, twenty pound wooden collar
day and night for weeks, being unable
to reach the mouth with the hand, and
exposed to the gaze of the passers-by
in the locality of the offence; placing
in cage with the head secured in a
collar which forms roof, the toes
just touching the ground, and left to
die by starvation and strangulation
beheading and cutting into 'ten thons-
and pieces" are among the usual pun
ishments of this ''enlightened' race.
Year: 1877

The DUTIES OF EDUCATED WOMEN.
The education of weman, like that
of men, should tend to prepare them
for their duties; the difference of their
employment will of course render
their duties different. 1t is the duty
of woman to educate her children,
the boys until a certain age, and girls
until they are married. How much
wisdom is requisite to manage the
mind and disposition of each child SO
as to guide their intellects. manage
their humors, to anticipate the effects
to their growing passions, and to rec
tify their errors. How much pru-
dence should mother have in order
to maintain her authority over them,
without losing their friendship and
their confidence. Surely the mother
of a family ought to possess a religious,
nature, finn mind, acquainted with the
human heart. St. Paul attaches such
Importance to the education of child
ren, that he says it is by mothers the
souls Of children are saved"


We shall not attempt to specify all
that they ought to know, in order to
educate their children we'll. To do
| this, it would be necessary to enter
into an entire detail Of heir studies
but we must not omit the subject of
economy. Woman in general or apt
to neglect it, and think it proper only
for the lower classes those woman,
especially, who are brought up in
idleness and Incidence, disdain
the details of domestic life. 1t is
nevertheless, from ignorance that the
science of economy is despised. The
polished Greeks and Romans took care
to instruct themselve in this art. The


mind is of a low order which can only
speak we'll and cannot act well +; we
often meet with women who utter
wise maxims, yet, nevertheless, are
very frivolous in their conduct.
Year: 1877

The Scientific american gives some OF
the circumstances which lead to the eXplo-
sion Of kerosene lamps, the philosophy OF
all OF them being that the fame may pass
down the wick and ignite the vapor which
accumulatcs in the upper portion OF the
lamp. This yapor is not an explosive rs
the term is ordinarily understood, but when
it is confined so that the gases resulting
from its combustion cannot escape freely
into the open air the vessel contining it
will be shattered. This ignition of the va
Dor may be brought about as follows:


/. a lamp may be standing on table or
mantel, and slight puff OF air from the
open window or door may cause an explo-
sion.


,. A lamp may be taken up quickly from
1 table or mantcl and instantly exploded.


8. 4 lamp is taken out into the entry
where there is draft, or out OF doors, and
an explosion cnSuc$.


4. A lighted lamp is taken up Il flight oi
stairs, or is raised quickly to place it on the
mante, resulting in an explosion. In these
cases the mischief is done by the air move
ment-either by suddenly checking the
draft. or forcing air down the chimney
against the fame.


5. Blowing down the chimney to eXtn-
gush the light is Il frequent cause OF en-
plosion.


G. Lamp-exploSions have been caused by
using a chimney broken off at the top, or
one that has piece broken out, whereby
the draft is variable and the flame unsteady.


:. Sometimes a thoughtless person puts a
small wick in q large burner, thus leaving
considerable space along the edges OF the
wick. An old burner, with its ar-draft
clogged up, which rightfully should be
thrown away, is sometimes continued in
use, and the Gnal result is an explosion.
Year: 1877

A man who came to California two years
ago says he beard before he came here that
one could wear tie same suit the year
round, and he is satisfied OF toe truth OF
that assertion, as he has worn the same suit
ever since he came here.-San Francisco
MaN.
Year: 1877

THE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE MEDICAL
COLLEGE To-NIGHT.-Dr. Taylor, having
completed his engagement at st. johns
church, will tonight give an exhibition at
the Chemical Hall in the Medical College for
the benefit OF the Episcopal church in
Goochland county. This entertainment
will be varied by the introduction OF num-
ber OF chemical and electrical experiments,
and no doubt all who attend will be highly
deliphted
Year: 1877

THE FESTIVAL AT LEIGH-STREET CHURCH.
The ladies' festival at Leigh-Street Baptist
church will be specially attractive tonight,
as the Amateur Band will enliven all VINO
attend with some OF their sweet music.