smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

A Washington correspondent says I:
Among the spectators at the capitol was
a slight, poorly dressed young man, with
long, yellow hair, combed out into a
great cloud. He is an object of interest
in Washington, and more than that, an
object of infinite pity. His form is thin
and quaint his step nervous and elias
tic; his manner distracted his hands
twitch convulsively when they should
be at rest, and his face, in repose, is like
the picture of Adam in the "Passion
Play at Oberammergau." His days are
spent in the galleries of the House when
Congress is in session I; and during re-
cess at the Congressional library and in
the various newspaper offices. Ere
quently he is seen hurriedly pacing the
street with an abstracted air and l saw
him the other day making queer hier-
oglyphics on the letter boxes that hang
from the lamp posts. I followed him
from the capitol to the treasury, and on
every letter box he wrote different char
acters, crossing the street whenever he
saw box on the other side. On the
lid of one were the characters like these !:


5-62 II 70. 60.


This man has had strange, sad his
tory. Fifteen years ago he was mem
Der of Congress from one of the Western
States, the first Representative the State
sent to Congress. He had risen to that
position from the printers case, having
been compositor and an editor, and
was one of the founders of the Typo
graphical Union. He was member of
the first Territorial Legislature in his
State, assisted in framing the State con-
stitution, and was elected to a position
on the supreme bench, which he declined
in orser to accept nomination to Con
gress. He was man of rare oratorical
powers, but an idealist.


So visionary, so chimerical were his
schemes and theories, SO unsafe his
Judgment, that his career in Congress,
while brilliant from several bursts of elo-
quence, was a failure when judged from
practical common sense standpoint
He was defeated when a candidate for
reelection, and defeat killed him. For
the benefit of his health his friends OBJ
tanned consulate abroad for him, but
his disappointment and the continued
ministry to a diseased imagination un-
seated his reason, and he has gradually
grown from sentimentalism to lunacy.


Several years ago he left his wife and
children, imagining them to be the mill
stone that hung about his neck, and has
since made his home with relatives.
Through the influence of Charles Sum
ner and Henry Wilson, his wife obtained
position in one of the departments,
which she now holds. Two years ago
he became suspicious of the motives of
an ex-senator who had befriended her
and shot him in the street, but the
wound was only slight one, and al
though indicted he has never been tried
for the crime. His history, so sad, yet
so strange and romantic, is known only
to few, but his face is familiar to every
one in Washington.
Year: 1876

The people of this country have Just had
taste of Democratic rule, and it Is pretty
safe to say that they will pass the next half
century in trying to get the taste out of their
mouths. The present House has been the
most prodigal in promises and the most pov-
erty-stricken in performance of any legisla-
tive body which ever assembled in this coun-
try. When its members met they were con-
fronted with questions of currency and taxa
ton, with problems of public policy which
urgently demanded prompt and statesman
like treatment-and they have shirked the
consideration of them all. Their attempt
has been throughout the session to damage
the Republican party, and their failure has
been abject. Needed legislation has been
neglected in order to make party capital, and
no capital has been made.


The session opened with measures on the
party of the majority in the House which
confirmed all the charges of sympathy with
the rebellion and its supporters brought
against the Democracy. Two-thirds of the
committees were given into the control of
Southern men. Nine-tenths of the wounded
Union veterans who had been employed in
the service of the previous House were dis
charged and their places filled with ex-Con-
federates. When the weeks spent in quarrel
Ling over the distribution of spols had passed
and legislation was entered upon. important
subjects of finance and administration were
neglected and an attempt made to qualify for
public Office the few Confederates who obsti-
nately refused to ask for removal Of dis
abilities.


reform were taken up. The committee hav-
ing in charge the tariff were unable TO fix
upon any course to pursue, the chairman de.
string to do one thing, the rest of the COM
mittee another thing, and the majority of the
House nothing-and nothing was done.
Something was done in fnance-and some
thing very bad. The only step yet taken
toward the resumption of specie payments
was retraced, and the Democratic majority
pledged itself to repudation of the national
promise. Neither the President nor the SEN
ate nor the wisest of its own members could
induce the House to pass a measure author
izing such funding as would have resulted in
the annual saving to the government of seven
or eight million dollars of interest money.


Investigations have been carried on. In
one instance and in one only, an investigat-
ing committee has found public officer
guilty of malfeasance. All other inquiries
have resulted in nothing. The investigations
Year: 1876

Our advices from nearly every part of the
state are of very encouraging character.
Everything now indicates full Republican
vote, and, as the result, splendid Republican
majority the second Monday Of September.
Thus far all the public meetings have not
only been largely attended, but the spirit of
earnestness manifested promises grand re-
suits election day. In this city there has
not been for many years so many favorable
indications of a genuine determination to
fight for victory as there is to-day. The i'm
meDse and enthusiastic meeting held here
Monday night indicated the spirit and pur-
pose not only of Portland Republicans, but
hundreds in the surrounding towns. The
same reports come from Bath and other
points where meetings have been held. The
fact is, the Republicans who had come gradu-
ally to believe that the Democratic leaders
had forsaken their wicked ways and might be
trusted without great danger, have suddenly
Confederate House of Representatives, with
its Infamous record, even when on its good
behavior, has dispelled the Illusion. They
now see that it is the old foe animated by the
same purpose as LIE was dozen years ago.
They see even more than that. They see
that the ascendancy of the Democratic party
means the ascendancy of the Southern lead
ers who in the days of its power dictated the
policy of the organization and cracked the
party whip about the suppliant representa-
tivas from the North


The great mass of the intelligent people of
the North do not desire to be governed by
the Lamars, the Gordons, the Ben Hills, the
Reagans, the fuckers and the M. G. Buffers
of the Confederacy.


That Gov. CoNNoR will be reelected overr
Mr.. Talbot even with the valuable record o
his horse, by largely increased majority,
there is not shadow of doubt. That is not
enough; the Republicans OF Maine should
make the result EMPHATIC.


This cannot all be done by mass meetings,
flag raisings, torch-lights and the like. These
are all useful; but more important and efec-
tive is that quiet and persistent worker who
goes from man to n, and from house to
house, who organizes victory by school dis
tricts. 1t is work of this sort that supple
ments and perfects all other means. We are
confident that ten thousand ardent Republi
cans in the neighborhoods and school dis
tricts of the State will not forget 10 see that
this work is done just as thoroughly as it has
been done when our glorious old State has
given the key note of great national victories
for the party of Freedom.


The Confederates are relying upon this
method. They will leave nothing undcne
which they can do in Maine. They are in
earnest, viglant and wary. They will not do
much in the way of public meetings but their
eager emissaries will be abroad. We must
fight them in their own way.


No campaign in the history Of the nation
was ever more important. We think every in
telligent Republican appreciates this fact.
Let it be impressed upon every patriotic
man.


In brief, Republicans, the duty of the hour
is to ORGANIZE; to WATCH AND
FIGHT!
Year: 1876

1t requires great deal of presence of mind
for Philadelphian to look happy when he an
swers the door bell and finds the front steps
occupied by country cousins and trunks-coms
to see the Centennial.


"This, dear girls" said the wise little lady,
tanning with her psrasol one of the big tor
pedoes in the Centennial Government buildings
"this is a wonderful invention for rescuing
people. They put them in and close it up,
dragging them ashore through the surf where
ordinary boats could not Co." Uninquisitivs
ignorance is the proper frame of mind for the
full enjoyment of she Centennial Exhibition.


1t is proposed to erect q statue of the lats
Secretary Steward on Lafayette square, WASH
ington, opposite the house in which the attempt
was made to assassnate him.


A Philadelphia bookseller once inserted the
following advertisement of new publications;
"Mill on Political Economy; Ditto on tho
Floss"
Year: 1876

H. R. STEVENS:


Dear Sir-From exposure took sick about nine
years ago with Rheumatic Fever from which suf-
fered about four months Wheh recovered from the
fever found myself suffering with pain in my side
and constipation, which brought the piles. con-
suited physician and paid him over 5000 for at
tending me- and all the while was gradually grow
ing worse. Then one physician after another was
employed until seven Of the best physicians Of Bos-
ton had taken my case in hand.


On consultation between several of the leading ply
sicians they concluded my complaint was asthma
and general debility had great difficulty in breath
ing, and an inhaler was required to afford me BREATH
Through the treatment Of one physician took from
75 to 100 boxes of calomel pills. and faithfully tried
a rne eas that .gS each physician
icine used to overcome the great pain, my kidneys
became badly affected, and 1 suffered excruciating
pain in the small OF my back with great difficulty in
passing my urine.


One physician said was diseased all through my
system, and he regretted that he could give me no
nope for health. My suffering from indigestion was
so great that it impossible to keep any solid food
on my stomach and the whole nature of my food was
broth from oatmeal.


1 also took prescription from celebrated Eng
lish physician, who said my trouble was Bronchitis
and Dyspepsia. took eighteen bottles of medicine
great deal of medicine from apothecaries' prescrip-
ton. I have taken SarsaparilIa until you could
count the bottles by the dozen. and indeed have
far trial. had dreadful cough, and did not aver
age over two hours sleep night for 8 years.
"a. brother policeman urged me to try vegetne but
couraged from taking so much medicine without any
benefit; however after urgent persuasion conclud-
ed to try it, and before had used one bottle could
eat and hold on my stomach beeisteak, thing I
had not been able to do before for years; indeed l
obtained more substantial benefit from the first bot
tie of Vegetine than from all other medicines which
had taken. kept on improving, and kept on us
ing the Vegetine, until perfectly cured and able
to do duty all day. eat and digest my food sleep well
at night, and am now 40 pounds heavier than ever
was before in my life. and am, as lhink, a living
contradiction of the prophecies of the most learned
medical talent of New Eng and, for with all their
combined wisdom they could not accomplish so much
that simple vegetable medicine called Vegetine to
which am indebted for health, life and happiness


EUGENE Z. SULLIVAN


367 Athens Street, Police Station 4.


SUFFOLK, sS,, BOSTON, Nov. 22d, 1875.
Then personally appeared the above named Eu-
statement is true before me-


HOSEA B. BOWEN,


Justice OF the Peace,
Year: 1876

The Democratic Distrist Convention at
Augusta might have been mistaken for a
Democratic political grave yard, there we're
so forgotten politicians of that school
wandering about. 1t must have been very
solemn sight, particularly when good old
Isaac Reed had to vindicate his party loyalty
and crave tie endorsement of a party nomina-
ton as an answer to the aspersions of politi-
cal upstairs to the end that he might 60 TO
his grave wreathed in smile of satisfaction.
Year: 1876

we 90 not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The name and address of the writer are in
all cases Indispensable not necessarily for publication
but as guaranty Of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or reserve commu-
nications that are not used.
Year: 1876

The Republican United States Sen
ate has from the verycommencement of
the present session opposed the reduc-
tions in the appropriations propo"ed
by the Democratic House, and labored
10 keep the expenditures of the depart
ments at the same high figures of more
prosperous times. Their opposition to
this reduction has been persistent.
The Senate has been supported by the
cry of the Republican press that the
Democracy was trying to cripple
the Government. At last, finding tina:
the Democratic House could not be
driven from its position in favor of
reducing the expenses of the Govern
ment, the Senate has exhibited signs
of yielding and indicates its desire to
assent to compromise. By the firm
ness of the House of Representatives,
there is thus a prospect of consider
able reduction of the appropriations
from the war figures which have been
maintained throughout by the Republi-
cans, This reduction will not be any
where near what it should be, what
the condition of the country demands,
nor what it would be if there was
Democratic Senate to cooperate with
the House of Representatives. The
failure of the Republican Senate to
come up to the necessities of the times
demonstrates the importance of secur-
ing Democratic Senate which in the
future may assist Democratic House
and Democratic President in enforc-
ing economy and reduction in expendi-
lures in all branches of the public ser+
vice.
Year: 1876

A woman named Hastings, living
near the House of Correction, came
down town yesterday in search of
her husband, and finding him
hanging round the postoffice wait
ing for "latest returns" she collared
him and called out:


81 want you up home"
Year: 1876

Fido. the dog that had watched carefully
by IN unknown grave in Worcester ceme-
terry for the last four years. has been
frightened away by the sight of i kennel
prepared for his accommodation, and the
crowd of visitors. Real grief is apt to
shrink from being lionized and rewarded.
Year: 1876

There seems II good deal of reason to
believe that the centennial exhibition will
infuSe at least temporary activity into bus
ine>s. The amount of travel r will occa-
sion will be greater than ever before in
the history Of the country, which has been
Year: 1876

An old negro man who applied for
lodgings at a police station in st. Louis
the other day, gave his age as l20 years,
and declared that he had been u body--cr-
want of General Washington and had
fought in the carry wars. in proof whereof
he exhibited Il couple Of bullet wound, in
his LEG. The strange thing i, that the
local papers DO not discIcdt his story


Can it be that the genuine thing has turned
Year: 1876

A Frenchman makes new PROPOSE.
ton. He has prepared liquid which
will almost Immediately petriiy human
body, and if that be nickel of electroplat-
ed, very handsome statue can ba made
There could be no question about the ac
curacy of the likeness. If such petrifica
lion should become general, people nigh
build houses Of bodief,..and widow have
The remains of her dear defunct dug on
for bath tub for the children.
Year: 1876

TIE UNFIT THING.-Cne of our
Philadelphia centennial correspondents
gave in Saturdays supplement to the
Sun quite in detail the programme of
the centennial tournament which is to
come off on the Maryland day, the 10Th
of October. The tournament is fami-
liar 10 the people of the South, and is
gray and graceful amusement, requir
ing no small skill in horsemanship and
in piercing the ring, The superiority
of horsemanship of the North, South,
East and West is TO be tested, so far as
such a contest will permit, between
champions as knights" selected from
the best riders of those sections of the
Union. The preparations for this
manly and exciting sport have been in
general such as to hold it up to high
standard, but singular incongruity
among the prizes, as described by our
lined with blue satin" TLis may be
all very well for the persons who
wishes to advertise his trade-for it is
stated that "the chief marshal has al
ready had placed at his disposal by
private parties prizes worth hundreds
of dollars"-but something more is
due to the fitness of things than to al
low him such an opportunity in this
case. 1t is now stated whether the
successful knight is expected to be in
closed in this casket, as the right man
in the right place, or whether he is to
present it to the queen of love and
beauty, or whether any reflection on
the "boys in blue" or those "who
wore the blue" is intended by the
"blue satin lining." AT any rate, the
generous donor" should be allowed
to withdraw his handsome gift, for
nothing better calculated to bring the
tournament into ridicule could have
been devised. The coffin might have
been quite convenience in the sangui-
nary contests of the early tournaments,
though even then the presentation by
the 'queen of love and beauty" to the
successful contestant of "a patent
burial case lined with blue satin" would
have turned tragedy into farce
But. San.
Year: 1876

The Scientific American discusses
hanging as mode Of capital punish
ment, and proposes a Substitution Of
electricity for the gallows. The light
ming stroke causes the most certain and
painless death know to science. A pow
erful discharge of electricity into the
body of the condemned from a battery
and Rumhkorff coil would amount 10
the same thing in extinguishing life.
This is the way in which the Scientific
American would have executions con-
Quoted . 90 The battery. and coil should
be of siificieft strength to deliver the
hightheh-itth stark. In cass Of theif
being more than one person to execute,
all Of the condemned would be conducted
with all due ceremony to the place of ex-
cution, the left hand of one man hand
cuffed to the right hand of his neighbor.
and the conducting wire fastened 10
bracelets on the disengaged wrists of
both criminals. il only two are to be ex-
ecuted, or to the wrists of the outer men,
if only that number are to suffer. The
culprits being seated so as to be seen by
the legal witnesses, the sheriff presses a
button. The current is instantly cstab-
lished from the coil, passes through the
bodies of the men, and all is over. The
same ignominy which attaches to the
gallOws would be transferred to this mode
of destruction, which, among the ignO-
rant of all nations and ages, has been
the subject of profound superstition, and
would without doubt. through its very
incomprehensibility and mystery, imbue
the uneducated masses with a deeper
horror
Year: 1876

THE LEAF ToBACCo RESTRICTIONS
A Washington correspondent of the
New York Bulletin writes: So many
bills have been presented by members
from the south and southwest to permit
the sale of a hundred pounds of leaf to-
bacco at retail, and in the direction of re-
moving the restrictions now laid by law
upon the sale of leaf tobacco, that the
commissioner of internal revenue has
prepared bill, which is in the hands of
the committee of ways and means. The
commissioner is utterly opposed to re
moving any of the restrictions from leaf,
but it seems that the house is bound to
do it, and he wants, if law is passed at
this session, to have it so guarded that
the removal of restrictions from leaf will
not be apt to affect the honest collection
of the revenue on tobacco. The COM
mittee of ways and means will, no doubt,
report this bill favorably and probably
without amendment, and it is morally
certain that the house will pass it. The
tug will come in the senate, where it will
be defeated without doubt; but there is
no telling what compromise in con-
ference committee may result in. The
tobacco trade of the north and west is
almost unanimously opposed to any re-
moval OF the present restrictions in the
sale of leaf
Year: 1876

REVOLUTIONARY FURNITURE.-Tot the
eve of one whose liking for our revolu-
tionary furniture is not a new thing. the
charm OF il consists, apart from its use
fulness, which is evident TO everybody,
in the color given TO il by age, and IN the
simplicity with which all its ornament
is obtained. Its holdings are always
good and quiet just what is needed, and
no more. 70 round an angle with elegance,
and TO catch the light agreeably' and
whenever any carving is attempted, or
paneliug, there is a certain moderation in
il that is very refreshing in these loud
times. Yet they are not TOO tame either;
but their spirit is the spirit Of high-bred
people. and not OF folks who like to be
conspicuous. Even the architectural de-
tails in bureaus and clothes-presses that
these old people were 80 fond OF n little
too fond. perhaps.-were often very deli
cately and adroitly managed, and we
find ourselves easily forgiving them, see
ing how well in keeping they are with
the effect Of any piece as whole
ScTibRcr.
Year: 1876

Perhaps the influence of the four great
winds on character is only a fancicd one,
but it is evident on temperament, which
is not altogether a matter of tempera-
ture, although the good old deacon used
to say in his humble manner, that g his
third wife was very good woman, but
her temperature was very different from
that of the other two"


The north wind is full of courage and
puts the stamina of endurance into man,
and it probably would into woman too,
if there were a series of resolutions passed
to that effect.


The west wind is hopeful II has prom
ise in it, aud is, except To Atlantic voy-
ayers America-bound, the best wird that
ever blew.


The east wind is peevishness il is
mental rheumatism and grumbling, and
curls one up in the chimney corner like
cat.


The south wind is full of longing and
unrest, of suggestions of luxurious ease.
am not sure but the south is the most
powerful of winds, because OF its sweet
persuasiveness. Nothing 70 stirs the
blood in spring; it makes men "longen
to zoe on pilgrimages."
Year: 1876

THE committee appointed to investi-
gate the subject Of ladies' luncheons
when travelling, report that they invari-
ably consist OF very small sandwich,
large quantities of white and yellow
cake, and an immense pickle; If the
latter is absent the affair is considered q
failure. These data are Trustworthy,
and shed light upon a subject to which
little attention has been paid hitherto.
Year: 1876

CIRcUMsTANTIAL EvIDENCE.-A very
wealthy young man, with a reputation
for fastness, married recently. On the
morning after the wedding the bride
asked her husband to perform an Office
of the toilet for her, made necessary by
the absence OF her maid The husband
did it willingly. and when it was CON
Cluded was astonished to find his pretty
wife in tears. "Why, my own precious"
said he, "what is the matter with her
hubby's pet? ?" 90 Jimmie !" replied
the poor girl, crying as if her heart
would break, off you hadn't laced n
thousand corsets, you never could have
done it like that"
Year: 1876

The Georgia ladies find it expensive
these hard times to assume their leap
year rights. A party of them at Column
bus, unanimously passed the following
Resolved, That we have always been op-
posed to the young gentlemen hiring car
riages to take us to places of amusement,
simply because it rained. Resolved.
With a view of setting an example and a
precedent, we Obligate ourselves to ig-
more carriages, and provide ourselves with
an umbrella, waterproof and pair)'
Overshoes, and we shall ask those gentle
men whom we are to escort to be pro-
vided likewise
Year: 1876

OK the eleventh of June in each wear
the inhabitants of Cyprus throw beau
tiful young girl into the sea IN honor of
Venus. She is then taken ont, crowned
and worshiped all the day as a queen or
lemi-gOddess