smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

/ stood off at the side of the room and
watched the tnrong awhile. The dim
lamp light made the figures weird.
They one by one advanced and put their
eyes TO the sight-piece of the tube, no
bigger than an opera glass. The To-
cussed splendor of the moon shone in
wavering little patches, the size of five
cent pieces on their faces, until they
got the hang of the glass. Then 1t
settled down full into the eyeball. The
eye was kept a few inches from the
opening, and the whole concentrated
light, thrown in the eye of the observer,
gave, TO a loOker-On, strange impress
sion as of glaring eyeballs OF wild beasts.
Some of the eyes thus lighted were
young and bright-some old and dim
some had known tears; some only
looked upon life's fairest sciences. One
by one they filed up in shadow; one by
glance OF the moon then they passed
into shadow and out at the door. One
brown-eyed girl stood under the swing
ing telescope in an attitude of perfect
ecstasy. Her head was thrown back,
her hands clasped, her lips parted, and
her face lighted up in an angelic radi-
ance. When the moon passed out of
her sight she gave a sigh that was
almost moan. 1t caused a ripple of
laughter among her young friends. ~
don't want TO take up too much time,
but oh, please do let me look again."
she said to the young professor. He
gallantly readjusted the glass on the
face OF the moon. "The lower edge of
moon is smOOth-that is where the vast
plains are-it CLEANS like FURNISHED
silver-midway up the moon the silver
is frosted instead of Durnished-the
upper part is beautifully embossed-by
mountains and craters-that give out an
intense white glory-even the shadows
of the mountains are silvery-mere dull
spots on the shield-oE, it is glorious
| am so glad-God made the moOn-the
grand God-the sunrise Is tinging the
tops of the mountain peaks at the upper





edge of the moon-they are trimmed by
rainbow hues-all the colors of the
prism. The mountain peaks stand up
in the telescope sharp and jagged against
space. Always before, the moon has
seemedlike il was above my head, hung
up in the sky; but now 1 seem to stand
on a planet and look down upon it,"


"You do" said the professor; "you
express the fact exactly. You stand on
planet and look down upon the
mocn."


81 can see clear down into its we'll
like crater; can look deep into its
gorges; l can fathom its chasms. 1t is
going; it is passing across the glass;
only little rim is here; it has gone"
The fair face disappeared; the impulsive
girl, whose running thread of talk had
woven its pretty fancies OF the moon
beams into a woof of brightness passed.
out of the room. A fippant young miss
shook her diamond ear drops, gave a
glance on giggling with eallow youth
who carried her shawl and fan.
Year: 1878

They have some queer girls in Colo
RADIO. One of them who resided in
Cache Ia Proude Valley, had been re-
ceiving the attentions of a young man
for about year, but becoming impa-
tient at his failure to bring matters to
crisis, she resolved to ascertain his
intentions. When he next called, she
took him gently by the ear, led him to
seat and said: "Nobby, you've been
foolin' around this claim for mighty
near a year, en- hev never yit shot off
yer mouth on marryin' biz. I've cot
tened to yer on the square clean through,
an hev stood of every other galoot that
has tried to chin in, an now l want yer
to come down to business or leave the
ranch. Eff yer on the marry an want
a pard thst1l stick right to yer till ye
pass in yer checks, say so, but eff that
amt yer game draw out an give some
other fellow q show for his pile. Now
sing yer song or skip" He sang.
Year: 1878

DIR. Normandy gives case in which Il
gentleman was poisoned without any
person being directly responsible for the
act. The Medical Journal reports the
case as follow: \ gentleman was taken
suddenly ill after eating some double
Gloucester cheese, and his medical atten-
dant, having with much perseverance
determined to trace the poison to its
source, did so with the following result.
The cheese he found had been cOlored
i'm the ordinary way with annatto; the
annatto had been heightened in color
with a little vermillIOn, which, in small
quantities, is comparatively harmless
pigment; the vermilion had been, how
ever previously adulterated with red
lead and hence all this mischief. The
adulterator had been adulterated; and
each person, in the series of successive
falsifications, worked independently of
the other, and was not, of feourse, aware
of the manner in which he was prepar-
ing poison for the public.
Year: 1878




One day benevolent physician (who
had read the books, having found a
stray poodle suffering from broken
leg, conveyed the poor creature to his
home, and after setting and bandaging
the injured limb, gave the little outcast
its liberty again, and thought no more
about the matter. But how great was
his surprise, one morning some days
later, TO find the grateful poodle
patiently waiting there, and in its
company another stray dog, one of
whose legs, by some accident had been
broken. The kind physician at once
relieved the distressed animal, nor did
he forget to admire the inscrutable
goodness and mercy of God, who had
been willing TO use SO humble an
instrument as the poor outcast poodle
for the inculcating of, etc., etc.


Sequel-The next morning the bene-
VIOLENT physician found the two dogs,
beaming with gratitude, waiting at his
door, and with them two other dogs
cripples. The cripples were speedily
healed, and the four went their way.
leaving the benevolent physician more
overcome by pious wonder than ever.
The day passed, the morning came.
There at the door sat now the four re-
constructed dogs, and with them others
requiring reconstruction. This day
also passed, and another morning came /;
and now sixteen dogs, eight of them
newly crippled, occupied the sidewalk,
aud the people were going around. By
noon the broken legs were all set. te-
the pious wonder IN the good physician s
breast was beginning to get mixed with
involuntary profanity. The sun rose
once more, and exhibited - dogs, 16 Of
hem with broken legs, occupying the
sidewalk and half the street; the human
spectators took up the rest of the room.
The cries of the wounded, the songs of
the healed brutes, and the comments of
the on looking citizens made great and
inspiring cheer; but traffic was inter-
rupted in that street. The good physi-
sician hired u couple of assistant sur
work before dark, first taking the
precaution to cancel his church mem-
bership, so that he might express him
self with the latitude thecase required.


But some things have their limit.
When once more the morning dawned,
and the good physician looked out upon
a massed and far-reaching multitude of
clamorous and beseeching dogs, he said, =,
/ might as well acknowledge it, l have
been fooled by the books, they only tell
the pretty part of the story, and then
stop. Fetch me the shot gun. This
thing has gone along far enough.


He issued forth with his weapon, and
CHANGED to step upon the tail of the
original poodle, who promptly bit him
in the leg. Now the great and good
work which this poodle had engaged in
had engendered in him such mighty
and augmenting enthusiasm 80 - trr"
his weak head at last and drive him
mad. A month later, when the bene-
violent physician lay in the death throes
of hydrophobia, he called his weeping
friends about him and said:


Beware of the books. They tell but
half of the story. Whenever poor
wretch asks you for help, ana you feel
doubt as to what result may follow
from your benevolence, give yourself
the benefit of the doubt and kill the
applicant.


And so saying he turned his face to
the wall and gave up the ghost.
Year: 1878

SPECIAL MEETING-MoNROE STREET


SEWER EXAMINED.


At o'clock Saturday evening. the City
Council proceeded to Front and Monroe
streets to examine the sewer there, and
to decide upon the best plan of prevent
ing any further nuisance arising from
Shipley Run, which passes under the
sewer at this place. The sewer was
found to be in very dirty condition, and
also the one at Second street.


Shipley Run formerly extended from
Second to Front streets, directly along
the line of Monroe street, but when the
street was graded the course of the run
was changed and made to veer to the
east, so as to give room for the street.
This change made the run more trouble
some than ever, and frequent overflows
of the adjoining lot were the result.


In the discussion of the affair, on
Saturday evening, the plan of reliet most
generally favored was to restore the run
to its old course, and convey it under the
bed of Monroe street, from Second to
Front, by means of an arched sewer.


Finally, on motion of Mr.. Townsend,
the subject was referred to the Street
Committee, in conjunction with the Chief
Engineer of the Surveying Department,
with Instructions to report at the next
meeting.


Council then adjourned.
Year: 1878

More poisonous refuse matter from the
mills was seen coming down the creek
and the upper Brandywine race, this
morning. The poisoning Of the people s
drinking water is now an almost daily
occurrence. How long will the people
stand his outrage?
Year: 1878

Mr.. Robertson, in his "Notes on
Africa" gives the following anecdote of
the ADMINISTRATION of justice in that quar-
ter OF the globe: At AtTantum, the mother
of a child wa; attracted by. its cries,
which were caused by q pig having
stolen something from it of which it had
been eating: as was natural, the woman
struck the pig with q stick which hap
pened to be near. This blow, the owner
of the pig contended. caused its death.
The affair, however, remained many
years unnoticed, but it was at length
brought forward, and urged with such
vigor that many persons were involved
in it who were not born ut the time the
transaction took place. As the animal
was female, the damages were calcu-
lated at q higher rate, and the result was
that every one connected by the most
distant affinity with the unhappy mother,
to the number of thirty-two, husband,
children and all that were most dear,
were sold as a remuneration for the loss
of pig. The avarice of the chiefs, who
received proportion of the spoil was
only restrained when there was nothing
more to be disposed of. The same mon
strous practice is adopted on the loss OF
fowls, and the claims calculated in the
same way. Whole families have been
sold for single chicken.
Year: 1878

A locomotive ran over good deal Of
human experience near O freight depot
in Kansas city recently. A switch
engine with three baggage cara was
backing rapidly, when man rushed
from q side-crossing and disappeared
beneath the wheels and when the train
had passed. the mangled and quiverlng
body of Captain Kottwitz was found
living across the rails in pool OF blood.
He was an officer of the Russian i'm
perial guard during the Crimean war,
wounded during an assault upon the
Redan. He was sent home to his fathers
estate near Moscow, and enjoyed the
pleasures of young nobleman until be
rejoined the imperial guard. His
colonel was arrested for political
offence, and sentenced to the Siberian
mines for life. The captain and eleven
officers conspired to effect the release OF
tne colonel, but the plot was discovered
and the ringleaders were sentenced to
death. On account of his high rank
his sentence was commuted to service
for life in a Cossack regiment in eastern
Siberia. He escaped from the military
prison at Moscow, made his way to the
Black sea, and passed into the Turkish
dominions. He arrived in New York in
1863 and joined the seventh volunteer
regiment, serving until the close OF the
war. In 1870 he went to Rome and
made an unsuccessful effort to secure a
pardon from the Gar. The death OF
his grandmother cut off his annuity, but
gave him s2O, 900, with which he return
ed to the United States and settled IN
Kansas. His fortune went to waste in q
land speculation, and he was thrown
upon his own resources, which finally
failed to keep him out of debt. He
spoke seven languages he was gradu-
ate of Heidelberg and he had two un-
paid board bills in his pocket when he
dashed out his brains.
Year: 1878

Better be alone than in i'll company.


Constant occupation prevents tempta-
ton.
Q Courage ought to have eyes as well as
arms.


Necessity reforms the poor and safety
the rich.


A true friend does sometimes venture
to be offensive.


Prosperity is not without many fears
and distastes; and adversely is not with
out comforts and hopes.


We have all of us sufficient strength
of mind to endure the misfortunes OF
other people.


Watch over yourself. Be your own
accuser, then your Judge. Ask yourself
grace sometimes, and, if there is need,
impose upon yourself some pain.


A warm mind sinks under prosperity
as well as under adversely. A strong
mind has two highest tides-when the
moon is at the full and when there is ne
moon.


The mind is nourished at cheap rate.
Neither cold, nor heat, nor age itself
can interrupt this exercise. Give, there
fore, all you can to possession which
ameliorates even it's old age.
Year: 1878

Mistaken identity is a fruitful theme
in the hands of the novelist, and here
are three cases from New York, which
may aid the production of the ever ap-
preaching American novel. A son iden:
tilted body at the morgue as that of
his father, who, however, made his ap.
pearance after the eoroner's inquest had
been held, and, as prisoner, was on the
eve of being tried for his taking off. In
another case the father of family was
met on the street by one of bis children
while his supposed remains were await
ing burial at his residence. In the
courts another curious case came up the
other day. The accused was, fortunately,
able 10 prove he was not the criminal
but "some other fellow" and 40 saved
himself from the peHttentiary.
Year: 1878

Which will you do? smile and make
others happy, or be grabbed and make
Everybody around you miserable? You
can live among flowers and singing birds,
or in the mire surrounded by fogs and
frogs. The amount of happiness which
you can produce is incalculable, if you
will only show a smiling face, kind
heart, and speak pleasant words. On
the other hand, by sour looks, cross
words. and a fretful disposition, you can
make hundreds unhappy almost beyond
endurance. Which will you do? Wear
a pleasant countenance let Joy beam
in your eye and love glow on your fore
head. There is no Joy so great as that
which springs from kind act or pleasant
deed, and you may feel it at night when
you rest, and at morning when you rise,
and throughout the day when about your
daily business.
Year: 1878

as means of rendering the city a pleasant
place of residence. The overflow of our
population into New Jersey and Kings
county will be arrested, and it will move
steadily to the northward, the wealthy
preferring residences around the Park and
along the Hudson River, and people of
moderate means seeking cheap and
healthful homes in the less picturesque
region north of the Harlem River. Our
city will become to America what Paris is
to the world the most pleasant place to
live in. People who acquire wealth in the
interior cities will come here to enjoy it,
because they will find here what they can
find nowhere else on the Continent art
and refinement and intelligence, easy facili-
ties of intercourse with wide circle of cul-
tivated people, and rational enjoyment OF
the blessings of fortune in the eyes of peo-
pie whose sympathetic appreciation is one
of the chief elements of social pleasure
Year: 1878

When the summer vacation ends and the
mother of the best boy in the world sees
her hopeful off for school she is not to be
accused of lack of affection if she gives vent
to a long sigh Of relief. The small boy, if
worth rearing, is generally rs bright and
sharp as a new pin, but he is also as irritat-
ing, and any relief from him which can be
taken without causing neglect to himself is
within the right and duty Of every parent
to take. But after this is allowed, justice
to the small boy at school suggests that his
parents should look backward few years
to their own school days, and recall some
of the peculiar troubles they experienced
at that time and which their offspring can
not escape to-day. Except in some partly
civilized rural districts boys are not fogged,
cuffed and abused in school as those of the
last generation were but they do not OBJ
tain all the benefits which school organiza-
ton could give them. In England the
teacher looks to the boys recreations al
most as closely as he does to their studies.
The English schoolboy frequently plays
cricket, swims, rides, rows, runs, jumps
and enjoys other sports under the direction
and with the express encouragement of his
teacher, who also offers prizes, al
though these are never costly, and thus ply
steal training and athletic tendencies keep
Year: 1878

pace with mental development. In the United
States, on the contrary. it is an unusually
lucky school that has in its ungrassed yard
swing or couple of parallel bars
the general diversion is confined
to marbles, which have done much TO de.
velop the taste for gambling which SO many
parents have reason to deplore in then
boys. ALI this can easily be changed.
There are games--lawn tennis, football and
others-which can be established within
the school yard itself, and in which the
teacher should manifest as much interest
as he does in the boys lessons, encourag.
ing the spirit of emulation and giving
prizes to the most proficient. There ID
something supremely ridiculous in the
fact that the American boy scarcely ever
participates in athletic sports, under
proper organization and training, until h
is almost man and goes to college, Will.
his English cousins begin from the first ia
develop body and mind under the same
teacher.
Year: 1878

fact that the Sunday sermon Is
positive punishment to nearly every
child who goes to- church. Ihis
is entirely unnecessary and inexcusaDle.
There is no religious truth which cannot De
expressed in language which any child can
comprehend, while simplicity of diction
can never belittlo great idea to adult
minds. A positive reform in the manner OF
pulpit oratory is demanded by the interests
of the Church as well rs the people. For
a business man to look forward to the peace
and rest of Sunday, and then in church be
compelled, by long, thin, labored Sermon
to wish himself back again at his hardest
work, is not creditable to the pulpit; but 1t
is very common experience. and among
reverent men, too. The Sermon on the
Mount has never been equalled for compre-
heiisiveness, strength and simplicity; but
if 6'sermon equally short was ever preached
in New York city we have not heard OF 1t.
1t is no excuse for long sermons to say that
many of the most popular pastors preach
them. Phenomenal sense or eloquence will
make listeners oblivious to time; but not
every man. no matter how conscientious and
devoted pastor he may be, has phenome-
nal gifts. Let pulpit utterances be as brief,
forcible and distinct as their matter justi-
ties, and they will cease to be the bores they
too frequently are and become the benefit
that they should be.
Year: 1878

Although the local campaign in the city
will not fairly open until after The adjourn
ment of the democratic and republican
State conventions our local columns to-day
show that the politicians are not idle and
that the rumor mongers do not evince dis
position to forego their favorite amusement.
Beneath a quiet surface, if We are 10 credit
the current gossip. plots deep and dire are
IN process of Matching, bargains and trades
Tor property which it may be difficult to
deliver are being industriously driven and
the giants of political warfare are girding
on their armor for terrific battle. The
onslaughts are to commence, We are told, in
the State conventions The enemies Of
Mr.. Conkling will lead the charge in tho
republican gathering at Saratoga, and,
as they are certain to be in mi
nority, are likely to withdraw and
attempt to divide the party in the State on
the outside issue of indorsing the Pres
ident's policy or saying nothing about it.
In the Democratic State Convention is to
be fought yet more severe contest--a
struggle between Ex-Governor Tilden
and Mr.. john Kelly. If Mr.. Tilden
should fall in the lists the trumpet call Of
the next Democratic National Convention
will fail to recall him to political life. If
Mr. Kelly rolls in the dust the knife of his
helmet and consign him and his Tammany
organization to the tomb.


The question of the Mayoralty, in which
all citizens feel a lively interest, like all
other local issues appears destined to re-
main in abeyance until after the return of
the democrats from Syracuse and the re-
publicans from Saratoga. In the absence
of any sign from Mr.. John Kelly as to the
intentions Of Tammamy his followers seem
to look upon the chances Of Mr.. Conover
for the party nomination as the most prom
ising. The report that Mr.. Kelly may
himself be in the field is discredited,
although there is unanimous admis-
sion that he would be stronger than any
candidate he could name. On the outside
All interesting story is afoat of negotiations
betwee the regular republicans and Mr..
Ely looking to the latter's denomination on
q combination ticket, and the schedule of
the effects the present Mayor can bring into
the partnership is carefully given. But
then the question is asked if the republi-
cans accept Mayor Ely what, besides the
offices enumerated, can they get with him !?
It certainly would seem important Tor the
Mayor to build himself up party among the
democratic opponents of Tammany before
listening to the seductive overtures of
the republican leaders. Meanwhile the
people Of New York may watch quietly for
the future development of the greenback
and labor movement, and live in the hope
that they will receive from the hands of Mr..
Kelly or somebody else strong, earnest,
capable and faithful man for the next
Mayor of their city.