smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

In little old cottage in Lewisburg,
on one of the streets which was never
Travelled except by solitary COW seek
ing pasture or Il cOuntryman bringing
wood TO some one of the halt-doZcn
families living in il, and which in
summer was decked with n profusion
of the yellow and white blossoms of
the dog-fenncl-in this unfrequCntcd
street, so generously and unnecesSarl-
lV broad. lived Miss Nancy Sawyer
and her younger sister Samantha.-
Miss Nancy was Il providence, one OF
those old maids that are bcnedictiOns
to the whole town; one of those in
whom the mOther-love, wanting the
natural objects on which to spend it
self, OverlloWS all bounds and lavishes
itself on every needy thing, and grows
richer and more abundant with the
spending. a fountain of incXhauStlble
blessing. There is no nOblcr life pos
sible to any one than toan unmarried
woman. The more shame that some
choose selfish one, and thus turn to
gall all the affection with which they
are endowed. Miss Nancy Sawyer
had been Ralph's Sunday-school
teacher, and it was precious little, so
far as information went, that he learn
cd from her, for she never could con-
ccivc of Jerusalem as place in any
essential regard very indifferent from
IewisbuTg, where she had spent her
lie. But Ralph learned from her
what most Sunday-school teachers fail
TO teach, the great lesson of Christian
itv, by the side of which all antiquities
and Biographies and chrOnologies and
cxegctics and other nicetieS are as
nothing.


And now he turned the head of the
roam toward the cottage of Miss Nancy
Sawyer as naturally rs the roam would
have gone to hisOwn stall in the stable
at home. The snow had gradually
ceased to fall, and was cddying round
the house, when Ralph dismounted
from his foaming horse, and carrying
the still form of ShOcky as reverently
as though he had been something
heavenly, knocked at Miss Nancy
Sawycr's door.


With natural feminine instinct that
lady started back when she saw Hart
sock. for she had just built a fire in the
stove, and she now stood at the door
with unwashed face and uncombed
hair.


"Why, Ralph Hartsook, where did
you drop down from-and what have
you got?n


/" L came from Flat Creek this morn
ing, and brought you a little angel
who has got out Of heaven, and needs
some of your mothcrly care


SShocl<y was brought in, The chill
shook him now by fits only, for fever
had spotted his checks already.


"Who are you ~ said Miss Nancy,
as she unwrappcd him.


4" I'm Shocky, a little boy as God
forgot, and then thought of again"


To RE NTINTED.)
Year: 1871

TIE Prince of Wales is very Ill Of
T,uhcid Fever What effect his Ill
rcs; can have ea the vast augmcnta
ton of the Republican movement at
present must depend on the result Of
that illness. Ills death is not now
nnnrcLcnheh.
Year: 1871

X woman named Agnes Norman,
has had extensive but peculiar
experience in various parts of London.
1t appeared recently at coroner's in
quest that about year ago the child
of lady visiting in the house where
Agnes was employed was found dead
in bed under mysterious circumstances.
In her next place, Agnes one day
brought child home insensible, say
ing that it had fallen from her arms.
The infant recovered, and within three
weeks she took it out again and
brought it back dead. In her third
situation, boy of. seven awoke with
choking sensation, and afterward
told his father that Agnes had placed
her hand over his mouth and given
him money to say nothing about it.
At another house where she was en-
ployed, achild was found insensible in
bed, and on recovering showed great
terror at the sight of the girl. At an
other, she locked a child up in ward
robe, took it out and put it to bed,
where it WIS found dead shortly after
ward Birls and domestic animals
died suddenly and strangely as chill
dren in houses where she lived. Final
ly she was employed by the family of
MIR. Been VINO three day afterward,
returning with his wife from a dinner
yarty, heard violent screams in the
nursery, and rushed up stairs to find
one child lying on the floor and anoth-
er between the Led and the wall, dead,
with two compressed marks on It's lips.
The verdict of the coroners jury was
death from suGocation, accidentally
caused" with which, as we read in the
London papers, "the father said he
was dissatisfied" The case is to be
further investigated. A mania for
munder in recognized, though hap
PLY not common form of mental dis
ease. The case of female nurse in
one of the continental hospitals, who
confessed that she had been in the
habit of killing her patients, with no
other motive than an insane eagerness
to see them die, is fresh in our recol-
lection. We are not prepared to say
that woman more frequently give way
to such horrible impulses Than men
but we recall at this moment several
instances given by the books. in each
of which it was women who felt the
insane desire, and generally child
that she wanted to kill.
Year: 1871




Let parents talk much and talk we'll
at home. A father who is habitually
silent in his own house may be in
many respects wise man, but he is
not wise in his silence. We sometimes
see parents, who are the life Of every
company they are in,silent, uninterest-
ing at home among their children. Ii
they have not mental activity and
mental stores sufficient for both, let
them first provide for their own house
hold. Ireland exports beef and wheat.
and lives On potatoes, and they fare
as poorly who reserve their social
charms for companions abroad, and
keep their dullness for home consump-
tion. 1t is better TO instruct children
and make them happy at home than
it is to charm strangers or amuse
friends. A silent house is dull place
for young people--a place from which
they will escape if they can. They
will talk or think of being "shut up
there; and the youth who does not
love his home is in danger.


"There are three things" said wit
(which l have loved without under,
standing them-painting, music, and
women"
Year: 1871

At quarter past four o'clock yes
terday afternoon three we'll dressed
young men, whose respective ages were
from about twenty to tewEty-fve years,
presented themselves at Walkers boat
house, half mile above the Catarct
House, at Niagara Fall, and asked
Mrs. Walker, who was in attendance,
to let them have boat. She at first
refused, but upon their assurance that
they were only going to small island
in the river to take a swim, and they
would keep near the shore, they were
allowed to depart. The boat was a
fat-bottom scow, and in it they row.
ed to the Island. From there they
started straight across the river, with
the evident intention ef reaching the
Canada shore, never once showing any
disposition to head up the stream. The
current, as matter Of course, swept
them toward the rapids Of the horse
fall, and soon after striking them the
boat capsized, and the three men were
carried over the catarct. They were
not seen after the boat capsized. The
names OF the men are unknown. One
of the men wore blue suit, with a
light colored soft hat; the second had
on brown suit, with a brown cap !;
and the third wore an old overcoat,
had a respectable but under coat. One
of the party just before starting in the
doomed boat, said to n little boy, "If
any old man comes along and asks if
you have seen any thing Of US, tell
him Mop


1t looks very much like as if the
young men were escaping into Canana
to eySde the vigilance Of-the officers
of the law on this side, and had neith-
er the time or the courage to use the
ordinary means of transportation. A
few days will probably clear up the
mystery.-Bg6atO Courier.
Year: 1871

still on shore. told Mr.. Jewett who uas


very much depressed at the loss of his vessel
and cargo, that if Capt. Curtis did not cone


oil would take the vessel from the guard and


run her out Of port, which he begged me to do


We waited for Capt. Curtis until the next day


without seeing him, when gang of pilots
came ON board to take the brig up to town. as
our anchorage was unsafe on account OF the
ice in winter. The pilots commenced heaving


at the windlass but soon found that the an
chor was afoul of an old wreck. had told


my men OF our intention to take the vessel
ouf and they promised to obey me in every
particular, as they would lose their WAGES if
she was held by the French. had every
thing arranged and thought this favorable
time TO act. 1 accordingly told the pilots
through my cook, iwho understood their Ian.
guage, that I thousht if our men would
assist and set all sail, that by steering the
brig different ways we might trip the anchor,
to which they consented. After setting the
large sails the pilot saw us loosenirg the lib,
when he mistrusted our intention and said,
"Don't loose the jib; when IL gave the o
that my men understood that meantit,
"loose the jib," and they set it with WILL
In the meantime caught an axe from under
the bowsprit where it had been bid for the
purpose, and with one blow cut the cable
(which was hemp one) on the windlass and
the yards having been braccd so as to cant
the brig the right way, in moment we were
before asmackiDg breeze. The pilot called on
the soldiers to fire on us which they attempt-
ed to do, but found they had no lints in their
guns, my faithful cook having removed them
the night previous, when they all, sixteen in
number, hurried over the side into their boat
and pulled for the shore.


The harbor is guarded by two forts at the
mouth, which are about three-fourths of mile
apart, between which we were obliged to pass
They had seen us make sail and began to fire
on us before We were near them, but we were 60.
ing at the rate of 10 knots, with wind and tide,
and they were not used to shooting flying..-
We ran out safely without receiving shot
and got over the bar about sunset, and steer
ed for Riga in Russia, where we arrived the
last of November, and the first night after the
harbor was frozen over, and we were obliged
to remain until April. During the winter we
sold our cargo, then sailed for London. Capt.
Curtis was held prisoner until Spring, when
he was discharged and got a passage home."


The relations between the Emperor of
France and Russia have materially changed
since Capt. Cammett ran the Rapid out of
Memel 60 years ago, and have no doubt that
those forts now have guns that would "shoot
him flying" He is nows5 years old, yet hale
and hearty and looks as though be would at
tempt to save his vessel now in the same way.
under the same circumstances VIC.
WINDuAM, DEC. 80.
Year: 1871

a foreman of one of our facto-
ries was aggravated by the action
of a new hand who failed to per-
form his duty right, although re-
peatedly explained to him, and
he finally approached and let out
on him. He told him what he
thought of men who did as he
was doing; mentioned the torrid
zone; expiated upon the utter
hopelessness of the case in hand !;
dipped to the very roots of the
English language for vigor of ex-
preston, and then suddenly and
quietly withdrew on being in
formed that the anxious listener
was deaf mute.-Danbury Neacs
Year: 1871

Governor Geary, of Pennsyl-
vania, stands to his ground as to
the bayOnet election law. eff
Grant don't like my position, he
remarked the other day to an in
terviewer, "I can't help it. As
the Governor of this common
wealth, / was bound in my mess
ago to allude to that, and to con-
denim the action of the General
Government in using the marines
at Philadelphia during the cleo
ton of last year. I don't believe
in that policy, and 1 never can
be made to believe in it. Had i
the power I would give the South
universal amnesty. Then I would
say, You are put upon your good
behavior. Hold your elections
in your own way! Elect your
own candidates. Let the cleo
tions be conducted fairly. If
you are not able to maintain Or
der, let your Governors or your
legislators call upon me, and
will back them with the whole
strength of the Government ]
believe that would have done
more to secure peace than any
thing else. You can't govern
this people with the bayonet.
Whenever it comes to that the
republic is a failure, and we had
better confess it,
Year: 1871

n stranger went to church ut
Middletown, Connecticut, on a
Sunday recently, and sat down
in a pow, when, just as he was
getting interested in the sermon,
a rough-looking, pious church
member came in and took him by
the collar, and threw him into.
the vestibule. He thought he
would stay there and hear the
rest of the sermon, when the sex
ton kicked him Off the steps. He
went to tho side of the church to
listen to the sermon through tho
window, when one of the mem
bers said "Amen" to something
the minister said, and then spit
tobacco juice out of the window
into the listeners eyes. He says
a man can't enjoy much religion
at Middletown.
Year: 1871

An old bachelor says that Civ
ing the ballot to women would
not amount to anything practi-
cally, because they would keep
denyiny that they were old
enough to vote until they got too
! old to take any interest in politics
Year: 1871

1t is stated that most of the
contributors to the Rappel are
now in London. and are about to
start a newspaper there under the
auspices of M Victor Hugo, with
whom they are in communication.
There are now fifty-six members
of the Commune in the British
metropolis.
Year: 1871

Ohio offce-holders in Washing
ton have been taxed SO heavily
for State purposes, that they have
rebelled, and there is a lively
fight going on ut the present time
between them and the Radical
State Committee. The clerks say
that they are like a barrel tapped
at both ends, and must run dry
unless a plug is appliedto to at least
one Of the apertures. They can
not supply money for party pur-
poses, both in Washington and
Ohio. AS they vote in both
places, we do not see why they
should not pay in both places.
Year: 1871

A few days since a woman in
Milwaukee was tshard at it, blow
ing up the neighbors, a hired girl,
and everything in general, when
her husband entered and inter-
posed a mild word. This added
fuel to her temper and she
opened her mouth for an angry
reply, but a spasm contracted her
cheek, her lower jaw fell, and she
could neigther speak nor shut her
mouth, but remained in that con-
dition, her tongue hung out, and
her eyes nearly started out of
their sockets. On examination
being made, it was found that
she had dislocated her jawbone
in her violent effort to make ~
singing reply to her husband. A
sargeon was called, who reduced
the dislocation, bound up her
head, and prescribed q cruel diet.
Year: 1871

AFLAsH of lightning rushes through
space at such rate that it might go
from the earth to the moon in one
second consequently no time is al
lowed a mans nerves, to transmit to
the brain the impression of a stroke
of lightning, and what time has the
brain to understand such a crash p
Absolutely none. Tho flash occurs,
and in silence and darkness a life is
cut off. aia9 riatit
Year: 1871

A THREAT OF. lMPEAcHMENr.-The
New York Ece"ing Post implores Gen.
Grant to retrace his steps ere it is too
late. He is pursuing a fatal path,
"There is time for him to turn about.
1t says: And surely, in the light OF
the extraordinary and unconstitutional
proceedings, which the dispatches else
where disclose, it is high time for him
to turn. The acts Of war which he has
authorized are such that if it should
seem fit to the House of Representatives
to impeach him at the bar of the Senate
for violation of the Constitution he
swo.e to respect, he wonld find it diff
cult to make defence.
Year: 1871

That all property owned or held
for pecuniary profit should bear Il
fair and, as nearly rs practicable, an
equitable share of the burdens of tax
alton, is q proposition 50 inaniiestIy
correct and just, that it may he re-
garded as an axiom Of political econ
omy. Both political parties in this
State, in their latest platforms, have
affirmed this principle as clearly and
unquestionably applicable to the
property Of railroad corporations.
And there can he little, If any, doubt
that the public sentiment OF the peo-
pie Of the State endorses this express
sion of their party platforms, and ex-
poets the General Assembly to en-
body it in general law.


But while there is practical unan-
unity i'm regard to the principle
which should govern the taxation OF
railroad property, there is quite di-
versity OF opinion as to the mode OF
taxation. Notwithstanding our
present Constitutions adopted, by
the way, before there were scarcely
an hundred miles Of railway track in
the State,-providestbat the property
of corporations for pecuniary profit
shall be taxed the same AS that OF IN.
dividuals, the railroads have always
been taxed upon their gross receipts,
and not upon the value OF the prop
crty. Until 1870 the tax was nearly
nominal, being only one per cent. on
gross receipts. Tho law now in force
is more reasonable. The scale OF
taxation is sliding one, and intend
ed TO discriminate In favor Of the
newer and weaker roads. The tax
now levied on the gross receipts is
one Der cent. on the first $1,000 or
under per mile; two per cent. on the
amount between $1,000 and $1,000
per mile, and three per cent. on the
excess over 5000 per mile.


This law, with the recent decision
Of the Supreme Court, which virtu-
ally authorizes the taxation Of rail-
road property within city limits for
municipal purposes, Is not 50. bad as
Year: 1871


examined the matter. On a road
earning $40, 900 mile per annum the
tax amounts to s2l0 mile. To
assess railroad as other property,
$1,000 a mile would probably be a
reasonable assessment. a two per
cent. tax (which is fair average for
State and county purposes) on this
amount would give per mile SlGO.
A county with one road running
across it would have, including side
tracks, say 80 miles. The present
law on a road earning SIC, 600 mile
would give $4,000 in taxes. The
same road on an assessment of S, goo
mile and a two per cent. tax would
pay $500, or 1900 less than the
present law gives.


A law taxing all railroads alike,
without regard to the business they
may do, would work manifest
hardship on new roads, as well as ON
short lines, and to considerable eX-
tent on all strictly north and south
roads, which are more Of conven-
ience TO the public than necessity
of commerce, at least in the present
condition of the trade Of the country.
So that, whatever mode Of taxation
is adopted, there is necessity well
nigh imperative that there should be
some system of Classification; and
there is probably no basis of such a
classification more equitable and sat
isfactory than that OF gross receipts.
If the roads are assessed in each
township by assessors like other
property, the assessments would be
subject to the equalization of the
county board, and these again by the
State board. If every mile Of road
were to be assessed equally, this
would not be difficult matter. But
if they are TO be assessed in proper
tion to their real worth, that IL,
their ability and power to earn
money for their owners, then they
must be classified; and there is no
other basis of classification that
would be more just than that Of earn
ings.


We have spoken above as If roads
were to earn $4,000 mile. This l.
more, probably, than any Of the
roads in the State are earning tllic
year. But all our roads are, as yet,
comparatively new, and along their
respective routes are hundreds OF
thousands Of acres Of unimproved
lands, and it is reasonable TO suppose
that all the main lines will, in few
years at farthcst, be earning ten,
twelve, or even fifteen thousand dol
lars a mile. If taxes were continued
on gross receipts they would of course
increase with the earnings. And, on
the other hand, the growth and pros
perity Of the country that would thus
augment railroad taxes would tend
to diminish the leyieS made upon
other property.


We make these suggestions for the
purpose Of melting thought and in.
vestigation upon this subject; and
we invite the opinion and suggcs-
tions Of others. In our judgment i,
is no less the interest of the railroads
than the people that this question OF
the taxation of railroad property
should be settled on q basis so mani
festly fair and equitable as to put to
rest all reasonable complaint upon
the subject. .-Udmkeye


.
Year: 1871

The hith ANIMAL bah OF the 'Soctete Cullnsire Phi
lanthropique was held last evening at Irving HAIL.
This ball Is, perhaps, the most peculiar ore in New
York. All the celebrated French cooks III the city
contribute pieces TO be placed on tho table
at this ball. For the twelve months prcced-
ing this gathering the best culinary artists
IN New YORK are ia tie habit of wearylng
their brains TO surpass each ether In the dishes
which they originate for The french Cooks ball
The President OF the association, who is French
blonde, with the enphonious name OF Mehl, has won
his way in the society by his magnificent efforts in
cooking, and nearly every member OF the associa.
ton can boast oil some 2)sece de resistance which,
If it cannot equal the bright or inspiring
works of an Ude or a. vatei, must still be
recognized as an individual cher G'oeature
The interior Of Irving Han was last night
decorated with the colorS OF France and presented
gay and animated scene. Below IN the supper rooms
the tables were loaded down win dishes OF every
kind. From the rough and tumble pigs head TO
the aristocratic pheasant. and from the plebeian
Goldfish to the naughty salmon, all birds that y all
fish that swim and all anirnals that walk were re-
presented the tables. Dancing was freely tn
dulged III, and the bail was in every way grand
Year: 1871

How the Count Behaved HimseI Yesterday
The Entire Party Clear Out r,om Their Hotel
and sesk Privacy-What> the Pastor Of
the Greek Church Has to Say


About tho Intended Marriage


Secret Information Endorsed.
Year: 1871

How Attempt to Lay Gas Pipes in the


Park Was Frustrated-A Hot COntcst Ex-


pcctci.


On the 18th instant gang OF men In the employ
ment Of the Metropolitan Gas Company commenced
the work of laying down q gas pipe on one Of the
transverse roads leading from Seventy.nmth street
and Fifth avenue across the Central Park to Eighth
avenue The object OF this was to connect that
portion OF the city on tneo west side OF the
Central Park with the main gas pipe whicn
runs through the centre OF Fifth avenue,
thereby preventing the necessity OF laying
another main to supply the west side with gas.
superintendent Crane, OF the Central Park, how
ever no sooner heard that the gas c0mpany's men
had commenced work for the object alluded TO,
without any authority Whatever from the Commits
arrest the foreman OF the gang, James McCullogh,
and another man named Thomas Reynolds, who
also seemed to have some authority. The parties
were accordingly arrested and taken before Alder
man Plunkitt at the YorKvilie Police Court where
they were held for examination, but discharged on
giving bail for their temperance yesterday.


The case accordingly came up for trial yesterday
afternoon, Commissioner Thomas U. Fields appear
ing on benalf OF the central Park authorities. In
compliance with the expressed wishes of both
parties, however, the case went over for two weeks
more. The Gas Company say that they will make a
this they believing that by their charter
they have the right to lay gas pipes in any part Of
this city, the Central Park included. The Park Com
missi0ners translate the law III different light and
they are accordingly determined that In this one
point at least the Metropolitan Gas Company shall
thing else which could add to their wealth and