smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

A few nights since the locomotive of
train on the Pennsylvania Railroad
was run between Pittsburg and Altoona
by an engineer who had, unknowingly
to the conductor, become considerably
intoxicated in the former city. At times,
at the most dangerous places, the man
put the engine to its utmost test---forty-
five and fifty miles an hour. But when
ever he saw a red light he reversed the
locomotive, and brought into operation
the patent air-brakes. The stoppages
from Pittsburg to Altoona on this ac-
count were very many, and the train
was several hours late on arriving at
the latter place. The peculiar move
ments of the train greatly excited the
passengers and filled them with painful
amazement. The conductor had be-
come informed of the engineers condi-
ton, but he could find no one to whom
he could entrust the responsibility of
running the train. He studiously kept
the secret from the passengers, lest it's
divulgement would fill them with ter
ror. Notwithstanding the dangerous
hands in which probably hundred
lives had been placed, the train reached
the end of the engineers run with safe
ty. It is needless to add that the drunk
en- employee of the company was prompt
ly discharged. He had previously been
considered one of the best and most re-
liable engineers---as he was one of the
oldest---on the road. On the day of
the accident, unfortunately, he fell in
with party of friends, and drank an
inordinate quantity of liquor---Altoona
(Penn,) Tribune.
Year: 1873

To pass away the gloomy hours in
prison, Bunyan took rail out of the
stool belonging to his cell, and with his
knife, fashioned it into q flute. The
keeper hearing music, followed the
sound to Bunyan's cell, but while he
was unlocking the door the ingenious
prisoner placed the rail in the stool, SO
that the searchers were unable to solve
the mystery nor during the remainder
of Bunyan's residence in the jail, did they
ever discover how the music had been
produced.


In an old account of Bedford there
IS an equally good anecdote, to the effect
that Quaker called upon Bunyan in
jail, one day, with what he protested to
be a message from the Lord. CATER
searching for thee" said he, Gin half
the lails of England, am glad to have
found thee at last" eff the Lord sent
thee, said Bunyad, sarcastically, ''you
would not have needed to take SO n,uch
trouble to find me out, for He knows I
yearsv asst"
Year: 1873

A searcher after truth writes to ask us
which is dramatically correct, to say,
the house is building" or "the house
is being built :" I" the Street is paving, ,"
or "the street is being paved ?" There
is wide diversion of opinion upon this
subject; but we are inclined to favor
sis being built, for the following rea-
sons Suppose you want to express an
other kind of an idea, would you say,
for instance, Johnny is spanking, " or
Johnny is being spanked ?" The diff
ference to you may seem immaterial,
but it is q matter of considerable i'm
portance to Johnny and it is probable
that if any choice were given him, he
would select the former alternative.
You assert, we say, that Hannah is
hugging," which, by the way, would be
avery improper thing for Hannah to do,
it would be positively scandalous, in
deed. Precisely similar idea is con-
veyed if You say, " Hannah is being
hugged," because it is q popularity of
the act that it is hardly ever one-sided !;
there is no selfshness about it. And it
is the same with kissing "Jane is
kissing" is just exactly as if we should
say, "Jane is being kissed and the
sensation is the same. 1t will not be
necessary, however, for our correspon-
dent to attempt to prove this last men
toned fact by practice. He must take
our own word for it. Unless he does so,
we shall answer no more questions in
Syntax for him or any one else. Our
duty to conserve the morals of the COM
munity, not to start people to playing
private games of Copenhagen.
Year: 1873

The remarkable faculty which dogs
have of finding their way home from a
strange locality by paths previously un-
known to them seems to fail in great
cities, where dogs so frequently lose
their way completely. A writer in the
Quarterly RevieV thinks that they
"have a certain sense of the magnetic
currents, suficing to afford them a sort
of internal mariners compass, marking
the direction in which they travel. We
know that the magnetic currents affect
the needle, and the hypothesis that they
may also affect living frames with special
organizations seems no way incredible;
while the fact that dog which can find
his way for hundred miles in the open
country, may lose it in five hundred
yards in town, seems to point to the
multitude of streets turning to right
angles as the cause of confusion to q
sense which simply indicates a straight
direction.
Year: 1873

The girls in the first class of the High
School in Portland, Maine, have made
q decided movement in favor of sim
plicity in dress. The class, between
thirty and forty in number, have al
most unanimously agreed to adopt for
school wear dresses of plain, substantial,
and inexpensive material Fanciful
ornaments and jewelry are to be used
only to limited extent, which is speci-
fed and fully understood by the girls
Many pupils in the lower classes are
ment to cause the young girls in Amer
lea to dress simply is worthy of highest
commendation. 1t is painful to see
those who are fresh and young, and who
are ostensibly occupied in gaining an
education, so dressed as to show plainly
that their thoughts are largely spent
upon outward adornments.
Year: 1873

The Democracy Of the Fifth Congressional Dis
trict Of Ohio not only denounce the Congressional
salary steal, but call upon their Democratic Rep


reeenative Of that district who pocketed his por-
tion of the grab, TO resign hts seat They declare
That he is net . at man % represent Democrats ii
Congress-. With all the talk Of the Republicans
there Is not single instance Of their 90 thofouQh-
y repudiating this swindle upon the people, and
not an instanCe OF their calling upon one of their
Representatives who took the back salary TO re-
sign his seat. On the contrary, the IsadfhR ad-
vocates Of that steal on the Republican side arc
looking for and are IN fair way Aof 'prohotion,
This 10 the difference of the treatment Of corrup


tionists in their own ranks by the Two parties y
Baltimofe Gazeite W.
Year: 1873

Tao Supreme Court of Missouri h 10
dcei'lcd that clerk or employee can
recover wages for tho full timo ON
ploy Notwithstanding no may be
discharged in tho meantime.


A meeting Of tho NngliSh Common
Law Judges has been hold TO cons.d-
or the provisions Of tho jury lill.
Their Lordshirs arc Of opiuion that
the number of Jurors should not be
reduced, and that the rule Of Una
nimity should bo maintained.


The Court Of Appeals has sass
tanned tho decision Of the Now York
Surrogate that the United; States
cannot accept bcGuests Of real estate,
tho case in issue being the will OF
Charles Fox giving half million
dollars to tho government to help pay
the national dobt.
Year: 1873

WHI DIsCRIMISArE f-The Denver Tribune wants to know how it is that tue Federal Govern. ment can afford 10 spend money SO lsvIshy in digging for artesau wells In Wyoming, California and other States and Territories, and yet have no dollar for Colorado. We should be glad to hear of Colorado obtaining the investment Of Federal means in the establishment Of artesian wells for they would be public benefit Neither would there be any objection to tue expenditure Of Fed era means in sinking this sort Of wells in Utah, say one on the military reservation near this City to begin with.

 And we would take it as special favor il Government would kill few so-called peace commissioners and apply their salaries and stealings to the good work of boring for ar. tesian water in Arizona, where one good flowing we'll would be of more benefit to the Territory and country than all the hypocrit ical scoundrels who disgrace the nation and insult the King of Kings.
Year: 1873

No more free carriage of newspaper ex- changes, and no more free matter of any kind will be carried in the mail bags after the first of next month. Having heretofore published the new law, subscribers of the MINER know what to do For our part, we will drop sev- eral exchanges, not necessarily, but the time will be so opportune.
Year: 1873

Contradictory reports concerning the build ing of what is called the Arizona telegraph line have well nigh shocked our faith in the steadiness of purpose of those who have the matter in hand. The latest report will be found in our Extra" and not knowing what news another mail may bring, we don't feel like prognosticating.
Year: 1873

THE GALAxY.-The article published on the fourth pags of to-day's MINER will give those of our readers who have not read the Galaxy for June, clear idea of its contents. We like it very much, and advise our friends to buy it from Kelly & Stephens, or subscribe for it.
Year: 1873

ABARoN.-Nature is full of seeming
enigmas-puzzles-problems - obstacles


Yet is there key, an explanation to
each and all, if we are but permitted to
find and use it. How to put a .girdle
round the earth in forty minutes, as sug-
gested by the poetic brain Of Shakespeare,
has long since been discovered, Morse
having found and applied the magic key.
Aerial navigation is what men are now
puzzling their heads about, and the utili-
cation of the vast oceans Of air for other
purpose than mere breathing-even as
the watery element has been put to other
uses than mere drinking-is the problem
for the present age to work out. And,
certainly, fifty years ago journeying in
the air seemed more likely to be accom-


plished than the almost instantaneous
transmission of thought around the globe.
A rather astonishing bit of chemical news
appears in recent Paris letter. 1t de-
scribes a discovery related at a secret
session of the Paris Academy of Science
on the 18th of Juno last. The discovery
is that hydrogen, hitherto considered an
element, is in reality a combination Of
two elements, one Of which is nine times
as light as Illuminating gas. The new
element is called abaron, meaning weight
less. 1t will not burn, extinguishing
flame, is is without odor, taste or color.
The discoverer is NJ. Lebarre, a we'll
known chemist and his discovery was
not an accident, but the result OF Il series
OF successful experiments. The influence
OF the discovery, should it be substantial


ted, upon baloning will be manifest.
The tremendous lifting power Of abaron
will render possible the employment Of
metallic balloons, capable Of resisting all
strains and shocks, and of preventing the
escape of gas by eXosmosis; and aerial
steamships will become realities. The
eastern current" would then be Of no
consequence to travel and commerce,
and would pass into the category Of the
" Northwest passage" and other now
useless theories and ventures. 1t would
also most thoroughly and satisfactorily
solve the transportation problem,"
"railroad monopoly" and other bug
bears that are now so fearfully agitating
some quarters Sacramento Bee.
Year: 1873

WHY CLANS ARE HAPPY.-Th NOR
al and intellectual condition Of the salt
water clam is Of kind that cannot be
considered particularly enyiable, and yet
there are many reasons why the clam
may be considered peculiarly fortunate
individual, and his lowly lot should be
longed for by man.


Th1 clam never suffers from tight boots
or corns, and is never worried because
his pants don't lit. His placid temper is
never worried by the hired girl question,
and he never endaugers his ll!e by trying
to learn to skate. He never lives next
door to girl who practices four hours a
day on piano, never has any cats frol-
licking around under his window to keep
him awake at night. His nervous sys-
tenn is never unstrung by political excite
ments, and he is not affected by financial
panics. He never has to maintain his
mother-in-law, and he may refrain from
dancing when he goes to a party. lie
does not have to wash on Saturday nights,
and nobody ever asks him to sing. He
is not persecutod by life insurance agents
and runs no risk Of being bitten by mad
dogs. lie is never annoyed with wited
shirt collars in hot weather, and is never
prostrated by lumbago or the measles
lie never has to give wedding presents to
his wife's relations, nor to pay when he
rides on railroad never has to curry
an umbrella, and nobody ever sits on his
coat-tail. So, taking it all in all, the
clam ought to be happy no matter what
the state of the tide.
Year: 1873

She was expecting him Sunday night ;
tho parlor window curtains were down,
the old folks notified that it was healthy
to go to bed at eight o'clock, and Johnny
bribed with cent to permit himself to be
tucked away at sundown. He sneaked
looking sheepish, up the path, one eye on
the dog, one on the "old man." who
didn't like him any too we'll, gave faint
knock at the door and it was opened, and
he was escorted into the parlor. He said
he couldn't stay but minute, though he
didn't mean to go home for hours. She
wanted to know how his mother was ; il
his father had returned from York State ;
if his brother Bills rheumatism was any
better and he went over and sat down
on the sofa so as not to strain his voice.
Then conversation tagged, and he played
with his hat and she nibbled at the sofa
tidy. He finally said it was a beautiful
evening, and she replied that her grand
father predicted snowstorm. He said
he guessed it wouldn't snow as the moon
was crooked enough to hang powder
horn on the end, and she said she didn't
believe it would, either. This mutual un-
derstanding seemed to give each other
courage, and he wanted to know if she
had seen seen Bill Jones, lately. She
hadn't she said, and she didn't want to.
Then they went to talking about the 40
nation visit which was to be made to Ell
der Berry, and he careessly dropped his
hand on hers-his right hand, while his
left arm sneaked along the sofa, and got
behind her waist. She pretended not to
notice it, and he looked down at his boots,
and wanted to know if she thought NUT
ton tallow rotted out boots faster than
lard and lampblaek. She couldn't say,
but had an idea that it did. He had just
commenced to lock fingers with her,
when she discovered that something allied
the lamp. She rose up and turned the
light down a half, making the room look
dim. 1t took five minutes to get hold Of
her fingers again, and she pretended to
want to draw her hand away all the time
After long pause he lowered his voice
to a whisper, and said he didn't know
what made folks love each other. She
bit her handkerchief and admitted her
ignorance. He said that he could name
a dozen young men who were going to
get married right away, aud his left arm
gave hera spasmodic hug. Then he went
over and looked out of the window to
make sure if it was or was not going to
snow, and. coming back, he turned the
light down a little more, and then sat
down and wanted to know if she didn't
want to rest herself, by leaning her head
on his shoulder.


All, me We have all been there and
who Of US cared a cent when the old
clock struck twelve, and we five miles
from home ? The old man was fast
asleep, the watchdog a visiting, and the
handsomest girl in the county didn't see
why we need be in hurry.


Perhaps | shouldn't have written this
but as | was going by Saunders the 9th
er day, thinking of the night heard him
whisper in her ear at spelling-school, that
he'd love her very shadow as long as she
lived, he raised the window and called to
her, as she was picking up chips in the
road


81 Sue Saunders, come here and find
the BARS grease for my sore heel, or IN
break every bone in your body"
Year: 1873

SEVEN years ago last June, great
broad wagon, loaded with a heavy
iron boiler, rolled in Central City, Col
orado, and halted in vacant lot front
ing on Gregory street. That wagon and
its ponderous, rusty load stand in the va
cant lot to-day, commemorating, it is al
most needless to add, woman's fckle-
ness and a mans dispar. When that
wagon was loaded at Atchison, Kansas,
in the early Summer of 1866, the owner
and driver-who was prosperous min
er, with a sort Of passion for hauling use
less machinery across the plans-was
thinking of bright-eyed, blushing girl
beyond the desert who had promised to
share with him his rough life and rougher
fortunes. We can all of us understand
how the image Of this border beauty was
like cloud by day and pillar Of fire by
night to this sturdy teamster, during his
two months journey across the plains,
making dusty days short and lonely
nights sweet with such fancies as never
fail to solace the absent lover. But none
Of us can understand the dispair which
then took possession Of the sunburnt
miner as he pulled up in Central City,
only to find letter from the girl he loved
telling him that rival had won her hand.
lie straightway embarrassed his mules
and sold them on the spot he left the
wagon and boiler on the spot where they
stand crumblng to-day; and, after swear
ing a little and dissipating a good deal,
he finally drilted out of the mines and out
oflife. 1t is the old, old story. In IIo-
.ner's yellowing pages we read of fair
false face,


that launched thousand ships


And burnt the toploss towers of lllium;
and in Western newspaper we find the
same legend, in poorer but not less pa
thetic guise.
Year: 1873

MUsLINs.-A native woman, with her
fingers and spindle alone, and native
man, with his toes and bamboo loom
alone, will spin thread and finish piece
of muslin which cannot, by the applica-
ton Of the most delicate machinery, be
produced out of India. There is one
quality of Dacca muslin, for instance,
which is termed "woven air." 1t is
only for kings daughters. So short is
the staple ofthe raw material, and So
brittle are its fbres, that it must be spun
by woman under twenty-five, and be-
fore the dew has left the grass ir the
morning. AS a substitute for natural
moisture, the evaporation Of water from
a shallow pan is sometimes used, but the
quality OF the work in that case is infer
ior. And yet, though the most delicate
and finest of fabrics, piece of four yards
in length by one yard in width often
weighs less than one ounce avoirdupois.
1t is very durable and will wash.
Year: 1873

A YOUNG lady in Fon du Lac, while
out walking with her lover, was attacked
by savage dog, who seized her by tho
breast and toro il from her body. The
loyer tainted with horror at the sight,
but the young lady, much mortified
went for the dog with picket, remark
ing that THAT ere cost dollar and
half, and WANT made for no dog to chaw
nm -
Year: 1873

The "panic" ia financial matters and
consequent depression IN prices and in
terruption Of business unfavorably af.
fects farmers, although probably as lit
tie as it does any large class. Observ-.
ing men have known that something
of this kind was apparently inevitable,
but they did not know just when nor
how it was to come. So we all know
that the present condition cannot al
ways last tina; sometimes business will
move along smoothly and with, at least,
seeming prosperity; but do not know
just when nor how this condition is to
be brought about Everywhere there
is uncertainty as to what is best to do.
We suspect many farmers are seriously
pondering whether; to sell or hold.


For those in debt or other pye(sing
need of money, we believe the general
rule has not been changed. Eve3with
lower prices than they anxFpsMdA we
believe it best for them to kM-belter
certainly than to borrow money now.
No one thing wonld do more to restore
confidence than would an earnest effort
by every one to pay debts, commencing
with the little ones.


Those farmers who are of easy cir
cumstances have more reason for hold
ing. It would seem certain that before
another harvest prices for grain of al
most all kinds must advance-but how
soon this advance is to come, an1 how
much it can be none can tell. That
the European wheat crop is light we
know, but there are reasons which make
it seem certain that there will be little
demand for. our wheat at very high
prices. .. .


The corn crop ofour country is below
an average, and before another crop is
secured prices undoubtedly will consid-
erably advance in the West. This COM
plicates the question of when to market
hogs. The probable good price for
corn would indicate it would be we'll to
sell early. but the fact that in much Of
Illinois and some other States the corn
crop is especially. short, will tend to
throw a very large number of hogs
from these regionsSon the market early
and thus tend toa keep down prices,
which may afterwafd advance. It now
seems there is lest number of hogs in
the West than there was last year.


We do not see reason to expect any
material advance in prices for any lead
ing farm crop for some weeks to come,
and we should not be surprised if they
were lower for a time than now West
erm Farmer.
Year: 1873

LIVERPOOL, June 2B-The Shah of Per.
sia arrived in this city at 2 o'clock this
afternoon in o special train from London.
he was met at the railway station by the
Lord Lieutenant ot the country and
High Sheriff who escorted him 10 St,
Georges Hall where he was received by
the Mayor. The Cotton Exchange was
closed In honor OF the visit of the Shah.
Year: 1873

out corresponding wealth of faith and true
enlightened piety, is most, nay, is the most
fruitful source of all manner of corruption.
Humanity speaking, we consider it simply
impossible for the Roman Church ever to
have so corrupted itself, had it faithfully re-
tained the voluntary principle sanctioned
and established by Jesus Christ. We be-


ieVe, then, that for the Church's good and
for his own glory, the Lord Christ has or
dained that the voluntary offerings and will


ling sacrifices and services of his redeemed
people, shall be at once the guage and test, as
the proper fruit, of their knowledge of his
grace, of their love toward his person, and
of their faith in his promises of good things
to come.
Year: 1873

Our readers have been duly notified


by us long since that on the lst of
July next, the law goes into effect re-
quiring postage to be paid on home MS


well as on foreign papers. This will
be on our weekly paper five cents a
quarter and on our daily thirty cents
quarter. So far as our Daily is con-
cerned with parties here in Ottumwa,
it can be arranged so as to be delivered
otherwise than through the Post office,
and we mention it now so that parties
can make the change by calling upon
us before the 1st Of July, and desig-
mating what course they will pursue: !:
either to have the carriers carry the.
paper, to get them al this office Cup
stairs), or pursue some other method,
whatever may be desired. In regard
to our Weekly paper, the postage is
very light, and In most cases it is not
probable that many parties will desire
to make any change. Persons taking
our Weekly, who get 1t at the Ottum-
wa Post ofice, can, If any considerable
number desire It, get the paper at this
Office; that is to say, ii . large number
Of our Weekly subscribers here, should
express to rs . desire to get their pa
per other wise than through the Post
ONCE, we can SO arrange it that they
can do so. The low price at which we
furnish the Weekly, renders it impos.
sible for US to pay this postage We
write thisnow in order to draw ont
from our subscribers some manifesta-
ton " what they may desire in the
premises. II is our opinion that the law
will be repealed at the next session Of
Congress, SO far as il pertains to the
circulation Of papers In the county
where published. OF course we may
be mistaken in this. If, however, the
law should be SO soon repealed, the
postage to be paid in the meantime
would amount to but tribe, Unless
there shall be demand on the part of
9 consid cradle number Of our subscri-
bers to make some arrangement for
the delivery ofpapers at this Office in
stead of in the Post office here, then
we shall continue on in the old way of
delivering. @ sut