smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

A large proportion of the Bavarian
peasantry, unfortunately, entertain the
superstitious notion that fire kindled by
lightning is not to be extinguished.
When such an accident happens they
are discouraged, and do scarcely any
thing to check the progress of the
flames. A funeral must never pass
through titled field, not even in win.
ter, though it might considerably short
en- the way. The peasant is fully per-
suaded that field through which fun
eral has passed becomes barren. Except
ON extraordinary occasions, no funerals
are allowed on Mondays and Fridays. A
peasant who is in search of wife never
goes, except on a Thursday or Sunday,
into the house where he expects to make
his choice. The bride and bridegroom are
not to give their bare hand to anybody
on the day of their marriage except
to each other at the altar, otherwise they
are threatened with poverty during the
whole course of their union. 1t is also
very bad sign if, when the bride re-
turns from church, she finds anybody
on the threshold of her door. When a
young girl finds leaf of trefoil divided
into four instead of three parts, it is a
sign that she will be married within a
year; at all events, she carefully pre-
serves this leaf to her wedding day, On
Christmas Eve the countrymen are ac-
customed to frequently drive out in
sledges. They think that this will cause
their hemp to be more abundant and
higher. They do not fail to visit the
ale house, and to drink heartily the same
evening; being convinced that this is
the way to make them look well till the
following Christmas. They never de-
stroy crickets by fire, being persuaded
that those which escape will destroy
their linen and clothes. When a peasant
loses his way in the wood after sunset
ne avoids calling any person to show
him the way, being convinced that in
any such case the evil spirit of the forest
would cause him to plunge still deeper
into its recesses.
Year: 1878

The ancient Romans had both summer
and winter rings. That will not seem SO
strange to you when you know the size
of the winter rings. They are simply
enormous. The thumb ring-for they
wore them there-was often four inches
in diameter. The side intended to go
next to the hand was an inch thick, and
the other side at least three inches. One
can easily see that fingers full of rings
like that would be rather uncomfortable
in warm weather, whatever they were in
cold. One of their writer's sings of some
one that


"Oharged with light summer rings, his fingers


sweat,


Unable to support gem Of weight"
Year: 1878

A New York physician has made the
discovery that "not one person in three
has legs of equal length, and that the
number of left legs longer than they
need be is nearly double that of the
right"
Year: 1878

1t is the temper of blade that must
be the proof of a good sword, and not the
gliding of the hilt or the richness of the
scabbard, 80 it is not his grandeur and
possessions that make q man considern-
BILE, but his intrinsic merit.
Year: 1878

SAN JOSE, August pa Ger
man named Chris. Schmidt, a sa-
loon keeper in this city for many
years, cut his throat at his room.
The suicide had sat on the edge of
the bed and pulled razor across
his throat with such strength as to
almost sever his head from his
body.
Year: 1878

Bosrox rAPER Tn. latest and wick
ei.st ON dit about the clubs IL to the
effect that a married lady in this city,
well known in society. but name net
given. has recently fallen in love with
her husband.
Year: 1878

1t is rumored in Washington, that
Wells, Of Louisiana, in imitation of the
MEDIEVAL custom, has flown TO Sanctury,
to escape from the penalty of his crimes.
1t is said by well informed people in
Washington that he has chosen that CITY
as his place Of refuge. He looks for the
horns Of the alter in the White House.


His presence must be unwelcome to tho
man he elevated to the Presidency, by for
gerv, perjury and theft. The mind of
President Hayes must be strangely per.
picked. Out Of common gratitude to his
greatest bene factor, he must wish to pro.
tect Wells, but the means used BY Wells


b benefit Hayes were SO repugnant to all
iaeas Of honor and decency that contempt
must inevitably mingle with his other
feeling. Besides all this, almost any line
Of conduct he may adopt towards the fugi-
tive will be taken by the community as
dictated by the fear that his own title to
ofice will be impaired, by any other course
He has 50 far kept Wells in office, and a
long as Wells was satisfied with that and
remain where his official duties were SUP.
Year: 1878

The news Of the dreadful shipwreck on
Curretuck Beach, only few miles from


Kitty Hawk, the scene Of the Huron dis
aster, has sent thrill Of horror through
out the whole land. One result we are
quite certain will follow-a stern demand


for proper organization of the Life


Saving service upon the exposed seuthern
coast. 1t is quite evident that with any


thing like competent organization upon


the coast, there would not be one hundred


mourning widows in Philadelphia and its


vicinage this morning. Secretary Sher-


man was SO busy connecting measures to
sustain the fraud put upon the industrial


force of the country by the Gold Bags" in


1874, that the lesson of the Huron was


forgotten, and no steps taken to organize
an efficient life saving corps on the dan


gerous reaches Of the Carolina coast. The


victims Of the Huron were mainly COM
mon sailors. The poor fellows whose be-
dies were cast up amid the thunders Of
the surf were mainly poor Irish 7laborers


who were driven from their adopted homes
by the rolicy Of the "GolI Bags" to seek


labor and its concomitant food amid the
swamp. of the Amazon and Madeira.
Sherman and his gilded c,eries know
nothing of such common people, and Of
course are unable to look into their hum
BILE homes and sympathize with the
stricken souls of the mothers, wives, sisters
and children of the dead upon Curretuck


Beach. If their lives were lost by the
omission of Secretary Sherman to do the
duty the dead Of the Huron demanded of
him, God will smite him and his, for his
crime.


Another aspect of the question demands
stern examination. Was the Metropolis
sea worthy? The result Ct this question
deeply affects the brothers Collins. The
name of the vessel was chnnged without
warrant of law. She had been pronounced
unfit TO carry load of cotton from Nor.
folk to New York seven weeks ago facts |
no doubt known or ought TO have been
known 10 the ship broker of the Collins.
A failure TO know these facts would argue
incompetency or negligent ignorance on
the part of the ship broker, and as mat
ter of law the Collins are responsible for
the negl gence of their agent, if they were
negligent. 1t is publicly stated that the
former commander Of the Metropolis,
when she was called the Stars and Stripes,
refused TO navigate her TO Brazil. If that
that be true, it should have put the COL
Inns upon inquiry as her seaworthiness.
If they failed to make such inquiry a
grave responsibility rests upon them. The
law should vigilantly and sternly demand
Justice for the dead, no matter which of
The living is smitten by its sword. |.
Year: 1878

Representative Glover on Friday last
introduced bill into the House of Rep
resentasives, providing punishment for
heads Of departments if they do not keep
their Offices open for the transaction Of
business eight hours each day, and also
for employees who are at their posts less
than that time. The law now requires all
this, but there is no penalty attached for
violation, hence no one troubles himself
about the law. The actural hours are
seven portion of the time. and six for the
balance. In outside business eight
hours is generally required. But Office
holders are above law.
Year: 1878

On Friday the Committee on Appropria-
tions Of the House of Representatives com,
pleted the consular and diplomatic bill
Itproposes 3 reduction Of little over one
hundred thousand from the appropriation
Of last year. We shall soon know whether
or not Democrats, such as voted for the
army bill, are numerous enough TO enable
the Republicans. as seems favorable in
other matters, to keep up the old vote Of
expenditure. Economy is the need of the
hour.
Year: 1878

We have been asked by letter from al
least q dozen Democrats eff it is really
true that enc man has two good Offices in
Newcastle" There can be no doubt of it,
and nice snug ones too. Think Of that, ye
who are out in the cold. Is it not time to
have new deal some way.
Year: 1878

Henceforth we win give column daily
to correspondence upon any proper subject
for discussion. It is expected that commu-
nications will be written on one side only
of the paper, and accompanied with tho
name of the writer. The HERALD is not to
be considered as endorsing or being IN any
way responsible for the opinion OF cores
pondents in this column.
Year: 1878

The Pension Office was crowded with claim
ants yesterday, the majority being women Many arm
Less sleeves were observed among the men. In the line
yesterday time we're four white haired men who
were each nearly ninety years old. Colonel Coster
states that for the first three daysO the present quarter
Le as paid about 900 claimants The mail yesterday
increased tie list by $500 vouchers for which checks
are being sent making total OF nearly 6OOO claimants
the lists OF this department Colonel COster has re-
cetved q letter from the General Department stating
that no pensions will he paid under the Act OF March
1878, until an Appropriation is made by Congress Thus
far only eight claims, for service IN the OF 1872
under this act have beeu received by Colonel Coster He
says that the failure OF Congress TO pass apprOpra
ton for the claims growing out OF the Act OF March Is
a severe disappointment to applicants many OF whom
are aged mon and women dependent upon this $S q
mouth as their only means OF support.
Year: 1878

A CALL OF THE NATIONAL PARTY LEADERS TO


UNITE IN STRUGGLE WITH CONGRESS FOR TIE


REPEAL or TIE RESUMPTION ACr.


The leaders of the National party will soon
make another effort TO the repeal Of the Resump
ton Act by the present Congress. Peter Cooper and
walter H. shupe editor Of The Ncs York Adr0odte, have
united In letter asking d. b. Sturgeon, chairman OF the
National Executive Committee of the National party, 10
20 TO Washington with other gentlemen and urge upon
Congress the absolute necessity Of repeating that ob
noxOus before the adjournment Of this sesson OF
Congress-" They say that the Resumption Act :, IA a
standing temptation the holders OF foreign bonds TO
take advantage Of debtor country, aud bring upon
US a. they have often done before paralysis OF all
tie trade aud Industries OF our common country In
his reply TO this letter Mr.. Sturgeon says " believing
that much good will result from the execution OF your
plan therefore eau upon all the leaders Of the National
party, in the different States 10 meet me IN "ashgon
b. c. on Monday. June 10, IN order that united and
Etrong appeal may be made TO those In authority TO pass
the bill"
Year: 1878

A mechanical horse has been ex-
hibited in Berlin. and is a decided
novelty. The rider is mounted on
hobby between two high wheels,
and moves his legs in rising and fall
ling in the saddle, and the machine
goes along at the pace of fast trot
ting horse. 1t is all the same wheth.
er the machine moves over the
stones or goes swiftly on the hard
highway, and tie facility with which
the strange steed turns the corners
excites, it is said. the admiration of
all beholders. The inventor be-
lieves that this horse will be of great
service to porters for carrying light
loads, and he has confident hopes
that it will be available for that nu-
merous class who. though fond of
saddle exercise. have not the pecun-
iary means of indulging in it at the
present rates. 1t is even suggested
that the mechanical horse may prove
valuable charger on the battle
field.


The Mark Lane Express thinks
it very strange that while many
other forms of sport are con-
demned as cruel and barbarous,
fishing, even with live bait,
should be generally commended
as gentle and humane. ain the
whole realm Of sport there is no
operation that requires greater
callousness than that of twist
ing hook in and out of the
body Of a writhing worm


1t is claimed in Germany that
the drug known as curare is
sure cure for hydrophobia, as it
paralyzes the motor nerves,
without affecting the sensitive
Qpes, and so stops muscular con
vulsion.
Year: 1878

Automatic. buoys are proving of
peculiar value as nautical inven-
ton. They are constructed in a
manner somewhat similar to a fog
whistle. and are self-acting. They
are forty-two feet in length, and that
part wherein the whistle lies is
twelve feet in diameter, and attached
to long iron tube about two feet in
diameter. When in position, the
tube descends vertically into the
water, the whistle part remaining as
nearly upright as the motion of the
waves will allow. When thus placed
the swell CT the sea congresses the
air in the tube and forces it upward
into the whistle, causing it to give
with every roll sound like that of
a fog horn. The strength and du-
ratien of the sounds are increased or
diminished as the sea is heavy or
smooth. and in a snowstorm or fog,
these whistles can he heard some ten
or twelve miles distance. The buoys
are for dangerous localities, where
beacons or lighthouses cannot be
constructed to answer the purpose
of a warning signal.
Year: 1878

The fire which broke out on
board the cotton laden steamer
City of Dall:s, while tho vessel
was laying at her dock, in New
York harbor, was near being
the cause Of her destruction.
But the simple and effective
plan of sinking her to the deck
level, and thus extinguishing
the fire in her hold, saved the
steamer and possibly much of
her cargo. The promptness
with which this was done re-
fleets credit on the firemen en-
gagged and shows what little
cool and practical work can ac-
comphsh under such circum-
stances. 1t is always easier to
extinguish a fire on board a ship
lying at the dock by sinking her
promptly than by throwing
water on her deck and up
per works, which can not posi-
bly, save her from the internal
flames that are. eating through
her hull.
Year: 1878

The Legislature now sitting appears to
be university snubbed. 1t may be good
kind of Legislature, but nobody seems to
know anything about it, and the public in
sists that the reason for this is that it hasn't
done any thing worth knowing. IL has
done one thing, however, which may tend
to redeem a little it's reputation for utter
imbecility lit has passed the New Orleans
Pacific Railroad bill. Even this action is
at present subject to grave suspicion of un-
constitutionally, and will have to bear the
scrutiny of the Supreme Court before
being received as vital legislation. Sup
posing it, however, to be capable of
standing the test, we may regard the sue
cess of the road as assured, so far as to
com pete our rail connection with Texas.
And one such road may be regarded as an
absolute assurance of several others. We
are confident that the venerable MIR. Nor
gan, for one, will be too patriotic to permit
auy other route to get ahead of him.


We shall not pause, here, to discuss the


policy Of government interference in suct


matters. A railroad is generally private


enterprise and private property, while one
would suppose that if the State is virtually
! to build it, she should own it. But nj
Q such property is necessary to the function


of government, and in this country, peopl


are averse to enlarging the sphere of gov
!. ernment beyond what is necessary. Ono
9 go further than that and it will be difiicul
!, y to fix limit beyond which private enter
n prise will be exempt from governmen
y rivalry. In this instance the State doe
- not propose to own the road, but merely
Year: 1878

obtain for its proprietors, through nor
credit, enough money to enable them 10
build it. That is, she virtually lends tnem
the money.


This is banking business, into the iegiti-
macy of which we shall not enquire. Ihe
road ou6ht to be built, and probably some
ingenious person may be able to cipher out
q plan by which, on fret principles, the
State will be justified in her intervention.
In the meantime we refer with pleasure to
q glowing sketch copied to-day from the
Mobile Register in which the future OF our
city is depicted in brilliant coiors. we
see nothing therein overdrswn or exagger-
ated. New Orleans must naturally attract
the grain trade OF the great West and bring
the empire of Texas under tribute to her
commerce. This ought to have been done
long eince, but misgovernment frightened
away all foreign capital from our marts and
com pletely paralysed the little that belong
ed here.


We have not much to boast of, even
now, as to the energy and wisdom of our
local government, still it cannot be denied
that it is comparatively harmless.
Year: 1878

"a NewSboy" sends US the following poem.
1t is lame in regard to feet, and not altogether
correct in other particulars, but the sentiment
is good:
The poor little newsboy, the first you'll meet in the



With his hands and his feet nearly frozen with oold
A paper to buy he'll ask the fret he'll meet
To keep poor mother from starving and TO keep the


cold from his feet.
The poor newsboy has hard life, you know,
BY buying his papers q risk he must Co.
And, If stuck, will lose the sAles
The poor little counted but thieves,
But that is not they honest and far from thieves


and do not steal,
Though poor they may be- they are shabby genteel.
The poor little newsboyS obliged to take curses and


thumps
And If they say ything
The police will run them in "
Then the charge of thevinG will bO put against them


doubt
But God in the above ia the Judge of that poor


boy,


are starving at homo,
While in the he ought to be, asking the


people paper TO buy,
To keep that family from starving, God bless him


Rood-by.
Year: 1878

Prominent citizens of Philadelphia
have made proposition to the committee
of New York business men appointed to
make arrangements for a Worlds Fair in
this city in 1880 to sell the Permanent
Exhibitation building in the Quaker
City for removal there. Interested par
ties say it is too early yet to consider any
proposition of the kind. It is thought
it will be easier and cost less to erect new
buildings when the time comes than to
remove the Philadelphia Exhibition build
ing to this city.
Year: 1878

Never kiss girl when she does not
want you to-" says an article on. "Ths
Art of Kissing" But pretty often when
a young girl says she doesn't want you to
kiss her is the very time she does want
you to, and you'd better take the benefit
of The doubt.
Year: 1878

The RepubIicansof Linn are very much
depressed because the Greenbaek N ~
meilt doesn't draw So heavily from the
Democrats as they expected it would
Notwithstanding the fact that the Rad
ical organ Of this county as well as tile
Radical canvassers in the field, have
been patting the Greenbackers on the
hack in the hope that the movement
would divide and deplete the Demo.
cratic ranks and destroy our majority
in the county, 1t is now discovered that
there is about as many, if not more,
Republicans in the movements as Dem
ocrats, aud thus the scheming enemy is
''hoist by their own petard." It is
much to tho credit Of ths Detascrats in
that movement that thsy a. not pro-
pose 60 be again sniped and hoodwinked
as they we're in the Peter Cooper farce
Of 1876; but that they will see that the
Republicans who have promised TO be
with them in this cause shall fairly and
honestly show their hands On election
day. They will permit M tricks OF
dOable-iealing to be praetieel upen
item this time, but will insist that tie
Radicals who have entered into tbs
covenant with them shall act on tbs
square and in good faith.
Year: 1878

Some dastardly wretch in this city evil
IDENTIFY has spite against Oregon's famous
horaeman, W. c. Myer, and 70 crafty their
thirst for revenge has twice this spring tried
to poison his beautiful horses Some time
last April the pride of Perch was poisoned
with arsenic while at Marshals stable, but
good treatment brought him out al right in
few days. A little over two weeks ago
White Prince was poisoned in the same say
and while occupying the same stal. As
the apartment which he occupies is locked
every night, it is Thought the poison was ad-
ninistered by being put through couple OF
cracks in the boards just over the feed box.
This horse has also entirely recovered from
the effects Of the poison, but for several days
his chances for life were rather slim We
can't find words mean enough in our vocal
alArly 10 express the contempt we feel for a
man who could act SO inhamanly. It would
be 4 gOd.send to the community il he were
to accidentally take some Of his own poi.
san.
Year: 1878

It must be remembered that person
entitled to vote at an election must
have been ii, the State sac months. and
in the county three months, and that if
he moves into any precinct even the
same day of the election he is entitled
to vote there The impression seems
to have got oet that a person must nave
been residents of the precinct in which
he wishes to vote thirty days. hut this
is wrong. All that is required is that
he shall be an actual resident Of that
precinct, and that he must have resided
in that county three months, and IN
the State six months.
Year: 1878

Miller & Son, who have the contract for
building the Santiam bridge, are rushing
their work along fast. They brought their
ehgine and pile-driving machinery to thiscity
during the past week, and on Friday trans
ported it to the site of the bridge. It
weighs about four tons, and for the purpose
CT Transporting it they bought an extra large
sized wagon out in the country short dis
ia nee, and then had no farther trouble.
Year: 1878

Bea. Simpson was just dropped from
the federal pension roll during the cam
paign. Anybody can see that. Hip
pie didn't dare to carry that load through
an election but of course Ben is still
in the service of his master, and win b,
amply provided for as soon as the elsc
ton IS over.
Year: 1878

The citizens of Corvallis are making stren-
uous sxert;onz TO raise money sufficient to
purchase new FIRE engine, and We under
stand are confident OF success. II is a good
move and one that should commend itself to
every property holder in that city. The
steam engine they now have is so large and
unwieldly that it does not render the service
at fire that is expected of good engine,
and the sooner they get smaller one tbs
l,atter
Year: 1878

Marion Cunningham says he won't
vote for Mitchell in the caucus, but if
he is the caucus nominee he viii sup
port him. Isn't this a little thin They
will vote by ballot in the caucus, and
how will it be known how Cunningham
Yotas2
Year: 1878

As will be seen by the table the game was
one-si.led. The jefferson boys are as stout
and active as any set Of fellows we have ever
seen, and have the material for good club,
but they lack the practice. They really did
not expect to win the game, and emily wanted
to play the match for the purpose of getting
Instruction Oar boys played as well as
uS@;i, and fully sustained their reputation as
= -cF.tS11 club.
Year: 1878

The Eureka (Nev) Ledger of July
29d, says: Last night the up passen
ger train on the Eureka and Palisado
Railroad ran into thunder storm,
near Garden Pass, and for short
time the lightning played around too
lively for the comfort of the passen
gers and train men. II struck n ledge
Of rocks near the track and shook the
train as if an earthquake had taken
possession of the country. Ii then
forked of and demolished the head
light of the locomotive and danced
around the iron horse at a fearful rate.
johnny Bell thought his time had
come, and was about 20 man the life
boat or grab root, when the train
shot out of the storm and all again
was serene.