smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

Fish pOaching is simple and yet
clever in its way. In the spawning
time jack fish, which at other periods
are apparently of a solitary disposition,
go in pairs, and sometimes in trios, and
are more tame than usual. A long
slender ash stick is selected, slender
enough to lie light in the hand and
strong enough to bear sudden weight.
A loop and running moose are formed
of piece of thin copper wire, the
other end of which is twisted round and
firmly attached to the smaller end of the
stick. The loop is adjusted to the size
of the fish-it should not be very much
larger, else it will not draw up quick
enough, nor too small, else it may
touch and disturb the jack. 1t does
not take much practice to hit the happy
medium. Approaching the bank
quietly, so as not tc shake the ground,
to the vibrations of which iish are
peculiarly sensitive, the pOacher tries
if possible to avoid letting his shadow
fall across the water. Some persons
eyes seem to have an extraordinary
power of seeing through water, and OF
distinguishing at glance fish from
long swaying strip Of dead brown flag,
or the rOtting pieces Of wood which lie
at the bottom. The ripple of the breeze
the eddy at the curve, or the sparkle
Of tho sunshine cannot deceive them;
while others, and by far the greater
number, are dazzled and see nothing.
The poacher, having marked his prey,
in the shallow yonder, gently extends
his rod slowly across the water three
or four yards higherup the stream, and
lets the wire moose sink without noise
till it al most orquite touches the bottom.
1t is easier to guide the moose to its
destination when it occasionally touches
the mud, for refraction distorts the true
position of objects in water, and
accuracy is important. Gradually the
wire swims down with the current,
just as if it were any ordinary twig or
root carried along, such as the jack is
accustomed to see, and he Therefore
feels no alarm. By degrees the loop
comes closer to the fish, till with steady
hand the poacher slips it over the head,
past the long, vicious jaws and gills,
past the first fins, and pauses when 1t
has reached a place corresponding to
about one-third of the length Of the fish,
Year: 1878

reckoning from the head. That end of


the jack is heavier than the other, and
the "lines" of the body are there nearly


straight. Thus the poacher gets firm


hOld-for a fish, of course, is slippery


and a good balance. If the operation


performed gently the jack will remain


quite still, though the wire rubs against


his Subsistence and stiffness have such


power over all living creatures. The


pOacher now clears his arm, and with


sudden jerk, lifts the fish right out of


the stream and lands him on the sward.


So sharp is the grasp of the wire that IL


frequently cuts its way through the
scales, leaving mark plainly visible
when the jack is offered for sale. The
suddenness and violence of the
compression seem to disperse the mus
cular forces, and the fish appears dead
for the moment. Very often, indeed,
it really is killed by the jerk. This
happens when the loop either has not
passed far enough along the body, or
has slipped and seized the creature just
at the gills. 1t then garottes the fish.
If, on the other hand, the wire has been
passed too far towards the tail, il slips
of that way, the jack falling back in
to the water with broad white band
where the wire has scraped the scales.
Fish thus marked may not tunfrequently
be seen in the stream. The poachers
observe that after fish has once
escaped from an attempt of the kind, it
is ever after far more difficult of cap
ture. The first time the jack was still
and took no notice of the insidiOus
approach of the wire gliding along
towards it; but the neXt-unlesS long
interval elapses before a second trial
the moment it comes near he is away.
At each succeeding attempt, whether
hurt or not, he grows more and more
suspicious, till at last to merely stand
still or stop while walking Oh the bank
is sufficient for him; he is off with
swish of the tall to the deeper water,
leaving behind him a cloud, so to say.
of mud swept up from the bottom To
conceal the direction of his flight. For
il would almost seem as If the jack
throws up this mud on purpose; if
much disturbed, he will quite discolor
the brook.
Year: 1878

The writer has recently lost horse
of old age "a years, that had some re-
markable traits. He was white pony
that came into my service in December,
1856, at twelve years old. He was quite
fast, having about a three-minute gait
at his best. used him principally as
a run-abOut horse, and driving him to
the station when | went to the city. /
taught him to go back to the farm alone,
and very soon on arriving at the station
it was only necessary to throw the lines
over the dash board, and let him find
his own way across the track and among
the trains. He never attempted to
cross in front of train in motion, but
he would walk up near the track and
stand till the train the train got nearly
passed, when he moved up nearer and
was ready to cross the moment the hind
car passed him. Sometimes boys see
ing him going along the street Ieisurly,
would try to get ride, but no sooner
did he see their movements to that end
than he started off, on smart trot, and
eluded them.


A new and shorter road having been
opened to the station, and, before it
was worked, passing through narrow
bar-way, l thought, judging from his
habit of taking the off side of the road,
that he might hit the buggy against the
post in going through; so | watched
him on his return to see how he would
get over the difficulty. He hit the off
fore hub, stopped, backed up few feet,
hawed off, cleared the hub and went on.
He did precisely as good driver would
have guided him. He delighted in TAX
ing short cuts, and often went across
lots when the way was open. He crea-
ted much merriment one day, when a
neighbor passed him while on walk,
just at a point where he might go some
sixty rods across lot and cut off a bend
in the road. After the man passed
him on a smart trot, he turned into the
shorter cut and trotted briskly across
the field to the road ahead of him,
where he stopped till the man came
up, and showed unmistakably by his
manner, the pleasure he felt in the tri-
umph. He was perfectly true and al
ways ready to do reasonable service,
appreciated good treatment, but he
highly resented any loud and bolster
ous yelling Mt him. One day when n
new hand was using him to haul man
ure on a cart, and talked loudly to him,
he would not draw the load, and went
to him, spoke kindly, and he drew it
over u diflicultpiece of ground to where
it was to be left. When the man had
unloaded, he attempted to drive the
pony back to the barn, but he would
not draw the empty cart fol him.
When, in summer, he had been put ut
work that he did not relish after COM
ing home from the station, the next
day he would stop under the shade of Il
tree till the farm bell rang for dinner,
when he would come promptly for his
rations. Although he was sent home
in this way, probably more than a thou
sand times, he never broke anything
often threaded his way between logs
piled on both sides of the track; and he
manifested a discretion in regard to
passing trains, little short of human.
Who can say, after observing the con-
duct of the horse under various condi-
tions, that he does not reason9
Year: 1878

Most important and valuable to the
public safety Is that branch of the active
division of the police known as La ST.
rete, whose business it is to detect and
arrest all malefactora, Though all the
personality of that division have more
or less to do with the criminal classes
of the city, it is to this picked brigade
alone that the work specially belongs.
This branch is of comparatively recent
creation, having been founded by the
celebrated Vdocq in 1917 At first its
members were chosen from among the
liberated criminals and former cOnvicts
of the Capital, under the mistaken no


ton that the best way of catching a
knave was to set u knaVe to catch him.
But in later days all this has been
changed. The members of La Sarete
are now selected from men of the high
est moral standing belonging to the
force. OF unimpcachable respectability,
almost invariably married men and
heads of families, their private life con-
trasts strangely with their public func-
tions, which lead them through all the
most hideous sinks of crime in the me


tropolis. This chosen band, the army
which holds in check all the male-tac-
tors of Paris, consists Of one hundred
and fifty persons only-a singularly
small number when one recalls the fact
that the arrests executed by them
amount on an average to over forty
thousand annually. These men are
the trained bloodhounds of the law.
The quick and keen sagacity wherewith
Year: 1878

The famous dragon on the vane of
Bow Church, Cheapside, London, was
almost doubled up by the recent gales,
and it was determined to remove it.
Its length is eight feet six inches, and
its height above the pavement 220 feet.
From the highest point that could be
reached by the stairs inside the tower a
ladder was placed close against the
building, and secured by spike at the
top. A second ladder was then hoisted
from the first with block and rope, the
foot being well secured to the top Of the
other, and the second made fast as be-
fore, and so on until the top was reach
ed. Three ladders were used to get to
the vane from tho top of the balcony.
A stage was then erected around the
top of the spire about three feet below
the top. From that the engineers
hoisted derrick, by which the dragon
was lifted from its place and lowered
to the ground.
Year: 1878

they will seize on the slightest trace, the


smallest indication, is only to be equal


ed by their courage, patience and perse-


verance in following up scent. In


glancing over the annals of this division


of the Partisan police, one comes upon


facts that makes the incidents of GabO-


rllau's novels and the exploits of his


hero, M. LecOq, pale their Intellectual


fires. 1t Is on record, for instance, how


the discovery of scrap Of paper on


which were written the words, "Two


pounds of butter" led to the arrest Of a


dangerous burglar. Their quickness of


eye is surprising. They are thoroughly


well acquainted with the style, so to


speak, of every professional criminal In


Paris. Thus, after the celebrated theft


of medals from the Biliotheque Imper-


iale, the police had only to investigate


the saw, the cord and the lantern left
behind by the robbers to pronounce


with certainty respecting their identity
And when, after the murder of the


Duchesse de Praslin, the then existing
chief of La iSurete, NJ. Allard, was ad-
mitted to view the frightfully mutilated
corpse, but his first remark was, "This
is not the work Of professional, but of
an amateur"


The Unborn dramatic talent of the
French nation makes 1t comparatively
easy for the members of the detective
force to disguise themselves, which they
are often called upon to do. But re
specting the motives and the style of
these DISCUSSES they are remarkably ret
icent, being unwilling to confess that
such ruse is ever practiscd. Yet an
experienced observer may sometimes
detect amid the elegant promenaders at
the Actresses ball or the Bal de rOpera
the individual whom he saw in the
selling oranges form barrow
or distributing advertisements, clad in
a sOiled blouse and a workman's cap.
Not long ago it was necessary to exer-
else a strict surveillance over the move
ments of certain personages who were
at one of the most fashionable
hotels of Paris. Two police inspectors,
one in the guise of an elderly and dis
Iinguished-looking gentleman, who
gave himself out as a former ambassa-
Tor, and the other acting as his servant,
.ook rooms at that hotel, and played |
heir parts to admiration for fortnight,
at the conclusion of that time
with their mission fully accomplished
md without having created the slight
EST suspicion in the minds of those with
whom they associated. The cOmical
part of the business was, that the in
ipector who played the part of the re-
ired diplomat had become 50 identified
with the character that on being after
ward familiarly accosted by his friend
md comrade who had acted as his ser
7ant, the became highly indignant and
him to remember to whom
le was talking"
Year: 1878

PEN PICTURE OF RAILWAY M MAGNATES.
"A Saratoga correspondent of the New
York World sketching the railway
magnates recently in session there, says:


"Mr. Vanderbilt was the most neatly
dressed, always plain and without osten-
tation or attempt at show. Always ac-
cessible and ready for conversation about
railroads, the merits of horses or business
affairs. Col. Scott was more democratic
in his general appearance. When on the
piazza of the hotel he invariably carried
cotton umbrella, wore a blue flannel
sack coat and a broad-brimmed, turned
down Panama hat, hiding the greater
portion of his face. He was at all times
frank and courteous, and when question
ed in reference to the business of the con-
ference answered clearly and coneisely
and in a manner that carried the convic-
ton that he was the master mind of the
conference. Mr.. Jewett was more state
ly and austere, and while ready TO an
swer all questions left the impression
that he felt he was comforting a great
favor by so doing. John King, of the
Baltimore and Ohio, was perhaps the
most reticent of all. He is short, thick
set man, dressed in gray suit, and would
be taken in a crowd for shrewd farmer"
Year: 1878

BEAUTIFUL PARIs.-There is no other city in
the world where the pictureeq ue and beautiful
is studied it is as in Paris. The work of i'm
proving and ornamenting is always going on.
When q handsome bnilding is erected 1t 10
never allowed TO be otherwise than handsome.
If erected to day it will be found ten years
hence just as bright and free from blemish as
it was on the day it was finished. In London
they admire q structure that is begrimed with
smoke and SCOT, and would regard it as des-
eoration If any one was to propose to clean it.
Even the white marble stStuary is allowed to
become coal black, and receive fresh coat of
eoOt every year, until it is difficult for q
stranger to discover whether it is marble or
bronze. The PaFisian is always cleaning and
polishing, and striving to make that which is
white whittier, and that which is bright bright
er. New York boasts of It's Broadway, bnt
Paris has O hundred Beoadways extending
narro v streets 8 are we'll paved and kept as clean
as the great boulevards. Tue spirit of oleanll-
ness is universal.
Year: 1878

pegging away at some redskins ful
forty rods distant. Turning his hea'
however, he caught a glimpse Of scar
let streamer floating in the air at NJ
great distance from him, the interva
speedily lessening. Then, to his ex
cited eyes the environing bushes begar
to bristle with savage lances. Thinking
the Indians had the upper-hand of him.
that he was completely "sewed up"
and that hour was to be his last, his
heart went down into his boots, and be
heeled it down the hill with all his
might, measuring eight or ten feet at a
stride, and reached his quarters out OF
breath, by tight rub, as he supposed.
But as it was generally known that the
single streamer that had so suddenly
dissipated his bravery was carried by
the friendly hands Of Captain Con-
noyer's scouts, the boys eagerly
grasped the opportunity of hammering
the poor soul in manner calculated to
rasp the feelings Of anybody who was
not as Obdurate as lap-stone or a pair
of pincers.


The fourth and last day the Indians
had dispersed into small bands, and our
boys scattered over the valley, each
squad fighting in their own way, and,
except the capturing of a few horses
and the "rOusan'" Indians the half
breeds slew, the day was immeasurably
barren of results. Next day not a hos
tile was to be found. Why they had
withdrawn when they had been proven
fully able to hold us in check, if not
eventually TO completely overthrow US,
was mystery. But, when scouting up
the valley of Mill Creek we found
where their village had stood but a few
days previous, we understood all. They
had completely Outgeneraled us. While
We had been beating about, misled by
false reports as to their whereabouts,
they were removing their families and
property out Of the country. And, al
though We did not see it before, it was
patent now that the reason why they
so stubbOrnly contested every inch of
ground with US when the four days
fight began, and gradually became less
and Tess determined, was because the
danger to their property aud their fam
lilies was diminishing with each sue
ceeding day, and at length disappeared
altogether. But if any proof of the du-
plicity of old Mox-mox was wanting
before, it was now apparent enough.
The direction he attempted to lead Us
led away from, rather than toward, his
native village.


As to the comparative losses Of the
opposing forces in this engagement,
have no positive information. Our loss
was about a dozen. Theirs was es-
timated at a much larger number, but
none certainly knew. / have since
taken some pains to learn the facts
from tue Indians themselves, but with
Indifferent success. Stock Whitley,
who led the Desehuttes Indians during
the first two days, stated to me some
time afterward that their loss in killed
during that time was about twenty,
and that his band suffered most because
led by the most expert and daring COM
mander. He stated that he was to
have received a large contribution of
horses for his services from the Una
tiIlas, but that they failed to keep their
T promise, and he withdrew from the al
lance before the beginning of the third
days fight, aud bad no personal
knowledge of affairs aftef that time.
N ha
Year: 1878

Kimball, the church-debt raiser, was
persuaded to attack the debt of New
York daily newspaper a few days ago.
and he was thrown seven to eight. He
sustained sprained back and fracture
OF the left elavicle. He says be is not a
Samson.
Year: 1878

A man lately went into a provision
store to purchase a corned tongue. The
dealer handed him one, remarkiug that
it was very nice, and, furthermore, that
it never told lie. sit is very evident,
then" remarked the purchaser, "thst it
was never engaged in the provision
business
Year: 1878

Quiet men are painfully regular and
punctual, but never seem put out by
other peoples want of order. They are
frequently cOnsummate bOres at a dinner
party, wet blankets at picnic, mere
sticks at ball; but excellent as officers,
admirable pafsOns, and much sought
after by matchmaking mothers.
Year: 1878

from the Daly OF wednesday.


CAPT. MASON ON THE CHINESE
OUEsrIoN.-Jt Is impossible to trace
or give a sketch faithfully of the
discourse of our visiting orator. lie
opened by giving the rank, charac-
ter and responsibilities of states
man. as a member of a great and
free republic. He seemed perfectly
acquainted with the Chinese ques
ton. AS statistician and scholar
he had the thread of his argument
at his fingers end Why such man
should be q working bootmaker we
cannot understand. He predicted
that revolution was impending IN
the United States, which not only
would shake but would penetrate
the entire civilization Of the world.
1t was not labor alone, but capital
and commerce that was laid on the
altar of avariee and greed. Blind
and narrow is the horizon which en-
circles the future of this great ma
ton. Every merchant, said the
speaker, is a sufferer in a greater
degree than the mechanic, for the
Mongol draws the fountain OF labor
on the one hand. and the fountains
of circulation on the other. Last
year, he continued, twenty-one mil
lion dollars went to China, and our
total product of gold and silver did
not reach nineteen million dollars,
exclusive of the State OF Nevada. Ii
the residents of Seattle had known
that such man was going to speak,
we think Yesler's Hall would have
been crowded.


A SAD AFFAIR.-On the trip
the steamship California made
from Sitka to San Francisco, Mr..
Sherwood, the first officer, was
discovered to be insane. He is
very strong man and was with
the greatest difficulty overpOw-
cred. He had shown no signs
of mental weakness, until one
night, when off the coast OF
Washington Territory, he burst
into tears, crying out that he
would not let Capt. Thorne or
anyone else take him past San
Francisco, and that he suspected
a plan to do SO. He ran to the
carpenters chest, and seizing an
axe, attempted to kill the man
at the wheel, loudly exclaimins
that the helmsman Was steering
so as to- G Nv him n'st the ""ld-
Year: 1878

HON. KING S. WooLsEY and Major Cox came in Saturday evening from Globe City and Jeff us again Monday, going 10 Picket Post. thence to Phenix, where both gentlemen reside. Col. WOolsey said he was now on a business trip and would soon be around again on election busl- ness. The Colonelis a clever gentleman and we are always glad 10 see him, but we deem it unfortunate that he should waste his energies, time and money in election business when his defeat is so certain. He can't go to Congress this time.
Year: 1878

WE publish to-day an announcement

 for the office of Sheriff. The candidate is

 G. P. Gabriel or Silver King. He is well known to the voters Of Pinal county as a

 brave, active and honorable man. He has already made an excellent record as depu-

 ty and peace officer, and if elected Sherif

 we are quite sure he will not disappoint his friends. Mir. Gabriel will be strong candidate and there is little doubt of his

 success. We know Of no man fin the county better suited to fill the office Of Sheriff.
Year: 1878

The new headquarters of the local or
ganizstron- of the National greenback La,
bor party in the third story Of Middleton's
building was as neat and cosy as new pine
benches and othsr things corresponding
could make it appear. About 35 persons
were present and Mr.. Price presided. The
evening was devoted to speaking Of the f.
nancial and labor question. Among those
who made addresses was Mr.. Liebrandt,
ex-candidate for the nomination ofaspirant
for the coronership on the temperance ticks
ct. He spoke to some length and repeated
the statement that there was no money but
more was wanted he said to get the wheels
Of, trade moving. In the sentence following
this Mr. Liebrandt objected to there being
plenty of money on grounds that the capi-
tslist got hold of it all and held on to it
until they could get a large percentage.
With this exception his speech was very
good and thoughtful.


On motion Of Mr.. Lewes the secretary
was instructed to correspond with General
Butler, Senator Thurman and Judge Kelly
and endeavor to secure the services of one
of them to speak at the ratification meet
ing to be held just after the state eonven'
tion,
Year: 1878

The plank across the Brandywine R. r.
bridge upon which persons deserving to
cross the creek walked, has been torn up
the railroad company 80 as to prevent foot
travel across it thereby causing much trou-
BILE to many persons living in the vicinity.
Parties who now want to cross the creek
either have TO resort to boat or are com-
PEELED to 60 around by way Of Eleventh
street which is much out of the way.
Year: 1878

There is much complaint made by par.
ties living on Walnut ST. near Second Of
disorder caused by gang Of bad boys who
infest that locality and make shoemakers
shop near by their headquarters. Parties
at Ninth and Walnut streest are also conn
planning of the same annoyance.