smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

In August 1918, the prosperous village of
Plurs, in the Grisons canton of Switzerland,
was buried by land slide. Nine hundred per-
sons lost their lives by the casually, and the
village, with its two hundred dwellings, its
churches with their art treasures and its shops
with their valuable contents of gold, copper
and lava wares, tor which it was famous, has
remained buried to the prese2t day. A joint
stock company has now been formed with a
capital of $1,000 to disinter the buried village,
and the undertaking is expected to be highly
remuperatiye one. The site of the village is
now occupied by vineyards


Wilmington, Del, has learned lesson from
experience that is not unfamiliar to other local.
tiles. A few days ago party of ladies raised
money and necessary articles and carried them
to house where there was a corpse needing
burial. They gave their contributions to the
distressed family and left. Shortly after one of
the ladies discovered that she had dropped one
of her gloves, and returned for it, only to find
the corpse sitting up in the bed countio the
money which had been left for her interment,
and making merry with the Others over thelr
successful imposition.
Year: 1877

CHIEF-JUsTICE CHURCH, of the New York
Court of Appeals, has addressed letter to
the New York Times correcting some errors
in the report of his views which the Albany
correspondent of that paper had forwarded
Judge Church states that he has entertained
and expressed doubts about the constitution
ality of the law creating the Electoral Com
mission, "but, in common with the public
generally" he has ''felt disposed to acqui-
esce in it as compromise measure passed in
the interest of fairness and harmony" There
could be no palmer intimation as to the duty
and obligation resting upon the Democratic
candidate for the Presidency and upon his
party to accept and abide by the decisions of
the Arbitration Tribunal than is conveyed in
this expression of Judge Church, himself a
Democrat of national prominence. In the
letter he also asserts the principle that the
Tribunal has enunciated: that there exists
no power to go behind the authorization o.
! the election of Presidential Electors accord
ing to the laws of each state, such authenti.
cation being ''final and conclusive," In his
correction of the newspaper version of his
views, Judge Church puts himself squarely
on record not only as to acquescence in the
results Of the Arbitration Compromise, but as
fully concurring in the opinion of the ma
jority of the Commission respecting the
| finality of state action in the choosing OF
electors.
Year: 1877

The Democratic counsel strenuously
contend that Kellogg, was not the law
full Governor of Louisiana and thus
that his certificate has no force. But this
Argument will be futile. For four years Kel-
logg was recognized by every department OF
the government. There has been no other
Governor. 1t is idle to suppose that the
Commission will discard the decision of the
political branch of the government on cues
tion which belongs solely to 1t. Indeed, on
the decisive points of law the Democratic
case in Louisiana is weaker than in Florida,
and there can be no reasonable doubt about
the decision.
Year: 1877

THE Democrats of the House didn't object
to the alleged ineligible eector of Illinois, lest
the counting of his vote by the Senate might
make precedent for the Commission. But
how about their own counting of his vote
Is it any the less significant when both Houses
unite in counting?
Year: 1877

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
ations. The name and address of the writer are in
Ill Indispensable necessarily publication
out as a guaranty Of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or reserve commu-
uications that are not used.
Year: 1877

EVERY regular attache of the PRESS is furnished
with Card certificate countersigned by Stanley T.
Pullen, Editor. All railway, steamboat and hotel
managers will confer favor upon us by demanding
credentials OF every person claiming to represent
Year: 1877

The most sensible suggestion yet made in
regard 10 increasing the regular army is that
all skeleton regiments be filled ND To the
maximum limit. There is probably not a
single regiment in our army which has its
full complement OF men. All OF them should


De recruited up 10 the full standard and kept
Year: 1877

A curious case of giass making is
published in the Proceedings of the
Newcaslle-on-Tyne Chemical Society
A large mass of esparto grass was
burned by accident. Lumps which
might be called grass clinkers were
found among the ashes, and these, on
being properly treated ia kiln, pro-
duced glass, which is described as "a
very good sample of bottle glass"
From this it is easy to understand and
that 10 past ages some great bonfire of
vegetable matter may have led to the
discovery of glass. Farmers who are
unfortunate enough TO baYe their
stack yards burned, might possibly
find straw clinkers among the debris
This would be worth nothing for silica
enters largely into the composition of
all grasses and cereals.
Year: 1877

Malevolent wit is that kind which will
lose friend sooner than joke. To be
captious and contradictory is offensive
enough, but not so provoking, so unbear-
able, as the spirit of mockery affected by
Writings and coxcombs; for that. like a
blighting east wind, wthers up every liv-
ing and heartfelt sentiment sprineina nm
IN conversation, and especially chills and
dlsheartens the young in the earliest in
tercourse with the world. The weapon
inillctlng the wound is so fine as to be
scarcely perceptable, but the point has
oeen dipped IN poison. A breeze itself
invisible, often makes whole lake shiy-
er. Yet one would rather be cut by a
Keen than by blunt lancet, and course
superclllous way is almost as hateful as
The freezing irony of more subtle ill-hu-
NOR.
Year: 1877

What one woman may do, even


though she be fallen sister, is illus


trated in story from Louisville. Two
years or more ago an anonymous let
ter sign.d "Magdalen" appeared in
the Courier Journal of that city which
detailed in singularly simple but elo-
quent words the hapless life of her
class, appealed t. the kind-hearted for
something more than a merely charil-
able Interest in these outcasts and ex-
pressed the writers own sincere inten-
tion to reform. The letter was SO ex-
ceptional of it's kind that the usual
newspaper custom of refusing TO print
anonymous contributions was waived.
and the appeal was given prominent
place. 1t at once aroused very great in
terest and vigorous but fruitless efforts
were made to discover the author.
But it had its effect in the organiza-
tion of society for the succor of the
fallen which met with such prompt
response from the good people of the
town that house was secured ample
means provided for its support, and a
system of personal visits > the homes
of these poor creatures was inagura-
ted. These efforts, we see by recent
report of the society, have been crown
a W
work, Says the President OF the society
"began with but one inmate for the
Home. The number is now seventeen
women and nine iHfants The number
received during the year has been
larger but from time to time they have
either married or been returned TO
their homes. The most successful work
is with young girls. who, after their
first mistep, seeing their folly. go to
the Home broken-heaIte ed and anxious
for the offers of mercy. There are also
within the Home a number of women
who have for years lived an abandon
ed life, they also exhibit the deepest
symptoms Of contrition. One day in
each week the Home is visited by
delegation from tie Young Mems
Christian Association, and at 3 O'Clock
every Sunday afternoon a sermon Is
preached by one of the city pastors.
These services have had the effect of
leading the girls to think about rel.-
gion and within the past two weeks
three of the inmates have made con-
fession of faith in Christ" Of her
whose appeal led to all this it was af-
terwards discovered that she Was the
daughter of a most respectable gentle
man in a neighboring town, who had
been educated with great care, was
betrayed when mere girl and thought
to find refuge from her shame in the
city. There she eank lower and lower
until in chance detention before the
door OF an humble missionary church.
she was attracted by the music within.
Entering the door she was given a
seat, and, by a coincidence, the preach


er talked that day of the story of Mary


Magdalen and its lessons. That night


she wrote the letter and the next morn


ing she had disappeared and not until


the society she had inspired was wei!


established did she make ber identity


known. Meanwhile under another


name, she had been teaching school


in a quiet Indiana village. Now"


says the report "she is devoted Chris.
tian woman going about doing good.


ohe is serving as missionary among


the niserables of her Sex aud during


the term of her brief ministration has


turned many stray feet back to the
Dath of vi, fua
Year: 1877

The agent rose from his chair.


A look Of determination was in his
face, and an imperceptible shadow
Of irony played around his mouth
Calmly, however, he spoke
g Cheap, did you say? Yes, indeed,
they are cheap. I'll take all you've
got, Place them right here on my
Year: 1877

This organization had upon the ground the
team Of which Jules Piffaut, Esq., is the captain,
the team entering into contest for the badge
offered by their captain. For this badge each
contestant is to have five shots on ten Sundays,
off hand, at 200 yards, with military rifle, and
the rifeman having at the close OF the contest the
largest score to his credit becomes the owner of
the trophy.


The first competition was, as will be seen, won
Year: 1877

I walked down the valley Of silence.


Down the dim, yoiceless yalley-aione
And heard not the fall of a iootstep


Around :ae-save Gods and my own!
And the hush OF my heart Is as hOlY


As hovers wEere angels have Hown.
Long ago was weary of voices


Whose music my heart could not win
Long ago | was weary Of noises


That lretted my soul with their din;
Long ago was weary OF places


Where met but the human, and Sin.
walked thro' the world with the worldly
craved what the world never gave;
Aud said "In the world each Ideal


That shines like the star on life's wave,
i ton ID on the shores OF the Real,


And sleeps like a dream in grave"
And still did piae for the Perfect,


And still found the false with the true;
And sought mid the human for Heaven,


But caught mere glimpse of the blue
And wept when the clouds of the Mortal
Yelled even that glimpse from my view.
And toiled on, heart tired OF the Human
And mouFned mid the maEes OF meni
Till knelt long ago at an altar


And heard voice call me since then
walked down the Valley Of Silence


That lies far beyond mortal ken.
Do YOU ask what found in the Valley?
'Tis my trusting place with the Divine;
And fell at the feet OF the HOLY,


And about me r voice said, "Be Mine y
And then rose firm the depths of my Spirit
An echo: "My heart shall be thine.
Do YOU ask how live in ths valley?


weep. and dream, and pray;
But my tears are as sweet as the dew drops
That fall un the roses in May;
And ny prayer like perfume IRON censer,
Ascendeth to God, night and day.
In the hush Of the Valley of Silence,


dreamed all the songs that sing;
And the music floats down the dim valley,
Till each mad. word for a wing,
That 30 men, like the Dove of the Deluge,
The message of peace they may bring.
But far on the deep there are billows


That never shall break on the beach
And have heard songs in the silence
That never shall float into speech;
And | have dreams in the valley


Too pure for language to teach.
And have seen thoughts in the valley
All me, how my spirit twas stirred!
And they wear holy wells on their faces


Their footsteps can scarcely be heard;
They pass through the valley like Virgins,
Too pure for the touch Of a word.
Do YOU ask me the place Of the valley,


Yg hearts that are narrowed By care
IL iieth aiar between mountains,


And God aud bis angels are there;
Aud one il the dark mount Of sorrow


Aud one the bright mount Of prayer.
Year: 1877

Charity is noble. whether in The lofty or
lowly, and 20 sight is more affecting than to
soe poor untutored son Of Africa leave bis
cot at the dead hour Of The coldest night, to
lift wrctchcd pullet from the neiehboring
coop and bring it into bis Own little home and
warm Il al .be fre
Year: 1877

is there an opening here for an intelIectu-
al writer 2" said very red faced youth, with
the cork Of a bottle sticking out Of his breast
pocket. The editor with much dignity took
the young mans intellect in and said, IAN
opening? yes, sir kind and considerate
carpenter, foresceing your visit, leit an opening
for you. Turn The knob 70 the right"
Year: 1877

Another Springl The warm, sweet
breezes fan the check; the bright blue
sky with drifting clouds delights the eye
the clear sunshine, life renewing, bathes
the awakening earth. With a new ener-
gy and cheerfulness do men lay hold of
their allotted tasks. Ny sister women,
wehave work to do. Shall we shrink
and cover in the face of our manifest
duty' or shall we step confidently for
ward, upheld and cheered by the oonvie-
ton that by so doing we shall have the
appreciation of Heaven, the blessings of
posterity and the encouragement Of all
right thinking people? 1t is our work,
my sisters, to discourage the sale and use
OF intoxicating liquors; to lose no op-
portunity of showing that we condemn
the poison and those that use 1t.


We cannot walk the pleasant streets
of our village without seeing the effects
of this baleful traffic in the forms and
faces of men. There is nothing that can
mar the "human form divine" equal to
strong drink.


How does the fond mother feel, who.
having reared her boy with tender love,
endeavoring with all her strength to In
still into his mind right principles and
sentiments of honor; how does she feel.
| ask, when she sees him reeling home,
heart and brain stepped in the fumes of
the poisoned glass? Oh, it is sword
that pierces her own soull tits the work
of the rum-seller. He is enriched, but
many are made poor. Tempted, fallen,
soiled and bruised, outcast villain. Step
by step down the dismal road.


The practice of taking wine and Other
alcoholic drinks, socially, l am aware,
Is not condemned by many excellent
people. They think that a custom at
once so graceful and appropriate can do
no harm. But mother, father, does 1t
give you pleasure to see your noble boy
taking socially tho glass Of ruby wineI
Are not you afraid there is fascination
in the cup to lure him on to ruin7


A bold swimmer feeling secure In his
own strength is not afraid to daily with
the outer circles Of the whirlpool, know
ing that he can go back if he feels HIM
self too strongly drawn. But alas! In
the pleasurable excitement of resisting
the wild current he overestimates bis
own power. and before he is aware that
he is in danger he is irresistibly drawn
toward the center-overwhelme and
lost.


o gentle mother, caressing the fair
brow ofyour baby boy, do what you can,
though it be but little-do something to
stop the sale of rum! AS you gaze into
the clear eyes of your dear girl, resolve
that you will not sit idly by while the
work of exterminating alcohol Is going
on. Resolve that you also will raise
your voice and hand TO help those who
are trying to shield her from the horrors
Of being drunkard's wifeI


Alcohol is the product Of decay and
death and so its use tends toward dis
ease. 1t is the parent of vice and crime.
Unite your forces, all ye tnat fear aud
hate it. 'r..7.


Middlebury, April 28.
Year: 1877

In 1865 | made experiments to see
how soon locusts would drown. After
confining them in water twelve hours
they soon showed signs of life when
placed in the sunshine, and in a few
minutes commenced to move. tried
freezing, and came to the conclusion
that they could be frozen up any length
of time and the warm sunshine would
revive them. In 1847 | tried animal
poisons to see what effect they would
produce on locusts. put the poisons
on celery, which the loousts prefer to
other vegetables, and after observing
the effect formed the opinion that they
could eat their weight of any animal
poison without i'll effects TO them. AS
soon as they hatched out and commenc-
ed eating in April, 1875, took can of
coal oil and q pan for the purpose of
making . ssggot to burn some that had
just commenced on my wheat, coming
from sandy knoll in the field. Ipour-
ed the oil i'll the pan, and in moving
about the pan | caused two or three to
leap into it. | perceived that they
changed color instantly, and to all ap-
pearance were dead. | then forced
them in and observed the same results.
On placing them in the sunshine it fail
ed TO bring them to life again. after
ward tried coal-tar with the same hap
py result. Turpentine, alcohol, alkali
and croton oil will kill them, and from
the results of my experiments l believe
that anything that will kill vegetable
life, will destroy locust life under the
same conditions.


| know no insect that exhibits the
cunning of locusts after they are four
weeks old. When very young they ap-
pear to have no sense, as they will leap
Into water or iire if in their course. /.
After four weeks old they will perform
acts of cunning that are incredible to
the unobserving. In 1875, after they
ate my neighbour crop on the east, they
set out for my field. l turned water
between his and my field, and caused it
to flow four or five feet wide in places.
soon found them crossing by thous-
ands, swinging from blade to blade of
the wheat that stood in the running wa
ter. then cut the wheat out, but at
the junction of ditch l had left two
fence poles in the form of the letter V,
the lower ends crossing near the water
of the creek, and the upper ends on
either side of the ditch. They soon
found passage, and would, and did,
climb down pole fifteen feet long over
the water of Bear creek, and up the
other pole into my field. They were
making this passage In one continuous
stream when made the discovery, and
the ground and wheat were covered
near the passage by those that had
crossed.-lCor. Milwaukee News.
Year: 1877

~---Ni
'Tweet, tweet," pretty bird, thou art welcome once
To the vine. covered arbor above the old door
Thou art welcome once more with thy favorite
song,
All the sweeler since now thoust been abroad so
long


And we hail with delight the approach of thy
wing,


For we deem thee certain precursor of Spring.
The schoolboy, wandering llstless along
BY chance his ear catches note of thy song
He pauses, turns round, and he whistles In vain
In his efforts to mimic thy musical strain,
Then he hurries him on, without uttering a word,
To boast DER his comrades Of what he has heard
Thou comest the first at the earliest dawn
10 warn us that night with Its shadows has gone
FROM the uppermost twig of some neighboring


tree


Thou callest aloud in thy liyelest gles
Aud when day declines and draws on to its close,
Thy voice is the last that IL hushed in repose
Thou art come, gentle bird, from region of flow.
TO cheer by thy presence this bleak cline of ours
Thou Art come from a land where the orange trees
Where each zephyr comes laden with sweetest


perfume;
From q land rich In fruits of the tropical zone,
And where Winter and frost are forever unknown.
But, alas while we welcome thy coming once


more,


we srleve, for those loved ones whose greetings
They sone iron, among no, to them all In vain
Shalt thou wake the glad notes of thy joyous re.
They sleep where the cypress in solitude waves
And keeps its lone watch DER their newly made


graves.
Thou wilt mise their dear fAces, the faithful and


true,
TO whom In our anguish we've hidden adleu:
Their fhrewolls are spoken, from many hearth
Have passed In their freshness the loved ones Of


earth,
And many a cheek has been wet with a tear,
For Death has been busy since thou vast here
But thou hast no sorrow that mortals may know,
No note In thy song breathes one cadence of woe
While TO hearts overburdened with sorrow and


grief,
With the charm Of thy voice comes a sense of re.


lief;
And much JOY to all creatures thy presence doth


bring,
For who does not love thee thou first bird of


Spring.


-[Record and Farmer.
Middlebury. Vt.
Year: 1877

SNEAKED IN UNDER THE CAN.
vAss.-They had tough subject in
the inquiry room this week. Moody
wrestled with him, but the man
seemed to despair of forgiveness.
Finally Moody asked him what
heavy sin burdened his mind, and
he confessed to having beat a news.
paper publisher out of three years
subscription. The evangelist in
formed him that they did not pro-
fess to perform miracles. hut If he
would settle up his dues, with COM
pound interest, and pay for three
years more in advance, although
they could not open the doors of the
church to him, perhaps he might be
sneaked in under the canvass.-Bos-
ton Bulletin.
Year: 1877

AT 81 wedding in Baltimore, one
day last week, General Sherman
kissed all the women in the house.
Except his wife.


A Vicksburg paper enthusiastic
cally tells of young lady in that
city who "picked ton of cotton"
HIM What did she want with so
much?


Mr.. Tilden made his appearance
on the streets of New York the other
day, and was cheered. By the re-
Election that nobody cared very much
whether he appeared or disappeared.


The other night young man went
to hear Rev. Collyer's lecture advi.
sing young men to marry, and went
to his room after the lecture and
committed suicide. Same thing,
same thing.


The Herald Of Health says "wake-
full people should sleep with their
heads high" That's smart. We
suppose, then that sleepy people may
sleep with their fOot's eye? What
eyes do people generally sleep with,
old H. o. h.?


a man never knows just when he
Is missing golden opportunity.
William NJ. Evarts at one time had
chance to be secretary of life in
surance company. He did not I'M
prove his opportunity, and see where
he is stranded now.


other day, because it appeared from
the records that he had held his po-
sition nearly three years, and hadn't
been shot at by woman. There
was no precedent for such a record
and he had to arise and dust.


A man up in Vinton had to stop
taking his family paper the other
day because he found plain, unex-
sable misstatement in it. Gracious
heavens Have the immortal gods
no lightning with which to blast
such mendacious sheets? Let the
government suspend that paDer at
once, if the crime can he proved.


An electric belt for ladies, said to
have a tranquilizing effect on the
nerves, is the latest invention. 1t is
rather apt to shock fellow who is
reaching around it, but for a good,
square shouldered surprise, We'll bet
a gold mine it can't begin to equal
the effect produced by the sudden
discovery of a pin in the old fash
ioned silk belt, when a fellow was
moving around real cautiously.
Year: 1877

IT has been decided by a Brooklyn
Judge that when sewing machine
Is taken back because the full pay
ment is not made upon 1t, the party
from whom it is taken has a right to
receive what he has paid upon it. In
the case which brought out this deci-
sion lady had paid $50 on her ma
chine, when it was taken away. The
sewing agents were quite
prompt to declare the machine forefei-
ted when the payment was not made
at the right time, but when the Court
ordered them to refund the $50 they
asked for time, but the Judge said,
"Not an instant's delay" The deci-
sion will be a qualification to poor
people every where
Year: 1877

The conviction of Congressman Smslls
will increase the Democratic majority,
as his successor will undoubtedly be y
Democrat. Upon being advised Of
Smsls' conviction officially, he will un-
doubtedly be expelled as n member Of
the House.