smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

The manner in which it is proposed
to bring the obelisk known as "Cleopa-
tra's Needle"-given years ago by the
Khedive to the British Government
from Egypt to England is peculiar. First
of all it will be ballasted in the water
at Alexandria, and deck will be put
upon it, with couple of masts. The
hinder compartment of the deck will be
left open for the accommodation of two
or three men, whose duty it will be to
steer the 'ship" by means of rudder
attached to the stern in the ordinary
way. The obelisk, thus transformed,
will be ready for the steamer which is
appointed to tow it out to sea. The ba-
rometer will be consulted daily, SO that
the journey may be made under the most
favorable conditions. With respect to
getting the obelisk upright upon its ar
rival, it is proposed to apply hydraulic
power to each end of the obelisk, and to
raise it by that means. foot by foot, un-
til it reaches the height of twenty-nine
feet in hurizuntol pvsitiurl. A -iaokvt''
will then be put around its centre Of
gravity, with couple of trunnions fix
ed firmly to it, and all that remains to
be done afterward will be to cut the
lashings, when the massive pillar will
drop into its place on the pedestal. The
stone weighs 200 tons.
Year: 1877

There is immense carelessness up and
down the country in respect to defective
drainage. Many people are culpably
careless of dangers which do not take
visible form. If bear or wolf should
walk into mans house and carry off
one of his children, would the bereft fa-
ther content himself with grief and fu-
neral services? OF course not. Not on
lY the father, but the whole neighbor-
hood, would join in the hunt to destroy
the destroyer. But deadly miasma,
invisible to the eye. creeps into house
and carries off one after another of the
inmates, and nobody takes any definite
measures against the enemy, which comes
when it will, and kills whom it may. 1t
is "an act of God," or ''lesson against
undue earthly affections" or .'the COM
mon fate" or anything else by which
men are won't to shirk individual respon-
sibility, and load everything on the
shoulders of destiny. If the Maker of
the world had any plan. it appears to
have been that human beings should live
their lives out, grow old and fade away.
of gradual wearing out of the machin-
cry of vitality. At any rate he did not
intend that they should be poisoned by
bad drainage or neglected cess-pools.
The death of children, young persons,
and people in their strongest prime. is
wrong and wasteful and cruel, and in a
great degree, preventable. That we dc
not know all the proper means of pre-


vention is greatly our fault; we do moi
even try to learn them. That we do moi
improve upon and take advantage of the
knowledge which has been forced upor


us, is our shame, and often our bitter


sorrow.
Year: 1877

To re-assure the timid and nervous in
this season Of thunder-storms, some cal
culations and directions for security,
which, from the frequent occurrence and
unusual severity of these storms, might
not be unacceptable to some of our read
ers. are given. There are 10000 chances
to | against an individuals being killed
in this way in the whole year. But
there are, perhaps, ten of these storms a
season, the chances of being killed in
any one of these storms is as 100000 to
l. At the worst, there seems to be half
a million chances against timid lady's
DhaElng her terrors realized, according to
the doctrine of chances. If she lies down
in her fright, as she is likely to do, on
either leather bed or mattress, these
chances in her favor are multiplied to
at least million. Another consolation
is that she has little to apprehend from
flash of lightning which she has leis-
ure to see.


AS light travels 227,260 miles in a
second, and sound only l,l42 feet in the
same time, you may easily compute the
distance Of the electric discharge. If
1862 seconds, or six beats of the pulse,
elapse between the lightning and the
thunder, the discharge is mile off. To
guard against possible damage, on its
near approach, you may insulate your
bed or chair by putting their legs on
glass. Feathers and hair afford great
security. There is also less danger after
the rain has begun to fall copiously than
before, because moist atmosphere serves
as conductor for the electric fluid, diff
fusing it, and conveying it to the earth.
A man who Is wet, being better con-
ductor than tree, which cannot be so
thoroughly wetted, ought not to stand
under one; and animals on account of
the moisture of their bodies, are always
better conductors than trees. But though
wrong to stand near tree, you will be
very safe little beyond the extent of
its branches position which ought to
be chosen, as the higher object will take
the lightning frst-or you might stand
on dry wood, wool or silk. The middle
of room is safer than near partition,
and this. than near the exterior wall. A
building is better protection than a
tree but barn containing wet grain or
hay is worse than the open field. Sitting
w norSn-naeK nr IN carriace ia danger.
Gus. To overcome excessive alarm at
lightning not only conduces to comfort
but enables one to contemplate at ease
by far the most sublime spectacle of ma
ture.
Year: 1877

worse paid than in any civilized coun-
try. Six dollars month and ration
costing about forty cents week is the
price for full male hand. I saw white
men digging post-holes, few weeks ago,
who were working from a. m. to sun
down for fifty cents day and feeding
themselves. They did not seem to be
doing much more than fifty cents worth
but they were probably hungry"
Year: 1877

A CLoUD-BURsT.-The cloud-burst on
the road between Cheyenne and Dead
wood, on June 26, came like a fash.
The morning was clear and pleasant; at
noon there were few scattering drops
of RAIN an hour after this the wind
lashed itself into a cyclone and carried
with it deluge Of hailstones nearly as
large as hens eggs. An hour afterward
wave seven feet high rolled down the
Chugwater. A detachment of the third
Cavalry encamped near the bank was
Year: 1877

Unless disease is inherited, it is gen.
orally our own fault if we are not we'll.
"Suicide" should be written over many
grave on the headstone of which is In
scribed, 1.-THE Lord hath taken away"
There are mysteries in this wonder
world of ours, but that the human con-
stitution should give out when we do
our best to break it down, is not a
marvel.
Year: 1877

A RACE BETWEEN CARRIER PIGEON
AND LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE.-Dover is
seventy miles from London, "as the
crow fiies," and seventy-six and half
miles by railroad, and a few days ago
there was an exciting race between the
two cities. The French police wished
to forward to London a very important
document as quickly as possible, and
the question was whether carrier pig
con or the Continental Mail Express"
could take it the sooner.


1t was determined to try in compet-
tive manner both means of a convey
ance. The railroad company selected
its strongest and fastest engine, and the
French police hired the services of a
Belgian voyageur," which IS of the
best breed of homing pigeons. At the
moment that the train started the little
messenger, with the document fastened
to him, was tossed out Of a window of
car. Flying about half mile high.
for minute or two he circled about as
if in search Of bearings, and then took a
straight course for London. His ap-
parant hesitation led the railroad officers
to feel confident in their own success.
They made their iron horse stretch ev-
cry nerve, and they scored a mile for
minute. But in the hazy, sunny at
mosphere, and borne along by the west
wind, the bird beat the train by twenty
minutes time allowance representing
eighteen miles. He accomplished in
fifty-six minutes what the engine was
seventy-six minutes in accomplishing.


MURPHY IN PRIsoN.-Francis Muir
ply, the temperance agitator, shook
hands with Captain Sturdivant on the
platform of Pittsburg church on June
9th, then turned to the vast audience
that had assembled to welcome him, and
in hoarse voice told them very simply
what his friend had done for him
"Seven years ago, as lay in a dungeon
longing for kind word and tender
touch of the hand, l never thought I
would ever lead such life as this and
stand before you as do tonight. While
was committed Capt. Cyrus Sturdivant
this good man who is here tonight
came to me one Sabbath day. will
never forget that day. He met me IN
the corridor of the Jail, where we had
all been called out, and were sitting on
the hanehnc Whom T COM hi-- LI--=iL L
to naysolf hc 10 good man; he seemed
to me like father. | never knew what
it was to have father. I wanted to
talk to him. i wanted to lay my head
on his shoulder and tell him how badly
felt, how 1 regretted the life I had
been leading, and how would like to
go to my faithful wife redeemed man.
watched him, and as the faces of my
children in the happy days before came
before my mind, looking up to me with
smiling countenances, l wondered if he
would speak to me. He did and those
words, spoken to me in the prison cor
ridor, have been the means, through
God of bringing me to what l am now.' -
Year: 1877

The German Government announced
some time ago that it would distribute
in the farming towns of the Empire
life-size photographs of the American
potato bug. Just about this time the
advance agent of travelling circus and
menagerie struck the agricultural district
and soon all the fences, trees and rocks
were covered with huge sized posters
representing elephants, tigers tearing
men to pieces, sea lions destroying sail
ors, and whales swallowing Jonahs. The
poor German farmers gazed upon them
with horror, and mistaking them for the
photographs of the dreaded and expect
ed potato bug, just packed up as fast as
they could and moved out of their farms
before you could say Jack Robinson.
They weren't going to stay on their
farms and be eaten alive nohow.


The following incident is striking
commentary of the results of the nation
al bankruptcy act: "a certain trader in
Skowhegan recently failed in business
and, agreeable to an appointment, met
his creditors in the Office of his attorney
to adjust a settlement with them by pay
ing percentage on each claim. During
the conversation that ensued the officer
who was present ventured to ask the
merchant if his assets would not warrant
an offer of so per cent, whereupon the
merchant naively replied, "That's too
much they are only paying about %
per cent, and can't pay more than
others do"
Year: 1877




A world of trouble is occasioned to
young girls by the indecision of charac-
ter of young men. A pretty girl is living
in the neighborhood of half a dozen
young men. She is not only beautiful,
but she is good, well educated, and ac-
eomplished. Perhaps there is not one of
these young men who would not take
peculiar interest in her, for she is gen.
eral favorite, but they observe that one
of their number seems to gave got the
start of them; he is regular and fire.
quent visitor, and his attentions do not
appear to be at all displeasing in the
quarter where they are bestowed so the
others fall back, or turn their eyes else
where. .a-


The young man who has brought all
this about goes on from week to week;
from month to month; it may even be
from year to year, without any definite
plan of the future, or so much as any
clear decision in his own mind of what
he wishes to do. He likes the young
lady; he knows that his visits are pleas
ant to himself and acceptable to her; he
would not like her to receive particular
attention from another; yet he says, not a
word about engagement and marriage, the
end and aim of woman's life. rr


He has gradually won her affections,
until he has become " the ocean to the
river of her thoughts" She could not
bear to break off with him, to be sepa-
rated from him; for she loves him as she
fondly believes, and perhaps truly, as she
can never love another! But how har-
rowing is the state of doubt and uncer-
tainty in which she drifts on?


Reflection should make young men
careful how they win the hearts they do
not wish to wear. They have no right to
monopolize girls society so long as
they are in a state of entire indecision as
to their own wishes and purposes.


But while the fault may lie with the
young men, the folly rests as much with
the young women. They should be early
wise and guard their affections from be-
coming fastened upon young man from
whom they have no assurance and of
whom they know nothing more than that
he is an agreeable companion. They
should beware of young men of indecis-
ion of character, who having once in
gratiated themselves into favor, will
dawdle along, as if it were no part of
their duty to give to the future, and
to the happiness of Others, single
thought.


1t is rarely undecided associations are
productive of permanent good. There
are many circumstances which intervene
in the progress of time, and render them
highly injurious to both parties. As in
the one case the eligible young men keep
their distance for fear of intruding, so in
the other the undecided young man is
looked upon by young girls in the neigh
borhood as partly, if not wholly, en-
gagged; and it is only in the case of a
flirt any attempt is made to draw him
away; but, should his attentions cease
for any cause, he finds it difficult mat
ter, indeed, to reinstate himself else
where.
Year: 1877

laid across the Strait of Dover twenty
seven years ago. 1t parted next day,
and the first working cable was la, d in
1851 on the same route. The net work
of cables has now extended so far that
when Asia is united to America by cab
ling the Pacific the electric girdle around
the world will be complete from east to
west, as it now is between north and
south. -
Year: 1877

The DALLAS HERaLD has superb ar
tiele on North Texas Progress. 1t is
really wonderful to note the strides
that section has made during the past
i've years. Thus may it ever progress.
II Waco Examiner


Thanks neighbor. but you understand
we had superb theme to write upon.
Indeed, the only trouble is, that so
much might be written of our glorious
section that Others outside might tire of
it, bat to those here, it is AN ever inter
esting theme. The progress has been
most wonderful, but it is wonderfully
fine country to be sure.
Year: 1877

ship iu every state was its cardinal
offer protection To every citizen in
every state had no right to demand
allegiance. Nothing was said In ref
erenee to The present administration,
except by implication. A maintain
anee of the party intact was strongly
urged. General Fitzpatrick spoke OF
the army and dealt some hard blows
as to its present condition. 1t was
long after midnight before the assem-
blaee broke up,
Year: 1877

Wru an anti-partizan policy ruling
ia the national government, Just what
Jim Blaine and Governor Chamberlain
may or may not do, think or say, is a
matter OF supremest Indifference to the
people Of the south.
Year: 1877

TnE SaHesmaH deyotes column and a
half to Flipper. but the nut Of the arti.
Gle exists in the idea that neither West
Point nor Peabody can change the
shape of the Flipper skull, or take a
reef our Of his lin.
Year: 1877

should be tried, and the sacrifice was at
once fully and promptly made. Here
was practical and active patriotism, and
our section, as well rs the whole nation,
Is already enjoying the early fruits in
the well-nigh perfect restoration of
friendly relations, and the old-time
good feeling and consequent business
prosperity. To strict party politics is
due the pale corpse of our murdered
commerce, The ragged. despairing, idle
American sailors, artizans and laborers,
owe to it their present misery. The
good in the situation is that the lesson
has been learned, and the mistake will
not be repeated for all our coming fus
ture.


The leaders of parties must study the
new phazes. and whether they are OPP
Grating upon broad national grounds or
are only leading state or district forces,
they must see to it that their purposes
contain but one principle, and that, the
best good of all concerned.
Year: 1877

F. J. w. Hurst, Manager of the National
steamship Line has had under consideration for some
time the construction Of freight depot the Company


pier 40 the foot OF HoustOnst. North River The plans
have already prepared, and received the approval
OF Engineer Greene Of the Dock Department, and
await the inspection Of the Department of Public Buildings
The structure will be Of wood and all pains Will be taken
70 make IL substantial and handsome. The building
De two stories IN height, the FIRST dock floor the
Street level and the second nineteen feet above The
lower floor 70 be devoted freight from abroad while
Lle upper door Will be- for the reception Of outward
pound freight. Wide bands, travelling over drums or
rollers viii Oe used for taking the freight from the lcks


- Le upper rOOr, and Il IL thought that wagons ann
guezs may be easily unlOaded IN this way than by
sne present mode. Wee sells will also be loaded and I'M


1aued more easily and quickly than they are at present


- oost of TIC structure u Estimated, Will be about
Year: 1877

Do our citizens know that every
worthless tramp picked up for vagrancy;
avery disorderly person arrested and
committed or discharged, every drunken
wretch who goes to the work house, costs
the taxpayers of the city about ss 6U in
the shape of fees to the officers through
whose hands he goes, exclusive of the
Police judges salary and other incl
dentsls, And do our citizens
rssliEs what great army OF
ths style of people is constantly
passing in review bsfore the Police
Judge, And do they further realize
what this army of lazy creatures is cost
ing them to keep In comparative idleness
in that abortion misnsmed the "City
WorkhouseI"


Now, we can tell the taxpayers OF this
city that here is q mine worth their
working. 1t is regular bonanza, but
the dividends do not go into their pock-
cts. Will any Councilman have the
manhood and independence to move in
this matter tomorrow nightr Let CAL
cium light be turned on the evil.
Year: 1877

Business IS dull, says the merchsnt,
srd, therefore he sits down ara grum'
sleS. But that is no way to
make business brisk. Wheeling may not
be as fsvorsbly situated for
commercial city, as she is for manu-
featuring one; but that the volume of her
commercial business might be very great
ly enlarged, thele is little reason to
doubt. When BUSINESS Is dull, new
methods n ust be resorted TO, to revive
it. More capital must be invested, greater
energy employed, increased activity re-
sorted to in hunting up customers Com
mercial travellers must push their way
into every nook and corner, far and nea-;
large stocks of goods should be
available to throw upon the market to
force trade in this direction. Wheeling
has a new outlet to small trade IN the
completion of the Washington and
WsyDesburg railroad. She should i'm
prove it to the utmost. Another field
larger and richer, will soon be opened to
her by the Wheeling and Tuscarawss
road. Even now our merchants should
be making their names familiar to
the people inbsbiting the country
penetrated by that route. Then the
selds we already have should be worked
with more energy, more activity, more
seal, mora persistency. Trade can be
enlarged by cultivation. Where one
blade of grass now grows, commercially
speaking, another blade should be
caused to spring up.


Ne are aware that in some branches
OF trade Wheeling already stands high; ;
but other branches are iorely in need
Of new capital and new impetus. Every
dollar added to the business cspitsl OF
the city will benefit the dollars already
Invested. We want additional induce.
ments for the country merchant to look
'o Wheeling for his supplies. We want
him to look here, not alone for his nails,
and hardware, and glassware, and drugs,
and groceries, but for all his supplies.
We want him to not only know he
can replenish his stock by coming to
This market, but that he can do so on
more favorable terms than in any other
city.
Year: 1877

Representative stesmbostmen who
have been here for two days in conSults-
ton with the House Commerce Commit
tee concerning the passage OF the Reagan
steamboat bill, have the assurance that
the bill will be reported to the House on
Thursday next, and thst it will be as.
signed early on the House calendar and
be passed soon after the holiday recess.
Year: 1877

Pinchback has tbwsrted the plans Of
the Radical Senators who wanted to pit


him as sn antagonist 10 Eustis, by writ
ing an open letter to Governor Nichols,
OF Louisiana, resigniLg whatever claims
he may have had to q seat in the Senate


He says tonight that be is impelled to
this course because he is convinced that
the Senate propose to seat Elstis, and he
does not propose to be used as q mere
cats paw to provoke political debate.
Year: 1877

shoulder. and her lips meeting mine. Not as
they used to do, yet tenderly and kindly.


1--WE are older and wiser than we were, and
sadder, too, dear Frank" she said with q
smile. "Yet who kpowsf 1t may be that all
the love has not left US yet"


And thus that chapter of our life ended


We have never touched upon the subject
since bot / have waited calmly for years,
and the same quiet light shines always 10 the
eyes of Alice; the same deep, sad tone thrills
my heart when hear her speaking or sing
ing. An angel could scarcely be gentler or
kinder than she who was once 80 impstnous and
full Of fire. She was unreasonable and ex-
acting and ardent and imperious in those
days, I know, aud my slower nature was
always on the strain to keep pace with hers
bnt, what bright, joyous, happy creature she
wasl


1t wonld have been different but for me.
o you, who read this little tale, remember in
time that kind word and q loving look cost
and that there is no wrong SO deep wrong
done to q loving heart.
Year: 1877

Bishop William Smoot has long been
looked upon as liberal Mormon, be-
cause he has kept himself free from the
polygamous abomination, and has also
condemned Brigham Young's systema-
tic robbing of the poor people. His
wife was very superior woman, and
they had lived happily together, raising
a large family of children. Bishop
Smoot has often been heard to say that
polygamy was an invention of the evil
one, and his wife had often said that
its introduction into her house would kill
her, but still she did not dream that
such an event was even possibility.
About two months ago, however, with
out her knowledge, Smoot took concu-
bine and brought her into the house
with his wife, who was in delicate
health at the time. The terrible shock
virtually killed her. She gave birth to
her fourtheenth child, failed rapidly,
and went to join the throng of broken
hearted women in the graveyard on the
beach