smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

The Investment Of Paris-Progress Of the


Siege Operations.


Marshal MacMahon is steadily pushing his
operations against the positions Of the In
surgent forces. He is giving the forts upon
the south Of Paris particular attention, and
the assaults upon different points are resisted
with great stubborness. The bitter enmity
existing between the troops of the government
and those Of the Commune render the contest
q most bloody one, the latter having lost In
killed, by the bayonet alone, in the attack
upon Clamart, over three hundred men. No
quarter is given by the former and none is
asked by the latter. The fight is hand to
hand, breast to breast, and ends only in death
or mortal wound. There will probably be
no attempt at an assault or nearer approach 70
the city in any direction until after the
southern forts are reduced. The minor
engagements on the west Of Paris amount to
nothing, comparatively. A few affairs OF out
posts have occurred at Neuilly, but both par
ties remained in their positions, and there is
nothing to indicate at present further ad-
vance in that direction. The heavy lombard
ment against Fort d'Issy is maintained, and
the others to the eastward receive full share
Of attention from the government batteries.
The news of the surrender of all of them or
their being carried by storm may be received
at any moment, and when II occurs there will
be an important change In the programme.
The siege guns then will be advanced to
within easy preaching distance Of the e'ceinte
and the southern part Of the city will come in
for its share of projectiles. The prospect of
peace appears to be as far removed as ever,
and there is evidently no chance of Its being
brought about except at the point of the
bavOnet
Year: 1871

Some of our contemporaries are much exer-
cised about the wondrous prosperity of the
HERALD. Sixty columns of advertisements,
given in the one day and printed the next,
make q show which, under the same condi-
sions, has had no parallel, so far as we know,
in the history of journalism. Quadruple
sheets during this busy season have been
with us more a necessity than ever. Our con-
temporaries know and feel, although they do
not confess 1t, that our enormous advertising
patronage is a substantial vote of confidence
in the HERALD. Why the New York public
should stand by us and cling to us in this man.
ner it is not difficult to answer. We stand by
them and by the whole American people. We
print great newspaper. In getting 1t up we
spare no expense Our money is freely given
out our agents in consequence are ndmerous
and everywhere--at least where they ought to
be-and we insist that they shall not be beaten.
In whatever point the interest of the public
centres our agent is there and whether it be
in London, Paris, Berlin, st. Petersburg, or
in the heart of China or on the heights of
Abyssinia, our agent must be ahead of all
rivals. AS cost is no hindrance his difficulty
is the less. This, however, is not all. The
HERALD calls no man, no party, no creed,
master. 1t is its pride, its glory to be inde-
pendent. Being Independent, we have the less
difficulty in being impartial. If our views OF
men and movements in the political, social,
mercantile and religious worlds do not always
please, they are at least our views, and that is
their value. The New York public and the
American people as whole have learned to
trust us, because they know that whatever
others may do we shall not betray their
interests. Our enormous advertising patron
age is not the principal proof Of the HERALDs
prosperity and power. More potent proof is
to be found in the fear of dishonest politicians


in the dread of tricky Cabinets, in the watch
fulness Of nations. In certain matters our
voice is as powerful in London as in New
York, in Pekin as in Washington. If we know
how to make great newspaper, how to re-
feet the times and to improve them by the
process of reflection, that may be a reason
for admiration, but it ought no. to be cause
of Jealousy. Much as the HERALD has done
and is doing, we look forward to greater
victories, because we feel the impulses and
outgoings of increasing strength.
Year: 1871

THE PARK COMMISSIONERS met and reor-
ganized yesterday, Mr.. Sweeny being again
chosen President. They transacted a good
deal of regular business during the meeting.
The Park Commissioners have done good work
among our city garden spots, and we are glad
10 see that they are intent on doing even
better still. The children of the present gen.
Grafton will rise up and call them blessed
even if taxpayers and radicals bless them il
another way at present
Year: 1871

FOSTER, THE MURDERER OF PUTNAM, was
arraigned in the Court Of Oyer and Termner
yesterday, but his counsel asked that he be
allowed short delay, as he intended TO put
in special plea. Judge Cardozo finally con-
sented 10 postpone the case until to-day, when
a special plea, probably in reference to the
jurisdiction Of the Court and looking to o
change Of venue, in consequence Of the excited
state of the public mind in this city, will be
offered. The lawyers engaged for the defence
of Foster are among the best that the bar Of
our criminal courts affords, and they are not
likely to allow any technicalty or quibblc to
escape them which may by any possibility
offer their client tho slightest loophole Of
escape.
Year: 1871

OCEAN PENNY PosTAGE--It appears from
the debate in the British Parliament on the
reduction Of ocean postage to one penny, an
on land in England, that the Gladstone gov
srnmcnt resists the change, on the ground
that IL would cause too great loss TO the Post
Office Department. The Ministry defeated tha
Year: 1871

THE PARIS Commune AND THE DESTRUCTION
OF MONUMENTAL despatch from Paris says
that the Column in the Place Vend6me is to be
demolished on the Sth day Of May, and that
all the statues and other vestiges Of the mo-
narchical regime are TO be destroyed on the
same day. We have no reason to be surprised
at this, for we believe the Commune and Its
patellites to be capable of anything in the way
Of atrocity. The sth of May, then, is to be a
holiday of destruction with the Reds, and while
one gang is destroying the Column the others
win be demolishing nearly all that is beautiful
in Paris. They may, and probably will, wipe
out the Tuileries and the Louvre, and when
their hands are fairly in the work they had
better keep on and destroy all of Paris-makc
p big bonfire of it, and when the torch is ap-
piled to the last building and it is fairly on
nre, If they will only jump into the flames
There may be yet some hope for France.
Year: 1871

The coal troubles have substantially ended,
the Wilkesbarre men having already returned
to work on the old basis, and the Pottsville
men having signifed their willingness to abide
by local arbitration, which is equivalent to
following the example of their Wilkesbarrc
friends. Thus the miners, after all their long
and earnest fight, have lost heavily. Some of
the cherished principles Of the trades union,
founded upon false premises, however, as we
have always held in our friendly advice to
the miners, have been overthrown, and
their long continued idlenesss has eaten up
their funds. The combinations of capital,
railroads, legislatures and courts have been
too powerful for them. II was an unequal
match from the first but if ever oppressed
workman or downtrodden nation had right
upon its side In rebellion the miners had right
upon theirs in their strike. The interests of
all the people Of the Atlantic sea coast were
directly identified with them in the struggle,
and the great powers of railroads and mono-
poles have been sufficient, for the present at
least, to overpower public sentiment and public
interest.


The Scranton men, it is stated in our
special despatch, are moody and sullen. They
have not yet given in, and still have faint
hope of some concession from the operators.
If they get none our correspondent intimates
that riot and revolution may ensue, and the
property of the operators and the mine owners
will be likely to suffer severely. Men driven
almost to desperation by hunger, as these men
are, are dangerous enemies; and we think
that the companies may yet find 1t to their in
terest to offer at once some generous conces-
sions. It is worth something pecuniarily to
have willing workers instead Of quarry slaves
in their mines, and generous concession may
not only prevent riot and destruction Of
property, but II may insure them more cheer
ful and, consequently, more Jealous laborcrs.


THE CoNUNDRUM OF THE CONNECTICUT
ELECTION will probably be solved next week.
The Legislature now awaits on investigation
into the alleged false counts in New Haven
and Enfield to decide who Is Governor Oh
that distracted State, and thus put an end 70
the frenzy OF the militiamen who have 0een
wailug over the postponement Of their arn'al
parade day,
Year: 1871




After a hard trip of more than forty
hours from CHATTANOOGA : this evening
finds us in the Crescent City. We left
Chattanooga on Tuesday evening, over the
Alabama and CHATTANOOGA Railroad, in
one of the elegant PullmanypaIace sleeping
cars now running on the road. Owing TO
the rough condition of the southwestern
division of the road, the sleeping car Is
left at Tuscaloosa. We had made arrange
ments withsthe conductor of the. sleeping
car to- call Aus in time 60 on with the
train which he did-just in time to be too
late. We went TO the door Just as the
train moved off at the rate of twenty miles
per hour, leaving us in not a very pleasant
frame of mind. We could have indulged
in some hard words about that sleeping
ear conductor, and it still requires a strong
effort ON our part to feel amiable towards
him. We vote him a ~, but we refrain
from saying anything further, from the
fact that we can't do the subject Justice.


But our disappointment has been atonei
for, to q great extent, by getting to come
over the most interesting part of the
road in daylight. We had TO wait ONLY
two houts for the accommodation train,
that runs from Tuscaloosa TO Meridian,
Miss. The road between these two points
passes through an uninteresting country,
covered With sYanps, end producing little
else than ailigatoIs and nosquitoe&. Frhe
former may be seen occasionally, moving
slpggishly from their chosen resting place
III the sun, While nlyriads OF the latter in
fest the atmosphere, coming into the cars
ana dining from the passengers, a con
tinual fight With them serves 10 keep one
awake, If nothing else, But there are inn
mense forests of the finest pine timber in
the land contiguous to this road, and a
number of mills have already been erected
for manufacturing it into lumber. The
Year: 1871

The vast region between the valley
of the Platte and the eastern base OF
the Sierra, says the San Francisco Bm-
letiaa, is rapidly filling up with stock
raisers. They do not jostle each 9TH
sr, because nearly all of them occupy
as naslchasAieritory as is comprised in
Eth ezssiliafi States of New England.
Herds of cattle numbering from five
thousand to ten thousand head are
found in the high table lands and in
the valleys, while the more mountains
GUS country sustains f1ocks of sheep,
which are producing some of the best
wool sent to market. The land occu-
pied belongs to the Government and
at present does not cost the occupants
a cent-not even for taxes. BY COM
mon consent, one herdsman does not
trespass upon the territory of another,
and each decides for himself how
much is necessary to supply pasture
for his cattle. We have done some
thing in the way of cattle raising in
California; but hereafter the great
pastural region of the United States
will embrace territory between the
Colorado on the sonth and the Colum-
bia on the north, the Platte valley on
the east, and the Sierra on the west.
The more elevated regions will pro-
duee the finest wool in the world, and
the table lands and valleys beef in


such abundance that poor man can
buy steak for something less than
the price of a days work. f1i't
Year: 1871

One Of the papers tells the story of
man coming INTO church after the
sermon had begun; whereupon the
preacher paused and said to him:


Glad to see yon, sir! Come in,
come in! Always glad to see those
here late who cannot come early To
which salutation the stranger, taking
his seat, as coolly replied: Thank
you: would you favor me with the
text? Certainly was the answer !;
which was done, and the discourse
moved on as before. This recalls a
Missouri incident. One cold night,
Rev. DIR. Ezra S Ely, of Presbyterian
fame, was preaching i'll prairie farm
house. When about a third through
the sermon, two late comers rode up
to the door and entered. The Doc
tor stopped and said that, as these
friends were very cold with their ride,
the meeting would sing a song while
they were warming themselves.
Which being done, he observed that,
as they had taken so much trouble to
come, ne would begin his discourse
again for their benefit; and taking the
text accordingly, he commenced once
more at The beginning, and, repeated
his sermon, rather more to their edifi-
cation than to that of the rest of the
audience perhaps.
Year: 1871

SOME sinner has stolen the thermom-
etor from the Fon du Lac Reporter
office. That paper informs the thief
that it will be of no use to him where
he is going, as 1t does not work high
or than 313
Year: 1871

On the line OF The Albany & Susque-
hannah Railroad, about one mile west


of the Wells Bridge Station, lives Mr..
J. Youmans, who is the owner OF an IN


telligent dog named Rover. Now Rov


er is very much like other dogs, drlv-
ing the cows when told, playing with
the children when not too lazy, and re-


fusing to eat his potato unless cut into
very small pieces and covered with gra
w But Rover has peculiarity one
trait in his character, Which shows HIM
to be no common dog. Like some 9th
er bipeds he must have place to run.


g It is the sin that so easily besets
him = Whenever Il train is heard ap-
preaching, Rover starts for the track
and places himself on the ties with his
head toward the rushing engine. He
stands in this position With dropping
head, until the engine is within about
one rod OF him, then giving a sin
gle bark, he whirls about and
starts on a race with the monster,
at q speed which shows that the seven
years practice lie has had, enables him
to use his steam totl1e best advantage
though during the race he wastes none
of it in blowing his whistle He runs
at full speed TIL the cowcatcher nearly
touches him, when he springs suddenly
from the track and continues the race
at one side till the locomotive Is fairly
ahead Of HIM, when he returns slowly
to the house, and waits for the next
train, when he is sure to be ready for
another race. Several years ago, when
be first commenced the performance,
he ran on the track too long, and on
one or two occasions barely escaped
with his life But wisdom has come
before gray hairs, and now he is never
struck by the remorseless competitor,
though sometimes he is not more than
one foot ahead when he springs from
the track


A short time since we staid with Mr..
Youmans over night, and had a good
opportunities to witness Rovers saga
city. Whenever a coal train is APP
preaching he watches it with more un-
easiness, and when he springs from the
track he rushes to the fence and con-
tinues his race on the opposite side, as
the men on the tram frequently pelt
him with pieces of coal. The employ
ees on the road all know him well, and
the engineers would miss him from his
place on the track, where they always
expect him rain or shine. On one Oc-
casion when he came back to the
house after SO narrow an escape he was
confined III room when the next train
was due. but as soon as he heard the
familiar rumble approaching nearer,
he sprang through the window, break
ing the sash and glass, and did not
miss the race and they never since
confined him.
Year: 1871

A Paris special gives the following
particulars about the caucus of the Left
Centre Of the National Assembly, which
voted yesterday for the prolongation of
liners powers as President of the Re-
public. The deputies of the Left Cen
tire, nominally all moderate Republi-
cans, were convened by circular
which bore the signature of Gambetta
and others, for the purpose of shaping
policy for the party, and to take some
definite action concerning the proposed
extension Of Thiers term of office.


The Convention then voted by ma
iority OF 100 against 5, to advocate in
the Assembly, the PRONUNCIATION of
Theirs powers for three years, with a
proviso that Theirs shall bear the title
OF President of the French Republic,
instead of Chief Executive, as hereto
fore The meeting resolved by the
same vote, to create the office of Vice
President. The Vice President is to
be at the same time President of the
Council. It was further decided to ex-
press confidence in Theirs by giving
him the power to choose a Vice Presi-
dent. but Thiers alone to be response
bic for the government.
Year: 1871

BY JOHN hay.
A sentinel angel sitting high in glory,
Heard this shrill wall ring out il purgatory:
g Have mercy mighty angel hear my story
81 I loved, and blind with passionate love- fell:
Love brought me down to DEATH and death to hell
For God is just, and death for sin is well:
20 i do not rage against his high decree:
Nor for myself do ask that grace shall be,
But for my love ON earth; who mourns for me-
q Great Spirit, let me sea my love again.
And comfort him one hour, and I were fain
To pay a thousand years of fire and PAM
Then said the pitying angel q Nay. repent
That wild VOW Look the diaI-finger's bent
Down on the last hour of thy punishment y
But still she walled: ''I pray thee let me go
I can not raise to peace and leave him so
Oh, let me soothe hiIa in his bitter woe =
The brazen gates ground sullenIy aiar.
And upward, joyous, like a rising star
She rose, and vanished in the ether far.
But sooA adown the dying sunset sailing,
And like wounded bird her pini0ns trailing,
She futtered back with broken-hearted waihng.
Size sobbed @ found him by the summer sea
Reciined, his head upon a maiden's knee:
She cUrled his hair and kissed h m. Woe is me-"
She wept: q Now let my punishment begin;
I have been fond and foolish. Let me in
To expiate my sorrow and my sin"
The angel answered: fs Nay, sad soul, go higher
To be deceived in your true hearts desire
Was bitterer than a thousand years of fire!'


-Hayper's Wee5ty.
Year: 1871

OCEAN DRIFT.-A bottle was recently
picked up on the south beach of the
island of Key West, with a memoran-
dunn enclosed showing that it had been
thrown overheard from Norwegian
brig at point SIX hundred miles to
the eastward of the Island OF Martin
iuue. From an examination OF the
chart it appears that this bottle, driven
by the currents known as the drift of
the Northeast trade winds, must have
passed into and through the Caribbean
Sea around the Island of Cuba and
into the Gulf of Mexico to the beach
at Key West This long course covers
a distance of nearly three thousand
miles. and from the date on the memo
randum the rate of progress of the bot
tie must have been over thirteen miles
day, it having been driven along by
the currents for two hundred and
eighteen days.
Year: 1871

Henry Roberts, employed at the As
sociated Press Office, adjoining the
Barge Office, was standing on the plat
form, near the plling on the east side
Of the slip, at the moment of the ex-
p1osion. He says shat be heard a sud
den jar and rushing sound, aud that he
looked upward and behind him, sup
posing that the oupola of the Barge Of
fee was falling. In the next instant
came shower of fragments from the
direction OF the boat, and almost imme-
diately he was enveloped III a cloud Of
steam, but not before he had seen a
large number Of persons falling into
the water Then followed the cries of
the victims, which seemed TO mIpgle
t0gethefand produce universal shrek
Of terror and agony. He had Just left
q small boat at the farther side Of
the platform, and being unhnrt


he at once rowed out to rescue the per
sons struggling III the water. As he
came near he saw, he thinks, about 10
persons. Many men went down before
his eyes; but the women seemed to be
sustained longer by their clothing.
There were SO many struggling iii the
water before him that he hardly knew
whom to attempt to save first. He
soon got seven women into his boat,
and was chen compelled to start for the
pier, for fear of capsizing If he took in
more. At that moment he saw q wo=
man III black dress a few feet distant,
throwing up her arms as she was sink
ing He turned to save her, but was
too late. When the seven were removed
from the boat, he returned and found
a woman supporting herself by a
large piece of flooring, upon which she
had contTived to place her two children.
She was quite self-possessed, and when
he attempted to lift her into his boat,
demanded that he should take the
children first. He said they We're safe,
and urged her to take hold Of the side
of the boat but she vehemently re
fused to do so until he had lifted the
children info it. Next he found dead
woman upon some timbers with child
crying upon her breast. The child had
received a terrible cash upon the head,
and he believed could not have lived
long. Meanwhile, he saw numerous
Scalded persons moving frantically
about upon the platform cooling their
burns, and looking, as they did so, for
relatives whom they missed. He saw
one woman floating away at least $50
feet from the steamer, and still strug-
Cling. Two OF three Of the numerous
boatmen, who had by this time come to
the place, pushed out to save her, but
she SANK before they could reach her
He had noticed the people upon the
boat before the explosion, and thinks
that it contained at least $50 Manyo of
those who perished were covered by
the great mass Of timbers that fell into
the water.
Year: 1871

We have just passed the threshold of another
year. With the incoming of 1871 another ripple
on the stream of time has been added to the
broad ocean of the past. The first of the year
is the time when we recall the past and antici-
pate the future. Then we form resolutions for
future guidance and indulge in useless regrets
over past follies. The years mle-stones
along the road we journey from the cradle to the
grave. Every one we pass reminds US that we
are so much nearer our journeys end. 1t is
well that we profit by the reflection. 1t is well
if, our better nature prevailing, we halt in our
foolish career and begin a new year with firm
resolve to tread the pathway of uprightness and
sobriety. The year 1870 is now among the things
that were. We all remember how we entered
upon it we all know how we have been satisfied
or disappointed To some fortune has come with
both hands full others have drank the bitter
cup of disappointment to the dregs. 1t has been
thus since the world began, and always will be-
With everyone no doubt, something has hap
pened to make the year 1870 remembered always
Certain events occurring during the last twelve
months will give to the past year lasting prom
inence in the history of nations. The compile
tion of the Pacific railroad the opening of the
Suez canal, and the suddenness, magnitude and
unexampled desperation of the continental war,
now raging, are matters that will keep the date
of their occurrence alive for generation after
generation. What is before US we but guess.
With another New Year, we may be here else
where we may be alive and we'll, or we may be
dying or possibly trembling pilgrim through
eternity. Let us so live that when all sublunary
scenes are fading from earthly vision forever


That on Lies setting


Be craven with diamond pen


of