smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

Very queer ideas are entertained by
portion Of the public in regard to the rights
and duties of editors, and the relationship
subsiSting between the editor and his sub
scribers When James |. was asked to
define free monarchy, he replied that it
was government where the monarch was
left free TO do as he chose. Some people,
by a similar process of reasoning, seem to
TO think that free press is press free
for me TO say what please of others
provided, always, that nobody shall
have the liberty of saying anything against
me- The editorial workshop is often the
the theatre of many amusing scenes from
which hundreds of comic sketches might
be drawn every year, Nearly every man
thinks himself capable of giving the best
possible advice to an editor, and writes
him down as n very long.eared animal if
h. does not follow it-foIgetting that
there are any other principles, views, or
opinions, than those entertained by him.
self. In this happy country every one is
not only born politician, but a states
man. and nearly every one who supposes
he has caught hold of the leg or the wing
of an idea thinks he is qualified forthwith
to write for the press-and each, of
course, thinks that his own darling essay
must have the first place, and that crea-
lion will stand till it is published. And
if the editor dares to reject it, on account
of its Objectionable character, or because
of its sorrowful composition, or for want
of room, he is often denounced as
blockhead, or as wanting in spirit.


Again there is "A large class of writers
both for the city and country press, who
think they are comforting a particular
favor upon the editors by every line they
write, because it will help to fill up
Indeed, the popular opinion, everywhere,
seems to be that newspaper editors are
wonderfully pcrplexed to find matter to
fill their columns; whereas the reverse Of
this IS the fact. Their trouble is to find
space for the tenth part of the matter
they get prepared and many of their own
editorials are swept into the waste basket
for want OF room.


A fruitful source of vexation arises
from the complaints of people who either
are attacked, or fancy they are, by cor
respondents, or perhaps for cause, by the
editor himself Cases often occur in
in which person puts cap upon his
head that was fitted up for some one else
and it often happens that covert attacks
are made upon individuals, which, in the
hurry of business. are not apparent to the
editor, or do not meet his eye until after
the publication. In all these cases, ipvol-
wing every shade and variety, he is oblig-
ed either to meet the case directly las he
will, if an honorable man, il the respon-
sibility justly devolves upon him, or, in
case OF accidental mistakes, do the bes.
he can. In London and Paris the editor
rarely has any difficulty Of this descrip-
Year: 1866

vague hope that she might have spoken
the truth after all,


Poor little Ric, she was 20 very naughty.
Sally was the more grieved, because late
ly she had always spoken the truth; but
now, when an hour after her punishment,
the mistress came in again, and offered to
forgive her on condition Of her speaking
the truth She sullenly walked into one
corner Of The room, and sobbed and would
not say word.


"Then, Sally, you must go these err
rahds by YOURSELF" said the mistress; II
meant to have let her go with you, but
now she must stay here by herself "


Little Rie looked up as she went away,
and saw that she was very stern and
angry. o, how little either of them
thought they should never look one anoth-
cr in the face again.


Sally went away. 1t was precious
afternoon, and the Kitchen door leading
into the back garden was open. Little
lie was at first disconsolate, but soon the
light spirits of childhood began to assert
themselves, and she began to play, though
very quietly, and with an occasional sob,
till at last, o woeful mischancc, she
Knocked down cheese plate. 1t fell
gathering upon the floor, and broke into
fifty pieces one moment she stood
aghast then her terrified fancy feigncd n
step upon the stairs she darted through
the open door and rushed down the garden.
Where she could 90 TO escape the anger
of the mistress, she scarcely knew; but
she came TO the garden wicket, it led into
lane. y She ran away, and no one
knew what had become of her


There was man who lid, some time
alterward, that he met her that night,
about sundown, wandering over the moor,
but that he had asked her no questions,
for he thought some Of her friends must
be near at hand. In the course Of time
many rumors about respecting her, but
nothing was ever known. Little Rie
''was not; y she had vanished from her
place like dream. But
weeks after, when poor Sally's simple
heart was getting used to miss the child
the mistress came into the kitchen and
took. down little covered jar full Of
caraway seeds, from shelf over the
dresser, she looked in, and mist seemed
to rise and shut out the sunshine withou,
and within, for there lay the paper o
raisins; in an instant she knew it again,
and knew that, in her hurry an confus
ion, she herself must have thrown it in
Yes, that little jar had been standing be
side her. Then into it she must have
pushed or dropped the raisins, AMI after.
ward, with her own hands, she must have
set the jar upon the shelf above to be ou
of the way.


Miserable, aching pain! How hard il
was to have it Juggling at her heart, ant
by slow degrees to grow into the know
ledge that even just punishment may
become unjust unless it is administered il
the spirit of love. But hers had not beer
a just punishment Alas she had no
possessed herself of any knowledge of tn,
'ault; she herself had outraged that scnSC
Of justice which she had been at SO mucl
pains to implant; and now there was M
means Of making restitution. How diff
cult 1t is to estimate the many ways II
which we may be mistaken! Wher
shall we learn TO keep the knowlcdg,
always present with Us, that often kind
ness is our best uprightness, and ou
truest justice is mercy !-Jeaa IgelOlc.
Year: 1866

RIcHHoSD OrERA-HoUsE.-A concert will be
given at the Richmond Opera.House to-mor
row night for the benefit of the city police.
Fresh evidences of the vigilance and efficiency
of this body are daily received, and we earn
estlv wish to see the guardians of our city
receive the encouragement they deserve. Sue
cess then, TO their concert to morrow night.
Year: 1866

Rents IN RICHMoND.-Last week the opinion
was expressed In this paper that rents would
regulate themselves in Richmond, and that
the only fear we had in regard TO the matter
was, that they would soon be lower than we or
any one else desired to see them. Yesterday
one OF the finest business stands in the city
that on the corner of Cary and Fourteenth
streets, four stories above the ground, high
pitched, with railway, iron safe scales and
every arpurtcnanCe of first class house-was
offered for rent, by public auction, and taken
in At twelve hundred and fifty dollars-the
highest bid made. There were many Of our
business men present, but they seemed 10 be
afraid to risk n bid n all commensurate with
the value of the house. We have no reason 10
doubt that the owner will get much more than
the sum offered and we trust he will, for 50
much enterprise as is manifested in the con-
struction and arrangement of the house
deserves encouragement yet the facts stated
Justify us in coming to the conclusion that the
day for high rents has passed III Richmond.
Six months ago the house would have rented
for six thousand dollars.
Year: 1866

A DANDY said to gentleman in a
ball room:


"Who is that ugly woman with whom
you were just walking?'


"That is my sister -


"No, l don't mean her," explained
the unfortunate interroga or. n mean
that horrid, red-haired creature by your
side?"


"That sir, is my wife-and you are
an impudent puppy, and | will afford
myself the pleasure of kicking you from
this room : and the gentleman not only
kicked the offender out of the room,
but kept on kicking until he had him
sprawling on the street.
Year: 1866

AS it presents itself on this coast, is of more
formidable character than that seen in the
Atlantic States or Europe, arising from the
fact of its being compound of Spanish, Chi
nese, and Sandwich Island disease. Those of
you who have visited the two latter countries
no doubt have seen the dreadful effects of it
on both the native and foreign population.
1t requires altogether different modes of
treatment
Year: 1866

RAT CUyNINc.-Itis is astonishing how cunning
ly and quickly rats will run along the hawser OF
ship attached to another ship in order to search
for more abundant food than they could procure
in the ship they have just left. This is generally
done in the night, but TIE migration has been
witnessed in the day time. When rats have
devoured all the food in barn, they will migrate
in considerable numbers to another. y friend
of mine, clergyman, witnessed one of these
nigratons, and saw old blind rat holding a
short bit of stick in his mouth, and another rat
holding the other end in this way the blind rat
was conducted safely along. This anecdote may
be doubted, but l have too high an opinion Of
the varacity Of my respectable informant TO
doubt it myself The contryances Of rats to
procure food are sometimes very extraordinary.
They have been known to insert their tails into
an oil flask, and ihcn lick of the adherinr oil Til
the flask emptied, or ut least. Ill! their tails
would reach the oil 10 longer. Ii has also been
ascertained that they have made deposits of eggs
in some concealed place, as a future stock OF
food theywer conveyed without breaking them,
although it is difficult to guess in what way
Once Week.
Year: 1866

HERALD OPIyIoYs-BEFoRE AND AFTER THE
VEro.-A few days before the Presidential veto,
tho New York Herald said of the Civil Rights
bill:


This Civil Rights bill! We regard, accordingly,
as practical, just and IenefceRt measure, ana one
of which the President will cheerfuly approve.
1t does not touch the question of negro Suffrage
and it does not provide for the encouragement OF
laziness among the Southern blacks and whlte
refugees by inviting them to laugh and grow fat
upon the public treasury. The President Is en-
titled to great credit in bringing Congress from
the rag Of ais Reconstractioa Committee to is
practical tu Of legislation"


Immediately on the appearance of the veto the
same Herald exclaimed


His (the President's) objections, constitu-
tional grounds exhibit this bill as involving the
most fragrant devices for overriding the reserved
rights of the States in their legislatures and
judicial tribunals ever attempted in Congress.
We had supposed this bill, in new shape, sort
oereproduction of the old fugitive slave law but
under the searching analysis of Andrew Johnson,
it appears n thousand times that the re-
jccted Freedman S Bureau experiment, and moth
ing less than bill of uncon5 Institutional abomina-
tion from beginning 10 end


Now, for the sake Of three millions of negroes,
the white people Of this country are asked to
submit to the abrogation of the Constitution to
the exclusion of eleven States from the Union !;
to the supercedure of the State judiciary; to the
petty tyranny Of irresponsible spies, paid 20 pre-
fer complaints, whether justly or unjustly.-
More than this, we are asked TO give the semi
civilized negro a preference over the intelligent
immigrant who lands upon our shores, to punish
parent who refuses to allow negro to marry
his child to cast into prison any judge who
decides the dicta of Congress unconstitutional 4;
to submit to social association perfectly revolt
ing to all sensible persons, and to a national
future like that of Mexico or of the mongrel
South American republics.
Year: 1866

JupGE Mason gave an interesting opinion in
the New York Supreme Court lately, as to the
dutics Of hotel keepers. guest at the Lafargc
House was robbed of watch, his rings and scarf
pin. together with two hundred dollars in mon
ey, and on suing, the proprietor set up in defence
that the rule of the house, (under the statute OF
the State) required yaluabies to be deposited IN
the safe of the Office. The Judge, however,
charged that this did not apply to watch, or
such jewelry Gs man usually carried about his
person. nor to snch amounts of money as were
usually carried in the pockets of travellers 10 sup
ply ordinary necessities
Year: 1866

INSURANCE AGAINST Loss OR DAMAGE BY FIRE.


on Buildings Merchandise. Wares and other Personal
Property The personal liability of Stockholders under the
law of this State recognized
Year: 1866

IaE PROPOSED MONUMENT TO Gov. CHIr-
TENoEN.-The Montpelier correspondent of
the Rutland Herald says; Among the
sins Of omission (of the Legislature) is
the refusal to provide means for the cree
tion OF monument at the grave of Thomas
Chittenden. A statue of Ethan Allen in the
portico Of the State House, and monument
over his remains at Burlington, testify to
the appreciation of the hero by the State for
which he fought so nobly But he is
not a whit more worthy of honorable and
enduring remembrance than the statesman
who did as great work in the council
chamber as Allen did in the field. Thomas
Chitteuden was to Vermont what Washing.
ton was to the United States But the only
monument to his grave is piece Of slate
about two and half feet square, upon
which is the inscription, almost illegible BY
reason Of rust and moss, Z" In memory Of his
Excellency, Gov. Thomas Chittenden, who
governed the State of Vermont from March
l7IS, to the time of his death, August
1871, save one year. He was born January
9th, 1880 His was life of usefulness
let those who read initiate his virtues" The
State OF Vermont would honor itself by re-
placing this perishable and rapidly perlshing
stone with stately column of marble as
pure as his character and as enduring as bis
fame.
Year: 1866

BEWARE OF PRAcucAL JokEs.-Iwo boys
were playing together in the back yard Of
the dwelling where one Of them lived They
had everything to make their lives pleasant
friends, fortunes ard health, and no future
was brighter than theirs. As they ran
through the yard, one Of them stopped a
moment before a vat Of dark. clear liquid,
and asked his playmate what It was


- know taste it. was the reply.


- Is it good ?''


- Yes, real good: taste It,


The little fellow put bis mouth down and
took one swallow Of tie liquid. Ii was
strong lye, and shrunk the membranes Of
he throat and destroyed hls palate, and
iFom that day to this he has never eaten
cold food. Bread, broth or sugar and water
s all the nourishment his feeble life re-
ceiyes


The story is true. 1t was a cruel Joke,
and the boy who perpetrated it will bitterly
iiepent it, for it Will yet probably cost a
human life
Year: 1866

PoRI llENRY.-Port Henry has just done
good thing by erecting union school
house at cost Of $4,000 The building is
of brick, and Is an ornament to the village.
An experienced teacher has been employed
as principal at a salary Of 81 ,250. A stone
church is in process of erection at Port Hen
ry by the Catholics
Year: 1866

TIE RADICALS AND THE PREsIDENr's AProrr-
MENTs.-It is reported that the radicals in the
United States Senate ON Thursday last worked
themselves into great fury over the removal
Of one or two radicals from Office and the ap-
pointment of conservative republicans in their
places. 1t is also rumored that they declared
that no person should be confirmed who was ap-
pointed to position where vacancy was made
by removal Of the present incumbent. This,
it seems, Is their platform. The President has
thus, by the few appointments which he has
made, placed the radicals on the defensive In
regard to the patronage. All shrewd political
tacticians endeavor at the very commencement
Of campaign to so manage their cards as to
place their opponents on the defensive. This
il considered almost equal to winning in the
contest When this is accomplished the battle
is half fought The President has had Con-
gress on the defensive in regard to the restora-
ton Of the South ever since that body assem-
bled. Their position has been negative one,
and they have been obliged to continually ex-
plain-trump up er parte evidence to justify their
do-nothing policy. This fact alone is daily
weakening them with the people, and has pro-
duced SO great dissatisfaction among them
selves that their Reconstruction Committee has
become completely disorganized. The reno
val Of the radical officials throughout the
country will increase the decentralization Of
the revolutionary faction in Congress and place
them still further on the defensive, compelling
them to continue to occupy a negative position
before the country. No party can stand long
in that attitude. The very fact that the
radicals make such a fight over the re-
moval of one or two unimportant office
holders is conclusive evidence of their
weakness and shows that their only hold,
their only life, is the offices and spoils Now
that the President has seen the effect Of halt
dozen removals he should follow II up brisk
ly, and not confine his operations to minor
Offices, but commence with the Cabinet and
notify all those who are not in accord with the
policy Of his administration that their time
has come"
Year: 1866

The DARKIEs ON THE RAMPAGE.-The colored
population are beginning to feel their civil
rights. We hear Of four or Eve of them prone
nading into fashionable restaurant sitting
down among white ladies and gentlemen and
appealing to the Civil Rights bill to protect
them from ejectment This little game will
probably be tried at our churches, theatres
and other places of resort, and it will cause
some temporary inconvenience and annoy
ance; but in course of time all these things
will settle Themselves and the darkies will be
quietly regulated by the force Of public
opinion.


But perhaps the most amusing inst ance Of
the civil rights Juror is the presentation to the
Senate Of petition, signed by couple Of
dozen darlzies, for the expulsion of Senator
Davis, of Kentucky. This absurd petition,
with snch names as aSam," "Jeh," "Ras,"
"BiIl" and "Clem" attached, was gravely pre-
sented by the irrepressible Sumner, and the
Senate as gravely referred 1t 10 the Judiciary
Committee, instead Of laying it on the table, or
under the table, or in the waste basket We
do not say that Senator Davis does not deserve
this token of remembrance from the children
of Africa, for he has been pretty hard upon
them in his time; but certainly the Senate
ought to have sufficient respect for its own dig
nifty not to encourage such petitions and
netitiouqrs lsF
Year: 1866

wise they may WELD balance Of power suf-
ncient TO bring shout political revolution.
But how b this thing Of negro suffrage to be
secured OF itself 1t is not popular idea in
the North. Various devices have been sug-
gested to make 1t palatabls, such as negro
suffrage or no counting Of the negroes for
Southern representation; negro suffrage in ex-
change for universal amnesty; and negro
suffrage in 1876, with the exclusion, meantime,
of the negroes not admitted to the ballot box
from the enumeration Of the people for repre-
sentation in Congress. But neither the Joint
Committee, nor the House, nor the Senate can
come to any agreement on these things, and so
their reconstruction wagon remains ''stuck in
the mud"


At this juncture the public opinion of the
country begins to be heard. The people are
beginning to inquire, why should Congress any
longer stand in the way of the Presidents plan
If the two houses can agree upon nothing as
substituted The States rescued from the rebel
lion have complied with all the terms of resto-
ration submitted to them in good faith. They
are crippled, disarmed, exhausted and power
less for further mischief They have had
enough of State sovereignty and secession;
slavery and the slave power are dead and
gone; the civil rights Of the blacks are estab-
lished; why, then, should the excluded States
be still excluded from Congress on this ques-
ton of negro suffrage, which will settle itself
in due season?


These, we say, are the questions which are
now engaging the public mind The American
people love justice and fair play. This Con-
gress, and without much further waste Of time,
must do something practical and to the pur-
pose in the way Of reconstruction, or this Con-
gress will be upset in the elections for the next.
The dog-in-the-manger policy will not answer
You must admit the excluded States or declare
your terms of admission, or prepare to give
way to men who will We have had enough of
these mockeries of reconstruction committees,
and Investigations, and resolutions of inquiry,
and all such clap trap. What we most want now
is full development of the great commercial
staples of the South, and to this end the rein
statement Of those States in the government is
necessary. As matters now stand it seems to
us that there ought to be sufficient number
of sensible and patriotic men in Congress to
bring the two houses to the saving alternative
of some broad and comprehensive agreement
with the administration, or to some plan of
their own for the opening of their doors to the
JoJ
Year: 1866

in operation, and the water communications
have been better this year than then. The
only consideration, il remarks, that might
make the crop later in getting 10 market this
year than 1859 is the backwardness Of the
crop, but that is condition that seriously
affects its amount, and Is another fact sug-
gestive Of a very short crop.
Year: 1866

The menagerie of Southern Loyalists"
were at Chicago few days ago. The chief
among the animals are already well known.
But the Times, of that city, favors us with
the pedigrees of a brace Of them, that goes
to demonstrate the consistency and genuine
ness of all, and to fortify the just claim to
infamy that the entire pack may justly lay
claim TO. The first is,
Year: 1866

In the State of Ohio there resided a
family, consisting of an old man of the
name of Beaver, and his three sons, all of
whom are hard "pets" who had often
laughed to scorn the advice and entrea-
ties of a pious though very eccentric min
lister, who resided in the same town. 1t
happened one of the boys was bitten by a
rattlesnakc, and was expected to die, when
the minister was sent for in great haste.
On his arrival he found the young man
very penitent and anxious to be prayed
with. The minister, calling on the fami-
ly, knelt down, and prayed in this wise i:
80 Lord we thank Thee for rattle
snakes. We thank Thee because rat
tlesnake has bit Jim. We pray Thee
send rattlesnake to bite John send one
to bite Bill and, o Lord send the big.
gest kind of a rattesnake to bite the old
man for nothing but rattlesnakes will
ever bring the Beaver family to repent
ance."