smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

Among the modes of punishment


vogue in the East there are few tb
are not characterized by barbarity in


greater or less degree. We may, if '
like, hold the theory in America tn


the execution of a criminal should J
carried out as deterrent to othe
rather than as societys revenge upt


him personally for the offense comm
ted but with Indians such an argume5
would lot hold water for monent, al
this is sufficiently proved by the rein
ments of torture which many of the
modes of punishment involve, and whi4
seem specially designed as much
crafty the m orbid tastes of the behol


ers as to accomplish their ultimate d.
sign on the victim.


Although the English have done mue.
to abolish these barbarous modes 4
execution in the different native stat,
under their control, they still prevail /
some parts of the Indian empire
notably at Hyderabad and at Baroda
from the latter of which capitals come
the following account of the mode {
executing criminals with the elephant


The wretched victim is bound han
and foot, and then by means of rop
tied round his waist, is secured to tn
hind leg of the elephant, which is thel
driven at brisk trot through th
streets of the city. OF course, at ever.
movement of the animals leg, the bod,
of the man is lifted up and dashed vic
lently ageinst the ground !; and it is vel
for him if one of these conclusion
should haply prove fatal, in which cas-
his sufferings are at an end.


Otherwise the miserable wretch i
taken outside the city, where he i
placed with his head upon stone, an(
the elephant, raising his enormous foot
crushes it as easily as Nasmyth ham
mer would Barcelona nut. Howeve,
it may be disapproved on humanitaria'
principles, there can be no doubt that i,
the end the execution of a criminal il
this fashion is decidedly effectual, and
diverted of the preliminary torture, les,
painful than many modes of in
ficting death which prevail elsewhere
Year: 1876

Standing on the threshold, with her wAkening
heart and mind,
Standing ON the threshold, with her childhood
left behind;
Tho woman softness blending with the look Of
sweet surprise
For life and oil its marvels that light tho clear
blue eyes.
Standing on the threshold, with light foot and


fearless hand,
As tho young knight by his armor In minister


nave might stand;
The fresh red lip Just touching youths rudy


rapturous wine,
The eager heart all brave, pure hope, oh, happy


child OF mine!
could guard the helpless infant that nestled


In my arms;
I could savs the prattlsr's golden head from


petty baby hsrme
I could brighten childhoods gladnesr, and


comfort ohildhood's tesrs,
But cannot cross the threshold with the step


Of riper years.
For hopes, and joys, and maiden dreams are


waiting for her there
Whore girlhood's fancies bud and bloom In


April's golden air;
And passionate love, and passionate grief, and


passionate gladness lie
Among the crimson flowers that spring %


youth goes Auttering by.
Ah on those rosy pathways Is no place for


sobered feet,
My tired eyes have naught Of strength such


fervid glow to meet;
My voice is al too sad to sound amid the Joyous
OF the music that through charmed air for


opening girlhood floats.
Yet thorns amid the leaves may lurk, and


thunderclouds may lower,
And death, or change, or falsehood blight the


jasmine in thy bower;
Nay God avert the woe, my child; but, oh


should tempest come
by the threshold waits the patient


love Of home!
Year: 1876

"Let man for time become editor
if he would be thoroughly acquainted
with men outside and inside, and
through and through" said DIR. Taylor
in lecture before the Yale divinity stu
dents.


This is very true, and when DR.. Tay-
lor says that in early life he was an edi-
tor, we get one of the reasons of his
power and success as preacher. There
is no man who obtains such an insight
into human character and the motives
which govern men conduct as an editor
of daily journal who is fitted for his
place-that is, ono who is capable of
both observation and reflection, who
preserves his independence and does
not let prejudice disturb his analysis.
We will add to what DR.. Taylor says,
that training as reporters would be very
useful to theological students.-Sun.
Year: 1876

Quaint though the construction be Of
the following poem, yet never has the
story OF the cross been told with more
truthful simplicity:


Blest they who seek,


While In their youth


With spirit meek,


The way OF truth.
To them tho sacred Scriptures now display
Christ ~ the only true and living way;
His precious blood on Calvary was given
To make them heirs Of endless blise In heaven,
Aud cen ON earth the child Of q d oau trace
Tho glorious blessings Of his SAvior's grace.
For them he bore


His Fathers frown;


For them He wore


Tho thorny crown


Mailed 10 the GROSS,


Endured its pain,


That His lifs's lors


Might be their gain.


Then haste to ohoose


That better part,


Nor cen dare refuse


Tho Lord thy heart,


Lost He declare.


~ know yon not,


And deep despair


Should be your lot
Now look 70 Jesus who OH Calvary died,
And trust on Hun who there wss crucihed.
Year: 1876

About eleven o'clock one night there
was loud and boisterous kicking at the
front door of the parlor in which the
lovers were sitting. The girl said it was
her infuriated brother who had sworn to
kill any one who visited her. The young
man very naturally hunted his hat and
made his way out of back window, and
tried the metal of his heels across the
commons. The raging brother fred five
useless pistol shots after him d let
him go. 1t was hardly likely that he
would come back, but he did come the
very next night. He took out a FIVE
shooter and laid it on table by him,
aud resumed his counting. He has been
troubled with that rough, raging
brother no more.
Year: 1876

ciAest Showing ths Care that shssld b
Exercised.


There will be q few days sensation


over the robpery Of the New London


bank, says the New York Tribune, and


tho unfortunate young teller will have


his trial, 20 to prison, ind then be
forgotten. He had been in the employ


of the bank for several years, and, as


the facts show, trusted implicitly. His


salary was nine hundred dollars 0 year.


Gould young man be more plainly and


directly led by his employers into temp


tstion3 With all their care and watch


fulneBs against uiBnOne8L persons from


without, and all their appliances to pro-


tect and defend their property from ex-


ternal assault, they left this young man


to the largest possible responsibility, and


paid him therefor salary hardly larger


than the wages of common unskilled


day laborer. Is it not plain that they
should either have paid him more OF


watched him closer Watched him, for
his own sake, to put some barrier be-
tween him and the temptation daily be-
fore him. They saved few dollars on
his salary, and they risked their own
property and his future to do it. There's
a young man lost, but no money. Was
it wise conomya Was it a reasonable
care that they exercisedG ....l


In "a corporation in the same town in
which this robbery occurred, q gentle
man was called year or two ago to re-
sponsiple executive position. Entering
upon his duties, he found that one young
man in the emf 10y of the company had
been intrusted with almost absolute con-
troll OF large sums of money. Returns
were made to him, moneys paid aud dis
bursed, with nothing like check or re-
straint upon him, and hardly any system
by which the correctness of his accounts
could be tested. The gentleman made
it his first business to have thorough
overhaulipg Of the books of the con-
Germ, and then to put in operation plan
Of duplicate reports and returns and a
complete system of checks and balances,
error or fraud could be detected |
1t once. Some time after the organiza-
lion of this system, the young man, who
possessed, as he deserved, the entire CON
idence of his employers, said to the
"Mr. B., did you
hink l was dishonest that you made
hese changes in our methods Of doing
business and keeping accounts9"
NO." was the reply; II did not think
,ou were dishonest, and I do not mean
hat you shall have any chance to be. It
vas as much for your sake as the COM
,any's that I directed the changes to be
made. 1 meant to remove anything
ike temptation from you. won't al.
ow myself to be subjected to any such
and so I have the same
hecks upon myself" That gentleman
new the weakness of human nature, and
! was his philosophy to avoid by all
aeans putting any strain upon it. It
GEMS to us wise. There was Divine in
light into the weakness and frailty of hu-
IAN nature In the prayer that asked not
trength to resist, but that gave human
voice in the aspiration
Led us not into temptation.
Year: 1876

ENrERPR1sE.-One day young man
in Kentucky town was invited with his
sweetheart to attend party, but un-
fortunately was not in possession of
enough money to defray expenses. To
provide it he killed neighbor's dog,
skinned it, and sold the hide to a tam
yard, realizing enough to supply his
need.
Year: 1876

SATIsFIED.-At least one man in In.
dianapolls looks with satisfaction upon
the laws delay. He is the tenant of a
house whose ownership is disputed, and
each of the parties to the suit to decide
the point has enjoined him from paying
rent to the other, so that he is living rent
free.
Year: 1876

LOBBYISTS seem indispensable where leg
isiation is made, from the lobbies Of the
Congressional halls to tho Council
Chambers they are to be found. In Wash.
ington the greatest variety is to be found,
and it appears to be the most money making
business that can be engaged in, judging by
the number who participate, and the ease
and luxury Of life which 10 the reward Of
their efforts. An exchange says the most
agreeable class Of people in Washington are
the female lobbyists Of whom there must
be thirty or more. A few Of them are hand
some, others possess literary pretensions,
and nearly all pay great regard to the con-
ventionalities Of society. All have tact,
some have practical common sense, and
those who belong to the class against which
Sam Weller warned his father to beware
show an intimate acquaintance with the
best way of managing the other sex. In no
age or country, from the days of Louis
XIV, and the Court Of Spain, as described
by Gil Blaa, has female influence been more
potent than it is in Washington just now.
Year: 1876

THERE seems to be strong suspicion in
the Republican ranks that Conkling is an
article that should be handled with care,
right side up. While they have great faith
in his ability and his fidelity to the party,
there is at the same time an under
current, which works for Grant, and Copk-
ling is the even surface to deceive. The New
York Swu states that Mr.. Conkling's friends
and Mr.. Coukling himself are not earnestly
seeking the nomination for him, Lut are
merely endeayoring to get q delegation
which they can control, and use, to secure
for General Grant the third.term nomination
which he 50 much desires.
Year: 1876

THOSE who have traced the trial care
fully will discover that General Babcock
has had an able, numerous and industrious
counsel, but for which be would have been
deeper in danger than be now stands. Thers
Is not sufficient evidence to convict him, but
there is at the same time, enough Of the
mysterious surrounding the whole, to sus-
tain the belief that there Is . little Of the
filth clinging to the skirts Of his coat, and
though he may escape the compauionship
Of Messrs. Joyce and Mcdonald in loath-
some dungeon, the public will still have its
ideas, and look upon him ~ q singed
man, ...
Year: 1876

The Chicago Times says that Grant
gets up at o'clock in the morning. But
it is to be hoped that is not true. We
have very little respect for the strength
OF character OF man who suffers him.
self to be jerkcd out Of bed by a whisky
Babcocktail at that early hour in the
morning. Courier Journal
Year: 1876

Miss Marie Poirson, of Paris, has
just done pretty thing. She had been
betrothed to the young Count de Fois-
aut before the war, in which, while
serving in the artillery, he bad the mis-
fortune to lose both his legs. After
that fatal cannon shot at Sedan, the
count must have thought the chance of
his love keeping her word with him was
but small but she has just done SO.
The marriage has taken place. During
the Indian mutiny precisely similar
misfortune befell an officer, who OBJ
tanned the Victoria Cross at the price
of the loss of his lower limbs and in
this instance also the girl who had pro-
missed her love to him did not withdraw
it. Such loyalty can by no means be
reckoned upon in the other sex; and
often an attack Of smallpox or other ILL.,
ness is as fatal to a mans fidelity as to
his loves good looks The late Duke
of Wellington took very characteris-
tic middle course under circumstances
of this kind. He was not sentimental
nor chivalric. but he had strong sense
of duty. When the woman to whom he
was engaged wrote to say: my beauty
is gone." be replied, from Spain: II
am sorry for it but I will marry you
still if you think proper to hold me to
my bargain" And she did think proper.
1t is scarcely necessary to say that the
marriage did not prove happy one:
Year: 1876

PUTTING ON A SHIRT IN A TUNNEL'


The following incident occurred on
train Of the Pennsylvania Railroad:


On the road in the front part Of a
passenger car a sewing machine agent
from Chicago wearily awaited the hour
when the train should reach Easton -
He had long been on the way, and was
tired and dusty, and complained to the
gentleman in front of him that he bad
not had time to change his linen, the
bosom of which bore evidence Of the
fact His neighbor sympathized with
him. for he was comely man to look
upon, with pensive eyes. curly hair,
aud an Adonis- like form, and adorned
with the best of cloth cut in the latest
style. while on the third finger of the
right hand an enormous diamond fash
ed Taking him all in all. he was not
to be. sncezed at, as couple of young
girls thought. judging from the glances
which they SO frequently cast upon him.
and the sighs that now and then escaped
their cherry lips.


This the young sewing machine man
observed, and his heart went pit-apat
and be wished that his shirt bosom was
more immaculate, and be again spoke
of it to his fellow travellers.


II will tell you how to do it if you
have a clean shirt with you." said a
passenger who happened to be resi-
dent of Easton.


Yes, sir, 1 have garment in my
satchel! How can l put it on 7"


"We are approaching the Quaker
town tunnel. and the conductor told me
it takes seven minutes to pass through
it. so there's your chance. and nobody
will ever be the wiser Of your move
ments," replied the joker.


The suggestion was so apropos that
the youth of the sewing machine en-
braced it at once, opening his satchel
and selecting the linen Of spotless white


"Now's your chance !" cried the fun
loving Eastonian as the train plunged
into the tunnel. Then all was dark ~
The blackness of Erebus prevailed and
no sounds were heard above the rever-
berating rattle of the cars. save now
and then an emphatic oath from the lips
of the Chicagoan. Quick as oh the
iron horse dived into the broad sun
light, ard then-what sight was there,
my countrymen! In STOPPING posture
there was the sewing machine youth,
striving to thrust his head through the
shirt that was double -buttoned at the
throat


"Oh. my! Oh, .my!" shrieked the
city bellies as they buried their pretty
Mortified faces in their hankerchiefs,
and there was general blushing among
the ladies', and very loud smiles on the
faces of the gentlemen.


Then. the Easton joker rushed up to
the wriggling youth. who was uttering
profanity by the bushel, and unbuttoned
the neckband; the head popped through.
presenting to the astonished passengers
a face like a raw beefsteak, with the
sweat sreaming from it like gravy from
a basted turkey. The gentlemen gather
ed around him so as to shut him from
view until he completed his toilet, when
be grasped his satchel and started into
the next car. vowing vengeance on the
man who told him how to put on shirt
in a tunnel.
Year: 1876

We confess to an admiration for the
Republicans of California. In their line
they are unexcelled. Nobody has any
respect for the petty thief but the rob
ber who goes in for millions is, IN his
way, a sort OF public hero. We rpspeEx-
fully beg leave to enter The Republicans
Of California as the. champion liars OF
the Union. They have made the grand
ascent Of the mountain of falsehood,
and they now look down in supreme
contempt upon the straight paths OF
not to be trusted with the control OF
affairs. as they propose to pension Con-
federate soldiers, pay cotton claims, and
compensate the owners Of slaves for
their loss by emancipation, (which
would entail another war" Ifanybody
can beat that we should like to see him
trotted out.-lCincinnati Enquirer.
Year: 1876

A motion was adopted ut the meeting
OF the Council of this Union, last even
ing. requesting the legislative commit
tee to wait on the Mayor and City Adj
and urge the passage of an
ordinance relative to the remission of
on back taxes.
Year: 1876

The Truckee (Cal.) Republican, of
August 80, relates the following: An
exciting scene took place last week in
the long snow-shed this side of the
summit. As the eastern-bound freight
train had just emerged from the tunnel
the engineer saw a deer some ways
ahead on the track. The frightened
animal was flying ahead of the engine
at break-neck speed, and the atten-
tion of all hands was Immediately called
to the fact. The whistle commenced
screaming, and then followed one of
those highly exciting scenes which
rouse even the dulleSt to the highest
pitch There was no alternative for
the pursued and timid animal but to
keep straight on down the track. The
gloomy cavern formed narrow race
track, and the fitting openings through
which the cleaning light entered added
to the wildness of the adventure. For
over half a mile the Kissing monster
with its vitals of fire rushed onward
toward it's defenseless victim; on down
the narrow, almost endless, and the
dark, cheerless passage-way, pulling,
groaning and believing forth its angry
impatience, eager for the life of the
teeting little innocent. For time the
result seemed almost certain, the pur-
suers gained steadily on the pursued.
The deer never left the track, but sped
onward as straight as an arrow. The
game was almost within the clutch of
the iron horse, and in few moments
would have laid lifeless and mangled
beneath the wheels. All hands were
on the edge of expectancy. The eager
anticipation for the prey, settled almost
into a conviction. The brakes were
loOsened and full steam applied, when
just ahead small opening, caused by
last winters heavy snow, was seen by
the frightened animal. Like dart ii
shot through it, and up the steep side
of the rocky mountain, while shout
of good-natured disappointment went
up from the crew on the train, and the
great engine still continued to groan
and puff, but it seemed to be with
chagrin and disappointment.
Year: 1876




There are really about 1900 of the
islands, and they extend a distance of
fifty miles. They range in size from 4
mere rock, crowned with a single tree,
to large and fertile islands that might
hold cities. The passage through and
among them, especially in the early
dawn, is truly delightful. Their num-
Der is bewildering, and the prospects
that unfold themselves as the boat glideS
over the placid waters are enchanting.
Fishing and duck shooting are said to
be famous sports here We saw nImer-
Gus encampments of gentlemen and
ladies who were engaged in these pas
times, and notably one very large en-
campment that had continued for more
than six weeks, and contained people
from many of the States, even from
California.


But the most exciting part of our
voyage still was in proSpect-the shoot
ing of the rapids. There are eight or
ten of these between the thousand Is
lands and Montreal. Some are quite
small and tame after the first curious
sensation of going down hill on a steam
boat has been experienced; but some
are grand and terrific in the extreme.
Cedar Rapids especially present a sight
hardly inferior in breadth and tumult
to the rapids above Niagara Falls. If
you can imagine going in steamboat
through the strongest surf that is ever
seen at Cape May, and going rapidly
down hill at that, VOW will have some
idea of the passage of the Cedar Rapids.
The height of the surges is very great.
In the midst of the descent the river
makes a clear drop of about four feet
over a ledge of rock though which our
pilot found way invisible to me. A
curious effect is caused by the "white
caps' being all turned up stream.


After sunset we approached the head
of the last and most dangerous of all
the rapids, Lachine. As we drew near
the Indian village of Caughnawaga, on
the southern shore, every eye was
eagerly on the lookout for the canoe of
Baptiste, the old Indian pilot of the La
chine Rapids. For forty years he ha;
piloted vessels through this dangerous
passage. No steamer ventures down
unless he is at the wheel. At last he
came in sight and rapidly boarded our
craft. He was verify the observed of all
observers. A tall, well built, well pre-
served man of about 60 years of age,
with not very decided Indian features,
but with look of intelligence and firm
ness about him that at once inspired
every one with confidence in him.


In few minutes more we were in the
midst of the whirl and turmoil of the
Rapids. At one moment we seemed to
be inevitably dashing upon a large rock
which lay directly in our course, and
which was mercilessly lashed by the
surges, but sudden turn of the wheel
brought US by that also, and soon we
were in placid water again, and before
many minutes had elapsed we had
passed beneath the magnificent Victoria
Tubular Bridge and were fast approach
ing the splendid wharves of Montreal.
Cor. PHILADELPHIA Bulletin.