smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

Sl75 from the City Treasurer making
S226, the amount OF the original in
crease.


It's with reluctance indeed, and
only from sense of duty that L call
attention to deviation on the part of
another city official, discovered in
in the course Of my investigation of the
Smith X Co. matter.


The City Clerk was so accommodating,
SO free to show up anything in his office,
so fair in every respect, that can freely
believe it was for want OF time
and because of the enormous
clerical work imposed upon
him, that he had until March Is,
1878 failed to make up and complete the
water rent book Of 1877, which he is
required to prepare tor the Collector Of
water rents immediately after the assess
ment by Council, and had failed to as
certain the gross amount OF the water
rent, and charge the Collector herewith,
and take his receipt therefor as required
by ordinance. l believe the book has
since been completed, and l think 1t
more complete than any similar account
that has been prepared for years.


Nevertheless l would respectfully sug-
gest that the investigation for which l
ask should include the City Clerks office,
where l feel confident no hindrsnce will
be made.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM ERsKINE.
Year: 1878

OAKwooD MEMoRIAL-DAY.-To-m W,
the 10th instant, the ladies Of the Oakwood
Memorial Association will have their annual
decoration OF the graves OF the gallant SOL
diers who lie beneath the sod Of Oakwood
Cemetery. They desire the aid of all who
feel lmpelled by similar patriotic duty, or
who take any interest in the work. Apart
from any other motive, visit to this ceme-
terry is we'll worth the time SO taken. The
ladies having charge OF the ceremonies Of
tomorrow desire those who have flowers to
spare and are unable to take them out them
selves to leave them at the residences OF
DR.. r. 5. Vest, Broad street, or Mr.. E. S.
Turpin, Grace street. They hope, however.
to see large turnout, and that, as flowers
are so abundant, there will be a sufficiency
taken there, so that each OF the eighteen
thousand soldiers graves in the cemetery
may receive its share OF attention.
Year: 1878

The. LOAN CoLLECTIoN.-The collection
OF pictures and art curtos in the art
rooms In the Association Hail building de
serve to be seen by our people, especially
by those OF culture and refinement.
Year: 1878

sLEEPLnssxRss.4 Those who suffer from
sleeplessness and the number is not
small might do well to notice their posi-.
ton at night. A German physiologist
states that the heating Of the earth by the
sun causes magnetic currents from the
equator to each pole. We should lie, there:
fore In tho direction OF these currents, II
we lie across these, the result is unpleas-
ant, and want OF sleep is the consequences.
The head to the north is the best position
to the west, the worst. Physicians who
have charge Of hospitals attend to the di.
rections in which the beds are placed,
and with the. best results.
Year: 1878

Cleveland Leader.l


Many congregation made it a part
of their religion to twist their necks
out of joint to witness the entrance Of
every person who passed up the aisle
of the church.


Being worried one afternoon by this
turning practice in his congregation,
Mr.. Dean stopped his sermon, and
said.


Now, you listen to me, and I'll tell
you who the people are as each one Of
them comes in.


He then went on with his discourse
until gentleman entered, when he
bawled out, like an usher;


Deacon A, who keeps a shop
over the way"


He then went on with his sermon,
when presently another man passed
into the aisle, and he gave his name,
residence and occupation; so he con
tinued for some time.


At length some one opened the door
who was unknown to Mr.. Dean, when
he cried out


"a little, old man, with drab coat
and an old white hat don't know him
look for yourselves"


The congregation was cured.
Year: 1878

Mr.. AND Mrs. A. M. ARzENo both died
at No. l8 Mulberry street yesterday.
These parties left home in July remained
in Michigan, near Detroit, until the 8th
of November, and then returned to a
house that had been we'll ventilated and
every precaution taken. They had been
here five days when they were both taken
sick. Two young men had been occupy
ing the room for eight days previous to
Mr.. Arzeno's arrival. Neither they nor
any Of the other boarders in the house
have been taken as yet.


The above appeared in the LEDGER
of the 10Th inst. The morning papers
of to-day contain notice of the death
of Miss Nellie [. Arzeno, lovely
young lady and the last of the family.
She also died of yellow fever. Here
we have three unmistakable instances
of death among those who had
not been in an infected dis
trict until they came and who took
every precaution that seemed necessary
They came back to Memphis ten days
after the board of health declared that
it was safe for all to return, making nc
exceptions as to those who were in the
vicinity or elsewhere They took the
fever here as others did and from the
same kind of germs or poisor
that had existed here from the
first. How many others came
home and took the fever after the 28tl
of October will perhaps never b,
known, as it became very unpopula
all at once to call any case of sickness
yellow fever when any other nam
could be used. 1t is very remark
able that malarial and congestiv,
fevers are always so prevalent just be
fore and Immediately after an epi
demic.


1t is all over now; it is safe to tall
about it and to make few RETROSPECT
tive remarks.
Year: 1878

mediately in about fourteen feet of
water. She was partly loaded with
lumber and junk. The full amount of
damage is not known, The wind
hauled to the southern, and the cap
tain of the Yeager was unable to man
age his vessel in the current. The tug
E. NJ. Peck is reported off, having
been released by the Eagle.
Year: 1878

TOMORROW the majority Of our
people doubtless will, in devout and
thankful spirit, unite in the proper
observance of Thanksgiving, either at
their homes Or places Of public wor-
ship. Suffering and death are the lot
of man, but the greatest trials are
often for the good of individuals and
nations. We have much to be thank
full for and should observe the day in
a spirit of gratitude and humility, be-
coming people so chastened and yet
spared, as we have been. The LEDGER
will not be issued tomorrow. The
next issue after this will appear on
Friday.
Year: 1878




THE cost of shipping nails by the car
load from this city to San francisco d
about 81 % per hundred against about 50
cents by way of Philadelphia and the sea.
The costof shipping pork from Chicago
to San Francisco is s. 95 per hundred, and
hence 800 barrels were seat for that city to
New York the other day, and thence by
sea. The Chicago Tribune has very in
,lignant article on the subject, speaking OF
tas an infamous outrage that the people
Of the Northwest, with direct road, built
at Government expense, to the Pacific
coast, are compelled to ship their product
to the East and thence thousands OF miles
BY sea in order to escape the extortions OF
d gigantic monopoly. at is infamous, !"
says the Tribune, that ''the railroads built
on public money should be so managed as
TO deprive the public Of the facilities they
were designed to provide" This eondi-
ton OF things is the fault OF Congress
which has the right to regulate the charges
Of these Pacific roads, and which ought to
proceed to do so. There is rumor in
New York that the Pacific railroads have
concludeda pooling arrangement with the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company which
will even defeat this natural protection
against the extortion of the roads. It is
only question how much longer Congress
will Try the patience Of the people byre-
insins a remedy which is at its disposal,
Or, rather, a question how long before the
people will begin to resent the imposition
in such manner as to compel Congress to
do its duty.
Year: 1878

Government IN any country is very i'm
portant matter; but it is not best to fall
into the mistake of suppOsing that it can
do everything which the public welfare
NAV require. Ii has immense power over
life and property. and pretends to punish
crime. and To educate the people. and TO
alleviate and improve the condition OF the
great mass of those who live under its au-
thority.


But If any one will look closely into the
matter. he will be surprised to see how lit
tie government really does towards the
promotion of the public good, and how
largely the most important services to So
ciety fall upon the shoulders OF volunteers.
What. for example, il the city of New
York, would become OF the hungry and
starving poor, but for the private charity
which feeds and clothes them! What hope
could we have for the ragged and house
less outcast child, If his fate depended on
the action of the government alone? How
many of the destitute sick would be reiev-
ed, how many of the Respondent would be
encouraged, how many of the young would
be kept out of the ways of crime. if there
we're no agencies for the accomplishment
OF these objects but such as the government
proyidesf The voluntary charitable and
benevolent associations of this city are far
ulois Important 10 the welfare OF It's people,
and do far more towards the improvement
OF their condition and character, than the
whole force of its government with the
millions of dollars which it expends every
year. There is many poor, obscure but
large-hearted woman, whose labors for the
good of the lonely and the deserted accom-
plish far more for the good of society than
any member of the Common Council, with
all his power.


The fact Is, government after all Is
very clumsy machine. 1t expends a great
deal OF energy, and a great deal of money,
in accomplishing very little. 1t deals only
with the external form, and cannot or does
not reach the real spirit and life of society.
1t can hang criminal. but 1t cannot pre-
ve0t his becoming one. 1t can build prs-
ons but it does not understand the most
desirable OF all arts-how to keep them
empty. 1t can maintain armies and police
men to restrain violence, but it cannot in-
still into mems minds the temper which
would render outward violence impossible.
1t deals with bodies, and outward acts -
1t cannot reach souls. and affect the innate
and essential character. This, which is
much the greater work of the two, must
be done by The personal and voluntary et-
forts OF individuals. And those who ap-
preciate most profoundly the real wants
aud necessities of society. will feel the i'm
portance of keeping alive in the public
mind warm interest in those charitable
aud benevolent associations, which render
services that government itself can never
perform.-[ Exchange.
Year: 1878

The old controversy which has so long
agitated the public mind, whether direct
or circumstantial evidence may the more
safely be depended on, still continues.
Elementary writers and jurists maintain
that in both civil and criminal cases, cir
cumstances alone often lead to a conclu-
sion far more satisfactory than direct evil
dence can produce. But laymen do not
very generally concur in this view. Es.
peCially do they doubt whether it is ever
justitiable to take human life on evidence
which is all circumstantial, and at this
very time a great effort is being made 10
secure the CommutatiOn of sentence of
death soon to be executed on a prisoner
in this State, the sole ground of the move
ment being that the conviction was based
entirely upon circumstances, without any
direct proof.


Slight circumstances, put together,
sometimes seal suspected persons doom.
On recent criminal trial where the de-
fendant was convicted and sentenced to
fifteen months imprisonment, a principal
point in the circumstantial evidence
against him was that the footmarks in
the mud about the place where the of.
fense was committed exactly correspond
ed with the nails in his shoes, from which
there was one nail missing.


In a case of arson in Massachusetts,
the perpetrator of the crime was detected
in very singular manner. He hired
horse and wagon, and drove distance of
fourteen miles, on a rainy night, to set
fire to the house of an old couple who had
some time previously refused him their
daughter in marriage. In the night the
weather cleared off cold, and the mud
froze stiff, so that the tracks of the horse
could be very distinctly traced in the
morning.


1t happened that the animal, in conse-
queHce of cracked hoof, had been shod
in peculiar way on one foot; one of the
corks was turned lengthwise, instead of
being made in the usual manner, at right
angles with the heel of the shoe. This
popularity led to the conviction of the
prisoner. He was sentenced to be hanged,
but the punishment was afterwards com
muted to imprisonment for life.


In another case murderer who shot his
victim was detected by finding that an
unconsumed paper wad from the gun
with which the shooting was done, sup.
piled missing piece of newspaper in
the prisoners possession. BY such cir.
cumstances, trivial in themselves, great
crimes are often proven.-N. Y. Ledger.
Year: 1878

For years Beau Brummel was the lead
er Of London fashionable society; but
his spendthrift habits brought him to
poverty, and his last days are thus de-
scribed by writer in Chambers Journal: :


A poor neglected imbecile is living in
squalid lodgings at Calais. 1t is scarcely
possible to recognize in this unhappy be-
ing the once gay and elegant Beau Brum-
mel, the glass of fashion and mould of
form to the men and women of his gener-
alton, whom he ruled with the despOtism
of an autocrat. Yet this is the poor Beau
and no other.


He is holding phantom reception.
Having desired his attendant to arrange
his apartment, set out the whist tables
and light the candle, alas! only tallow,
he is ready at eight o'clock to receive
the guests which the servant, previously
instructed, now announces.


First comes the Duchess 6f Devonshire.
On hearing her name, the Beau leaves
his chair, and with the courtliest bow, the
only reminiscence Of his departed glory,
he advances to the door and greets the
phantom duchess with all the honor that
he would have given the beautiful Geor-
giana.


He takes her hand and leads her to a
seat, saying, as he does So "Ah, my dear
duchess, how rejoiced | am to see you
So very amiable of you to come at this
short notice. Pray bury yourself in this
armchair. Do you know it was the gift
to me of the Duchess of York, who was
a very kind friend Of minel--but, poor
thing, you know she is no more"


At this point tears of idiocy would fall
from his eyes, and he would sink into the
armchair himself, awaiting the arrival of
other guests, who, being duly announced,
were similarly greeted.


With these ghosts of the past he would
spend the evening until ten o'clock, when
the servant, telling each guest that his or
her carriage was waiting, would carry his
poor old master off to bed We cannot
wish him goodnight without the pay.
ment of a sigh for the pantomine he has
acted, and the sad lesson it conveys.
Year: 1878

LAW AGAINST FLIRTING.-Burke, in
his History Of Virginia, says: 81 find
that the Governor was obliged soon after
to issue proclamation forbidding wom-
eh to contract themselves to two several
men at one time. For women being yet
scarce and much in request, this offense
was become very common; whereby
great disquiet arose between parties and
no small trouble to the Government. 1t
was therefore ordered: That every min
lister should give notice in his church
that what woman soever should use any
word or speech tending to contract of
marriage to several persons at one time,
although not precise and legal, yet so as
might entangle or breed scruple in their
consciences, should, for such ofense,
either undergo corporal correction or be
punished by fine or otherwise, according
to the quality of the person so offended"


Although the supply of women is not
so limited as it was when this law was
in force, we have no doubt there are
many young fellows in Farmvile who
would like 10 see it reenacted. Farm.
Uile (Va) Mercury.
Year: 1878

ILLINOIS and Iowa folks sell out, rush
to Texas, find that they have got to work
there as we'll as elsewhere, and return
home and declare that Texas is a fraud.
II there is any Heaven on this earth we
know of man who wants to pay cash
for it,
Year: 1878

strong fishy taste observable in many OF
the cities, which proceeds from decay
ing vegetation and not from fish, as the
housekeeper religiously believes. This
is temporary, though very disagreesble,
and We know of no remedy. II Is doubt
ful If dragging up the dead matter
would remedy it. When we kept trout
ponds we also had several varieties OF
wild geese and pair of swans. The
latter cleaned out the vegetation in one
pond, and the water smelled and tasted
muddy. 1t was a small pond, 75xl4
feet, and full of trout. When the
plants were gone the fish all crowded
to the inlet for fresh water and the sup
ply was increased. After this the swans
were removed, and when vegetation
again started the fish went back into the
pond. Our experience in aquaria has
proved that cryptogamous plants, /. e.,
those which do not flower or bear seed,
most particularly the small kinds that
appear as moses on stones and rock
work, are the most valuable for OXy-
genation. Plants whose stems are only
in the water are of but little use for this
purpose, therefore select those whose
habit is to remain entirely submerged.
Watercress and myriophillum are
among the best.
Year: 1878

season must come in the ordinary


sized packages, and here forethought
and care will pay. The fruit must be
gathered carefully by experienced


hands. A dent in the surface no mat
ter how small, will be black surface
in few days. TO handle like eggs is


4 faint caution in the case of choice
peaches or winter apples. In asserting,
three, even four will be necessary. The
distance from market determines the
time at which to gather fruit so as to
have it arrive in perfection. Keep out
all that is Overripe, and do not
gather any too green. Never mix diff
ferent kinds in the same box, unless
you are merely selling windfalls, which
seldom pay expenses. The art of pack
ing a box of apples or pears so as to
make it show at its best is only attain
able by long practice. Uniformity OF
size and color, and even filling up the
box, without bruising, are the essen
tials. We have seen boxes of the Sec
Ond size Newton pimpins, well packed
bring more than first size, poorly
packed. The clear, even color, the
level and glossy surface, the regular
perfect rows-all these are pleasing,
and pay for the time occupied. The
orchardist knows exactly how to choose
a good peach from his own orchard. lie
goes to the sunny side of the tree, and
finds one with rich, dark color, just
ripe, and half hid in glossy leaves.
Then he eats It, with certain vague
pity for the city people, who take theirs
from a box. Now, the gist of our SER
mon is, that the Orchardist must try to
get the best favored and most beautiful
fruit and get it to market in the most
pleasing condition. If it appeals to the
artistic sense, as it lies in the market, it
win not long want purchaser.
Year: 1878

who has deceived thee so often as
tnyselfS


Aim high, but not so high as not to
be able to hit anything.


Our remembering an injury does us
more harm than our receiving 1t.


Time is gold; throw not one minute
away, but place each one to account.


Learn not to Judge too harshly of any
one, either in respect to good or evil.


lie that watches the providence of
God never wantsa Providence to watch.


Souls are not saved in bundles. The
Spirit asks Of every man, "How is it
with thee ?"
Year: 1878

Honest asserting and honest packing
are the first elements of success. A
fruit package must average the same
throughout in quality, and its
weight must be up to the standard.
New hands will often, from desire to
prove themselves alive to their employ
er's interests pack dishonest boxes un-
less closely watched and so ruin his
reputation. One of the best known
fruit raisers in Alameda county, Cal. jim
forms us that last season new man of
his packed dozen boxes of small apples
facing them with large ones, and the


fraud, which would have injured the
sale of his fruit for months, was only
discovered by accident. The personal at
tention of the proprietor is always ne
cessary in these matters. The size of
these packages is an important question.
Year: 1878

A grocer placed on the sidewalk in
front of his store sugar hogshead
which he had just emptied. The ad-
herring sweets attracted myriads of flies
and few honey-bees, which seemed to
think they had found a bonanza. A
vagabondish dog was lying in the
shade of the hogshead and was pestered
much by the flies, which found the
dogs nose good place to roost after
they had filled themselves with sugar.
After the dog had wearied himself by
his Intellectual snaps at the flies he
buried his nose between his paws and
took the annoyance philosophlcally. At
length a bee came humming around
him, and being bigger game the dog
concluded to 20 for 1t, and watching his
opportunity snapped at 1t and caught
it In his mouth. Then he made a
sudden spring to his feet as If he had
Just thought OF something that he had
RMdo in hurry, and his hair all over
AAxaised on end as If he had been
\ Then he pranced around


bit shaking his head franti-


me were worrying a rat. A


Feet dropped from his mouth,
NJ he looked at inquirlngly for a


instant, and then started of In
\ We to see man around the corner,
dismally as he went.
Year: 1878

Not many weeks after had redeemed
the promise so siugularly made. AT the
Parker House in Boston | delivered to
the lady for whom they were intended
the last messages of the soldier who con-
fessed his involuntary dominion to-
gether with the lock of hair he had en-
closed and some memoranda of the
occurrence hastily jotted down on the
succeeding night. ! have no doubt she
still preserves them among the memen-
toes of career which has recently been
crowned by new successes.
Year: 1878

KIT, THE ARKANSAS TRAyELLER.-Tnere
was no standing in the Theatre last night,
and people had to he turned away with the
only consolation OF q chance to hear from
the outside the vociferous applause which
shook the house at intervals during the en-
tire performance.


The play OF Kit, rs melO-drama, Is re-
markable in its intense interest; but the
broad hlmor, when it verges on vulgarity,
Is redeemed by the life-like characteriZations
and the truth to nature which is the result
OF real artistic study. None but the very
finest actor could play the title role Of the
play TO the entire satisfaction and wonder of
tile men who are familiar with Kit and bis
adventures, his designations, his honesty,
and his big heart in real life. There were
such men In the audience last night, and
their delight was even greater than that OF
The rest of the audience.


Miss Graybrook again won laurels as
"Alice," Kits daughter.


Frank Mordaunt, as the "Judge," was
utterly and entirely overwhelming and
irresistible, even in his by-play at the
back. The Z" Major" was done to the life
and the noble pair of reddjusters was greet
ed with laughter and applause at every ap
pearance. 49,.


The-play was well and carefully set in al
its details, and every character was vel
taken.


exit" will be repeated tonight.


We must not forget to give word o.
praise to the orchestra, which this season Ii
excellent, and constitutes most attractive
feature of an evening at the Theatre.