smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

Great efforts are being made to complete as
rapidly as possible the works of tie second as
we'll as of the first line of German fortresses.
The new forts on the left bank of the Rhine at
Cologne, which as originally intended were
not to be finished before the end of next year,
are already approaching completion, and will
be ready to be occupied by their garrison
during the course OF the present summer. The
girdle of detached works round the fortress is
to be completed by forts on the right bank of
the river. Plans and designs for these have
been drawn up, and contracts for their execu-
ton entered into but the work is to extend
over four years. When completed Cologne
will be one of the strongest of German for
tresses.
Year: 1877

This story may not be true, spite Of It's in
herent probability, But they say that not long
since. resident at Niagara Falls fell OF the bridge
to Cont Island, and was instantly swept to the
brink Of the awful gulf below. There he managed
to get hold Of rock, and held on half an honr. 4
sympatAizing crowd rushed into the house anu
grounds, where the mans wife was historically
watching the struggles OF her unfortunate oaud
IS that spot afforded the best view; whereupon,
from the force OF habit the distracted woman i'm
81 apiece from the crowd for the privilege Of view
lug the catastrophe from her premises.
Year: 1877

1t is said of Philip Henry, that when
he had reached the age of three-score
and ten, he was accustomed to date his
letters, The year of my death" And
of both the older and the younger pres-
dent Edwards, it is said that on the first
Sabbath of the years of their death each
preached on the text. "This year thou
shalt die" the text seeming almost a
prediction of the departure of each to
that better land to which they were di-
rccting their hearers. Death may not
come to us this year. And yet it may
come at any moment But in view of its
certainly coming soon, and in the posi-
bility that it may come at any moment
when we expect it not, does it not become
US to live in expectation and in prepara-
ton for it? "There are two words"
says another, chat may well take up
much of our thoughts and cares, viz,
time and eternity; time because it is 50
fast passing away, and eternity because
it will soon begin; time because it will
soon be at an end, and eternity because
it will never end"


1t was the new yoar's resolve of the
excellent Hannah More, "never to pass
day without thinking of the end of
days, and never to pass an hour without
lifting up her heart to God, through
Christ, to aid her to live for him." And
an ancient sculptor, when asked why he
took such pains in part of beautiful
statue that would be concealed by the
wall of the temple, replied, "The gods
will see IT," And as to every part Of
cur life, we should bear in mind that
God sees it, and should endeayor 30 to
live as to be approved by him. On a
plain tablet in Westminster abboy is an
inscription over the remains OF one who
was once eminent as sculptor:


"What was, as an artist seemed of some i'm.


pOrtanCe to me while lived;


But what vas, as believer in Jesus Christ. is


the only thing of importance to me now?"
And such will be the judgment of every
one of us as we look back from the
hour of death, or from the unseen world
on our earthly life and state.


departing or coming year is full of
lessons to us-lessons we all should pom
der The rules that some one has sug-
gested tor the opening of every year and
for our guide through its days, if we are
spared to behold them, are full of wis
dom and safety: "Say nothing you
would not like God to hear. Do nothing
you would not like God to see. Write
nothing you would not like God to read.
Go no where you would not like God to
90 with you. Read no book of which
you would not like God to say, show it
to me- Never spend your time in such
way that you would not like God to
say, what art thou doing?"


So endeavor to live, and life will be
continually preparing you for death. and
death will never find you unprepared to
depart.


| Dost tnou ask, When comes this hour?"
Then, when It shall suit thee best
| Trust His fathfulness and power,
Trust in Him. and quiet rest.
Labor on, and hope, and wait;
| Jesus never comes too late


Suddenly though He may come.
'Tis TO bear thee to thy home.
" Y ObSerrer.
Year: 1877

attend the meetings every evening as
long as Mrs. Van Cott was in town.
"The young man went to the meeting"
said the widow, "and God touched his
heart He would have gone to the
altar, but he didn't want to lose his
money. He told me that after | had gone
away he would embrace religion, and
write and let me know the fact. said
to him: You will not do as you think
you will. You must come to the altar
now or never" MIS-. Van Cott closed
her meetings in the place and went away.
She did not get the promised letter; but
she was told that the young man, after
winning his wagers, became more wicked
than ever. He had won few paltry dol
lars, but lost his soul.-M Y S,m.
Year: 1877

LONDON, February 22.-ln the House
of Commons this evening there was n
short discussion in the course of which
the Marquis OF Harrington said that If
the continuation of the dlscoursve debate
on the treaty obligations would IN any
way embarass the government the opPo
sition had not the slig desire to add
10 the difficulties OF the situatios, and
they did not propose to bring for
ward definite motion tomorrow.
The resumption Of the debate, on the
suggestion of Sir StafJrd Northcote was
indefinitely postponed.


In the House OF Lords, Earl Bescons.
field intimated that it was the intention
OF the government TO propose measures
for Increasing the efficiency OF
the consular staff in Turkey, as
the localities where the stat
had been formerly reduced were likely
soon TO become the seat Of important
peaceful or wsrlike events; he trusted
peaceful events, as he did lot yet des-
pair of the common sense Of the Forte
and great confidence IN the wise manage.
ment of the great po "ers.


John OIentord well known dramatic
critic is dead.
Year: 1877

The London papers are worrying
about the drain OF gold out of England,
and calling upon the Bank of England
to remedy the evil by raising the rate of
interest. The Economist, however,
which recommends this step, admits that
the Bank of England is far less able to
control the money market than it used
to be. 1t says that when Germany was
taking gold for coinage purpose there
was repeatt dly large outflow from
London, and when the Bank of England
attempted to apply a check by
raising the discount rate, it did
not succeed very well, because the out
side rate was slow to follow the advance
of the bank rate. 1t requires an advance
of the market rate to attract bullion,
and the bank is no Ion ger able to control
the market rate. The London Times
saws that British gold has been going to
Germany to replace the silver that coun'
try has been selling; that shipments to
pay for Egyptian produce are not re-
turning 10 England as they formerly did;
that large sums have boen semitic France,
Canada. and the United States for more
remunerative investment than can be
found in England. The Times is evi
IDENTIFY afraid that England will lsse all
her gold unless the bank applies the in.
terest check.
Year: 1877

WE are ever so much obliged to the


Mteliigencer for its willingness to have
rebels "shsre in the administration OF the
government" and we heartily congrstu-
late that paper upon its conversion to
our doctrine that il would be right Ito
incorporate into its policy the bet men
of the old regime in the South, and win
to its support fair proportion Of the
education and property of that section"
That is just what we have been trying
to teach your folks all the time, and it is
gratifying to know that the seed has
been sown in good ground. Now if you
Will just come out and confess that old
WELLS Is a rascal and JOE BRADLEY
fraud, We will close up school.
Year: 1877

We are gr4uii Il to learn from the
committee appointed to solicit subscrip
tions to the stock OF the Tuscarawas VAL
lsy Railroad that they are meeting with
great success, and the probability Is that
a sufficient amount will soon be- raised
10 guarantee the construction OF the
road. We have so frequently referred
TO the merits of this enterprise and the
necessity for our trade having additional
outlets, that we deem it unnecessary to
say anything further in relation
10 it. Yet we feel constrained to
make one more appeal to our
manufacturers and business men of all
classes TO look at it in its true light, con-
sider 1t well, and if it meets the approval
Of your Judgment then take hold OF 1t
and act promptly. lfthe road is to be
real substantial benefit to Wheeling,
then the sooner it is built the sooner will
our business interests reap the benefit.
There is nothing like striking while the
iron is hot. The opportunity is present.
Cd now, and Ifpermitted to pass 1t may
BE- a long time before another is present.
ci which promises so much to build up
our prosperity.
Year: 1877




The Legislature i'll commendao'e o.
for, to economize and retrench is likely
% overdo the thing. 1t may be sil very
well for the present Legislature to make
a record for itself, but is not so agreeable
TO the taxpayers to have heavy debt
hanging over the State at the end OF the
two wears. because of failure to make


sufficient appropriation to meet the ae-


.us expenses Of the State gov
eminent. Preceding Legislatures have
done the same thing, and the result OF 1t
j. the State has debt now OF about
slOOOOO-and the prospect is from the
Senate cutting down the spproprIa
ton bill, the end of the next two years
will find us with this debt still on hand
and about ss much more added to it. 1t
would be lust as well to wipe It out and
make a sufficient appropriation to meet
all actual cxyc' scs, even if the rate OF
taxation ia increased thereby.
Year: 1877

The Legislature, on yesterday, byjoint
resolution, extended the session until
Friday, the End day of March. The
principal reason assigned for this course
was the desire on the part OF the Senate
to consider the proposed amendment to
the Constitution, changing the judicial
system of the State. This is . very i'm.
portant provision, and deserves careful
consideration before being sent to
the people for ratification or re-
lection. We are inclined to the
opinion however, that the friends OF
Capital Removal desired an extension
for the purpose OF suspendlng asword
over the head of the Executive, with
fear that he might feel constrained to
veto the capital bill. If we are correct
in tins opinion we are also inclined TO
think that 1t is "loves labor lost" as the
Governor will not be Influenced by any
such consideration IN passing upon
the bill. If the law in his opin-
len is unconstitutional and perniclous in
its tendency he would veto it without re-
gard to any action the Legislature might
see proper to take afterwards, On the
other hand, il he found no real objection
to the bill, however hostile his personal
inc!inat,ons might be towards it, he would
sign it or permit 1t to become law by
operation of law. So we conclude that
so far as members were constrained to
vote Tor extension upon that ground,
they have strained the case to say the
least of it. There lie, it must be admitted,
good deal of important legislation
pretty we'll ma,ured, which, in the
course of another week, can be put
through.
Year: 1877

DoN PIATT thinks that President
GRANT should not be 90 sensitive about
assassination, after sending his son and
brother .in-law CAsKr to DoS's house, at
the hour of midnight for the purpose Of
making an asss.lt upon him.
Year: 1877

From Beech er's Last sundays Sermon,


The numbers of the human race
were actually beyond computation,
and for thousands and thousands
and thousands of years they had beed
born into the world, had lived and
struggled and finally died and gone
where. If you tell me that they
have all gone to heaven, my answer
will be that such a sweeping of mud


into Heaven would defle its purity
and I cannot accept that. If you
tell me that they have gone to hell,
then | swear by the Lord Jesus


Christ, whom l have sworn to wor-
ship forever, that you will make an
infdel of me. The doctrine that
God has been for thousands of years
peopling this earth with human be-
mgs, during period of three-fourths
of which was not Illuminated by an
alter or church, and in places where
vast population of those people are
yet without that light, is to trans
form the Almighty into a monster
more hideous than Satan himself and
I swear by all that is sacred that l
will never worship Satan, though he
should appear dressed in royal robes


and seated on the throne of Jehovah
Year: 1877

The third volume of the authorized
biography of the prince consort OF Eng
land contains what cannot fail to be re-
garded as state papers OF the very highs
est importance, especially as bearing on
the ambitious plans of Russia, the posi-
bic future of Turkey, and other aspects
of the irrepressible Eastern question as
developed in the Crimean war; 1t
throws a great flood of light on the gen.
eral management of public business in
England, and shows what minute atteh>
ton the queen is in the habit of paying
to what is commonly considered the
mere routine of departments, and how
deep is the interest she takes in every
question, small or great, which affects
the well-being of her people. 1t will
contain some interesting passages on the
opinion of Napoleon LII ;, entertained by
Victoria and her husband. Victoria says
of him, after they had visited him:


''he is so quiet, so simple, nd1 ever,
so pleased 10 be informed about things
which he does not know, so gentle, so
full of tact, dignity and modesty towards
us, never saying word or doing thing
which could put me out or embarrass
me. l know few people whom | have
felt involuntarily more inclined TO cons
fde in and speak Hnreservedly to-
should not fear saying to him. felt, l
do not know how to express it, safe with
him. His society is particularly agreea>
Bile and pleasant; there is something
fascinating, melancholy and engaging
which draws you to him in spite of any
prevention you may have against him,
and certainly without the assistance of
any outward advantages of his appear
ance, though | like his face. lie I'M
doubtedly has a most extraordinary
power of attracting people to him. The
children are very fond of him to them
also his kindness was very great, but at
the same time most judicious."


Elsewhere she thus wrote of him
"Into the side chapel the emperor led
me, and there l stood, at the arm of Ma
poleon Ill, his nephew, before the coffin
of EDgland's bitterest foe j; /, the grand
daughter of that king who hated him
most ami who most vigorously opposed
him, and this very nephew, who bears
his name, being my nearest and dearest
ally! The organ of the church was
playing God save the Queen at the time,
and this solemn scene took place by
torchlight and during thunderstorm.
Strange ailt wonderful indeed. 1t seems
as If in this tribute sf respect to a de-
parted and dead foe, old enmties and
riValries were wiped out and the seal of
heaven placed upon that bond of unity
which is now happily established be-
tween Two great and powerful nations.
May heaven bless and prosper it,
Year: 1877

THE BAYoNET VS.. THE BULLET.


In two of their more recent orders
of the day, Generals Skobeleff and
Gourkho exhort the men under their
command to be sparing of their cart.
ridges, and to endeavor to restore to
the bayonet its former renown. A
German military writer, criticisiug
these instructions, issued by two of
the most talented and distinguished
of the Russian generals, remarks
that it must not be supposed, as it
very naturally might be, that this
exhortation to, in fact, refrain from
endeayoring to utilize to the utmost
the power of the weapon with which
they are armed is prompted by any
fear that their men are not sufficient
ly trained to be trusted to fight in the
comparatively loose order necessary
for the full development of fire tac-
tics; but, on the contrary, must rath-
er be regarded as a confession that
the employment of men in masses re-
gardless of the enormous loss of life
thereby entailed, is believed by the


Russian leaders to be the only way
of utilizing the large forces under
their command. The saying ofSuw-
arroff that "the bullet Is foolish, the
bayonet alone is wise,'' is, in facts
still to be regarded as characteristic
of the Russian tactics, the fact-so
strikingly demonstrated in all mod
ern wars that it is not until the bull
let has done its work and shattered
the enemy that the bayonet can be
employed being altogether ignored
Year: 1877

Some few days ago, says the San Fran
cisco (Cal.) Bee, as the Freeport ferry
was taking load of passengers across
the river, and when about half way over,
the rope which is attached to the bank,
and by means of which the boat is towed,
broke. CONSERVATION reigned among the
passengers; none of the men could swim !;
the boat was drifting down; there was
nothing on board by which it could be
padded or its movements directed. For
few seconds silence and inactivity
reigned then a strong and healthy look
ing Canadian woman, seeing that the
men could do nothing, proceeded calmly
to take off her shoes and stockings.
Modesty forbade the removal of much
more; arrayed as weightily as HOratius
Coolies was when the bridge fell and he
jumped into the yellow Tiber with his
harness Oh his back, she caught a rope in
her teeth, plunged into the muddy cur
rent, and swan for shore. There were
no exultant Romans on the bank to
greet her with loud plaudits, but the
suddenly cheerful faces of the lords of
creation" on the boat were beaming
upon her with eyes of admiration. She
reached the bank, tied the rope to a
strong tree, and the men hauled the boat
ashore.
Year: 1877

Much JeWelry Is vulgar.


Do not smack while eating.


Do not run after famous people.


Do not cut your nails in company.
Cheese should be eaten with fork.
Feeling walters is paying blackmail.
Unsweetened coffee cures bad breath.
Short nails make the finger tips grow
broad.


In going upor down stairs precede the
lady.


A formal call is very long if it last
half an hour.


Only naughty brunette should wear
yellow colors.


1t is impolite to keep musician con-
stantly playing.


Address your wife as "Mrs.," your
husband as "Mr."


A girl should not stroll away with
a gentleman at picnic.


A lady should not stretch her foot out
in company.


Let the wife deal with the female ser
wants.


A pink ribbon under the chin makes
pale woman look brighter.


No man respects a girl who 1irts,
though he may fiirt with her.


The lady of the house should receive
the guests at a formal reception.


Always take the last piece of anything.
There is supposed to be more.


Arrangement of marriage is little less
sacred than an actual marriage.


If it is necessary for you to use your
handkerchief sonorously, leave the room
quietly.


If you meet a gentleman friend with
a strange lady on his arm, salute
both.


A well-bred English or French girl
will not go to theater or concert alone
with any other gentleman than near
relative or her accepted suitor.
Year: 1877

In the year 1884 the fall election in
New York had been preceded by a
campaign of unusual excitement. The
great Democratic leader, William L.
Marcy, was the candidate of his party
for Governor. 1t was expected that
there would be elively times on the day of
election in the city of New York, and
several Hartford merchants arranged to
60 down together and see the fun, and,
at the same time, take advantage of the
trip to purchase goods. They arrived in
the city by boat ON the morning of the
election, and took rooms at the New
York Hotel, which stood on the present
site of A. 7. Stewart & Co.'s downtown
store ON Chambers Street. Among the
number were David Clark and A. S.
Porter. The whole party visited some of
the voting precincts and saw the " fun"
which included man street fights and
minor rows.


During the afternoon Mr.. Clark and
Mr.. Porter were looking over newspapers
in the reading room of the hotel, and
were seated apart. At one end of the
room was the bar. While Mr.. Clark
was busily engaged readinghis attention
was attracted by loud voices, among
which he recognized Mr.. Porter's, and,
looking up, he saw three young fellows
somewhat excitedly engaged in conver-
sation with Mr.. Porter. He went at
once to learn the cause of the debate,
and found that the strangers were de-
manding that Mr.. Porter should pay for
a bottle of wine which they alleged he
had lost on bet. Of course he had
made no bet, and the fellows were
attempting to impose upon him. Mr..
Clark was then spare man-not as
portly as he is now-but was muscular
and strong and was a dangerous subject
in rough and tumble. When he heard
the spokesman of the party of three
declare that unless Porter paid for the
wine every bone in his body should be
broken he stepped up to the fellow and
said, " You try that once, and I'll take
every one of you singly and throw you
out of that window "-pointing to a
window not far up from the floor. The
clustering young man looked at the tall
form before him, and seeing two sledge-
hammer fists and long arms ready fol
business, took the hint to depart, and his
companions went with him.


Mr.. Clark was considerably interested
in the episode, and before he left New
York learned that the fellow he had
talked with was Louis Napoleon, who
was then leading fast and reckless life
in the metropolis. When he saw the
man again it was in 1857, but under
different circumstances. 1t was in Paris
and the youth had become the Emperor
of the French, and Mr.. Clark did moi
think it advisable to introduce himself
as the person who twenty odd year:
before showed fight in New York.
Year: 1877

On Thursday of last week the tug
Minerva which is engaged in towing
mud-scows from the Welland Canal to
the Niagara River, had proceeded well
out into the river, just above the falls,
with her usual tow of three loaded
scows, when the lines holding the last of
the three parted, and the seow reeled
round and made for the rapids. jim"
hampton was at the wheel at the time,
and with great presence of mind he
headed his tug for the rapids and made
a circuit around the scow which was now
dangerously near the rocks. In the
mean time the men boarded the two re-
manning scows and dumped them, render
ing them easier to handle. When they
approached near to the runaway, man
Jumped aboard of her, fastened line,
and dumped her. And now came the
tug of war They lay on the very edge
of the rapids, when the throttle was
thrown wide open and the tug headed up
stream from the cataract. 1t was "nip
and TUCK" and they were about to cut
away part of the tow when the tug
seemed to gain little on the current,
and gradually emerged into safety with
her full tow. 1t was daring trick that
but few would care to do, but " Jim !"
said the scow was a new one, and he was
bound not to lose her-and he didn't.