smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1872




We question whether in the history of life
insurance in this country there has ever been
such an excitement as at the present moment
agitates the gentlemen who have this vast in
terest intrusted to their care. No serious ap-
prehensiOns have as yet reached the mass of
the people who are interested as the owners
or prospective beneticiaries of life insurance,
but the wide publicity given by the statements
and counter-statements which have appeared
in THE TRIBUNE and other papers render it
probable that the discussion Of tae questions
involved will be carried on before more ex-
tended tribunal than any that sits in Insurance
parlors. The matter calls for aud should have
an expression of public opinion to which the
managers of insurance companies must bow.
1t is essential, however, that the public should
first be well Informed upon tho merits OF the
question.


All important controversies which have
hitherto arisen between companies engaged in
life insurance in this country have been vir-
tually over matters of detail. The great dis
pute as to the comparative merits of the cash
and note systems, touched no vital point. The
safety of the insurance under either system
was never seriously questioned. After an
enormous amount of ink had been expended,
the more candid disputants admitted that the
ultimate results of the systems did not greatly
differ, and method which steered between
the two extremes was widely adopted. But
now, when the Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany of New-York, the largest and one of the
oldest of these institutions in the country,
proposes a reduction of its rates of insurance,
there is straightway terrible outcry. The
new measure is denounced by three eminent
actuaries rs "a virtual abandonment of those
cardinal principles of security and equity"
upon which the Company has obtained the
confidence Of the community. The officers of
the Company point TO the figures of their
actual experience, and soy "there can be no
" doubt of the safety of che proposed measure
1t would i'll become MS TO decide hastily where
experts of such eminence disagree.


There are, however questions involved quito
as important as the purely mathematical in
Quiry concerning the ability Of the Mutual
Year: 1872

II will be seen by the advertisements that Prof.
Tyndall commences his course of lectures in New


York next week, and its delivery VIII be the event
of the in the way of lecture entertainment.
From the character of Prof. Tyndall as a man Of
science as an independent, philosophic thinker,
an eloquent and forcible writer and vivid mac,
netic lecturer and also from tho attractiyeness of
his subjects, these lectures have been looked for
with interest by large number of our citizens.
They have been listened to with great pleasure and
admiration by crowded audiences of the most intel
ligent people in Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore
and Washington with but one draw back-that only
a small portion of those who desired to hear them
could get access to the lecture-rooms. The same
difficulty may be expected here in more aggTa-
vated form, as Prof. Tyndall win give but single
course in NewYork, while not one in ten of those
who wish to listen to him viii be able to get admis-
sion to the ecture-room. Ii Is to be regretted that
the lectures not be given in the Academy of
Music, so as to accommodate the largest possible
number; but we understand the Academy could not
be secured continuously for the length Of time re-
quired, and Prof Tyndall requires undisurbed pos
session of the premises throughout the course TIE
large hail of tho Cooper Institute was taken as the
next best and only available place The course will
be unit, or a connected discussion Of the phe-
nomena OF light including spectrum analysis po-
larization, the mechanism of radiant action and the
later views in this interesting field. which will be
dealt with la clear and simple way a. To be COM
pretended by all. Prof. Tyndall will not outshoot
his audience.


The Ar6adiaa has now reached its lsth number and
assumed definite consistency of PLAN IL is fun OF
news, dramatic, musical etc, is bright. generally
sensible aud often slashing aud looks as il il would
Year: 1872

There seems to be no end to the cOmbina-
tions to create monopoly in petroleum.
Scarcely had the famous South Improve
ment Company's ring been exposed and broken
up, than the Producers Association attempted
an artificial control of the price of oil. Now
the Refners' and Producers Associations have
combined to shut out the jObbers, middlemen,
and all other outsiders. 1t is probable that
such a combination may succeed for time ;
but the inevitable tendency of the laws of
trade would be to bring an end to the
unnatural monopoly.
Year: 1872

Still remember early autumn days.
When golden leaves were floating in the air,
Aud reddenIng oaks stood somber in the haze,
Till sunset struck them with its redder glare
And faded, leaving me by wood and field
In fragrant dew. and fragrant velvet mold.
To wait among the shades of night concealed.
And hear that story which but once is told.
Through many seasons of the falling leaves.
/ watched my fading hopes, and watched their


fall


In memory they are gathered now like sheaves,
So withered that touch would scatter all.
Dead leaves. and dust more dead, to fall apart
Leaves bending once in arches over me,
And dust inelosing once flowing heart,
And SO happy with youths mystery.
1t cannot be unbound, my autumn sheaf-
Then let stand the ruin of the past;
Returning autumn brings the old belief
It's mystery all its own andit will last.


E2tzabeth Stoddard.
Year: 1872

Young AMERICA WoNDERs.-I won
der what makes papa tell such nice sto-
ries to visitors about his hiding his mas
ter's rattan when he went to school, and
about his running away from the school
mistress, when she was going to whip
him, and then shut me up all day in a
dark room, because | tried just once to
be as smart as he has been?


Wonder what made papa say that
wicked word, when Betsey upset the ink
all over his paper, and then slapped my
ears when / said the same thing when
my kite string broke?


Wonder why mamma told Bird eel, the
other day, to say she was not at home
when Tommy Days mother called, and
then puts me to bed without my supper
every time | tell lie?


o DEAR there are lots of things want
to know. How | wish | was a man
Year: 1872

Twins by JoNe-A Railroad Episode.


The Pacific express train on the Pan
Handle Railroad left the Columbus de
pot recently one evening, under the
charge of conductor Drury. Nothing
transpired to distcrb the monotony of
the conductors call on drowsy passen.
gers for " tickets gentlemen" until the
train was between Dennison and Steuben-
vile. Then he was notified that lady
passenger desired his presence. He
found lady evidently in some trouble
and embarrassment. To his affirmative
response to the query whether he was
msrried the lady stated that she was on
her way from Cincinnati to meet her
husband in New York, and that crisis
was impending, involving the appear
ance of an additional passenger. This
startled the conductor, of course, but
with heart as big as an elephant he set
to work to make the lady comfortable
All the passengers we're hastily shuffled
into another car, and such female assist
ance as could be procured on the train
was brought into requisition. In briei
time the little stranger-a fine bouncing
girl is the phrase-put in an appearance
and the conductor congratulated himself
on hishappy escape from dilemma. With
heart overwhelming with sympathy, he
arranged an impromptu wardrobe for
the very young lady from his own under
clothing. 1t was not exactly in style of
those infant-outfits advertised in the
New York papers, yet it served good
purpose.


But this is. not all. The train left
teubenville ON time, and was soon thun-
dering along through the hills of West
Virginia when the conductor received
another shock. This time it was "a fine
bouncing boy" Twins by jovel One
Buckeye and the other Pan. Handler.
The remainder of Drury' linen went to
start the little fellow on his journey
through the world. Then for fear of
what might happen, the train was hur-
ried up in due time it reached Pitts
burg, and the lady and two unticketed
passengers were tenderly conveyed to
comfortable quarters at the Union Depot
Hotel, when telegram was forwarded
to the husband in New York, which
probably lifted him out of his boots. AT
last adyices the mother and children
were doing well.


The twins certainly commenced life
underextraordlnary circumstances. Born
on fast-going Pacific train, the one in
Ohio and the other in West Virginia, it
is safe to promise they will be reasona-
bly, fast young people. The mother is
represented as most estimable lady,
but not given to the study of almanacs.
- Ohio Statesman
Year: 1872

trembling-Pm not ashamed TO own it,
for it was an awful sight-there was the
coal growing of fierce red heat; but
fortunately the draught set toward an
old shaft fully a quarter of mile fur
ther on, and so we were able to approach
till, with a cry of horror. | leaped over
heap after heap of coal torn from the
roof and wall by the explosion, to where
close by the fire, lay the body of John
Kelsey--so close that his clothes were al
ready smouldering and the fire scorch-
ed my face as laid hold of him and
dragged him away.


How we ever got him to the foot of
the shaft | never could tell.


l have some faint recollection of hear
ing a cheer, aud seeing the dim light of
the chill December day but the only
thing that made any impression upon me
was voice that seemed to be Mary's,
and touch that seemed to be that of
her hand.


And it's not much more that | can re-
mem Der, only being in wild, feverish
state, wandering through dark passages,
with fire burning my head and coal fall
ing always ready to crush me; and then
| seemed to wake from deep sleep, and
to lie thinking, in weak, troubled way
about getting up.


1t was month, though, before could
do that, and then there was a tender arm
to help me, and soft cheek ever ready
to be laid to mine; for in those long,
weary hours of sickness Mary had been
at my side to cheer me back to health,
and / had learned that / was loved.
Year: 1872

ShOh W ELL . ~ 1ING IlOUhS.-AI LHe
royal palace of Whitehall, on the Sd of
September, ,1568,a man lay dying. Eight
days before he felt so confident of life
that he told his wife not to think that he
should die, as he felt sure Of the contra
ry. Now he was speechless, sinking, and
the last thing about which he had seri-
ously troubled himself was curious met
aphysical one. "Tell me-" he said to
Sterry a minister who stood by him, Z" is
it possible to fall from grace?" at is
not possible, said the minister. "Then
exclaimed the dying man, 81 am safe
for | know that | was once in grace. -
And then he prayed, Lord, though a
miserable and wretched creature, am
in covenant with Thee through Thy
grace, and may and will come to Thee
for Thy people. Thou hast made me a
mean instrument to do them some good
and Thee service. Many of them set
too high value upon me, though others
would be glad of my death, Lord, how
ever Thou disposest of me, continue to
go on and do good for them. Teach those
who look much upon Thy instruments,
to depend more upon Thyself, and par
don such as desire to trample upon the
dust poor worm, for they are Thy peo-
pie, too" The attention of all England
was rivited ON the sick room at White
hall, with keen and sincere Interest,"
From the lips of many went forth ear
nest prayers that God would be pleased
to spare the invalids life; in the hearts
of many there were tears and misgivings
as to what would come in the event of
that prayer being rejected in other
hearts there was JOY and exultltion over
the death of a sinner; while in others,
that should have been kindly disposed,
there was certain sort of assurance that
there is something in the misfortunes of
our greatest friends which is not displeas-
ing to US. A frightful wind-storm ragged
roofing up trees in the park, and tearing
off the roofs of houses in London. The
friends of the dying argued that God was
giving warning of His intention to take
to Himself the great soul of the sufferer,
his enemies argued that the princes of
the powers of the air" were holding fear
ful revels amid the storm-driven clouds
In honor of the prospects of seizing on
great offeSder's soul. The dying man
was Oliver Cromwell, lord protector of
England and Ireland, the man who for
ten years had governed the kingdom in
a right kingly way, and made it strong
er and more respected by all foreign pow
ers than it had been since the days of
Henry V. and Agincourt. 1t was the
third of September, the day Cromwell
was won't to call his fortunate day. On
third of September he overcame the
Scots army at Dunbar, when looking
at the position of his army in military
point of view, he was committed to GER
tain destruction at their. hands; on
third of September he had fought the
battle of Worcester, the Lords crown
ing mercy to him, as he called it, when
the royalist cause was lost in England,
so long as Cromwell could move a regi-
ment or man ship. In this last sense
surely the third of September was still
Cromwell's fortunate day, for if ever a
man was weary of life and anxious to
be quit of the cares of it, Cromwell must
have been that Historical Sketch.
%
Year: 1872

on Tuesday evening Detective McGOwan and
Oncer Levns, OF the Nineteenth precinct. arrested
a young thief named Thomas Barry, who was
charged with highway robbery 10y Levy WIrtz, of Is
Clinton street. Barry locked up in the next CELL


the right TO the station house. so that the
m amer OF escape will be better understood
1t Is necessary to state that the prison
is q small building to the rear of
the station house, from which II Is sepa-
rated by yart, probably fifteen feet
wide by twenty In length. AZ already stated
Barry was confined In the cell TO the right OF the
entrance and almost opposite the window looking
nom the officers sitting room into the yard
Through the wall Of this cell and looking into the
yard Is small grated window In width about
eight inches. Two bars OF iron were fixed perpen
dicuary in this window, but so insecurely fastened
that Barry found no trouble In wrenchtng them OFT
lie then squeezed himself through, and, scaling the
fences In the rear made his escape easily enough,
and is now very likely far away from this city. The
escape has been kept very quiet but such thing
as Keeping IL from the HERALD was, OF course im-
possible. Probably thIs viii have the effect Of
putting an end to the habit that has been OF late
gaining ground in uptown precincts, OF getting
prisoners remanded to the custody OF captains.
Year: 1872

The two vessels, Epls and Edward, which caught
fire last Tuesday and which were left by the tug
boat Lilly right under Mr.. Nelson's mansion, to the
imminent danger OF all the inmates, were still burn
ing furlously last night. Some Of the burning oil
noating from them set fire to the wooden bulkhead
In front Of Mr. Frazcrs house. but was
Immediately eytinguished by the police, under
CAPTAIN Wood, who kept the fire well under
Mr. Frazer and Mr.. Nelson complain bitterly OF the
conduct OF those on board the Lilly for not towing
the two vessels into the middle Of the stream
instead OF anchoring them close to his house
thereby jeopardizing both life and property which
must have been the result mad the wind been blow
Ing Ia shore. The wind has providentiaI.y not
changed from tho north and northeast ever since
the drc commenced. The IRE. however, Is rapidly
, disappearing.
Year: 1872

In consequence OF the difficulty that Is expert.
enced in getting number OF yachts together for a
cruise from either of the smaller yacht clubs, sug-
gestion has been made that the Harlem, Columbia,
Bayonne, Jersey City, Manhattan, Oceanic, Will
llamsburg and New Jersey Yacht Clubs shall unite
together and make q union cruise lasting three or
four DAYS. at some suitable date, probably
late in September. by the clubs all uniting
together they would probably collect
large fleet, sufficient to make the cruise very
Interesting It would serve to strengthen the
bond of friendship between the yachtsmen
OF the different clubs, and also enable them to have


fair trial of the respective speed of their different
yachts. The fleet might proceed to some OF the
many pleasant harbors on the Sound, hold clam
bake on the second day, q union regatta on the
third and return home on the fourth. The commo-
dorcs OF the different clubs above mentioned are to
meet at the Valley House, on the corner Of Hudson
and Bank streets, on Monday evening, at eight p.
NJ, to try and make the necessary arrangements.
Commodore Mobiles, OF the Columbia Yacht Club, is
acting secretary until the commodorcs come to-
gcther and organize the union.
Year: 1872

The seven O'Clock train from Railway, going
north, on the New Jersey Railroad between that
place and Linden, near Elizabeth, struck an un.
known man walking along the track yesterday
morning, and ground the unfortunate fellow to
death. The mutilated body was picked up and
removed and covered with branches OF trees
Nothing In deceased's pockets afforded clue w his
1deItlu Or where be belonged,
Year: 1872

New YORK, May 25.--Some excitement
was occasioned in the cotton market to-day
by the reported embarrassment of several
weil-known firms and the announcement in
the Cotton Exchange of the suspension of Il
commission-house which has been extensively
engaged of late in cotton speculations. The
aforementioned firm sent notice to the secre-
t,iry of the Exchange of their liability to
meet their contracts. They assert that the
suspens on is only temporary.


The embarrassment of this and other
firms was occasioned by the sudden and
marked rise in the price of cotton.
Year: 1872

WASHINGTON, May 25.-Reports to the
War Department mention the concentration
of large party of Indians to obstruct the
progress of the Northern Pacific railroad on
the west side of the Missouri river. About
1000 members of different tribes hostile TO
the whites are preparing to operate in'a mass
against the builders of the road. They are
said to be well supplied and equipped. Some
of tue stakes which were driven by the road
surveyors have already been pulled UP by the
sayageS
Year: 1872

THE Brooklyn Eagle says that gravity Is no more
evidence of wisdom than paper collar Is OF
shirt" E. b. SPENCE & Son arc selling million OF
paper collars ut ten cents and upwards per box.
Year: 1872

PERSON Alive understand TINT the Junior mem-
her of the firm Of +. B. SPENCE & Son Is In New
York sending home per express and by every
steamer lots of new-style clothing and gentlemen
notions Call at 1900 Main street and see tho newest
and best STYLES of summer wear.
Year: 1872

ANOTHER ACCIDENT AT CHURCH HILL Tux
NEL.--On Friday last an employe by the
rlanle OF Jackson, who was at work in shaft
No. at the Church Hill tunnel, was slightly
injured by caying earth. A colored man
who was also at work in the same shaft was
severely injured ut the same time.
Year: 1872

The members Of the Civil Service Advisory
Commission say that the preparation of their
report will be commenced early this week, and
that it will be submitted ts the President within
ten days.


The French National Assembly has resolved
to disregard the recommendations OF the Minis
ter Of War, relative to the reorganization Of the
army.
Year: 1872

We will have to inform "Doubting
Thomas that we are not respousibls for
the fifty or more persons names, who
own personal property to the amount Of
$4,000 and over, not being reported in
our list. Our figures we're taken from
the assessors books. We also are setis-
fed that there are more persons in the
county than we're named in the list pub
lished by US, that own fully $4,000 or
more in personal property, but who have
given it in as mach less. We will just
state here, however, as there may be some
who are not aware of the fact, that there
is a special tax on merchants, and their
goods are not classed as alproperty.
Year: 1872

Two pleasing instances of the spread of the
utilitarian philosophy come from England
and Japan. A British agriculturist is haul
ing away the Druidic ruins at StOnehenge,
in order to extend his turnip field; and two
of the dozen Yeddo policemen lately SEN
fenced to death for murder were killed by
being used as targets for the Yeddo rifle
men.
Year: 1872

A man in Kentucky was recently indicted
for murder on the sole testimony of sister
of the murdered man. Being released on
bail, he devoted himself assiduously to this
dangerous witness, and before the time of
trial, effectually debarred her from testifying
against him by marrying her. He was ac-
quilted for want of evidence, but not every
man having his choice between hanging and
marriage would choose the latter alterna-
tive. rr
Year: 1872

Two colored men got into dispute at
church in Little Rock, Ark, as to which had
put the most money in the box, when one of
them drew pistol, and in another instant
there was but one party to dispute.
Year: 1872

BY FATHER RYAN


The following beautiful poem was recite
at the close Of The funeral observance, at 81
vauuah. Ca, IN the occasion Of the reinlermer
Of the Confederate soldiers who fell ct Getty
burg:
Gather the sacred dust


Otthe warriors tried and true,
Who bore The flag Of our Nations trust,
And fell in the cause. thou Lost. still Just,


Aud died for me aud you.
Gather them one and all


From the Private to the Chief,
Come they from hove or princely hall,
They fell for US, and for them should fall


The tears Of u Nations grief.
Gather the corpses strswn


Der many battle plain;
From many grave that lies SO lone,
Without name and without stone,


Gather the Southern slain.
We care not whence they came,


Dear is Their lifeless clayl
Whether unknown, Of known to fame
Their cause and country still the same


They died aud wore the GRAY.
Wherever the brave have died,


They should not rest apart;
Living they struggled side by side
Why should the hand Of death divide


A single heart from hearth
Gather their scattered clay.


Wherever II may rest;
Just as they marched 10 the bloody fray;
Just as they fell on the battle day;


Bury them hreast to breast. h
The foemsn neel not dread


This gathering Of the brave;
Without sword or hag and with soundless trea'
We muster once more our deathless dead--


Out Of each lonely grave.
The foeman need not frown,


They are all powerless now
We gather them here, and we lay them down
And tears and prayers were the only crown


We bring to wreath each brow.
And the dead thus meet tho dead,


While the living DER them weep; W
And lhe men whom Lee and Stonewall led;
And the hearts that once together bled


Together sill sleep
Year: 1872

An Indiana woman got . largo number
Of names to petition for tho pardon other
husband, who had tho misfortune to get iu-
to the peniseutiary. On her rounds she
met another fellow who suited her better,
whereupon she burned the petition aud
will claim M the divorce The Inv gives her in
such case. and become the blusbing bride
Of the other fellow. lfsit