smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873




There is peculiar saddening effect
in awakening in the night and hear


ing burglars at work in your house,
This was the case with Mr.. Henry
on South-street, Friday night. AS
soon as he detected the noise. which
appeared to be. down stairs, he softly
crept out Of bed, and commenced
to prowl around for a match. His
wife was soon awakened by the.
same noise. and belieyeing that
something was the matter with the
children who slept in the next room,
she carefully withdrew from bed,
so not to disturb her husband, and
started for the door. An instant
later they collided. What he thought
was evident enough. All the hard
earnings of an arduous life were at
stake. Before him. stood one or
more robbers. With an exclamation
of condensed eloquence he clinched
her. What she thought is not quite
evident, but it was doubtless of her
husband and children, and being
plucky withal, she at once twined
her fingers in his hair, and gave him
a wrench that made him think of
death. Then both of them went
down to the floor together, she hav-
ing the advantage in the fall. and
and getting on top, with her hands
still in his hair, she shook his head
against the floor with an energy and
courage that would have undoubtedly
filed to overfowing with admiration
had he known who it was, or had he
known anything at all. Every time
she raped him she shrieked for help.
and in a brief space of time the
children and Mrs. Eben Davis, who
lives down stairs, we're on the scene.
Mrs. Davis was not dressed for COM
pany, but in the excitement she
didn't mind adornment. She had a
candle in one hand, and long earv-
ing fork in the other and was about
to drive the latter into the legs of
the william, when recognition ensued.
Then Mrs. Davis laid down her can
die in one direction, and the fork in
another, and Immediately returned
to her own apartments, her yellow
flannel night-cap. as it shot down
the stairs, being the first thing Mr..
Henry saw on springing to his feet.
The children were returned to their
room. and put to bed, but the par
ents did not resume their couch. 1t
was 50 pleasant that Mfr. Henry con-
cluded to remain up the rest of the
night and enjoy the scenery, and
Mrs. Henry thought it best to stay
up, too, SO 20 change the cloths on
his head as often as possible
Ddnburg NeaCS. ~ De 1.t.-. Alt
Year: 1873

There is now a COW belonging to
an individual in this place that has
not added to the number Of his live
stock for four years; has been milk
ed once day for the last two years.
Last winter the lacteal supply was
half pint per day. This spring
that individual became infested with
the everlasting spirit of whitewash,
and employed-one George, of color,
whom he verify believes has pam
dered to a vitiated taste for the said
whitewash, so as to build him up q
trade, whereby as a leach upon the
body social, he may make himself
full and sleek. Well, this hapless
individual employed George and.
had his fencing, wherever it could
be found, and visible, whitewashed,
and became.proud and vain, and
pufed up as his neighbors, and was
much pleased. when lol that half
pint cow commenced, and plank by
plank and PANEL by pannel licked
off that whitewash, Now learn the
consequence That COW has increas-
ed in milk from that half pint to
over two gallons per day, and if
there was more whitewash in reach
she would double that, or perhaps
turn to a puddle of milk, This is a
valuable discovery, and will be pat
ented, and a contract taken to sup
ply the owners of all the old white
cows about town with lime sufficient
to furnish milk through the whole Of
next winter UAioa County tKyl
AdUOcdte. ..s- " r
Year: 1873

The Waterbury Americdn says
A story is circulating which tells how
fair young lady went to drug
store and told the man to fix her up
one dose OF castor oil, and to mix it
up with something to take the taste
away In a few moments he asked
her if she felt like taking glass of
soda water, She accepted the invi-
tation and drank the beverage
Presently she asked the roller of pills
why he didn't give her the castor
oil. The man smiled a triumphant
smile, and said: Madam. you have
taken it, | mixed a fearful dose with
that soda water! J" She turned pale;
she sank into a chair she gasped;
Immortal love, | wanted it for my
mothert''
Year: 1873

The hat was passed round in
certain church for the purpose of
taking up collection. After it had
made the circuit of the house it was
handed to the minister, who had
'sexchanged pulpitsa with the regu-
lar preacher, and he found not a
cent in it. He inverted the bat over
the pulpit-cushion aud shook it,
that its emptiness might he known
then looking toward the ceiling, he
exclaimed with great feryor, II
thank God that g,ot back my hat
from this congregation y
Year: 1873

Gen. Grant has expressed his disap-
prevail Of the increase of official
salaries, SO far as it gave back pay to
the members of the last Congress.
This is probably intended as a retort
upon some of them who have been
saying. like Garfield, why don't
you blame the President? Ny vote
did not make the bill law, his sig
nature did" .om s
Year: 1873

The latest remedy fora cough and
sore lungs is to wear lump of cot
ton batting, saturated with tar sns-
pended on the breast. Among the
gentle sex the plan is popular,
though the tar is generally omitted.
Year: 1873

A little boy was nearly drowned
the other day in a barrel of white
washing, at Oxford, Penn. When
he grows up and becomes q Philadel-
phia politician he will take a daily
bath in that kind of stuff without
minding it. .n-.- t.-.-
Year: 1873

An English technical periodical
points out an easy way of testing
whether water is good and fit for gen.
eral use. It says:


Good water should be free from
color, unpleasant odor and taste, and
should quickly afford lather with a
small portion of soap. If halfa pint
of the water be placed in perfectly
clean, colorless glass-stoppered bot
tie, few grains of the best white
lump sugar added, and the bottle
freely exposed to the daylight in the
window of warm room, the liquid
should not become turbid, even after
exposure for a week or ten days. If
the water becomes turbid, it is open
to the grave suspicion of sewerage
contamination but if. it remain clear,
it is almost certainly safe. We owe
to Hcisch this simple, valuable, but
hitherto strangely neglected, test.
Year: 1873

The Weather in This City Yesterday.


The following record will show the changes in
the temperature for the past twenty-iour hours In
comparison with the corresponding day OF last year.
as indicated by the thermometer at Hudnut's
Pharmacy HERALD buidinR:-
Year: 1873

MarkTwain has been sojouruing for a
brief time in Ostend, France, and writes
thus to the New York Herald his OBJ
servations OF the manner in which they
keep hotel there;


1t is an excellent hotel; the utmost
care was taken that everything should
90 right. l went to bed at ten and was
called at eleven to take the early train.
l said l was not the one, so the servant
stirred up the next door and he was not
the one, then the next door aad the
next-no success-and so on till the
reverberations OF the knocking were
lost in the distance down the hall,
and l fell asleep again. They
called me at twelve to take another
early train, but l said l was not the
one again. and asked as q favor that
they would be particular to call the
rest next time, but never mind
me. However they could not UNDER
stand any English; they only said
something in reply TO signify that, and
then went on banging up the boarders,
none Of whom desired to take an early
train. When they called me at one, it
made my rest seem very much broken,
and / said ifthey would skip me at two
would call myself-not really intend
ing to do it, but hoping to beguile the
porter and deceive him. He probably
suspected that, and was afraid to trust
me, but routed me out along with the
others. 1 got some more sleep after
that, but when the porter cali
ed me at three l felt depress-
ed and jaded and greatly dis
couraged. So / gave it up and dressed
myself. The porter got me a cup Of
coffee and kept me awake while l
drank it. he was a good, well meaning
sort OF founder, but really a drawback
to the hotel, I should think. Poor Mr..
Bank (my travelling companion,) came
in then. looking worn and old. He had
been called for all the different trains,
too, just as l had. He said it was a
good enough hotel but they took too
much pains. While We eat there talk
ing We fell asleep and were called again
at !our. Then we went out snd dozed
about town till six, and then drifted
aboard the Lively.
Year: 1873

We are glad to note that the first
branch of the city Council substantially
conquered last night in the ordinance
for remaining the streets and numbering
the houses in the city, which was
adopted in the second branch some two
or three weeks ago. The amendments
made are slight and unimportant and
we believe they will be readily concurs
red in by the branch in which the
ordinance originated. There is there
fore good ground for hope that we will
shortly be relieved from the difficulties
pertaining TO the present system, or
rather lack of system, and that our
citizens will soon be able to define inc
telligently and exactly where they
live. At present, when asked the
locality OF your residence you have to
ask the inquirer whether he knows
where SMITH, JONES or JOHNSON lives,
and if he knows none Of these worthy
citizens you must leave your business
and pilot him to your residence, or send
him up the street to ring the door bells
in whole square before finding the
desired plsce. The amour OF proian-
i;Y on the part of the males and head
aches on the part OF the females which
has been produced by the country VIII
lage style of nomenclature now in use
in Wheeling is too vast TO be computed
here.


Al length we are TO have relief. A
sep forward is to be taken; and every
mau may tell his hatcher and baker and
caniles:ick-m precisely where their
goods are 70 be deposited, and when ne
directs the omnibus gathering passen'
gers for the early train to call at Ne.
go, on 10Th street, he may feel sure
that he is not Likely TO be belated by
reason Of the drivers inability to fiud
the house.


We hope 10 see the new system put
iu.o practical operation as soon as may
be, and We thank the Council for hav-
ing at length yielded to the popular
demand in relation TO this matter.
Year: 1873

A BRITISH itinerant vender Of salt
and whiting made a slight mistake the
other day in the matter Of a medical
prescription. This worthy was the
possessor of a donkey "wot wouldn't 90,
to Mrs. Jarley's wax.work show" nor
to any other place unless its own per-
sonal sentiments were thereto disposed.
Being taken by it's owner for an airing
recently, it suddenly became enraged'
probably at not being consulted first,
and attacked the old gentleman, hurting
him unmercifuily. He was rescued and
carried home, and the medical man
ordered the application of half a dozen
leeches to his bruises. The mans wife
not having the slightest idea how to
apply them had three boiled and three
fried, and the invalid Immediately
swallowed the whole menu
Year: 1873

The new crop Of Domestic Wool j.
now about ready for market, aud it is
matter OF interest 10 the dealer in
this article to know how he can make
his staple bring him most money. The
market value OF wool varies greatly
according to the conditions Of growth
and preparation for consumption.


The necessities OF various industries
dependent on wool require that it be
properly assorted as regards length,
fineness and quality. In several locsli-
tiles OF the West there is gres. careless
ness in putting up this staple, and,
although the wool produced in:these
sections may be as good as fieeces
grown elsewhere. they will not bring
as much by two or three, aud sometimes,
even five cents per pound, as a similar
grade OF wool in a more satisfactory
condition; and when the staple is only
imperfectly free from earthly and fatty
matters, tags, &c. the loss is correspond.
jngly greater. An experienced wool
stspler can tell pretty accurately, even
on has,y examination, how much to
deduct for refuse and waste material.
Producers do not realize the fact as
they should, that wool OF good quality
should be fresh looking or what sxpe-
rienced buyers call "sightly.' If the
fleece is q solid, compact, soggy mass,
it is uninvitipg to the eye, and the buy
er views it with suspicion. Bundles
tied in this manner are likely TO hide
a great many impurities which decrease
its value when secured. Too many
folds also injure the sale Of this staple.
Two folds are all sufficient, and the
buyer can the better examine and feel
the substance TO tell Of what it consists (;
besides, fleeces put up in this way
very loosely-sre light, elastic, aud
dowuy to the hand. and in every mar
ket will outsell the solld and ponderous
mass which is more tightly folded to-
gether.


That the raw material varies greatly
according to the breed of sheep, is also
an undoubted fact But the better
grades OF the carded staple OF commerce
should be OF good color, free from a
surplus OF oily matter; its fiber smooth,
clear and parallel, fitted not only TO
take dyes, but adapted also for spin-
ming and dressing. On the other hand,
woods designed for the manufacture OF
worsted goods should be long, moder-
ately fine, and OF a strong fibre.


For years previous 10 the rebellion
fine woods sold most freely; but the
war changed all this for the time being,
the demand for the coarse army cloth
ing and blankets calling for coarse,
long staple, which readily commanded
a high price. On the return OF peace,
however, the coarse fibre was again
neglected. and is now only moderately
active, while other grades find more
favor with manufacturers aud dealers.


Thirty years ago Vermont was the
principal wool-growing State in the
Union, but at present the Western
States, with Pennsylvania, New York,
Texas aud California, are the leading
producers, while New England is the
principal consumers OF this important
staple,
Year: 1873

SENATOR CHANDLKR is quite a humor-
let. He recently gave twenty volumes
OF the Congressional Globe and one
volume OF the United States Coast
Survey to the library Of his local high
school.
Year: 1873

striking exemplifcatIon OF what prompt payment
BY Comptroller legal claims against the city would
the city in the item Of interest say nothing of
other expenses incurred in defending suits
three trials yesterday before Judge Van Bunt holding
trial term OF the Supreme Court report Of the
win be found below. 1t will bs that the interest
alone recovered in these suits amounted to nearly
$4,000 all of which might have been saved to the city.


Judge Fancher yesterday appointed Ell Beard as
receiver Of the National Life Insurance Company Of
New York


John Carr, who had been charged with having stolen,
from the office of the Surveyor of the Port quantity Of
printed forms and blanks similar to those used in rela
tion to the landing and bonding of imported goods
peared before Commissioner Shields yesterday and gave
bail in the OF $500 appear and take his trial when
called on.


In the United States District Court yesterday, l74s4
yards gupure lace imported by the steamer Cimbra,
and found at No. 16 Clinton place. condemned by
default, no claimant appearing.


"A report prevailed in Wall street yesterday to the
eoct that the matter of the involuntary petition in
bankruptcy against the firm of Kenyon. Cox Co. of
which firm, Is alleged in the petition, Daniel Drew
. member has been settled reporter made inquiries
the subject in the bankruptcy department Of the
United States District Court The clerk In charge In
formed him that he had received official notification
Of such settlement but that 1t often happens In
Of this kind when the proceedings called in
Court the parties both sides state that settlement
has been effected and there is them course, i'm.
mediate discontinuance OF the suit


Judge Benedict who is holding United States Circuit
Court at No n Chambers street, il still engaged trying
the Of Edward Lange indicted for embczzling mail
baga The trial. which has occupied four days. will
be resumed this morning. 1t blocks the way Of far
important and pressing business.
Year: 1873

The National Life Insurance Company in
Court-A Ten -Thousand-Dollar Salye
for Husbands Injured Feelings
Suit To Recover for Goods
Sold Under Misrepresenta-


ton Business in the


General Sessions.
Year: 1873

Most people have too great an an tipathy to spiders to spend even few in watching them. But we must confess that we rather cultivate their acquaintance, as they catch and devour our enemies, the flies. The spinning apparatus of a spider is very curious. On the under part of the body are several small prominences GOV holes, through which exudes a gummy substance which hardens on exposure to the air. Thus each little hole pro- duces 8 thread of inconceivable fine ness and when these many threads are joined together, they form what we see as a single thread. When spider wishes to forna web, if he belongs to the race of geometrical spiders, which build wheel-shaped web, he selects some convenient place, and proceeds to lay the foundation by attaching the spokes of his wheel to proper objects j; he then commences at the centre formed by the crossing of these lines and trav- els round and round, spinning his web, employing his 1eelers as guides as to distance. He always uses the outer web as pathway, and every time he crosses one of the spokes he attaches his line to it. When he has finished, he takes his position at the centre, head downward, and waits for the unlucky insect which he is sure will soon happen along. As soon as he perceives that some awkward fly has run against his delicate framework, he bounces out on him and quickly ties him fast hand and foot, so that he may devour him at leisure. But it is not alone for laying traps and tying fast his unlucky victims that the spider uses his web. If he wants to cross from one tree to another, or from one side of stream to the lop- posite, he uses the web for a bridge. This he constructs by taking a favorable position and then spinning web, which he lets float in the wind. As soon as ii strikes some object to which it adheres, he pulls it, to see that it is secure, and then crosses on this single line. This is an achievement in engineering that far surpasses the suspension bridges

 built by human skill. Here is bridge

 oftentimes from fifty to one hundred

 feet long, spun by so insignificant al

 insect that we may have some trouble

 to find him, yet streng enough to bea1

 his weight safely. When @ spider

 wishes to descend from an elevation, he

 attaches the end of his web to some ob

 ject and then boldly launches off, spin

 ming as he goes. When he gets down

 he cuts the line and leaves it, unless ht wishes to return immediately, in whicl

 case he coils it up and takes it along a,

 he ascends.
Year: 1873



 A DIRECTOR RoBBED.-One of the Di- rectors of the Bowery Bank drew $500 in bills in the middle sf the day, and immediately after leaving the office he was attacked by gang of robbers, who succeeded in depriving him of the amount before any assistance could be rendered by tAe police. The method employed to rob him was sf a novel character The gang of thieves watch ed their opportunity as he left the bank, and while one blindfelded hin by wrapping large shawl round his head and shoulders, the others extracted the money from his pocket The whole transaction did not occupy. more than one minute, and by the time the Direc- tor had removed the shawl the robbers were out.of sight, and no clue has been obtained which could lead to their de- lection.
Year: 1873

The great atmospheric wave which, the meteoro- 1ogists tell us, sweeps over the whole United States from the Pacific coast at this season, is loaded with unwholesome vapors that chill the body disturb all it's functions. Precipitation is checked the stomach is deranged, the bowels and the liver sympathize with that organ, the nerves and muscles are affected, pulmonary complaints are engendered, and the spirits more or less depressed. These are among the common effects produced by the moist, ungenial winds prevalent in the winter months. But if the system is toned and fortified in advance with Hostetter's Stomach Bitters, no danger need be apprehended from any condition of the atmosphere The i'll wind that blows nobody any good'' will not be likely to blow any harm to him who strengthens and regulates his internal organs with this wholesome vegetable tonic and alternative, and clothes his outside in manner suitable to the season. The seeds of fever and ague and other diseases of an intermittent or remittent type, are now in the air, and liable to be planted in the system to germinate and bring forth bitter fruit, either ediately at later period, unless due sanitary precautions are taken to ward them off, Of all safeguards against mala- ria, this famous vegetable aDtidote is the bes and of all remedies for the painful ailments caused by damp, cold and sudden changes of temperature, such as rheumatism, chills irregularities of the bowels, bilious attacks and indigestion, it is the most reliable and the most agreeable
Year: 1873

A man in Kansas, whose front. name is John, tried new experiment. for cleaning the soot out of stove pipes the other day. He wrapped lot of pow der--some pounds more or less-in a paper and put it in the stove, and, in order to compel it to go up the pipe, shut the door, and placing his feet against it, heroically awaited the result, like mule with a howitzer strapped on his back. In due time it went of, and so did John. It was an even race to the door, but outside the powder was ahead. Whether it was disgusted at the vile uses to which it had been put, or whether the soot was too compact to be moved, is not known. At any rate, as a cleansing method John thinks it is failure, but as private earthquake, where the excited population go up in balloon, as it were, and come down more or less mangled, is free to main tain that it is decided success.
Year: 1873

had the boat, which contained nine persons-namely, the captains wife, the boatswain, four laborers, including Biddiss, and three of the ships crew got alongside the tug, when, by the glean of the last rocket in the sky and the lights from the tug, the fgurehead of the Northfeet was seen to sink slow ly under water. The crowded stern rose up in the air, and with a loud rush. ing noise, almost immediately disap- peared under water, leaving between 300 and 400 people struggling for their lives in the water. The shrieks of the sinking women and the loud cries of the men for help were awful, and must have been heard miles off. Some of those who could not swim were floating on barrels and pails, which they were obliged to leave hold of from sheer ex- haustion. Biddiss noticed one friend of his in the water-a married man, who, with his wife and only child, was clinging to 8 ladder, when wave came and washed all three off. The woman and child sank and never rose again. The unfortunate husband again man. aged to clutch the ladder, but it was out of his power to save his wife and child. Thirty-four people were picked up by the tug, which remained close to the spot for the whole night.
Year: 1873

BRIDAL DRESSES. dresses are invariably trimmed this season: Under the dress, of whatever material, is worn a petticoat of white silk, trimmed with three or four rather narrow founces, which are visible only in front. The front breadths of the dress are very plain, the fullness all being carried to the back, and arranged in such man ner as to form pouf behind without sensibly diminishing the train. A bunch of orange blossoms is set at the belt, to which is attached a large cordon of the same flowers, which is fastened near tho pouf, and falls thence over the train. The waist is always high, with small basques in the back and points in front. There is no overskirt except the illusion veil, which is long and full enough to envelope the whole figure. The dress is caught up little, so as to show the founces of the white silk pet

 icoat.