smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

1t is to be hoped that the action of the
Aldermanic committee on the subject of
heating the street cars will be something
more than farce, and lead to practical
relief this winter. The presidents and
officers of the railroad companies have
shown much indifference and nonchalance
over the matter, and the people cannot ex-
pect any concessions from them that are not
forced. It is idle to argue rs to the practi-
cability of this or that scheme for warming
the cars it is clear that the roads will do
nothing, however simple, for the accommo-
dation of the public unless they are COM
PEELED to act through the power of the
Common Council to regulate" the use
of the cars. They know that the
people must ride, and they intend
to make all the money they can out
Of the passengers and to spend as little as
possible on their comfort and safety The
Third avenue line, which pays over fifty
per cent on it's legitimate capital, might
we'll take tho lead in affording some decent
accommodation to its passengers but it
seems more desirous of swelling its enor-
nous profits than of gaining this enviablo
distinction.


If the cars cannot be heated this winter
they can at least be made warmer than they
are by the use of weather strips, repairs and
clean straw. The cold drafts which every
person who rides in the street cars has felt
from the windows are the main cause of colds,
rheumatism and such ailments. In most
Of the cars there are holes and cracks in the
sides and flooring through which the wind
whistles at it's will These should be thor
oughly repaired, the windows supplied with
some sort of weather strips, and sufficient
quantity of clean, dry straw spread for the
passengers feet. Of course these improve
ments or comforts would be attended by
some expense; but the Aldermen will be
powerless indeed if they cannot force this
much concession to the public health and
comfort from the favored corporations.
Year: 1877

England has long envied US the exclusive
possession of the most wonderful snake of
modern times. In the London Geological
Gardens they plume themselves on their
reptiles, and in the dominions of the En-
press of India there are specimens that the
ophiologist contemplates with respect. But
with all these on their hands, as it were, the
British people have grown green with envy
in the contemplation of the oft recurring
chronicle of the great American sea serpent,
who disports himself in the ocean COM
monty within marine league or two of this
continent. 1t has thus always been within
the power of any New England skipper to
completely clap over" the whole British
people, and to fatten out the roundest and
amplest opinion of themselves possessed
by any chance group Of Britons. But the
remarkable report of marine monster seen
on the English coast indicates that England
has come to the conclusion that something
must be done in regard to the sea serpent,
and seems to indicate that she has resolved
to make believe she possesses a superior
member of the same family. It is said that
a ship was seen to suddenly disappear, as if
by an explosion and then a man on the
lookout saw near her another ship ofh queer
build, which turned out to be no ship at
oil, but living monster that had, it is to be
imagined, destroyed the first ship with a
twist of it's playful tail. Nations do not
credit this chronicle as yet, but it exhibits
the desperate efforts that may be made by
an envious fancy.
Year: 1877

The Speaker Of the Assembly announced


his standing committees yesterday, and
there was, of course. much disappointment,
as there always is, on the part of those who
failed to obtain such positions as they
coveted. The chairmanships of the prin-
cipal standing committees are eagerly sought
after. and not always from the purest mo-
tives. They are too often used as the pass
keys. to the plumber of the session; for the
member who has it in his power to smother
or push forward bill at his pleasure COM
mands. the attention of the lobby. AS n rule
it would be prudent for Speaker to ignore
the claims of all who evince over-eagerness to
secure such prizes, especially if he desires
to preside over an honest body and to insure
good legislation. The work in the commit
tee rooms is in truth the model on which
the legislative ship is built. 1t is to be
hoped that Speaker Sloan has, in the most
important cases, made judicious selections;
but there is much new material in his COM
mittees, the quality of which must be proved
by time. The fact that he is reported to
have displayed much independence and to
have angered the usual over-zealous inter-
is at least promising indication
that his intentions have been good, and that
if he has made any errors they are only those
of judgment.
Year: 1877

IT Is ABOUT TINE that the police put a stop
to the mendcancy of half drunken men who
annoy pedestrians on Park row. These men are
not only persistent in their demands, but they
arc actually abusive if not successful in obtain
ing money. While so much actual want exists
in the city it is a shame that these undeserving
beggars are permitted to infcst our streets.
Captain Murray having caught the masked bur
glars so clcverly might now turn his attention to
this matter
Year: 1877

CAPTAIN HowGATE's PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
against the North Pole is receiving considerable
public and Legislative attention, owing to an
awakened interest in Arctic exploration. The
failure of the Mares expedition is conceded by
the leading English journals, and is attributed to
an overhasty estimate Of the difficulties that
bar the way to the Pole and the neglect of the
simplest sanitary precautions. Captain How
gates proposition certainly provides against any
such over-prudcntial exercise of judgment OH
the part Of the leader of an American party,
and If carried out would afford the "colonsts'
ample time for studying Arctic physics. Given
time and the men to dare and do, the distance
and difficulties would in all probability melt
away before their efforts like the frozen barriers
of the 'Palieocrystic Sea" during an open season.
We print to-day some further arguments in
favor of the scheme, which will be read with
interest.
Year: 1877

have been thoroughly applied. BY the
adoption Of narrower policy in other cities
in communication with the South their
trade was driven hither and added to ours.
Inasmrch as there was no interruption to
communication by rail with Southern cities
that were devastated by the fever, and yet no
spread of the fever in the North all the re-
strictions of quarantine appear to be super
fuous, in some years at least.
Year: 1877

Comptroller Kelly, having invited bids
for quarter of q million of short currency
bonds of the city, bearing five per cent in
terest, received offers for over half million,
at rates varying from par to 1OO.27. From
this it is evident that for five per cent long
bonds he would receive bids at good
premium for investment; yet the bulk of
our large city debt bears six and seven per
cent, and we have gone on renewing our
bonds year after year, for the past four or
five years. without making any attempt to
cut down n rate of interest that is eating us
out Of house and home There is no good
reason why New York city should pay any
more for the use of money than is
paid by the United States govern
ment. Cur security is ample and our
credit unassailable. If the United
States government can get all the money it
wants at four and half per cent the New
York city government ought to be able to
borrow at the same rate. If our whole debt
could now be placed at five per cent inter-
est the taxpayers would save steady drain
averaging our present rate at six and
quarter per cent-of about one million five
hundred thousand dollars Although we
cannot without the consent of the bond
holders consolidate our existing debt and
replace tho present bonds with lorg bonds
bearing four and half or five per cent
interest, we can at least bring down the rate
OF interest on renewals and new issues.
This will be good work for Comptroller
Kelly to undertake, and before his term of
Office closes we may probably have but
very small portion of debt bearing the pres
ent exorbitant rate of interest.
Year: 1877

The WEATHER-Ihc Western storm centre
dominates the weather at present all over the
country east of the Rocky Mountains. Rapid
changes in the conditions in the Mississippi
Valley occurred during yesterday, resulting
IN the partial filling up OF the depression which
Is central in the lake region and the develop
mcnt Of the low pressure further West into n
decided storm. The barometric gradient from
the Atlantic westward is however, not steep, and
the winds arc consequently moderate, except
in the immediate vicinity Of the centre of dis
turbancc. In the morning snow fell from
Grand Haven, Mich, to Nashville, Tenn, with
n very low temperature from the Gulf to the
lakes Later in the day the temperature rose
decidedly in the Mississippi Valley and lake
region. and also on the Atlantic coast. Snow is
now falling from New York to Bismarck, Dakota
and northwartl Of Tennessee. II is probable that
heavy precipitation will attend the storm centre
M il advances eastward. The highest pressure
il now in Nova Scotia and the lowest in the Mis-
souIi Valley. The weather in New York to-
,luv will bc warmer and cloudy or partly cloudy,
possibly with light snow or rain
Year: 1877

The STORY OF A broken home, given at length
in another column, is but sample of hundreds
which are well enough known, though they may
forever remain untold. elimination and recrin-
inaton are usual, the staples of the narrative;
but behind it all looms up the great sad, terribly
evident truth that marriage in haste" is work
ing unspeakable woe among people otherwise
estimnlle
Year: 1877

Loose Screws In tho Insurance Machine.


The HERALD's articles on the New Jersey
Mutual Life Insurance Company, one of
which is given to-day, indicate something
worse than bad management or possible
fraud on the part of the company's mana
gers. They point to a neglect of duty by
the State officials charged with that in
spection which is supposed to be the prin-
cipal check upon recklessness and malver-
sation. A single line of mortgages, pre-
sumably carried as assets, proves to be prac-
tically fraudulent, and the ease with
which these almost worthless documents
have been foisted upon the inspectors as
securities Is good cause for suspicion
that there are plenty of other cases of the
same kind, not only in the affairs of the COM
pany alluded to, but in those of all other
corporations which have found it advisable
to make handsome front out Of rotten ma
terinl. To verify every proffered security
before acceptance is in all other lines of
business considered not merely proper, but
necessary to q degree that admits of no ex-
cuse for neglect; yet no State official seems
to know the truth about these New Jersey
mortgages. A charge of similar nature.
though not so glaring in its specifications,
is made against a prominent Connecticut
company, although proper official attention
to duty would have made the charge itself
impossible.


The gravity of these cases gains special
moral significance from the peculiar nature
of the investors proper. The expense of
life insurance is generally incurred by men
and women to whose families the policies
carried are the only provision that can pos
sibly be made for the future. No moneys
ever invested are harder armed than these :;
in most cases they represent an amount of
self-sacrifice which is without parallel in
the history Of Investments If State inspec-
ton is a mere farce, and if custodians of
insurance funds are as irresponsible as any
chance acquaintance in whose hands money
may be placed, the policy holders should at
least be allowed the scant justice Of know
ING the truth
Year: 1877

A CHARGE OF MURDER by flogging is made
against Keeper Shevlin, of the Kings County
Pententiary. Whether it is true or not it will
probably bring out some facts concerning insti-
tutions of class which the people are as curious
to know about as if they were Warehouses;
Year: 1877

both houses are now engaged in investigat-
ing. If it were mere question of the Gov


ernorship of Louisiana it would not be in
cumbent on him to exercise SO much eau


ton but the decision of that question vir-
tually decides whether the electoral votes
of that State belong to'Tilden or to Hayes.


Under some circumstances it is the right
and even the duty of the President to decide
who is the legal Governor of a State
but he is destitute of any authority
to decide what are valid electoral
votes. And when this latter question is
involved in that of State Governorship, and
SO involved that the election of President
depends on the decision, the whole subject
should be left in the hands of those who are
alone competent to decide the greater of the
two questions. President Grant is acting
with irreproachable wisdom and decorum in
taking no sides on the minor question until
Congress shall have decided the greater one.
Year: 1877

Those who marry for physical characteris-
tics or external consideration will fail of hap
piness.


Marry in your own religion.


Never both be angry at once


Never taunt with a past mistake.


Let a kiss he a prelude OF rebuke.


Never allow request to he repeated.


Let self-abnegation be the habit OF both.


II forgot" is never an acceptable excuse.


A good wife is the greatest earthly bless
ing.


If you must criticise, let it be done love-
ngly.


Make marriage a matter of moral judg-
ment.


Marry into family which you have long
known.


Never make remark at the expense OF the
other.


Never talk ut one another, either alone or
in company:


Give your warnest sympathies fol: each
others trials.


If one is angry, let the other part the lips
only for kiss. .........


Neglect the whole world beside rather than
one another.


Never speak loud to one another unless 'ne
house is on fire.


y
the wishes of the other.
Always leave home with loving words, for
they may be the last
Marry into different blood and tcmpera-
ment from your own.
Never deceive, for the heart, once mlsled,
can never trust wholly again.
It is the mother who moulds the character
and fixes the destiny of the child.
Never find fault unless it is perfectly GER
tain a fault has been committed.
Do not herald the sacrifices you make 10
each others tastes, habits or preferences.
Let all your mutual accommodations De
spontaneous, whole-souled and free AS air.


The very felicity is in the mutual cultlva-
ton of usefulness. :,
Consult one another in all that comes with
in the experience, observation, or sphere OF
the other.


A hestatiug or grum yielding to the wishes
of the other always CRATES upon a loving
heart.
They who marry for traits of mind and
| heart seldom fail of perennial springs OF
domestic enjoyment.


Never reflect on past action which was
done with good motive, and with the best
judgment at the time. ~,
They are the safest who marry from the
standpoint of sentiment rather than OF 1eel'
ing. passion or mere love.


The beautiful in heart is million times OF
more avail, as securing domestic happiness
than the beautiful in person.
Year: 1877

Remember that mirrors should never be
hung whe the sun shines directly upon them.
They soon look misty, grow rough
and granuated, and no longer give back a
correct picture Amslgam or union OF tim
foil with mercury, which is spread on glass
to form a looking glass, is easily ruined by
the direct, continued exposure to the solar
rays. Remember that lemons can be kept
sweet and fresh for months by putting them
in clean, tight cask or jar, and covering
with cold water. The water must be chang
ed as often as every other day, and the cask
kept in cool place. Remember that a
tablespoonful of black pepper will prevent
gray or buff linens from spottlng, If stirred
into the first water in which they are washed.
1t will also prevent the colors running,
when washing black or colored cambrics or
muslins, and the water is not injured by it,
but just as soft as before. the pepper was
put in. Remember that one can have the
hands in soap suds with soft soap without
injury to the skin if the hands are dipped
in vinegar or lemon Juice Immediately after:
The acids destroy the corrosive effects OF
the alkali, and make the hands soft and
white. Indian meal and vinegar or lemon
Juice used on the hands when roughened by
cold or labor, will heal and soften them.
Rub the hands in this, then wash Oft thor
oughly and rub in glycerine. Those who
suffer from chapped hands in the winter will
find this comforting.
Year: 1877

''Steal!" said the old man, in accents of
intense scoru. ''Steal! Why, you would be
astonished to find how large proportion OF
the travelling public are Internal thieves.
They steal the bed clothes, pillows, boot
lacks, soap, soap-dishes- in fact,
which they can carry off. Everybody steals
soap. We expect that, and don't kick. You'd
be surprised to hear that-(a noted Indiana
poitician) makes practice of pulling the
soap into his valise every time he pays his
bill. He doesn't seem to use much OF 1t HIM
self, but think he takes it home to his chill
dren. The first thing to be done when TEL
low comes to the office to pay his bill is to
send the porter up to his room to see If any
thing is missing: When fellow comes
down with his valise IN his hand we are un-
usually suspicious. The only way to get even
with the thieves is to keep thief account.


Whenever anything is missed l charge 1t up
at fair value, and the next time catch
thief in the act make him pay the entire
amount or 20 to Jail. One day nice-look


ing fellow came down with valse in his
hand and enquired the amount of his bill.
The minute saw him knew he had stolen
something, so rang the bell and gave the
porter the wink. lputtered about the books
while the porter was gone, and l could see be
was getting uneasy He had notion to bolt,
but Just then the porter came down, and l
saw by his eye that something was missing.
l Jumped over the counter and grabbed the
rascal by the throat Open that valise you
id thief says l. He got very white about
the gills, and began to beg When the valise
was opened, sure enough there was new
bed-spread for which had paid SIS. Bill,
says /, bring me the thief account | footed
it up, and it amounted to just $50. You pay
that says l, 'or go to jail He thought it
was id hard to have to pay for other men S
stealings, but on the whole concluded it was
cheaper than to go to the penitentiary. Com
pounding felony? Well, yes it did have that
complexion. But maybe it nipped thief in
the bud The girls are generally honest,
! though once in a while we catch one of them.
One time there was an internal tree-peddler
stopped with :;s, and he had black satin
vest stolen. l paid him S. for it. He de-
scribed it very accurately. There was vel.
| low spot on the collar. where be had dropped
some acid on it, and his name in full was
written on the leather with which it was
hound at the bottom. / suspected the girl
Mary. We watched her for week or two,
and concluded we were mistaken. when one
day fellow came in with black satin vest,
and there was round yellow spot on the
collar 1t was Mary's sweetheart collared
him, jerked up his vest and found the name
of the tree-peddler on the leather. He owned
up that Mary had stolen the vest and given il
to him. At that time the thief account was
only So, and so he got off cheap"
Year: 1877

In recent letter to an Indiana paper COL
Robert G. Ingersoll says that the only item
perance speech" he ever made was in what
was known as the Mum trial in Chicago,
when he made these few remarks on alcohol:


Il believe, gentlemen, alcohol to y certain
degree demoraliZes those who make it, those
who sell it, and those who drink it. be-
lieve that from the time it issues from the
coiled and poisoned worm of the distillery
until it empties into the hell of crime, dis
honor and death, it demoralizes everybody
that touches it from its source to its ends. |
do not believe that anybody can contemplate
the subject without becoming prejudiced
against the liquid crime. All we have to do,
gentlemen, is to think of the wrecks upon
either bank of this stream of death. of the
suicides, of the insanity, OF the poverty, of
the ignorance, of the desttution, of the little
children tugging at faded dresses of weeping
and despairing wives asking for bread. of the
millions struggling with imaginary serpents
produced by this devilish thing; and when
you think of the jails, of the aims houses, of
the asylums, of the prisons, and of scaffolds
upon either bank, I do not wonder that
every thoughtful man is prejudiced against
that damned stuff called alcohol
Year: 1877

You may get thro' the world. but t will be very slow,
Ii YOU listen to all shat is said as gOu go,
YOu'll be worried and fretted and kept IN stew,
For meddlesOme tongues will have something TO do


For people will talk
If quiet and modest, you'll have it presumed
That your humble position is only assumed;
You're wolf in sleeps clothing. or else you're fool,
But don't get excited, keep perfectly cool


For people will talk.
If generous and noble they'll vent out their spleen,
You'M hear some Loud hints that you're selfish and
mean:


If upright and honest and fair as the day.
They'll call you rogue in a sly, sneaking way


FOR people will talk
And then if yon show the least boldness Of heart,
OR a slight inclination to take your own part,
They'll call you upstarf, cOnccited and vain,
But keep straight ahead, don't stop to explain


For people Will talk.
If you dress in the fashion, don't think to escape,
For they criticse then in different shape,
You're ahead OF your means, your tailOrs unpaid;
But mind your own business, there's naMght to be
made


For people will talk.
Now, the best way to do, is to do as you please,
For your mind, II You have one, will then be at ease
Of course you will meet with all sorts of abuse:
But don't think to stop them, it amt any use


For people will talk.
Year: 1877

A STRANGE scene occurred recently at
Sierck on the Moselle. France. Herr
Schmidt had dog which he wished to get
rid Of Rowing out into the middle of the
river, he fastened stone around the dogs
head and threw him into the water. The
the rope slipped off the stone, and lie again
rose to the surface and tried to get back into
the boat. His master, however, continued
to push him back. but as the dog persevered
he lost his patience, and striking at him with
his oar, lost his footing and fell into the
water himself He was unable to swim. but
the dog seizing him by the coat, succeeded in
bringing him to land, after having been re-
peatedly washed away by the current.
Year: 1877

EVERY man of sense and refinement ad-
mires woman as woman; and, when she
steps out of the character, thousand things
that in their appropriate sphere would be ad-
mired, become disgusting and offensive. The
appropriate character of a woman demands
delicacy of appearance and manners. refine
ment of sentiment, gentleness of speech,
modesty in feeling and action, shrinking
from notoriety and public gaze, aversion to
all that is coarse and rude, and an instructive
adherence of all that tends to indelicacY
and impurity, either in principle or action.
These are the traits which are admired and
sought for in q woman.
Year: 1877

Strikes are quite proper, only strike right;
Strike to some purpose but not for fight:
Strike for your manhood, tar honor and fame:
Strike right and lett till you win good name
Strike for your freedom from all that is vile:
Strike off companions who often beguile:
Strike with the hammer, the sledge and the axe;
Strike off bad habits with burdensOme tax:
Strike out unaidcd, depend on no other;
Strike without gloves and your foolishness smother
strike OF the fetters of fashion and pride:
strike when ts best, but let Wisdom decide;
StriKe strike good blow while the iron is hot;


Strike, keep striking, till you hit the spot