smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

Anthony Trollope in Nineteenth Century,


As on the English stage, and with
the English periodical press, both
scurrility and lasciviousness may now
and again snatch temporary success,
so it is with English fiction. We all
know the writer's who endeavor to be
so nearly lascivious that they may find
an audience among those whose tastes
lie in gthat direction. But such is not
the taste of the nation at large, and
these attempts at impropriety, these
longings to be as bad and wicked as
some of our neighbors, do not pay in
the long run. While true story
of genuine love, well told, will
win the heart of the nation, and
raise the author to a high position
among the worthless of his country. the
prurient dabbler in lust hardly'becomes
known beyond special class. The
number of those who read novels have
become millions in England during the
last twenty-five years. In our facto-
ries, with our artisans, behind our
counters, in third-class railway car
riages, in our Kitchens and stables.
novels are now read INCREASINGLY.
Much reaches those readers that is
poor. Much that is false in senti.
ment and faulty in art, no doubt. finds
its way with them. But indecency
does not thrive with them, and when
there comes to them choice of good
or bad, they choose the better.
There has grown up a custom of
late, especially among tea dealers, to
give away a certain number of books
among their poorer customers. When
so much tea has been consumed, then
shall be book be given. 1t came to
my ears the other day that $4,000
volumes of Dickens works had lust
been ordered for this purpose. The
bookseller suggested that little nov
city might be expedient. Would the
benevolent tea dealer like to vary his
presents2 But no The tradesman.
knowing his business, and being anx-
ious above all things to attract. de-
clared that Dickens was what he
wanted. He had found that the tea
consuming world preferred their
Dickens.
Year: 1879

WITH the Prince of Wales waiting
for the crown, his next eldest brother
in training for the Office of lord high
admiral, the next eldest in training for
the commander-in- chief, the next eld-
est about to be made viceroy in Ire
land, the youngest about to go in for
the archbishopric of Canterbury and
his sisters husband governor general
of Canada, there does not seem to be
much anxiety that the queens chill
dren will not make their way in the
world.
Year: 1879

THE chaplain Of the Maine house of
representatives was called before the
senate the other day. and thus prayed
for the Democratic-Greenback flock
30, Lord, have mercy on that mixed
and tumultuous body in the other
chamber. Thou knowest their dever-
sity of opinion. Help them to bring
order out of chaos and unite on some
common plan to promote the welfare
of our State and the glory of Thy
mama
Year: 1879

THERE have been several reports of
late that Governor Wade Hampton is
again in critical condition. The
South Carolina newspapers do not
confirm this bad news, but Senator NJ.
G. Butler is given as authority for the
assertion that the governor will have
to submit to another operation.
Year: 1879

In speech to a body of colored
men at Macon, Ca, the other day,
General Sherman said; "You have
your destiny in your own hands to
work out Get educated, get your
little homes, treat everybody kindly,
and you will do WELL
Year: 1879

Baby shows are the fashion now.
but as long as mothers continue to
nurse their little ones with laudanum
or other opiates, they cannot expect
their babies to look bright. If your
baby needs medicine get a good and
harmless one, such as DR.. Bulls Baby
Svrun
Year: 1879

WASCOuSAh FAre insurance Law.


The Tennessee legislature has passed
the following law in regard to fire in
surance. 1t only awaits the signature
of Governor Marks to become in
force


Be it enacted by the general assem-
bly, of the State of Tennessee, That
any insurance company, doing business
in the State of Tennessee, whether
organized in this State or elsewhere
which shall take risk and issue poli-
cies of insurance against fire on real
property, and said property shall be
wholly consumed by fire, without the
criminal fault of said insured, or any
act vitiating the policy, the amount
written upon the policy, as the value
of said property, shall be taken CON
clusively as the value when insured,
and the measure Of damages when de-
stroyed.


BE it further enacted, That in case
of any property insured against fire is
partially destroyed by fire without the
criminal fault, or any other act violat
ing the policy Of said insured, so that
the said policy or a portion of the
same becomes due by reason of said
loss, then also shall the amount writ
ten on the face of said policy, as the
value of the same, be taken as the
value of said property in determining
the amount of said loss or damage.


BE it further enacted, That all laws
or parts of laws, in conflict with the
provisions Of this act, be and the same
are hereby repealed, and this Fact take
effect from and after its passage, the
public welfare requiring ii.


The report of the judiciary commit
tee recommended the rejection of the
bill.
Year: 1879

AN act TO prOV1do that all pensions
on account of death or wounds received,
or disease contracted in the service of
the United States during the late war
of the rebellion which have been
granted, or which shall hereafter be
granted, shall commence from the
death or discharge from service of the
United States. for payment of arrears
of pensions and other purposes.


Be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assem-
bled, that all pensions which have been
granted under general laws regulat-
ing pensions, or may hereafter be
granted in consequence of death from
a cause which originated in the
United States service during the con-
tinuance of the late war of Rebellion,
or in consequence of wounds, injuries
or disease received or contracted in
said service during the said war of the
rebellion shall commence from the date
of death or discharge from said service
of the person on whose account a claim
has been or shall hereafter be granted,
or from the termination of the right of
the party having prior title to such PEN
sion, provided the rate of pension for
the intervening time for which arrears
of pension are hereby granted shall be
the same per month for which the PEN
sion was originally granted.


Sec. 2. That the Commissioner of
Pensions is hereby authorized and di-
rected to adopt such rules and regula-
tions for the payment of arrears of PEN
sions hereby granted as will be neces-
sary to cause to be paid to such PEN
sioners, or if the pensioners shall have
died to the person or persons entitled
to the same, all such arrears of pension
as the pensioner may be, or would have
been, entitled to under the act.


Sec. 8. That section 4, 4,717 of.the Re-
vised Statutes. which provides that
no claim for pension not prosecuted
to q successful issue within five
years from the date of filing the
same shall be admitted without re-
corded evidence from the War or Navy
Department of injury or disease which
resulted in disability or death of tn
person ON whose account the claim is
made, provided: That in any case IN
which the limitation prescribed by this
section bars further prosecution OF the
claim, the claimant may present,
through the pension Office to the Ad-
jutant- General of the army or Surgeon
General of the navy, evidence that the
disease or injury which resulted in the
disability or death of the person on
whose account tho claim is made
originated in the service and in
the line of duty; and if such evidence
is deemed satisfactory to the officer to
whom it may be submitted, he shall
causo u record of the facts an nrOved to
be made, and a copy of the same to be
transmitted to the Commissioner of
Pensions, and the bar to the prosecu-
ton of the claim shall thereby be re-
moved, be and the same is hereby re-
pealed.


Sec 4. No claim agent or other per-
son shall be entitled to receive any conf
pensation for services in making appli-
cation for arrears of pensions.


SEC. 5. That all acts or parts of acts,
so far as they may conflict with the pro-
visions of this act, be and the same are
hereby repealed.
Year: 1879

THIS is from the Boston Post. 1t will
not be long before the argus and other
Democratic papers in this State will be talk
ing the same strain:


But there is still another class of voters
whose position we are at as much of loss to
understand. and that is the class whose MEM
bers call themselves Greenbackers They GER
tainly are organized upon as dead an issue as any
we have instanced The better times that are
not only ON the way, but are actually knocking
at our doors, must be very distressing to them,
for they demolish the Greenback idea and
leave it nothing but air to stand on. Upon
whichever side we regard resumption it is an
impregnable fact. If we accept it as cause
which is the light in which Mr.. Sherman de-
lights to contemplate tit has restored conf
pence and stimulated industry as nothing else
has done, and it is worse than an error to OPP
pose it's benefcent operations. On the other
hand, if resumption is the effect of bountiful
crops and some rather close discipline in busi-
ness and social economy, as we think is the
case, it would be as useless to oppose the law OF
grayitation as to stand in the way of these nat
ural and legitimate results. When men see
something substantial and tangible attainabe
they are fools to pin their faith on irredeema-
BILE promises. Legislation did nothing for re
sumption. 1t came because all the conditions
were ripe for it, and now bankrupts and DEM
gogues are holding on to the tail OF active
business, and attempting to force it to stop and
wait until they can accomplish their purposes.
Year: 1879

The Argus says Bayard and Palmer would
make one of the many good teams which the
Democracy are able to hitch UP. Yes, Bay
ard would make a good candidate. But to
support him the Argus would have to turn
another somersault, for Bayard is friend
to the National Banks and an opponent OF
the free coinage of silver.
Year: 1879

NEWS comes from Ohio ttat Ewing has
virtually abandoned the contest for the gov
ernorship. The Thurman plan of trading
off the governorship for the legislature, sup
plemented, it is said, by free use of money
in the closer legislative districts, has been
carried out so openly that General Ewing
has determined to fall in with it and turn it
to his own advantage. Feeling that all his
chances of the governorship have been sac
rifced to Thurman's selfshness, he has re-
solved to contest the senatorship with that
gentleman. If votes are to be gained for the
legislature by trading off votes for the State
ticket, he feels that no one has better right
than himself to take hand in the dicker.
In short, his policy now is to put his shoul-
der to the wheel in the close districts and
make candidates understand that if they
succeed it is to him rather tn IN to Mr.. Thur
man that they will owe their election.
Year: 1879

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


We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
muicatlons that are not used
Year: 1879

EVERY regular attache of the PRESS is furnished
with Card certificate signed by Stanley L. Pullen
Editor. All railway, steamboat and hotel managers
will confer favor upon by demanding credentials
Of every person claiming to represent our journal
Year: 1879

Queen Victoria, with all her pride of nation
al conquest, is apparently anxious to heal the
wounds of war. 1t is related that some one
lately passing in Windsor Great Park the Cul-
loden monument raised by the Duke Of Cum
berland, was greatly struck by the splendid
growth of ivy round the base of the column. A
remark upon its beauty called outs the reply,
eyes, that is by the Queens orders in order
that the ivy may hide the inscription recording
the defeat of the Highlanders."
Year: 1879

The principal facade of the Hotel de Vile is
to be adorned by a large number of statues and
bass-reliefs, which are to form a chronological
history of the city of Paris, personified in its
famous people. These works of art will cost
abOut 1898 600
Year: 1879

In Germany paper is now substituted for
wood in the manufacture of lead pencils 1t
is stepped in an adhesive liquid, and rolled
round the core of lead to the requisite thick
ness. After drying it is colored, and resembles
an ordinary cedar pencil
Year: 1879

A little glrl where a minister had
been invited to dinner was privately
placed on her good behavior. Finding
a lull in the conversation at the tea.
table she folded her hands and said:
% God. please pass the BUTTER
Year: 1879

[From the Dubuque Qowa) Herald.


The greatest wonder in the State of Iowa,
and perhaps any other State, is what is called
the ''Walled Lake" in Wright County, twelve
miles north of the Dubuque and Pacific Rail-
way. and $50 miles west of Dubuque. The
lake is from two to three feet higher than the
earth's surface. In some places the wall is
10 feet high, Is wide at the bottom, and 5
feet wide at the top. Another fact is the size
of the stones used in construction, the whole
of them varying in weight from three tons
down to 100 lbs. There is al abundance of
stone in Wright County, but surrounding the
lake to the extent of five or ten miles there
are none. No one can form an idea as to
the means employed to bring them to the
spot or who constructed it, Around the en-
tire lake is belt of woodland half mile in
length, composed of oak. With this excep-
ton the country is rolling prairie. The
trees must have been planted there at the
time of the building of the wall. In the
spring of the year 1856 there was great
storm, and the ice in the lake broke the wall
in several places, and the farmers in the vi
cinity were obliged to repair the damages to
prevent an inundation. The lake occupies
ground surface of 1850 acres depth of wa
ter as great as twenty-five feet. The water
is clear and cold soil sandy and loamy. It
is singular that no one has been able to ascer-
tain where the water comes from nor where
it goes, yet it is always clear and fresh.
Year: 1879

[Dr. Holland in Midwinter Scribner]


When the South became ''solid" in its at
tempt to destroy the Union, the North be-
came ''solid' in its defense. The first gun
fired upon the national flag was the signal for
Northern consolidation. It could not have
been otherwise, in the nature of things. If
sectional reason had arisen for the destruc-
ton of the government, sectional reason
would instantly spring into being for its pre-
servation, which would wipe out, or hold in
allegiance, all party affiliations. The solid
South produced the solid North, and what it
did then, it will always do. There is not the
slightest use in quarreling with the fact for
men are not responsible forit 1t simply can
not be helped; and if the South ever hopes
to be the power in national politics that she
was in the old days, every man within her
borders must be free, and the attempt to force
her constituents into solidity must be aban-
doned as most unwise, and, sectionally suici-
dal. 1t will always be enough that the South
is solid, under political pressure, to make it
impossible for its friends to assist it in its
policy, whatever it may be.
Year: 1879

IT is pretty clearly established by this time,
says the Pioneer Press, that Sitting Bull
wants to come back. 1t would be strange if
he didn't. In Canada he has to feed himself,
and it is often short commons. On this side
he is fed at the public expense and is privi-
legged to go on the war path whenever his
breakfast toast is cold or his coffee is muddy.
He has sense enough to prefer luxury to
want, and it is easy enough to understand
that he wants to come back peacab]y and stay
quietly. The ancient grandmothers in
Washington who are putting their fcssy heads
together and dreaming of grand coalition of
hostiles and general Indian war are ludic-
rously wide of the mark. They do not need
powder to meet the new phase of the situa-
ton, but beef. 1t is not clear that this is
matter Cor felicitation. It might be better for
all concerned if Sitting Bull would consent to
be disposed of as the Cheyennes were. but he
is wiser and brings the olive branch and the
cavernous stomach of peace instead of the
scalping knife of war. Probably it will be
necessary to adapt this reception to his mood.
The Indian is burden upon the national hu-
manity that cannot be shaken of, however
grievous it becomes.
Year: 1879

The other day when burly big driver of a
coal cart backed his vehicle up to the allev-
gate of an old house in Detroit to dump out
half ton of coal some children came out of
the side door and the driver beckoned them
near and said:


''Last time l was here one of the wheels
crushed bit of dog belonging to one of
you. heard a great crying out, but l can't
be stopping to look out for dogs on the street. "


The children made no reply, but as they
watched him unload the cart they wondered
if he had little children of his own and if he
ever spoke kindly to them. He may have
felt the burden of their thoughts, tor suddenly
he looked up and said:


''Well, own I'm bit sorry, and being as
l knew was coming up, brought along an
orange to give to the child who owned the
dog. Which of you is it?"


'The dog belonged to little lame Billy in
that house there, answered girl. 'It was
all the dog he ever had, and when you killed
it he cried himself almost to death. He didn't
never have any plaything but that little dog. :"


''And will you take him this orange?"


81 can't cos he's dead, and they're coming
to take him to the graveyard pretty soon."


The driver looked up and down, seemed to
ponder the matter and then he crossed to the
other house. The little coffin and its burden
was in the front room, and two or three old
women were wiping away their tears and
talking in low tones The driver put his
hand on the closed coffin and said:


II didn't know it was his dog-I didn't
know he was lame and sick God forgive
me if l made sorrow for him."


The vehicle sent to convey the body to the
cemetery drove up at that moment, and the
burly big man confined.


''If he was alive I'd buy him anything he
could ask. can do nothing now but carry
him softly out"


He gently took up the coffin in his stout
arms and carried it out, his eyes moist and
his lips quivering, and when he had placed it
in the vehicle he looked at the driver in be-
seeching way and whispered:


''Drive slow! drive slow! He was a poor
little lame boy!"


The driver wondered, but he moved away
slowly, and the coal cartman stood in the Gen.
tre of the street, and anxiously watched till
he was off the cobblestones. Then as he turn
ed to his own vehicle he said


Il didn't mean to, butt wished he had
lived to forgive me-"
Year: 1879

Venus is now at her greatest distance from
us-one hundred and sixty millions of miles
or one hundred and thirty-flve millions far
ther away than when she is nearest the earth.
This may seem startling, but it is true: She
always gets as far away from us as she can
as soon as Congress meets, and we don't
blame her.
Year: 1879

There are certain disagreeable people
in this world who seem to take q
special delight in annoying others by
reminding them OF things they would
willingly forget. They are human thorns,
forever torturing their fellow~men for
the sake Of torture. Has a man met
with misfortune in his business, they are
forever recalling the fact. Has q man
in times that are gone wandered into
devious paths, they are forever remind
ing him OF it, often by congratulating
him that that is past. Has man blum.
dered, they are forever telling him what
"might have BEEN" When the thorn
is of masculine gender, there is one way
of getting relief. He can be knocked
down and taught manners. When the
thorn is Of the feminine gender, the case
is different and not SO easily disposed of.
But Causeur hears of one such scourge in
petticoats who got her deserts the other
evening. 1t was a little party, where
sone score of people were gathered
together. The thorn sat near young
man who, in the days gone by, had been
guilty Of follies that cost him dearly,
He had put them all behind him. But
the thorn took occasion to recall them,
in q subdued and confidential tone. The
victim, who had been subjected to the
same torture before, spoke up 50 that all
could hear. Madam" he said, 'to'
fifty years I have been trying to forget
all sthat. You have been trying tc
remember it. You have succeeded bet
ter than 1. congratulate you" The
thorn subsided.
Year: 1879

There Is God The herbs Of the val
ley, the cedars of the mountain bless
Him the insect sports in His beam the
bird sings Him in the foliage the thun@
der prcoiaims Him in the heavens; the
ocean declares His immensity-man
alone hath said, There is no God ! Unite
in thought at the same instant the most
beautiful objects in nature. Suppose
that you see at once, all the hours of the
days, all the seasons of the year-a
morning of spring and a morning of
autuma-a night bespangled with stars,
and a night darkened with clouds
meadows enameled with fowers-forests
hoary with snow-fields gilded with the
tints of autumn-then alone you will
have just conception of the universe |!
While you are gazing on that sun which
is plunging into the vault Of the west,
another observer admires him emerging
from the gilded gates of the east. By
what inconceivable power does that aged
star, which is sinking fatigued and burn
ing in the shades of the evening, reap
pear at the same instant fresh and humid
with the rosy dew Of the morning? At
every hour of the day, the glorious orb
is at once rising, resplendent as MONDAY,
and setting in the west; or rather our
senses deceive us, and there is, properly
speaking, no east or west, no north or
south, in the world.
Year: 1879

A correspondent of the France, at st.
Petersburg, states that as soon as the
czar had entered the winter palace; after
the attempt had been made to shoot
him, he gave orders for all his friends
and the high officials to be admitted to
his presence, and repeated to them the
event which had just occurred, in the
following terms:


I was taking my usual walk this
morning at nine o'clock and, feeling
rather tired, was about to return to the
palace, when 1 saw coming toward me
along the deserted Asgs good-looking
young man of about thirty years of age.
1 looked at him mechanically as he ap>
preached, thinking the while that il that
mau wished to kill me it would be very
easy for him to do SO. This strange
presentiment was all the more inexplica-
bic as there was nothing in the strangers
appearance to suggest that this was 8
conspirator. He wore the dress OF q
clerk in the finance department and his
demeanor was perfectly correct. AS these
thoughtswere passing through my mind |
i saw him put his hand into the pocket of
, his cloak, take from it pistol and aim
it at me. Instinctively darted aside.
The shot went off and missed me. Just
as / was ON the point Of calling for help
second shot went off, and and thanks
to the movement I made to right myself.
| it likewise missed its aim. / then called
for help. Policemen appeared immedi
ately. I walked straight toward the
would-be assassin, who stood still fen
PAGES of. His arm seemed suddenly
paraIyzed. The men rushed at him. Ht
then seemed to recover himself, anf
fired two more shots, one of which I'M
fortunately wounded one Of my preserv


ers, while the other hit the wall neal
At last the wretch was secured and dis


armed. Thereupon, to tell You tn


truth, I felt rather faint, and [ wa


brought back to the palace. Let u


praise God, my friends. It is He VIII


has spared my life.
Year: 1879

Speaking of a recent execution, the
New York Express says that the victim
was hanged because he couI ID not prove
his innocence Most criminals who
suffer the penalty of the law find it diff
cult to do so.