smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1870

ONE OF THE TRAGEDIES oFTHE WEST.
The Davenport Iowa, Democrat tells
the following story =" Hans is good at
pitch" but not a success as a provider.
He won't make any money himself, and
he spends what Gretchen makes. She
interviewed a druggist. He promised
arsenic, smelt a rat, put Hans on his
guard, and gave Gretchen starch instead
of poison. Hans threw up his hand and
went home. 1t was somewhat late and
he could risk it an hour with the would
be murderesa. Next day everything
moved on just the same. Hans didn t
eat very hearty breakfast, and went up
town to buy his provender. At dinner
he came home hungry, and pitched into
the victuals with unspeakable avidity.
His jaws soon lightened on the treacher-
GUS starch. He gavea yell and doubled
up like wounded boa constructor. He
fell on the floor and had spasms. In
short, he took on scollops high. His
wife sat by, enjoying the spectacle, and
tenderly inquiring, :" Wat is per matter
NIT Hans?" When he had become in
sensible, she went up stairs, three at a
time, and let down good sized rope
through an augur hole into the room
where Hans lay. Then she came down
and fastened the rope around his neck,
propped him up in a sitting position, and
again went up stairs. But Hans had an
inkling Of her fell intent, and coming to
himself, with remarkable presence of
mind he undid the moose from his neck
and slipped it around the leg of the din
ner table, then he calmly sat down in a
chair and awaited developments. The
way that table lit across the floor the
next minute was caution. 1t was
yanked all out of shape, and every dish
on it smashed into thousand pieces, and
then the piece of furniture drawn tight
up against the ceiling. Soon after was
heard the voice of his beloved wife from
the upper chamber window, calling out
in accents of grief that her dear lord
had committed suicide, and the neigh
bors commenced to run towards the
house. Coming down stairs she met the
irate Hans, who advanced threatenipgly
brandishing formidable switch, with
which he proceeded to belabor her most
numerically. Gretchen could not see
how it "was come to was" that Hans
could swallow poison with impunity, and
gives it up as bad job. Hans enjoys
his customary evening games, and has
his opinion of a man who can't govern
his own household.
Year: 1870




The total work of the human heart is
equivalent to 124,20S tons { of 224O
pounds each) lifted one foot. The daily
labor of a working man, deducted from
long-continued observation of various
kinds Of labor, is found to be equal to
$4,000 tons lifted one foot, during the
10 hours. This is less than three times
the work done by single heart, beating
day and night for "a hours; SO that
three OLD women sitting beside the fire,
alternately spinning and sleeping, do
more work by the constant beating of
their hearts than can be done in a day
by the sturdiest farm laborer. In boat
race it is calculated that Is foot-pounds
Of work are performed by each ounce of
muscle during each minute Of the row.
ing. No muscular labor that man can
undertake is more severe than this; and
yet this labor is only three-fourths of
that which is exerted day and night dur
ing life by each of our hearts. If the
heart should expend its entire force in
lifting its own weight vertically, it could
raise that weight 19, ,144 feet in an hour
An active pedestrian can climb from
Zermait to the top of Monte Rosa, 5000
feet, in nine hours; or can lift his own
body at the rate of 1000 feet an hour,
which is only one-twentieth part of the
energy of the heart. When the railway
was built from Trieste to Vienne, prize
was offered for the locomotive engine
that could lift its own weight through
the greatest height in one hour. The
Bavaria, which won the prize, lifted it.
self through 2700 feet in one hour. This
is the greatest feat yet accomplished on
steep grades, and is considered very re-
markable; but it is only one-eighth part
of the mechanical force of the heart
The heart then, is the most wonderful of
machines. Its energy equals one-third of
the daily force of all the muscles Of
strong man; it exceeds by one-third the
labor of the muscles in boat race, es-
timated by equal weights of muscle and
it is 20 times the force of all the muscles
used in climbing, and eight times the
force of the most powerful engine which
the art Of man has yet Nature.
Year: 1870

HAVANA, Dec. 22.-Adgioes from
Jamaica state that VI. Oardova made
a proposition to the Governor to run
a steamer monthly between New York
aud that Island, on receipt of salts
factory subsidy. The Governor said
he would favor the payment of a
subsidy to the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company, if that Company could be
induced to make an arraDgGmsntfor
calling at the island, with one Of its
vessels. each month.
Year: 1870

From the Philadelphia Leder.


A notable example of the evil re.
suits of giving way to passion was
witnessed at the Court of Quarter
Sessions on Tuesday. A married
woman, the wife of an industrious
mechanic, the mother of two infant
chilhren, was sentenced to two years
imprisonment, for an attempt to
revenge . fancied injury to her hus-
band, by burning out the eyes OF
another man with vitriol. 1t was a
terrible example of the evils of
ungovernable passion; a marked
instance Of the mischief done by
listening to idle rumor and gossip,
for the man who was supposed to
have done the injury was innocent
and a most distressing case in every
particular, for the husband of the
unfortunate woman was with her
vainly trying TO comfort her in her
fearful atfliction, and she with her
little children olinging to her knees,
as the Two years doom of imprison.
ment was pronounced by the Judge
We make particular note Of all this
whilst we arc aware that it is almost
frnitloss to talk to many Of those
who give way to passion, there are
some upon whom such severe ex
ample must have its effects. Pas
sion and strong drink populate oul
prisons. In this case it was nothing
but passion and a blind desire fol
revenge.
Year: 1870

On last Thursday evening q man
whose name we did not learn, and
two sons of Mr.. Fargo, who resides
at the Lakes in Clay county, went
out on the lake in the canoe to have
swim by the aid Of the boat. The
man could not swim nor could the
youngest Fargo boy, about nine years
old. The oldest boy, about 13 years
old, could. Thus the three proceeded
to put their swimming idoas into
execution. Things went smoothly
until through little excitement the
small boat was overturned. This
event occasioned a cry for help
There was no one around the house
or near only Mrs. Fargo and her
little daughter, about eleven years
old. This little girl with spirit OF
heroism equal to Ida Lewis, rushed
to the bank of tho Lake and jumped
into another .canoe and padded out
to where the three persons were
struggling in tho water. She would
have brought all three safe to shore
had they remained cool, but IN
their anxiety to grasp something
with motive power on board,
thev capsized her little craft and


her into the water. Luckily


iii 10 heroine che could swim.


t..js Stage of the game, she with
eooineas and courage seldom equa!led
or surpassed by men, called out to
her little brother to hold on to her,
and for the other two to hold on to
their boat. She thus secured her lit
tie brother and swan ashore with
him holding on to her boat. Her
eldest brother saved tho man in the
same way. Thus the entire party
were saved through the GOODNESS
and courage of a little girl only eley-
en- years Old Yankton Ddkotian.
Year: 1870

The editor of the Page County
Democrat propounded the following
interrogations to Attorney General
O'Connor, and we publish same with
his reply, for information here:


Is the Board of Supervisors com.
polled to publish the Treasurer's
report, and if so what compensation
aro the printers entitled to


Is tho report part of the proceed
ings of the Board Of Supervisors !?


In answer Mr.. O'Connor says


First, It is the duty Of supervisors
to publish the Troasurer's report.


Second, The price for such publi-
cation is not fixed by law.


Third, This report cannot by any
fair construction be called q part OF
the proceedings of the board"


Fourth, No price or limit being
fixed by law, the compensation must
depend on the rates established by
the trade or such contract as the
publisher and the Board may agree
Year: 1870

Alta famous and fashionable wat
ering place, a gentleman one night
was suddenly seized in bed with an
excruciating pain in his stomach,
which neither brandy, No. 6, nor
any other. remedy could remove.
His wife, after trying number of
things in vain, and after having ex-
hausted all her stock of remedies,
left her husbands bedside for tho
purpose of getting warm appIica-
tion. Guided on her return by
light which she saw shining in q
chamber, and which she supposed
was the ono just left, softly entered,
and was not a little surprised to find
her patient apparently in deep
slumber. However, thinking he
might still be suffering, she gently
raised the bed clothes, &C., and laid
the scalding poultice upon a stomach
but not the stomach of her
husband-which no sooner touchef
the body of the person, than he,
greatly alarmed, and writhing under
the torture of the burning applica-
ton, shouted: "Hallo! halo what
in the name of heaven and earth are
you about there p then, with one
spring from his bed, he made for the
door, and, rushing down stairs da.
clared, in q frenzy OF excitement
that some one had I CURED shovel of
hot Goals upon him. The woman,
overcome with excitement and alarm,
gave frantic scream, which brought
her husband hurriedly in from the
next room to her rescue. The hus-
band was so much excited, and also
SO much amused at the singular mis-.
take and ridiculous position of his
better half, that he forgot all his
pains; but early next morning he, his
wife and trunks left for parts un-
known. The poulticcd gentleman
still retains the handkerchief \
beautiful linen fabric, with the lady's
name on it, which he considers of
rare value,
Year: 1870

The Davenport Gazette gives an
account of the death by sunstroke of
a German. name not given, and the
probable demise from the same cause
of three others, whose names are NOT
given excepting a Mrs. Kappendorf
a poor washerwoman who has 9
large family dependent upon her.
Year: 1870

The following is tho text of the
speech pronounced lately by Marshal
Prim, in the Spanish Cortes, on the
subject of finding some one to accept
the vacant throne. He said:


."The Deputies probably expect
me to proclaim the namc Of a candi.
date with whom / have been author.
lzed to treat on the part of the Span.
ish government. IHear, hear.1
shall not do so, because should COM
nit an indiscretion which might lead
to complications; and, besides, my
honor is pledged. Gentlemen, you
will doubtless approve my reserve.
[Yes, yes The candidate was as
suredly in tho condition Spain re-
quires. That is to say, ofroyal race,
Catholic, and Of full age. But fatal
ity had written in tho book of desti.
nies or nations that we were not to
sncceed in finding King. The
Prince, / have been informed, with
as much delicaoy as benevolenee can.
not for the present accept the
crown. Then the government
thought the time was come to reter
to the Cortes and make the Assembly
the arbiter of tho question. Thus I
sum up my statement. The Ministry
has not been fortunate in these ne
gotiations; it has no candidate for
the crown of Spain to present you, at
least tor the present, but will it have
tomorrow? 1 cannot say. l can
only assure you that the government
Is animated by entirely the same
sentiment as the Monarchist depu-
ties, and that most certainly the
Cabinet has not lost all chance OF
finding q monarch. Without being
able to fix date or wishing to name
the exact day, the government will
continue to treat the question with
great prudence and reserve until it
can present to you candidate capa-
BILE Of creating .. general opinion in
his favor. Like you, we have con-
sidered that the first thing that the
country required was to get out OF
the interregnum at any price. But
we have no candidate to offer you,
yet, as it is possible that the
majority in the Cortes may have
one, you will, with your exalted WIS
dom, take what determination you
may deem proper in conformity with
your patriotic spirit and sentiments.
l may add that the government, as
well as the deputies looks on the con-
tinuance of tho provisional state of
things as a great evil but not having
in its power any means of getting
out of this painful situation it does
not share tho exaggerated fears
which have been expressed as to tho
dangers which would result there
from to liberty and society,""


A Paris journal of the 10th Of June
reports the speech and then adds:


'The Marshal acknowledged that
the Spanish crown had been offered
to four different candidates in sue
cession, all OF whom refused it. As
he did not give their names.we will
supply the deficiency by stating that
they were the ex-R Regent of Portugal,
Don Fernando /; the young Duke of
GENOA; Count d'Eu, son-in-law of tho
Emperor Of Brazil; and Prince
Fredrick, of Hohenzoillern,"
Year: 1870

WE OBSERVE that in their re-apportionment
OF the federal Offices in New York, some of our
contemporaries name Gen.w. s, Htilyer as likaIv
~ receive one OF the appointments. The fact
that Gen. IL. was on the staff of Gen. Grant
during the war and still sustains intimate per-
sonal relations with him has probably given rise
to this theory, but we have the best OF authority
for saying there is no foundation for it. Gen.
Hillyer is too pronounced Democrat to expect
such an official mark of favor at the hands of
the President, even If he desired it, which he
does not. On the other hand, the politicians of
New York will probably lind at the proper time
that such political aspirations as he may have
lie in quite different direction.
Year: 1870

The REFORM REPUBLICANs are making IN
good tickets in most of the wards, and are
closing up the ranks where there are splits. We
are glad, also, to that pains are taken to Sc
cure full representation of intelligent colored
men on each ward ticket
Year: 1870

The BILL to abolish the franking privilege
came up as the special order in the Senate at
one O'Clock to-day, but, after some discussion,
1t was passed over Informally by vote of 50 to
26, it being understood among Senators that the
vote should be q test one on the bill.
Year: 1870

There has been nothing of Importance ac-
complished in Congress during the week just
passed. With the exception of few minor
matters of no interest there has been nothing
new introduced. In the Senate the leading
feature has been the Georgia Admission bill,
which has served as text for tiresome
round of useless speeches and is now no nearer
to vote than when it originally came up.
The proposition made by Mr.. Sumner to re-
duce postage in certain cases to one cent is an
important measure, especially as it brings up
the almost forgotten Franking Privilege bill,
with new idea on the subject 1t proposes
to do away with the present Congressional
privilege of sending and receiving any and all
kinds of matter through the mails on the
strength of Congressman's autograph, and
so far does away with clear field for corrup-
ton but that the proposed substitute, supply
ing stamped envelopes to each department,
may not finally be made a source of corrup-
ton also is another question. 1t certainly is
at present an Improvement on the old way.


The main features in the House have been
decisions in contested election cases, which,
by queer coincidence, all tended to place
radicals in seats and GUST democrats, thereby
showing how much more squarely the domi-
nant republican party conducts elections than
the democratic. Butler, with commendable
sagacity and determination, has pressed for
leave to get his resolution annexing Dominica
in the House, but some wary democrat has
always been present to object. The tariff has
been tinkered in Committee Of the Whole, but
the original fraud has not been greatly i'm
proved upon.
Year: 1870

II is reported from Paris that the Emperor
Napoleon has written letter for the instruc-
ton of the people on the Specification of the
law that is to be submitted for the approval or
condemnation of the nation, and that 80 many
copies of this letter are to be printed and
spread abroad as will suffice to put one in the
hands of every voter in France. Here we see
again how shrewdly and wisely this great poll
tician goes at once to the main point. He is
consistent with his whole career as Emperor in
making the appeal to the people, and in going
to them thus directly-in thus presenting his
view of the law almost personally to every
voter-he will accomplish the utmost that it is
possible to accomplish in its favor. This
application of the American system Of cleo
tioneering to the case Of France-this use of
the printing press, the post Office and the rail-
road, make it possible for the Emperor to
answer in every village and in every house
all the clamor Of the orators of revolution. 1t
is hardly possible to overestimate the effect
this single act will have upon the vote and
the result will in all likelihood be to sustain
the Emperor's course by an immense majority.
Year: 1870

ago. II tho Christian Church would have liv-
ing, earnest preachers and preaching, they
must give their pastors more time to study
the Scriptures, and then If the old truths are
not clothed in new thoughts the fault will be
with the preachers alone But the truth now
is that our city pastors, and we believe, coun-
try ministers also, are overworked and under
paid and it is no wonder that their discourses
are dull and their churches comparatively
empty. The irreli gious find nothing therein
to interest them. and many religious people re-
sort to them either because custom or fashion
directs. Hence it will be found that the ma
iority of our city churches are not filed within
an average of one-third of their seating capa-
city upon any given Sabbath. Splendid music
and magnificent ritual, together with lack
of church accommodation, help to crowd the
Roman Catholic churches; but our general re-
marks in regard to the preaching will apply to
them as well as to Protestant congregations.
The evils resulting from the neglect Of home are
too often sadly apparent in the children Of min
listers. The sons leave the Church early, and
sometimes forever, and frequently they lead
lives of dissipation and folly. The daughters


think more Of fashion than of character. and


of the ballroom or theatre than of the Church


or of heaven. They are not, however, worse


in this respect than the sons and daughters Of


other Christians, but they attract more public


attention than others because of the more


eminent position their parents occupy. This


evil is growing one, and in pointing it out to


our city congregations we have done our duty.


Now let the doctors prescribe the remedy.
Year: 1870

SEoTAIIAN SoPs FROM THE PUBLIC TREA-
syRY.-There is some prospect that they will
be stopped this time at Albany. At anv rate
if the democrats wish to make fight before
the people on this question they can have it
to their hearts content.
Year: 1870

MUCH-NEEDED REFORM. That in the
new tax levy providing for other and better
places for the detention Of witnesses than our
city jails, provided for criminals. We ought
to have had this distinction long ago.
Year: 1870

By order No. Mr.. John Jourdan, formerly
known as Captain Jourdan, assumes the Office
of Superintendent of Police of this city. The
tone of his first order is good, and as the man
is known by his career to be an honest and eff
cient officer it is safe to accept the order as a
promise of what we are really to have at his
hands, So far but little change is obvious to the
public as the result of the new law. Mr.. Ken
nedy goes out, Jourdan takes his place, and
some one else takes Jourdan's. Kennedy was an
officer who made no compromise with disorder
or roguery or any element or power that
flourished by violation of the law. He had to
enforce some unpopular laws, and did it with
an honest vigor that caused some of the dis
like of the law to fall upon the man. Hence
there was clamor against him on the part Of
many good people, but it was greatly increased
by the voices of all sorts of villains who
feared him. It seemed to have become party
requirement that he should 60 out Captain
Jourdan will give ample satisfaction in his new
Office if he makes war as fiercely on roguery
as Kennedy did. Perhaps he may do it with
suavity that will make his vigilance more
acceptable, though the proverb records pretty
well the true principle in regard to the opin-
ions of those who feel 'the halter draw"
Jourdan proposes to his subordinates the ex-
cellent points that they shall, where possible


ssprevent crime" and never in any case
compromise with it." The last point
is especially good one. It involves
the whole subject Of the purity of the police


but we greatly fear that it will be found that


before compromise with crime" can be put
aside we will have to change our whole system
of police police law and criminal jurisprudence.
THE END OF THE PARAGUAYAN WAR;
Advces from Lisbon give further details of
the death of Lopez, which leave the fact in
| no further doubt. The Vice President of the


republic and several other high officials were


also killed and the women of Lopez's family


were captured. A treaty Of peace was being
! prepared with the provisional government,


which the Brazilians set up in Asuncion


some time ago, and which now comes in good


play for the purpose. The details Of that


treaty as affecting the commerce of the Plate


and other questions of International impor-


tance will be looked to with great interest.
| --


Tur EPrNcIr ELECTORAL TICKET which BO-
Year: 1870

minister from being Kissed and choked off
while reading his dry essays in the pulpit.
Congregations are too intelligent now to
accept the say so of men whose opinions were
good enough in our grandfathers' days. They


want truth presented to them now in at least
as beautiful attire as error is presented. And


this certainly is not asking too much. But to


do it our city pastors must be relieved of much
of the drudgery of the ministerial profession
which they now perform.


For example, it matters not what may be
the mental or physical condition of minister
if he can move at all he is expected to answer
every call and to be ready to travel at all
hours of the day or night He must visit the
sick, bury the dead, marry the living, baptize
the new born, attend the class and prayer and
lecture and business meetings of the church
he must assist in combinations, ordinations,
consecrations, dedications; he must speak at
temperance meetings, before religious and be-


nevolent associations he must also visit his


parishioners, fvehundred or more, every week


or every month, and if he fails be
is certain to incur their displeasure, and
if he spends all his time in these pastoral


duties he must necessarily neglect his


own family, besides having no time left for


study or quiet recreation. Hence ministers


have often to apologize for the lack Of prepara-
ton apparent in their discourses. They are


thus obliged to leave tho Word Of God to


serve tables, which is no more meet for them


than it was for the Apostles eighteen centuries
Year: 1870

EXTENSION OF THE TIME ALLOWED FOR THE


RATIFICATION OF TEE TREATY-RATIrICA-


TIOS NOT YET CERTAIN MIR. sUMNERs s


VIEW.


WASHINGTON, Jan. s.-The ST. Thomas question is
now before the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee
who are considering the prOpriety of extending the
time for the ratification of the treaty, it having
already expired The President has authority to eN-
tend the time but preferred TO have the judgment
OF the Committee on the subject before he took any
action on it, 1t is understood that the Committee
are divided on the question. Mr. iSumner eX-
presses the belief that the Government are bound
somewhat by the action Of Mr.. Seward in his nego-
tiations with the Danish Government and that It Is
but fair aud just that the time should be extended
1t does not follow that in extending the time the
Committee will support the treaty.