smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

A WINDMILL is very pretty, pictur-
esque object sitting up on high blutf
with it's figure outlined against the sky
tanning itself on warm evening. The
farther off it is within the range of WIS.,
ion the prettier. Geo. Wells, wealthy
citizen of Monona County, Iowa, lives
next door to very high windmill. Mr..
Wells has little eight-year-old daugh-
ter, whose curiosity the monster wind
mill excited. She wanted to get the
nearest possible view of it, SO she
climbed and climbed, and never thought
how far above the ground she was get
ting. That evening when her father
came home from journey to neigh
boring town his little pet daughter did
not run out to the gate to meet him as
usual, and at this he wondered. lie
feared something must be the matter
with her, but was not left long in doubt,
for little musical voice which he well
knew came to him from afar, ana IL
seemed from on high. 1t was as II an
angel had spoken, and the father was
almost afraid to look up lest he should
sec his darling daughter floating away
from him on angelic wings. But he did
look in the direction of the sound, and,
to his CONSERVATION, beheld his ill.,
tie girl away up on the side OF the
windmill, standing on LADDER JUST
under the vanes, and evidently at
some loss how to get down. The top OF
the ladder looked not much wider than
the tines of table fork, and a slip
would have occasioned her fall OF liz
feet to the ground. The huge vanes
were revolving rapidly enough to make
one dizzy, just above her tiny head.
The father summoned all his presence
Of mind and treated the situation lightly


He shouted to his child "Bravo," to give
her confidence. A CHEEKY little "Hur-
rah" came down from above. The faith
or then shouted: "Nellie, haven't you
cot il about fixed?" "Oh, yes, papa,
came floating from the dizzy height.
"Well, then, come down, dear" The
child commenced the descent. 1t was
critical moment. A few rounds OF the
ladder made would give her confidence.
The father stood breathless as nearly
under his child as he could get, thinking
he might save her if she were to lose her
grasp and footing. She made it in safe
ty. and acknowledged she was just iit.
tie bit scared away up there toward
heaven, and nobody near to pull her in.
Nellie's father and mother told her never
to 90 so near the windmill again, and
especially not to make herself . little
tomboy by climbing ladders.
Year: 1875

Maj. POWELL says, in his forthcoming
book: The life of an Indian maiden is
blithe and merry for a few years, but
when she becomes wife she is soon
broken down with the heavy labors which
fall to her lot, and she soon becomes
wrinkled, garrulous, cross, scolding; in
fact, an old hag. Of course such hags
are not pleasant company in camp, and
in the belief of the Numa such old hags
grow uglier and meaner until they dry
up and whirlwinds carry them away,
when they are transformed into witches; !;
and lest such a fate should befall old
women, they are taught that it is their
duty to die when no longer needed, and
if they do not die by natural means in
reasonable time they must commit sui
eide. This they seem willing to do
rather than to meet that terrible fate OF
being transformed into witches and be.
ing compelled to live in snake-skins and
wriggle about among the rocks, their
only delight being to repeat the words Of
passers-by in mockery. I once saw three
l


old women thus voluntarily starving
themselves. l rode up to what was al
most a deserted camp, the three old
women only remaining, sitting by the
fire and intently gazing into the embers.
They seemed to heed not my approach,
but sat there mumbling and groaning un-
til they rose, each dragging up her
weight with a staff, and then they Joined
in sidewise, sbuffling, senile dance
around the fire, propped by their staffs,
and singing doleful song; having fin
ished which they sat down again on
their heels, and gazed into the fire, and l
rode away. On coming to the new camp
of the tribe the next day and inquiring
of Chui- at-an um-peak, their chief, why
these women were left behind, and what
they were doing, l was informed they
had determined to commit suicide, fear.
ing lest they should be transformed into
witches.
Year: 1875

THE New Hampshire House OF Rep
resentatives on the 4th unanimously
adopted resolutions requesting the Su-
preme Court to name as early day as
possible for the hearing of the Senatorial
question.
Year: 1875

THE New York Tribune, in comment
ing on the loss of the Schiller, says:


"In respect to steamboats, upon our
rivers, which are more nearly compara-
BILE with ocean steamers, there has been
a marked improvement in regard to
safety. During many years exceedingly
few calamities involving great loss of
life have happened to the crowded
steamboats, of our Eastern waters, and
even the proverbial dangers of voyage
on the Mississippi have been much di-
minished. But with regard to ocean
navigation the improvement in safety
has scarcely kept pace with even the in
crease of travel. The actual number of
shipwrecks is still great. The loss Of
life in the event of shipwreck still bears
a large proportion to the number Of
passengers. There is also this note
worthy difference between railway and
steamship accidents. In the former the
employees of the road, in proportion to
their number, far more frequently lose
their lives than the passengers, while
precisely the reverse is true of steam
ship wrecks. In an essay presented by
Prof. William A. Rogers at the Portland
meeting of the American Association it
was distinctly shown by comparison OF
statistics that there had been for many
years a continual and very large in
crease in the proportion of shipwrecks
among British vessels. He concluded
that this unquestionable increase of
danger and accident was due to the con.
fidence of Captains in reckoning by in
struments, and depending too much
upon their chTonometers. The ratio OF
errors in chronometers was shown to be
such that navigator should expect from
this source an error of more than three
and half miles, must be on the look
out for one of eleven and a half miles,
and need not be surprised at one of
twenty-one miles. This is supposing he
trusts to an average chronometer. 4
good navigator told Prof. Benjamin
Pierce during voyage that he did not
trust his position within sixty miles.
The% professor himself, while ouperin-
tendent of the Coast Survey, declared
as his own conviction that Captain
who neglected to take soundings when
within thirty miles of coast, if he had
any passengers on his vessel, ought to
be hung"


is the patient really dead or not? is
at times very anxious question. A
medical practitioner of Cremona pro-
poses simple method by which the
question may be answered with certainty.
1t is tc inject a drop or two of ammonia
beneath the skin, when. if death be pres
ent, ne effect, or next to none, is pro-
duced; but if there be life, then ared
spot appears at the place of the injection.
A test so easily applied as this should re-
move all apprehension OF being purled
alive.


THE New Hampshire House OF Rep
resentatives on the 4th unanimously
adopted resolutions requesting the Su-
preme Court to name as early day as
possible for the hearing of the Senatorial
question.


=" Is the shoe too small?" asked fond
swain of his sweetheart, who was moan
ing about cramped toes. "Oh, no! The
Year: 1875

There has been strong effort made to
show that the Republican party is opposed
| to the Catholic Church. 1t is not true that


there is any principle of the party opposed


to it, that its policy is directed toward it's
| injury, or that it's members are any more
inimical to it than to the Protestant Church
or to any religion. But it does resent any
attack on the system of free schools that Is
the pride of America, no matter where it
comes from.


1t is also true that in certain localities the
Catholic Church has pronounced against
that system, and raised it's voice in political
warfare against it. In these inst Ances
the church has become hostile to the
Republican party, and the resentment
1t causes ID not due to amino ,ity to the
church, but to the instinct that rouses all to
defend the right. In this the church has
found antagonists in its own household, not
merely IN the dropping of the noiseless bal
lot, but by the Outspoken remonstranoe of
sincere devOtees. @


Last Tuesday the people of New Jersey
voted on amendments to the State constitu-
tion. They were generally acceptable and
probably would have been adopted, though
many considered they entered too much
into detail, as is complained Of in that of
Illinois. But in Morristown the Catholic
clergy called on each Catholic voter to
scratch the four amendments which related
to public schools, and forbade the appropria-
tion Of public moneys for sectsrian purposes.
To the people of that State this seemed
unwarrantable, and an excitement prevailed
which, contrary to what might have hap
pened here, resulted in majority OF 3O,Ooo
for the amendments. This protects the
schools and probably removes all causes of
discussion between church and party in
that State.
Year: 1875

ing desperate game to overcome the large
Republican majority in Mississippi. The
fields are yet white with unpicked cotton;
but Granger Hemingway must be made
State treasurer and MI. Lamar must 20
back to Congress if it kills every nigger in
the common wealth.
Year: 1875

A Berlin letter says Che much.talked-of
duel, or rather challenge, that passed
between Count Won Gutenberg and his
superior officer, aud created such Juror
Of excitement and hard feeling between
the nobility and the burghers, has at last
been settled by the Emperor. The Count
became enamored Of q pretty, accom-
plshed. and enormously wealthy girl,
whose father, a plain citizen, lives in a
modern palace, Unter Den Linden. The
Count proposed and was accepted.
When the betrothal, according to custom
was published, all the officers in his reg.
iment he being lieutenant in the Garde
du Corps, notified him that il he married
so beneath his rank he would have TO
leave the regiment. Resenting the in
suit offered his bride, the Count. chal.
lengod three Of his superior officers.
The result of this temerity was court
martial, in which he was adjudged to i'm


pfisonment in fortress with discharge
from his regiment. The friends of the
Count appealed from the decision of the
court.martial, and presented the case to
the Emperor. His Majesty, with his
usual good sense, Cancelled the whole
proceeding saying the lieutsnant had a
right to marry whom he chose, and rein
stated him in his regiment So far so
good. But now it remains to be seen If
the young Count has the moral courage
TO retain his position under the covert
insults he will be made 10 feel on every
occasion. His comrades, in the face Of
the Emperor's verdict, cannot dismiss
him, but they can aud will make his life
a purgatory to which death would be pre-
ferable. These noble gentlemen CON-
plain that the father Of the bride, aeide
from being Of vulgar birth amassed his
fortune by pursuing a most ignoble oecu-
patton, and it is too humiliating to the
aristocraey of Prussia to have one OF its
members allied TO so plebeian family.
Everybody, of course, awaits with inter
est the decision Of the young Count and


the unenviable fate of the unhappy girl.
Year: 1875

"Me an the old woman was thar
come out here continued the stran-
ger, moving the chairs back against
the wall.


MY, dear sir, let me again assure
you that you are not that party re-
ferred to That man was one horse
man whom the dogs wouldn't bite,
while you are cultivated gentleman.
His wife didn't know enough to cut
pork, while your esteemed lady has
every grace and accomplishment
which a liberal education and refined
surroundings can give.


"a sauar' fight and no gougln,
whispered the stranger as he spit on
his hands.


MY dear sir. am consumptive; L
can't"


But the moss back fastened to his
coat collar, lifted him over the table.
and what followed no man knows.


When the rest Of the staff returned
from dinner one of the young man
boots was on the walk, his suspenders
were on the lower landing, and the
air was full of hair, buttons. paper
collars. pieces of poetry and mutilated
postal currency. The young man was
lying on table, tied up in a double
bow knot, gasping for breath, and the
walls were full of dents, and the cell
ing was bruised and defaced almost
beyond epair.-Vicksburg Herald.
Year: 1875

In the first place, he was homely,
good natured looking body, dressed


in common clothes, and having the
appearances of one who did rough work
for 4 living; but such heart as he


had, such unlimited patience and in
genuity and jollity! He was travelling


in the cars with his wife and three
small children. the youngest baby.
cross, homely, and with a perversity


which made one believe in tetal de


pravity, bound not to be amused or
good natured whatever was done for
him. but pater- -familias did his best,


and his best was worthy OF beholding;


he dived into one pocket and out of it
into another; he brought forth strings,
knives. pals; he made a rabbit of his
pocket handkerchief; he made his al


ready homely face homelier still by
the most comical contortions of nose,
mouth and eyes: he put his hat ON


the back side of his head. he pulled it
over his eyes; he played peek boo
behind the corner of baby's cloak;


and at last he pluckeda a feather from


some unk nown place and blew himself
black in the face In order to keep it
floating In the air for the benefit Of


that remarkable baby. The last l saw


and heard of him he was trying to sing


that child to sleep with the words,
jig. jig, JOY. jig, jig. Joy, repeated over
and over, accompanying each word


with swaying motion of the body.
Worcester Spy. IA
Year: 1875

He came up stairs at exactly twelve
o'clock noon, when all the staff, with
one exception, were at dinner. The
exception was young man living in
Nathez, here on trial as q reporter,
and he was paving over exchanges
and making himself at home in the
editorial room, and waiting to gather
his thoughts and write up a thrilling
account Of bloody dog fight in the
bottoms.


The "he" who came up stairs was
an old chap just the length of a six
foot tape line. He had on fur cap,
his red wooden shirt was open enough
ridges and scars, and the sweat was
rolling down his checks in rivulets.
The young man looked up with a
sweet smile, and he recognized the
visitor as gentleman residing on the
edge of a cane break down the river,
a gentleman who thinks nothing OF
swimming into bayou and catching
two of the biggest alligators in it and
tying their tails in hard knot-a
gentleman who eats soup with a
bowie knife, and wipes his mouth
with the muzzle of a derringer.


Its fine day. remarked the new
reporter as sickly smile fiickered
around his ears.


The visitor felt in his pocket,
pulled out daily Herald, and placing
one of his big fingers on a marked ar
ticle on the fourth page, he solemnly
aud earnestly inquired:


who writ her?'


Yes-ah-less see, unused the
No+,lo- 1o
| whirled the paper around.
1t was one OF his first articles; it
was a funny article. and the young
, man offered to bet that it would 60
the rounds like prairie FIRE running
cross eyed old moss back and his
freckled nosed wife" from down the
river, sucking lemons on the court
house steps and wandering around
town in search of three legged door
plate. The young man was even then
looking over the exchanges to see if
it had been republished yet.
Yes he said as he looked up at
the stranger.


You writ her, did We p asked the
mossback.
''It wasn't you, Of course" gasped
the young man-1t was pale-faced
man, with white hair AMI one eye
gone"


Peel |" sighed the stranger, as he
unbuttoned his shirt collar.
II beg your pardon, sir, but this ar
ticle doesn't refer TO you at all. You
are gentleman, while the other was
a regular snipe, and his wife looked
like steamboat explosion p
''Shuck off, murmured the man
from the cane break, as he rolled up
his sleeves.


II can't fight you about this re-
piled the young man in husky tones;
''it doesn't reflect on you in the least,
and I'll take my solemn oath to that
effect.
Year: 1875

A young man in Ohio, in a playful
freak, the other day, cut off the end
of a young lady's nose with pair of
scissors. The performance not prov
ing satisfactory, however, the frag
ment was replaced and will probably
grow on again, but the nose hereafter
will always be second-class affair.
The proper reparation for the expert
menting fellow to make evidently is
to marry the girl.
Year: 1875

Two slight shocks Of earthquake were
telt i'll New Hampshire on the LIST.


B. & P. Lawrence, heavy stationers of
Maiden Lane, New York, have announced to
their creditors their inability to continue pay
ments.


The supreme court Of New York has
decided that the fifty lots used for the Catholic
female academy of the Sacred Heart are ex-
empt from taxation, being used solely for edu-
cational purposes.


Anew artesian we'll at Prairie du Chicn,
sunk to depth Of o72 feet, delivers a steady
six-inch stream Of water at height of fifteen
teet above the ground surface. The water is
clear, soft and every way excellent


The Attorney General OF all New Jersey
has ruled that woman cannct legally hold
the position of jailor. But Mrs. Jones, who is
the jailor at Jersey City, differs from the At
torrey General, and will hold her place Until
the Supreme Court passes upon her right.


At a meeting Of the Chamber of Com.
merce Of New York on the I'd, committee Of
five was appointed to consider what effect the
longer continuance of the struggle in Cuba
would have Oh the commerce of this country.
and whether the Chamber should memorial
ize Congress In relation to the matter.


1t is believed at Boston that the Eng.
lish capitalists controlling the Grand Trunk
railroad Of Canada, holding already above
half the first mortgage bonds on the Eastern
railroad, hope, by throwing the latter road
into bankruptcy, to eventually put it into
possession OF the Grand Trunk company
which will thus gain an outlet at Boston.
Year: 1875

ONE Of the late Vice Presidents init.
mate friends says the trouble with the
good man was he never learned to work
wisely, or eat wisely, or play at all. He
was the great representative American in
those respects.
Year: 1875

1r is now positively stated that Oakley
Hall, formerly mayor of New York, will
60 back to the theatrical profession, and
his two daughters will adopt q. life before
the foot'lights. This cannot strictly be
said to be training his girls up in the
way they daughter 60.
Year: 1875

TIE newly discovered "etheric force"
applied to telegraphy, will, it is thought,
make it possible to use every strand of
an ocean cable as distinct line, making
Of the 10000 miles of cable now laid over
two millions of submarine telegraph line.
Year: 1875

Some doubts are arising as to the fit.
ness Of the name Of the Pacific Ocean.
The late storms and wrecks and loss Of
life on that body OF brine would indicate
nothing particularly pacific.
Year: 1875

Chief Justice Waite having been urged
to allow the use Of his name as q possible
candidate for the Presidency, positively
refused such assent for the following
excellent reasons:


OF course am always grateful to my
friends for any efforts in my behalf, and
no one ever had those more faithful or
indulgent; but do you think it quite
right for one occupying the highest judi.
cial position in the land to permit the
use of his name for political position !!
The office came to me covered with honor,
and when I accepted it my chief duty
was not to make of it a stepping. stone to
something else, but to preserve its purity
and if possible to make my name as hon
orable as that of my predecessor. No
man ought to accept this place unless he
shall take VOW to leave it as honorable
as he found it. There ought never ito be
any necessity for rebuilding from below.
All additions should be above. In my
judgment, the constitution might wisely
have prohibited the election of a chief
justice to the Presidency. Entertaining
such a view, could / properly or consist
entity permit my name to be used for the
promotion Of q political combination, as
now suggested? If should do so, could
l at all times and in all cases remain a
perfectly unbiased Judge in the estima.
tion of the people?


Brains Enough ID Keep Their Mouth.


Shut.


This anecdotc is said to have been told
by broker White, Of Plymouth Church
to Henry G. Bowen, as illustrating the
latter's position in the Brooklyn scandal 1:


An English lord who came to this coun-
try some years ago was the owner of a
fast yacht. Travers, Reverdy Johnson's s
son.in.law, owned the Restless, and he
was very anxious to sail race with the
lord, who was as anxious not to. Travers
invited the lord to dine with him in New
port harbor, hoping that under the mel.
lowing influence of victuals and viands
the lord might consent to race. The lord
took with him his brother .in.law, who
was instructed to chime in every time
Travcrs showed aggression, and to
divert his attention. Travers At
length, suffering as usual, said: II h.h.
hear you have fine ya.ya.yacht. I'd
like to s-s-sail with YOU" The brother
in-law promptly interrupted, "Mr. Trav.
ers, do you know that your oysters are
very fine in this country: much finer than
those across the water! You know have
often thought to what extent their organ
ism goes; how much feeling they have,
you know, and whether they suffer or not
when they are broiled, fried or stewed.
don't know but what they may have
brains, too, you know"


Eyes" said Travers, "They do have
b-b.brains enough to keep their nm.
mouths shut"
Year: 1875

PHILADELPHIA, February 16.-Thos,
| Scott, president of the Pennsylvania


railroad company, has written 8 letter


in reply to the telegram Of President
| Garrett, Of the Baltimore and Ohio road,
After accusing Garrett Of demagOgue-
| ism and acting in bad faith with the
| officers Of other trunk lines in regard to


rates, Colonel Scott goes on to say: "As
far as this company is concerned, you


may rely upon it that we will protect the


business Of Philadelphia, and place Bal


timOre, New York and other points &C.


cessible by our lines on an equitable and


fair business basis. In all other matters


relating to transportation over our


own road, while we desire mod


crate rates for services performed, and


believing that it is best for the public


and for the interest of railway property


that this should be the case, we shall


always be ready to take care Of our


share Of the business of the country,


with rates and facilities equal to those


OF any other company. The lines from


Washington and Baltimore to and from


New York, over our road, shall be made


quite as perfect for the convenience of


the public from this date as they have


ever been at any time in the past. There


shall be no inconvenience whatever to


the public by reason OF your effort to


destroy the railway property of any


other parties. The Northern Central


railroad company will, during the pres


ent year, perfect its terminal facili-


ties at Baltimore so as to place that city
on full equality with others on the sea-


board, and it will be the duty and inter-
est of any company whose line
terminates here to give to


Baltimore line in every respect equal


both as to rates and facilities to any
that the Baltimore and Ohio may be
able to offer. 1t seems to me most un-
fair that you should attempt, by the
course indicated in your message, to CO.
cree other parties into a policy that
might result in great injury to the prop
erty they represent. II the measures to
be adopted by the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad company should produce the re-
suits that you anticipate, there will be
no difficulty in understanding the mo-
tives which prompted such a course;
and believe the railway officers and
stockholders that may be injured will
hold you, as president of the Baltimore
and Ohio road, responsible for this policy
of destruction. SO far as this company
is concerned, it is aOundantly able to
take care of its interests and its stock
holders"