smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

There is another class of superstitions


borne down to us from the grabbed times
of our Puritan ancestry which I fancy


we shall also shamefacedlv own. Tbey


were the daily maxims which formed


part of the teaching in every genuine
| New England home, and their perma-
nence as part of our mental cOnstitu
| ton is an encouraging circumstance to
| educators who sometimes are inclined
| to think that even line upon line and
| precept upon precept fail to make their
impression upon the wayward mind of
youth. To remove this fear, we stand as


living monuments, boldly avowing first,
that we ind 1t constantly difficult to con-
vince ourselves-though our reason tells
us that we are absurd-that it is not a
moral duty to rise before, or, at least,
with the sun. Day by day, as we de
scend to our S-O'clock breakfast. we are
conscious of a certain sense of moral
| tOrpitude which we know to be unrea-
sOnable. 1t is in the effort to shake off
this sense, which is only aremnant of an
old superstition, that l write. The gen.
eral axIoms on the subject of early
rising, which helped to make the New
England Primer and the Farmers Alma
mac never-failing source of supposed
! Improvement, and which were afterward
re-enunciated by Franklin, do not apply
to the present day nor to city life What
Is gained even for useful work by rising
at 3 and then being obliged to take nap
IN the middle of the day? Why not do
up all our sleeping at once and have
clean sweep for work. If again. one
could carefully rake up and cover the
embers of his fire at 8 o. m. and sIeen
nc oil off fbo I-frr L u
possibly rise at 6, or even 5, though why
even in that case. any sane person
should insist on doing two hours work
before eating, and call such action virtue,
l could never understand Circum-
stances alter rules as well as cases, which
is what we of Puritan stock find it hard
to understand. 1 myself know two
young women of New England birth
and training who, though they 90 into
much evening society, and are frequently
awake at midnight or after, each week
during the New York Winter, yet persist
in being punctual every morning at the
half-past breakfast of the family. True,
they have no appetites; true, they take
long maps in the afternoon; true, they
break down every year by March vet
they gallantly return to the assault every
Autumn, and would feel ashamed and
guilty if they did otherwise. So strong
is the force of superstitionl


In the future more perfect days it will
be considered a sin to awake any one
from sleep except in cases of life and
death, and our grandchildren may per-
haps be free hom the inherited weak
ness of believing, because the flowers
and the chickens and the birds wake
when the sun does, that therefore hui
man being should do so. By what logic
do we select the one action of waking as
suitable for our imitation2
Year: 1878

Some one has well said that the true
art of being agreeable is to appear well
pleased with all the company, and rather
to seem well entertained with them than
to bring entertainment to them


This is a good plan for one who has no
great confidence in his conversational
powers.


A man thus disposed may not have
much learning nor any wit; but, If he
has common sense and something
friendly in his behavior, it conciliates
mems minds more than the brightest
parts without this disposition and, when
a man of this turn comes to old age, he
is sure to be treated with respect.


1t is true, indeed, that we should not
dissemble or f1atter in company; but
one may be very agreeable, strictly con-
sistent with truth and sincerity, by a
prudent silence where he cannot concur,
and a pleasing assent where he can.


Now and then you meet with person
so exactly formed to please that he viii
gain upon every one that hears or be-
holds him. This disposition IS not
merely the gift of nature, but frequently
the effect Of much knowledge OF the
world and a command over the passions.
Year: 1878

A "Hired Hand writes the following
good sense to the Bloomington Leader.
We commend the reading of it to every
man who works for another:


"The supply of farm-hands is greater
than the demand. Wages are very low,
but they are as high as can be paid at
the price the farmer gets for his grain
and hogs,-the products of the farm.
Another thing is, that it is the inherent
right of every man who has help to hire,
to hire it as cheaply as he can. Another
thing is, that you often see men idling
their time away, and, if any one in their
confidence says any thing about it, they
will reply, %, well, can't afford to kill
myself for SIS a month"; Now, this is
wrong; a man is Just as much bound to
do months work for $40 as he is for
$50, if that is the current wages, and he
agrees to work for it; he is not to do
what he considers a days work in pro-
portion to his wages, but an honest days
work Last summer, l saw a man scoop
ing corn in a car; he had about so much
work to do, as he was keeping it away
from a steam shelter. He let it choke
several times when he was asked if he
could not keep the corn out of the way
of the shelter, he replied that he could.
but swore that he would not for dollar
a day. The consequence was that anoth-
er man would, and the man lost his job.
Year: 1878

Stay, stay at home, my heart. and rest;
Housekeeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full Of trouble and full OF care:


To stay at home is best.
Weary and homesick and distressed
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffied and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness Of doubt;


To stay at home is best.
Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;
The bird is safest in its nest:
Ger all that fiutter their wings and fly
A hawk is lowering in the sky;


To stay at home Is best,
Year: 1878

He found his wife in bed, and
fell upon and stabbed her to
death with the knife he'd taken
from her lover. The money in
the bureau drawer he put in his
pocket. The trinkets he car
ried back to the forge and threw
into the furnace.


He had accomplished his
Bloody mission unseen by any
human eye. Thanks to the tenn
pest, the streets were deserted,
while all in the foundry were
too busy with their work to
take note of his movements.
When, in.the morning, his hor-
ror-stricken neighbors came TO
inform him of what he knew al
ready, he was peacefully sleep
ing in front. of the smoldering
fire in which. the ashes of his
victim mingled with those Of
the fuel which had consumed
him.
Year: 1878

/ have learned to read, spell
and write, and can tell the car
itals of all the States and what
rivers they are on, and wh.ase
great many of the lakes, gulfs,
mountains and oceans are. /.
do not know whether l have
learned to be a better boy or
not; ma and pa say they are go
ing to try for that when they
get me home. Some people tell
me that l think l know too
muchabout some things, which
makesrme bad boy, Lam going
to try to be a. good boy. My
dear schOol-mates, we must all
part; | am so sorry to part with
you, and kind teacher to you l
owe many thanks for your kind
ness to me. So farewell to you
all.
Year: 1878

An English farmer, touched
with compassion at the sight of
a feeble woman trudging along
the road carrying her child,
gave them a lift. He was
promptly summoned and fined
SO for using his cart as a car
riage when he had not taken out
a carriage license.
Year: 1878

Once upon a time, when board
Ing around was the rule in scLoJl
districts, one mln bad to board
the teacher just two and half
days. On the third day, as the
teacher sat down to dinner. the
man Of the house sai,l:'" Madam, /
suppose Your boarding time will
be out when you have eaten half
dinner; but as don't wish to
appear mean You may eat nearly
as much as usual"
Year: 1878

''IIIS SUFFER FOR Ny WIFE,
lie said to himself, with chuck
lie: cts a fair trade, after ALL


He was enjoying this repasl
when the Superintendent found
him. Half an hour later the lat
ter had left the murderer stole
away also, bent on completing hi
scheme OF vengeance.
Year: 1878

The intimation from Washing
ton, that the conduct of the Judges
of the Supreme Court of Louisiana
in the Anderson case will be en-
braced within the scope Of the in.
vestigation to be instituted by the
Potter committee, would, if true,
be eminently satisfactory to the
corscious integrity and honor of
the court, were it not for the -un-
just suspicion which is the source
of the intiInation.


We have no reason to believe
that any intelligent and impartial
citizen of Louisiana entertains the
idea that the decision of our Su-
preme Court in the Anderson case
was the fruit of extraneous infu-
ence, or pressure brought to bear
on the court; or that the release of
Anderson from further prosecution
was not the result of a sincere,
honest but reluctant determination
to administer the law with impair
tiality. We believe the decision
met the appreciation OF majority
of the bar, and no respectable law
magazine or review throughout the
United States has indicated dissat-
isfaction with the legal PROPOSE
tons ON which the court founded
its judgment.


On the contrary, analogous
cases, not cited in the Anderson
discussion, have since been found
in the English and American re-
ports, which sustain the decision
of the court. Under these circum-
stances, we doubt whether the
Potter or any other committee will
undertake, or be charged to under
take, an Investigation of judges
whose Judgment, in the case refer
red to, is sustained by reason and
authority. The insinuation con-
tanned in the intimation that our
Supreme Court judges are to be in
yestigated, is calculated to infuse
the poison OF suspicion into the
minds of the unwary, and it is for
that reason only we hope it is true
the investigation is to be made.


From our knowledge Of the
character Of Chief Justice Man
ming, We believe the investigation
would be particularly acceptable to
him, whose son-in-law was appoin-
ted to some office in the Custom
House. We have good reason to
know that So far from approving
the action OF his son-in-law in
seeking the appointment, he re-
monsh ated against it, because
Anderson, at the time, was Acting
Collector. When it became evi-
dent that the Anderson case would
be tried and might eventually come
before the Supreme Court for
adjudication, there was at that
time an absolute disruption of all
relations and intercourse between
the Chief Justice and bis. son-in-
law, which has continued ever
since. Insinuations affecting the
judicial character OF the Chief JUS
tice Ct the State reflect on the
court, and judicial honor rendersit
necessary to unyeil the privacy OF
domestic life, at the expense OF all
the sensitive feelings OF our ma
ture.


We believe that all the Judges
of the Supreme Court will be pleas
ed to have the investigation made,
as they have nothing TO conceal,
and repose with security on con-
scious rectitnde and the firm foun-
dation Of law.
Year: 1878

A telegram from Hot Springs, Ark, to the
Cincinnati Enquirer, says that Senator Blaine
was serenaded there on Wednesday night, and,
in response to the call for speech, came for
ward and said: 81 am very glad of an oppor.
tunity of appearing before you previous to leav-
in-as intend tomorrow-and return my ac-
acknowledgement and thanks for the very kind
and cordial reception exended to me on the
morning Of my arrival here. am very glad
also to have the opportunity Of congratulating
the cit1zens OF this state, of both races and all
classes, upon the dawn to them of brighter
day-one, trust and believe, of great prosper
ity for all concerned in its future welfare The
administration of affairs here by the honorable
commission appointed to settle them is matter
OF congratulation, and while no man is at lib
erty to say what the government of the United


States will do. think may take the liberty Of
assuring you that the Congress of the United
States will be disposed in this matter to deal
with liberality and spirit of kindness to all
tnose VINO have claims upon their attention.
IApplause.1 l desire, gentlemen, also to ex-
press the very great satisfaction have expert
enced In witnessing the harmony, friendship
and cordlality that exist between the two races
In your community. Perfect peace in the South
will everywhere follow perfect Justice. There
is no man in the country who desires strife for
the sake of strife, but there will always be strife
so long as there is room. / believe that you set
a great example to your entire state, and be-
lieve that in following it Arkansas will share
generally In the prosperity that will have con-
centrated here. [Applause.l L can return my
sincere thanks for whatever of personal friend
ship there may be intended me, for this very
tattering attendance, and for the cordial man
ner In which my introduction was received. 1
am not here to make a speech, 1 came on a
health-seeking tour, and sm glad to say that
think have been successful bid you all,
gentlemen, cordial good night" [Applause |
Year: 1878

IT is said that the Legislature of Missis-
sippi will instruct Lamar to vote for the silver
bill; and also to take up the fraud cry in con-
nection with President Hayes's title. 1t
would be far better to take up the fraud cry
in connection with the silver bill. Rumor
has it the Legislatures of all the Democratic
States will adopt the Montgomery Blair
memorial. The object is to keep the indig-
nation of the unterrifed at fever heat until
1884, A cheaper method wou be to per-
NIT it to die away until that year; and then
lay in large stock of whisksy and let the
Democracy fire up for work.
Year: 1878

IT is little strange that some Texas Con-
gresham doesn't step up and offer to take
his oath that the Indians who have been
raiding the ranches on the border are Mexi-
cans sworn to the service of Diaz and bent on
the humiliation OF this country.
Year: 1878

we DO not read anonymous etters and cOmmuni-
cations. The name and address Of the writer in
all cases Indispensable not necessarily for publication
but as a guaranty of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
munications that are not used.
Year: 1878

IT is probably quite as we'll that the Indian
country is not to be organized into Terrific
ry. The Indians live in peace there now.
An act of organization would be permit 10
every white rascal in the country to go in and
rob them.
Year: 1878

AN OLD CLERK OF THE WASHINGTON POST OFFICE


LOSES A TEN THOUSAND DOLLAR PACKAGE-HE


is so FRUSTRATED by 1T THAT HE GOES TO BED.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-The City Post Office
authorities actively engaged in the endeavor to dis
cover the whereabouts of between $4,000 and $1,000
drawn from the Treasury yesterday by William D.
Brown the Financial Clerk OF tie City Post Office, and
according the report Of that officer lost by him in one
Of the closets OF the Treasury building Detectives arc
busy searching clew that will lead to the recovery
Of the money.


Brown is not under arrest but remains at his home in
this city in an anxious and excited condition Some OF
his friends believe his story think that he had the
money stolen from him. and Postmaster Edmunds can
not be brought believe that there has been an embez
element Thus far arrests have been made Brown
has been employed In the Post Office Department for
thirteen years ID the accounting division OF the office,
and has been held in very high regard by his official
associates


Mr. Browns wife reported to the Postmaster yester-
day that he had lost the money She was very much
cited She told Postmaster Edmunds that her husband
had drawn tho funds and lost them, and wanted the
Postmaster to come 70 her house Immediately The
Postmaster accompanied by Assistant Postmaster Tul.
lock and detective, went 10 Browns house and closely
questioned him, but obtained no clew 20 solution OF
the mystery Brown aferward returned to the Treasury
in company with the detective and the two went over
the same ground that Brown covered after he drew tho
money.


While at the house Postmaster Edmunds inquired Of
Brown why he did report the loss OF the money TO
the Post Office authorities Immediately after Its dis
covery and Brown gave his reason for this strange
conduct that lie was excited and shocked when he
found that tho money WAS gone as TO scarcely know
where he wns going. Upon reaching home he immedi-
aey dispatched bis wife 10 inform the Office OF his mis-
fortune aud then became Frustrated that he went TO
bed.


Brown drew the money for the purpose OF paying on
the clerks n the CITY Post Oice His delay In return
ing made the employees very uneasy; but when Mr. Ed
nunds had investigated the affair." he made another
draft and paid the sa6res OF the clerks at late hour
IL NJ
Year: 1878

LETTERS SENT TO SENATOR BLAINE AND SENATOR


THURMAN-oNLY a WEEKS DELAY BEFORE THE


BEGINNING OF ACTIVE WORK.


iBY TELEGRAPH TO the TRIBuNFl


WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator Teller left wash
incon last night for NewYork, to spend Christmas,
and will return next Wednesday. Before leaving
he sent notes to Senators Blaine and Thurman, IN
accordance with resolutions adopted by the COM
mittee of which he is chairman, requesting them to
communicate to the committee any Information lh
their possession relative to the matters when the
committee is to Investigate.


II ia learned that the principal reason which in
spired the Republican members of the committee to
vote against Senator Bayard's resolution offered on
Friday calling upon the President for information
In regard to the same matters was belief that the
TRIALS now in progress In South Carolina and Lou
isiana would be embarrassed by premature publ
cation of the evidence in the possession of the At
torney-General in form which might be considered
as complete Besides, such a resolution of inquiry
has already been adopted by the Senate, to which
the President has not yet replied If he does reply,
the Senate will doubtless refer any information
which it receives to the Teller Committee for its
consideration.


No Republican believes that anything Of value to
the committee can come from the inquiries ad-
dressed to Senators Blaine and Thurman as those
gentlemen are not understood to have in their pos
session any facts which are not already notorious.
The Republican members of the committee could,
however, see no good reason for voting against the
resolution which was offered by Senator Bailey, and
they allowed the inquiry TO be made. On the
other hand il is probable that if Senator Blaine in
reply to the inquiry addressed to him should emu
merate such facts rs he may be able to gather re-
gsrding the recent disturbances in South Carolina
and Louisiana the Democratic members of the COM
mittee will make effort to limit the scope of the
inquiry to the facts SO set forth.


No decision was reached at the meeting held yes
terday regarding subcommittee. resolution to
sit with open doors until otherwise decided upon
was adopted and tine committee adjourned to meet
again next Thursday, December 26 mot Thursday,
January as published in the Sunday papers,,
when it is expected that moro vigorous movements
will begin. Four members of the committee,
Messrs. Hoar Mcmillan, Bayard and Wallace, have
given notice that they cannot possibly take part IN
the work of investigation until after the holiday
recess This, however, will not interfere with the
sending of sub-commttees to the South If 1t is
thought best to do SO.


No consideration will be given to that part OF the
Blaine resolution which requires the committee to
see whether Congress is competent to provide for
the more perfect security of the right of suffrage
until the other branches of the investigation are i'm
isled.
Year: 1878

signs Of recedng ut present, he said If it be true
that the sources of the stream drying up 1t will
not be long before the Court will be able to decide
cases about as fast as they come in.
Year: 1878




THE PATENT OFFICE AND A DEMAND MADE FOR


AN APPROPRIATION FOR REGULAR CLERKS.


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl


WASHINGTON, Dec 22.-The Patent Office has
been cursed for a number Of years with an annual
contingent appropriation ranging from $4,000 to
$4,000 for clerk hire. Needy applicants for en-
ployment have besieged the Office in crowds every
year until this fund has been exhausted. Many of
them have been backed up with the Endorsement of
some member of Congress whose vote has helped 10
secure the appropriation, and every year the dis
tressing scene of q sweeping discharge of the tenn
porary clerks and laborers who had succeeded in
getting into the Office, and in remaining long as
the contingency fund lasted, has been enacted.


Every succeeding Commissioner has undertaken to
grapple with this standing nuisance but has failed
to abate it. The force of the Office is insufficient
any way to perform the work required from it with
the care necessary to be exercised in dealing with
interests so important, and the late Commissioner
Spear vas forced to use about onehalf Of the cur
rent years contingent fund during the first four
months of the year.


The new Commissioner has swept the whole sys-
TEN out of the way and declares that he will have
none of il. There four classes of regular examn
ers in the Office numbering twenty two in each class
In order to keep the work up, the Commissioner
has been compelled to require twenty or more
grade of examiners and to fill their places as clerks
with people who were paid from the contingent
fund laborers. OF course there is no economy in
requiring the Patent Office authorities to resort TO
such expedients to do the work required of them by
the public. General Paine has discharged his con-
tngent and temporary force and has asked Congress
for additional appropriation for the current fiscal
year of 27. 900 to enable him 10 employ permanent
clerks in sufficient force to keep ahead of the bust
ness of the Office and to rank assistant examiners
such clerks as have for years been performing tue
work of that class OF officers.
Year: 1878

In Cincinnati the young people are
excited over promised wedding that
didn't take place. The young man and
young woman had known each other
from childhood, and were prominent in
society circles The wedding guests
were assembled. and the loving couple
were on the floor. The minister pro-
pounded the usual questions to the
bride, as to whether she would take the
man to be her husband, ETC., when, to
the surprise of all present, she answered
No" Thinking he misunderstood her
the minister asked the question again.
and she answered NO." This stopped
the ceremony, and the story came out;


The young man, addicted to tho use
of Intoxicating liquors, had promised re-
form if the lady would consent to marry
him. and had signed the pledge. He
had been on trial for months, but, as
the bride turned to him as they stood
side BY side before the minister, she
caught the odor of whisky on his breath,
and detected signs of incipicnt intoxica-
ton. She closed the extraordinary
scene by stating that she could not trust
her future to man who had broken a
promise so solemnly made. Expostula-
tions and entreaties were all in vain. The
wedding did not take place. Chicago
Inter- Ocean.