smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872

So many facts have been recorded in various


works showing that animals possess some de-
gree of reason that will here give-Only two
or three instances authenticated by Rengger,
and relating to American monkeys. which stand
low in their order. He states that when he
first gave eggs to his monkeys they smashed
them and thus lost much of their contents;
afterWard they gently hit one end against some


hard body and picked off the bits of shell with
their fingers. After cutting themselves only
once with any sharp tool they would not touch
it again. or would handle it with the greatest
care. Lumps OF sugar were often given them
wrapped up in paper, and Rengger sometimes
put live wasp in the paper so that in hastily
unfolding it they got stung; after this had once
happened they always first held the packet to
their ears to detect any movement within.
Any one who is not convinced by such facts as
these, and by what he may observe with his
own dogs, that animals can reason, would not
be convinced by any that could add. Never
theess, / will give one case with respect to
dogs, as it rests on two distinct observers and
can hardly depend upon the modification of
any instinct Mr.. Colquhoun winged two
ducks, which fell on the opposite side of
stream; his retriever tried to bring over both
at once but could not succeed she then,
though never before known to ruffie feather,
deliberately killed one, brought over the other
and returned for the dead bird. Colonel Hutch
inson relates that two partridges were shot at
once, one being killed and the other wounded;
the latter ran away and was caught by the re-
triever, when on her return came across the
dead bird; "she stopped, evidently greatly puz-
zled, and after one or two trials, finding she
could not take it up without permitting the es-
cape of the winged bird, she considered mo-
ment, then deliberately murdered it by giving
it severe crouch, and afterward brought
away both together. This was the only known
instance of her ever having wilfully injured
any game" Here we have reason. though not
quite perfect, for the retriever might have
brought the wounded bird first and then re-
turned for the dead one. as in the case of the
two wild ducks" The muleteers in South
America say: II will not give you the mule whose
step is easiest, but, la mas raciondl"-the one
that reasons best: and Humboldt adds: "This
popular expression, dictated by long expert
ence. combats the system of animated machines
better, perhaps, than all the arguments of spec
uative philosophy. Descent Of Man, By
c. Dar,cin.
Year: 1872

The chestnut mare Grace Bertram was yesterday
matched to beat Dutchman's three-mlle time.
Notice will be given OF the time the will take
place in q day or two.


The three-year old stallion Viceroy has declared
forfeit to Evelina in the match for $1,000, which
was to have come Off on the 25th inst. viceroy
met with an accident last spring which threw him
out Of training until within few weeks. Evelina
was bred at Stoney Ford by Mr. Backman, out Of
his mare Mistress Kenyon by his stallion Idol, and
she has other engagements for next Fall.
Year: 1872

The regular Saturday evening musical entertain
ment passed Off charmingly at Prospect Park yes
terday afternoon. The throng OF people Of all ages
sexes and conditions was very large, the beautiful
autumnal weather and clear sky being a sufficient
inducement to tempt one parkward, independent Of
OF music beneath the shade near Nethermead Con-
course. The drives were thronged with the finest
and most costly modern equipages and pretty
women, engaging children and well satisfied look
ing lords of creation all smiled their appreciation of
the scene and the bracing. atmosphere by which
they were surrounded
Year: 1872

A portion OF coffin containing the bones Of q
human being was found by party OF boys who
were playing yesterday in vacant lot on Stuben
street, near Park avenue, Brooklyn. The spot on
which the remains were discovered was the cellar
OF a small wooden shanty which was recently torn
down, the occupants having vacated the premises


The bones were covered up by an officer OF the
Fourth precinct and the Coroner was notified The
police are endeavoring to ascertain the where
Year: 1872

collection will be taken up, by direction OF the
Bishop, in all the Catholic churches of the diocese
at each of the masses to-day in aid of the House Of
the Good Shepherd. This institution Is charity OF
such magnitude and merit that the mere mention
OF the fact is Of itself sufficient to excite desire
the part of the philanthrOpic to contribute toward
the maintenance of the Home. The application for
admission to the Home, which Is located at East
New York, are constantly increasing, and the drain
exhausted the little means at the disposal Of the
noble Sisters Of the order of Good Shepherd who
have the management OF the Home.
Year: 1872

The Committee of Supervisors who visited Albany
for the purpose of obtaining reduction OF the
amount OF State tax assessed upon Kings county
have returned, having accomplished the object Of
their mission. reduction OF $2l 100000 upon the
basis OF the total valuation OF real estate was
granted by the State Board OF Equalization.
Year: 1872

BtIOTt JuURG WUOUTUH.


long list OF Supervisors OF Election were sworn
into Office in this Court yesterday. As the names
of the appointees were being read by the Clerk OF
the Court the Judge invited any person knowing
OF to the appointees, whether as regards
personal character past history or any other cir
cumstance which should render a man unsuitable
to receive the appointment, to state them. 0bjec-
tion was made to one Of the appOintees on the
ground that several years ago 1t had been re-
ported that he had offered to count certain
candidate into office for consideration. The
Court adjourned until Monday.
Year: 1872

q A stranger meeting man in the


streets of Boston, a few days since
accosted him with, "Here,
want to go to the fremont House 7
The Deliberate reply was, swell you
can go Eyuu won't be gone long"
Year: 1872

Two colored men at Little Rock,
Ark, lately go. iuto so desperate a
quarrel as to which had put the most
into a contribution box at church that
a fight ensuel, with fatal results to
one Of them.
Year: 1872

On Thursday III ,rning. June 4,h,
within the precincts of The Jail, the
last dread sentence of the law was
carried out upon the persun of John
Conn, who wns at the last assize
convicted and condemned to dea'h
for the murder of an elderly woman
named Aveline Little, ntar Wyn-
deyer. in March last.


Precisely at nine o'clock, the
" ched criminal. attended by the
Rev. Mr.. McAucliffe was led forth
from Lis cell, aud quietly submitted
himself to the han S of the two
execuiioners, who at once proceeded
to pinion him. The prisoner Mas
taken to the foot of the gallows, and
ascended the stairs without exhibit
ing any agitation. He raised his
hands twice as if i'll supplication; and
upon the cap being thrown over his
head and tired the bolt was drawn.
A scene now occurred that will never
be forgotten by those who Witnessed
it. When the body passed through
the drop the spectators of course
expected to see 1t swing underneath
when the extent of the rope was
reached; but what was their horror
to see the trunk completely severed
from the head, fall into the pit below
whil4 the head was left dangling in
the noose--t terrible and CHASTITY sight.
Death, of course, was instantaneous.
1t is impossible to describe the SEN
sation which this shocking spectacle
produced. Every one present stood
as if he were rooted to the spot, and
it was some time before most of the
onlookers could realize what had
actually occurred. Tue blood ran
in barrow stream from the head
suspended above and, upon ap-
proaching the edge of the pit, the
upper portion OF the body was seen
to partially raise itself in convulsive
| shudderings two or three times be-
fore it ceased to move, the blood
pouring in streams FROM the neck.
The effect of the scene was sickenihg
| in the extreme. but as soon as possible
the trunk and head were put in a
colin and removed. The cause OF
the terrible catastrophe was the want
of a y allowance on the part of the
executioners for the age and at
tenuated frame of the convict. Far
too great II fall was given, and
though it might be merciful as a
rapid and painless mode of taking
life, the result was certainly mos,
revolving Batharst Times.
Year: 1872

The Journal of Commerce characterizes
as "dead!y sport" the action of the House
of Representatives on the tea and coffee
duties-illustrating as follows:


On the lth of March, 1871, the House,
by large majority, placed tea and coffee
on the free list. The whole country stood
in expectancy, the stocks of tea and cof-
fee, the former especially, remained to a
great extent undisturbed, and many con-
siderable fortunes were wholly or partial.
ly los: through this paralysis of trade.
Nothing further va done about it; the
bill itself was lost.


The Jane has began again, and the
House has once more got itself on .he re.
cord as in favor 0 q repeal Of these du.
ties Ii the good faith Of this movement
is credited, the importations which are
now arriving will pile up in store, the
country dealers eve ywhere will carry the
smallest stock, and great loss be inflicted
on the importers aud jobbers.


The country is very we'll prepared for
either repeal of the duty or It's indef-
mite continuance; but this playing fast and
loose with topic of such magnitude has
exhausted the patience of all concerned.
They demand that the duty shall be re-
pealed and have done with it. or that the
House shall cease to proclaim every other
day its intention to perform such an act,
with an eye only to its present political
effect, and final adjournment, leaving
the board standing for renewal of the
little play at the next session.
Year: 1872

In glass grinding factory in New
Jersey recently, a ysung lady with flow
ing hair, was caught in the machinery
by tho hair She grabbed hold OF some
thing and held on manfully till she was
released by some of the hands. About
half her hair was pulled out by the roots,
and her scalp was raised about one
quarter OF an inch from her skull But
for her tenaclty in "holding on" she
would have been ground to powder.
This is the only argument we ever saw
in favor ofladics wearing false hair.
Year: 1872

The following note written to her school
mate by a girl who had been absent several
days, illustrates the sweet simplicity of fashion.
able childhood: Dear Susie-I shant attend
school again until Get some new cuffs, col
lars and iewelry-dear N anna agrees with me
that il is my DoOty to take the shine out OF
that Up start Many JONES' aud I'll do it if
never learn nothing"
Year: 1872

Little Robbie went to a show, and saw an
elephant for the first time in his life When
he came home, his mother asked him what he
had seen? Robbie replied, AN elephant,
mamma, that gobbled hay with his front
tail -
Year: 1872

Some theatrical experiments are


being made at this time to show that


all possible emotions and all shades
and gradations of emotion can be
expressed by facial action, and that


the method of so expressing them
can be reduced to a system, and
taught in given number of lessons.
1t seems a matter of question
whether one would be more likely
to make love or evince sorrow any
more successfully by keeping in
mind all the while the detailed
catalogue of his hexors and extern
sors, and contracting and relaxing
No. 1, 2, or 3, according to the rule.
The human memory is treacher-
Gus thing, and what an enormous
disaster would result from a very
slight forgetfulness in such a nicely
adjusted system The fatal effect
of dropping the superior maxillary
when one intended to drop to in
ferior,;ior of applying nervous sti-
null to the up track, instead of the
down, cali easily be conceived. Art
is art, after all, be it ever so skillful
and triumphant, and science is only
a slow reading of hieroglyphs.
Nature sets high and serene above
both, and smiles compassionately
on their efforts to initiate and un-
derstand. And this brings us to
what We have to say about smiling.
Do many people realize what a
wonderful thing it is that each
human being is born into the world
with his own smile ? Eyes, nose,
mouth may be merely average COM
mon-place features ; may look,
taken singly, very much like any
body else's eyes, nose, or mouth.
Let whoever doubts this try the
simple but endlessly amusing ex-
pertinent of setting half a dozan
people behind a perforated curtain,
and making them put their eyes at
the holes. Not one eye in a hun
dred can be recognized, not even by
most familiar and loving friends
But study smiles; observe, even in
the most casual way, the variety one
Year: 1872

We learn that Colonel Merrill,
District Attorney Corbin, and At
torney General Chamberlain left for
Washington on Monday, at the
special request of the national au-
thorities, to confer upon the Ku-
klux affairs of this State. Grave
and most important questions are
to be discussed, especially in refer
ance to the future proceedings in
court and in the field against the
Ku-Klux. The President and the
new Attorney General do not &C.
cept the present lull in Ku-Klux
activity as any evidence or even in
dicaiion of permanent peace and
good order. 1t is known that the
whole up-country is now full Of
threats against ali who have aided
in unearthing the diabolical plan.
And the whole country will join
with the President in his unrelent-
ing determination to finally crush
out this stupendous conspiracy.
The great necessity now is to obtain
additional executive and judicial
force with which to push the arrest
and trial of the fends who have
thus far gone unwhipped of justice.
There will be no pause until the
needed lesson is fully taught-that
protection to every man in the
peaceable enjoyment Of all his rights
is the boon of every citizen and the
unalterable purpose at the Govern
ment, and woe to the hand that is up
lifted against it. It is, moreover,
now proposed to seek out and bring
to justice the real leaders in this ne
farious conspiracy; what the Ku-
Klux organ Of this city calls the
"tol poppies"--a happy phrase, the
meaning of which the Phoen,r may
soon learn more than it now knows.
We congratulate all our citizens on
the fact that the Government al
Washington is alive to the situation
here. The snake must be killed,
not merely scotched. Columbia { s.
C) Union.
Year: 1872

After dwelling at length on the
apparent sincerity of the religious
portion Of the population of the
continent, and commencing the
practice OF the Catholic Church in
keeping its sanctuaries open to COM
municants at alltimes, and bringing
mobiles to a common level in their
devotions, Mr.. Phillips got his word
in on the colored brother. He said
the people of Europe did not know
black from white. In Paris he had
seen q dozen couples of colored peo-
pie promenading the most fashiona-
Year: 1872

A remarkable example of change
of habit following a change of con-
dition is given by Mr.. T. H. Potts
in late number of mature" The
case is that of a bird belonging to
the parrot family, and known as
the Kea. The bird is found in GER
tain localities amid the wild scenery
of the Southern Alps, in the Middle
Island of New Zealand, and, up to
the advent of the Europeans, its
food consisted mainly of the sweet
OF flowers and the berries of noun
tain shrubs, with occasionally such
insects as are found in the crevices
Of rocks or beneath the bark of
trees. Its aliment, therefore, though
not exclusively vegetarian, was such
as called forth no display of bold
ness in the effort to procure a suf6-
cient supply. But with the occupa-
ton of the country by the English,
its habits in this regard have mate
rally changed. Attracted by the
meat-gallows of the back-country
squatters, the bird soon learned, in
the scarcity of other food, to tear
its meal from the half-dried carcass
OF some slaughtered sheep, or, fail
ing to obtain this, the drying sheep
skins stretched on the. rails of the
stock yard were laid under con-
tribution.


The bird now tears his food from
the back Of the living sheep. We
are told by local paper that for
the last three years the sheep
belonging to settler in the Wanaka
district (Otago) appeared afflicted
with what was thought to be new
kind of disease; neighbors and
shepherds were equally at loss to
account for it, having never seen
anything of the kind before. The
first appearance of this supposed
disease is patch of raw flesh on
the loin of the sheep, about the size
of mans hand; from this, matter
continually runs down the side,
taking the wool completely off the
part it touches, and in many cases
death is the result. At last a
shepherd noticed one of the noun
tain parrots sticking to a sheep and
pecking at a sore, and that the
animal seemed unable to get rid of
its tormentor. The run-holder gave
directions to his shepherds to keep
watch on the parrots when muster
ing on the high ground; the result
has been that during the present
season, when mastering high upon
the ranges near the snow-line, they
saw several of the birds surrounding
a sheep, which was freshly bleeding
from a small wound in the loin; on
other sheep were noticed places
where the Kea had begun to attack
them, small pieces of wool having
been picked out.


"From the recent settlement of
the country says Mr.. Potts, cit
would be quite possible to date each
step in the development of the
destructiveness of the Kea, the gra-
dual yet rapid change from the mild
gentleness of the honey-eater, luxu-
rating amid fragrant blossoms
when the season was Tapped in sun
shine. or picking the berried fruits
in the more sheltered gullies when
winter had sternly crushed and hid
den the vegetation of its summer
haunts. Led perhaps to relish
animal food from its partly insect
ivorous habits, its visits to the out
stations show something like the
bold thievery of some of the corude,
while its attacks on sheep feeding
on the high ranges exhibit an amount
Of daring akin to the savage fierce
ness of the roptorial. Galary.
Year: 1872

A young man living at Kingston, N.
Y, went to see his girl, and when he
started for home, the night being dark,
his inamorato gave him red paper Ian
tern TO light his lonely way: He took
the railroad track, and was walking
leisurely along, his mind no doubt, filled
with agreeable thoughts of the fair one
he had just left, when his reverie was
ended by some one in the rear, who
gave the Chinese lantern kick and
sent it flying.


"Confound you," said the person from
behind, ''here I've been slowing my
train for the last two hours on account
of that red light


And looking behind him the young
man saw freight train, whose conduc
tor had disturbed his meditations.
Year: 1872

few months ago.


Another source of light concerning
General Grants military spirit and as
pirations may be found in his Indian
policy. General Grant is the first Pres
ident of the United States who has ever
tried to protect the aborigines in the en-
joyment of their rights, with earnest
ness and success. 1t was one of the first
matters of which he thought on ASSUME
ing his present official position, and he
has persisted in the maintenance of this
humane policy with characteristic firm
ness and tenacity. By doing 80 he has
incurred the ill-will of the army, that
is, of a large proportion of the officers
of the army. fact that should be duly
meditated by those wiseacres who pre-
tend to dread Grant as military
usurper. On the other hand, by a great
majority of the non-military portion of
the nation, the Indian policy of the
present administration is regarded as
second only to the abolition of slavery
among the achievements of the Repub-.
lican party. Jefferson, referring to
slavery, said that he trembled for his
country when he remembered that God
is just. Perhaps our treatment of the
Indians may have seemed equally worthy
of divine retribution; it has certainly,
OH the whole, been brutal In the ex-
irene, and one of the foulest blots on
our civilization. To President Grant
belongs the credit of having inangura-
ted and carried out an Indian policy
which is destined to furnish one of the
most important and brilliant chapters
in the history of the country, as well as
in the history OF benevolent reforms
PittsbarGh Commercial.
Year: 1872

many Transforming scenes for me. Ev.
erything is changed. The furniture,
crOckery, stove pipes and ny best
clothes will be piled in the center Of the
room, covered with Dolly Warden
streaks of whitewash.


The habitual frown on Mary AIMS
freckled countenance will be changed to
a demoniacal glare, as she Stops around
up dust enough tomake a world
full of people. This season 70 ne IS
the inquisition period /; and I always
vanish like the base fabric Of an empty
dream" | guess they are cleaning
house over to Smiths, FOR l saw him
out with his head bandaged and
one arm in sling. Poor thing, ne is
learning. Experience viii teach him
Year: 1872

II man and his wife


Wish to glide through life,


In manner both kind and inviting.


They must mix cum arouse"


And never clean house,


For it can't be done without fighting.
There is one piece of furniture in our
house that will escape the annual clean
ing, and that is poor grandmother's
lounge. Ghost of the original Dolly,
arise and with gaunt face and hollow
eyes and shaking bones, bring terror
and dismay upon these latter day Var
dentists. Poor, prosecuted grandmother
Poor, tormented manhood Wicked, in.
fatuated, iniudicious Dolly Warden.
Year: 1872

We call the attention of our readers il
Virginia, and also of our exchanges abroad
to the persistent attempts to blind both oul
own people, and the public to the real issue
involved in the present struggle over the
State debt.


With reckless disregard of truth which
evidences desperate cause, portion Of
the Press and numerous advocates of the
Funding law, proclaim that all who favor
their views are for Reputation. In our own
behalf, and for that large Opposition in
the Legislature whose character for
public and private integrity, will
compare favorably with their oppo-
nents, we deny this charge explicitly.
The controversy arises upon specific mode
of treating the debt. 1t is notorious that
the law, now under discussion, was passed
in the interests Of a speculative class of
bondholders, that it was crowded through
the Legislature by snap Judgment
upon the people, no opportunity being
given for proper deliberation, discussion or
amendment. That large sums of money
were used to secure its passage. That the
English bondholders opposed it to the last,
and have not now funded their bonds under
it. 1t was a measure to initiate the mar
ket value of the bonds for speculative pur-
poses, and not a bona .tfde settlement with
the creditors Of the State, designed to es-
tablish its credit and protect to its honor.


1t was one of the crudest and most i'll
advised measures in the annals of legisla-
tion. While protesting to be a finality, it
involved endless controversy and litigation.
tt was measure of reputation, in that, it
assumed to relieve the State of portion of
its Indebtedness by its own act. Il made
no adequate provisions for the paym ent of
obligations maturing under it. 1t provided
for flooding the State with q worthless cur
rency. 1t violated the constitution, and
imposed upon the people burdens wholly
beyond their strength.


And now because the people reject this
law and seek to reconsider, the cry of "Re-
pudiation" is raised. We hope that respec-
table Northern papers will wait a little, and
inform themselves of the merits of this
quarrel, before they take up this senseless
cry, against men as honest as themselves.
We are not afraid of its influence here.


The unbought and unterrifed people
have found men worthy to represent them,
who are not to be driven from their duty
by this foolish attempt to cover them with
the obloquy Of bad name. They will
dispose of this matter upon its merits, un-
awed by the dictation of high officials, the
momed Ring, or that portion of the Press,
which belongs TO either of these.