smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

There was a boy in Nelson stree
yard cutting wood, yesterday, and he
worked at it in strikingly natural man
ner. First he set the stick on one end
and prepared to strike it, when it tum-
bled down. Then he stood it up, and
put a silver under the weak side to sus-
tain it, and lifted the axe for the blow,
when it tumbled again. As he had got
the axe up quite a ways this time, and
was fairly quivering with expectation,
the reaction was not pleasant. 1t APP
peared to weaken him, and before an
other trial, he leaned on the axe and
looked around on the scenery. At the
third trial he put several slivers under
the stick, and was some five minutes
doing it. Then he raised the axe care
fully, deliberately took aim, and
brought the blade down with terrible
force, and within about an inch and
half of the stick, which Immediately
tipped over. This surprised him. He
looked at the axe, then at the stick, and
then around at the houses to see if any
body was looking. He was ten minutes
propping the stick up the fourth time.
When he got it so it would stand with
out being held, he took up the axe, and
after several mock motions so as to get
the right aim, he swung the implement
down again. The blade struck the
stick with terrible force within about q
sixteenth of an inch from the edge, and
took off slip about five inches long.
We don't suppose there is anything
quite so aggravating as this. Splitting
your shin open to the bone is pastime
in comparison. The Nelson street boy
stood that stick up again without any
ceremony, and with tie least display in
the world swung the axe over his
head and brought it spitefully down.


The blade this time chipped off half
inch chip, and then swung around with
such momentum as to throw the boy off
his feet and drive him headlong over
pile OF other sticks, every one of which
he struck with his knees or face. We
don't think We ever saw any boy get on
his feet as quick as that boy did. And
we were not in the least surprised to see
HIM snatch up that axe, and, with
screams and sobs, beat that stick until
he was exhausted. With this unpleas-
ant duty performed, he flung the axe in
among the tomato vines, and went in
the house for piece of cake. e.--Danbury
NeUs.
Year: 1873

You think il il easy your steps 10 retrace


Before the last pitfall In gained
That a man can STOP hort of crushing disgrace
And still find his honor unstained;
But SIN is so mighty and conscience 80 weak.
And under so tempting spell,
That though you may wish other pleasures To seek,
Your weakness you never can tell
The ocean of evil you never can sound


Its depths you can never discern,
But under your feet there is treacherOus ground,
N away from the good land you turn,
You see not the danger, you fear not the foe,
You whisper the soul, Ii is well! !"
And think that you know just how far you may co.
But you never, no. never can tell
You never can tell at what moment you'll slip
Into snares that cruelty laid
Bv those who are willing another should trip
Where they were foully betrayed.
A moments indulgence may lead you to crimes


That merit prisoners cell
That quench the hot fever OF passion betimes,


For its power you never can tell!
You never can tell at what moment you'll hear


The signal of Death at your gate,
Whose touch will arrest your wild, thOaghtless


career,


And bring you repentance too late.
Stand firm, then, to-day the allurements OF sin
With pride and persistence repel,
And strive for prize that Is worthy TO win,


And whose glory no mortal can tell
Year: 1873

In the year 1888 there lived at Bor-
deaux the last, or one of the last, of n
long line of scoundrels who made that
part of France infamous Ito our ideas)
by succession of cold-blooded MUIR
ders. committed under the sanction of
what the people were pleased to call the
Code of Honor. There was a certain
Comte de V, a man of great physi-
cal strength, imperturbable sang froid,
and relentless cruelty. Not bad sort
of a companion, as some said, when the
dueling fit was not on him, but this
came on once in about every six months,
and then he must have blood, it mat
tered little whose. He had killed and
manned boys of Is, fathers of families,
military officers, journalists, advocates,
peaceful country gentlemen. The cause
of the quarrel was of no Importance if
one did not present itself readily, he
made one always contriving that, ac
cording to the code aforesaid, he should
be the insulted party, thus having the
choice of weapons and he was deadly
with the small sword. 1t is difficult for
us to realize a society in which such a
wild man could be permitted to go at
large but we know it to be historically
true that such creatures were endured
in France just as we are assured that
there were at one time wolves in York
shire only the less noisome vermin had
a harder time of it, as civilization pro-
gressed, than was dealt out to the hui
man brute.


The last exploit of the Comte de
V, previous to the story am about
to tell, was to goad a poor student into
a challenge and when it was repre-
sented to him that the boy had never
held sword in his life, he replied that
"fools sometimes made mistakes with
pistols" and, the next morning, ran him
through the lungs. The evil fit was ON
him: but the blood thus shed quieted
him for another half year, and rather
more. for public opinion was unfavora-
BILE. and the air of Bordeaux became
too warm for him.


But the scandal blew over after time;
he came back to his old haunts, one OF
which was q cafe by the river side,
where many used to spend their Sun
day. Into the little garden of this es-
ta6lishment our wolf staggered one fine
summer afternoon, with the heavy dark
look and nervous twitchinR of the hands
which those who were acquainted with
him knew well meant mischief. The
evil fit was on him ; consequently he
fonnd himself the center OF circle
which expanded as he went on. This
did not displease him. He liked to be
feared He knew he could make a
Year: 1873

That strawberry -eater remained a
month at Bordeaux to fulfill his promise
of giving the Count his revenge. But
then, again, the bully met more than
his match. The strawberry -eater had
had Angelo for a master as well as
Owen Swift, and after few passes, the
Count, who was too eager to kill his
man, felt an unpleasant sensation in his
right shoulder. The seconds inter-
posed, and there was end to the affair
1t was his last duel. Some one pro-
duced sketch of him as he appeared
being thrown out of the hotel window,
and ridicule-so awful to Il Frenchman
rid the country of him. The straw
berry-eater was alive when the battle of
the Alma was fought, and is the only
man to whom the above facts are known
who never talks about them.
Year: 1873

The business of stealing iron from
railroads in the vicinity of Columbus,
o., has grown to such proportions that
detectives have been out for some DAYS
lacking for the guilty parties. 1t was
found that the material when stolen
was run into blooms and shipped East
over the roads from which it was
stolen. Many thousand dollars worth
of this stolen iron has been shipped
during the past year, and it has become
necessary for the railroad authorities
to issue orders forbidding the shipping
of old iron unless the agents are rea-
sonably sure that it has not been stolen
from railroad company.
Year: 1873

Faith in Voudouism is not confined to
the negroes of the extreme Southern
States, but colored people III Virginia
have as firm belief in the efficacy OF
Voudou spells as any of their race III
Louisiana. An illustration of this fact
was recently afforded in Richmond. An
old colored woman, acting IN very sus-
picious manner, was seen to throw akeg
or box into the river and then t19e pre-


cipitately, which led to an investigation
by the police. 1t was found that the
woman's daughter had been suddenly
taken ill and was rapidly growing worse,
when the mother accidentally discovered
that she had been Voudoued. The dis
covery, according to the old woman S
story, happened in this wise: While
cleaning her yard her attention was at
tracted to nail sticking out of the
ground. She attempted to draw it out,


but found it so hot that it paralyzed her
right arm, which fully satisfied her that
there had been couluring going on
about her place, whereupon she pro-
cured spade and dug 1T up. A pecu-
liarity of the nail was that 1t had snake
head, and was pointing toward the
house where the sick daughter lay. With
great presence of mind the old woman
made q mixture of copperas, cayenne
pepper. red onion, and fish brine, and
placing the Devils nail, with others
found near it in keg, she poured the
mixture upon them and then pitched
the whole into the river. The result
was the breaking of the spell, and 1t is
gratifying to learn that not only is the
daughter recovering, but the mother has
regained the use of her paralyzed arm.


THE most EXPENSIVE and fashionable
Year: 1873

together, with their hands fastened in
their girdles. The birds sang, the sun
shone warmly, and from the trees, the
red cherries hung so low, that they
brushed their cheeks as they passed. The
princess saw them and exclaimed.


What a pity that your lordship is not
able to pick few for me =


Necessity knows no law said the
prince, and he broke one of the cherries
with his teeth from a branch, and offered
it to the princess from his mouth.


The princess could not do otherwise
than receive it from his mouth, and SO
her face was brought close to his. SO
when she had the cherry between her
lips and kiss from him besides, she was
not able to say that instant, Il remcm-
ber.'


Then he cried joyiully, Good morn
ing, much loved one, and drew his hands
from his girdle and embraced her. And
they spent the rest of their lives together
in perfect peace and quietness.-Ffom
the German Of GustaU Eraglag.
Year: 1873

The far aud wide spread and still grow
ing interest, manifested among land holders
and farmers throughout the Western and
some of the Southern States is healthy
symptom, and Of Importance to the political
results Of the near future. Facts sustain
the observation frequently made that al
vision Of labor, with improved machinery
capable Of indefinite application to practi-
cal farming, has not cheapened productions
necessary to subsistence. The consequence
is, the first and last to suffer from contract
ors and adyancenents in the emoney.markets
are the classes engaged in the cultivation Of
the soil. The long continued and severe
depression Of these classes engaged in agri.
cultural pursuits, coupled with dlsposi
tion on the part Of the general government
to increase constantly their burdens, has at
last aroused spirit of organized resistance
Reform in this matter is indispensable, and
and the spirit now prevailing throughout the
Mississippi Valley gives token Of import
FAINT changes to the landed interests Of the
country. BY this means the inertness Of
the farmers to oppose upiust legislation will
be overcome a. the county meetings of the
oranges, II this large body Of men, in
! their natural discomfort at the wrongs they
have suffered by imprudent legislation, in.
stead Of soliciting the same unfair legisla.
ton from the government on behalf Of their
interests, but set themselves to work 10 re-
store constitutional government, that will
not allow class legislation, the consequences
to the world will be worth more than can
be computed by algebraic solution. The
farmers do the voting as well as the tax
paying, and it is right and proper that they
set their faces like molten brass against the
collection Of revenue for any purpose save
the economical expenditures necessary to
carry on the affairs of government in its
legitimate sphere They must oppose mo.
nopolies and the protection OF manuiac
lures at the expense of agriculture they
must oppose any further extension ofpowet
on the part of the general government, and
must drive it hack to the powers enume
rated in the constitution. We like hero
and when man stands ont boldly against
fearful odds and material interests for what
he ardently believes to be the right, we ask
ourselves the secret Of his adherence. The
answer is, the man is both honest aud earn
est, and in the winter Of our misfortnnes
he keeps the same steady position in regard
to our political condition that be held il
the summer Of success l0kolona States
| ,Ala.aa -------~e~>----Ae--..--------~-~


ACCORDING to the London Daily News
it is feared that the Sultan Of Turkey is be
coming insane, and this fear, which seems
to be well founded, has caused great alarm
and much excitement in ministerial circle:
at Constantinople.
Year: 1873

TnE NEw PARrY.-Tho avowed purpose
Of the Indiana Democracy to take the in
itial step II the formation Of "a new liberal
party based upon the living issues Of the
day calls forth the following words from
the Chicago Tribune: Neither the Repub-
licnn noe the Democratic party being able
to check corruption, ii follows that this
work must be accomplished BY new party.


The Democratic leaders Of Indiana have az


least recognized the necessity Of the situa.
tion, and have concluded to abandon tho
old organization, and organize now liberal
party on the living issues Of the day. That
i the first step toward success, and its first


influence, coming from Indiana, must tend
to convince Democratic leaders elsewhere
Of the futility Of longer attempting to main
tain the Democratic organization, as well
as the folly Of expecting to be successful,
working under q dual organization, as ut
the last general election. "a new liberal
party based upon the living issues of the
day is the only party which can success
fully contend with the evils Of the day, and
overcome them. The new liberal party will
embrace all the honest men Of the old par.
ties. II viii be the party Of the people
organized together against monopolies,
against abuses Of power, against corruption
and frands in Office, and ID favor Of imme-
diate reform Id the administration Of tho
government. The Democratic party OF
Indiana have set a noble example in aban-
doning their old organization, and burying
the old threadbare issue out Of sight. 1t
is the only way in which reforms can be
made. 1t is an example which the Demo-
Gratis Of New Hampshire can now we'll af-
ford to contemplate and follow II is a
concession made il the interest Of honesty,
economy and public probity, and it will
commend itself TO all who desire to see the
government administered upon true re-
publican basis.
Year: 1873

The CoTroN CRof. The Georgia Chron-
icle publishes two interesting articles on
the crops Of the past and present planting
seasons, presenting views from Northern
aud Southern standpoint. That the crop
Of l872-73 will reach nearly CO,0OO, 600
bales is now conceded on all hand but
what the crop Of '73 and IA will be, IL is
idle to speculate upon SO early in the sea-
son. Whether it will be 3,500,O00 or A, ,500,-
900 depends not SO much on the area plant.
ed as upon the seasons. If they are iavora.
ble the crop will undoubtedly be large If
dniayorable it is idle to speculate upon dis
asters which will come upon us soon
enough. The South might produce crop
Of five million bales. but her people would
be no better off than they are now. The
supply would be in excess Of the demand
and with large crop there would necessa-
rily be a corresponding reduction in price.
We suppose it idle for us to dllate upon
the suicidal policy Of planting all cotton to
the exclusion ofthose other products which
every planter should raise in abundance
upon bis own plantation but still the fact
is there can be no substantial and lasting
prosperity in the South until her people do
raise their own corn and bacon.
Year: 1873

The Shanghai Budget of June 21st,
says: Much amusement has been caus-
ed in the settlement by at accident which
occurred yesterday. Some people sitting
gossipping in the usual way in tea-shop
near tao Maloo, it was incidently men
tened that in house close to the Louza
Police Station a marriage was going for
ward By-and-by the party broke up,
and some Of those who composed it lived
in the Louza direction, they thought as
they passed the house where the noise of
creckers and the sounds of music and
ether accompaniments of festivity gave
evidence of marriage, that they would
90 and have look at the fun. Accord
lugly, with the freedom which the Chinese
custom permits, they.pushed into tho lit
tie court yard in front Of the reception
room where the guests were assembled
with the bridegroom and bride making
merry over the marriage feast. But no
sooner did one Of the tea-shop gossips set
eyes on the bride than he gave an un-
earthly yell and other tokens of intense
excitement. When the tumult of his
feelings had so far found an equilibrium
as to make uttefance possible, he declar-





ed that the bride was no other than his
wife, whom he had supposed to be quiet
ly attending to her domestic duties at


home, as he had left her not many hours
previous. Of course the most intense
sensation was produced by this announce
ment and the husband rushed off to Louza


for assistance.


A native constable went with him and
on questioning the bride she admitted


without hesitation that she was the wife
of the "claimant," had been SO for four
years, and had by him a daughter two
years old. On this stop was put to the
marriage ceremonies, and in due course
the parties were brought before the mag
istrate of the Mixed Court. 1t then ap-
peared that the disposal of his daughter


in marriage, for consideration, was fa
vorite method of "raisins the wind" with
the old man, her father. The bridegroom
in the above scene, a coolie in foreign
hong, being in want Of a wife, was told
by the father that be had manageable
daughter, and though he had never seen
J her, the cooIie paid $40 to the father,
and arrangements were forthwith made
for the marriage which had been so sea.
! soaaby-sr uns easonably interrupted
7 the coolie all tho while not having the
: dimmcst suspicion that his .fancee was al.


ready the wife of another. The daughter
t considered she ought to do what her faith
II er told her. 1t turned out, indeed, thai
If he had since her marriage bcen once al
e ready in treaty with another man fer her
IN but that swain heard the real state o.


things at an earlier stage of the proceed
: ings than did No. 8. The old matrimo
:. NAL speculator did not attempt to den,
% that the above allegations were true. an,
,u he was removed in custody till formal pro
40 ceedipgs could be taken against him."
Year: 1873

Beyond these chilling winds and gloomy skies
Beyond deaths cloudy portal
There is land where beauty never dies,
Where love becomes immortal
land whose life is never dimmed by shade,


Whose fields are ever vernal;
Where nothing beautiful can ever fade,


But blooms for aye eternal.
We may not know how sweet its balmy air,


How bright and fair its flowers
We may not hear the songs that echo there, "
Through those enchanted bowers.
The citys shining towers We may not SOC


With our dim earthly vision,
For Death, the silent warder. keeps the key
That opens the gate elysian.
But sometimes, when adown the western sky
A fiery sunset fingers,
Its golden gates swing inward noiselossly,
Unlocked by unseen fingers.
And while they stand moment half ajar.
Cleans from the inner glory
Stream brightly through the azure vault afar
And half reveal the story.
O land unknown! o land of love divine
Father, alwise. eternal
o, guide those wandering, wayworn feet Of


mine


Into those pastures vernal
Year: 1873

1t will he seen that the expenses have large
" increased since the first election of Grant
During the year of the Presidential election
and the year before there was an apparent
large reduction from the first years of Grant.
but that was ali for political effect, and t
will be observed that this first year after the
election that the expenses have gone up 10
figures never before reached under any ad-
miniStTatiOn, during the war under Lincoln.
In one year Grant spent over a million more
for his atrOciOus civil service than Lincoln
spent in three years In many cases the ex-
penses have been doubled aud in some trebled.
Let the people cut these figures out, and save
them for next election time. Some admins
tratiOn retainer will be around to tell you how
economical Grant is, and you will have the fig
ures to prove that he lies The figures art ia
ken from the books of the departments, and
cannot be disputed Dag Book.
Year: 1873

1t is quite disgusting to see newspaper at-
tempting TO excuse the acts OF the thieves that
were arrested here last week for entering the
dwelling @ the Bank of Delaware with roper,
gags, knive and gimmics, haUd-cuiing the casl :
lr OF the Bank, evidently bent on robbiDg Il
institution at the rlsk Of hic limb and liberty
Instead Of Sheriff Armstrong being condemned
for severity TO such scoundrels, he is more likely
to be complained OF for leniency. When these
complaints are known 10 be made by the an
nouuced counsel of the thieves, it amounts TO 8
prostitution of the press that is abominable. And
one OF the features of the article is the fact
that it compares the Illegal and outrageous arrest
of some of our best citizens during the war with
the legal and commcudable arrest of the Bank
robbers and noted Sing Sing convict and thieves.
It is the hope of tLIs community, one and all,
that the rSscas in the custody Of the Sheriff viii
be made TO feel the severity OF prison life in Del
aware, ss well As the acutencss of the lash.
Year: 1873

THERE is a German boy living in
Chautauqua county, N. Y, who has
been in the habit of smoking a tobacco
pipe ever since he was 1S months old.
He is now 4 years old, and tough and
hearty. His father allowed him to smoke
when baby, and since then the boy
took to it naturally.
Year: 1873

BY act of Parliament, an English
banker is free from all responsibility as
to the payer of a sight draft. He may
pay the check to whoever presents it
asking no questions, requiring no iden-
tification, taking no risk. But if the
draft is drawn at one day sight, or for
any time, he must fully identify the in
dorser. For this reason many English
drafts on bankers are drawn at one day
sight.
Year: 1873

PROVIDENCE. R l.. Nov. 13, 1873.


Reports were received at police headquarters
this morning that dog fight was TO take place
to-day at Mark Rock, notorious place Of resort
along the shore several miles from this city, down
the bay, the fighting CANNES to be put forward by
parties from Boston and Fall River. Accordingly
posse OF police, accompanied by the agent Of the
Rhode Island Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty to Animals started for the scene. and,
arriving early upon the ground. found that their
approach had been discovered and the parties had
ned. The officers found the pit for the combat all
arranged and everything ready for the sport. The
officers were obliged 10 return to the city without
being able to secure one OF the sports interested
In tue canine anray. This evening information
was received by the police that the dog fight was
to take place somewhere in the tmme diate
the police force were quietly collected
together and despatched In search of the parties
but up halfpast eleven O'Clock tonight no trace
OF them had been discovered. The saloon of a
notorious prize-fghter on one OF the principal
streets OF this city Is understood to be the rendeZ
yous Of the crowd engaged in this dog bus
ness and suspicious looking vehicles have
been seen to approach the place with men
apparently engaged In some affair they
wished to keep secret, but up to the hour
OF sending this despatch 1t must be said they have
euded the vigilance OF the police. 1t is thought
very probable that the fight has taken place In
some remote part OF the city. The police are still
engaged In the search.