smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877

Charles Kaiser, who has the only
hive of the bees in town, says that
when he first got his swarm, his old
cats curiosity was much excited in
regard to the doings of the little in,
seets, the like of which she had never
before seen. At first she watched
their comings and goings at a dis
tance. She then flattened herself
upon the ground and crept along to-
ward the hive, with tail horizontal
and quivering. 1t was clearly evil
dent that she thought the bees were
some new kind of game. Finally
she took up position at the entrance
to the hive, and when the bees came
in or started out, made a dab at 1t
with her paws. This went on for a
time without attracting the special
attention of the inhabitants of the
hive. Presently, however, "Old
Tabbv" struck and crushed a bee on
the edge of the opening leading to
the hive. The smell of the crushed
bee alarmed and enraged the whole
swarm. Bees by the score poured
forth and darted into the fur of the
astonished cat. Tabby rolled her
self in the grass, splitting, sputtering,
biting, clawing and squalling as cat
never saualled before. She appeared
a mere ball of bees and fur as she roll
ed and tumbled about. She was at
length hauled away from the hive
with garden rake, at the cost of sew
erai severe stings to her rescuer.
Even after she had been taken to a
distant part of the grounds, the bees
stuck in Tabby's fur, and about once
in two minutes she would utter an
unearthly "yowl" and bounce full
yard in the air. On coming down
she would try to scratch an ear, when
a sting on the back would cause heT
tn tnrD a succession of back somer-
sets and give vent to a running nre
of sonalls Like the parrot that was
Ioft alone with the monkey, old Tab
nv had a dreadful time.


Two or three days after this ad-
venture, Tabby was caught by her
owner, who took her by the neck and
threw her down near the beehive.
No sooner did she strike the ground
than she gave fearful squall, and at
a single bound reached the top of the
fence full six feet high. There she
clung for a moment with tail as big
rs rollingpin, when with another
bound and squall she was out 0!
sight and did not again put IN an APP
pearance for over week


V5rginia City (Neg.l Enterprise
Year: 1877

The English papers bring us some
amusing things concerning the pota-
to bug, and how much better the
gentleman from Colorado likes Eng
land, where red tape protects him,
than in this country, where he falls
a victim to unofficial Paris green.
It. aDpears that in accordance with
the explicit instructions of the Privy
Councillors to the police, any per-
son who finds a Colorado beetle is
expected to give notice thereof,
with all practical speed, to a police
constable; the police constable viii
thereupon give notice thereof, by
telegraph, to the Privy Council.
Doubtless a meeting of the Privy
Councillors will then be called, and,
if quorum be present, authority
will be transmitted, through the To-
cal authority and the police con
stable, to the discoverer, and the
potato bug will then be extermlna-
ted by some process which has an
official stamp. Meanwhile, the bug
may not be so accommodating as "
remain in the original patch, and
the discoverer may not feel at lib
ertv to lodge him either in the sta
tion-house, or the best hotel in the
town, until the orders of the Privy
Conncil can be received. A fort
night ago the Richmond, Surry,
magistrates ventured to anticipate
the action of the Privy Council.
When the police constable reported
that an alleged potato bug had been
discovered, they ordered him to kill
it at once, eff the person catching
it had not done so before" But
the British Constitution cannot be
subjected to such a strain as this
with impunity.
Year: 1877

Editors of the Dispatch: The Legisla-
ture has granted to the delinquent taX-pay-
ers of Petersburg relief from excessive
penalties imposed upon them by the city
government. Richmond as much needs
relief of that sort as any city in the State.
Why should we not have it? Hundreds OF
men here owning real estate have been SO
pressed for money, rendered so utterly ln-
pecunious by loss OF business, that they
were not able to pay any part Of their city
taxes during 1876, and now have had 20 per
cent. added to their bills, with prospect OF
additional penalties. And while the city is
so exacting from unfortunate property
holders, in a time Of unprecedented depres-
sion. she, with her good credit, is able to
borrow in abundance from the banks at the
rate of eight or nine per cent. per annum.
Unless the City Council promptly affords
the relief needed-needed more than ever
this year-needed now il never before-it
should not cause surprise if the delinqu ent
taxpayers corning body Of men highly
respectable in numbers, character, and
property interest) should be compelled to
appeal to another quarter.


A five or ten per cent. penalty ought to be
sufficient. After all, with many people the
dread Of being published in the List Of de-
linquents is greater incentive to make the
payments required than even the present
heavy penalties. That is really the most
effective agency the city employs.


TAXPAYER.
Year: 1877




Editors of the Dispatch: The most sur
prising popularity with reference to the
Committee on Fire is the opinion they
advance. tits one OF Inconsistency. Whilst
they were never engaged in that which will
cali blush or to have censure to rest on
their acts, we must say, with all respect
and admiration of their intention, that II
the Council acts favorably on their sugges-
ton 1t Is o backward way to economic and
not the way reform Is required. am Of
the opinion that property-holders are as
anxious for the fire department to be kept
up now as at any past time. In alluding to
the force. itno doubtc could be made smaller;
but in order to do that do not sacrifice tt g
rights Of property ty-holders. Better dispense
with some OF the useless Offices Of the city
government than to destroy that which Is
most needed. 2 -


We deprecate the action OF the committee.
It Is of vital importance that we have
an efficient fire department. We are almost
disposed to say that the people would re-
sist such measure. Whilst the committee
are granted all the imMunities Of the most Ia
yored, they must not proceed TO enforce Tor
a frivolous cause a system Of surprise left
exposed to delusions or O hope as frail as
the leaf as 1t flutters in The wind. S.


we hope, for the dignity and safety OF
their button holes, the Council win reject
the proposition as impartial. -


81 d lie
Year: 1877

Water Aqain.-The numerous and grow
ing young population Of our city were more
than gratified on Saturday when the water
was turned on from the hydrants for the
first time since the 1st OF January. The
current Of pure, sweet, James-riyer water
had been frozen up, and cur young male
citizens had felt themselves compelled to
rely upon other beverages OF a "somewhat
more strengthy nature" The good effects
tof the return to the purer liquid were evi-
dent yesterday. There were more young
men present at our churches, despite the
maud, than there had been since last Sum
daY 49, =
Year: 1877

Some hypercritical people are complain
ing that General Miles fails to kill enough
Indians in his frequent conflicts with the
hostiles. If the value of military opera
ton depended on the amount of blood
shed the critics would no doubt be justified
in thinking that too much importance has
been given to combats in which relatively
few men fell on either side. But the truth
of the matter is that the value of General
Miles operations lies not in the killing
of a hundred Indians, moro or less
but in rendering it impossible for
the hostiles to reft during the win
ter for new campaign. Were the
hostilcs allowed to rest in peace during the
winter months the spring would find them
ready and eager for a new campaign; but
thanks to the energy displayed by General
Miles, spring will probably find the band
under Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse crippled
by the fatigues and exposure of winter
cam paigp. It must be mbered that
General Miles has no cavalry at his disposal,
and is consequently unable to reap the full
fruit Of his victories. With his limited COM
mand Of infantry, however, he has man aged
to accomplish more than did tho combined
columns of Crook and Terry during the
summer. This 10 sufficient answer to all
hostile criticism.
Year: 1877

Chief Justice Curtis, Of the Superior
Court, rendered decision yesterday m the
case Of Jeremiah v. Spader against the
New York Elevated Railroad Company. The
plaintiff had sued for an injunction to re-
strain the defendants from continuing their
road across the Battery. on considerations
dug mp from ancient charters and old acts
of tho Legislature. Judge Curtis decides
against the applicant and in favor of the
right of the company to construct
their road through the Battery. The
ancient restrictions merely operate against
the erection OF private buildings or the con-
version Of that tract of land to private uses.
They are no bar to utilizing it for public
purposes, and the extension of q rapid
transit road to the South ferry is for the
manifest accommodation of the public The
present Southern terminus of the Green
wich Street Elevated road is extremely in
convenient for great portion of the people
who make use of it. The distance from the
ferries is too long to be walked over without
discomfort even in dry, pleasant weather,
and in bad weather it subjects passengers,
especially women, to needless exposure and
suffering. The extension Of the road will
take but little space from that ample pleas
ure ground, and the people dwelling in that
part of the city are not so fastidious in their
taste that they would be. very sensitive
to so slight a diminution of the
beauty of the Battery. Judge Curtis
finds that the use of the Battery
for purpose SO conducive to the general
accommodation of the public is entirely
consistent with all rights secured by the
State constitution, and that the Legislature
really possesses the power which it exer-
cised in the thirty-sixth section of the Rapid
Transit act 80 far as it authorizes the COM
pany to make a depot and ferry connection
across the Battery. Thus one by one the
legal distractions interposed by the selfish
enemies of rapid transit are in the course of
removal by enlightened judicial action.
Year: 1877

Premier, was at least widely dissimilar from
Constantinople collision OF forces not
common in the British service. An Envoy,
with special instructions, acted in full
sympathy with Russia in tho en-
deavor to exact the Sultans consent to
certain reforms; while q resident Am
bassador, also it is to be supposed
under instructions, rnvelled the threads
Of the others web as fast as they were woven.
1t has been held that tho special envoy was
in possession of the views of the government
and that the acts of the Ambassador were parts
ofan underhand intrigue but it is part of the
policy Of the government apparently to as,
sumo that if there was collision ut Con-
stantinople it must have been the fault of
the special envoy. All this will be food for
great debates.


Perhaps the debate in the British Parlia-
mont, while it will certainly open up all
this scandal, will enlighten tho world some
what as to sudden variations in Russia's
temper with regard to war against Turkey.
Russia was certainly we'll informed with
regard to the real attitude OF the English
government toward the Sultan, and sppar-
emily had moro fifth in tho purpose of that
government to support Turkey than in the
appearance Of its cooperation with the
Conference. It is perhaps little
significant that coincidently with the
meeting Of Parliament, which will,
it is to be supposed. give the
Premier plenty of occupation. there are re-
newed reports Of events which seem to con-
template IN early resort to hostilities. Four
more corps Of the Russian army, it is said,
are to be modified, and the headquarters
of that army are to be transferred to Jassy.
And the contemplation of measures like this,
although the peace negotiations with Servia
are in satisfactory progress. certainly indi-
Gates that Russia has moro faith in Eng
lands pacific demeanor when Parliament is
in session than ut other times
Year: 1877

sanitary Security I'm the schoolroom.


One bill of the many introduced at Albany
during the first few weeks of the session de-
serves the earnest support of every member
of the Legislature. 1t is that introduced
by Mr. Gerard and which provides for tho
appointment of a competent sanitary in
spector whose duty shall be to protect the
children attending the public schools
from the evils arising from bad
sewerage and insufficient ventilation.
In their sanitary arrangements nearly
all our school buildings are sadly defective.
Being constructed after very much til Q same
plans no account seems to have been taken
of the special requirements of the several
sites as created by their character and sur
the primary laws of sanitary science las
characterized the local boards Of trustees
who have the management of the public
schools, and it is high time that
the State government should interpose its
authority in matter affecting SO closely
the public welfare. In many cases the
school buildings are erected in the centres
Of districts noted for bad sewerage and an
overcrowded population. The very air
breathed in the open street is loaded with
the noxious emanations from the sewers and
the accumulations OF filth that cucumber the
thoroughfares. When to these evils are
added the overcrowding and want Of proper
ventilation in the schools the consequences
cannot fail to be highly dangerous to public
health.


When it is remembered that the majority
of the children who attend the public schools
are already exposed in their homes to all the
evil influences Of bad drainage and foul mir.
and that they are of an age when the devel-
oping constitution is peculiarly susceptible
to injury from such causes, the importance
Of securing for them, during school hours, at
least, pure air and healthy surroundings, can
not be denied. The Sanitary Inspector of
Schools-and we hope that his powers will be
extended over all schools, public and pri-
vate-can investigate and remedy every de-
feet in the buildings occupied by our
children. If he will be, as he ought to
be, an expert in sanitary matters, and
is cheerfully sustained by the Commission
ers Of Education and the local boards of
trustees. we can look forward to reforma-
ticn in the present sanitary system in the
schools which will result in much benefit
to the public health.
Year: 1877

HOWEVER MUCH the unemployed workingmen
may have erred yesterday in asking the city to
give them work, they were perfectly justified in
complaining of the manner in which tho city's
money is lavished upon ofice-holdcrs who do
little or nothing.
Year: 1877

THE STREET CAR ORDINANCE PASSED by the
Aldermen last week reached the Board of Health
six days later. An indisposcd turtle would have
made the trip in q quarter of the time and still
had ample opportunity to examine the shop win
dows en- route
Year: 1877

The ALDERMEN STARTED for the Dock Depart
ment yesterday, and if they move as rapidly as
they have done in the car-warming matter they
may reach the Dock Commissioners in Greenwood
before the inscriptions their tombstones be-
come illeriblc
Year: 1877

DIDN'T THAT PARTISAN SQUABBLE in the
House over the quarters assigned to Wells and
Anderson cost altogether too much for that sort
of work. AS the public will have to pay the bill
it has right to the information asked
Year: 1877

A MINER among the Black Hills
writes: "Can you send me a recipe for
removing dandruff from the head 70
About the surest thing of the sort Oh
tainable out there, we should think,
would be to slip up ON stout, healthy,
hostile Sioux warrior and attempt to
tickle his nose with 3 stuffed club.
Year: 1877

A queer genius lives at East Burke
a man who probably has not spoken to
another man directly for the past 25
years. He will talk with woman or q
minor, but never with man; even his
own sons, as they arrive at 81 years of
age, are talked to no longer. When he
can do no better he will talk to the stove,
or a horse, or whatever else happens to
be near, and say: "Old horse, you tell
Mr.. Smith i want to buy his farm" Mr..
Smith can speak for himself, but will
only get an answer as he hears it ad-
dressed to the s'old horse This eccen-
trio individual will allow no man to sit
on his right hand; he will sooner stand
up or leave, and has often stood up
through church services when he could
find ne seat without man at his right
hand. He speaks in meetings, and is
quite an earnest, interesting speaker
Burltsgton w. Free Press.
Year: 1877

UNION HTAEt Mo- May IL
DEAR NEWS The most important topic with
us for the last four weeks has been the weather,
which has been very unfavorabe for farm work, in
consequence of the continued heavy rains. No
plowiug could be done during that time. How
ever, some were fortunate enough to have their
planting done.


The weather has been fine for a few days past,
and the work of preparing for planting is being
pushed forward vigorously, and the acreage of
corn planted will be unusually large.


In all the wheat-growing districts the prospect is
universally good, better than has been known for
years.


Apples aud small fruit will be abundant every
where. The peach crop will be very light. Every
thing looks encouraging since the clouds have dis
persed, and we have the genial sunshine to bies-
and brighten the earth.


Union Star is a small Country village, consisting
of hotel, postofice, two stores, two blacksmith
shops, drug store and not more than half dozen
dwelling houses, which comFletes the sum total.
Although small, its inhabitants are enterprising,
and the surroundings are such that it certainly will
become prosperous village having a rich and fer
tile country surrounding it, where large farms are
cultivated, owned by wealthy men from different
States, who have located In this part of the Platts
purchase, which on account OF its fertility Is
generally styled ''ths garden spot of Missouri"
Thsre has been quite an effort on the part of the
people to get narrow gauge L. r. running from St..
Joseph to Albany, Gentry city, but they have not
accomplished anything yet A L R. is greatly
needed, as the only means of transportation is by
teams bat the people have become ST. accustomed
to that mode, they consider it q small matter.
read with deep Interest the articles in your
columns in regard to the great Temperance reform
now going forward in the different parts of Ohio.
I hope it may spread and increase till it sweeps
over all this great republic, and until the demon Of
IntemTerance shall be banished from the earth.
Year: 1877

The Wilmington Journal of last
week, under the heading Of "The Ice
Broken-A General Rally to the Tenn
perance Standard'-says that for sew
eral weeks but little success attended
the Murphy Temperance movement
in Wilmington. Finally the Com
mittee determined to invite Mr. u
ric Sloane, of this place, and the
Journal thus relates what follows:


The announcement of his com
ing brought out a crowded house at
the Friends Church. Mr. Amos
Hockett presided at the meeting,
and, after introducing Mr. Sloane,
the latter proceeded to give afew rea-
sons why men should sign the
pledge. He spoke for an hour and
a quarter, and his effort was a re
markable one. At times he would
grow grandly eloquent, and then
would reason with his hearers IN a
manner that would have been q cred
it to a man much older than him
self The speech was by far the f.
nest we have had in this communi-
ty for many months, and the man
ner of its delivery made all our peo
pie receive it '.in good, honest
hearts. Every effort was made to
induce Mr.. Sloane to remain IN Viii
mington until Saturday night, but
he told those in charge of temper
ance matters here that if they ex-
pected to be successful they must
go to work. Foreign aid, he said,
could not do much good. On Sat
urday night a meeting was held, and,
although the audience was somewhat
discouraged, the break was made,
and victory assured. About thirty
signed the pledge on that evening,
many of them being members Of the
bar Of our village. On Sabbath eve
ming another meeting was held, and
one hundred and thirty affixed their
signatures to the pledge. The rally
on that occasion was almost general.
Last Monday night another outpOur-
ing of new Murphy boys was report
ed, and last night the same result
was realized Thus the good work
goes forward, and before the end of
the present week it is to be hoped
that every man, woman and child in
Wilmington will be enrolled in the
temperance army.
Year: 1877

The Washington correspondent OF
the Cincinnati Gazette says: "But
whatever may happen in the South
now, the President declared, "the
Republican party cannot be held re-
sponsible for it. The South is
now in the hands of the Democrats,
and that party must be alone re-
sponsible to theintelIigent opinion of
the country for the conduct of pub
lie affairs" The President very
earnestly, and almost in these words,
said be had always been a Republi-
can, and that the Republican party
was never more necessary to the ma
ton than it is to-day. THAT party,
the President, according to this gen
tleman, said, sis good enough for
me, and by it I intend to stand.
We copy this for the benefit of Re
pubicans who could have managed
the Louisiana and South Carolina
problem better than Hayes has.
Year: 1877

No one can have aUght to say
against the temperance movement
now in progress in parts Of this
State and Pennsylvania. Indeed,
every one must wish that SO salUtary
a reform will spread. If hard drink
ers see the folly and the danger Of
their habits, and abandon them, that
is a step in the right direction. They
may, in many cases, return to their
evil courses, but q short experience
of sobriety is O good thing for men
who have been accustomed to keep
themselves about half seas over from
one year s end to another. The new
temperance movement deserves com
mendation because it seems destl-
tute of cant and is started, not
by philanthropists, but by the tip
piers themselves, who are banding
together to keep sober, a resolution
which all men might well take, and
stick to it, too. If they all do so,
they will find that after all there IS
much more fun to be got with a
clear head than with one fuddled
with rum.
Year: 1877

Governor Young has written a
letter declining to be a candidate for
Governor before the Republican
State Convention. He says he is
not impeIled to this course by "any
want of confidence in the success of
the Republican party in the coming
fall campaign" but because his pri-
vate and professional business needs
his whole attention, and because 'the
poor-I should say Pitiable-com-
pensation allowed the Governor of
this great State, does not warrant
me in holding the Office longer than
the remainder of the present term"