smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

On the ground-floor is the torture
room. and some of the instruments,
mostly Spanish, which were once
used th=re. / will not stop 10 ae-
scribe but one of them, a spanish
pear so called from its shape. 1t
was thrust into the mouth, then
screwed open until it fitted tightly,
the screw tearing open the throat; all
this to keep the wretched victim from
screaming while the other instru-
ments of torture were being applied
Year: 1876

A startling rumor comes from Paris
that long gloves reaching nearly to the
elbow and requiring twenty buttons
will be essential to the peace Of mind
Of every well dressed lady this year |!
Also, that without court plaster patch
es no true toilet will be complete.
Year: 1876

Danbury News: An imposing spec
tacle, even for this year, is the Dan
bury woman who has been married six
times The evening before the aus
picious day he was with her, and as
be departed, she said: BE around
prompt tomorrow. It's a habit Of
mine to have these things done on time
Year: 1876

A Chicago husband went home few
nights since at late hour. and gently
tapped on the door "Who is it T.
inquired his better aalf To which
very proper inquiry the heartless man
replied by asking. "Who do you expect
at this hour Of the night 7"
Year: 1876

Old Mr. Perkins has grown sick and
wearied with hearing his grandchildren
necessarily talking about the glories Of
the Philadelphia show; but he succeeded
in silencing them for time the other
day by remarking querulously, AYE,
aye. ye may say what ye please about
yer Sintinyals, but ye can't make EN-
what they used TO be in my young
days" add be turned off the gas and
shuffled away to bed in the dark
Year: 1876

It's astonishing what a quick dis
elimination dogs have in regard to the
character of callers. A tree agent
called at Spilkins' house the other day,
and five minutes later the latter's faith
full dog came and laid at his masters
feet tattered remnant of the visitors
coat tail.
Year: 1876

He WAS DELAYED.-A Detroit lady
purchased jacket at Woodward ave
nue. store the other day, and the clerk
said he would send il right home inside
Of half an hour. In about four hours
a package boy appeared with the gar
ment, and the impatient lady ex-
claimed:


"You boys are the greatest nuisance
in town. suppose you stopped to play
marbles or hunt up lost dog.


Indeed l didn't he replied. Il
went up home to change hats, and ma
she had to try on the jacket and parade
before the glass. Then Katy she put
it on to make call, and when she got
back ma was determined to walk over
on Woodward avenue to show it off,
and I got here as quick as ever | could !"
Year: 1876

Take BY weight one part Of rosin
and three parts Of lard. Melt them
together over slow FIRE, so as not to
scorch or burn, and when melted let it
cool, then it is ready for use. 1t will
cure scratches on horses legs, if applied
as soon as the disease is discovered
Use no water; but brush off dit If any
on the legs. Then apply good coat
Of the grease-enough to cover the
parts afected-once day, and two
applications will cure the worst kind Of
q case. 1t is also good for old scabs on
horses or cattle, and for gals and saddle
scalds on horses.
Year: 1876

When an Oshkosh clergyman stops
in the middle Of bis sermon to remark.
dearly beloved, it's awful dry:
thrill Of sympathy pervades the entire
congregation, and in the twinklipg Of
an eye . hundred loaded pocket TASKS
are flashing in the air.
Year: 1876

One may just as well have beauti-
full lawn, with soft, fine grass sod, as
to have il look like an old pasture field.
uneven in its surface, and the grass
growing in tufts like that Of . bog
meadow. Prepare the ground we'll BY
deep blowing and manuring heavily
with manure that contains no grass
seed. Then harrow it, after which
take an iron rake and rake off all rub
bish. making the land very smooth.
Then obtain Redtop and Kentucky
Blue grass-half Of each-and SOW at
the rate Of four bushels to the acre,
mixed with two pounds Of white clover
seed. Sow the seed early in the Spring,
or as soon as the ground can be we'll
prepared. and first rake it in lightly,
then roll it with hand roller, and you
will have a lawn that you will be proud
of.
Year: 1876

Your Regulator is one Of the best family med
cines | ever used have not spent one dollar
for your Regulator and must say it does all it
says it will. You can also recommend it in
Collie for Stock, it having cured fine mule of
mine worth five hundred dollars. [J. A, Nelson,
Year: 1876

There appears to be disposition shown
by some of the Democratic press to make
the local campaign personal. We do not
especially object TO this, though we think it
by no means the best plan. If the Repub-
lican candidates are personally attacked,
probably quite as much-or moroccan be
said against their competitors. Our con-
viotion is, after some considerable observa-
tion, that the newspaper practice of slang
whsnging at political opponents generally
does quite as much good to the object of
the attack as it does hurt, while, after the
election is over, it leaves behind wounded
feelings and personal resentmente that may
be slow in healing. We suggest to some
of our city contemporaries that the world
will not come to an end on the 7th Of No
vembsr, and that we expect to live in the
same community after that date, whether
the Republicans win or the Democrats
whether A ls elected or q.


There is this to be considered: that in a
community no larger than this city or this
couuty-indeed, even this State-any man
who is sufficiently well known to be nomi-
ted for any public Office of Importance is
well enough known for the peo-
pie to Judge of his character and
fitness, without having the news
papers quarreling over him, ''like cats and
dogs" We may take the candidates for
Sheriff as one instance. They are both very
well known in this county. If any voter is
personally unacquainted with either he car
learn about their record and character, an6
qualifications, in ten minutes, from any in
telligent citizen who has lived amongst ui
for the last few years. Nothing that coulC
be said by an opposing newspaper could in
jure Harry McMullen in the estimation o
the people of this county, for great par
of them actually know him, many init
mately-and if he were sneered at, o
slapped at, or attacked, they would onl
come about him more cordially and closely
rssenting the blowsa of his opponent a
though leveied at theirlown breasts.


Some of the city papers have been sayini
something concerning the Republican can
didate for the Legislature from this city
OF course the COMMERCIAL appreciate
their kindness, and will be glad of an op
portunity to do as much for these friendl
commentators. When the editor Of tn
Herald, or of the Gazette, or of the Ece,.
Eoeleng is candidate, we shall be please,
to recall how much we are in his debt, AM
to make every effort to discharge the obi
cation.
Year: 1876

Governor Woodford, after his speech in
this city on Wednesday evening remained
in town, the guest Of Mr.. Higgins, and yes
terday went to the Centennial To-day he
passed through Wilmington on lis way to
Baltimore, whore he speaks this evening
Somewhat later in the canvass, and when
there may seem to be no danger from
the yellow fever epidemic, number Of
prominent Republicans will start out for a
canvass in the South, and Governor Wood
ford will be one of the number, his speech
% in ibis city and Baltimore being the be-
ginning of the work.
Year: 1876

If the odds In tho pools any true indication of tho
probable result Of the elections 10 be decided Tues
day tho democrats have every be satis
fed with the situation. For tho past few weeks Tdcn
has steadily gained In popular estimation only on
his ability Of carrying tho State bat general re-
suit There very fair attendance at the pool
rooms last evening, but the betting not quite so
spirited II has becn along back. Most OF the money
invested the general result although there was
also some business done maioritcs. The following
figures will show the feeling existing among sport
ING fraternity:-
Year: 1876

The Sink Of Corruption which Grant Mas


New York Sun.l


It was the intention OF the Congress
yestjQating the doings OF Federal OFF,
GERS In Louisiana to have concluded Its
labors on Friday last. The committee
began Its labors on the first of June,
and has examined large number OF
witnesses, but although 1t succeeded In
eliciting great number of interesting
facts, ft has come far short OF
getting at the extent OF the corruption
which has prevailed In the administra-
tion Of public affairs in Louisiana since
that unfortunate State, by female infiu-
ence, was turned over to the gentle mer-
cies OF a brother-in-law Of the Presi-
to the ruling family was enabled to use
the United States army for the purpose
Of carrying out his will. That the COM
mlttee did not accomplish more is no
fault OF the gentlemen who have visited
Louisiana. The time they had at their
disposal was brief, and they seem to
have employed 1t to the best advantage.
They have unearthed 80 much villainy
in the short time they have
been at work that they natural
ly feel that they have a com
pI6ue case aRHlUSb J00 AumlnlSJTH-
tion, and yet they have only touched
the surface Of the frauds which cover
the State. They have evidence about
the contracts which the bogus Congress
man Sypher made they have tcs simony
as to the persistent stealing carried on
In the Customhouse they have dis
covered the truth about the Grant par
ish troubles, and about the Lowell de-
falcation, and about the employment Of
low politicians to work for the Republi-
can State ticket at the expense Of the
taxpayers of the country, and some
thing about the sugar frauds. and the
use Of troops to intimidate voters, and
about smuggling and whisky frauds
perpetrated through the conhivance OF
the chiefs OF the Customhouse ring. All
Of this will be useful in the approach
ing campaign, and the sworn testimony
produced will confirm all that the Sun
has said about these abuses. But the
committee neglected to look into the
doings Of the bankruptcy ring, In which
r. G. Billings, Grants United States
Judge, was the principal operator, and
which brought many New York mer-
chants to unpleasant entries upon their
balance sheets. However, the work
done Is good so far as it goes, and, as
life is short, the committee could not
reasonably have been expected to go to
the ultimate depths of the sink of cor
ruption which Grant has built In Lou
isiaDa
Year: 1876

SILENcING SKEpTIcIsM.-It is said OF
Robert Hall, that when some amateur
skeptic asked him about the future Of
man. be roughly answered, Il don't
know whether you have aasoul, but ]
know I have" This was answering q
fool according to his folly. and no
doubt tended to make him less wise in
his own conceit. But wherewith shall
we best reprove and silence the skeptic
of this generation? There is one ar
gument which speaks in all lsbgusges.
is known and read Of all men, and is
quite unanswerable-a godly life. So
to live, that be that is Of the contrary
part may be ashamed. having no evil
thing to say Of us.
Year: 1876

1t took Sir Isaac Newton less than
three years to thoroughly digest the
principles Of gravitation, while an In
diana farmer has spent eleven years
trying to find out why COW never
kicks until the pail is twothirds full
Year: 1876

1t will be happy day for this ooun-
try when people can 60 to weddings
without being expected to send hand
some present in advance, and when a
man can die without having~his last
moments disturbed by the thought that
to bury him as fashion demands, will
impoverish the family he leaves behind
him.
Year: 1876

IT Is sad to hear the Eastern Free
Press singing:


Oh my love has left the garden gate,


She sits on the steps no more;
And the old man swears if l 60 inside,
He'll boot me out at the door.
Year: 1876

The Woman sufragists Of New
Haven are wrestling with the question,
who is the superduous woman p
Of course We can't tell. but We know q
number Of family men in town. each Of
whom thinks be has married her.
Year: 1876

A LADY called upon a milliner the
other day to get the character Of her
servant. The respectable appearance
of the latter was beyond question. =
"But is she honest :" asked the lady" !"
II am not so certain about that" re-
piled the milliner. II have sent her to
you dozen times with my bill. and she
has never yet given me the money"
Year: 1876

do not know more beautiful sigh
on earth than man who has served biz
Lord for many years, and who having
grown gray in services, feels that in
the order of nature he must soon be
called home. He is rejoicing in the
first fruits of the Spirit which be has
obtained, but he is painting after the
full harvest of the Spirit which is guar
anteed to him. I think I see him sit
ting on jutting crag by the edge Of
Jordan. listening to the harpers on the
other side, and waiting till the pitcher
shall be broken at the fountain, and the
wheel at the cistern, and the spirit
shall depart to God who gave it. A
wife waiting for her husbands foot
steps. child waiting in the darkness
of the night till its mother comes to
give it the evening kiss, are. portraits
Of our waiting. 1t is pleasant and q
precious thing to wait and SO to hope.
Year: 1876

I entered one of the many shady walks
which spread out in all directions, says
writer, and few turns brought me to
small marble building in Grecisn


style, half hidden by foliage, with a
small knot of people lounging about the
entrance. A short distance away a
groom was leading a white charger up


md down. Upon inquiry I found that


iho emperor was in the building, which
contains q bath, and that the people
we're waiting to present to him com
plants or petitions. Several old women
wanted to have their conscripted sons
returned, while others were suing for
the pardon of some criminal, and,
though I had nothing in particular to
say to his majesty, I concluded to stay
and have good look at him. We did
not bave to wait long. The folding
doors opened, and with rapid strides a
tall form passed by and had reached the
groom with the horse before any of the
petitioners could approach him. AS he
mounted 7 had full view of his fair
open countenance, but his steed Was a
more beautiful object to look upon-the
noblest horse I ever saw; of pure Arab
blood, milk white, with rosy nostrils,
and gracefulness and strength in every
move. When his imperial master seated
himself the gentle animal turned its
head and affectionately attempted to
uibble the emperor's boots, but single
word started him off on canter, much
to the dismay of the petitioners, who
endeavored to keep up with him, hold.
ing out their papers. The czar shouted
back few words, telling them TO come
to the palace, and disappeared from
view. For the sake of the beautiful
horse I was glad to hear that there is
park at Tzarskoie Selo, where all horses
who have ever carried his majesty on
their back are kept in idleness and
abundance when their time of active
service has expired, and there is no
degradation in store for them to car
riage or even cart horses when old age
comes on.
Year: 1876

A GOOD WAY TO WASH L1NEN.-Dis-
solve two pounds of soap in about three
gallons of water as hot as the hand can
bear, and add to this one tablespoonful
of turpentine and three of liquid am.
monia. The mixture must then be well
stirred and the linen stepped in it for
two or three hours, taking care to cover
up the vessel which contains them as
nearly hermetically as possible. The
clothes are afterward washed out and
rinsed in the usual way. The soap and
water may be reheated and used sec
ond time, but, in that case, half table,
spoonful of turpentine anda tablespoon
full of ammonia must be added. Ihe
process causes a great economy in time,
labor and fuel.
Year: 1876

Twas quite young when ! received my
first lesson in fortune telling, says one
who recently escaped from gypsy
camp. For the first season l was only
to tell fortunes for young girls. 1 was
to Judge them ard say most about love
subjects. Afterward was allowed to
tell anybody. II could lay my hands
on anything worth having would do
so, but it was no business of anybody's
where I got it. I was never asked
where I got things. I was pleased ct
the idea of telling fortunes, and l did
very well at the business. I picked up
fast. and before the first season closed
I knew how to read human nature very
well and could read character tolerably.
I will not say much about stealing, for
I am ashamed. Some of our wagons
have false bottoms, so that whenever
the camp was searched nothing could
be found. If the officers came they
were given full privilege to search all
around, and in this way they were led to
believe, many times, that We we're really
innocent. There is no truth at all In
fortune telling. We said just what
came into our minds. One time young
man in Tennessee came to me and told
me to 90 to q certain house and induce
a young girl to have her fortune told.
He told me what to say. he was In
love with her and wanted to marry her.
I understood him, and carried out my
part very well. I sung her song about
the young lover, and the beautiful girl
got as white as enow, then red, and then
gave me five dollars. She could well
afford it. I goG ten dollars from the
man. He had been discarded, but be-
fore we left the place saw the pair out
driving.


There's any amount of trickery Like
this among the gypsies. liked the lie
at first. It was free and romantic; but
finally I tired Of it, because l was III
treated. I always wanted to keep up
my appearance, which made sorne OF the
other women jealous. They commenced
to spread evil reports about me, and
aid that I was guilty OF crime that l
had fought hard to overcome and es-
cape. Business got bad, and all my
money was either lost or stolen from the
wagon. It was not easy to make my
escape, for the men watched me closely;
but 1 managed it at last. Talk about
women being drudges among decent
white people, that's nothingl Women
who are compelled to live wandering
lives in this country are compelled to
lie, cheat, steal and commit almost any
crime to obtain money. There are
plenty of women who are situated the
same as I was, and who are but waiting
for O good chance to get of.
Year: 1876

Among the incidents of the Dutch
war against the South Africans are the
following. A party of Schhkmann's
force weIt out from Steel Poort to scour
the surrounding mountains, twenty
three men with q cannon went on one
side, and twenty five men on horseback
went on another. The men with the
cannon destroyed large number OF
huts belonging to various Kaffirs resid-
ing among the kloofs ard hollows OF the
mountains, but they came upon no
KaAfrs. The party of horse on their
way to q kraal or q Kafir village met
some women who had been out to gather
food. The first one, young woman,
was wounded by one of the band. she
was then shot through the head as she
lay on the ground by another OF the
party. Both men were Epglishmen.
Several more women were killed In the
kraal. They we're questioned as TO
where the cattle of the kraal were, and
were promised chat their lives would be
spared on condition that they told.
They gave the information, but the
cattle were not overtaken. The Two
women were then taken back with the
volunteers to Steel Poort, and a council
of war held as to what should be done
with them. It was decided, or at least
pretended to be so, that they should be
get at liberty. They were then sent out
under the escort of two Kaftirs belong
ing to Schlickmann's force. When they
arrived at the river one of the chiefs OF
the volunteers is said to have told the
Kafirs "Now you are to kill these
women, and to know that they are dead
I must hear the shots" The women
wsre accordingly followed. One OF
them put her hands together, and be-
sought the Kafirs, whose intentions she
appears to have OWNED, not to shoot
her. She had an infant on her back.
The man fred the gun, the ball took
effect in the child's head, and passed
through the woman's shoulder. The
other woman was shot by the other
Kafir through the back. The kaffirs
then stabbed their victims, and returned
and showed the blood upon their asse-
gals. There was a great outcry among
the more decent men Of the volunteers,
but no steps were taken to prevent such
atrocities. The leader of the volunteers
is ALLEGED to be more anxious to KILL
the women than the men, because, ne
says, they pick and SOW, and thus are
the chief instruments in prolongins the
war.
Year: 1876

The Chinese do not seem to have an
intuitive idea Of the sanctity OF an oath.
A consular Office boy, who had been in
the service nine years, was looking Tor
something which he evidently could not
find, and was asked what it was. "The
consul is going to try case this morn
ing" he replied, "snd am looking for
the little book he makes the Witnesses
smell"
Year: 1876

The Nebaska judge refused to grant the
injunction to restrain the republican cleo
tors from casting the vote of the state.
We do not see how his honor could reach
this decision. The new constitution of
Nebraska provides that the vote shall be
canvassed by the Legislature. 1t was
formerly done by the governor and secre-
tary of state. This year the governor
Jailed TO convene the Legislature, set
aside the constitutional requirements and
did the work as heretofore.
Year: 1876

a paper purpOrtlng TO be Message
from the President Of the United States
to Congress appeared in some of the
Radical party papers in Philadelphia on
Tuesday evening. We presume it ap-
peared in the Grant organs in other
cities at the same time. Such paper
finds its proper place, if there is any pro-
per place for 1t, in the organs Of its re-
puted author. 1t is document that
should make any generous, honest man
ashamed to acknowledge as portray
ing his feelings or sentiments. We can
not consent to publish document so
false and malicious. 1t would be i'm
proper in mere partizan like Blaine or
Morton in heated campaign to issue a
paper so utterly regardless of truth. But
coming from man for whose benefit the
whole country has toiled and suffered i'm
mense taxation for eight years it evinces
the meanest of all spirits and shows that
he is as destitute of every generous emo
tion as he is selfish and sensual.


No one could have better afforded to be
courteous and civil and to have dispensed
with violent partizan feelings, as he re.
tired from the Presidential office. But
instead he avails himself of the Message
through which to emit spite, resentment
and malace at the Democratic party ;
ferming it an ''cnemy in the rear" dur
ing the war. Such falsehood is un-
worthy, and becoming only TO a small
beer politician. Gen. Grant knows or
ought to know that had it not been fer
labor and toll of the Democrats who
favored peaceful settlement through a
compromise by which the Union would
be preserved in all its integrity, the war
never could have been successfully prose-
cuted had it not been for this and the aid
of the Democrats who entered the
Northern army the troops that fed from
Bull Run and other unsuccessful en-
counters might have been made 10 re-
treat into Canada. Aside from its parti-
IAN coloring the Message is a mere re-
cital of events, put together in very
clumsy and feeble manner, scarcely
worth any ones time for a perusal. In
tact it does not approach the idea of a
message in which the President of great
country is expected to lay before Con-
gress such affairs as would most engage
their attention. 1t is not strange perhaps
that this course should have been fol-
lowed by man who admits that he took
30 little interest in the Republic that paid
tor his education as to have voted but
once in his life for President.
Year: 1876

n@- Yesterday morning about
5 o'clock, some malicious per-
son fired a revolver through a
front window into the Univer-
sity boarding house, at present
occupied by c. d.. Emery. The
weapon was held SO close to the
window that it scorched the sill
and the ball passed through a
pane of glass and lodged some
where in the room, but has not
been found. What was the OBJ
ject of the person does not ap-
pear, but it is presumed that it
was merely a piece of malicious