smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

1t has well been said that "the habit of looking
ON the bright side of things Is worth far more
than Thousand pounds year." and certainly it
Is habit that must add many years to the lives
oil those who acquire it, Really, every ft of des-
pondency and every rage takes 80 much out of US,
mat any one who induges in either without q
struggle to prevent himself from doing SO, should
be characterized as little less than-to use an
American expresson-"a fearful fool" How
silly 1t seems even to ourselves, alter cooling, to
have acquired q nervous heaache aud to have be-
come generally done up, stamping around the
room, and showing other signs Of foolish anger,
because dinner was five minutes late, or because
some one respect for US did not quite rise to the
high standard measured by our egutsm! As if il
were not tar more important that we should save
our vital enegy and not get into q rage, than that
the dinner should be served exactly to the moment
One day friend OF Lord Palmerston asked him
When he considered man to be In he prime of
life his immediate reply was seve nty- nine. But"
he added With playful smile, "as | have just en-
tered my eightietn year, feihaps l am my self q
little past TIP How is 1t that such men work on


vigorously 10 the end Because they treasure
their revtr-dininishing vital force. They studiedly
refrain from making pull on the constitution.
Reaching the borders OF seventy years of age,
they as good as say TO themselves, ave must now
lake care what we are about" OF course they
make sscrihces, avoid q number of treacherous
gayeties, and, living simply, they perhaps give
some Cause OF offence Tor the world does not ap-
Prove OF singularity. But let those laugh who
win. They hold lne censorious observations of
critics in derision and maintain the even tenor Of
their way. In other words, they conserve their
vital force, and try to keep above ground Is long
as possible. clustering natures, forgetful OF the
great truth that power Itself hath not one half
the might Of gentleness," miss the ends for winch
they stiive just because the force that il IN them
Is not properly economized. Then rs regards
temporary man who allows that to master him
wastes as much enegy as would enable him TO re-
move the cause Hanger OF overcome an opponent.
The little boy OF eight years old who, in the
country, is often seen driving team OF tour i'm
mense dray horses, is one of the innumerable
instances Of the power Of reason over mere brute
ioice, which should induce violent tempers to be-
cone calm IRON polcy,.i if not iron higher motive.
-Chansbers' Journal.
Year: 1877

The Widow Van Colt, in her lecture on
The Mammoth Cave" last evening. in the


West ThirIeth Street Methodist Church, said
that, on The occasion of her visit to that famou.
cavern, she was walking down a steep


inclined path, when her feet few from under
her and she slid ten rods in a sitting posture.
The widow said that she weighed $50 pounds
and it could oe judged that she did not fall
with the lightness Of feather. In describing
a long passageway in the cave, only three feet
in height, she bent herself almost double and
walked across the preachers platform to show
how she got through the ''stoopid place."
Mrs. Van Cott visited the cave in company
with party Of Methodist preachers. There
are crickets in the cave, and the preachers
amused themselves by catching the lively
little insects. 1t was peculiar sight to see
clergyman jump and Put his hand on cricket,
and then find that the cricket wasn't there
Some Of the ciereymen were spry enough to
capture many Of the little chirruppers There
is place in the cave called "the devils wash.
tub" Mrs. Van Cou says "l sat in this tub,
and then the thought struck me that the day
might be the devils wash day, and got out
Of the tub" When the party stopped to rest,
speeches were called for. One gentleman
from Chicago made speech praising the
enterprise of that city. Another thought there
was no city like New York Mrs. Van Cou
was called upon to speak. and she spoke of
the City Of the Heavenly King. After spend.
ing many hours in the cave, the party emery.
ed into day Wight. The Widow and vene,a.
BILE Doctor Of Divinity were so tired out and
faint that they SAT down and famed each
other until they were refre>Led-N. Y Sun.
Year: 1877

In reply to question rs not travelling at
night more dangerous than by daylig'rp" the
man at the throttle related singular fact, as
follows


Not always. Under some circum stances
! suppose it might be. But | would rather
take my engine over the road at night. have
run night express for years and prefer it to
anything else An etgine always wo ks bet.
ter at night, for some reason. They say it is
so with all machinery. know Il is always
so with a locomotive. An engineer who is
familiar with his road knows Just a. we'll
where he Is at night as when he can see.
can tell by the sound of the wheels on the
track about where am on the road. | can
see danger signal further off at night than
in daylight"
Year: 1877

Upon the Barataria canal question the New
Orleans Picayune says: We observe with
pleasure that the bill Incorporating this com.
pany was reported upon favorably by the
House committee on corporations. We con-
slier the organization Of this company as one
OF the first great steps toward the internal
improvement Of Louisiana and look upon the
effort to secure the charter as proof Of return
ing confidence among capitalists in tho
prosperity of our State under the new regime.
Ihe object of this canal is to provide a safe
and certain deep water communication with
the Gulf of Mexico.
Year: 1877

"a IS s;ys hat whatever he does relative
10 the affairs or Southern States will be done
with view To Strengthening IT, Government,
but he means with view to Strengthening
the Republican party; for he has also said
that it was his purpose to so shape the course
Of his administration as to regain Republican
control OF the Southeen States ,ha, the party
had lost
Year: 1877

soon showed hard. Mike looked round


him, little frightened He fell, too,
once or twice, for the rocks were steep
and slippery. 81 wonder where the


deer aref'' thought he. He had heard
that whistle would call them, so tried


Capt. Jinks'' and the "Muliigan
Guards" but both failed of their OBJ


lect. and it was growing rapidly dark.


just then canary, bewildered and evil


IDENTIFY hurt, hopped close to him, then


flew little. Mike gave chase. Loaf


under his arm, rope in hand, he ran


farther and farther. The bird, though


evidently weak, went faster than he. 1t


was dark. He lost sight of it, saw it


just ahead, dashed forward, and fell.


They did not find him for several days.


The snow had fallen very thick for that
time OF the year, and it was bitterly
cold. On the fourth day party of
gentleman, walking out after dinner
from the great house on whose grounds
Mike had gone hunting. with cigars
and light talk, came suddenly upon
something half buried in the snow,
amid bushes and stones, with high bare
shrubs and trees above it-something
lying SO still that, though they hushed
their tones, the loudest laugh would
not wake it. The gentlemen lifted the
childish figure in the ragged jacket and
long trousers extended at the foot of
the steep rock, and the dead canary
near him. Such an unfinished little |
life to end so soon! Such an ignorant
child to have gone so far on the long
journey.


His parents mourned and buried him |
after their fashion; and that was all, |
except that one of the gentlemen, who
was an artist, being struck with some-
thing picturesque in the circumstances,
painted the picture as he saw it, and
people praised it, as an expression of a
phase of human life, very much. Final
ly lady bought it, and it is seen by
those who know mostly of lives like
this through art, and they feel its
pathos; often their voices tremble as
hey turn away.


The picture shows them a high
'ough rock and leatiess shrubs, and at
heir base, half hidden under a large
'tone which has fallen upon him, a lit
lie boy with long heavy hair lies
stretched, the rope and bread close beside
lim, and near by dead canary
Nary q. Morrison, in Harper's Maya
me for J0nuarU.
Year: 1877

Of investigation and the steamer that


brought him safely back. Certainly
the Third Avenue Railroad directors and


managers viii give us rapid transit they can
do SO. as their experience and business
ability, and the large wealth they have
realized ont Of their horse car business
render them especially qualified for the
work But then the people have been SO
outrageously deceived and so bitterly op-
posed by these horse car corporations that
they will no doubt require some pledge to
insure the completion of the much needed
work by its new champions. Why should
not the Third Avenue Railroad Company
assign its present charter to the city in
return for the right to build rapid transit
road; the same to be reconyeyed to the COM
pany as coon as the road shall be completed,
but to be forfeited in case the road is not
constructed, the company, OF J, course, to
continue to operate and to receive the money
for their horse car line the same as usual,
until the forfeit Of tie charter should be
complete? If the company is in ''dead
earnest" as its president says, it could not
object to such an arrangement. es-s
Year: 1877

The president Of the Third Avenue Rail-
road Company has just returned home from
q European trip, made with the object of
examining into the subject of rapid transit
as practically presented in cities where
steam roads are in operation. We are glad
to say that he comes back to us a welcome
convert. Indeed, he is a hopeful and eager
convert and, like all new disciples of
faith they have before condemned, he rushes
into the fight with zeal that is likely to
leave all the old rapid transit legion far in
the rear. The Third Avenue Railroad Com
pany, he assures US will, after his report
is made, be in s'dead earnest" in their de-
termination to give to the people OF New
York rapid transit, las substantial and
thorough as the underground railway Of
London, so that the working classes may
be able 'to move up and down, from
and to the upper part of the island
rs quickly as they do in London,
and as cheaply as they now do on the
horse cars" But this is not the most re-
markable feature OF the conversion. The
president OF the road which has hitherto
been the associate of the Sixth Avenue Com
pany in its factious fight against rapid
transit now declares that, 80 far as the
property owners are concerned, his investi.
cations abroad lead him to state emphati-
cally that a safe and good rapid transit road
can be built without injury to property
owners"


"Glory to God and to the Empress, Is
mail S ours" We have captured great
horse car railroad, and from the hands of
its directors we are to look for rapid tran
sit road that will be swift and cheap, and
will smeet with universal appreciation.
This is, indeed, good news, and the people
of New York will bless the steamer
that carried away the president Of the
Third Avenue Railroad on his voyage
Year: 1877

The reported death of Henry Meiggs,
which is said to have occurred last month
at Lima, Peru, recalls public attention to
the extraordinary career Of that remarkable
man, whose story reads more like the pages
Of romance than a tale Of real life. The
name Of the great contractor has been SO
often before the public that little that is
new can be said about him now that he has
passed away. The public press has on
score of occasions when he has been thrust
prominently forward, either for good or
evil, exhausted the stock of anecdote with
which gossip associates him, and told and
retold the many wonderful things he has
done and the changes of fortune he he's
known. From the time when he CON-
menced life in Boston MS contractor,
through his grandly successful speculations
in lumber in New York, his bankruptcy in
1887, his realization of another fortune.
his second failure, his striking and brilliant
Californian career, his reckless crimes when
the crash of 1854 came upon him in the
Pacific State, his disgraceful flight from his
country, his magnificent successes in Chill
and Peru, where his genius made itself con-
spicuous, down to his later and once more
clouded days, the people Of the United
States have followed his history with curious
interest. The grand works he accomplished
in South America gained him worldwide
reputation, while the brlliancy of his life
at Santiago and Lima and the stories of his
fabulous wealth and princely generosity
won for him the fame of Monte Cristo


There are many who will be inclined to
believe that the story of Henry Meiggs' life
has in it more of evil than OF good With
splendid abilities and remarkable power he
was destitute of moral sense, reckless,
audacious and INSCRIPTIONS. His business
career reminds one involuntarily of the acts
of Dick Turpin or Claude Duval. He
was indifferent as to what means he used to
accomplish his ends. lie would hire the
corrupt and debauch the pure with equal
nonchalance. When trouble came upon him
he did not hesitate to stamp upon himself
the brand of forger in his desperate but
hopeless effort to redeem his fortunes. He
threw money about him with prodigality,
and seemed to have no thought or care for
the future, trusting to his genius to
Year: 1877

replenish his purse as q kighwayman
would trust to his arms and his
horse. HIS generosity was as eccentric
as 1t was often noble. He would help the
poor, and glory in doing some unexpected
act of princely liberality to an old friend or
TO one he had wronged. Many incidents Of
his life suggest the sentiment which made
the highwayman Of the olden times plunder
prince or bishop and give half the
proceeds of the robbery to the needy. Does
such life afford good or an evi, example
to the youth Of nation? That is q ques-
ton that many will probably be dis
posed to ask, even as the Peruvian people
to whom Henry Meiggs, with his genius
and his strength, brought SO many practi-
cal advantages--are now asking whether he
has not been rather q calamity than bless
ing to their country.


The report of his death needs confrma-
ton, although his sickness, already known,
renders it probable that it is well founded.
II he has really passed away without hay-
ing accomplished the wish that is believed
to have been nearest to his heart for many
years-namely, to return to his native coun-
try and be at peace-no one will be disposed
to remember his faults, while all will be
ready to do honor to his unquestionable
good and generous qualities and to his
splendid genius.
Year: 1877

1t is modern practice of writer's of enter
ments in weekly or monthly periodicals,
getting we'll paid for these fragmentary
issues, with q copyright interest when the
completed work is given to the world in
book form. If the story is good one this
method enables the author to keep the Curl
osity of his readers long in suspense and
excite their wonder as to the strange vicis-
situdes through which the hero or hero
inc will be conducted in the develop
ment of the plot. But if the au
thor has the completed work in his
desk before he begins its publication as
serial and has neglected to protect himself
by copyright sudden stop will be put to
further instalments in a magazine if some
enterprising person gets hold of his manu-
script and issues it as book. Something
like this has happened to Tweed's interest
ing serial, which he has been comm unicat-
ing through the vehicle OF the Aldermanic
examinations. Unluckily for Tweed he had
no copyright, and anybody was at liberty
to publish his whole story if it could be
obtained. We shall be sorry if we have
spoiled any profits which might have ac-
crued to the author, but there will be no
further interest in his examinations now
that his whole story is known.


The examination yesterday was mere
pottering over the statements of the written
confession. Mr.. Cole was not present to
perform his usual part as questioner, and
the examination, such as it was, drifted with
out aim or guidance. Tweed denied that
he had furnished the written statement, and
expressed regret at it's publication, because
Of it's tendency to do injury to innocent per-
sons. 1t would have been moro pertinent
to have explained why he paraded the
names Of innocent persons. in such bad
company. Was it his intention to injure
them in the estimation of the Attorney Gen.
eral? Tweed virtually confesses that his
confession was calculated to have that effect
by his affected regret that it would make
that impression on the public. What did
he think he was doing when he put into
statement which was offered to the Attorney
General as confession of his crimes list
VI CueCkS anu pay LueAtS Wuicu IcldCeu Only
to innocent business transactions? What
possible relevance or perth ence had they
there? Tweeds design is obvious enough !;
he meant to produce on the mind of
the Attorney General the impression that
vast sums Of money might be recov-
cred to the city, and he was tempted
to swell the list and make it look large rs
means of proving the value of his testi-
mony. If this parade Of innocent mems
names and checks was not made for that
purpose it was made for no ineligible or
pertinent purpose whatever. This trick
was as deceitful and scoundrelly as any
part of this infamous felon's career. The
public may judge from this specimen
whether the Attorney General was not fully
justified in refusing to give this champion
thief his liberty in exchange for document
padded with implied accusations Of the in
nocent.
Year: 1877

the night" has touched the victorious chief
on a tender spot. 1e 'rc#e


The same malignant, shadowy demon who
hovers over victors to damp their Joy has
given another evidence of spite. Having
frst put it into the minds Of many people TO
charge that Kelly is using Tweeds serial ex-
animation by the Aldermen to annoy and
frighten political opponents and subjugate
tainted men to his purposes, the same
shadowy demon, by tip Of his wing, has
caused the bottom to suddenly drop out Of
that huge scandal bucket and spill all its
contents. Since the publication of Tweed's
confession the public knows the whole
length and breadth Of what he was holding
In reserve. The examinations have no
longer dark and mysterious back
ground that can be turned to politi-
cal use as an instrument Of terror or
torture. Hereafter no peccant politician
will awake in the morning after troubled
dreams in mortal dread Of what Tweed
may say about him in that days examine
ton. The whole story is known, and
horrible nightmare has been raised from
many breast. This political engine hav-
ing been destroyed il only remains for the
new employers of Tweed to fulfil their
promises to him--if they can. No Attorney
General will release him against the inter-
no mood to grant personal favors to
the people who triumphed over him
in the Convention. We do not see
that the men who have been trying to use
Tweed have gained either honor or advan-
tage from this new alliance. When Mr..
Tilden returns to rectify the matters that
have gone awry in his absence We do not
see that it will help Mr.. Kelly to have it said
that he vainly attempted to get Tweed out
of the prison where Mr.. Tilden was chiefly
instrumental in lodging him. We do not
know that Mr.. Kelly has inspired these
examinations or made any promises in con-
nection with them; but the fact that it has
been SO widely charged, and that if true the
design has mlscarried, will not aid the Tam
many chief in a contest with Mr.. Tilden for
the control of the democratic organization.


In spite of these mishaps and drawbacks
Mr. Kelly is strong and powerful to-day,
and if he were only sagacious enough to
cut loose from bad associations and to use
his augmented influence for purposes to
which Mr.. Tilden could take no just excep-
tion, he might hold the position he has
gained and advance to new conquests. AS
he has always been our favorite local states
man we are entitled to give him good ad-
vice, and we only regret that it transcends
our limited authority to prefix the coveted
o. to his respectable name.
Year: 1877

SERIOUS CHARGES against the Sailor Boarding
House Commissioners are elsewhere printed.
Without undertaking to say whether the accusa-
tions true or false it cannot be denied that n
large number Of the places in question are as
bad rs they can be, and the agitation of the
question will, it is to be hoped, lead to much
needed reform.
Year: 1877

A STORY WORTHY OF TIE DARK AGES comes
from Waterford, Pa. The sale Of woman for
few bushels Of grain by one brother to
another and the fierce barbarity Of tarring and
fcathering are happily crimes Of rare occur
renee, even in the most unciyilized regions
Year: 1877

TAMMANY HALL has issued its political black
mail circular. The people will anxiously watch
to see how many heads of departments will have
the courage to initiate the Fire Commissioners
and forbid the official robbery Of their employees
Year: 1877

The AMERICAN INSTITUTE was founded half
a century ago. The fact that in seasons of ad-
versity as well as prosperity its annual fair has
always been held was pointed to with pardona-
BILE pride at the anniversary celebration last
Year: 1877

On Tuesday evening three year old SOD
of William Henry Anderson, colored, re-
siding on French street above Fifth, was
80 severely burned that IT died yesterday
morning. The little fellow was left alone,
as the mother went out, and during her
absence, he crawled into an open fireplace,
where there had been fire during tho day,
thesnoulderipg embers Get fire to his clothes.
His screams attracted the attention of .
lady living next door, who ran in and found
the child wrapped in flames, and before SIZE
could subdue them, his face, arms and boly
were terribly burned. Everything possible
was done to ease the sufferings of the poor
little fellow, until death put an end to his
suferings yesterday morning about ten
O'Clock. The Coroner was notified and held
an inquest upon the body yesterday AFTER
noon. The jury rendered a verdict in &C.
cordance with the fact.
Year: 1877

purpose Of lOaning II TO the State to pay
of deficiency, that Is a question we
shall not assume to decide. Section 70 Of
the school law Of 1873 made II the duty
Of the Board Of the School Fund to sell
any inyeStnSetson account Of the school
fund theI made in other securities than
those sduired in said 4th section OF the
12th article Of the Constitution, and put
them in United States bonds, or in the
bonds Of this State, or, in case Of inabili-
ty to, purchase such bonds, In some other
good interest bearing securities.


This law was passed April 18th, 1873,
nearly four aud hall years ago. The
Board Of the School Fund have not been
in hurry to carry II out. United States
Securities have been up and down several
per cent several times since. The Gov.
ernment has put out several loans since,
none OF which have, apparently, been
sought after by the Board under this act.
1t occurs to them now, for the FIRST time
apparently, that they have duty to per.
form under 1t, and the coincidence Of the
case Is that there Is deficiency TO be
provided for TO the extent Of the stock
advertised for sale. II the act obligates
the Board to sell this bank stock at all,
why does 1t not obligate them 10 sell all
Of it2 As We understand it they
do not intend to sell all Of
it, but only such an amount
as will spare up the deficiency account.
Itthey finally decide that it is their duty
to sell this stock, we beg to call their at:
tention TO the fact that four per cent us.
bonds can now be had-new lOan-run.
ming for long term Of yeArs-and that
they are obtainable at par in gold. Inas.
much as there are at this time no West
Virginia bonds, withinth meaning Of the
law, will it not be the duty Of the Board
instead Of loauing the proceeds Of this
stock to the Treasury Of the State, to in.
vest it, bona fidc, as the law contemplates,
in United States bonds?