smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

Albinos are frequently met with. We
find them, says the Turf, Field and Farm,
in the human race as well as in the ami
NAL races of lower order. They are al
ways what we call white. By some de-
feet in their organization the substance
which gives color to hair, skin and eyes
is absent. The eyes are red, owing to
the deficiency of the black or blue hazel
pigment which in normal cases conceals
the network of blood vessels and the
intense hue they difluse over the sur
face. In the ranks Of men the albino
has peculiar harshness of skin which
suggests a diseased organization. This
absence of color it would seem is not
hereditary. At least, there is case on
record where two albinos married
and had two children who were not
albinos, but of brown color. An in


stance is given where every alternate
child of large family was an albino !;
but commonly when parents begin pro-
ducing albinos there is no departure in
the progeny TO the end of the line. The
defect makes itself apparent to the close
of the chapter. We often hear of alb:no
birds and albino deer being killed. As
we write there is before us partridge
which is half albino, and which the
taxidermist has made to assume the out
ward proportions of life. In the Eagle
hills of Kentucky Tom Marshall has an
albino squirrel in cage. He caught it
when it was quite young, and, although
he has had it for more than year, has
not succeeded in tanning it. Its nature
is thoroughly savage. Attempt to caress
it and it will jump at you with the
greatest fury, its two red eyes glowing
like balls of fire. 1t is of the large
tailed fox tribe, and keeps fat and
hearty, although sour-tempered in con-
finemen:. 1t evidently was one of a
family, as albinos are frequently seen
in the woods where the capture was
made. Naturally, Tom prizes highly his
unruly pet. in all countries the albino
is regarded as an object of curiosity and
interest. In India, the white elephants
are yenerated by the natives. These
mammoth albinos are believed to be
animated by the souls Of ancient kings,
and so it is not surprising that they
should be looked upon with awe and
guarded with the tenderest care. Hum
boldt has expressed the opinion that
albinos are more common among nations
of dark skin and inhabiting hot climates,
and doubtless he is right.
Year: 1877

difficulty with the long sweep of the
"Dutch roll"-the most graceful Of all
the larger movements in the art. In
fact, where the pond is not too crowded,
there is nothing nearer akin to luxury
on skates than the ''Dutch rolf with a
good partner. The confidence thereby
acquired proves of great service when
skating backward is afterward attempt
ed, and If that be also practised In cir
Gle, the outside and inside edge back
ward may be readily learned. After
that, all else is comparatively easy, de-
pending more upon the time and pa
tience that the skater is willing to ex-
pend than upon any intrinsic difficulty
in the performance. Skating proffers
to Americans in general the most health
full exercise tina. they are willing to un-
dertake at the smallest cost. The dam
gers are few in comparison with nearly
all other outdoor sports. Already
there are not few of our citizens that
have noted the fact that their health in
spring and summer has been on high
er plane than usual when they have
had more than the average of skating
the preceding winter.
Year: 1877

Who does not love to rummage, es-
pecially in an old attic of some house in
the country? There is quite fascina-
ton in running away by yourself, of a
dull day, and looking over things which
have been put away for future refer
ence, and some things which have had
their day, but will be useful never
more; yet are endeared by so many
pleasant "reminiscences and remem-
brances that we haven't the heart to de-
stroy them.


We sit by the low window, against
which the rain is pattering while we
rummage over a big pile of old almanacs,
with their quaint spelling, coarse paper
and wonderful predictions which never
came to pass, except by accident. We
wonder how we would like to have
lived in those old times when the post
man arrived but once week, and folks
were sound asleep just about the time
we commence our modern balls and
routs. Then the wretehed attempts
made at wood engraving, that adorr
each page, cause US to laugh, for We
cannot tell whether men are scattering
seed or throwing snowballs. Yet,
Year: 1877

verify believe, an almanac was as great
a treat in days of "auld lang syne" as
is an exciting novel to a modern belle
| it was as much consulted as the family
Bible. / can imagine the old farmer,
with his spectacles on his nose, reading
! to the assembled family group these
lines: "About-this-time-look-out
-for-rough-weather," and grandma
answering, 81 thought we should have
a spell of it soon, for I've felt il in my
bones for some days past"


Next we come across some old fash
ion books, and we wonder if anybody
ever did dress in such an outlandish
manner, and how they could consent TO
make such guys of themselves. We
wonder if the boys didn't hoOt at them
as they walked through the village
street, all the while forgetting that
fashion was fashion as much in those
days as it is at the present time, and we
also forget that posterity will look on
the fashion-plates of tO-day-some fifty
years hence and ridicule our fashions
as much as we ridicule those of fifty
years ago.


What can be in this paper which sends
forth such an agreeable aroma? Moth
ing but some Of Aunt Hester's dried
"yarbs," so good in case of sickness,
and ',just splendid" to stuff the Thanks
giving turkey or the Christmas goose.


The rain still patters overhead, some
what melancholy, 1 know, but the
drops seem like footsteps of those who
have passed many a Thanksgiving and
homestead. Have not the owners of
those feet been in this old garret many
a time and oft? Have they not rum
mayed as much as / am rummaging
now, and has not this old attic rung
with many a peal of laughter from
young, innocent and happy beings
That old clOck-new useless-has ticked
away the merry hours-has told the
time tor meals. for school, for bedtime,
for ''meetin'" and Sunday School; Its
hands are useless now; it is fast going
to decay like many who have noted its
workings, and yet the shell is kept just
as we carefully inclose the shell OF some
loved one in the casket-


Old clothes, old shoes, old playthings
are here TO rummage over. Cannot you
imagine that sometimes, in the quiet
night, while all are sleeping, that
shadowy forms come to this old chamber
of past "Reminiscences and clOthe them
selves in the old garments they used to
wear, set the old clock ticking once
again, con the pages of some ancient
book, and live over the days of their
mortal life, with its hopes and fears,
enjOyments and disappointments, loves
and hates?


These aLtics il always seems to HE
should be kept sacred to the memory of
the days gone by; the articles they con-
tain do not appear TO belong to us, and
Il looks like sacrilege for us to take
them away. / grant you they are old,
useless and shabby, but from association
they are endeared to others, and many
would not part with them for five times
their weight in gold, and do not blame
them one Bit


The rain has ceased, and my rummage
is over. My musings have made me
feel better. They have taught me that
it is better to love those whom l have
left, than wish | had loved them better
when | find them gone.
Year: 1877

The brown old earth lies quiet aud stin


Under the snow;
The fArrows are hid on the broken bill


Under the SNOW;
Every twig is fringed with mossy pearl,
The dropping cedSrs bend TO the ground,
The rose-bush il drifted into the mound.
And still from the silent sky to the ground
The white fakes noiselessly whirl.
The roads and fields are buried deep


Under the snow;
The hedges lie in a tangled heap


Under the snow;
And the little gray rabbits under them creep,
While the twittering spsrrows cunninSly peep
From the shelterins briers and cozily sleep


Under the snow.
The rough old barn and sheds near by,
The mounted straws of the wheat and rye.


Are covered with snow;
The struggling fences are softened with down,
Every part is white, with beautiful crown


OF drifted snow.
And thina. as I sit in the cleaning here.
Watching the objects disappear,
How many things are folded low
Under the drift OF the fallen snow
There are hearts that were once full of love


Under the snow
There are eyes that glowed with the seal OF
love


Under the snow;
There are faded tresses Of golden hair,
And locks that were bleached with the frost of
care
There are lips that were once like the rose,
There are bosoms that were stung with woes,
There are breasts that once were true and
strong.
There are forms that once were praised in
song,
o, there's strange and mighty throng


Under the snow,
Another mound will soon lie deep


Under the snow!
And viii with the pale ones sleep


Under the snow.
O. God. transform my soul with grace,
That in the lovelieht of Thy face
may stand pure when death shall place
Nv pulseless heart and body low


Under the snow.
Year: 1877

Remember, that the talent of turning
people to ridicule, and exposing to
laughter those one converses with, is
the qualification of small minds and un-
generous tempers. A young person
with this cast of mind cuts himself of
from all manner of improvement. So
said Addison, long ago, and it is as
true to-day as ever.
Year: 1877

MR. f.. V. SMALLEY, the intelligent Corre,-


pondent of the New York Tribune, wlo
has been writing letters from the South to
that paper, says ''The Georgia system of
dealing with the colored vote, appears to lie
everywhere effective. imagine that the
essence of the system consists in controlling
the election machinery, 50 that no matter
what votes go into the boxes those that come
out show the white vote to be ahead. After
a little experience of this sort OF suffrage
the blacks begin to lose their interest in
politics, and it must be admitted that the
community is the gamer thereby. 1t does
not appear to be the policy Of the managing
white politician. to wipe out the black Re
publican vote entirely. They leave enough
to serve as bugbear to the whites, and keep
them together as party"


This system has worked effectively for
eight years in Georgia. Elsewhere, the
Mississippi plan Of shot-guns and violence
IS preferred. The two systems Of violence
and fraud, furnish the key to the method by
which the white Democrats of the South
have established and propose to hold their
supremacy in their States and By which
they expect to establish their supremacy in
the Union. 1t must be conceded that the
chances arc in favor of their success. Bnt
what kind of republican government i it
under which the ballot thus becomes mock.
cry and voting a tragedy or farce?
Year: 1877

WASHINGTON adylees say that the President
will leave Washington during the latter part
o. the present month to attend the gradua-
ton of his son at Harvard College. He has
dc idcd not to make his Vermont visit at this
time, but will postpone it until August, in
order to participate in the Centennial Ami
versary of the Battle of Bennington. This
assures the full success of the celebration.


TIE Attorney General Of New York and
his associates representing the State have
agreed to cry quits with Peter P
Sweeney upon the payment Of 100000
from the Sweeney estate. Peter B. has
shrewdly arranged the settlement 50 that
the amount nominally comes from the estate
of his dead brother, upon whom the odium
Of sharing in the Ring robberies is made
to rest As for himself, he Is no longer COM
pelled to stay abroad, but walks New York
a free citizen with a clean bill of health. He
was always known as Peter i" Brains
Sweeney.
Year: 1877




One of the saddest reverses of fortune
has occurred at Richmond, Va. A year
ago a young, beautiful orphan girl mar
ried man who had been a most devoted
lover. She was an heiress with a for
tune of 100000. She was without a
relative in the world. Almost worship
ping her husband, she confded her wealth
into his keeping without thought of
trouble. He lived luxuriantly, and made
many purchases for his especial good.
In few months his treatment changed
to harshness and neglect, and very soon
he abandoned her and fled to Europe.
He had sold all her property, she signing
every paper he presented He collected
all the money due her, stole her jewelry,
and left her penniless. She brayed the
storm of poverty as best she could for a
while, trying to keep in retirement.
But she had no means to pay strangers
for her board, and was compelled to go to
work. She is not educated sufficiently
for a teacher, even if she could get a
place. She is not strong enough for a
servant, and she is now peddling small
articles from door to door. She is not
yet eighteen years of age, and is very
beautiful. She isladylike and quiet, and
has the good will and respect of the peo-
pie, many of whom would help her more
were they not so poor.
Year: 1877

A singular murder case awaiting trial
in India has given rise to much legal
discussion as to whether the circum-
stances justify the charge. A juggler,
who alleged that he possessed some
power which rendered him bullet
proof" invited the prisoner in the case
to aim at him with a loaded musket,
assuring him that he might do 50 without
the slightest fear of producing any pain
full results. The prisoner accepted the
kind invitation, and with a loaded mus
ket presented to him by the juggler,
Immediately sent a bullet through his
head. 1t is urged that, as there was no
intention on the part of the prisoner to
kill the deceased, the charge of murder
cannot be maintained. The juggler was
thoroughly confident of his own invul-
nerability, and several of his relations
who were to be called as witnesses for the
defense were prepared to prove that,
although several times shot at before, he
was never hurt A similar case occurred
in England few years ago. A wizard
at one of the theatres begged one of the
audience as a favor to fire gun at him.
The spectator, thus invited, loaded the
gun Win Cnai sc VI ohol hc iau pio"Sie
with him for the express purpose of
testing crucially the alleged inyulnera-
bility of the wizard. The result was
painful in the extreme-the wizards
face was peppered with shot, and the
spectator who fired the shot was given
into the custody of the police. Both
narrowly escaped death-one by the gun
and the other by the gallows.


WHAT has made these railroad tiremen


so boodthirsty. Before they left their


positions they were tender men.
Year: 1877

"YoUNG ladies while playing croquet
in they presence of their beaux had bet
ter act the languid or feeble and tap the
balls in an exhausted sort of way, that
would indicate the probability of shortly
having to interview an undertaken
Many girl has scared off a first-class
lover by hitting the balls whack with
the mallet that nearly split them in half
No man likes to face the possibility that
even as they had done unto them so
would they do unto him. Hints on
Hor to Catch Husband
Year: 1877




MONEY MARKET
Tho money market was easy during the week and all
business done at per cent call. Almost any
amount of money on call could be had government
colaterals at per cent and at times lower rates
prevailed. The last quotations lor mercantile paper
Year: 1877

Gold remains without much change The prospect
for any material advance In the next few months Is
not considered very good, as the exports the


try keep up much in OF imports and the large
sales oI ~ per cent bonds and payment Of 6vetwen


ties Will tend to keep the supply easy. The following
table shows the gold fluctuations during the past
Year: 1877

New YORK. Dec. 18.A meeting of the Stock
Exchange Mutual Relief Society was held in the
rooms Of the Governing Committee, at the Ex-
change. yesterday afternoon. The session was
Of a spirited character. inasmuch rs some of
the members desired that the handsome fund.
now in the hands of tho treasurer. be taken
from his hands and divided among them.


This proposition met with great opposition,
and on the final ballot was voted down. The
older members held that to divert the fund
from the original uses intended by the
founders of the society would be shameful.
Year: 1877

New YORK. Dec. 1s.-The practicability Of the
proposed coal combination will be definitely de
cided to- day and ali the high contracting par
ties come to a mutual understanding, The pro
visions of the combination will at once go into
operation and be made known to the public.
Year: 1877

trict Attorney Howard, of Utah, was present,
the Utah troubles were discussed at length,
and it was agreed that the United States au-
thorities in that Territory should proceed
with firmness In the prosecution OF offenders
brought to justice for completely in the
Mountain Meadow massacre, and Should the
Mormons make an attempt to prevent the
punishment Of their leaders the government
will see that sufficient force was sent to the
Territory to enforce the DEGREES Of the courts.
The Secretary of State read q communication
just received by him from our Minister to
Mexico to the effect that the Mexican authori-
ties would cooperate with the United States
authorities on the Rio Grande to prevent
raids into Texas, and break up the cattle
stealing i'm that section.
Year: 1877

BRUSSELS June s.-Le Nordlast night pub
lished an article about peace rumors The
following are the significant extracts from it:


Russia will not lay down her arms until
guarantees corresponding to sacrifices already
made have been obtained from Turkey. There
is no question of Russia concluding cheap
bargain"


Demonstrations must be complete and the
results decisive; it is necessary for the Sc
curity of the future"


Turkey should be perfectly convinced of
her isolation and inferiority, and absolute
necessity Of submitting to the conditions she
herself has rendered necessary"
Year: 1877

What the Latter Thought the Former


Could not DO.


johnson, in his testimony before the Audtoriat
Investigating Committee the other day, inferred
that the Auditors off Ice had been in the posses-
sion Of the police since after the 9th Of January,
when books found in his Office shows issue of
warrants on nearly every day up to March 81.


On the 9th OF January he addressed letter
to VIM. Ell. Hunt, askingas to his authority under
provisions OF section Of act No. 20, of 1873, in
delegating the powers of his Office to q chief
clerk. Hunt replied that the chief clerk could
act during or in case Of the Auditors illness
or absence from the Office, and that the chief
clerk could sign as ac'ing Auditor, but under
the circumstances stated the advice was that the
chief clerk was not authorized 70 act
Year: 1877

Especial to the Democrat


New YORK, June 8.-Peter Cooper, candidate
for President of the United States at the late
election, has just addressed long open letter
to President Hayes, criticsing the past finan-
cial policy of tho government and also mark
ing out proper course, in his opinion, to be
pursued in future. Mr.. Cooper begins his let
ter with these words: "Allow me to offer you
my heartfelt thanks for, the wise and inde-
pendent course you have adopted in the dis
charge of the responsible and difficult duties
that you have been called upon to perform" ;"
Mr. Cooper argues that our national currency
must be made receivable for all purposes
throughout the country, and interconvertible
with three per cent government bonds. He
says: Such currency would be worth more
to the American people than all the gold
mines that have ever been discovered on the
continent of America He advises that sill
yer be withdrawn from circulation and used
in tho purchase of foreign bonds, and that
fractional paper currency be revived
Year: 1877

ton. If every nation pursues the same
course the present uniformity of dress will be
broken up, and each country will have Its
peculiar style of dress and costume. The


universally of the Modes de Paris is fast OBJ


literating the beautiful and picturesque local
costumes that once distinguished the differ
ent people of Europe from each other. Even
the Spanish DANES, with their national pride
and dislike of foreign innovations, have in a
great part abandoned the mantila for the
fancilul shapes Of Worth. There will be one
advantage in the revival cfnational costumes,
and that will be their unchanging character.
The Turkish women of the present day dress
as their ancestors did in the time of Mahomet
the Conqueror. and the women of many of
the Greek islands as Sappho and Helen did.
Year: 1877

The last thing credited to Gen. LIE Due,
commissioner Of agriculture, is the solution
OF the Chinese question for the Pacific slope.
The Washington correspondents say that he
has been making inquiries into the capacities
OF the soil and climate OF California, and Is
firm in the conviction that tea and sugar can
be prohtably raised there. He will make
practical experiments on large scale, and If
the Chinese can be induced to take hold Of
the work, he thinks their competition in 9TH
er departments of labor will be withdrawn,
and so the question of what to do with the
heathen will be settled.
Year: 1877

THE REMARKABLE BATTERY THAT THREW


SHOT INTO CHARLESTON FIVE MILES AWAY.


At this period sprang into existence a bat.
terry built in the marsh between Morris and
James Island, which has become famous as
the "swamp Angel" and as such will 60
down to history. Its construction was ear.
ly determined upon, and the suggestion was
that of Colonel Serrell, commanding in the
New York Volunteer Engineers. 1t was ex.
pected that shells thrown from it would reach
the city and probably cause the enemy to evac-
uate. The spot chosen was almost q mile
from Morris Island, and nearly on line be-
tween what were known as left battery and
Charleston, on the edge of a deep creek that
served as wet ditch. On reconnoitering
the locality, it was found that a pole could be
run down sixteen feet anywhere thereabouts
before coming to bottom. The active part
of the work was assigned to lieutenant of
engineers, who, when shown where the bat
tory was to be built, pronounced the thing
impracticable The Colonel replied that the
project was practicable, and the battery must
be built on the spot selected. The officer was
directed to call for anything he might deem
necessary for the work.


The next day he made requisition on the
quartermaster for 100 men, eighteen feet high,
to wade through mud sixteen feet deep, and
Immediately called on the surgeon of his reg
iment and inquired if he could splice the
men if furnished. This piece of pleasantly
cost the Lieutenant his arrest, and the bat
terry was built by men of ordinary stature.
A heavy foundation of pine logs was laid in
the mud, on which the battery was built en-
tirely Of sand bags. The timber was hauled
several miles from Folly Island. The bags
were filled with sand on the island and taken
to the battery in boats All the work was
done at night, for the eyes of q watchful enc
my were upon all our movements. They
knew we were at some mischief so far out on
the marsh, but did not realize the truth until
they looked across one bright morning and
saw that, like Jonah's gourd, battery had
grown up in the night. 1t was commenced
on the 4th and completed on the 18th of
August. The sand bags cost $4,000. The
battery was mounted with two hundred
FOUNDER Parrot, and great labor was required
to put it in position. It was hauled to the
edge of the marsh, where it was embarked on
a raft in the creek, and thus Aoated down to
the battery. The distance from Charleston
was $500 yards, and the gun was fred at an
elevation Of thirty-6ve degrees. The strain
on it was such that it burst at the thirty
fourth discharge. The "Greek fire." Of
which so much was said, was the greatest
humbug of the war. Nothing of the kind
was used during the siege. Three shells filled
with pieces of ordinary port-fre were fred
into the city of Charleston; but everything
beyond this was due to the fancy Of newspa.
per correspondents. This distinctive name of
"Swsmp Angel" is said 10 have been suggest.
ed by Sergeant Feller, of the New York VOL
unteer Engineers.-GEN. W. W. n. DAVIS,
in Philadelphia Times.