smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

When attention was directed to General
Newtons great work people were talking
rock; when Old Probabilities or one of his
boys foretells storm people talk clouds; but
when the sages that pass their lives between
the little ends Of telescopes and the table of
logarithms are nervous and agitated people
talk stars. Such are the shiftings Of wonder
land. The .fete days of science have taken
the place Of the feasts Of the saints Dy-
Mantle, not faith, moves mountains in this
modern world of ours Things are tested


weighed, measured and explored minutely
nowadays that were dreaded or wondered at or
passed by unnoted in the ages gone BY


story that they never told before. We
search beyond appearances into the deeper
nature of things until every day has its dis
covery. The Chaldean shepherds who
counted the stars would surely think the
world was mad if they saw the astronomers
of to-day looking for a planet by daylight
q mere planetule that ''never but in unap-
preached light, dwelt from eternity" 1t
may not be of SO much importance to New
York as the Assembly nominations in the
Fourth ward, but the name of Vulcan, the
old god of hammer and anvil, will be
heard on many IN unscentific lip for days
to come in Gotham. Meanwhile keen eyes
will watch from morning until night for o
small black spot expected to cross the
face of the sun. An old astronomer who
weighs worlds in his scientific scales
found one morning that some strange body
was pulling Uranus out of his course.
.sThere must be some sly old star at work, !"
said he, sbut if we watch for him close
we'll find him." So all the astronomers
lay like scientific policemen watching
for this loose character of the skies, and
one bright night they found him and
photographed him for the rogues album
of the heavens. 1t was Neptune. Then
Leverrier turned his telescope on Mercury.
He found that he, too, was q little unsteady
and straying from the right path, and imme-
diately suspected that there was a little rogue
leading him astray who lodged around the
chariot of the sun whenever this old heavenly
patrolman pointed his glass that way. One
day French physician who thought moro
of the Mercury of the sky than the mercury
in his physic jars, saw q small round spot
moving across the suns face. "Leverrier's
gan,in of the sky is caught at last" said
the scientists "It was only pill on
the old doctors glass-a myth and not the
smith, said the cynics. To-day or to-mor-
row or the day after the truth will be
tested. If found the calendar of science
will mark Vulcan day, for, star though he
be, he can never have Vulcan night.
There's the rub, or rather the rubber.
Year: 1876

nOple!


It is sign of the times that in Germany
and England political speculation is busy
over schemes for the disposition of Constan-
tinople and Turkey in Europe which start
from the assumption that the present filthy
occupant is to be put out. Some progress
of opinion is implied in the fact that the
people who frame projects as to the future
of States view the Ottoman regime in Europe
as drawing toward its close. In London
the speculation takes into the case the re-
lations of the English and Russian royal
families by the marriage of the Duke of
Edinburgh 1t is proposed to found
Byzantine dynasty, on the throne of which
the Cars daughter would sit side by side
with the Queens son. 1t has been sort
of policy in Europe, though not very sue
cessful one, to set up thrones here and there
in odd corners and put German princes
on them as they tried to put Macmillan
on throne on this side of the Atlantic.
On the other side of the water these expert
ments do not end SO badly rs that one did !;
but the results are at best q kind of hot
uOuSc tuAOAco, NSiy diAClchu IL NiSOI lIOIu
the kind grown in the open air of national
conflicts. But in the candidates proposed
for this throne England and Russia would
have an almost equal interest, and they are
the parties that must be pleased before oil
Others In Munich, where the interest in
the fate of Constantinople is artistic and
philosophical, they propose q govern
ment by commission, under the joint
protectorate of the European governors. 1t
is not certain whether there is any ground
left for these speculations-whether they are
not all too late Some time ago Paris
paper published purported treaty between
Germany and Russia which touched the
point, and decided that in certain con-
tingency the powers of those two govern
ments should occupy the country, invite the
Sultan to go to Asia, and then determine be-
tween themselves the further facts. This
treaty was denied and the paper was fined for
publishing it. But the denial may after all
only have been diplomatic If Prussia and
Russia have really gone so far in their plans
further suggestions from the public are un-
necessary
Year: 1876

the trouble, and were il not for their
mischievous influence the Sultan's military
tas gatherers and cutthroats generally might
still be peaceably employed in the destruc-
tion Of the Christians of Herzegovina and
Bosnia Lord Beaconsfeld's words were
listened to and loudly cheered by the
bucolic assemblage, and each one returned
to his home satisfied that the country in
general is pretty safe, but that the county Of
Bucks is entirely out of danger.
Year: 1876

NEW JERSEY PoLrTIcs. In all the Novem-
Der States the disposition seems to be to
wait for the elections in Ohio and Indiana
before making lively canvass at home.
This is the condition of New Jersey, where
the campaign has thus far been rather dull.
Both parties affect to be certain of success,
but it is likely that one is rs frightened as
the other
Year: 1876

ANOTHER OF THOSE bold burglaries which
show how the thieves are sometimes more
Ingenious than the police is reported to-
day. Twenty thousand dollars worth Of
jewelry were stolen, and as yet there is no
claM to the robbers
Year: 1876

A HEAD Tax ON IMMIGRANTS may be
mode Of collecting funds for the protection
of those who seek our shores which has some
Objectionable features A more scientific
mode, perhaps, would be to charge
the steamship companies pro rata for
the amount Of aid extended TO the
passengers they have carried during
specified time; but the difficulty of collect
ing revenue under such an arrangement is
obvious, particularly as the steamships ars
mostly owned by aliens and sail under fo-.
eign flags. We think that the Wholesale
opposition OF the companies to the
bill introduced during the last ses-
sion OF Congress ia short-sirhted. IL u
Year: 1876

ABDUL HAMrD live print very inter
esting letter from our correspondent in
Constantinople, descriptive of the ceremony
pf investing the new Sultan with the sword
pf his ancestor, Gilman. The scene
Was one of truly Oriental splendor,
worthy of the important event The
new ruler of the Osmanlis is man
gifted with strong will and fair edu-
cation, but in other respects he is simply q
Turk How he will govern the party that
has already kicked out his predecessors and
murdered one of them remains to be seen
but there are strong indications that the
more popular he is among his own people
the greater are his chances of being the last
Of the Sultans of European Turkey.
Year: 1876

HOME AGAIN.-The coming back of tho ex
Boss to the scenes of his early struggles in
politics, his triumphs and his disgrace, is m
event which awakens the highest interest
among the friends and foes of the great thief.
The opinions expressed by those who
know" in our article published to-day are
worthy of perusal, for they reflect the senti-
ments of the general run of local politicians,
the men who ride out every storm in which
the heavier craft founder and sink.
Year: 1876

JEROME PARK RACES. The postponement
of tho opening day of the fall meeting of
the American Jockey Club until to-day will,
we are assured on competent authority. re-
suit in fine sport. The weather will probably
be such as to call out large attendance. and
The FIVE events on the card will well repay
the throng. AS the first race begins at half
past one those who intend enjoying the
lovely drive through Central Park must
time their starting accordnglY
Year: 1876




A curious fact in regard to The
marriage Of John Kemble, the actor,
is told in "Bannister's Memoirs"
One of the daughters of noble lord,
formerly holding high Office, but
then living in retirement, had fallen
in love with the graceful and snowy
actor merely from seeing him on the
stage. Kemble was sent for by the
father, and, to his astonishment, ac-
uuainted with the circumstances.
The noble lord told him further that
it was in his power TO do him either
/ a great evil or a great favor, aad
that il he. would do The latter, BY
relieving aim from all apprehension
Of the lady's ihdulging her .phantasy
and relieve him effectualIy by mar
rying any one else for whom he
might lave an attachment, his wife
should receive o dover of five thous-
and pounds. Kemble Immediately
proposed to Miss Brereton, q pretty
actress in the company, and the
marriage took place without delay,
But the amusing part of the tale il
| that the afflicted sand magnanimous
father instantly recovered his spirits
and lost his memory. On being ap
piled to for his thousands lie deciar.
ed that he had no recollection what
/ eyer of the compact. nor indeed any
OF the idea, further than some gener
al conversation on such matters viii
the very intelligent person IN ques
ton. adding ssthat ii lie was to pas
/ five thousand pounds for every wAln
of his daughters he must soon be
much poorer man than he ever IN
tended to be- IL il believed tha
Kemble never got d shilling from
his very sensitive nobleman, ant
or the rest OF hisalifa lie attached !
new value to the vulgar etiquette .
signing and sealing beforehand, ever
with the most plausible Of mankind
Year: 1876

In an elegant mansion near the Ar
lington Hotel, in this city, reside two
ladies of the olden aristocracy-Mrs
Freeman and her sister, Miss Coleman.
About the latter lady little romance
clings which makes her interesting.
She was the second and the afianced
bride of the late President Buchanan.
his first love having died in her youth
and until he met Miss Coleman he
was almost a recluse from ladies' So
ciety. He was engaged to her when
sent abroad as American Minister to
the Court of st. James in London. AT
that time Miss Coleman resided in
New York. He returned TO this
country on visit and on the evening
he arrived Miss Coleman was giving
a grand entertainment. He was fa-
tigued, and instead of dressing and
paying his respects to her immediate
ly, retired to his room, and early next
morning called to see her. She had
taken offense at his not calling the
evening before and refused to see
him, and they never met again. What
regrets were felt the world has never
known, but many an angry impulse
has wrecked the happiness of men
and women beyond reparatien.-


Washington Cor. Chicago Journal.
Year: 1876

TIE Dresden Democrat Is right. The
trsds in money should be as free as the
trade ia suy commodity, and a contract
for i's use, no mat er what the rate Of
interest, should be enforced just as any
other contrac.p
Year: 1876

The number of entries for the Cape May
OF the international Regatta was eight on Saturday
yesterday only four yachts appeared of Sandy Hook
at of starting The Judges on the tugboat Ray


ond found the Oracle and Arrow in the oing drifting
about with their sails Mapping and the Alarm and Amer
lea in side the Horseshoe. About o'clock light breeze
sprang up from the eastward The point OF starting had
been changed from the ighsp to Buoy No. ., of Sandy
Hook and at this point tho Raymond took position and
the signal given lis for the vessels to start The
Oracle was he first the line at 1l95O. followed
by the Arrow at 12Si5. After crossing, both yachts


made q short distance 10 the eastward and then made
long tack down the New-Jersey coast until they went
sight The Alarm and America were slow n reacn
ing the starting point and did not cross me me uh
after o'clock 2:l23e and the latter at
2l3. The Alarm kept IN advance for shorj distance
when the America took the lead and when last seem at
3:i5. the America led tie Alarm about mile. The
Oracle still ahead OF TIE Arrow. but the latter was
gaining upon her competitor IL Il not probable hat te
yacnts will return before Wednesday morning as the
breeze was very hight up 10 midnight.
Year: 1876

and afterward by Mr.. Smythe. resolution was
adopted authorizing the chairman to withdraw the
delegation for consultation whenever 25 members
desired it. The Tiden men are abundantly satisfied
with their work in the delegation and jubilant over
their progress in other States.
Year: 1876

A colored preacher, in translatng to his
hearers the sentence The harvest the season
ended and thy soul is not saved put IT, DE corn mas
been or bbed dere amt any more work. and de debo 10
still foOlin' wild dis community"
Year: 1876

week or two ago dog belonging to 3
well known young banker, of this city be-
came involved in controversy with goat.
From accounts gathered by our reporter it
seems that the goat was the agressor in the
contest, and taking advantage of the dogs
back being turned towards him butted the
unfortunate canine. The dog is not an AMI
NAL to stand such an insult with impunity,
and Immediately retaliated by seizing the
goat by the throat The contest was warm
one and after considerable struggle termi-
mated fatally for the first mentioned animal
His owner hearing of his death sued the
proprietor of the dog for damages to the
amount of $50, the value of the goat. A
plea ofself-defence was entered In the case
of the dog, and the suit has not yet been
decided .-Rochester Union.
Year: 1876




The weather yesterday WAS Of . charac.
ter to depress the spirit Of the noble red


man. A dead-in-earnest snow storm he
didn't mind bit, but wet, thawing weather


gets him. When the enow banks up on his


wickiup It aids to keep him warm but in


rain or thaw the trickling moisture works
through the holes in his residence, which is
constructed of pretty much all holes, and


and the cold drops insiduously crawl un-
der his clothes at his neck, and creep down
bis spine and make him get up and howl.
In such weather he does't believe that there
is no place like home, and so he does not
stay at home. he wraps his blankets
about him and seeks the haunts of the
pAle-faces, and loungers on the street-cOr-
ners, and chats with his own or some other
Indians sQuaw. When 1t is considered
that the Indians sleep at night on the damp
ground, with scarcely any shelter to speak
of, and during the day time, no matter how
severe the weather, seldom enter house,
one would think their lives must be miser-
able to an extreme. But such does not
seem to be the case, they were born on the
bleak hillsides, and the miserable structures
for which hut is too good name is the only
kind of home they have ever known. Most
of them would die if forced to live in Q
comfortable dwelling, and so long ss they
possess blanket and get enough to eat,
and earn little silver to gamble with, they
are far more happy and contented than the
majority of white people who live in luxury.
Eureka Sentinel"
Year: 1876

The man, Frank Stewart, had hearing
again this morning on complaint Of Morris
for passing $40 bill at his store on Novem
her 6. He cana to the store on the previous
Friday, to buy watch. Mr.. We'll was out,
and he went away. On Monday be came
and bought two shirts and gave the bad
note in payment. 1t was changed by a
neighbor, and it was not discovered that it
was bad until the next day. Mrs. We'll
and her son recognized the note in the
Squire's office as the one given. Experts
pronounced the note a bad one, Stewart was
taken to Jail to await trial at Court.


He acknowledges he belongs to gang,
and if he is set at liberty he will give clue
to the whereabouts of half dozeE Of his
contederates. He alleges that he does not
know where or by whom the notes are
made.-Daily Local News, West Chester
Pa Dec 2,
Year: 1876

About 2 O'Clock on Saturday afternoon a
young man observed three young boys frol


licking on the beach with dog. On his re.
turn to the city, about 5 O'Clock, he was
surprised to see three suits of clothes lying
on the beech, guarded by the dog he HAD
seen early in the day. There was no trace
of the boys, however, and the young mai
became convinced that they had been drown
ed while bathing. The clothing was taken
to the city prison, where two of the suits
were recognized at later hour by man
named Kent as those of his two boys, while
Josep E. Bracket identified the third as
that of his son. All were drowned while
bathing, as the body of one of Kent's sons
was found In the bay on Sunday morning.
Year: 1876

On Thursday evening last, while the
supper was in progress atst. Peters church
a dirty looking tramp was noticed hanging
about the door and friend extended to
him al invitation to comein and partake
OF the viands. This he accepted, and seat
ing himself at the table laid t. with will
A whole turkey, two dishes OF sliced ham,
three cups Of coffee and plate OF bread
disappeared in a twinkling at most
Wiping his mouth with the napkin, he
wished the undertaking every success and
walked out.
Year: 1876

There is some excuse for the man who
has been in the habit of lighting the fires
every mornong, If the breakfast is later than
1t used to be ir the summer.


The ulster is fraud. In New York they
are convenient to young men who have
pawned their breeches. In Wilmington
they are handy in the family, they lit all
over, and both the old man and son can take
turn at them.


The cats and dogs are enjoying excellent
free lunch now out Of the garbage boxes on
chicken aud turkey carcases.


1t was not because the scene was dark
one that so few persons attended the con
cert OF the colored people at Masonic TEN.
pla on Saturday evening.


The toy stores are getting on their best
attire, and the children watch them with
radiant faces.
Year: 1876

The sale of some of the Centennial
buildings on Friday IL described as an in
teresting sight. The Main Buildings brought
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
and most of the others were sold at very
low prices. In few weeks, or months at
most, what may be called the City of the
Exhibition will have disappeared but the
spot itself will always have something Of
the sacredness of one of the great battle
fields of the Revolution, which the Exhibi-
tion was designed to commemorate.
Year: 1876

A number of citizens, who witnessed the
remark able performance of Prof. Brown, at
the Opera House, on Tuesday night last,
have movement on foot to induce his re.
turn for one night. The attempt will be
made If sufficient number of seats can be
sold, to warrant the reproduction of the en-
tertainment.
Year: 1876

CINoINNATI, September 6.-As the
workmen were hosting a heavy block
Of stone to place on the Arcade building
on Pine street this morning, it knocked
off large section of stone which was
in place, breaking down the stone ver-
anda or the second story, severely in
Turing two laborers. The accident will
necessitate the removal Of q large por-
ton of the stone front, which Is CON-
pleted to the third story, causing loss
of several Thousand dollars.
Year: 1876

A short time ago, having occasion to confer with city firm on the subject of dynamite, London man took with him parcel of cartridges of that compound: On completing his business and return ing westward, he took his seat in an om- nibus, carrying the parcel of dynamite in his hand, the cartridges being made up in small packages not unlike rolls of silver. He placed the parcel on the seat beside him, and for a considerable por- tion of the journey kept his hand upon it, and otherwise manifested concern not unnatural considering his knowledge of the nature of the substance under his charge. But as the bus rolled on he fell into state of mental abstraction, in the course of which he must have relin- quished his jealous hold of the brown paper parcel. At any rate, when he reached his journeys end he found that the parcel was gone. What became of 1t IS matter that concerns many more people than the original holder of the sample. The thief, on opening his treasure, would discover, in place of & few pounds worth of silver, @ number of rolls of yellowish, clayed substance. What did he do with it Did he throw 1t aside in the open street in disgust, or is it still lying about his domestic prem ises till some one shall throw it at the back of the fre9 We are not likely to have any information volunteered on this subject. But it is, at least, an in teresting addition to miscellaneous knowledge to know that there is knock ing about in London an unconsidered trife containing within itself latent force suf6 cient to tumble down half that l city.
Year: 1876

Exaggerated notions are current about harems and harem receptions, notions born partly of the seclusion of the fe male portion of the household in the East. Of course the maj jority of harems in Egypt are simply the apartment of the one wife and her children. The lady who enters one of them pays an ordi- nary call, and finds no mystery what ever. If there is more than one wife, a privileged visitor, able to converse with the inmates, might find some skeletons behind the screened windows. It is also true that a foreign lady may enter one of the royal harems and be received with scarcely more ceremony than would at tend an ordinary call at home. The re- captions, at which there is great dis play at which crowds of beautiful or ugly slaves line the apartments, at which there is music and dancing by almehs, an endless service of sweets and pipes and coffee, and a dozen changes of dress by the hostess during the ceremony, are | ot frequent, are fol special occasions, the celebration of marriage or the entertainment of visi tor of high rank. One who expects upon 8 royal invitation to the harem, tc wander into the populous dove-cote ot the khedive, where languish the beau ties of Asia, the sisters from the gardens of Gul, pining for new robe of tho mode from Paris, will be most cruelty disappointed.
Year: 1876

During a recent rain storm in Vir- ginia, New, there were showered down millions of small worms of the ordinary angleworm species. These worms were from three to four inches in length and quite slender. They came down alive and wriggling. The shower of worms only covered an area of about fifty yards square, but within this space they covered everything. There can be no doubt about these worms coming down from the heavens, as the balconies were so thickly strewn with them that they could be scraped up in handfuls. Buck cts, tubs and pans placed under the roofs of houses to catch the rain water also caught great numbers of the worms. The sidewalks in the neigh borhood were covered with them. The worms present the same appearance as the common angleworm, except that they are redder in color and are marked from end to end with small rings about one-sixteenth of an inch apart A great number of persons visited the locality and examined and speculated upon the vermicular shower. The prevailing opinion appeared to be that the worp1s had been sucked up by whirlwind from some swamp or pond and carried in the clouds to be finally deposited where they were found. The fact that the worms seemed to be more at home in water than on the ground gave some foundation for this theory. It is now said that similar shower of worms fel in the western part of the city some years ago.