smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

The man of the Nes0s thus de-
scribes q recent mishap: Old Mr.
Watson, on Nelson street, has got q
nice little bill to pay. He sent 3
man down town for @ pot Of paint
and ladder. The man got the paint
and then went to a lumber yard af-
ter q ladder. Then he tied the
paint pot on the end of the ladder,
and put the ladder on his shoulder.
This was very smart arrangement
and the man himself admired it very
much. He started for home tkis
very way, and didn't find any trou-
Bile in getting along the first block,
because people had an impression
that long ladder with q pot Of yel-
low paint dangling on the end Of it
wasn't exactly the thing to triae
with, so they balanced along on the
eurbstone, or rubbed up against the
buildings. Pretty soon the man
saw somebody in q store he knew,
and he turned around to speak to
him, and drove one end of the lad
der into q millinery case and knock
ed the crown out of an eighteen dol
lar bonnet. Then he backed of in
alright, and knocked down two sew
ing machine agents with the other
end. Then he started to turn
around, and an old gentleman, who
was desperately endeavoring to pull
| his wife out of danger, saw the peril
and shouted out, 'sHi, theref But
| it was too late. The pot struck
against an awning post, tipped to
one side, and the entire contents
went over the aged couple. This
so startled the man that he turned
completely around, smashing in an
entire store trout, frightning milk
mans team, and knocking over some
thirteen persons who were actively
dodging about to get out Of the way,


Then he dropped the ladder and
fed into the country, shouting mur-
der and fire st every jump. A reg
ularly ordained painter is now en-
gagged on Mr.. Watson's house.
Year: 1873

The Morris Senate bill for the sup
preston of gambling passed th,
House on Friday by the decisive
vote OFF, to II, and having before
passed the Senate, is now 3 law
This law is similar in its provisions
land general purpose to the Little
lottery law which preceded it, and
about which so much has been said
in relation to alleged improper
means to secure its defeat in the
early part of the session. The Nor
ris bill, however, extends the legal
prohibitions and penalties against
gambling to games not included in
the Little bill, particularly faro and
keno, as well as to billiards when
played for the purpose of betting
and gambling. Taken both togeth-
er, they form as thorough and com
plete q system Of legislation for the
prevention of this vice and public
evil as perhaps, it is possible to
frame; and we congrgt1late Ohio ND
on the result which has been thus
secured by the sanction of public
sentiment upon the first movement
Of the Legislature in this matter.


The provision of the Morris bill
are as follows Section first forbids
the keeping or exhibition for gain Of
any gambling table, or faro OF keno
bank, or any gaming device or ma
chine Of any kind Whateyer-includ-
ing billiard tables kept for gambling
purposes. 1t also forbids any per-
son acting as "backer" or ''cappern
for any Of such games, OF il. any way
inducing any other person to engage
in them. The penalty for either Of
these ofenses is, q fine of not less
than $50 nor more than $500 and
imprisonment in the county Jail for
from ten to ninety days.


Section second provides that any
person dependent in any degree for
support upon, or entitled to the
earnings Of any person suffering loss
by gambling, shall have right Of ae-
tion for recovery, and also for exem-
plary damages, against the keeper of
the gambling place where the loss
was suffered and against his back
ers," " "venders," "cappers," and all
interested sttachss or partners Of the
concern. This is the principle OF
the Adair liquor law, applied to the
twin diabolism Of gambling; it
makes them both squirm. The third
section makes real estate used for
gambling purposes, whether owned
or leased by the keeper of the gam
bling house, ''liable for all fines and
judgments assessed or obtained IN
der this act against the owner OF
lessee thereof" This completes the
circle OF responsibility, and will
make it dangerous not only to keep
3 gambling he'll, but to rent a build
ing for such uses.-Leader.
Year: 1873

A shocking story comes from AT
riea. A treaty having recently been
concluded between the King Of Bon
ny and the King of Opobo, it was, in
accordance with the ancient custom,
ratified by sacrificing slave in q
very peculiar manner From the
crown of the head down over the
trunk an incission, as iffor halYing,
was made; then several stout men
seized hold of the victim, while some
Others hooked the body INTO two
parts along the line indicated
through the i1cision. One half Of
the body the representatives Of King
Bonnv. and the other half the en-
bassador of King Opobo, flung into
the sea, by which the contract was
considered irrevocably sealed King
Bonny tried very earnestly to avoid
this useless and cruel part Of the
ceremony, but the Africans we're not
to be dissuaded from observing q
time-honOred usage.
Year: 1873

Attempted 9winele on the Treasury


Bya New York Bank TsIIsr-


Several weeks ago 3 letter was re-


ceived at the Treasury Department


from a party in New York, who re-
Iquested that $500 in new money be


sent him in place OF an old $500 bill
(which be inelosed. On examination


the inclosed bill it was discovered


that it was considerably shorter than
the ordinary bills, and further in


vestigation revealed the fact that it
WIS a piece Of mosaic ingenuity, it


being wholly constructed, With the
exception Of one corner, Of small
strips of other bills Of the denomina-
ton of $500. Thee strips we're al
neatly pasted on tissue papeE,
through which, however, the back
Of the note could be seen. There


were twelve or fifteen strips in all,


but the right hand upper corner,


which contained the figures $500
was composed Of a three -coFnered
piece torn from another bill. In
order to get these transverse strips,
it was necessary to take q narrow
strip from each of twelve or fifteen
$500 bills, which were necessarily
shortened one-tWelfth or one-af-
teenth of their length by the opera
ton. By commencing at the left
end Of the bill, and cutting s strip
out Of the next bill to the right Of
where the first strip was taken from
the first bill, and cutting other bills
IN the same way, the rectangular
pieces when laid together fitted nice
ly,i the engraved lines and printed
words being dist net and unbroken.
And here it may be stated that the
pieces taken from the $500 bills did
not impair their value, as under =
rule established by Secretary Bout
well, any bin from which less thsn
one half has been taken will be re-
deemed by the Treasury Department
at the full value of the original bill.
The writer requested the new money
to be sent him at a certain station

IN New York, and 9 Treasury detect
i've was instructed to watch the sta
ton and ascertain who called for the
answer Of the Treasury Department
to the request This was done, and
ayoung man about twenty years Of
age, a bank teller, was arrested on
the charge Of attempting to defraud
the Government. He made q full
confession, but begged so pitiously
for mercy that the detectives and
number Of influential men in New
York united in asking General Spin
ner to forbear prosecuting him, IS
he was then the only support Of an
aged mother and sister, and that
was his first offense. The young
man also wrote q letter to General
Spinner, imploring him for mercy,
and considering all the circumstances
General Spinner concluded 20 take
no action in the case.
Year: 1873

The Department will not furnish
less than FIVE hundred cards on the
order of postmaster. Individulars
desiring postal cards will purchase
them of postmaster, and is no case
can they obtain them upon direct
application to the Department.
Year: 1873

DR.. LIBBEY-


DEAR SIR: should be ungratefui indeed
i'll did not make some acknowledgment to
you, of the wonderful change you have work"
Cd in my physical condition during the past
three months treatment have received from
you. My heart and lungs were in a fearful
condition. was generally prostrated and
completely broken down. feel now as well
as nine-tenths of the women Of my age lam
sure that your treatment was the cause or SO
wonderful change. My friends and neigh
bors are loud in your praise. There aremany
in this place and vicinity that aFe anxious to
avail themselves of your skill, and look for
ward with great anxiety to your next visit.
That you may live to do more Of the good
work you have begun, is the constant prayer
of Yours,


MRS MARGARET BoWLUs.
Year: 1873

The WiIliamsport PENN Ga.


zette says that the handouts have


been removed from Wade, the


murderer of the McBrides. he hav-


ing broken the pair put upon his


wrists. and that he is DOW bound
/ by an iron collar and chain. 1t
says: The iron collar goes around


the neck and fastens with lock,
and the chain, seven feet In
length, extends from the collar to
a ring in the floor, giving the
prisoner the privilege of his cell.


Yesterday visitor to the Jail, in
passing along from cell to cell, was
startled by maD leaping from
his bed. 1t was Wade, and rs he
struck upon his feet he seized the
chain, dashed it upon the floor,
and gave yell that made the stu
alton rather an unpleasant one for
a person looking upon the criminal
for the first time. In conversa-
ton, Wade said he had gold e.
nough to make a longer and heav-
ier chain than the one he was
dragging around. He is rather
severe upon the Sheriff for thus
ironing him, and he thinks that
he would be given more liberty if


ne was a fi,st.class Republican;


but he says he isn't-McClellau
Is his man every time. Yet he
prefers the collar and chain to
handcuffs--tbe latter being too
tiresome. He has lined the In
side of his iron collar with cloth;
the iron being rough it hurt his
neck. While our informant was
cOnversing with Wade, the latter
pulled from his pocket roll of
bills, and boastingly stated that
they had searched him for money,
but could find none, yet he had
plenty and knew where to keep it.
He had cigars and other luxuries
in his cell, and invited the visiting
party to partake Of the hospitali-
ty of his dungeon. When asked
how be passed his nights, Wade
replied, Jolly; last night l had
McBride's ghost in here, and !
made it lively for the apparition."
Year: 1873

A Troy, New York, young
man saw a colored woman noun.
ted high upon a ladder washing
windows. AS a good joke he
shook and kicked the ladder
The woman failed to appreciate
this mark of attention, and emp
tying her pail of water over the
young man, she dropped the
pail square on.his head. These
efforts, however, brought disas-
ter upon herself, for down she
came, ladder and all square on
the young man, and they rolled
together in the gutter. Gain
ing her feet she slapped that
mans face all over with her
wash-rag. At last the young
man got away. Itwas observed
that though he looked funuier,
he did not appear to be as funny
in spirit as he did before he saw
the colored woman.
Year: 1873

Here is another protest ngainsE
receiving stolen money. The
Montpelier (Vt.) Freeman says:
awe hope sincerely that rs soon as
the next Legislature of our State
shall meet, q bill will be passed
directing the State Treasurer To-
return the four thousand and odI
dollars of the salary grab turned
over to him by the Hon. Justin s.
Morrill,. We believe that will be-
done. If the sum is accepted and
placed with the funds of the State,
every citizen is made n sharer in
the coolest and most audacious
theft of the age. Senator Morrill,
is a man of too clean conscience
to take the benefit of the plunder
to himself, and we have no doubt
he will find his constituents at
least as honest, and that they will
refuse to take what they can get
of the steal"
Year: 1873




Thieves.


From the Hartford Courant.1


Smashing trunks is not the on.
ly pastime of depot attendants,
nor is smashing the only ilI-fate to
which the Saratoga is liable
There is another way Of making
the traveller miserable. Probably
it is not necessary to say that a
hack-driver has been arrested for
it, and it is therefore a shrewd
trick. The person in the game
fakes a short trip and takes his
trunk with him. 1t is we'll
known that trunks have no legs,
and cannot run away; so trusting
in this fact the baggage masters
in the smaller places are very apt
to leave the trunks all IN q heap
until the cars arrive.


This is the opportunity that the
designing traveller has in view
He steps up to see if his trunk is
all right. In looking it over he
takes its check off and puts it on
the best looking trunk in the lot,
and puts that trunks check up
on his piece OF baggage. Then
he wanders away satisfied. On
reaching his destination he takes
the trunk to which his check en-
titles him and drives off with it.
There are, of course, all sorts of
chances in the matter, but the
experiment always pays, since the
piec disposed of is only ballasted
and utterly valueless. The great
difficulty, now that the game is
exposed, is how to put a check to
it. People who have any thing
valuable in this world, and who
take it about in trunks, car read
this and have something to worry
over whenever they make trip
on the cars.
Year: 1873

From the Detroit Free Press.


a colored man living on Ma
comb street having long admired
a colored widow living in the
next block above, but being afraid
to come out boldly aud reveal his
passions, went to white man of
his acquaintance the other day and
asked him to write the lady a let
ter asking her Land in marriage
The friend wrote, telling the wo-
man In few brief lines that the
size Of her feet was the talk of the
neighborhood, and asking ber if
she couldn't pare themdown lit
tie. The name Of the colored man
was signed, and be was to call on
her Sunday night for an answer.
Yesterday the writer of the letter
met the negro limping along the
street aud asked him what the
widow said. The man showed
him q bloodshot eye, a scratched
nose, a lame leg, and spot on the
scalp where a handful Of wool bad
been violently jerked out, and he
answered in solemn tones: "She
didn't say muffin, an didn't stay
dar MORN a min1te!'
Year: 1873

A series of experiments, institu
ted to get the average loss in
weight by drying, shows that corn
loses one-fifth and wheat Cne.
fourteenth, by the progress
From this the statement is made
that the farmers will make more
by selling unshelled corn in the
fall at seventy five cents than the
following summer at one dollar a
bushel; and that wheat at SI.33
in September is equal to 9l.5l for
the same wheat in June following.
The estimate is made on the ba.
sis OF interest at seven per cent;
and takes no account of loss from
the depredations of vermin.
Year: 1873

The Siamcse twins were re-
Gently summoned as a juror in a
case in North Carolina. Chang
was summoned and Eng had to
accompany him. And now ex-
ception is taken to the verdict
on the ground that a man not a
member Of the jury was pres
ent in the jury room where it
was agreed upon.
Year: 1873

The Joe Smith of the South Caro-


lima NegrOes-On the March to


the Promised Land.


About twenty miles from
Spartanburg, S. C., in the midst
of a dense .colored population,
a self-ordained negro preacher
by the name Of Bobo, set up his
shrine some two years ago and
soon had an immense congrega-
ton. Bobo was ignorant and
loose in his morals, but strict in
the external forms Of religion,
and he was master of that fren-
zied eloquence which can fill a
negro camp-meeting with rap
tmous hOwls. Recently he pro-
claimed himself a prophet, high
in favor, commissioned by the
Lord to gather the children of
Zion and lead them to a prom
ised land, distant but one. hun
dred and sixty miles, where
they would all have wings and
could fly. Upon this theme he
wrought in nightly eXhortations
until at last, in the midst of &C.
static orgy, he announced that
the divine command to march
had come; that his disciples
must sell all that they had and
follow him without sword or
scrip. Fifty or sixty of them
Immediately sold their stock
at any price they could get, one
Of them parting with a COW and
calf for one dollar and a half.
To all demonstrations they re-
piled that they were obeying
the commands of the Lord
BobO's next revelation was that
the oldest person in the party
must be sacrificed on the morn
ing ofthe start, as a sort of a.
want courier to tell the Lord Of
their coming. The Oldest hap
pened to be an old woman Of
little account probably Bobo's
mother-in-law), who jOyfully re-
paired to an old clubhouse to re-
main a willing prisoner until
a stick Of peculiar growth
could be found to kill her
with. White neighbors in
terfercd, and after some show
Of violence, released her,
but this though a damper, did
not divert the prophet and his
followers from their purpose
With a two-horse wagon to
convey the smallest children
and a small supply of provis-
ions, they began their march on
foot. To all who accosted them
on the journey with dissuasive
remarks they returned noanswer
but marched right on, with up
turned eyes, looking for the
promised wings, and when last
heard from they were crossing
the mountains in the direction
of Tennessee. Whether they
are now living on mamma or coon
meat is not known, but no one
can doubt their faith in Bobo,
or Bobo's faith in the divine
commission. Many a prophet
has risen and reigned on Just
such credentials, and a multi
tude OF religions have sprung
from just such faith.
Year: 1873

At Lafayette, Ind, they ar
range their matrimonial affairs
with economy. One day last
week two couples applied to a
preacher to do job of marrying
at wholesale rates, paying him
seventy-five cents each. After
ward they took a double room at
hotel, which both parties occu,
pied the remainder of the day and
the succeeding night. In the
morning they took their breakfast
at the nearest grocery and set out
for home. It's no wonder that
Lafayette people grow rich.
Year: 1873

Daring Drop of One Hundred


Feet into the Gorge Below.


From the Buffalo Courier.


The distance between the two


banks at the point where the


rope is stretched across is four


teen hundred feet, one end of


the rope being anchored direct
Ily opposite the Clifton House


and the other end III Prospect


Park, about a quarter of the


distance from the railway in


cline to the new suspension
bridge. Thisis the widest point


of the river at which a rope


could be got across. The rope
used by the famous BlOndin was
stretched further down the riy-
er, where the banks are only
eight hundred feet apart. The
entire length of Balleni's rope
| is fifteen hundred feet. 1t is a
three strand MANILA line, two
and q quarter inches in diane
| ter. The banks of the river at
the points where the ends are
anchored are said to be about
one hundred and ninety feet
high. When we first saw the
rope it sagged down fully half
the distance, but subsequently,
it was somewhat frightened by Il
.capstan turnedby horse power at
the American side. Still, how
ever, the sag was as much as
sixty or seventy feet, and it
seemed impossible that any hu-
man being could walk up or
down the incline. At the cen
tire the rope was ballasted
with sand-bags, and twas braced
at either side by great number
of guy ropes. SignOr Balleni
claims that his rope is the long
est ever used by a tight rope
performer. K


Balleni stepped again upon
the.rope and came down the in
cline to the centre with rapid
steps-almost on run. As he
etarted aboat, occupied by three
experienced men, pulled out
from the shore to the middle OF
the river. Arrived at the mid
die of the rope the SignorstOOped
and prepared for an awful Jump.
In doing so he lost his balance
pole, which he had intended to
attach to guy ropeso as to slide
down where itcOuld be regained.
The pole fell into the river and
sunk. Signor Balleni unrollcd
a line eighteen feet long com
posed Of thin strips of india
rubber about an inch in width.
One end of this line he attached
to the main rope. Holding the
other end in his hands, he al
lowed himself to drop bodily
down, and the crowds on the
bankswith bated breath saw him
fall straight down full one hun
dIed feet into the rushing food,
striking the water with a splash
which could be heard above the
noise and roar of the falls. As
he struck he released his hold Of
the rubber line which whipped
back into the air high above
him. In the water the Signor
found himself equally at homo
as on the rope. Three or four
long strokes kept him above the
food until the boat was along
side him, and i'll moment moro
he was taken in. Then the boat
pulled to the Canada shore where
the carriage and four were in
waiting. The Signor was prop
erly wrapped up in blankets and
conveyed to his temporary resi-
dence, the spectators Of his
thrilling exploit crowding about
the vehicle and giving vent to q
great deal of enthusiasm.
Year: 1873

A rat ran up the interior of an
elephants trunk at Paris. The
elephant made frantic efforts to
relieve himself of this unwelcome
visitor, but in vain. Suddenly he
paused and seemed to reflect;
then he went to his basin, filled
his trunk with water, and amid
the great excitement of the lockers
on, elected the water and the un-
fortunate rat with one sublime
effort.
Year: 1873

! MUCH CAcIIeIilenJ WdS cduSeu
at the yard of the South Carroll
ma railroad yesterday morning
by the eccentric freaks Of a de-
mented boy. 1t seems that the
engine Gourdin, which quite
usually carries the Summerville
train, was engaged in shifting
some cars in the lower yard
About III o'clock the engineer
and fireman left the engine near
the corner of Mary street, and
during their absence a white
boy by the name of Luke OBI
en-, who, since an attack Of the
typhoid fever some few years
since, has never been Of sound
mind, came up and jumped a.
board. O'Brien, who is a son
of one OF the employees of the
road, had been in the habit of
hanginground the railroad yards
long enough to pick up a toler-
able accurate idea of the mechan-
ism of locomotive. Being on
the engine and seeing no one
near save another boy who was
with him, he concluded to take
a ride, and at once opened the
throttle valve to its greatest ex-
tent. His companion jumped
off as the engine started, and in
a few moments the GOurdin
went rushing up the track at
the rate of thirty or forty miles
an hour.


At each crossing O'Brien blew
the whistles and people in amaze
ment and wonder gazed upon the
flying locomotive. In the upper
yard a shifting engine was ta-
king in Il supply of water, and
the engineer seeing the Gour-
din approaching at break-neck
speed, and suspecting that there
was something wrong, threw
open the valve Of his engine,
taking the precautions at the
same time to open the cold wa
ter supply pump, and then
jumped from her. The shifter
Immediately started in the same
direction Of the road, followed
by the Gourdin, both engines
going at lightning speed. a
hand-car on the same track,
loaded with railroad iron, was
demolished by the Gourdin, and
the collision had the effect of
bending the cattle guard Of
the locomotive under one of its
front wheels, causing it to act as
kind of brake. AS soon as
possible another locomotive was
procured, and some of the Off
GERS of the road started in pur-
suit Of the runaway engines
They were Overtaken near the
four-miIe curve, both engines
having cooled off and being at
q standstill.


Upon approaching the Gour-
din, O'Bricn was seen engaged
in oiling the machinery with a
view, probably, of making an
other start; but upon observing
the approach of the pursuers,
made for the woods with the ev-
ident intention Of escaping
He was pursued, overtaken, and
brought back to the city. The
prompt action of the engineer
of the shifting engine in open
ing the valve of his engine and
turning on the water pump was
the means of preventing col
lision which might have dam
aged both engines seriously
As it was, the damage was very
slight, and both engines were
brought back to the city at about
| one o'clock. The engineer and
fireman of the Gourdin have
been suspended until the mat
ter can be fully Investigated.
Year: 1873

A.railway station agent down
East ran away recently with
some Of the funds, and an exam
ination has shown that a mistake
he had made in his accounts
covered the amount he had car
ried away.