smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1866

a very extraordinary encounter be-
tween rat and an elephant has taken
place at the Garden of Plants, which was
witnessed with intense interest by hun
dreds of persons: The keepers were en-
gagged in destroying great number of
rats, when one of them escaped and ran
to the spot allotted to the elephant. See
ing no other refuge, in the twinkling of
an eye the rat snugly ensconced himself
in the trunk. of the elephant, very much
to the elephants dissatisfa ction. He
stamped his foot and twisted his trunk
round like the sail of windmill After
these evolutions he stood suddenly still,
evidently rejecting on what was best to
be done. He then ran to the trough
where he is accustomed to drink, and
plunged his trunk into the water. He
then returned to his den, and, raising his
trunk, with the water he absored he
dashed out the unfortunate rat, which
was in volume of water like that issuing
from fire engine. When the rat fell to
the ground the elephant seized him and
made him undergo this emersion and pro-
lection four times. AT the fourth throw
the rat fell dead. The elephant, with a
majestic air, but cool and placid, crushed
his annoying little enemy with his foot,
and then went round to the spectators to
make his usual collection of cake, sugar
and other dainties. The feat was receiv-
ed with vociferous applause, which the
elephant seemed fully to understand and
appreciate.
Year: 1866

Insurance Every prudent man
needs his property well insured against
fire but there are many in every commu-
nifty who do not fully realize the i'm port
ance OF Insurance; and easily wait for a
convenient day. This, particularly, is a
very suitable time to insure. 1t is fact
worthy of note, that a large majority of
disastrous fires occur during fall and win
ter months, and as these are approach
ing, timely precau'ion in the matter of
Insurance may save one, who could lily
afford to "burn out" at his own expense,
hundreds of dollars. We would say to
every man insure, insure If you do not
have house insure your life. If your life
isn't worth insuring, insure your limbs
| against accident.
Year: 1866

The Attorney General, with the concur
renee of the War Department, has in
structed General Barry to return the
arms seized from the Fenians in the late
raid upon Canada, with the promise that
they shall not be used in violation of the
neutrality laws.
Year: 1866

From the National Intellgencer.


The financial legislation of Congress has,
so far, contributed to maintain and strength
en- confidence in the Government funds, and
we have seen that they hold their price in
fact that gold has declined in New York to
l25 or l36. Nothing is likely to happen
that will depress the price of our bonds
abroad and there is every reason TO believe
that the price will rise to near par. The
loan bill has not, indeed, given the Secreta-
ry of the Treasury all the power that was
requisite to reform the currency and put the
public credit on a good basis. Perhaps he
would have done as well without any addi-
tional legislation at all, as with this bill
But at any rate it enables him TO fund all
the maturing obligations of the Government.
1t is said he is now preparing a plan for
funding the floating debt into long bonds
The hope is expressed in some quarters that
he will not make any such mistake as TO
put the rate of interest too low, or the bonds
too short. Less than six per cent. interest
would not, probably, command capital at
this time.


Congress, il Is believed, will legislate on
the subject of the national bank currency so
as strictly to confine It's volume within the
present limit of three hundred millions, and
also to equalize its distribution, throughout
all sections of the country, in Just proper
tion to population, capital, and business
wants. Therefore, one great point is gained.
The paper currency is not to be incl eased in
volume, and its reduction, to the extent Of
one-half, can be accomplished within seven
years, even at tho restricted rate of the loan
bill


II is time for Congress 70 show their hands
upon the subjects Of taxation and revenue
1t has been supposed that some reduction
would be made in the rates of internal taxa
ton, but the constant tendency Of the pfo.
tectiye system under which Congressional
acts is TO an increase Qf the rate Of duties
upon impQrts. The abrogation Of the reci-
procity treaty will enhance the rate of du-
ties ON some imports from the Canadas,
though it will dimish our export trade, an d,
to considerable extent, impair our COM
mercial resources.


A system of revenue which will promote
commerce, and agriculture, and all our do
mestic interests alike or burden them as
lightly as possible and vet provide for the
wants Of the GoyeFnmenh is ThatTe desife,
Year: 1866

At meeting of the New York Chamber
of Commerce on Thursday, Mr.. Opdyke of
the special committee, to whom was refer
red petition and other papefs, asking the
Chamber to memorialize the President af
the United States or Congress in favor of ex
acting from the States lately in rebellion, as
a condition precedent to their restoration to
the Union, the acknowledgement of their
obligation to pay the principal and interest
of their respective State Indebtedness incur
red prior to the rebellion, made the follow
ing report which was accepted, and the COM
mittee discharged:


"That the voluntary action of those States
since the suppression of the rebellion fur
nishes gratifying evidence that no interposi
tion on the part of the General Govern
ment is needed TO secure the results asked
for by our petitioners.


'No one of the States lately in rebellion
has shown any disposition to repudiate their
liabilities incurred prior to the war. On
the contrary, most of them have already
acknowledged that liability, and many of
them have also been engaged in devisipg
ways and means for paying off the accumu-
lated interest and providing for the future
payment of interest and principal.


"Your committee are informed that the
State of Georgia has already authorized the
issue and sale of new bonds sufficient to IL
quidate their entire back interest, to the pay
ment of which the proceeds Of the new
bonds are to be applied.


"The State of Florida has done further
than this, in inserting in her new Constitu-
ton, recently adopted, a provision that all
the individual Indebtedness of her citizens
existing prior to the rebellion shall be held
as valid, legal claims against them. Other
of these States are taking such measures for
resuming the payment of interest on their
bonds issued before the rebellion as their
present limited means and impaired credit
viii permit,


Equally honorable sentiments have been
manifested by most of the citizens of those
States which are inhibited to the North for
purchases made antecAdent to the war. Few,
if any of them, have failed to acknowledge
their obligations, or to provide for the fu-
ture payment of such portion of them as
their reduced assests viii allow,
"In view Of these manifestation of honor
able sentiments at the South, on the part of
both States and individuals, it is believed
by your committee that no action on the
part Of the General Government is called
Year: 1866

From the Knoxville Commercial


There is 4 type Of men to be found even
in high places, 10y whom the obligations of
promise, are held with as little regard to
honor as is observed BY professional trick
SjsH


Theae men have .he faculty and bold
faced assurance to hood wink community
by all the fair promises that are sure 10 meet
its approval, and when once the day arrives
to throw of the mask that conceals the hi
deous features Of deception, they plunge into
deeds Of treacherY with no regard iaF the
wishes of chose who elevated them to power,
or OF tEe feelings they have outraged and
humiliated. The Radical majority in our
Legislature is graced by At least one such
character. The representative from Hawk
ins county-Sheppard is his name-was
elected by practicing most infamous decep-
ton upon the citizens of that county, lie
professed that he was opposed to the Radi-
cal policy, and being an old citizen, and al
ways having been considered a gentleman,
he was chosen by the people to represent
them.


IL il were no; that he has shown so little
regard for honor, We should doubt that he
can ever summon sufficient brazen impu-
dence 20 60 back 70 those constituents with
the horrid stencil Of treacheTy that he has
so far accumulated, to make any attempt TO
Justify himself
Year: 1866

From the National Intelligencer, 2lst.l


This trial, before q mill tary court at Ras
leigh, had reached the 26th day ON the 18th
inst. A nation had been made to quash the
indictment, on the ground that the peace
proclamation restored the writ of hdbedS
corpus. The court decided against the mo-
tion. A writ Of hd6eGs corpus was obtained
from Judge Ecwle, and served on Gen. Ru-
ger, to produce the body of Major Gee, to
which writ the General declined obedience.
The counsel for the accused argued before
the court that the answer IF Gen. Ruger
MAS iusUihclent, and moved an attachment
against that officer.


After full and patient hearing, his Honor
Judge Fowle was understood to say, that
according 10 the construction which the
court was disposed to give TO the recent pro-
Clamation of the President, the court had
inferred that it was the purpose of the Pres
ident to restore to the people of the State
all Of the benefits of the civil law as in time
of peace; one consequence of which wRl
that no person could be subject "a LIal BY
martial law, unless be vas in the land or
naval service Il the United States" 1t was
taketi for granted that the petitioner had
never been in either service.


lUe court Hdu Always DeleNeu lidb III
time of peace the civil law of the State,
consistent with the civil law of the United
States, and not in conaict therewishs was
supreme, and martial OF military law was
suhordinate thereto. It might be, however,
that the court had misconstrued the intent
Of the Presidents proclamation, and that IT
was not his purpose to suppress the EXERCISE
of martial law as to military commissions
in actual session for the trial Of offenders at
the time the proclamation was promulgated,
The court, being desirous Of avoiding all
conflict between the civil authorities OF
the State and the military authorities of the
United States, deemed it advisable to take
further time for consideration, until it could
have an opportunity of aseertaining the pre-
else meaning of the proclamation on this
subject; and accordingly the motion was
continued until 10 O'Clock A, NJ, twenty
eighth April, 1866,


Meanwhile the trial of Gee Is progressing
! before the militsry court.
Year: 1866

"Constitution'' and now declares that the Con.
gress of the United States which j. recognized
BY the President, the Supreme Court and the
loyal people ofthe United States, is no Con-
gress, but mere mob, and the acts passed
by it Of no more validity than verdict of 4
jury under Lynch law. The Constitution
says:r Tr


ITO prevent the consummation Of such an
overt act of treason against the government
Of the United States, the President would
not only be justified, but it would be his in.
cumbent duty to order file of soldiers into
the Senate Hall, and arrest every scoundrel
Of that body who il engaged in the treasona-
Bile plot, and also their co-conspifatoPs in the
lower House of Congress. This may be call
ed desperate measure, but desperate means
may become the alternative of saving the ma
ton from anarchy and another civil war
among the people.


The Congress of the United States, as at
present constituted, is nothing more than .
mob, and we are clear in our conviction that
no act which is passed by it has any more
validity than the verdict Of jury empanneled
in court Of Judge Lynch. The radicals in
Congress have deliberately and with malice
afore thought excluded the Representatives
of all the Southern States from their seats in
that body, and also voted out Voorhees, and
Brooks from the Lower House, and Stockton
from the Senate, because they supported the
President in opposition to the radicals in
their efforts to destroy both the government
Of the United States and the liberty
Of the people. The President would
be justified in arresting the traitorous radi
calls of Congress when it is found to be neces-
sary to do so in order to save the government
and the peoples liberty, and we will be mis-
taken if Andy Johnson does not prove HIM
self equal to the occasion"


Nothing more inconsistent with the Con-
stitution, with the principles Of free Republi-
can government, and with the genius and
temper of law-abiding and liberty loving
people, was ever uttered by the anarchists or
the advocates of military usurpation and des-
potism in this or any other age or country in
view of all the circumstances and surround
inps,
Year: 1866

ance with the plan recommended by the
General Conference, the services in the
Methodist Episcopal Churches, during this
month, will have reference to the Centenary
of Methodism. In the cities and towns it is
intended that there shall be services of some
sort every day. At least one sermon on the
subject is to be preached in all the churches;
and collection free. will offering for the
Divine favor which has attended the cause
since its introduction INTO this country. one
hundred years ago, will be taken sometime
during this month.
Year: 1866

From tho Cedar Valley Times.


We have just learned of ono of the
coolest cases of swindling that it has
ever been our lot to chronicle. Not
many days since man about thirty five
yease of age went to the First National
Bank in this city, and represented that
he was buying flour for parties In Chi
cago, and that he wished to make drafts
on certain banks in that city. The
Cashier made him one draft for ST., 200
and another for $500, and sent them to
Chicago for collection. The drafts were
promptly paid. and the man got the
money. On Monday the fellow made
another draft for 500, and this draft
was also honored. He claimed that he
was running the "Pioneer Mills" of
Cedar Rapids, and that he had three
hundred barrels of -four on hand. He
sent to one of the consigneos a forged
receipt of the Railroad Company, and
as the consignee did not receive the
-four, after making several inquiries Mt
the depot, he telegraphed to the First
National Bank, and proceedings were
Mt once instituted for the arrest Of the
chap. Marshal Laurance took the train
on Tuesday night and went to Bertram,
and found the man at that station Just
getting aboard OF the train on his way
east. The Marshal took him in custody
and brought him back to this city,
where he now remains. Great credit is
due to the bank officers, their Attorneys
and the Marshal, for the prompt and
energetic measures which they took to
secure the arrest of the rascal.
Year: 1866

The New York correspondent Of the
London spectator tells the following
| pleasant tale: ..


| The same woman will be at the ope-
ra on one evening in full dress, In pri-
vate box, and If she does not own box,
at the next performance in the stalls or
the parquette, with arms, shoulders and
head all covered. a lady whom knew
had rather an unpleasant experience In
an attempt, some years ago, to disregard
this tacit understanding among the sex
In regard to dinner dress at hotels. She
belonged to an ultra fashionable set, and
having married South Carolina plant
er, soon adopted what we call 'planta-
ton Manners and affected no little
scorn of simple hammered, reserved
New England folks. She was ut New
port, our great seaside watering place,
and having just returned from Europe,
took great airs upon herself. One even
ing, at the tea table, a gentleman sat
down near her, and the butter plate be-
fore him happening TO have no butter
knife by it Mt the moment, he, instead
of calling the waiter and waiting for
one to be brought, used his own perfect
ly fresh, bright knife to take bit of
butter. He was a man Of culture and
social standing, but a Yankee, and one
whose social pretension she wished To
fiout. She seized the opportunity, and
calling waiter, said in an elaborately
subdued, but decided tone, "Tuk q away
that butter; that gentleman has had his
knife i'm it, He took no notice of the
remark, which drew all eyes upon him
and upon the lady. But by and by she
stretched out her hand and took from
the plate some chipped dried beef, which
hx.fxy 4, L..


was well enough, Of course; but he
said, only as Ii he were asking for more
tea, Take away that dried beef--this
lady has had her fingers in it," In this
encounter, such as 1t was, he was tho't
to have had the best of it, and she did
not forgive or forget. So q few days AZ
terward II should have mentioned that
there was the slightest possible ac-
! quaintance between them) they being
at dinner, she, conspicuous in the full
dress she had adopted since her tour 10
Europe, and which was so very "full "
that it would have attracted attention
under any circumstances, took one from
dish Of fresh figs before her, and put
ting it on plate, handed it to him with
an expression of complaisance, but say
ing in tone of unmistakable siynifi-
cance, which could be heard all around
her, "a fig for you, SIR" He accepted
1t graciously, and taking in his turn a
leaf from the garniture of the dish, offer
ed it to her with "a fig leaf for you,
madam" She fled the table, and kept
her room until her intended victim left
the hotel. 1t was generally agreed that
he had done what a gentleman would
shrink from doing; but the provocation
was such that he was held guiltless of
offence and applaudcd for his wit and
nobody, except, perhaps, few of her
slaveholding friends, pitied her. This
Is the last Instance that know of, of a
lady's appearance in full dress at a
public table. But am told that with
in the last three or four years 1t is COM
ing more In fashion among the fastest"
sets at the height of the season ut Sara
toga, and one or two others of our gay
est watering places.
Year: 1866

from the PnlladeIpnla North American.
The waterfalls" worn as an appen-
dage to the female head until very re-
Gently, have passed away. They have
gone to keep company with the bustles
and crinoline worn by the ladies' pre-
unpacking Of case Of the article that
is taking their places. The bunch at
the back of the ladies' heads is as big as
ever, but instead Of the miniature cas-
cade 1t takes the shape of a graceful roll.
Fhe dealers now sell mass of hair that
il either mingled with that upon the
head of the wearer SO that the false Is
equally distributed with the natural, or
If the natural crop be extremely scanty,
Is made to take its place. There used
to be u sign over barbcr's shop in
London upon which was painted a rep
resentation of Absalom hanging from
the tree on which he died by his mag
nificent locks. Beneath the picture las
this cOuplet, knock down argument
In favor Of wearing wigs:


III Absalom had not worn his own hair,


Absalom would not have been hanging there" !"
head renders comparatively valueless q
natural growth Of hair. Therefore a
dozen dealers in Philadelphia who will
tell any one who asks the question that
q given number of dollars worth of arti-
fetal hair can be made of more advan-
tage to the owner than growth Of ma
ture's giving. A head approximating
very closely to badness is now made to
look as though nature had been very Law
ish In its allotment. The sharpest eye
cannot now discern whether head of
hair ls false or the reverse. The water
fall was an appendage, fastened by a
few hair pins. The new excresccnce Is
roll of false hair intermingled with
the natural. II the color be precise
match, the one is indistinguishable
from the other. The extent Of the bus
mess done in artificial hair In this city
most of the masculine gender have very
little idea If.
Year: 1866

"What would give" said Charles
Lamb, to call my mother back to earth
for one day, to ask her pardon ON my
Blended knees for all those actsby which
| gave her gentle spirit pain"


Remember this, my young friend
Whenever you are inclined to disobey
your mother, or to do anything which
you know will grieyc her. When she
is dead, such misconduct will awaken
bitter recollections and you cannot ease
your troubled soul by asking her par
don. She who bore you, who ferveutly
loved you, and whose faithful heart you
made to ache, viii have gone, never to
return. The cruel deed will be irrepar-
able 'N
Year: 1866

THE Tower OF BABEL.-Remains of
the Tower of Babel, says Galignano,
still exist, and are visible from a very
great distance. Each side of the quad
rangular basis measures two hundred
yards in length, and the bricks of which
it is composed are of the purest white
clay, with very slight brownish tint.
The bricks before baking were covered
with characters traced in clear and reg
ular style. The bitumen which served
for cement was derived from fountain
which still exists near the tower, and
which flows with such abundance that
it soon forms stream aud would invade
the neigboring river did not the natives
from time to time set fire to the stream
of bitumen.
Year: 1866

A witty printer, who quit his bust
ness, studied physic, and became ply
sician, gave as his reason for doing so,
that in printing all the faults are ex-
posed to the eye, but in physic they are
buried with the patient.
Year: 1866

or five weeks. TIE meat must be we'll
covered with pickle, and should not be
put down for at least two days after killing,
during which limo it must be sprinkIed
with powdered saltpetre, which removes
all the surface blood, DC, leaving tn, meat
fresh and clean. Some omit boiling the
pickle, and find it to answer very well,
though tho operation of boiling purifies
the pickle by throwing off the dirt always
to be fonnd in salt and sugar. If this re.
ceipt be properly tried, it will mover be
abandoned. There is noue that surpasses
it il so good.
Year: 1866

ly did not object, but urged their daughter
to 60, with many a loving message to the
sick one, and a promise that they would
drive over in the morning and see il she
were improved. When she reached where
her lover was in waiting, the faithful girl
got in his buggy, and the loving couple
drove rapidly to this city, and yesterday
started up to CINCINNATI on the mailboat,
and ere the readers eye reaches this, "those
twain are ono flesh"
Year: 1866

DIRECT RokD TO SguLL YALLET.-- One of the improvements most needed in this county is the opening Of a direct wagon road from Prescott to Skull Valley. The present road, around Mint Valley and the Granite Mountain, is good one, but it is from fifteen .,, twenty miles longer than direct Toad would be. The trails to skuii Valley are not over fifteen to sixteen miles, and Messrs. Short, Miller and Ehle, appointed commit tee by the Board of Supervisors, have looked out way between them which is said to be as saort and over which good wagon road may be made at a small outlay of money, say the work of ten men for thirty days. Their report has been submitted 10 the Supervisors and will we trust be promptly acted upon at the next meeting of that body. The set tlerz in Skull Valley, and many persons in Prescott are willing to give their time or to subscribe for the i@mediate opening of this road, 90 that the expense to the county will be light, although if 1t were heavy we believe the people would cheerfully pay the tax for such a road is greatly desired, and must be A great benefit 10 the county. it will reduce the time of travel by trains from Wicken- burg and La Paz at Least day, if not two.
Year: 1866




The Washington National Intelli-
gencer, in noticing one of the latest
falsehoods respecting the Presidents
22d February speech, says:


ut betokens a malice strangely in
contrast with the protestations of vir-
tuous intention which abound in every
issue Of the New York Tribune, to ind
in that Journal the clever invention OF
a statement designed to insinuate to
the country reader that the President
was so ashamed of his great speech of
Thursday last, that he arbitrarily for
bade the operators telegraphiGg it un-
til after several hours when he was in
Guoed to allow it to 90 to the country.
Our confidence that no such interfer.
ence took place we thought proper to
verify by proper inquiry, and need
hardly to say thst the emphatic contra
diotion which we hereby make, comes
too late to arrest the mean falsehood
before it had wrought its transient but
studied injury.