smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

A BARBER in Pennsylvania, while cut
ting the hair Of rural customer, ran his
shears against some hard substance,
which proved to be "whetstone." The
od farmer said he chad missed that
milestone ever since last July, and had
looked n! over Il ten n-acrc lot for it, but
now remembered sticking it up over his
Year: 1872

consulting Actuaries," in answer to letter from
millions OF interest on loans and the premiums
charged up as receipts for reversionary additions,
and the average Is small The new policy holder
receives no equitable advantage, however, nom
this small average, nor from the small cost OF col
lecting the old renewals this latter source OF ad-
vantage belongs only and properly 10 the old policy
holder.


In conclusion the writer begs to add tnat the
Brooklyn Life neither knows OF. nor has any part
In, any crusade For any one interested In the
Mutual Life to complain of ''crusade" against it
Is palpaby ridiculous, as that company is univer
sally hostile to rival or contemporary, whenever
advantage to itself seems possible, no matter how
baneful the effect wrought TO the general business
The design OF this letter Is simply to correct the
errors or misstatements and expose the absurd
assumptions claimed in comparison for the Mutual
Life by one whose expensive manner OF advertis-
ing his views Enthusiastically brands his simple sig-
nature OF "A Policy Holder" as an evasion or q
pseudonyme Be he policy holder or otherwise, the
information above Is rendered him and all whom
it may concern Other interesting facts and CON-
PARSONS can be furnished II rendered necessary.


WILLIAM NJ. COLE,


Secretary Brooklyn Life Insurance Company.
Year: 1872

To THE EDITOR or THE HERALD:-


see by the last annual report OF the Insurance
Commissioner Of Massachusetts that, on four per
cent valuation the Mutual Life had Q surplus OF
only $40 above each 800 required to reinsure Its
outstanding risks. In other words, the margin OF
only $8 10 per cent above s0lvency. The policy
holders OF this company invest their money In 1t
because they have repeatedly been told and be-
lieved that the investment Is safer than any other
in the world and not subject to the contingencies
to which other investments are liaDle but on ex-
amining the subject 1t seems that margin Of only
$s 10 above the slO0 required to be solvent, ac-
cording to the standard tables, Is very small and
might easily be overcome. Would II not be well
for the Mutual to walt until this surplus OF eight
per cent amounts to forty fifty per cent upon It's
premium reserve before making this changer
am surprised to find the margin so small in the
case OF the Mutual Life, and had supposed 1t much
more than shown by the Massachusetts report


vessel freighted with the future interests of
80 many families should keep out In the open sea,
and not see how close 1t can shave on some rocky
promontory without injuring itself. II by the
course proposed by the Mutual Lie In the reduc-
ton OF rates this margin Is brought down very
much less, 1t seems to me that the policy holders
will be very materially injured by the change, as
their security will be greatly lessened. For one,





and would prefer to see the surplus run up higher
than at present than It lowered. confess that
cannot understand the object OF this reduction in
rates. The company has been doing good bus-
ness-about $35,OOo,Ooo last year-and the policy
holders are, no doubt satisfied with their dividends
The company would certainly be more secure by
doing o business OF 35,Oo0,OOO year on Its full
rates than 1t would by doing s5o,ooo,ooo at low and
insecure rates.


The truth OF the matter is that the policy holders
In this company DO not care to have their funds
expermented with. We are satisfied, as the New
York Underwater so aptly expresses 1t, ITO let
well enough alone.n Is IL that this company,
which is laying up five or six millions q year,
is dissatisfied because 1t is growing SO slow, and
wishes to monopolze everythingY Their funds
should be taken very good care or and their pros
poets should be very carefully studied and no risks
run which are unnecessary because they have at
rsk nearly $3.50 O0O, ,O0c. This Is very large sum
OF money, and will lave to be paid. II therefore
seems to me that this question should be most
carefully considered before being acted upon.


AN OLD INSURANCE MAN.
Year: 1872




The following protest was circulated at q late
hour yesterday afternoon among few of the
policy-h0iders OF the Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany In the lower part OF the city


"New York city poicyholders who receive
copy OF this protest by mail viii please sign the
same, obtain signatures OF their friends who are
policy-holders In the company ana return the pro-
tests to Messrs Foster Thomson counsellors-at-
law, 90 Wall street, not later than December 1871
The undersigned policy-holders of the Mutual
Life Insurance Company call to the attention OF
the trustees the fact that difference OF opinion
exists among prominent actuaries as to the effect
upon the interests OF present policyholders OF the
proposed new departure In the conduct OF the
officers OF the company and the disposition OF its
accumulated funds.


They also call to their attention the fact that IN
the opinion OF three eminent actuaries the reduc-
tion or premiums. as proposed, is unjust to ex-
aud interests and deserving our unqualified dis
approval"


They also suggest to the trustees that any ex-
permental revolution by them tof doubtful legal
tyl In the system Of the company's business, and
the use and hazard by them of the funds accumu-
lated by the present policy holders for the security
of new obligations enurng TO the benefit OF new
members, Is calculated to shake the confidence OF
the community in direction where, by every
means, confidence should be strengthened and not
weakened.


They protest against such an unusti1able exer-
else by the trustees Of the functions of their office.
Year: 1872

Parliamentary Party Union for Purposes Of Gen.
eral National Reconciliation Bases Of Cit-
zen Bill Of Rights-Press Anticipation Of
President Theirs Position Toward the


Project-The Chief Of State Adheres


to His Message Expression
Year: 1872

The Following note, which explains ITSELF may
not be out OF place in this connection, and the
absence of any reply thereto, any correction Of
the error alluded to- in conclusive evidence OF the
straits to which the management of the great
Mutual Life IL reduced when 1t seeks to push its
assumptions OF superiority by indirect means OF
misatAtpmenta. m
Year: 1872

A committee of members of the Boston press
are making extensive preparations to accom-
modate their newspaper brethren throughout
the country, who accept invitations TO attend
the international peace jubilee. Aroom in
the coliseum will be specially fitted up and
assigned for the use. A banquet is also in
consideration for the press on the opening day.
Year: 1872

In the active pursuit of pleasure or gain,
the inestimable blessing of health is too
often forgotten, until disease 10 firmly
seated, and the fact only realized by greA
bodily and metal suffering. The Liver is
the vulnerable point in most persons, and
the disarrangement OF that organ involves
almost the whole system hence the reason
why under Liver disease there is enumerated
such q number of Affections, and we claim
the Simmons Liver Regulator to be RENE
DIV for them ALL
Year: 1872

A Mr. Smith submits 10 the consideral ion of
the world, in letter Of tremendous length, a
that on one day in each and every year the
earth shall hold grand missionary jubilee in
their accustomed place of meeting, and there
listen to aermoa and an anthem to be sent
over all the telegraph lines..to every station in
the world by one manipulation of the instru-
ment All the nations Of the earth are TO take
turns in giving the sermon, and the c.ergymen
who prepare it must also know, if possible, how
to telegraph it. To prevent sectarian battles no
doctrinai points are 10 he touched in it. This
proceeding, Mr.. Smith expects, will bring into
Christianity all heathens and infidels Of every
stripe and spot. Az tribute to the memory Of
Prof Morse he wants these meetings to be
named "The Morse Memorial Missionary An
niversary."
Year: 1872

Wehave no hesitantcy in stating that,
among the able-bodied male e'adults of
this city, the very common beverage
known as "soda water" which is dealt
out so unsparingly at every corner
during the heated term, is considered,
to use their own language, "thin
drink But while the ingenious mix
ture of wind and water is termed
"thin," strong liquors, such as whis.
keys, are altogether too "thick" for
steady warm weather drink; and so
the imbiber who must moisten his flues
with some liquid refreshment seeks a
pleasant combination of the two classes
of drink, which forms happy com.
bination that eXhilarates yet is not in
| toXicating. 1t is customary among
these bibulous go-betweens to enter a
drug store, call for soda water, name
their syrup, at the same time giving a
wink to the dispenser of "huids," who
takes the goblet, in which he places the
syrup, then stoops down beneath the
\ counter or retires to a back room, where
by some mysterious chemical change,
the contents are colored darkly, and the
soda is then let in upon the mixture,
which is handed to the customer with
a wink from the clerk. SO much for the
process; now for the sequel.


A venerable gentleman from the
country, who is respected church dea-
con, justice of the peace, member of
tho "Band of Hope,' and Good
Templar in his native village, came to
the city to trade little in dry goods,
and purchase such agricultural imple.
ments as he needed to plant and cult.
vate his spring crops. The deacon Is
strictly temperate, and never looks upon
the wine when it is red any more than
he does when it is any other color. I'm.
fortunately, our old friend had suffered
from opthalmia in his early days, which
left him with an optical popularity
which caused his left upper eyelid ia
drop every few seconds, and which ia
those not familiar with his infirmity
gave him the appearance of winkine
Intentionally.


The Deacon is passionately fond o
soda water and such light beverages
lie loves to feel the gaseous compound
coursing down his throat, and creating
internal commotions and typhoons
Year: 1872

\ Paris correspondent tells this story;
A boy of thirteen, found lighting, was
taken to be shot. lie took silver
watch from his pocket and cried out {:
"Captain do let me take this first to a
friend across tho street; borrowed it,
SO you scamp said the officer, 1
understand you-you want to run off,"
"My word of honor, l will come back
again." said the boy, and the captain,
seeing it was child, was only to glad
TO be rid of him. In ten minutes the
boy came back and took his stand with
his face to the wall. "IIere l am :
flre!" The captain boxed tho little
hero's ears and ordered him never to
sh Ow his face there again. They could
not fire on him.
Year: 1872

On Friday morning, DR.. John H..
Holt, of Hillsborough, Md, was called
on to visit a patient in the country.
When he returned, knowing he had to
visit another soon, he left his medicine
chest under the seat of his carriage.
Late i'll the afternoon he hitched his
horse TO his carriage and visited his
patient Finding he had need to adj
minister a remedy not in the house he
went 10 his carriage to get his medicine
chest. To his astonishment, when he
touched it, it felt soft and fuzzy, and
humming noise that proceeded from
under the seat of his carriage told him
too plainly that something was wrong.
Further examination proved that
swarm of bees had "pitched" on the
doCtor's medicine chest wilhelm his carri-
age house. He had innCcently ridden
half-amile in the country with the
bees Immediately under his seat; he
could not be persuaded to ride back in
the same fashion but unhitched the
the horse from the carriage, led the
horse to town, and got boy to pull
the carriage and bees after him. That
evening the doctor had bee.gum pre-
pared, and "hived" the intruders, thus
recovering possession of his medicine
chest, 10 the great JOY of his numerous
patients. This 81 one of the most singular
freaks that we ever heard of bees COM
mitting .-Edston Star.
Year: 1872

A negro witness, on horse trial In
New Jersey court, was asked to explain
the difference between box stall and a
common stall. Strengthening himself
up, he pointed to the square enclosure
in which the judge was seated, and
said; "Dat ar's what calls box stall
dere whar dat old hoss is sittingW 1t
took a good many raps of the judges
gavel to restore order in that court
Year: 1872

Railroad travel was practically suspended yes
terday afternoon and evening on Long Island. On
the Flushing and Northside Road three engines
were attached to each train and then the trips
were few and irregular. The depot was crowded
with passengers waiting transportation. A train
on the Long Island Road is snow-bound between
Thompson and Brentwood, and up to seven O'Clock
last evening had not been heard FROM It was due
at Hunters Point at half-past twelve p. NJ. An
engine, with snow-plough attached, was sent out
to clear the track, but was unable to make any
progress in consequence of which no trains left
Hunters Point for the interior after twelve M.
yesterday. The SOuthside Road was able to make
but few trips, and late in the afternoon travel had
been suspended almost altogether.


A METEOR SEEN AT HUNTERS POINT.


The people OF Hunters Point were startled yes
terday afternoon at the appearance OF an uncom-
mon sight. About halfpast five, when hundreds
We're returning home from their work In New
York, the eastern horizon was all OF q sudden lit
up. 1t is described as beautiful in the extreme.
People ran out Of their stores and houses to view
IT.. The storm was raging with all is fury at the
time, which made the sight all the more interest
ing. No report was heard, but 1t is generally be-
licved to have been q meteor.
Year: 1872

CHATTANOOGA, Dec. 26-2:3O p M.
The thermometer is thirty-four degrees above
zero, and there is very heavy ice in the river.
Everything Is covered with ice. There was heavy
sleet storm all day yesterday and all night last
night 1t is rapidly growing colder. The wind is
from the northeast.
Year: 1872




last year 39ss
The ferryboats towards the close OF the day and
In the evening were somewhat delayed by the ice
In the river and the fact that the darkness was
thick that to avoid collisions with other vessels
was very difficult matter. Along the water
frontage work was at q complete standsiill. The
streets were almost deserted. while the corner
groggeries were densely crowded with rough-cad
workingmen. Drifts had formed along the edge Of
the bulkheads and the curbstones over five feet in
depth, and to cross the way men had 90 wade
through the snow up TO their hips. Many stores
were closed in the lower parts OF the town, where
the narrow thoroughfares were simply impassapo
for vehicles. Women we're scarcely TO be seen In
the streets.


At hali-past eight IN the evening


THE STORM ABATED,
but the snow was then about three feet In depth.
Tie street cars were run during the night with
great difficulty, and many OF them were blockaded
for some hours. The wind continued TO blow and
the nakes were sent gyrating through the air with
the wildness OF iiiries. IL grew gradually colder
towards midnight tie wind being keener
although the Thermometer since six O'Clock had
not varied from ten degrees above zero.


THE MAILS


from all parts OF the country were very much de-
layed, ILe Boston mail, dQc Wednesday night at
Year: 1872

FooD FOR THE Observation-Disclosures
years ago an aged lady of this cit : fell dead
from heart disease while winding p an old
fashioned clock The time was EN- minutes
before ten in the morning. Ever since
then the clock has stopped at ten on the
anniversary of her death. 1t has never
once failed in the fourteen years that have
passed. This is one of those strange occur
rences which people dismiss with the remark,
"a remarkable coincidence" and seem to think
they have fully explained it. The coincidence
is the wonderful thing about it., and exactly
what needs the explanation. In the name of
the marvellous we protest against all attempts
to divest such an incident of its supernatural
surroundings.
Year: 1872

The SMALL Pox.-There are all sorts of ex-
travagant rumors afoat in the city regarding
the prevalence of the small pox, none of which
have any basis in fact. Among the many re-
ports in circulation Saturday was one to the
effect thata young man employed in we'll
known eating house in Market Square had
been taken down by the disease. We are au
thorzed to say that there is no truth in the
report. The dseas has not attained the pro
portions of an epidemic There have been but
few deaths during the three weeks it has been
with us, and thereRre now but seven cases in
the city, all of which are mild
Year: 1872

DEATH OF DEPUTY MARSHAL GRIBBN.-
We regret to state that Mr.. lothian X. Crib
bin died at his residence at ten o'clock Satur-
day morning. Mr.. Gribbin had been member
of the police force for long time past, and on
account of his valuable services was appointed
Deputy Marshal some time during the present
municipal year He was a very efficient officer
always prompt IN the discharge of his duty,
and in his private relations a man of irreproach'
able character. The funeral services will take
place at the Chestnut street church at o'clock
Tuesday afternoon Prayers from the house at
half past one Isl
Year: 1872

HOG STEALING.-"John, John the piper's
son" has been at work in Deering At least it
is supposed it was John, for somebody ''stole a
pig aid away he run from prominent citi-
zen in that town, Saturday. Said pig weighed
over 400 pounds and was fatting for Christmas.
Saturday morning an unknown man drove up
to the house and took the pig The good house
wife, supposing her liege lord had sent butch
er after the animal, of course made no objection
to the carrying off When the husband return
ed at night no pig was there; an exclamation
followed, and he wept and tore his hair, for the
loss of Christmas dinner drove him to despai r
Poetry
Year: 1872

hEDUCrfO AID ABSuRDUh - he leaftleV actu-
ary of the Mutual Life, in his remarkable let
ter to the astute President of that company,
after detailing his plan, under which reverson-
sionary dividends are to be gyen-but no use
made Of them, while they were to be assessable
to meet deficits and SO on, and 50 on-goes on
to say, that 'the company will, by this most
desirable plan, have within its control large
fund which it may resort to in time of trouble,
should trouble come to it, while it will avoid
the Objectionable measure of keeping on hand
a large undivided surplus" If Mr.. Bartlett
were cook instead of an actuary, and the
thing before us were an urn of coffee instead of
a paragraph, we should insist upon his intro
ducing something to clarity itl The only pos
sble thing company can have "within its
CONTROL in the shape of a large fund, is the
undivided surplus The reserves, and every
other dollar of assets in the company's hands,
stand directly over against corresponding liza
bilities, leaving the undivided surplus the soli-
tary fund within the control of the company
and this it proposes to get rid of! This learned
gentleman says the company will have within
its control large fund to which it may resort.
Either this is very alarming statement, or
else it is very meaningless one; because, if
it means anything it means that the company
not represented in the undivided surplus for
the means with which to carry out its new low
rate plan.
Year: 1872

ART rNoTEs.-There is on exhibition at Hale's
beautiful water color called Carrying the
Letter to Mamma" The figure is that of a lit
tie girl, neice of Bret Harte by the way, whose
face is beamng with childish delight at the
thought of the surprise she is to give her mother.


He has also portrait of a daughter of one of
our up town families, which will be put on ex-
hibition as soon as framed Aside from the
beauty of the picture as portrait (and that is
sufficient to attract any young fellow who has
the least pretensons to taste), it will command
general attention from the warmth and delica-
cy of the color, and the nicely of touch shown
in every detail. 1t is done in water colors by
Miss Mary Rolfe, and is by far the best thing
land we have seen many good things from her
brush) she has yet done. The picture is per-
feet gem.
Year: 1872

The proprietorS Of the Fifth Avenue Hotel
publish card stating that they have taken
care of the sufferers by the fire, and deprecate
the newspaper comments pending the investi-
cation now in nrogreSs
Year: 1872

Reports from North Carolina appear to be
somewhat mixed, and while we have had re-
lated assurances that the State was all right
for the Republican ticket by a decisive majority,
the Democrats are also encouraged by sanguine
expectations, AID hope for success. The result
may therefore, be considered as somewhat in
doubt, and we shall have to wait for the returns
before framing any final opinion.
Year: 1872

The German words lager beer sig
nifty stock beer. that has been stored
away. The story as told iu Germany
is an old one, aud runs thus:


Many years ago q shoemaker, near
Hamburg, sent his apprentice to get
a bottle Of hamburg beer, which was
sold at that place; but the boy. not
knowing this, went to the city itself.
On returning he met an acquaintance
of his, who told him that when he
would come home his boss would
whip him for staying SO long. The
poor boy, frightened at this, thought
it better not to go home at all. but
took his bottle, buried it under tree.
and ran away. lie went among the
soldiers, where he distinguished, him
self, so that in a short time he became
an officer. When one day his regi-
ment was Quartercd In this small
town. the officer thought proper tC
pay visit TO his old boss. but not
before he had got the bottle Of bee,
which he had buried some years be-
fore under the tree. When he enter
ed, he said:


"Well, sir, here I bring you your
bottle of hamburg beer that you sen,
me for"


The shoemaker. not knowing wha,
this meant, was told by the officer all
about it. The bottle was then open.
ed, and the beer was found to be OF
superior quality. When this fact wa.
known, some of the brewers bull,
deep vaults. where they put then
beer, and called it, after it had beer
there some time, lager, which meant
nothing more than lying. The officer
aftcrward married the daughter o
the shoemaker, and drank good dca
of lager beer, receiving in that occu.
patton the assistance of his fathcr-in.
law
Year: 1872

SILENT INFLUENcE.-W We are
touching our fcllow-bcings on oil
sides. They are effected for good or
tor evil by what we arc, by what We
say and do, even by what we think
and feel. Mayflowcrs in the parlor
breathe their fragrance through the
atmosphere. We are each Of Us
silently saturating the atmosphere
about us with tho subtle aroma Of
our character. In the family circle,
besides, and beyond all the teschine,
the daily life of each parent and child
mystcriously modiiics tho life ofsvery
person ef the household. The Same
process OH wider scale Is going on
through the community. No man
liyeth TO himself and no man dieth to
himself. Others are built up and
Strengthened by our unconscious
deeds: aud others may be wrenched
out of thciI places and thrown hy
our unconscious influence.
Year: 1872

A Cape Cod gentleman handed
letter to the postmaster to ascertain
the weight oft. Being told that II
was Just trifle over one-hnlf ounce,
no took out his penknife and whitfield
the corners to its just weight, there
bv saving three cents.