smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

A Washington clairvoyant ;Nd
the Hartford Times correspondent
that the epeople of Boston were more
easily humbugged by persons of her
calling than those of any other city
in the United States.


The Alpine idiot has begun to ascend
for the coroners of Chamounix smile
cheerfully and tell their creditors
to call in a week and their money will
certainly be waiting for them.


A Nebraska mountain is rumbling
and growing and shaking, and the
Free Press thinks there is as chance
that this republic may turnout some
thing to knock the heels off of old
Vesuvius.
Year: 1877

London Vanity fAir.l


A smart firm of American engi.
neers in London, who do not be.
lieye in peace, have hit upon a novel
mode of sending small cannon to
any place where they may be re-
quired, and where perhaps the
powers in command might object
to their introduction. The plan in
question consists of taking two
small guns and placing round bar
Of strong wood down the bore of
each so as to hold them together,
the muzzles joining. They then
bind the whole with straw rope,
and cover that with coat of fire.
clay. This forms a perfect core,
and round it is cast an iron column,
like those used in building pur-
poses. When complete they would
not excite the suspicious of the
most cautious custom officer. We
should be sorry to run the risk Of
spelling the industry Of these gem
tlemeH Il the inyentiQn were theiy
own, but it is not. In August,
1875, the Oarlists received six small
mountain guns in this way, the
columns being sent through France,
Some fifty Of these columns are
now prepared for expedition.
Year: 1877

Catholic Stsndard.l


All that is left of Blarney Castle.
mere shell, stands somewhat apart
from the village of Blarney and the
lake, though it is near to the man
sion now occupied by the possessors
Of the estate. | was admitted to
the castle by woman, who bade
me climb till | came to the.top, and
she did not omit to caution me
against falling off on the way up.
| climbed, and climbed, and
climbed. Three or four times on
the way to the turrets might have
dropped down from the doorless
passages that open into the interior.
There is not a door left in it from
the foundation to the top. The
castle is like an enormous chimney
full Of small windows. By the side
of the spiral stairs that screw their
way up one corner Of the building
there are small chambers, hardly
large enough for sleeping rooms,
though perhaps once used for that
purpose - with walls of amazing
thickness. On the top | followed
the wall, quite broad enough for a
foot-path, till | came to that part Of
it where the famous stone is lodged,
held in its place by strong bars of
iron. The outer ruin or turret is
larger than the castle, and is held
in its place by protruding stones !;
anywhere along the top between the
supports you may look down the
wall Of the castle between the gap,
and the sight on a windy day, when
the ruin seems to quake under
you, is by no means inspiring.
The blarney stone is clasped
to the outer parapet by the irons |
have already referred to, and in
order to reach 1t you must lean out
over the open space between two
and three feet in width. 1t is
quite impossible to touch it with
your lips without the assistance of
a second party who hangs on to
you in the rear to prevent you div
ing out through the chasm beneath.
| was alone: the wind whistled
about my ears; all the grass and
fern tufts that have sprouted
among the decaying mortar hissed
spitefully. | cautiously crept to the
edge Of the wall and while the earth
seemed to swim under me, while
the walls of the old castle swaved
to and fro, | reached out to the
parapet and touched the stone with
my finger tips. This is as near as
l ever got to it, but | have had
enough. There is a stone down
stairs on the ground which is con-
sidered far more convenient, and is
usually substituted for the original.
For more than four hundred years
this castle has been the sole feature
of Importance in a very cheerful
though lonely landscape. The
square tower, with its machicolated
battlement-all that is left of the
castle-has been visited by pilgrims
from every cline. But it doesn't
pay. 1t is very dreary and very
tireSome. The man on the lawn
who sells bog oak ornaments is
more attractive. The woman who
holds the keys Of the castle, and
who talks as if she had been
brought up on blarney stones, is
better worth your attention.
Year: 1877

There are few things more produc- tive of evil in domestic life than 8 thoroughly bad temper. It does not matter what form that temper may as- sume. whether it is of a sulky kind that maintains perfect silence for many days, or the madly passionate, which vents itself in absolute violence. H. temper at any age is bad thing; it never does anybody any good, and those who indulge in it feel no better for it. After the passion has passed away one sees that he has been very foolish, and knows that others see it too. Bad temper in the aged, is per haps, the most trying of all. It is, in deed, pitiable sight to see the wrinkled cheek of an old person afiame with anger and passion. Since anger is use- less and an unspeakable misery to its victims, why should it be indulged in at allS
Year: 1877

Nothing is less sincere than our manner of asking and of giving advice. He who asks advice would seem to have a respectful deference for the opinion of his friend; whilst yet he only aims at getting his own approved of and making his friend responsible for his conduct. On the other hand, ha who gives it, repays the confidence supposed to be placed in him, by seemingly dis interested zeal, whilst he seldom means anything by the advice he gives but his own interest or reputation.
Year: 1877

Sentiments join man to man; opin- ions divide them. The former are elementary, and concentrate; the latter are composite, and scatter. The friend ships of youth are founded on senti- ment; the dissensions of age result from opinion. If we could know this at an early age-if, in forming our own mode of thought, we could acquire a liberal view of that of others, and even of those that are opposed to ours-we should then be more tolerant, and endeavor to reunite by sentiment what opinion divided and dispersed.
Year: 1877

The telegraphic news from the seat
Of war is not very voluminous and
still less luminous, but tine dispatches
Of the last few days shows pretty
clearly that the Turks are making,
with a large proportion of their
whole available force in Bulgaria, a


great effort to break the Russian lines
and relieve the besieged army of Os-


man Pasha in Plevna. The stimuli
taneous advance ofSuleiman Pasha
from the east and Vehement Ali
from the West towards point in the
neighborhood of Trinova, the Rus
sian headquarters north of the Bal
kans, is desperate attempt to pierce
the Russian Gordon and crush through
at the weakest link in the chain
available for att tlck. This accomp-
lished, an opening would be made
for an advance to the succor of Osman
Pasha and a powerful movement en-
masse upon the Russian lines with
the combined strength of the three
commanders. If they can be pierced
by this strategy tremendous battle
would probably be the resuIt-a con-
tiict in which fully four hundred
thusand men would be engaged, and
largely without the advantage of for
tiicatiOns upon either side. The
Turkish tactics are daring, but they
arise from the necessity of the gitua-
ton. Unless O5man Pasha is shortly
succOred the fall of Plevna and the
surrender Of his army is only a ques
ton OF time, and that success won,
the Gar may either turn upon Sulei-
man Pasha and Vehement Ali aud
endeavOr to fight his way across the
BaIkins and on to AdrianOple, or he
may send his troops into winter
quarters on the conquered territory
until next spring. Campaigning with
great armies in the region of the Bal
kans will soon be rendered impossible
by the rains and SHOWS of the winter
but the Russians can afford to wait
for Plevna to surrender and postpone
future operations, but the Turks are
compelled to do something to escape
from the unfavOrable situation into
which they have been forced. On
this account the fresh activity of Me
hement and Suleiman is easy to un.
derstand, and unless they conclude
that the task of trying to break
through the Russian lines is too for.
midable, we may expect soon to heal
ofthe gratest conflicts of the Euro.


pean war. If they get through, the
Gar cannot but close around and at.
tempt to OYerwhelm them and that
such a conflict would be on a gigantic
scale is not to be doubted. So fal
Suleiman Pasha has only struck the
Russian outpOsts at Elena, nineteen
miles from Tirnova, and his serious
work is yet to be done, while Niche.
ment Ali seems to be feeling his way
cautiously from the other side, and
has provoked nothing but small
skirmis hes with the enemy.
Year: 1877

The Republicans will have but Il
very slim majority in the Senate
during the next two years. They
cannot count over four at most, and
perhaps not more than two. No eX-
treme partisan legislation can there
fore he relied upon. 1t is, perhaps,
best for the conntry that the vote is
so close in the higher body of the
law-making branch Of the Govern
ment. Great good may grow out of
it. The parties are so nearly balanc.
ed in the House that the Democrats
cannot pass an injudicious law. A
result of this closeness in both branch
eS OF the National Legislature will;
no doubt, be the passage of very few
laws, which after all, will be bless
ing to the country. Too much legis-
lation has been the gratest enemy to
free governments everywhere.
Year: 1877

A little steamboat, the Alpha: has just
arrived in this port from Baltimore, which
was propelled without wheel or screw. She
now lies at the Atlantic Basin, Brooklyn.
Her length is As feet, beam 10a, and depth
about 8 feet. She is supplied with 16-
horse power tubular boiler, which drives a
pump. From the pump to the stern and
bow Of the vessel are two lines of pipe that
strike the water about three feet below the
surface. The pump drives through each
pipe y inch stream, which enteT the
water through ! inch nozzle. With sixty
pounds of steam, the pump makes loo
strokes minute, each Stroke driving q
stream into the outer body of water. In
moving through the water is no ripple
astern, and but slight displacement per-
ceptible at the bow. By shutting Off che
discharge at the stern and forcing the
water through the bow pipes the boat u
moved back, and by using one bow and ohe
bow andstern pipe the boat can be turned
in her own length. The propelling power
can also be used to steer the boat, the noz-
zIes being moved alternately on the princi-
ple Of an oar. The boat consumes but a
a quarter Of ton Of coal per day and is
considered to be well adapted for use on
the canals.-N. Y. Commercials
Year: 1877

The adoption of the electric light as q
means of illuminating the paths of ship,
at sea during the night has, as we recently
pointed out, been followed by the applica-
tion of this powerful Illuminating agent to
the purposes of naval warfare and some of
our iron-clads have been fitted with lights
and rejecting apparatus, which will be
of great service IN protecting them from
midnight attacks from torpedo boats as
those recently made on Turkish iron-clads
in the Black Sea and the Danube. The
Russian government, it seems, are now
turning their attention to the uses of the
electric light as an illuminator for military
purposes. In some experiments recently
made at st. Petersburg. with the special
object of Increasing the distance to which
the light produced by electricity may be
thrown, it is found that thu power of the
light is greatly augmented by covering
the carbon burner with thin sheet of cop
per. By this means the celebrated Alien
eek lamp was made to increase the power
of It's light from 1920 to 16, ,255 candles,
and even this great power was raised to
that represented by the light of 20, ,275 can
dies by slight alteration in the position
of the carbon and its covsring-viz. by
turning it toward the dilecjiou of the OBJ
iect required to be lighted. 1t was found
that this light was sufficiently powerful to
render objects visible at distance of over
three thousand yards. These results show
that the improvements now being made in
the system of electric light, or the lime
light as it.was originally called, are likely
to have an important bearing in the system
of modern warfare To a garrison provi-
ded with two or three such sentinels, night
susprises would have no fears and in the
arts OF peace the vivid and easily controll-
ed light thus produced will have still more
valuable results,
Year: 1877

You can never tell how many wives by
brevet an eastern millionaire has until he
has been dead four or five weeks.-Hawk-
eye.


ST would not live always


ask not to stay; n


So he ate green peach,


And was carted away.-HaacEeye
Year: 1877

The body of suicide found hanging in
an old house near this place, has been rec
ognized as John d. DAILY, the missing pro-
prietor of the Windsor hotel.


The body was found by young man ex-
ploring the deserted house. He notified
the police and they took it down. There
was wound in his head caused by pistol
shot and the pistol lay at his feet His
money and jewelry were all in his pockets
undisturbed.
Year: 1877

Macy interesting experiments have
been tried by our farmers at various
times to determine the highest feeding
capacity of an acre of ground, and some
very remarkable results have been repor-
ted; but pre- cisely what the best attain
able results are is still an open que7tion.
Probably some of our numerous readers
can shed some light on this subject from
their own experience.


Whether ten acres of ground of aver
age fertility will keep more or less than
that number of cattle, carrying them
through the year in good condition is a
question of no little interest, for it is
closely related to the prosperity of hus-
bandry.


One thing at least is certain. If we
take what has been considered the aver
age experience of farmers on this subject
it will be found to fall very much below
the higher results actually reached by the
skill and perseverance, of some of our
practical men. And here comes in the
point we wish to come at. Why do the
average results of our husbandry invari-
liable fall so far below the achievements
of some of the leading men? OF course
we cannot expect that all will rise to the
level of the highest But why do SO many
fall behind, and so far behind? If one
man by adding brain power 70 his mus
cular force can make an acre support
two or three cows, is there any sufficient
reason why another should require two
or three acres to support one? We
should like to receive from farmers some
account of what they have accomplished
in this direction; and from what particu-
lar crop or kind of food an acre can be
made to produce the greatest amount of
actual nutriment, or feeding value.
Year: 1877

A very exciting incident occurred not
long since at the village of Soudan, In
France. In consequence of the weather
cock at the top of the church steeple
getting rusty, and no longer turning as
it should do, it was determined to take
it down. A man clambered up the
steeple, but just before he could reach
the weathercock he lost his balance and
slid down for seventy feet, then rebound.
ed on to the roof of the church, and
rolling thence was precipitated to the
ground. He was not much hurt, but
being much shaken by his fall, he was
replaced by a man called Chevalier. In
about half an hour Chevalier made the
most gallant efforts to haul himself up
by means of rope; but at last his
hands slipped, and he fell backward.
His foot fortunately caught in the rope,
and there he remained 120 feet from the
ground, with his head downsbeating the
air with his arms, struggling to recover
himself, and swayed backward and for
ward by high wind. Pierre Pean now
stepped forth and volunteered to mount
to the rescue of the unfortunate Cheva-
ier, but, after doing his best for three
quarters of an hour, Pierre had to de-
scend. His place was taken by Mo-
reau, who, climbing higher up than
Chevalier, slipped a rope round his
body, and cutting that which held his
foot, freed him from the fearful position
in which he had remained for three
hours.
Year: 1877

Admiral Hobart Pasha, of the Turk
ish navy, was q blockade runner during
our civil war. He was captain In the
British navy, aud took advantage OF a
leave of absence granted him by the
English government to go into the
blockade running business for Collie &
Go. When this matter came to the
knowledge of the lords of the admiralty
he was suspended from his rank In the
British navy. Thereupon he entered
the Turkish service, and, besides being
invested with the rank of admiral, was
made pasha by an imperial frman: He
next became conspicuous in check 6
the rebellion in Crete, where his knowl-
edge of the blockade running business
was of great service to him in prevent
ing the Greeks from furnishing sup
plies of arms and ammunition to the IN
surgents. By a subsequent decree IN
council of the lords of the admiralty he
has been restored to his rank and num-
Der in the British navy,
Year: 1877

About two years ago man by the
name of John Olenheimer, a German,
was suddenly and mysteriously missing
from his residence in Western town:
He left family, consisting Of wife and
six children, the youngest child but .
few weeks old and the oldest girl
scarcely thirteen years. Tired OF wait
ing, they soon mourned for their Pro
tector as dead, and the mother set about
the real problem of providing for the
family. They had been left quite desh-
tute. Recently, as this little family
were seated at their frugal breakfast OF
porridge the postman left letter ad-
dressed to the widow of John Olenheimer.
It bore the stamp of the United States
treasurer and was sealed with wax. 1t
contained an official notice from the
Treasury department in Washington that
a United States consul in Australia had
forwarded to the department trunk
filled with the effects of her late husband,
who died in that country. Along with
this property was also $4,000 in gold.
Letters of administration were taken out
and the proper papers, signed and seal
ed, were forwarded to Washington.
Year: 1877

Two tiny beggar girls were brought
into police court in New York city by
an officer, who found them begging in
William street One'was three years
old, the other six. They were poorly
clad, cold and wet from exposure to the
rain. Both of them sobbed bitterly as
the Oldest told her little story: Father
and mother both out of work, and the
family lived on what these two mites
could beg from down town restaurants,
and the earnings of a brother by boot
blacking after school hours; occasionally
also, the father found an "odd job. "
The Judge asked if they would not like
to be in good home, where they would
not need to beg. Both sobbed faster
than before, while the older replied L
don't want to leave me mother" Ar
rangements were made to Investigate
their case, and for the time being they
were sent home.
Year: 1877

Savage animals are not yet extinct in
Vermont, as Thomas PeggiDgton OF East
Richford found to his cost. He was on
his way to his sugar orchard, in company
with his dog, when he suddenly came al,
face to face with huge panther. The
dog was torn to pieces in twinkling,
and the beast then turaed his attention
to Mr.. Peggington, who, though unarm-
ed, kept his presence of mind, and avoid
ed the creatures first spring by falling
on his face. The second time he was
caught by the shoulder, and desperate
struggle followed, both rolling over and
over on the ground and finally falling
over a precipice twenty feet high, which
ended the combat. Mr.. Peggington lay
unconscious for several hours until
found by his friends, and he was severe
ly injured. The panther has not been
seen since the fray, but it is thought he
was badly hurt by the fall.
Year: 1877

Youth holds no society with grief.


Don't put too fine point to your wit,
for fear it should get blunted.
It is inconceivable how much wit is
required to avoid being ridiculous.
Inever wonder to see men wicked, but
I wonder to see them not ashamed
SUif.


The saddest failures in life come from
the not putting forth of the power to
succeed.


Wickedness resides in the very hesita-
ton about an act, even though it be not
perpetrated.


The general of large army may be
defeated, but you cannot beat the deter
mined mind of peasant.
Seek not proud wealth; but such as
thou mayest get Justly, use soberly, dis
tribute cheerfully and love contentedly.


The first petition that we are to make
to Almighty God is for good conscience,
the second for health of mind, and then
of body.


Is not prayer study of truth, sally
of the soul into the unbound infinite ?
No man ever prayed heartily without
learning something.
It is an observation no less just than
common, that there is no stronger test
of a mans real character than power
and authority, exciting as they do every
passion and discovering every latent
vice.


It is the great privilege Of poverty to
be happy unenvied, to be healthy with
out physic, secured without guard, and
to obtain from the bounty of nature what
the great and wealthy are compelled to
procure by the help of art.
Year: 1877

A young lady acted the part OF q hero
inc on Kearney street, Sam Francisco,
one evening, and what she did was all
the more beautiful and brave because it
was characterized by great presence OF
mind as well as extraordinary courage.
The street was crowded with vehicles,
and a woman and child stood waitirg ct
ono of the crossings for an opportunity
to walk over. Suddenly the child made
a dart across the street and fell In front
of a passing wagon. The young lady
saw the dangerous position OF the little
one. and acting on that impulse that Is
of more service at times than the reason
ing power, bounded to the rescue. The
wagon wheel was on the point of grazing
the child's head. To have stopped to
lift the little one would have been to lose
the moment there was left to save Its
Life. So she unhesitatingly put her foot
in front of the wheel, and with her
hands held on to the spokes until the
wagon was stopped. The child was
picked up unhurt, but its savior had her
foot crushed, and from pain and e2-
citement combined tainted away when
her deed of bravery was done. She was
carried to house in the neighborhood,
and physician attended to her INJURIES:
When she recovered consciousness she
was told by her brother that she had done
that which might make her lame for LIE.
Her answer was "Don't scold. II l
had besitated a moment the child would
- Lao,, crnsbed To death. The wheel
would have passed over its head, and 1t
is only my foot that is hurt" Lizzie
Mcpherson is the heroine's name, and
she is said to be as good looking as she
Year: 1877

During July an aeronautic convention
will be held in Philadelphia. Professor
Coleman will then attempt to cross the
Atlantic in an air ship, constructed on a
new model, and which will be inflated
with hot air instead of gas. Arrange
ments are also in progress for a grand
easterly current balloon race between
six of the prominent aeronauts of this
country, the six balloons to ascend
simultaneously from West Philadelphia,
and the aeronaut making the greatest
distance in an easterly course from the
point of departure to be declared the
champion aeronaut of the United States,
and receive gold medal.
Year: 1877

When you see young man and a
young lady walking along the street, she
reverentially plying him with questions,
andhe earnestly looking into the windows,
be sure that they are husband and wife:
If she were not his wife he would do all
the talking.