smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

Trucking THE FARMERs.-The Harrisburg Pa
t.;ot thus rewards Il new swindling dodge: Sew
eral strange men drive through an agricultural
district They stop at all the farm houses and
make a contract for all the butter the farm can
furnish at fifty cents per pound. Further it will
be gathered up by fast special teams and the cash
paid for it at the door. The pretense is that dur
ing the fall and winter, the large cities will be over
crowded and that butter will be scarce. In this
way all the farmers in district are contracted
with and arrangements are made to cOmefor their
butter on certain days and at certain points; the
contract to 90 into effect in two weeks. A few
days after the departure of the men drove of
cows comes along. They are fine looking milch
cows. The farmers having good thing in view
think they might use few more COWS. They try
to buy them and the drover doesn't seem to be
anxious to SELL Finally, however, he is induced
to sell two or three to each farmers at prices consd
eraby higher than the real market value. lie
then departs, meets his partners, who put up the
butter job, and they divide their profits. That is
the last the farmer hears of it.
Year: 1876

The New York Herald has the fol-
lowing well-timed remarks on C subject
interesting to all publishers of news
papers


One of the commonest incidents Of
newspaper life is the receipt OF ;om-
munications urging thu editor to make
attacks for which the writer who
prompts them is unwilling to be respon-
sible. We are always glad to receive
information or statements Of fact from
any authentic source, but we cannot con-
sent to be the instrument of assaults on
public or private persons to crafty the
malice or hostility Of people who shrink
from the responsibility of their own acts
and try to shelter themselves behind our
columns. Every man who is publicly
attacked has right to know who are
his aceusers. When facts are privately
submitted to us in the expectation that
we will employ our own Judgment as to
the use to be made of them, We treat
them as matters Of confidence, and
would never think Of exposing the
writer. Ii we think fit to make them
grounds OF criticism or assault on indi-
Yiduals the responsibility is entirely
ours in courts of justice and the court
of public opinion. But when, instead OF
communicating facts TO, us to Judge OF
and use, a writer prepares articles for
us to publish and expects us to make at
tacks on individuals and shield him from
consequences, be asks more than we are
willing to grant. he should have cour-
age erough toe1pose his own name and
back I'D his own quarrel
Year: 1876

An exchange, referring to the growth
of the pauper population, deplores the
state of affairs that necessitates the es-
tablishment of soup houses and the
meeting of public bodies to legislate
upon the abatement of the tramp nui-
sance. The editor says:


Itwould be too hard t. say one word
against charity in times like these, and
We do not mean to say it. Something
Wa owe to ourselves, especially the recol-
lection that Heaven loves the cheerful
giver; and even careless giving is a
pleasing form of self-indnlgence. But
a great, permanent public system of
giving is another matter. A community
like ours must relieve the poor, partly
because it isa Christian community, and
partly because the constant presence of
distress would be intolerable; but the
nearer we can keep to the rule that those
who can work and will not work, when
work is provided, shall not eat, the less
likely We shall be to have chronic pau
perism to contend with in the future.
The truth is, the American people, hav-
ing never had any occasion to study and
investigate this subject, possess no fixed
ideas about it, ghile in every other
country melancholy necessity has re-
duced it to something like a science.
Sooner or later, we shall be compelled
to do the same thing, and now is
good time to give the problem little
thought.
Year: 1876

One cannot but wonder, says Serb.
ner's magazine, whether William the
Fourth of England ever learned that O
plot was laid for his abduction during
his visit to New York in the spring OF
1882, during the Revolutionary war.
The prince was young and reckless
midshipman, given to filtration, and to
the inebriation which found vent in
wrenchiDg off door knobs ; and it prob
ably never occurred to him that in his
person the "rcbels would find host
age worth having. The project origi-
mated with Colonel Matthias Ogden OF
the Jersey line, and the intention was to
surprise the prince and hiscommissioned
guardian, Admiral Digby, at their
quarters in the city mansion of Gerardus
Beekman on Hanover square. Two otli-
GERS and thirty-nine men were to aid
Colonel Ogden in his enterprise. EN-
barking on rainy night in whaleboats,
they were to land in New York near the
Beekman mansion, force the doors of
the house, capture the admiral and
prince, and convey them to their boats.
The plan was approved by Washington,
but it does not appear that any decided
attempt was made to carry it out. In some
manner, the apprehensions of the Brit
ish lead ders were excited for the safety
of the prince, and every precaution was
taken against a surprise. Had it not
been fof this warning, the boldness OF
the plan appears likely to have insured
its success.
Year: 1876

She was charged with habitual drunk
snness. As she came forward to the bar
of st. Louis court she led by the hand
a bright looking boy about six years of
age. 1t took but little time to convict
the woman, as her own appearance was
the strongest witness against her.
Noticing the little boy the justice order.
ed an officer to take him to the house OF
refuge. The poor mother heard the
order and comprehended its import In
an instant. Hardened as she was, the
thought of being thus suddenly separa-
ted, certainly for many years, from the
only creature for whom she entertained
any affection was terrible one, and she
fell upon. her knees and most abjectly
prayed and begged that the boy be not
taken from her. Bleared, ragged and
dirty as she was, the picture was all the
more pitiful, and the effect of it was
greatly intensified by the boy, who, sud-
denly comprehending what was pro.
posed, ran to her, threw his arm around
her neck, and cried in frightened man
ner. The officer approached and the
boy shrunk away, while the tears stream
ed down the kneeling woman's face, rs
her supplications became most passion
ate. Finally physical strength triumph
ed, and the officer passed through the
courtroom carrying the struggling and
crying child, while the screams of the
mother could be plainly heard from the
opposite side of the street.
Year: 1876

After the prayer meeting at the Ply
mouth lecture-room, the room being
jammed, Mr.. Beecher announced that
the mutual council had fallen through,
the other side having declined. In the
course Of his remarks that evening Mr..
Beecher said:


received many letters which read as
follows "This is one Of the things you
ought not to touch; let it be smothered
in the mud from which it came" Speak
ing Of the Woodruff scandal, and acting
on their advice, I never wrote letter on
the subject, nor did I speak to any per-
son, not even to my own family, nor to
any one, with the exception of those in
timately concerned by the trouble, Mr..
Moulton and Mr.. Tlton and their fami-
lies. 7 maintained eltire silence, and
determined that I would not be party
to do that which I believed would be
injurious to morals as it was false to the
truth. But there was treachery on the
other side, and they did not want it kept
silent, and there was soreness and out
break following each other continually.
For myself, while if I am before any
tribunal of my country, I will tell the
truth when questioned, I will not in
any way help the diffusion Of that which
cannot but be mischievous, and so I
am taunted in the newspapers with
"Why don't you carry your disgusting
stuff abroada" I have been bombarded
severely assaled; but you are my
witness that I have not been the one
that stirred in the mire. am not a
member of party that is defending me.
am almost alone. I am man that has
been trumpeted up and down the 10 ID
as an abolitionist, when to be an aboli-
ZIONIST was to be reproached. I have
stood, with prejudices beating in upon
me, known and read Of all men; my ser
mons published, my lecture.room talks
printed, my family conversation repeat
in the papers. I have been stripped
bare, naked entirely, and stood in the
very glare Of publicity; and for the last
five years, under pressure unprece-
dented. I have been hunted by the
women Of the slews and their paramours,
hunted through the civil courts, hunted
by newspapers that have nothing else to
do but to make common sewers of them
selves for this slander. Now, put the
question to every honest man : How can
man stand under such circumstances
if he is that guilty wretch that they say
he isl If ever time comes
when any considerable number of this
church considers me to be wrong, don't
wait; let me know. The sun shall not
20 down on the day which communicates
the fact and find me pastor of this
church. But so long as you stand I am
STRONG
Year: 1876

the breaker, where it is MADE into all
marketable sizes. On its journey to the
shutes below at the tracks, and while
it is being crushed, large number of
boys, black with dust, pick out the slate,
bone, and other impurities. These boys
are smart and can tell the difference be-
tween slate and coal readily.


Strangers are rarely taken down an
important shaft, particularly when COL
liery is in active operation. Away down
in the damp, dangerous and black
avenues of the interior, the miner and
his men are at work. The shaft is well
wooded, and the car is let down by 8
wire rope uncoiling from a mammoth
drum. At the bottom, gangways, we'll
wooded, run hither and tbither. Rail
road tracks run along, and the cars are
either propelled by gravity or are drawn
to the shaft by mules that went down
with good eyes, but are now totally
blind. The animals live in the bowels
of the earth entirely. The miners, who
are Scotch, Welsh, and Irish principally,
work upon an established price basis.
There is danger all about mine, the
deadly gas explosion, falls OF coal,
breaking of machinery, and many other
things that cause chill Of horror. to
creep over stranger, and cold sweat
breaks on his brow as he contemplates
his situation fifteen hundred feet below
daylight.


Colliery machinery must be simple
and powerful. They have the heaviest
of engines. Two hundred horsepower
will lift ten tons five hundred feet a
minute, providing the balancing power
or the weight of the load going down on
the other side is one-third. Many COL
ieries cost as high as 5000, 900. The
pumps are always at work, hoisting from
100 to 500 gallons of water minute
NeU York Sun.
Year: 1876

A popular essayist writes as follows !:
AS Invent up the new Massa road the
other day met q ragged, stout and
rather dirty woman, with large shallow
basket on her head. In it lay her hus-
band, large man, though, I think, a
little abbreviated as to his legs. The
woman asked aims. Talk of Diogenes
in his tub How must the world look
to man in basket, riding about on his
wife's head2 She put him down beside
the road, in the sun, and almost in dan
GER of passing vehicles. I suppose tho
affectionate creature thought that if he
got new injury in this way his value in
the bcggar market would be increased.
This custom of carrying ones husband
on the head in basket has something
to recommend it, and is an exhibition OF
faith on the one hand and of devotion
on the other that is seldom met with. 1t
is at least a new commentary on the
apostolic remark that the man is the
head of the woman.
Year: 1876

The San Francisco Chronicle says
that, in addition to the numerous opium
smoking dens kept in that city for the
Chinese alone, there are, within three
blocks of tho city hall, eight opium
smoking establishmentskept by Chinese
for the exclusive use Of white men and
women. These places are patronized
not only by the vicious, but are r"snrted
to by young men and women of respect
able parentage and the habitues of
these resorts inhale the fumes of opium
until state of stupefaction is produced.
An ordinance has been passed prohibit
ing opium smoking in dens but Of course
it Is eyaded.
Year: 1876

WC Lay 70 Do"A w SASSFs
We lay us down to sleep,
And leave to God the rest;
Whether to wake " weep,
Or wake no more be best.
Why vex our souls with caro-?
The grave is cool and low;
Have We found life 30 fair
That We should dread to go'
We've kissed loves sweet, red lips,
And left them sweet and red.
The rose the wild boo sips
Blooms on when he is dead.
Some faithful friends we've found,
Bat those who love US best,
When We are under ground,
Will laugh on with the rest
No task have We begun
But other hands can take;
No work beneath the sun
For which We need to wake.
Then hold US fast, sweet death,
II so it seemsth best
To Him who gave us breath
That we should 90 to resi-
We lay us down to sleep,
Our weary eyes We close;
Whether to wake and weep,
Or wake no more, He knows.


Christian Union.
Year: 1876

The bride in question, while yet O
blooming and energetic widow, met with
an elderly gentleman of eighty years OF
age, and an indefinite quantity of bonds
and stock certificates. In spite of the
opposition of his family, she convinced
him that it was his duty to marry the
trusting aid ingenious woman who had
lavished upon him her priceless and ex-
perienced affections.


No sooner was the marriage ceremony
ended than the happy bride directedher
husband to run back to his house and
bring his bonds and mortgages, so that
they might begin to enjoy happy
honeymoon. The husband went, but as
soon as he had entered his house he was
seized by his latives and safely locked
up. He had made will in their favor,
and they had no intention Of allowing it
to be unmade by a new and unwelcome
wife. His prolonged absence disturbed
the bride. who sent carriage to hasten
his return; but the carriage came back
empty, and the drivers mind was too
much confused by strong language,
broken crockery, and pals Of water to
explain the reason why his presentation
of written order to "deliver to bearer
one (D elderly bridegroom" had given
rise to so much vigorous discussion.
The bride at once comprehended the
true state of affairs. She armed herself
with pistol and stout servant and
stormed her husbands prison. The
battle was short but fierce. From his
remote dungeon, the imprisoned hus-
band could be heard cheering on the as
sailants, but there were too many bolts
on the front door, too many determined
maiden sisters, and too much available
crockery in the house to render its cap
ture possible by tho assaulting column.
The bride was beaten back, after per-
forming prodigies Of valor with long
pole against the parlor windows, and she
has since appealed to the law for assist
ance. A suit for the forcible theft of O
valuable husband, whose photograph is
annexed to the complaint, and marked
"Schedule A" is now pending, and it
remains to be seen whether Massachu-
setts court recognizes the right Of prop
erty in husbands, or whether it looks
upon them as .terg natare, and hence
incapable of being made the subject of
an action for trovcr and conversion.
Year: 1876

An article in an exchange argues
against the reduction of the army, on
the ground that the saving would not be
so great as is popularly supposed, while
q reduction in the present force would
necessitate an abandonment Of large
number Of frontier posts already INSULT.
ciently garrisoned, and deprive our
pioneer population Of the protection in
dispensable to tho growth of most ir-
portant portion of the country. The
adjutant general reports that by the
latest returns tho army of tho United
States contained $3.50 men, 21,74S of
whom were included in the active force
of cavalry, artillery, and infantry. The
cost of this force was a. follows:
Year: 1876

The delegates from the trades unions of this
city met last evening in Glass Hail. at Thrty-fourtht
and Thirdave for the purpose of organizing an indie
pendent party About 20 persons were present. Inc
President read the call for convention. to meet on May
IT, at indianapolis, to form q National Independent
party In connection with this call was declaration Oh
principles, the chief features Of which were the
demand for monetary system based on the faith
Of the nation; that this money be made a
legal tender for debts both public and
private and that duties on imports no Included me
suggestion OF the Chairman adopted, with the mldl


caon that interest payable in coin should be excepted
from general requirements OF the monetary clause
and that such coin should be purchased in foreign mar
kets. Chairman read portions of letter from Peter
Cooper in which Mr. Cooper stated that when the WORK


ngrnen had organized party and had adopted plat
FORM he would he in position To tell whether he conld
accept the position Of President IN was resolved mat
those present associate themselves Section No OF the
National independent Party OF New-York.
Year: 1876

THE TURNING PoINT.-The New
York Herald does not believe that
New York is the pivotal point on
which the presidential election will
turn, 1t insists that Indiana is the
true pivot. Curiously enough it con.
tends at the same time that if the


democrats carry Indiana it will not
make their chances any better; but
that If the republicans carry they may
shout victory all along the line. Is not
this arguing rather too much on the
principle of heads I win, tails you lose
Year: 1876

The World, editorially referring to the
icebound whaling ships in the Arctic
Ocean, says there is hope that at least
one or two of the abandoned vessels
may get wedged into the solid ice and
remain for a while unbroken. The ships
are we'll provisioned, and the men left
behind may make even yet gallant
struggle with nature for the mastery.
1t suggests that, in view of the possibil-
lty Of protracted effort OF the men for
safety and the probability of prolonged
suffering, that an attempt be made for
their rescue,
Year: 1876

BAD EFFECT OF THE QUEENS BOUN
TY.-Queen Victoria lately sent e3 to
little boy who had been run over in the
streets, and writer says that since this
incident was made public the London
cab-drivers have found it impossible to
get through the city for the crowd Of
small boys waiting to be run over.


SUBTERRANEAN LoNDoN.-A subter-
ranean forrest bed has been discovered
in London, consisting of peat, with
trunks of trees, most of them standing.
ALI are of species still found in Britain,
the oak, alder and willow being abund-
ant. In the peat are found bones of the
great fossil OK.


WHILE two Ohio tramps were work
ing to pay for their dinners the other
day, they were both struck by light
ming and killed. 1t was the first time
the lightning ever got lick at a tramp
at work, and it struck as if it knew it
was going to be the last.-LOuisville
Courier Journal.


In less than six months the very men
who are now growing about the heat,
will be iawing their wives for trading
of their last Winters overcOat for a
plaster lamb and two glass preserving
dishes. Man is nothing if he isn't IN
consistent.
Year: 1876

ANEcDoTE OF THAcKERAY. Thack7
cray was at one time a welcome visitor
at the house of Lady Ashburton, who
was somewhat free with her tongue and
her opinion of others. Something that
the saucy hostess said offended her
guest, and he not only declined her in
vitations, but spoke of her with discour-
tesy. Some months after, when his an
CRY feelings had died out, he received
from Lady Ashburton card OF invita-
ton to dinner. He returned it with q
pen and ink drawing on the back, rep
resenting himself kneeling at her feet,
with his hair all aAafne from the hot
Goals she was vigorously pouring on his
head out of an ornamental brazier.
This humorous expression of contrition
was followed by o complete reconcilia-
ton. The ,satirist and the lady contin-
ned warm friendship.
Year: 1876

WASHINGTON Feb O. 1876
CoNKLINo AS CANDIDATE-HIs CHANCES OF


BECOMING GRANTS HEIR


The Conkllng candidacy attracts the greatest aten-
ton here there has been the utmost keenness of
desire exhibited know what foundation there is for
the that President Grant had definitely an
nounced to Mr. Conkng his purpose to be a candi-
date. Ii is ascertained that the report had It's
source in the positive assertion Of judge Of OF the
United States courts closely Identified with Mr. Conk
ling This gentlemans reputation for caution and
liability gave authority to his statement and il was
naturally widely believed


Notwithstanding this high authority It has not been
implicitly accepted and far Il is possible to Judge
the position Of the republican Senator from New
York is hereafter described Mr. Conkllng been
seeking to become General Grants heir by completely
subordnating himself to the policy OF Grant until
the latter should die out as a candidate, meanwhile
waiting and daring to do anything TO aid or hasten
tho result General Grant, however, has all along
wrapped himself in tacturn mystery and left his friend
to hope and fear and wait II they had come 20 a
distinct understanding, and IL had been agreed that
Conkling should be candidate aud was strong enough
TO take the New York delegation to Cincinnati still
1t Is the best opinion here that Conkng would
IL There is no sound ground for the belief that they
have even got far make such an understanding
Grant is an inexorabe, silent man, ana Conkling in
waiting for him To bow himself out is likely TO have a
tiresome time OF it,
Year: 1876

About three O'Clock yesterday afternoon, First
street. Grand street, Williamsburg stopped
the sidewalk and placing pistol to his breast shot
himself AS he FELL instead of running toward him,
the spectators screamed "Murder I" and two three
ran for the police. The ambulance sent for and
the man removed TO the Eastern District Hospi-
tai where 1t was found that the wound fatal,
the surgeons in charge that he cigar maker,
named Mcneil Moodre, residing al No 235 Second
street, New York, where he had family, consisting OF
a wife and two children, whom he had been unable 20
support and dsheartened at the hard times and hav
ing no prospect Of work, he had attempted TO make
away with himself Al late hour last night he
alive, but sinking rapidly.
Year: 1876

SIXTY THOUSAND woRKMEN OUT OF EMPLOY


FOR FIVE WEEKS


SCRANTON Pa, Feb 6, 1876
Tomorrow morning the FIVE weeks suspension Of
labor at tue mnes ordered by the combined companies
at their recent meeting in New York, takes effect
throughout the anthracite coal fields OF Pennsylvania
throwing &C, 900 men and boys out of employment.


THE OUTLOOK
n not regarded very seriously in this region as the
short of rest is expected to be followed by one
OF unusual activity 1t is expected that the suspension
will have the effect OF clearing the ovcrcrowded coal
yards at tide water and making room for


SPRING TRADE
There is a large number Of the poor class who will
certainly be pnched by the FIVE weeks of enforced
tdleness upon which they enter TO morrow, but
serious consequences are apprehended